Netflix House Philadelphia: A Photo-Ready Experience for the 'Gram-Savvy
A New Kind of Streaming Experience
Netflix House Philadelphia is a unique attraction that takes the streaming giant's success and turns it into an immersive, interactive experience. But is it just a photo op for Instagram-ready moments, or something more?
A Free, Selfie-Ready Paradise
The good news for the Instagram-obsessed is that much of what you'd want to take a selfie with at Netflix House Philadelphia can be accessed for free. From a 15-foot-tall 'Thing' from The Addams Family to dramatic Netflix-red stairs and a Queen's Gambit chessboard, the space is designed to be Instagram-worthy. However, the substance of the experience is debatable, with some attractions feeling more like photo ops than fully-fledged experiences.
Two Feature Experiences: Wednesday and One Piece
Netflix House Philadelphia premieres with two 'feature experiences': one from Wednesday, Netflix's most-popular English-language series, and another from One Piece, a similarly rabid fanbase. The One Piece experience is an escape room, while Wednesday's 'Eve of the Outcasts' is a 'cursed' carnival with interactive elements. However, the unfinished ceilings in the nonpermanent experience spaces may remove some of the 'trapped' feeling, and the crowded spaces could be a concern.
A TUDUM Theater and More
Between the two feature experiences is the TUDUM theater, where Netflix fans can watch WWE Raw episodes and sing along with KPop Demon Hunters. Above this, guests will find a unique nine-hole mini-golf course, VR rooms, and the retail section. The VR experiences start at $25, while the mini-golf course begins at $15.
Netflix Bites: A Casual Dining Experience
Through the gift shop is Netflix Bites, a casual-dining restaurant with an open kitchen design and a bar in the middle. The food was good, but the seating claim may be a stretch, especially if the House becomes a hit. The restaurant is part of Netflix's strategy to replicate its media success in experiences, but it remains to be seen if it will be a financial success.
A Test Case for Experiential Entertainment
Netflix House Philadelphia is a test case for experiential entertainment and a giant marketing platform for its core product. While it may not be a financial success, it could be a step towards a new revenue stream. However, the ultimate success or failure of Netflix House Philadelphia will depend on intrinsic Philly tourism and the ability to attract visitors from out of town.
A New Kind of Destination
Netflix House needs to become a destination, not just for the suburbs of Philadelphia, but for visitors from out of town. The giant red envelope visitors will pass through to enter Netflix House Philadelphia is not just for the looks, and the revived department store will operate well outside of the mall's operating hours. However, it remains to be seen if this will be enough to make Netflix House a financial success.
Would You Visit?
Would I drive 35 minutes each way from Philadelphia to experience Netflix House? Yes, for sure. But would I do it every time Netflix cycles in a new experience? No. And I wouldn't board an airplane for it, especially not in this economy. Netflix House is not a reason to fly to Philadelphia, but a new thing to do on a rainy day during the trip you were taking there anyway.
