Netflix and Fever are giving fans the opportunity to unlock their powers and visit the iconic sites of Hawkins - including the Upside Down - through an immersive experience in NYC.
Taking place at The Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, the 35,000 sq. ft. space has been transformed to welcome Stranger Things stans into the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. Game ZXC was able to attend a press preview of the experience May 11 and meet the team behind the magic, as well as some “Hawkins regulars.” Here’s everything fans need to know about attending Stranger Things: The Experience -and as Eleven says, “Friends don’t lie.”
The experience kicks off with a normal ticketing and registration process, so one would think. But rather than being prompted about one's tickets for the experience, attendees are greeted by characters in white doctor coats who explain that Hawkins Lab is conducting a sleep study, and those in the room are their willing participants. Guests are divided up into a series of color-coordinated groups and asked to pocket all phones and recording devices. After being brought into the next room, two guest speakers take the stage and begin the orientation process. However, things quickly go wrong and the voices of Stranger Things’ iconic teens are heard through the intercoms. Once lights begin to flicker and the informational video glitches, the workers cover the ground rules and prompt attendees into the next room.
Here is where the techy stuff begins to kick in. After a quick puzzle and the determination of group leaders, the teams are asked to test out their powers. While it may feel a bit cheesy, this writer encourages full participation. It is the collectiveness of the group that sells the experience - it is the quick glances at the surrounding strangers, the absurdity of seeking guidance from one's group leader, and the familiarity of this unconventional world that makes this 40-minute, all-hands-on-deck battle against the monsters and the evil Martin Brenner an unforgettable experience.
The study quickly turns upside down as Dustin and Erica are spotted in the vents. They prompt an anarchist revolution in the group and with the help of the participants, eventually finish hacking into the building’s video system - with the show’s actors appearing on the screen and guiding the rest of the adventure.
Without giving too many spoilers away, the duration of the experience flashes by as participants find themselves mesmerized by state-of-the-art holograms and mechanical engineering. The second half of the experience packs in a few solid jump scares and clues for the upcoming season. It is in the last ten minutes that attendees will find themselves full-heartedly believing that they have powers as they pass through an icky, latex rift into the Upside Down - but not before slipping on a pair of “safety googles” - and they help Eleven and Max fend off a pack of demogorgons. As the realistic creatures jump out, the group is prompted to use their powers to collectively defeat the beasts. The storytelling is on such an expert level that at one point, unprompted, a participant held up their hand to use their powers against the creature and exclaimed, “Oh! I forgot this is not how it works.”
This isn’t a one-off reaction. In our exclusive interview with General Tour Manager George Agbuya, he shared, “My favorite part [of the experience] is watching everyone's expressions. I'll be honest, I actually sneak into the Upside Down world, just so that I can watch people of all ages react to the technology. When certain things happen and I see their look of surprise or laughter, it makes it all worthwhile.”
After the mission is completed, participants exit into The Mixtape which is an interactive recreation of the Starcourt Mall, equipped with the infamous Scoops Ahoy ice cream shop, Family Video, and an arcade (with working games). The area also features a merchandise booth, a bar loaded with Hawktails (Stranger Things-themed cocktails) - we recommend "The Rifter" - and a few costumes from the series. Participants are able to take photos in the iconic settings which also includes the Byers’ living room, a phone booth, and a pulsating demogorgon.
The Mixtape is also where the citizens of Hawkins come to hang out. Don’t be afraid to engage with the Hawkins Post journalist Dylan and his budding protégé Daren, or ask Family Video’s Tyler about his feud with local roller skater Stephanie/Stefani.
Once the initial buzz wears off, fans may notice that there are a few unfamiliar spots in this area. Agbuya tells us, “We have three new elements from season four. We have Hellfire Club, Surfer Boy Pizza, and Rink-O-Rama. Those are little sneak peeks into what season four is going to bring this month.”
While Netflix and Fever flawlessly pulls their weight with the experience, participants have to go in with an open mind and a willingness to participate in all the adolescent, cheesy goodness to get the most out of this experience. It is a dream for Stranger Things fans and is the perfect build for the forthcoming season. Tickets are limited and prices start at $54 per person and can be booked at the Stranger Things Experience website. The experience will open in San Francisco, London, and other cities around the world later this year.