Photo & Video Preview Tour Inside Madame Tussauds Orlando As Date Announced for Grand Opening (Including Orlando Eye, SEA LIFE Aquarium)

Hi everyone!

We are just over 2 months from the opening of 3 major attractions at Orlando’s I-Drive 360. The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Aquarium will officially open on May 4th, 2015! I was there for the announcement, and had the opportunity to preview Madame Tussauds. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d be able to see there, with most figures installed. We have photos and a video tour!

Before checking out the photos, here is our walk-through video. I have photos of figures not in the video, and vice versa.

I-Drive 360 seems to have something new opening every week, but the addition of these 3 Merlin attractions will make it a full day experience for many – and at a reasonable price. Tickets currently are $25.00 per attraction for adults ($20.00 for children under 12) if purchased separately, but there is a $49.00 adult offer if purchased as a combo ($44.00 for children) – and if you purchase online, that figure can currently drop to as little as $35.00 for all 3, depending on what date and time you choose for your experience. Even $49.00 is quite the bargain, and guests can also add on LEGOLAND if they choose.

SEA LIFE Aquarium was not ready for us to see, but we were told ahead that we would have a sneak peek in Madame Tussauds. I spent an hour and a half photographing these lifelike figures. Jeff couldn’t join me this time around, but next time I look forward to having a little more fun posing with them! This was the first time I’ve been to a Madame Tussauds, but now I hope we’ll stop in at each one we have opportunity to visit.

The newest wax figure was unveiled while we were there, Barney Stinson. Suit up!

Guests are allowed to touch the figures, it will take a while for me to get used to that.

Guests will first be entering into this room, which I don’t think was yet fully finished. I was told it would be interactive. Juan Ponce de León is the first figure guests should see. Madame Tussauds features quite a few figures that are here for local interest.

We aren’t showing every figure that is there now, but most of them – and there are still some more to come.

This room is filled with wax figures of some of the most famous actors in the world.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Anne Hathaway.

Ryan Gosling.

Leonardo DeCaprio.

Jennifer Aniston.

Emma Watson.

Johnny Depp.

Ryan Reynolds.

I waited until the room cleared out for a few of these photos. It took a while to get used to being around such lifelike figures.

Will Smith is seated.

Will Smith and Samuel L. Jackson.

Samuel L. Jackson.

Rounding the corner, I found Selena Gomez.

Jackie Chan.

Steven Spielberg is ready to film.

Guests can ride on ET’s bike, there were even capes to use (I didn’t this time).

This iconic scene from Grease is recreated with wax figures of John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. I’ve been asked what my favorite figures are, and these are two of them.

Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.

Marilyn Monroe.

Here is a wider view of the room.

Uncle Sam.

Abraham Lincoln.

President Obama.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Albert Einstein.

Andy Warhol.

Steve Jobs.

David Beckham.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Muhammad Ali.

Serena Williams.

Shaquille O’Neal.

There is a music room, which includes Madonna.

Rihanna strikes a similar pose.

Katie Perry.

Elvis.

Michael Jackson.

Ricky Martin.

Miley Cyrus.

Another room continues the tour.

Oprah.

Jennifer Lopez.

Sofia Vergara, in a room that includes photos of Audrey Hepburn, Brad and Angelina, and Marilyn Monroe.

Vin Diesel.

It may be a couple of months before we are able to go back, I really am looking forward to seeing Madame Tussauds when it is fully finished – as well as the Orlando Eye and SEA LIFE Aquarium! May 4th if the official Grand Opening date, but sign up for the E-Newsletter on the Madame Tussauds website to have the opportunity to buy tickets for May 1st-3rd.

Are you looking forward to the Orlando Eye? We were just on the London Eye in October (it was my second time), and it will be fun to see what view is available from the top!