Set in Wax: Madame Tussauds – Orlando’s Most Glamorous Attraction?
We’ve all be star-struck before, right? Whether it was with a sports icon, an actor, or a historical figure, there’s probably someone famous who’s inspired you to write a fan letter or spend hours curled up with a biography of their life. (Shout-out to my favorite college football – now NFL – player, Rex Burkhead, for writing me back when I was in high school!)
At Madame Tussauds at ICON Park in Orlando, you can finally meet some of your favorite stars! No VIP pass is required. Of course, these famous folks are made of wax, but with meticulous attention to detail, each one is incredibly lifelike.
Seriously, you’ll be doing double-takes throughout the entire museum!
From fictional characters to pop singers, Madame Tussauds is sure to have at least one person you’re dying to meet! Be sure to bring your camera – you’re going to want picture proof that you got to cozy up next to Ryan Reynolds.
Wax On, Wax Off
Bringing people to life via the medium of wax takes a lot of work! And it all started with Madame Tussaud, a very real person, who trained under a Swiss master of wax anatomy and lived during the perilous era of the French Revolution.
“She had lived at Versailles, been art tutor to Louis XVI’s sister and cast the king from life and later, during the Revolution, been ordered by the National Convention to duplicate his severed head. There was the king’s blood in her lap. Listen, she was saying: I am history.”1
-Edward Carrey, Author of “Little”
Having survived the Revolution – and being imprisoned for a good part of it – Tussaud left France and took her waxworks to London on exhibition, eventually setting up a permanent attraction and building up a business enterprise. Her waxworks included famous people of the day, both dead and alive, popular and controversial (well, they had been controversial in Revolutionary France, anyway).
(Photo: Rusty Clark via Flickr)
Madame Tussaud even made a wax self-portrait, and it is the only image we have of her. She departed this world just “before the invention of photography could trap her. Instead, she is preserved only in wax.”2
Her exhibition has been preserved, too – and expanded! From London to Orlando, to Tokyo, there are Madame Tussauds all around the world, and new wax figures are being made every year to keep up with the constantly changing “who’s who.”
Fame may be fleeting, but wax is forever. Or pretty close to it, anyway.
Who’s Who of Madame Tussauds Orlando
Each Madame Tussauds around the world showcases different figures that are most requested by local visitors. However, they also loan figures to one another, meaning you might see Ed Sheeran on one visit, but not the next because he’s hopped on a flight to Sydney, Australia!
In Orlando, figures range from historical to musical, athletic to the red carpet. Here’s who you can look forward to meeting if you tour Madame Tussauds in the near future!
Historical Cameos
- Juan Ponce de Leon. See Ponce de Leon brought to life in the heart of his old stomping grounds. (He explored Florida back in 1513!) You can ask him where the Fountain of Youth is. . .but wax figures are notoriously tight-lipped.
- George Washington. Say “hello” to His Excellency, or, as I fondly call him, “G. Dubs.” Did you know his iconic snowy hair wasn’t a wig? Washington powdered his naturally auburn hair until it was fashionably white, then tied it back into a ponytail.3
- Walt Disney. What would a Madame Tussauds at ICON Park in Orlando be without the presence of our dearly beloved Walt Disney!? With a charming smile and casual pose, wax-Walt seems just as approachable as the real one must have been.
Still Life Sports
- Peyton Manning. You don’t need an insanely priced ticket to an NFL game to see Peyton Manning anymore! Now you can sing the Nation Wide jingle with him at Madame Tussauds. Omaha!
- Serena Williams. Tennis champ Serena is in full swing at Madame Tussauds – you can even see the sheen of sweat from a hard won game! Be sure to congratulate her on her latest win!
- Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq is ready to make a slam dunk! It’s pretty humbling to stand next to him and compare height – especially if you’re fun-sized like me! Try not to break his concentration, though – he’s so in-the-zone his tongue is sticking out!
Silent Singers
- Elvis Presley. You ain’t nothing but a hound dog. . .is not what you’ll hear from wax-Elvis, even though he does look like he really could burst into song! His lips are sadly sealed, but with his extremely lifelike appearance, the rumors about him still being alive start to make sense.
- Taylor Swift. Decked out in sequined-black, wax-Taylor is still on the Reputation tour, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she changes into a Cardigan soon. *wink*
- Justin Bieber. Even if you think he sings like a girl, you have to admire Madame Tussauds attention to detail – they’ve replicated every single one of Justin’s tattoos! He definitely looks ready for a photoshoot.
Justice League
The whole super-gang is here in this interactive exhibit – Justice League, advance!
- Aquaman. Help Aquaman wield his trident and rule the Seven Seas – or just fulfill your Jason Momoa fangirl dreams. (Thank you, Madame Tussauds!)
- Superman. Help Superman lift an entire helicopter! Believe it or not, his arms actually bend – very impressive for a waxwork!
- Batman. Summon the Dark Knight with the bat-signal and ready your bat-shark repellent! I stan all Batmen – from Christian Bale to Ben Affleck (the one used for this wax-Batman) – but I am a little sad it isn’t Adam West. . .
- Wonder Woman. Looking as fierce as ever in her signature pose, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman is ready to save Madame Tussauds from any threats that may come its way.
Seeing Stars
These wax stars range from modern sitcom favorites to folks we only recognize in black and white.
- Audrey Hepburn. Perpetually having breakfast at Tiffany’s, you can join Audrey for a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll.
- E.T. Everyone’s favorite extra-terrestrial has come in peace to Madame Tussauds! He’s snuggly wrapped in his little blankie in the basket of Elliot’s bike. Climb aboard and take to the skies with your alien friend!
- Tom Hanks. Forest Gump. Woody. Mr. Rogers. Hanks had starred in some of the most iconic and most loved roles of all time. It’s just part of what makes him America’s Dad. Gone on, give him a hug – I won’t tell anyone!
This list is just a small fraction of who’ll you’ll get to see at Madame Tussauds! You’ll have to stop by this amazing museum and see it all for yourself. And like we said, it’s consistently being updated with different wax-people (or new hairstyles and outfits for current residents).
Selfies With The Stars
Of course, the best part of Madame Tussauds is that it’s completely photo-op friendly! You’re allowed to get up close and personal with the wax figures for the ultimate selfies. They even sell selfie-sticks in the gift shop! (Note: you’re usually allowed to touch the figures, but this is subject to change with COVID.4)
Have an idea for someone you’d like to see as a wax figure? Let Madame Tussauds know!
Who’s your favorite wax resident at Madame Tussauds in Orlando? (Mine is E.T.) Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image
Photo: Rain0975 via Flickr
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