BOND WORLD – SCHILTHORN PIZ GLORIA
Morph into James Bond at 10,000 Feet (2970 meters)
“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is not the best known James Bond film, if fact it stands out as the only film in the long popular series with a replacement Bond actor who only appeared once. Model George Lazenby replaced Sean Connery in the 1969 film, starring opposite Diana Rigg, fresh from The Avengers British TV series. But the film from almost 45 years ago stands out with one of the most recognized fliming locations of the entire series. A new cable car had been just completed, rising to a brand new mountain top revolving restaurant on the Schiltorn peak in the Bernese Oberland near Interlaken. The Bond producers saw the opportunity to place the villain’s headquarters on a stunning mountain top.
The Schilthorn Piz Gloria has gone on to become one of the most popular tourism attractions in Switzerland, for some of the best views of the Alps peaks to be had at the top of a cable car. But its identity as a James Bond filming location has been part of its identity ever since. Even more so with the opening of the Bond World. Where once a brief movie presentation once played in the concrete foundation space below the turning restaurant, a new immersive entertainment activity experience now invites the visitor to become Bond…James Bond.
While the theme is a bit overdone, with Bond music playing as soon as the series of cable cars it takes to get to the top, the Bond World 007 exhibit is surprisingly entertaining. A series of poster images and other displays covers the range of Bond stars from Connery to Daniel Craig, the emphasis is of course on the 1969 film and the images of George Lazenby for photo opportunities. The stand out activities are the interactive ones, allowing you to enter the picture. Throw your stylish Bond hat onto the hat rack of Moneypenny’s office.
Board the pilot’s seat of the chassis of a decommissioned Air Glaciers Alouette III helicopter, take the control stick and make a simulated helicopter flight to the top of the Schilthorn Peak. Morph yourself into the classic James Bond image with Walther PPK. Or step into a bobsled and film yourself as the center of the action in the iconic climactic chase scene of the film, following the actions of Bond, or what the heck, just clowning around in a movie action scene. A 40-seat cinema theater shows film clips from the “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” movie with interviews of production crew and locals talking about the filming, alternating with a panoramic video show of views of the Alpine environment (especially welcome if the weather outside is not what you’d hoped).
Bond Breakfast Buffet
The Schilthorn cable experience offers a Bond theme meal opportunity, the Bond Breakfast Buffet. If riding to the top of the Schilthorn in the mornings, after the view platforms, photo ops and Bond experience, take a breakfast break in the rotating Piz Gloria restaurant. There isn’t anything really Bond about it except the sparkling Prosecco and 007 logos on the windows, but a full breakfast buffet and spectacular views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountain massif and 200 other snowy peaks. The Bond Breakfast is served from 8 am to 10:30 am. Regular meal service is offered, thereafter. But check out the wall divider you might recognize from the movie.
Visiting Bond World Schilthorn Piz Gloria
The Bond World 007 experience is included in the price of the cable ticket. Taking home the souvenir put yourself in the action movies is a little extra. The Bond Breakfast is a separate price or combined with the ride ticket. The Bond Breakfast Buffet is 29.50 CHF for adults, 26.50 CHF for Teens 15 to 18, 16.50 CHF for Kids 6 to 14, Children under 6 under eat free. The Schilthorn Cable Car prices vary a bit depending on which station you depart from, Murren or Stechelberg in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. CHF 77 or CHF 98.60 for adults at full price. With a Swiss Pass the price is reduced to 38.50 CHF (64.40 CHF combined with the breakfast), reduced to 74.40 with a Eurail Pass. © Bargain
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