Something I noticed during our most recent visit to Atlas9 was found in the Manager’s Office.
Atlas9 – manager’s office.
During our first visit in June 2026, we explored this “manager’s office” but did not make many connections with story – we had not learned the story yet.
As we visited a few more times, things in this room started to make more sense. For example, there are photos along the back wall. Some seem random. Why is there a photo of someone dressed a Dorothy from Wizard of Oz?
Atlas9 – manager’s office photo.
I did a quick Google Reverse Image search and did not find a match for that image, but I am sure there is some narrative reason why the office manager would have had this photo on her wall. Perhaps it is meant to be one of her childhood photos, showing how much she loved classic movies like Wizard of Oz? Or maybe it is a famous photo, and my search engine skills are just lacking. Either way, leave a comment if you have information.
On this most recent visit, I paid more attention to these photos. I believe they are using A.I. to generate them since they have this:
Atlas9 – manager’s office photo.
Since this attraction is perpetually stuck in 1995, the hair in this photo likely indicates it was “taken” in that era or before. Perhaps the woman on the left is meant to be the theater manager, Melissa Hartwell.
If so, do we know who she is with? If the hair style is more 1980s than 1990s, this may be meant to be an “old” photo in 1995. Could the person on the right a younger version of projectionist Frank? Frank also wears glasses and button up shirts. Here is what Frank looks like in the “current” 1995 time of Atlas9.
Atlas9 – Frank the projectionist.
But I digress.
What actually caught my attention was the background of that photo. I did not make the connection until this visit: it looks like it was meant to have been taken in the nearby theater break room. Notice the round windows on the cabinet doors in the break room:
Atlas9 – break room sink area.
…and look at the ones in the “old” photo:
Atlas9 – manager’s office photo.
However, if this was the intent, there are some differences.
The color is different, but rooms get repainted.
The tiles are different, but rooms get remodeled.
The cabinets that extend over the fridge (common in most kitchens I have been in) are missing in the actual location.
There are vertical dividers in the photo as if to imply pull out drawers, which are missing in the real drawers.
But I would bet that this photo was meant to be the same break room from Atlas9 and the A.I. generated image (assumption) just got some details wrong.
Of course, there is the chance that this is a genuine old photo and it just happened to be taken in a break room similar to the one they built. There are endless libraries of stock photos.
Either way, it does seem like an intentional detail. These addition details add to the history and backstory of the Atlas9 theater.
My speculation could be completely wrong, of course, but I bet there is a story to that photo — and the others in the room. This place appears to have been designed with very intentional details.
Welcome to a new series (maybe) here on the blog: the Crazy Atlas9 Theory (C.A.T.)
As I have said in the past, it is much more fun to read the book than peek at the ending (or ask someone who has read it how it ends). Of course I could just ask someone at Atlas9 about, but where’s the fun in that?
Let’s being our journey down the rabbit hole. Warning: there be speculation and spoilers ahead! (Oh, that would be a better name for this series, wouldn’t it? Atlas9 Speculation and Spoilers!)
Telephone Numbers
The Atlas9 attraction in Kansas City has eleven (11) telephones in attraction. One of them does not work, but it is supposed to, and used to work.
You can also find phone numbers on notes, business cards, signs, etc.
Atlas9 – phone in VERA (RV)
Above, that photo shows a notepad next to one of the phones. On it, three phone numbers are listed. These are the phone numbers that ring to three other phones. Right off the bat, we have numbers for three of the eleven telephones:
314-101 – payphone in the Containment Zone (first floor, entrance area)
314-112 – desk phone in Manager’s Office (first floor)
314-212 – desk phone in Projection Room (second floor)
Dialing those numbers from other phones inside Atlas9 should ring the listed phone. As I previously discussed, it appears the prefix 314 is used but “Internal Atlas9 Numbers,” as stated on the payphone:
Atlas9 – phone numbers on payphone
Until recently, those three numbers where the only ones that I had personally “confirmed.” However, two posters on the REDDIT r/Atlas9 group (u/Pridef-cked and u/Notlok) told me that one of the numbers found in this drawer is the number for the wall phone in the Speakereasy:
Atlas9 – phone number found on note in drawer
You will see the other two numbers go to phones in the first list, with 55-1943 being a new one. It would make sense that all three of these numbers are to telephones, much like the three numbers found elsewhere go to telephones.
I have not been able to verify that number myself, because this phone is broken:
Atlas9 – phone in Speakereasy (not working)
“This means something!”
With apologies to the Close Encounters of the Third Kind parody, Closet Cases of the Nerd Kind, the digits in these numbers might mean something. They could be an intentional way to get folks started in figuring out the missing ones.
Figuring out the missing ones
We will define our terms as follows:
prefix – the first three digits of the number (314, 030, etc.)
line number – the rest of the number
First, we “know” that the prefix of 314 means an Atlas9 number, as opposed to 030 which is an “outside” number (like a cleaning service or parts supplier).
If we ignore the Speakereasy 55 number, we do see a potential pattern in the others. The first digit of the line number could indicate the zone the phone is in:
314-1xx – first floor (two numbers found)
314-2xx – second floor (one number found)
314-3xx – “outside” the theater, in Splice Bros. Pizza “next door”
…and at one point, you get a new number with a 4.
314-4xx – one number known, and it’s like someone’s cell phone.
That 4 number rings to someone who is part of Atlas9, but not in the building when they answer. (A recording, not a physical phone.)
The second digit may or may not be relevant:
314-x0x – containment zone
314-x1x – inside the theater
When you put first and second digits in the mix, a pattern becomes clearer:
314-10x – first floor, containment zone
314-11x – first floor, inside
314-21x – second floor, inside
Everything could fit, other than 55-1943 for the Speakereasy. A second 55 number, 55-xxxx, is a movie hotline. Maybe there is some link between Speakereasy and the Movie Line I do not see.
Finding the missing telephone numbers
By my count, there are seven (7) phones on the first floor:
Agent Room
Containment Zone (payphone on the “outside” of the movie theater building)
Manager’s Office
Prototyzer Room
Scavengers TV Den
Splice Bros. Pizza (outside Atlas9)
VERA (RV)
And there are four (4) phones on the second floor:
Film Storage
Power Supply
Projection Room
Speakereasy
(On a recent trip I learned that the Splice Bros. Wall phone line number begins with 3. This may be the only line number that starts uses 3xx.)
For the first floor, we know of only one phone that is on the “outside” of the movie theater building – the payphone attached to the wall of the theater. That may be the only one that has a line number ending in 10x.
Once inside the movie theater, on the first floor we only know one number:
112
I would want to dial 110, 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118 and 119 to see if any of those ring to the other three phones found on floor one of the theater:
Agent Room
Prototyzer Room
Scavengers TV Den
On the second floor, there are four phones, and we know the number for one of them:
212
Isn’t it interesting that the numbers they gave us are 112 (first floor) and 212 (second floor)? Coincidence? Maybe.
I would want to dial 210, 211, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218 and 219 to see if any of those ring to the other two phones found on floor one of the theater (ignoring the Speakereasy, because we supposedly have that number and it does not follow this pattern):
Film Storage
Power Supply
But what about VERA?
The phone inside the RV (VERA) in the Containment Zone may be completely different. It is not an Atlas9 telephone, or an outside vendor. VERA belongs to FACADE. We know that FACADE “secure lines” start with 710, so perhaps that is the prefix for the phone inside VERA. The secure lines I have in my list include:
710-009 (written on a note on the Polybius arcade game)
710-771 (given to you in a computer message)
When I tried to call 710-009, I got no answer – and I let it ring for almost a minute. That is also what happens when I call the Speakereasy number, or other “known” phone numbers if no one answers them.
This does make me suspect 710-009 is going to one of the phones… Perhaps that phone in VERA?
Of course, I could be wrong…
Humans like to see patterns. Look up Pareidolia for examples (I’m lookin’ at you, face on Mars).
This could be nothing.
But I’m sure gonna be dialin’ some numbers my next visit to Atlas9…
Often, I experience something, and enjoy it. If I enjoy it enough, I might try to experience it again later. For some things, the experience gets better and better each time. For others, it is “well, I already did this” and less interesting.
Atlas9 gets better each time.
Atlas9, the immersive walk-through experience in Kansas City, KS, has so many layers. The more I peel away, the more impressed I get with the designers. For example, their internal phone system.
Throughout the attraction there are currently 11 telephones. One of them does not work, but I am told that is it supposed to. Here are photos:
Atlas9 – phone in VERA (RV)Atlas9 – phone in Splice Bros. PizzaAtlas9 – phone in Speakereasy (not working)Atlas9 – phone in ScavengersAtlas9 – phone in PrototyzerAtlas9 – phone in Projection RoomAtlas9 – phone in Power SupplyAtlas9 – phone in Containment ZoneAtlas9 – phone in Manager’s OfficeAtlas9 – phone in Film StorageAtlas9 – phone in Agent Room
Phone numbers are found throughout the attraction. Perhaps there is a business card on a desk, or pinned to a wall…
Atlas9 – phone number found on business card
…or on some sign…
Atlas9 – phone number found on sign in break room
…or written on notes found on (or in) a desk…
Atlas9 – phone number found on note in drawer
Only the designers really know how many phone numbers can be found in the attraction (if they even know!), but there are quite a bit. I have tried to take photos of all the numbers I found, and maintain them in a spreadsheet because dumb hobby:
On my very first visit to Atlas9, I saw a payphone on a wall in the “Containment Zone” area where the ticket booth is. I wondered if it was a real one, and went to check it out. At first, it really did look like a functional payphone (I’ve seen only a few of those in recent years). But … something was not quite right when I read the details.
Atlas9 – phone numbers on payphone
It claimed to make free local calls, but look at the yellow and see how the sign glitches out. Also, the directory it gives — using 2 and 3 digit numbers — reminded me of the internal V.O.C.S. phone system used by Meow Wolf locations we have visited.
Indeed, Atlas9 has its own similar phone system. But they told us much more about it, right up front, and I did not realize this until today, four months later…
Directory Assistance
Most internal phone numbers are six digits long, and use the format of XXX-XXX. Many will have words (like 030-MOP for the janitorial service, or 030-PIG for a barbecue place). Two numbers have been found that break this format, starting with 55-XXXX (55-FILM for a movie hotline, and another 55 number that I haven’t figured out yet).
But there on the payphone was the explanation…
030 – “World Building Advertising” – these numbers are all “external” places to Atlas9, like janitorial, tech support, the barbecue place, etc. These numbers help “build the world” that Atlas9 is set in.
314 – “Internal Atlas9 Number” – The locations inside Atlas9 start with 314. These ring other phones inside Atlas9, including missing theater manager Melissa Hartwell.
710 – “FACADE Secure Lines” – I have only found two of these so far, and one plays a recording that is part of which “ending” path you are on, I think. I am now suspecting that based on what you do on the computers, you may be given different 710 phone numbers to call that explain what is going based on your choices. (?)
There are a handful of numbers we have found that use other prefixes, but it looks like they had some “method to the madness” when choosing which numbers to assign to Rusty’s Junkyard or lawyer Hugh Manrat.
The more I learn about this place, the more I love it. This is fun stuff.
Anyway, yeah. They have a cool phone system. And I have this:
If you go there, you will find a robot-written Telephone Simulator. You can try some of the numbers from my spreadsheet and hear recordings of what it plays inside the attraction. But, I only have a few so far… and these should be considered huge spoilers if you plan to visit yourself.
In Kansas City, Kansas is the Chateau Avalon Hotel. We discovered it while researching places to stay near Atlas9, a super cool attraction which I have written about previously.
The Chateau Avalon is a small boutique hotel with about three dozen rooms.
Chateau Avalon – exterior
And this place is quite nice, even though we got our room for about $20 more than nearby Holiday Inn type hotels! During our visit, the hotel was undergoing some updating, with signs saying “Chateau Avalon 2.0 now loading” hanging on various walls. Hopefully this will result in repairing some of the crumbling stairs we noticed.
Chateau Avalon – entrance
Unlike the normal “cookie cutter” hotels that even companies like Disney are now building, no two rooms at Chateau Avalon are identical. The rooms are also themed, rather than “decorated.” i.e., you can decorate a room with Mickey Mouse shapes but that is “Mickey Mouse decorated.” If you built the room to look like a house in Toontown, that would be a “themed” room.
This hotel does themed rooms. We stayed in a western themed room, simply because it was the cheapest rate at the time of our visit.
Yes, that is actually a room within a room! When you enter the hotel room, you are “outside” the cabin, where the outside jacuzzi-style tub and shower is, along with a small dining table. The restroom was off to the right (sink and toilet), then the bedroom, TV and closet was “in” the cabin. Very cool first impression!
The hotel has a small bar, with rather pricy drinks ($14-$16, so still cheaper than Disney/Universal). It has a small inside seating area, then a larger outdoor patio.
Chateau Avalon – D’Nile Bar
There is no restaurant, but you can fill out a card and leave it outside your room door (before 11 p.m.) and receive room service breakfast — for only $13.95! (Drinks, alcohol, etc. extra, of course.)
Chateau Avalon – room service breakfast
It was surpassing that “rooms service” was cheaper than a lot of the normal restaurants we go to for a similar meal.
But, this place only charges $1.25 for their bottled water, so clearly they are not making their money off the snacks.
Chateau Avalon – $1.25 bottled water
Here is their webpage listing of various room types, from ones like we stayed in, to “Penthouse” suites or rooms with Eqyptian themes:
If this hotel were in Orlando at one of the theme parks, I expect it would be many times more expensive and basically impossible to get reservations at.
So the next time you are in the Kansas City area to check out Atlas9, consider checking this one out. It has all the fun theming that Disney used to have but seems to have gotten away from.
The “Meow Wolf-like” experience in Kansas City, Atlas9, has taken some flack for their use of A.I. in their attraction. Some A.I. use is obvious — your photo is taken during your “agent onboarding” and then your image is used later in the attraction to put you in a movie poster.
Atlas9 movie poster.
While I hate “A.I. Slop” as much as the next person, I think this type of use of A.I. seems fine enough. Disney added a similar feature to Epcot’s Spaceship Earth decades ago, though using the technology available back then, the result was not quite as nice…
Epcot Spaceship Earth “puts you in the video” using pre-A.I. technology.
This post is not about their use of A.I., or the complaints about it. Instead, this post is about the people you encounter while visiting Atlas9.
First, there is a live show every hour, alternating between the Jazz Club…
Atlas9 Jazz Club performance.
…and Auditorium 9.
Atlas9 auditorium 9 performance.
These shows feature multiple performers and really add a lot to the experience.
But Atlas9 does more than that.
Each time we have visited Atlas9, we have encountered into various actors (apparently known as “ambient characters”, per a reference on a behind-the-scenes Instagram video) roaming around. The storyline of the place is that these entities have escaped from the movies that were showing at this theater when the Holomax projector system was first brought online in 1995.
The characters we have seen the most are these orange haired gals that seem travel in packs of three:
Atlas9 mysterious orange hairs.
I do not think these characters speak, though they sometimes will offer you candy from a pizza box or black briefcase.
Which is not creepy at all.
From watching various videos on YouTube, we have seen there are quite a few others that have been seen inside the attraction. We saw this one for the first time during a short stop on our way back home from Branson:
Atlas9 – The Hypnotist ambient character.
…and we finally encountered these “beep, boop” characters, that only speak in beeps and boops…
Atlas9 “beep, boop” characters.
And, of course, the actual staff of the place — from the “agents” that help you with your “training”…
Atlas9 – Agent C08 begins your onboarding process.
…or the random “theater employees” you might run into while they are cleaning mirrors…
Atlas9 theater employee Angel.
…as well as workers at the concession stand, Speakereasy bar and Splice Bros. Pizza. Atlas9 feels more alive than what we encountered at our three different Meow Wolf visits.
So, kudos to Atlas9. While they may take flack for their use of A.I., they also make use of actual people. (Well, at least we think most of them are people. Still unsure on the origins of the orange hairs…)
I do a poor job of remembering to post here about the 360-degree photos and videos I have been adding. There are now over 100 360-degree photos taken at Atlas9 in Kanas City shared to my Park Hopping in VR Facebook group. Here is a link to the gallery:
I have also uploaded a 360-degree video of various scenes from within the attraction. Even when you can look up, down, left and right (and even behind you), these images don’t do justice to what actually being there is like.
Atlas9 Scenes
And, I have an 18-minute walk through of most of the rooms in the attraction. I missed a number of them, but this should give you an idea on how all the craziness is connected. SPOILERS AHEAD!
Atlas9 Walkthru
Be sure to check out the 90+ 360-degree videos shared on my Park Hopping in VR YouTube channel.
Viewing (and recording) this type of video is generally very boring (at least to me), but it is great for preservations. Posting in coming weeks are similar 360-degree videos from the Lost Continent section of Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando. That area is now a construction zone, and I had recorded it my previous visit due to rumors that this would be happening. I just regret not doing it before they already had much of the area closed down.
Last month I was discussing Meow Wolf with someone here in Des Moines and they told me about a place in Kansas City called Atlas9. Some quick research confirmed that this place did indeed seem like it was a Meow Wolf-like attraction. Since Kansas City is only a three hour drive from Des Moines, I decided to drive down and check it out.
Atlas9 – Kansas City, KS
Atlas9 opened in late September 2025. By the time of my visit in June 2026, everything was still (mostly) shiny and new. Only a handful of items were out of order, and none of those prevented completing the full quest.
The full quest?
Let’s step back a moment and explain just what Atlas9 is. The official website describes it as follows:
“Atlas9 is an immersive art experience in Kansas City’s Legends District unlike anything else in the Midwest. It has quickly become one of the most unique things to do in Kansas City, inviting visitors to step into a mysterious world hidden inside a transformed 90s movie theater.
Explore at your own pace and discover immersive art, uncover hidden clues, and piece together a story unfolding around you.
Live performers appear throughout the scenes, making the world feel alive and different every time you visit.
You don’t just visit Atlas9. You become part of the story.“
I notice some websites categorize Atlas9 as a museum. Others consider it an amusement attraction and group it with places like escape rooms. I have even seen it categorized as night life, likely due to it having food, alcohol and live entertainment. And let’s not forget movie theater since it is themed to one and has special showings of retro movies from time to time.
I suppose it is “all of the above.” There really is no category for this type of place other than to say it is “like Meow Wolf.” Meow Wolf seems to be patient zero when it comes to popularizing this type of experience, most notably with all the internet buzz they generated when their weird grocery store themed Omega Mart opened in Las Vegas in 2021.
I think I can help explain what Atlas9 is by describe four ways you can experience it:
Method 1 – As a museum
While I personally am not interested in “weird art” enough to pay $40 to just walk around and look at it, those who do enjoy “weird art” might find this a wonderful experience. Walk around, look at some amazing artistic creations, and then go about the rest of your day. Unlike an actual museum, this art is immersive. Rather than looking at paintings on a wall or some odd modern art statue thing in the middle of a room, this whole place is the subject. You may find yourself in a room of crystal etchings and mirrors, floor to ceiling. Or, wander in to a room that appears to be made of giant red licorice candy, next door to a room made of giant popcorn and soda cups…
Atlas9 – popcorn room.
If you might be interested at this, but not at $40, they offer various discounts such as half price Tuesdays at $20 and special “grown ups only” nights at $30.
The art style is diverse and varied. There is an area that is like something from an animated movie. Another one is like a room from a space ship. There are even mundane areas, such as the movie theater manager’s office and break room. Think of it like walking through movie sets from various genres of films — which is pretty close to what the storyline at Atlas9 is based on — and areas that were part of some movie that escaped into our the real world. Or, “reel” world, as Atlas9 calls it.
Be sure to read “some times for exploring” below, as well.
Method 2 – As a scavenger hunt/quest
When you buy your ticket at the “box office,” you will receive a wristband that serves as your admission. You then wait until the next orientation session. About every 15 minutes one of the Atlas9 “agents” will begin explaining the storyline of the place. This includes a short video, followed by the agent getting you set up in the system. Setup involves scanning a QR code on your wristband, selecting some information on a screen, and having your photo taken.
You may see your image will later if you complete certain steps…
Atlas9 – Agent C08 begins your onboarding process.Atlas9 – a short video explains the storyline and introduces you to the F.A.C.A.D.E. organization.Atlas9 – the final step of onboarding is getting your profile set up, including a photo.
I will try to avoid real spoilers here, but the story is that this place was a movie theater. Around 1995, “something happened.” Areas from the movies they were showing at the time became real. You get to explore these areas and “become part of the story,” including finding out what happened to some theater employees who went missing…
The scavenger hunt (my term, not theirs) involves finding stations throughout the attraction and putting your wristband up against them. There are also larger stations with screens where you can scan in and see your progress. This tells you how many of the stations you have found. Sorta.
Some stations are merely checkpoints, proving that you went to a specific location. Other stations are part of a puzzle where you may have to perform certain steps (possibly in a certain order) to get credit for that location. There are even a few movie poster marquees that put you in the poster when you scan them… This explains why your photo was taken when you began.
Atlas9 checkpoint.Atlas9 puzzle element.Atlas9 movie poster.
If you get stumped, there are usually hints nearby on attached cards, or a nearby sign or poster. If you look around, the answers to most all the “puzzles” seem to be available. If you get really stumped, one of the Agents (staff) can give you hints or walk you through the needed steps. If you ask where a certain room is, they will even escort you over to it — great customer service!
Atlas9 is by no means an “escape room” experience, but it certainly has some fun elements to figure out if you choose to. You have no time limit. You don’t lose. You just have a lower count of how many things you found.
The large stations will show you your progress with a series of steps either checked off (completed) or still TO DO.
Atlas9 terminal, used for checking progress.
Those stations also basically tell you where to go for each step. If you go into a section, you will find photo clues showing you where you need to go. If you want more of a challenge, try not to look at those images 😉
I will spoil one thing: We were offered a free poster printout at the end of our visit. We got to choose which one we wanted to take home. For free. They print out on an 11″ x 17″ sheet in full color. For free. This was a very nice surprise at the end, and a reason you may want to make sure you scan all the movie posters inside the attraction even if you aren’t trying to play the game.
Beyond just having to scan in at certain places, there really where only a handful of puzzles to figure out. We completed all the tasks, but with some hints from Agents who patrol the area. If you want to play this as a challenge, just be sure to refuse their offers to help 😉 I do not consider the puzzles particularly difficult to figure out, but when you have to find a date code to enter into a computer panel, it helps to know where to start looking for that code.
Oh, and yeah, there are a few disguised doors that hide other rooms and even a hidden station you need to find to complete the game. If I recall correctly, every “hidden” room still had a normal door you could use to access it. (And yeah, there are some crawlspaces you can explore, but none were required for completing the tasks.)
Be sure to read “some times for exploring” below, as well.
Method 3 – As a mystery
There is a deeper storyline to Atlas9. To learn it, you need to dive in to paperwork you might find in an office or “log in” to computers and read e-mails. On those computers, there may be documents or image files to open, or movie files to play. They all build the story of what happened at this theater, involving their Holomax 4-D projection system.
There are also telephones throughout the attraction (and outside in the Containment Zone where you enter). These phones can be used to dial various numbers you find. Some are voice mails. Some ring other phones in the attraction. Some will fill in aspects of the story while others are just fun little things to listen to. (Be sure to try to call the pizza place if you find that number.) One could probably spend many visits just trying to locate and dial all the phone numbers and see what plays when you call them.
It does make me wonder how many numbers and recordings there are to discover. If you find a phone directory, please leave a comment…
Atlas9 telephone. One of many found throughout the attraction.
Some tips for exploring
Details are hidden everywhere! Open cabinets. Check drawers. You might even find a surprise if you try to throw something away in a trash can. What’s in the refrigerator? Is there something in that mop sink? Look around — including up and down. If you do this, you should really appreciate the amount of effort that went into this place. Even that RV you see when you first enter the building has some stuff in it too. Be sure to go inside.
Any door that is not specifically labeled as an emergency exit is worth trying. Early on, we found some private staff doors that had visible locks on them. We assumed any door with a visible lock was off limits. That is not always the case — but don’t expect everything to open. There are fake doors, and real doors that lead to conference rooms and event space which are not open to the public.
Method 4 – As a hangout
Lastly, you can just use Atlas9 as a hangout. You can even check out a bit of it for free.
While it takes a ticket to get in and buy drinks at the Speakereasy bar, or snacks and drinks at the Concession Stand, you do not need a ticket to visit Splice Bros Pizza. When you enter the building, you are in the Containment Zone outside of the attraction. You have access to their gift shop, the VERA RV vehicle, and Splice Bros Pizza without needing to buy a ticket.
Atlas9 Splice Bros Pizza, a 90s themed pizza place/bar.
The vibe in Splice Bros Pizza is very fun. The ceiling is covered in movie ticket stubs (check the dates). There are specialty drinks, appetizers, salads and, of course, pizzas. The place is also covered in “graffiti” so, if they don’t offer one to you, be sure to ask to borrow a marker so you can leave your name somewhere there. We hid ours in there and look forward to trying to find it when we return.
Even the cups are customized for this location! Remember when Disney used to do that? Today, everything at Disney seems to be generic “Disney Parks” and used at all their parks.
Atlas9 Splice Bros Pizza drink cup.
There are also specialty drinks and a full bar. The pool table and two cocktail table retro arcade machines (Dig Dug and high-speed Ms Pac Man) are on freeplay. If you are local, you should at least pop in for a quick bite and check out the aesthetics. (We both enjoyed our personal pizzas.)
BUT, if you want to hang out in the attraction, you can buy a yearly pass. For less than four visits you can get unlimited access to Atlas9. We were told that, currently, pass holders don’t need to make a reservation like you do with day tickets. And, you also get a free T-shirt available only to pass holders. If you are the type who likes to collect T-shirts, that makes this an even better deal.
Pass holders are given an identification card on a lanyard to use rather than a wristband. Those wearing these seem to get extra attention from the staff — we got a lot of “welcome back” and “nice to see you again” type greetings.
With this pass, you can pop in just to have a drink at the elite “hidden” Speakereasy bar. If you find it, and are brave, try the popcorn old fashioned…
Atlas9 “hidden” speakeasy, called Speakereasy.
Or, grab something from the Concession Stand (move theater snacks, drinks and full bar).
Atlas9 concessions.
And the best part is — you can carry your drinks around. You don’t have to just meet friends for a snack and a few beers… You can grab a drink then explore the attraction together. There are many rooms that have places to sit and hang out. I’m pretty sure if I was a local, I’d be hanging out here often.
And don’t forget the entertainment. Each hour there is a live performance that alternates between the movie theater stage and the “jazz club” stage. During my visit there was a violinist and dancers, aerial silk acrobat, and whatever this is called:
Atlas9 hoop acrobat dance thing.
The performances in the “jazz club” featured some audience participation, so if you absolutely want to avoid that, view it from the second level.
In the theater, a set of performers do a unique show where they are interacting with projected images as well as using handheld light wands that change colors and synchronize with the soundtrack. Those wands create patterns when they wave them in circles — very cool.
Atlas9 “light wand” performance.
There was another performer that used two curved “light wands” like a high-tech fire or sword dance. I generally consider myself very jaded due to seeing so much high end theme park entertainment in my lifetime (and I am OLD), but I hadn’t seen this.
The theater itself, in between shows, presents a selection of short films, including some made specifically for Atlas9 that tie into the backstory. Of course, being Atlas9 it’s not just a normal theater. The walls are made of geometric shapes and projection mapping is used on them during the films.
Atlas9 auditorium 9.
There are also typical movie theater segments where you might see some trivia or “guess the movie poster” type thing, just like at a normal theater … except here things are never quite normal. Occasionally, a version of the orientation video plays to remind you what the heck is going on here.
We really enjoyed the theater. We easily watched 45 minutes without seeing it repeat. I have no idea how long the loop is.
Oh, and there’s an arcade with most games on freeplay. A VERY unique game – actually, the first commercial video game ever created, is available to play! I have NEVER seen a Computer Space in the wild.
Atlas9 arcade features a Computer Space arcade game from the 70s!
Some tips…
Without giving away spoilers, here are some things I wish I had known:
Your ticket includes a free custom movie poster at the end of your visit. Be sure to go to the gift shop on your way out.
There is a $7 free refill cup available. They told us we could even use it from visit to visit. (Non alcoholic beverages only, of course.)
Use your phone to scan the QR code on your wristband to check your stats from your phone’s web browser. The stats are retained so you can resume your quest on your next visit.
The yearly pass also includes a t-shirt.
An elevator is available to get to the second floor.
In addition to the large restroom near the arcade, there is a small one on the second level near where the elevator comes out, and another small one at Splice Bros Pizza.
There is a water bottle refill station.
Be sure to explore the RV in the entrance area.
…and I am sure I’ll think of a few more to add to this list and revise this blog post later.
Conclusion
Yes, it is “like” a Meow Wolf, but the addition of live entertainment sets it beyond what I have experienced at Convergence Station in Denver or Omega Mart in Las Vegas. This place just feels much more “alive” thanks to the people. Though, these creepy orange haired women freak me out…
Atlas9 mysterious orange hairs.
They seem to wander aware from the stage in-between shows, typicalyl in packs of 3 or 4 from what I encountered. They were my first impression of the place when I entered, and I knew I was in for something special 🙂
Pictures of my adventure at Atlas9 will soon appear in my Other Places gallery:
