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4-D Experiences

Tease your senses at Shedd’s 4-D Experience, where anything can happen. Get so close to the action that you want to reach out and touch it. Your chair vibrates, the air moves, something scampers by your leg, or did it?

4-D Experience admission is a $4.95 upgrade per guest per experience ($2.95 for members).

Add to your cart, then choose your show and time when you arrive at Shedd Aquarium.

Octopus: Blue Planet II 4D Experience®

10:20 a.m. (9 a.m. opening) 11:20 a.m. 12:20 p.m.
1:20 p.m. 2:20 p.m. 3:20 p.m.
4:20 p.m. (6 p.m. closing) 5:20 p.m. (7 p.m. closing) 6:20 p.m. (7 p.m. closing)


Dive beneath the surface to explore our planet’s oceans and one of the most captivating creatures that dwells there: the octopus. Discover how this eight-tentacled wonder masters physical and mental strengths to outwit and escape its underwater rivals including the pyjama shark and sally lightfoot crab. Wave after wave of excitement reveals extraordinary octopus behaviors and dynamic oceanic landscapes in this special effects experience inspired by the critically-acclaimed BBC series, Blue Planet II.

BBC Earth’s Shark: A 4-D Experience

10:40 a.m. (9 a.m. opening) 11:40 a.m. 12:40 p.m.
1:40 p.m. 2:40 p.m. 3:40 p.m.
4:40 p.m. (6 p.m. closing) 5:40 p.m. (7 p.m. closing)

Come face to face with some of the world’s most strange and mysterious shark species. These extraordinarily intelligent underwater giants each exhibit unique behaviors to navigate their ever-changing environment. Essential to the fragile balance of our ocean’s health, Shark: A 4-D Experience® explores the complex nature of these majestic creatures’ survival instincts.

The BBC and BBC Earth are trademarks of the British Broadcasting Corporation and are used under licence. BBC logo © BBC 1996

© Morné Hardenberg/Atlantic Edge Films

The Polar Express

10 a.m. 11 a.m.
 12 p.m.
1 p.m.
 2 p.m.
 3 p.m.
4 p.m. (6 p.m. closing)

Your guests are invited on an extraordinary 4D adventure this holiday season on THE POLAR EXPRESS™! When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™4D Experience® is based on the inspiring and beloved Caldecott Medal winning children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s21)Based on THE POLAR EXPRESS book and characters © & ™ 1985 by Chris Van Allsburg. Used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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4-D Experiences bring on-screen action to life with special effects like water mist, air blasts, bubbles, enhanced floor lighting, seat vibrations and back pokes.

4-D Experiences are recommended for ages 4 and up. Children under 3 do not need a ticket to attend and may sit on a caregiver’s lap. The special effects could be frightening to small children. Kids under 7 must be accompanied by a person age 14 or older.

The special effects could aggravate certain medical conditions. 4-D Experiences are not recommended for guests with:

  • Heart conditions
  • Medical sensitivity to strobe lights, laser-like lighting effects or fog effects
  • Back, neck or similar physical conditions
  • Sensitivity to loud sound

Accessibility

Sound-reducing headphones, assistive listening devices, recorded audio description and close captioning are available for 4-D Experiences.

Learn more about accessibility