Wonder of Friendship: The Experience | An Immersive Disney Exhibition At 180 Studios The Strand
Disney exhibitions are always an animated affair.
And come May, for nine days from the 12th-21st, you will have the opportunity to literally immerse yourself in Disney’s magical, and very animated world. 180 Studios The Strand will be holding an immersive exhibition titled ‘Wonder of Friendship: The Experience’, in celebration of Disney’s 100-year anniversary.
Using multi-sensory pop-up installations and Snapchat’s augmented reality technology – all the modern-day technical wizardry – Wonder of Friendship will bring some of the entertainment company’s most beloved stories to life, so you can actually interact with a few of your favourite characters (in video art form); there’ll be familiar faces from The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch, Alice in Wonderland and Mickey and Friends. You’ll be taken on a nostalgic roam through their film environments (that have been reimagined through 1,000sqm of fluorescent installations and neon sculptures), with each putting special attention on the friendships the characters share with one another (friendship being the overarching theme for Disney’s big birthday milestone).
There’s the Garden of Mystery (occupied by Alice and her wacky pals like the Cheshire cat), Orchestra Oasis (where Simba, Timone, Pumba and, probably, you will be belting out Hakuna Matata), Ohana Bay (a Hawaiian beach where you may learn how to surf under the guidance of Lilo and her alien dog-pet Stitch) and finally, Wonderverse, a room devoted to Mickey and his close-knit crew (Donald Duck, Goofy, Minnie, those guys…).
If Wonder of Friendship sounds childish, it’s not – and we’re not saying that because we’re ultra defensive, slightly obsessed Disney fanatics who sleep with Disney sheets and partake in regular Disney film marathons. The experience is actually designed for young people over the age of 18…
…which is a nice way of saying fully-grown adults.
NOTE: Wonder of Friendship: The Experience is on at 180 Studios The Strand from 12th – 21st May 2023. Kids under the age of 8 will not be permitted entry, while those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets cost £17.50 and you can sign up for them here
180 Studios | 180 Strand, Temple, London WC2R 1EA
Not an immersive exhibition person? Check out our guide to what’s on at all the other art galleries in London right now