You may have heard Candytopia has made it’s way to Atlanta! Imagine if Willy Wonka made a museum ….out of candy! When I first learned about this magical event, that’s what came to mind! This limited engagement is in Atlanta now through June 2, so grab your tickets while you can.
Sara, one of Atlanta’s Frugal Mom’s contributors, had the opportunity to check it out during a media preview, along with her toddler son. Frugal tip: kiddos 3 and under are FREE. Before checking out the outrageously interactive candy wonderland of Candytopia, here are her tips for enjoying the experience with little ones.
10 Tips for Visiting Candytopia with Little Kids
- Order Your Tickets Ahead of Time.Because the exhibit is interactive and will take about an hour to experience, tickets have a specific time for when you can enter so they can keep the groups to about 30 people at a time. Unfortunately, there’s no box office so ordering ahead of your visit is the only way to go.
- Download the Candytopia App or visit Sru.sh for your Candytopia QR Code. To take advantage of the interactive photos in the exhibit, you’ll need this QR Code available on the app or the Sugar Rush website. Works for iPhone or Android. And it’s free!
- Bring Your Own Camera. Although there are photo ops only available with the Candytopia or Sugar Rush QR Code, there’s plenty of great shots you can get with your phone or old-school camera.
- Park on Level B. Although the entrance is on the front on the shopping center facing Oak Valley Rd and Peachtree Rd, you’ll exit at Level B of the Parking Deck.
- Potty Break Before You Enter. There’s one restroom and it’s halfway into the experience. Best to visit a bathroom before entering.
- Leave The Stroller in the Car. Because of the crowds and difficulty maneuvering, strollers are prohibited from the exhibit.
- Be Ready for the Noise. The whimsy of the experience includes loud music and sounds that may not go over well with some kids. There are air cannons in the confetti room and marshmallow pit that can startle little ones (and a few adults). Guides will try to accommodate sensitive ears, but it’s not always so easy.
- Don’t Forget Your Socks. No shoes allowed in the marshmallow pit and you do not want to go barefoot in there. Trust me.
- Be Ready For A Workout in the Marshmallow Pit. I won’t lie, I thought it would be like a fluffy ball pit but those firm foam marshmallows give you a workout as you try to move through it.
- Be prepared for the Gift Shop. If you’re familiar with the “gift shop at the end” concept, it always helps to be prepared with how much you’re willing to spend. A T-shirt for $20, a pencil pouch for $5 but at Candytopia, be ready for the Bulk Candy wall. The candy in this room is not free and as much as your little one may have collected along the way, they may want more.
Have you had a chance to go to Candytopia yet? Once it leaves Atlanta, they’ll hit the Mall of America. Perhaps it’ll make it’s way back to Atlanta for future engagements? In the meantime, if you’ve been, we’d love to hear about your experience with Candytopia! Leave a comment below.
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--Barbara
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