Bubble Planet is now open in Bellevue, and it’s a whimsical and interactive experience that will ignite your child’s imagination. With 10 uniquely themed bubble rooms, there is so much to explore. During your immersive experience, you’ll travel through various worlds, pop into sensory rooms, be enchanted by illusions, and be allured by many photo opportunities. We visited this weekend, and my 6- and 5-year-old kids loved it so much that they want to return for more bubble fun.
Step in to the sea at Bubble Planet in Bellevue (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)
Unlocking the Bubble Planet experience
After checking in at the front desk, you’ll meander from room to room, weaving through a maze of charming exhibits in the expansive building. Each room is immersive and enthralling – and honestly, we loved them all. From an LED water world where fish, sharks, and manta rays cruise below your feet, to a room filled with giant pastel pink balloons, every room is different and enjoyable. The larger-than-life props, creative and playful backdrops, and magical light displays are very well done, and the continuity of the theme is seen throughout the sensory experience.
Don’t get carried away on this floating swing. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)
I loved the photo opportunities sprinkled throughout the rooms as well. The selfie room (as it is aptly named) is a great place to stop to snap a few photos. A bathtub filled with yellow rubber ducks; a swing that seemingly stays aloft with the help of a cluster of bright blue balloons; a bubble you can sit inside – how can you not strike a pose and smile for the camera? This room is about halfway through the experience and offers a small snack bar and beverage station, too. There are a few small tables where you can hang out while little ones explore the photo stops, or you can quickly refuel before heading to the next room for more bubblicious adventures! Food and drinks aren’t allowed at the next attraction, so you’ll have to finish them before you move along.
Swim away in the enormous bath of bubbles. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)
Our favorite stop along our bubble voyage was the bubble bath room. As the name suggests, it’s a giant pool filled with thousands of opaque balls and a bubble-bathing giant whose inflatable limbs jut out from the pool’s depth. Make a splash and jump in. My kiddos had an absolute blast immersing themselves in bubbles. Their giggles were joyful and raucous as they swam through the squishy balls.
Note: The deep end is pretty deep, going up to an adult’s waist, so keep an eye on your little ones. I saw one parent plucking their toddler out from the depths.
Enter the infinity room and be amazed at this never-ending illusion. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)
Illusions and more
My kids also enjoyed the infinity room, a small, winding room with string lights cascading from the ceiling. It’s as if the room goes on and on and on and is truly unbelievable.
For an additional $5, you can add a virtual reality experience to your visit. It’s the last room you’ll walk through before making your way to the exit. We opted in! My children were enamored with the swinging bubbles and really liked being transported to a virtual bubble world.
If this place wasn’t unreal enough, step into the world of virtual reality. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)
The experience concludes in a gift shop with interactive games lining the walls and a drawing station for kids. You can color one of many ocean-themed coloring pages and then watch it appear on the large screen on the wall.
Draw and display your art in the last room. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)
Fair warning, this last room is also the gift shop, so your little ones will likely want to leave with a bubble trinket. They are tempting!
What we loved and what we didn’t
Overall, we loved Bubble Planet in Bellevue. Things to look out for are long lines. We were discouraged by the wait times in line before heading into the different rooms. I wouldn’t recommend going over a weekend because of the crowds. Perhaps the exhibition may have fewer people by trying to go in the morning or on a weekday.
These photos may look like the kids are alone, but the facility can get crowded. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)
The experience is slated to last 90 minutes, but because we waited in lines, we stayed much longer. For example, the large bubble bathroom was a bottleneck for guests, and we waited more than 30 minutes to enter.
I still highly recommend visiting and was surprised and mesmerized by the experience. I’m thinking about returning for a mom’s night out.
An incredible sensory experience. (Photo by Kathryn Mueller)
Know before you go
- Dates: Bubble Planet is open now through June. Bubble Planet is closed on Tuesdays. You can visit Sunday-Monday, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
- Location: 103 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
- Cost: Tickets start at $19.90 per adult; $14.90 per child (ages 3 – 14), but ticket prices vary depending on the date. Children two and under are free. Purchase tickets online to reserve a spot. VIP tickets are also available and include a few extra perks, including VR and a Bubble Planet poster. Ticket prices for the VIP experience start at $30.90 for adults. When we visited on a Sunday, they turned people away because they were sold out, so it’s best to purchase tickets beforehand.
- Parking: Street parking is available, but there is a two-hour limit. There is a $7 charge for three hours if you park in the lot directly outside the building.
- Bubble Planet is great for all ages (toddler to adult)
- There is only one restroom, located about halfway through the experience. It has changing tables.
- Other details: Latex balloons are used in one of the rooms, so if you have a latex allergy, you should let a staff member know.
- Socks are also a good idea for bubble explorers. Some of the activities require you to remove your shoes.
- If you’re worried about the cleanliness of the bubble pits, bring hand sanitizer and wipes or use the restroom to wash your hands before exiting.
