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  1. Venues & Destinations
  2. United States
  3. Orlando / Central Florida

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium Adds Dryer Lint Art, Wax Figures

Mitra Sorrells
February 17, 2011
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium is in the midst of renovations that will add several new exhibits, as well as new carpet, paint, and lighting, to the facility on International Drive. Last year, Ripley’s Entertainment took over ownership and operation of the Orlando location, which had been privately operated as a franchise since it opened in 1992.
 
The 10,000-square-foot facility has 16 galleries that feature exhibits and artifacts that are all in some way odd, bizarre, or unbelievable. Discounted group admission is available, and the facility will consider buyouts on a case-by-case basis.

One of the most unusual new exhibits is a massive 14- by 4-foot recreation of The Last Supper made entirely of dryer lint. The Michigan artist who made it estimates she spent nearly 800 hours doing laundry to get the lint and another 200 hours creating the portrait. All of the lint is as it came out of the dryer and has not been colored or dyed.  

Other new exhibits include a portrait of Beyoncé made entirely from candy; a 25-foot-high mural of Jimi Hendrix made from more than 8,500 playing cards; and a rare fossil of a T-Rex foot and lower leg. There are also nine new life-size wax figures of iconic Ripley’s characters such as Lizard Man and the Cuban Eye Popper. 

Through August the facility is hosting a temporary display of the company’s wooden fertility statues, which it purchased from the Ivory Coast in 1993. Ripley’s claims the statues have been credited with instigating more than 2,000 pregnancies while on display at its attractions around the world.  

In addition to the new exhibits, the facility has added flat-panel TVs that broadcast video oddities and behind-the-scenes stories. The galleries are all fairly narrow and filled with displays, making the facility best suited to a reception with passed hors d’oeuvres. Ripley’s does not offer food or beverage service, but outside caterers are welcome for private events.

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Photo: Courtesy of Ripley Entertainment
A life-size replica of the Lizard Man, complete with tattoos and a split tongue, is one of nine new wax figures at Ripley's Orlando location.
A life-size replica of the Lizard Man, complete with tattoos and a split tongue, is one of nine new wax figures at Ripley's Orlando location.
Photo: Courtesy of Ripley Entertainment
The facility has dozens of African masks and tribal artifacts on display.
The facility has dozens of African masks and tribal artifacts on display.
Photo: Courtesy of Ripley Entertainment
One of the newest exhibits is a 14-foot-long recreation of The Last Supper made entirely of dryer lint.
One of the newest exhibits is a 14-foot-long recreation of The Last Supper made entirely of dryer lint.
Photo: Courtesy of Ripley Entertainment
A 25-foot-high mural of Jimi Hendrix is made from more than 8,500 playing cards.
A 25-foot-high mural of Jimi Hendrix is made from more than 8,500 playing cards.
Photo: Courtesy of Ripley Entertainment
A recreation of a 1907 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost is made from more than one million matchsticks.
A recreation of a 1907 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost is made from more than one million matchsticks.
Photo: Courtesy of Ripley Entertainment
Ripley's Orlando Odditorium is a 10,000-square-foot facility on International Drive.
Ripley's Orlando Odditorium is a 10,000-square-foot facility on International Drive.
Photo: Courtesy of Ripley Entertainment
Guests can see a shrunken head from Ecuador's Jivaro Indians, an iconic Ripley's artifact that founder Robert Ripley is often seen holding in photographs.
Guests can see a shrunken head from Ecuador's Jivaro Indians, an iconic Ripley's artifact that founder Robert Ripley is often seen holding in photographs.
Photo: Courtesy of Ripley Entertainment
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