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World of Coca-Cola; Atlanta, GA
Monday, September 14, 2009 at 11:08AM Now that we finally have orders (to Hawaii!) we need to get serious about seeing all the things we want to see before we leave the Southeast. We thought about going up to North Carolina to see Roanoke, but the thought of being trapped in a car with The Goobs and me for thirteen hours roundtrip made The Man's eyes bleed, so we drove four hours to Atlanta instead. Why Atlanta? Because of its Civil War history? Because of its Civil Rights history? No, you sillies. Because of the World of Coca-Cola.
We have been promising The Goobers a trip to the Coke museum for about four years now, and we finally made good! After we paid our $50! entrance fee (okay, it wasn't quite that much because we bought City Passes, but still), smiling employees ushered us through metal detectors and into the lobby, where we milled around and waited for the next tour to begin (they're on a timed admission system). We entered another lobby filled with Coke memorabilia and listened to a perky tour guide tell us about the museum and some of the memorabilia in the room. The tour guide really seemed to love her job, and delighted in telling us that the green stained glass lamp really was a Tiffany.
Tiffany, schmiffany. My favorite part was the 1980s vending machine. It took me right back.
After the talk we watched a weird little animated movie that shows what happens after you push the Coke button on a vending machine.
It was surreal. The Love Puppy things made me feel squirmy and not much like having a Coke and smile, you know? But I felt better once we toured the bottling factory. Everything looked pretty sanitary - I couldn't find even a speck of spit or fur anywhere.
There were a LOT of exhibits to go through. We watched a documentary about Coca-Cola last year, and The Goobs actually remembered enough of it to be of some help as we were wandering through the vast holdings of the World of Coca-Cola.
The Goobs liked the pop culture gallery the best, and their absolute favorite thing was the couch from the 2005 season of American Idol. (I think they were so excited because 2005 was the last time I allowed them to watch American Idol.)
Jeez, JellyMan. Chill out. It's only a couch.
When we had seen every last possible style of Coke bottle, Coke can, Coke sign, Coke pencil, Coke painting, Coke t-shirt, Coke coffee mug, Coke flashlight, Coke lamp, Coke toy, and Coke frisbee we saw another Coke movie in 4-D. After that, we entered the highlight of the museum: Taste It!
This is where you can sample 64 different Coke products from all over the world. It was a tough job, but we managed to taste them all. I took their picture after we had gone through about 40 flavors - their smiles had faded a bit, but they were still game!
My absolute favorite was Bibo Candy Pine-Nut from South Africa. It was delicious! Oh! Remember Tab? My mom drank that when I was little. My brother and I would beg for a sip, but she always said, "No, you can't have any. There's rat poison in it." We thought she just didn't want to share, but after tasting it I know she was speaking the truth. Rat poison is indeed the predominant flavor.
Once we made ourselves sick on 64 samples of Coke (I'm pretty sure The Goobs had well over 100) we were treated to: more Coke! Each guest receives a complimentary bottle of Coca-Cola from the factory downstairs. Cool, right?
And then you exit through the Coca-Cola store, where your kids say, "Wow!" and "Oh, look!" and "That's so cool!" and you part with the rest of your cash because you can't stand how cute they are.
It was a great visit. Sorry we made you wait so long, Goobs!
field trips, georgia in Homeschool
Reader Comments (7)
Fun! I wanna go now. I'm going to start planning next year's vacation around the Coke Factory Tour!
I love their faces on the couch. They didn't seem as excited about tasting in the picture but 100 different sodas suggest otherwise;) Looks like lots of fun!!
I love how you call your kids the Goobs. I just found your blog and it is the thing that made me add you to my Must Read list!
I have informed that the hubby must take me there the next time we are in Atlanta.
Thanks, Deb! I'm glad you came.
"Bibo Candy Pine-Nut" That doesn't sound so good. I use to get coke from a machine like that white one and I drank a few Tabs. Yes, I am only 29. Amazing, isn't it.
I'd like to go there.
What a fun place! I want to go there, but I am not saying that too loud because then we will end up stationed out there or something.