The New World of Coca-Cola® is set to open in Atlanta on Thursday. My mother is very excited about the opportunity to pay $15 to enter a glorified gift shop, but I am considerably more skeptical. Note the following entertainment possibilities that Coke advertises on their website:

• Thrilling 4-D Theater
• World's largest collection of Coke memorabilia
• Fully functioning bottling line that produces commemorative 8-ounce bottles of Coca­Cola®
• Tasting experience with over 70 different products to sample
• Pop Culture Gallery featuring works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Steve Penley
• World-famous Coca­Cola® Polar Bear
• And so much more!

So, the place is a museum where you can taste and buy Coke products, meet its advertising icons, buy its advertising icons, and then..., um, "so much more," whatever that may be. Wheee! I sure hope that they don't spray Coke on you inside the 4D theater. (There can be too much of a good thing, you know.)

I mean, didn't Coke learn a long time ago to keep the words "New" and "Coke" as far away from each other as possible? I think if you blindfold me, I might not be able to tell the difference from the original (and in all likelihood superior) World of Coca-Cola®. And I'm certainly not interested in paying $15 (plus an additional $10 for the privilege of parking in the adjoining Pemberton Place® Parking Deck) for more Coca-Cola® advertising than I can see during 9 hours of televised football. This is not a wave that I'm in any hurry to catch.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've worked up a thirst.

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