ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Science Center's beloved Dr. Phillips CineDome projection system played its final film Tuesday, ending a 28-year run that brought larger-than-life stories to millions of visitors.
Since opening in 1997, the massive tilted screen theater has welcomed nearly 4 million guests, immersing them in films and music from around the world.
"This has been the source of many happy memories for me," said Jeff Stanford, the center's vice president of marketing. "It's been a touchstone for the community. We've seen families bond over films and music in ways you almost can't experience anywhere else."
The Iwerks film projector -- one of the last of its kind -- will be relocated to another museum for preservation. The CineDome itself, nearly 80 feet tall and the size of an eight-story building if laid flat, will remain a centerpiece for the center's future technology.
For Theater Director Amy Quesinberry, who volunteered at the CineDome on its opening day, Tuesday marked a full-circle moment.
"As somebody that was here as a volunteer and fell in love with the theater, it's really nice to be able to thread the last show," she said.
Tammy Barrett, executive director of the Giant Screen Cinema Association, noted the educational and emotional impact the theater has had on audiences.
"I heard the little girl behind me talking to her mom about the film, and that's why we do what we do," Barrett said. "Kids love it. They're educated, and these films stand the test of time."
Stanford likened the moment to a graduation.
"It feels like graduating high school or college," he said. "You're saying goodbye to one chapter of your life, but you're very excited for the next."
The CineDome's last show concluded at 2:45 p.m., but new chapters are ahead. A $1 million donation from Dr. Phillips Charities will fund an upgrade to an 8K digital projection system, set to debut in spring 2026.
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