THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502050069
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH SIMPSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Fifty bucks.
That's the reason Bob Da Silva huddled against the wind Saturday in a line that snaked down two gangplanks at Nauticus, two sidewalks and all the way down to Waterside Drive.
On a normal day, it would have cost Da Silva, his wife and their four children $50 to get into Nauticus, the maritime attraction on the Elizabeth River.
Saturday, it was free.
``With four children, you look for free things to do,'' Da Silva said as his children danced around him trying to keep warm.
``Hey,'' said 11-year-old son Bobby. ``The sharks, are they really cool?''
Really cool, guy.
The free admission brought thousands to Nauticus to experience virtual reality, touch sharks and peer through periscopes. By 11 a.m., an hour after opening, more than 3,000 people already were milling around exhibits.
``It's more - way more - than we've ever had this early in the day,'' said Adam Bush, who works in Nauticus marketing. By 4 p.m., an hour before closing, more than 9,000 people had come through the doors and more were still waiting outside. That figure far outpaces the previous high attendance of 6,100.
The free day of fun came courtesy of Cox Cable, which rented Nauticus for the day to promote The Disney Channel. Disney characters Minnie Mouse and Goofy worked the crowds as employees handed out balloons.
But the real draw was Nauticus, normally closed this time of year.
People came by busload and vanload, on foot and by stroller to see what Nauticus had to offer. They came with groups from Southside Boys and Girls Club, with family members and neighborhood friends.
Many had visited the center before; others were making their first visit.
``The price is right,'' said Robert Thomas, a Norfolk resident who was visiting Nauticus for the first time with his two sons, Julian and Dominick. ``It fits right in my budget.''
But he said his children were having such a good time he'd consider a return visit this summer.
Another first-time visitor, Michelle Hoke of Virginia Beach, said she had put off visiting Nauticus because of the steep price and her worry that her two children might not enjoy it. ``I wanted to find out whether it's worth it,'' she said. ``So far, they really like it.''
But just because it was all free didn't mean you didn't have to pay the price of long lines. By 11 a.m., huge lines curled alongside the Nauticus building. Inside, more than 200 people stood in line for the popular Virtual Adventures exhibit. Forty were waiting to pet sharks. And even the periscope had a line 10 people deep. The lobby was crawling with children and parents.
``It's a shame because some families might not enjoy it as much because of the lines,'' said Renee Dunn, who was making a return visit with her husband and children.
``I'm glad I didn't have to pay anything,'' said a frazzled-looking Noelle Freitag, who came with friend, Holly Appel. Between them they had five kids, ranging from 2 to 6 years old. ``It's too congested.''
But Nauticus officials are hoping the free Saturday visit will inspire visitors to return during less crowded times. The maritime attraction drew 435,000 visitors last year, while officials originally projected needing 825,000 to break even.
Although children were a dominant theme Saturday, you didn't have to be a kid to appreciate the good price. Charles Miller, 72, came with his sister-in-law and had a great time, despite the crowds, the kazillion children and the sporadic popping of balloons.
``It's educational,'' he said. ``And I like being around kids.''
Should have figured that from the red balloon he had tied to his glasses. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
JIM WALKER/Staff
Bargain-hunters stood in long lines in the halls of Nauticus
Saturday to meet some of Disney's most famous characters.
Cox Cable rented Nauticus on Saturday as a promotion for the Disney
Channel. The free admission brought record crowds to the maritime
attraction. By 11 a.m., an hour after opening, more than 3,000
people already were milling around exhibits.
by CNB