Baltimore Aquarium features 4-D Christmas movie

This holiday season, Hopkins students can visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore to see The Polar Express 4-D Experience, an immersive experience that aims to stimulate the senses with the sights, sounds, scents and feel of a Christmas story. The Polar Express 4-D Experience will be playing at the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor throughout the holiday season.

The movie is based on the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg The Polar Express and includes scenes from the 2004 film featuring the voice of Tom Hanks.

The Caldecott Medal-winning picture book, which was published in 1985, is the story of a boy who travels to the North Pole on a magical train to see Santa Claus. The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, was nominated for three Oscars: Best Sound Editing, Best Original Song and Best Sound Mixing.

This tale is retold with the help of the many features of the 4-D theater, which allow viewers to feel immersed in the story of the child confronting the wonder of Christmas.

Charles Hollmuller, one visitor to the aquarium who saw The Polar Express 4-D Experience, enjoyed the captivating features of the film.

“I thought all of the effects were useful in creating a sense of realism for the audience. It took the best parts of a good movie, and it was still cohesive, even though it wasn’t the whole thing,” Hollmuller said. “All in all, it was a fun experience for people of all ages who enjoy holiday films.”

The aquarium’s 4-D Immersion Theater is designed to make viewers feel like they are truly involved in the films. The aquarium’s website describes the special sensations that viewers can experience at a 4-D immersion show.

“The Aquarium’s 4-D Immersion Theater is equipped with 4-D capabilities, which combine the high-definition drama of a 3-D film with special sensory effects that are built into the theater seats and environment,” the site reads. This specific film includes many audience-interactive features, such as falling snow, the feel of cracking ice and the smell of evergreens.

The 15-minute films cost five dollars per person, and tickets can be purchased at the entrance along with tickets to the aquarium. Additionally, Hopkins students can visit the National Aquarium on Friday evenings at a discounted rate as a part of the Aquarium’s Fridays After Five initiative. Until Mar. 27 of next year, admission to the National Aquarium will be discounted to $12 on Fridays after 5 p.m.

The 4-D Experience has previously played at other amusement sites across the United States. The original Experience debuted at SeaWorld Orlando in November 2007 in a motion simulator ride. This attraction was open until January 1, 2008, and it reopens every Christmas season. The 4-D film, owned and distributed by SimEx-Iwerks, has played at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Dollywood, the Vancouver Aquarium and Warner Bros. Movie World.