ORLANDO, Fla. – A new attraction is coming to “Life” at the Orlando Science Center.
News 6 anchor and Insider Guide Crystal Moyer took a tour through the new exhibits under construction that will bring visitors closer to unique animals, promoting messages of sustainability and conservation.
“The rainforest habitat is ultimately our old Kids Town and what we’ve done is completely gutted it, renovated it, filled it in with dirt, added live trees, plants -- so full horticulture -- so we can have an experience where our visitors get to be in the exhibit, in the home of the animals themselves,” Vice President of Visitor Experience Brandan Lanman said.
About 300 animals will soon call the Orlando Science Center home, including Tamarins, a sloth, snakes and birds taking flight.
“The whole idea is that we want you to see them [animals], feel some empathy and compassion for them and ultimately get into a position where you want to help protect them. That comes down to making changes that we can make here in Central Florida that’s going to have an impact all the way at the rainforest in South America and elsewhere,” Lanman said.
Lanman has been involved since the planning stages of the new “Life” attraction nearly 10 years ago. Construction is underway on the 13,000 square foot $13.5 million project. The Orlando Science Center received a $10 million grant from Orange County tourist tax revenue and a $3 million individual donation from Dr. Sarah Layton, the presenting sponsor.
“Life” is the largest project resulting from the Unlock Science campaign, which is a multi-million-dollar, multi-year fundraising effort to invest in the community through the creation of relevant, engaging, impactful content that promotes informal science learning, family engagement and workforce development.
“Life” focuses on three distinct environments: the Rainforest, the Ocean and the Swamp.
“This is the largest exhibit construction we’ve ever done in our history and it’s the largest exhibit we’ll have at the Orlando Science Center. This is a historic opportunity,” Vice President of Marketing Jeff Stanford said.
The Swamp habitat will house alligators and other reptiles built around the cypress trees that remain the centerpiece of the Orlando Science Center that spans as high as four floors.
In the Ocean exhibit, there’s a 10,000-gallon tank that will be home to bonnethead sharks and coral reef.
Along with animal interactions, there will be plenty of hands-on interactive elements.
“They are educational and tell stories that have a connection back to what you’re seeing in the habitats themselves. For example, in the Ocean exhibit, there are books with interactive pages telling the story of the coral reefs, challenges they’re having and the deterioration over the years and what we can do to help support solving those problems,” Lanman said.
The Orlando Science Center has hired specialists and nutritionists to care for the animals and plants in the new exhibits. Some of the animals are in quarantine at the Orlando Science Center and will start being introduced to their new homes in late January.
“It’s gratifying to see something we’ve been talking about for almost 10 years come to life. We broke ground in June of 2022. To see us nearing the finish line it’s so exciting, especially for someone like me who grew up going to the Orlando Science Center, this will have an impact on generations of residents and visitors,” Stanford said.
“Life” is expected to open in March and visitors will have access with a general admission ticket for the Science Center.
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