Review: Stranger Things Drive-Into Experience – Los Angeles, California
We had the opportunity to go to the Stranger Things Drive-into Experience hosted by Netflix and Fever and we thought we’d share our thoughts! As haunt enthusiasts, we are constantly seeking an attraction that is not only safe but one that is NOT going to be canceled like so many others have been…COVID! We didn’t know what to expect!
The Stranger Things Drive-into Experience takes place on a 400,000 square foot set at the Starcourt Mall. From start to finish in “Hawkins” is around 2 hours. The event is promoted as one hour but be prepared to be there longer. You’ll be waiting previously to getting into the experience but they keep it entertaining and immersive with an emcee that plays the part of the Hawkins Science teacher Scott Clarke. He kept the crowd lively and plays games with the patrons including in-car Twister.
Waiting to enter the attraction you’ll see Mike, Will, Eleven, Max, and Lucas reenacting the breakup scene from season 3, “Why do you lie?”. They did a really good job casting the parts of the kids and it definitely helps to create the atmosphere of Stranger Things. You’ll find various staff also in character taking video of patrons and dancing in the 1980s atmosphere outside the Starcourt Mall. Get ready for the neon print and big hair!
The attraction has a variety of concessions available including popcorn, candy, corn dogs, pizza, and even ice cream from Scoops Ahoy! If you’re worried about the idea of being at this event for two hours without going to the bathroom, facilities are available. We chose not to use them. So, we can’t report about that. All the employees were wearing masks that we could see. Most were wearing masks and face shields, specifically any that needed to approach vehicles. We definitely felt safe. All-in-all, it’s about 45 minutes before we were able to “Drive into” the experience even though we had a 9 PM reserved slot and arrived at 8:45 PM.
Also, FYI: There is a warning ONLY in the FAQ about strobe lights. So, if you are sensitive to them take heed. They’re pretty much throughout the entire experience.
Now to the main event: There are three phases of this experience. Arriving into Phase 1, you’re immediately taken into the underbelly of the Starcourt Mall. You’ll see Steve, Robin, and Dustin running from Russian Guards! This was the most interactive phase of the experience for us. Actors in character would approach your car and they were successful in creating the environment and excitement from the show. The fact that the garage looked similar to the concrete lair is definitely in their favor. However, we felt there was too much time at this level. It becomes redundant and there’s only so many times you can listen to Robin calling Steve a “Dingus”. Not only that, there was ONE Demogorgon running around. So, if you’re parked in the wrong spot you’ll just see it out of the corner of your eye…just maybe.
In phase 2, you will be taken into The Upside Down. At first, this was thrilling and exciting. They got the lighting and the matter floating in the air just right. You’ll see vines all over this phase letting you know just where you are but you won’t see much of anything else except a large screen showing Will’s experience with the monster in Season 3 on repeat. No scare actors or anything else adding to the experience of this phase. We kept thinking, “Is something about to come out?” We would have loved to have seen Barb in a corner, Fort Byers, or even people walking around in those yellow hazmat suits. Something else!
Now, we move into Phase 3. Here you’ll experience Eleven’s journey, which is pretty much a recap of the end of Season 3. Phase 3 felt very much like an interpretative dance theater show. You’ll see a gigantic panoramic screen projecting a montage of scenes from season 3 while live actors reenact moments. Eleven is even up on a wire which felt very acrobatic and just looked beautiful. Which we enjoyed, however, if you have NOT SEEN SEASON 3 this phase is spoiler city. The event page will tell you that you don’t have to be caught up on all of Stranger Things but it helps the experience. We’ll tell you that if you haven’t seen all of the show you’ll be saying to yourself, “Who is Billy?” and “Oh, I guess that happens.” So, you could still enjoy the event without having season 3 but it will affect your experience watching the show…because again, spoiler city.
Overall, it was entertaining but if you have a bad seat during any of these phases it can definitely tarnish your experience. We were lucky enough to get good parking spots for all the phases and even got a front-row spot for phase 3, but friends of ours ended up in the back and couldn’t see anything that was happening outside of the large projection of the show that was playing during the live theatrical scenes. Not to mention, again here, ONE Demogorgon we saw from a distance in phase 3.
On your way out of the event, you’ll be presented with a large Stranger Things Photo Opportunity. Most people chose to just sit in their car and take a photo of the sign, including ourselves, and not get out of their cars.
So, if you’re a haunt enthusiast expecting a scare experience akin to Universal’s Stranger Things maze this isn’t it. If you’re STARVED for any kind of experience through Covid, you’ll love the Stranger Things Drive-into Experience, and if you want to feel part of the world it is definitely enjoyable. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide if the price tag of $45 per person is worth it for you. Think of it akin to Stranger Things dinner theater a la drive-in style. But, we felt that for most, it will feel lackluster and just expensive. We think there’s definitely more that could have been done in all three phases.
They do get kudos for putting something together in the middle of a worldwide pandemic when so many people are starving for entertainment! The Stranger Things Drive-into Experience event has been EXTENDED into 2021! Also, looking forward to seeing Season 4 of Stranger Things and finding out what happens next!
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