World Of Coca-Cola Atlanta

By alantvuong on May 18, 2019

Since I was heading to Atlanta in May 2019 for the Shaky Beats Music Festival, I had to visit some of the city’s top attractions. I was lucky enough to get complimentary tickets from The World Of Coca-Cola and have city passes from Discover Atlanta. I had just recently visited The Coca-Cola Store in Vegas last year and had a blast checking out all the Coke products and merchandise and sampling dozens of Coke drinks around the world. The World Of Coca-Cola is way bigger, had so much things to do, and had over 100 different Coke drinks from around the world. Not only was this museum really wheelchair accessible, we got too full from sampling too many drinks. Here is how my buddy and I spent almost 3 hours at this great attraction.

Getting In

The museum is located at Pemberton Place which is only a few blocks from our hotel and took only 10 minutes walk/stroll to get to. We visited on Tuesday around noon and that was a perfect time to go since it wasn’t too busy. Tickets are normally $17 (or you can get it bundled with other city attractions at citypass), and after entering the lobby we got a free mini can of Coke and headed toward the loft. A nice wheelchair ramp leads you into this first room where there are almost 200 Coca-Cola artifacts throughout their 125 years of existence. We see the Coca-Cola syrup urn from 1896, pants from 1970, advertisements and much more.

nice accessible ramp leading to The Loft

The tour guide talks to everyone about some of the artifacts and then we head to the Coca-Cola theater to see a 6 minute video called “Moments Of Happiness”. The video just show highlights of people celebrating life’s greatest moments like skydiving, weddings and other special occasions. Glad there are wheelchair spots and text-script machines for those who require them. After the video, you go on your own and visit any of the exhibits in any order you want.

wheelchair seating and text-script monitors at this theater

Exhibits

The first exhibit we went to see was The Vault, which was where the secret formula to Coca-Cola is locked away. We learn it was invented by Dr. John Stith Pemberton in 1886 and how it has been one of the world’s best kept secrets. Many competitors have tried to copy the formula. There are some great interactive exhibits like trying to recreate the formula in the Virtual Taste Maker and The Bubble-izer where you become part of the secret and be transformed into bubbling form and take photos.

the secret formula of Coca-Cola is locked away in this vault

Next exhibit we went to was Milestones Of Refreshments, which was a walk through history. There are 10 galleries here where you get to see a circa 1880s soda fountain, 1939 deliver truck and old Coca-Cola bottles. Was really great seeing how this company evolved throughout the years.

cans and bottles throughout the years in Milestones Of Refreshment exhibit

Other exhibits include Bottle Works where you get to see a slowed down version of the Coca-Cola Bottling process. Pop Culture Gallery shows how fans have made the brand an icon of popular culture. There are dozens of original paintings here, make your own digital artworks and even take a photo sitting on the sofa from American Idol season 4. The Coca-Cola Portrait Wall is an interactive map of the world and comes to life when you get close to it, and hear how Coca-Cola initiatives help people and communities around the world.

original artwork at Pop Culture Gallery Exhibit

Coca-Cola Bear

I had my picture taken with the Coca-Cola Bear a few times at the Vegas Coke Store but had to do it again at the World Of Coca-Cola. We were allowed to use our own camera for photos in addition with the professional photographer for print purchase at the gift shop. The polar bear has appeared in many TV and print ads and has become one of the most popular symbols of Coca-Cola advertising.

fun photo ops

4D Theater

In this theater, we get to watch “In Search of the Secret Formula”. It seems to be aimed at kids and is about a scientist who is trying to uncover the secret formula of Coca-Cola. In addition to getting glasses for this 3D movie, moving seats, wind and water sprays make this a true 4D experience. Since I am sitting in my own wheelchair, I won’t be able to feel the movements of the regular seats.

ready for the 4D experience

Taste It!

My favorite part of the World Of Coca-Cola was the Taste It! exhibit. Here you get to sample 100+ international and domestic beverages made by the Coca-Cola company. There are 5 tasting stations separated geographically: Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and Latin America. I enjoyed Fanta Pineapple from Greece, Fanta Melon Frosty from Thailand and again did not enjoy the Beverly from Italy.

Fanta Melon Frosty from Thailand was delicious

There was also a sampling bar where we get to sample recently introduced drinks that are featured for a limited time. There are 6 Coca-Cola Freestyle machines that has over 100 choices all in the same dispenser. As with all the machines in this exhibit, we got to sample as much as we wanted and we both drank way too much soda.

giant Coca-Cola bottle with 6 Freestyle machines

After the Taste It! exhibit, the exit to the gift shop was right at the back. Here is where you will find any and all types of Coca-Cola gifts and souvenirs. From clothing to kitchen products to pens to magnets, there is definitely something for everyone. We both enjoyed this attraction very much and felt the 3 hours here flew by. This is rated a big thumbs up from the both of us and highly recommended this place a visit when in Atlanta. Very wheelchair accessible and accommodating and thanks again to The World Of Coca-Cola and Discover Atlanta