Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles

201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA

Address:	201 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
Phone:	+1 919-882-4629
Site:	imaxraleigh.org
Rating:	4.6

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Michael Lindenmuth

*Museum review, not theater* Ok, lets be honest. Its super cheap to get in so I didnt expect a ton of highly trained staff, but who we did interact with were all very friendly. This place is probably the best indoor playground I have ever seen. My four year old daughter had an amazing time. But I understand, having a similar "museum" locally, that these places arent set up to be a learning experience, they are set up for fun, plain and simple. And there was plenty of fun to be had around every corner. There were a few things here and there that were broken/inoperable but with the amount of kids banging on things theyd have to fix things hourly to keep up. Food at the Pogo cafe place was surprisingly good. Though I think I got a total of eight fries alongside my burger. One thing of note that really surprised me was the wood working section upstairs. We were visiting from out of town but I cant imagine Raleigh somehow being the only place in America where you can give kids razor sharp saws and drills and not expect horrific consequences. We had a great time cutting and drilling wood but as I looked around (and what seems typical nowadays) and saw a lot of unattended kids wielding sharp tools. I cant believe they havent had accident yet. Overall as long as you dont expect Smithsonian level education and you watch your kid(s) they should have a fantastic time.

Guy Spiher

I cannot speak for the IMAX but I hear it is excellent. Otherwise a great facility for the price. So reasonable I dont even ask about a veteran discount.The staff are friendly and capable and engaged with the children and can locate a lost little mutant fast and with a smile. Front desk staff are friendly and knowledgeable and quick with a smile. The facilities are too notch and clean despite all the little humans.. The exhibits and displays are well thought out but a bit dated. If you are a participatory parent a lot of what the "Museum" offers will be below your childs abilities. While make believe and pretend are essential aspects of a childs development I have to say that the exhibits such as the Wells Fargo Bank balls and the Duke Energy room accomplish nothing except overload ones child with stimulating lights and noises that do nothing but annoy parents and amp ones child up to previously unseen levels. Its Five Dollars per person to get in.. Go once.. Experience what they have to offer and then remember that there is no substitute for actual hands on discovery with REAL LIFE situations and objects..While I applaud all who work there and their efforts --I honestly have to say this place and ones like it only contribute to the dumbing down of our society

Angelica Keeney

Went to "see" the Star wars movie yesterday. Knowing this movie is extremely popular right now showed about 40 minutes early which clearly isnt enough with fans showing up hours early. I wasnt expecting to get amazing seats but thats ok because "the best imax" experience in Raleigh should provide a great movie experience no matter where you sit, right? Wrong, very wrong. We sat at the second row and immediately noticed how insanely close the first 4 rows were. Even before any 3D trailers started we couldnt see anything that was happening on the screen even while moving our heads from left to right. Once the 3D started oh my Lord. Within seconds my husband and I were staring at giant heads without any ability to see what was going on in the background and both got incredibly nauseous. People around us were making comments like "I guess Ill be listening to the movie". It is physically IMPOSSIBLE to watch a movie in this theater anything closer than 4/5th row. It should be illegal to sell tickets to seats you cannot watch a movie from. We left the theater within 3 min of sitting down. I paid $33 to NOT see a movie and receive intense nausea for about an hr after leaving. Never setting foot in this unorganized mess again.

Nikol Murphy

Marbles is an absolute MUST ATTEND if you have children! Plan to attend for the first time during the week if you can. If not, bring your "A game" the place is usually very busy on the weekends. The slowest time is in the afternoon. The first Friday of every month they stay open late if that time frame would fit your schedule better. They have a coat room and lockers in the front hallway. Bring quarters to use the lockers and you can enjoy your experience bag free. They have free wifi and family bathrooms by the Pirate ship. We have been members for years now. We had a membership when the kids were pre-school age and just renewed this year. They offer fabulous staff led science, art and movement activities. They have a sports area that the kids can get energy out, so it really beats any bouncy house type of activity you can find. You can bring a packed lunch and snacks and eat on the steps by the front desk. We absolutely LOVE Marbles!

A Private User

We went there expecting so much fun for our 2 years old. BUT... It is NOT a museum of any kind. The simple definition of the "museum" word is: "a depository for collecting and displaying objects having scientific or historical or artistic value". There is no any scientific, historical or artistic value in this big indoor playground. The place is nicely designed but there is not really much space for more than 2-3 kids at the particular station to play together so in a hot days like today they have to stay in line in order to play. It was too crowded. Toys are cute but all artificial, I would expect something REAL in museum. I would say that place limits the imagination, instead of developing it. It was a total waste of money. The "Marbles" website doesnt say practically that you just play there with your children using theirs toys. It is missing a guidance and order to be called educational. Certainly will not return to this place.

Sailorgirl222

While the theater was clean and the employees friendly, it seemed very disorganized. I purchased tickets online to be picked up at will call. When we arrived at the theater, there was no one in the box office. We entered the theater and discovered that you had to pick up will call tickets at the concession stand. The line was out the door with people trying to pick up tickets and purchase popcorn and drinks and there was only one employee behind the counter. Who thought this was a good idea? We waited in line almost 15 minutes just to pick up our tickets. I decided to buy a bag of popcorn since I had waited in line so long. The popcorn was cold and stale. Then we had to get in line to get in the theater. They didnt start letting people in the theater until 5 minutes after the movie was supposed to start. I think a lot of these problems could be alleviated with better staffing.

Amanda Howell

This place is great at certain times of day but can get extremely busy and overwhelming. I prefer early in the morning before the big rush gets there. There is a lot to do so either expect to stay and get lunch somewhere nearby or just try to leave around lunch or come after lunch because there is soooooo much to do. The one part of it that I have a love hate relationship with is the money area...its just very hard to keep track of more than one child there and you inevitably are searching for someone trying not to panic. Also, although the cost for the kids is not too bad I think the adults should get in free with the purchase of childrens tickets since really you are there to make sure your kid doesnt break anything. I dont really like paying an entrance fee for me when there isnt really anything for ME to do.