When Peter Schoenbach and Anne Tobey brought their family to The Universal Sphere, they had no idea this visit would mark a special milestone for a favorite local attraction. As the doors to The Universal Sphere opened after their show, our team greeted the family with cheers — in celebration of welcoming 100,000 visitors.
As senior manager of The Universal Sphere, I’ve had the joy of witnessing many of our guests enjoy the unique experience since it opened in May 2019. From Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Animation, Universal Destinations & Experiences, and Comcast Labs, the free, cinematic experience brings friends, coworkers, and families of all ages together to explore the power of ideas through the inspiring short film, “The Power of I.” The 34-foot-tall dome theater in the Comcast Technology Center lobby captivates audiences at first sight, offering a taste of the Universal Destinations & Experiences guest experience, right here in Philadelphia.
The day we welcomed the Schoenberg family was a truly special moment for everyone. As Philadelphia residents, Anne and Peter were already big fans of The Universal Sphere, excited to share the experience with their visiting daughter and grandson.
Our team was thrilled to help make their day even more memorable, presenting the family with balloons and gift bags, and capturing photos of the surprise. Another fan of The Universal Sphere, NBC10 anchor/reporter Frances Wang, stopped by to join in the celebration.
Peter Schoenbach shared reflections with our team about the experience: “It was a fantastic treat for our daughter and grandson who were visiting from California. We grandparents couldn’t have arranged anything more memorable if we had tried!”
Our team’s goal is to do just that — create unique and memorable experiences in our beloved hometown. It’s incredibly rewarding work, and reactions like the one we witnessed by the Schoenbach family inspire us every day.
Some of the other wonderful visitors we have welcomed so far include ambassadors from around the world, elected officials, Olympians, Paralympians, school groups, neighbors, and our families. Our team is dedicated to welcoming the widest audience possible — exploring innovative ways to deliver the experience, and continuing to expand our accessibility and language offerings. The Universal Sphere is a Certified Autism Center™ with daily sensory-friendly shows. The experience is wheelchair accessible and service-animal friendly, and audio description, closed captioning, and language translation devices are available.
At The Universal Sphere, we are excited to continue providing an inspiring experience for our next 100,000 visitors — and beyond.
By Keith McGarry, Senior Manager, The Universal Sphere
The Universal Sphere team surprises the Schoenbach family after their show.
