FAQs and Code of Conduct

Get the Need-to-Knows for a Day at the Museum.

FAQs About Your Museum Adventure

We hope you enjoy your visit!

The Museum has more than 150,000 sq. ft. of interactive exhibits located on two floors plus a different traveling exhibit three times per year. Please allow at least two (2) hours to explore and another hour if plans include watching a documentary IMAX® film and two (2) hours for a Hollywood film. Make sure to also allow time for lunch or a snack at Elements Café and don’t forget to stop by the Explore Store!

The Museum’s interactive exhibits can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages and abilities.

Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Elements Café offers a selection of snacks and drinks, as well as Starbucks coffee. A small number of dining tables are available. There also are picnic tables outside in the Grand Atrium.

Food and beverages are not permitted in the Museum. Only items purchased at Elements Café are permitted in the IMAX Theater. There are picnic tables outside in the Grand Atrium.

Yes! The Explore Store is located outside in the Grand Atrium and is full of fun and educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) toys, trinkets, accessories, MODS merchandise and more!

Yes. Guests can connect to “MODS-Guest” wi-fi with the password “algae”.

Yes. You are welcome to use cameras and mobile phones to snap away as long as the images or footage are not being used for commercial purposes. Please note: Pictures or recordings are not permitted in the AutoNation® IMAX® Theater. We do encourage you to share your photos on social media and tag @modsftl / #modsftl or @imaxftl / #imaxftl.

Commercial photographers must obtain prior permission. Contact marketing@mods.org or call 954.713.0901. Photographs and recording of any kind are strictly prohibited in the IMAX Theater.

No. The Museum is a non-smoking facility. Smoking tobacco products and e-cigarettes are not allowed in the Museum or IMAX Theater. Florida’s enclosed workplaces, including restaurants and public places, are 100% smoke free as of July 1, 2003, as a result of a State of Florida constitutional amendment.

MODS complies with all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and accepts service animals as defined by the Act. Under federal law, service animals are dogs or miniature horses trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities. Non-service animals are not allowed in the Museum by the FDA.

Dogs, pets and other animals whose sole function is to provide comfort, companionship or emotional support do not qualify as service animals and are not permitted in the Museum, even with a doctor’s note. Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are not allowed, as the ADA does not classify them as service animals.

Misrepresenting your pet as a service animal negatively impacts the quality of life and independence of service animal users. Under Florida law, it is illegal to fraudulently misrepresent your pet as a service animal.

For more information, please visit ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs.

All costumes must be G-rated and no masks are permitted with the exception of Museum approved cosplayers. Absolutely no weapons or props that look like weapons are allowed. We reserve the right to deem a costume as unacceptable and to request the wearer make modifications as necessary, change out of the costume entirely into more appropriate clothing, or require the wearer to leave the facility.

Yes. Please visit our Information Desk located at the entrance of the Museum. You can also call 954.467.6637, ext. 104.

Please scroll down to read the Guest Code of Conduct policy.

Please call our guest experience department at 954.713.0930 or email booking@mods.org and an agent will be happy to answer your questions.


Have a Safe and Enjoyable Visit

At MODS, following the rules is cool.

Thank you for your help in ensuring a safe, enjoyable and inspiring day with each visit to the Museum. MODS has adopted the following guidelines for the safety and security of our guests, staff and volunteers, as well as for the protection of the Museum’s animal ambassadors, collections, artifacts and property.

MODS is for everyone! The Museum is committed to diversity and inclusion in our community and institution. We value and respect our diverse guests, staff, and volunteers and expect the same from our visitors.

We kindly ask for your assistance in following the code of conduct below while at the Museum. If you should observe other persons engaging in any of these activities, please report it to a Museum staff member or Museum security officer.

MODS prohibits the following:

  • Engaging in any activity in violation of federal, state, local or other applicable law or Museum policy
  • Entering Museum exhibition spaces without proof of admission (paid or otherwise)
  • Stealing, damaging, altering, concealing or inappropriate use of Museum property
  • Disruptive or disorderly behavior, including running, yelling, using inappropriate language, threatening others or fighting
  • Displaying physical impairment from alcohol or drug use, or the possession, sale, or use of illegal drugs on Museum property
  • Eating or drinking inside the Museum (food and beverage may ONLY be consumed in authorized areas)
  • Use of wheeled devices including skateboards, roller-skates, bicycles, scooters, and shopping carts is prohibited, except in designated areas. Motorized ADA assistive devices, wheelchairs, walkers and strollers are exempt from this rule.
  • Smoking, including e-cigarettes, vaping, smokeless tobacco and chewing gum. The use of any tobacco products while inside the Museum or smoking within 25 feet of any entrance, exit or elevator are also prohibited
  • Alcohol and illicit drugs
  • Soliciting, posting or distributing any sign, notice, ad or print material (other than authorized materials)
  • Leaving packages, backpacks, luggage or any other personal items unattended unless authorized by Museum Security staff. Unattended items are subject to immediate confiscation and possible disposal. Other items not specifically identified or listed but determined to be unsafe by Museum Security staff because they may present a security risk or are unnecessary to enjoy the Museum are prohibited
  • Loitering or the assembly of groups who are not using the Museum for its intended purpose
  • Sleeping or lying down in public areas of the Museum
  • Offensive clothing or being attired without a shirt or footwear
  • Using flash photography in flash-restricted areas, video recording of Museum programs, IMAX films, and commercial photography unless authorized
  • Littering on Museum property
  • Entering with pets or animals, other than service animals necessary for persons with disabilities
  • Entering Museum areas closed to the public, being inside the Museum before or after Museum operating hours without the permission of an authorized Museum staff member, and camping on Museum grounds are prohibited. The Museum’s property is always closed to the public from 12 a.m. – 6 a.m. Expanded closed hours may be posted

It is expected that all guests abide by any signage posted in public parking lots notwithstanding: No smoking, No overnight parking, No camping, No drinking and No use of any illegal substance.

All guests must comply with the following policies:

  • Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • All bags, backpacks, briefcases and parcels are subject to search at any time by Museum security staff and the Museum reserves the right to decide what is acceptable for entry.
  • For safety and health reasons, guests must wear appropriate attire, including shoes and shirts.
  • Strollers are welcome unless otherwise noted in certain special exhibitions.
  • Please do not touch Museum exhibits unless specifically stated on the exhibit.
  • Please be courteous to others when using a cell phone in the public or gallery spaces.
  • Please be courteous to persons with disabilities when using elevators and benches.

These guidelines will be enforced by Museum and law enforcement personnel. Failure to comply with the Museum’s established rules, reasonable requests, expectations, restrictions. regulations, and policies, including but not limited to this Guest Code of Conduct, may result in removal from the premises and being barred from returning onto Museum property for a period of up to one year.

Thank you for adhering to these policies and please enjoy your visit to the Museum of Discovery and Science.