The buzziest opening of summer is almost upon us: Meow Wolf will debut in Grapevine Mills on July 14. With just two weeks to go, we finally have an idea of what it might be like inside the "portal," thanks to five sneak-peek photos the organizers have revealed.

Themed "The Real Unreal," Meow Wolf Grapevine will be an immersive experience that will take participants on a "journey through a Technicolor wonderland that blends storytelling, technology, and immersive art," they say. Guests will experience different dimensions of perspective and creativity through more than 30 rooms.

The storyline of the journey, conceived by sci-fi and fantasy author LaShawn Wanak, goes like this: "Beginning in a house, the story centers on a mother and son, their chosen family, and the extraordinary events that open their house to a realm of expansive creativity."

Initial images capture details of the exhibition's intricate and otherworldly landscapes, although they're not fully explained. Meow Wolf likes to keep things mysterious. All were created by 38 Texas artists alongside dozens of Meow Wolf artists.

"We’re thrilled to reveal these first looks of our newest exhibition," says Dale Sheehan, Meow Wolf senior vice president and executive creative director, in a release. "It’s been in the works for four years and is an awe-inspiring self-guided experience for visitors to get lost in. 'The Real Unreal’s' narrative journey takes a leap through the spaces between universes, and is the first major step in connecting the Meow Wolf story universe."

  

Photo by Jess Gallo

Is it real? Or is it unreal?

Meow Wolf is a wildly popular, Santa Fe-based interactive adventure known for enchanting art lovers and amusement zealots with its mind-bending immersive experiences. The first-ever Texas portal (so called for Meow Wolf’s expertise in transporting visitors to fantastic realms of imagination), in Grapevine, has been in the works for more than a year.

The new Grapevine portal will be located in the Grapevine Mills shopping mall and encompass 40,000 square feet in the space formerly occupied by a big-box store. A Houston portal will follow, in 2024.

In addition to the exhibition, "The Real Unreal" portal will include a retail store, live event venue, and cafe featuring 15 food purveyors.

"The Real Unreal" will be open at 10 am daily beginning July 14. (Hours may vary.) Tickets are now available for pre-purchase starting at $50 for general admission ($45 for children). Pre-booking a time slot for entry is required.