Bringing Fairytales to Life: Why Museum Odense Bet on User Experience to Enhance Storytelling 

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In the southern region of Denmark, in Odense, lies a true architectural gem, and a paradise for fairytales lovers.  A building that not only speaks for itself but also holds within the legacy of one of the world’s most renowned children’s writers, Hans Christian Andersen. This cultural venue opens its doors to honor his life and the stories that shaped so many childhoods, such as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and The Snow Queen. Welcoming visitors from around the world to experience magical stories brought to life. 

Museum Odense, the crib of Danish history  

Museum Odense is the home of six unique museums that explores archaeology, history, and the well-known Danish exponents the poet Hans Christian Andersen (H.C.A), the composer Carl Nielsen, and the sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen. 



The museum's goal is to show how important history is still today. Helping people to develop a connection between the past and present in ways that feel real and meaningful experiences, stories, objects, and exhibitions that takes them on a journey of deep learning, feeling, and understanding of the world and its history. 

Immersion in a Fairytale Universe 

The Hans Christian Andersen Museum immerses visitors in the imaginative world of the beloved writer, while the building itself is a work of art; seamlessly blending architecture, landscape, and cultural exhibition into a single, unified experience. 

A cultural landmark that bridges the city’s historic core and modern districts. Inspired by Andersen’s recurring contrasts — fantasy and reality, nature and civilization, light and shadow — it plays with natural elements, illusional structures, and magical tales that introduce its visitors into an enchanting storytelling. 

A Search for Something More 

A cultural venue full of rich stories to tell needs the right tools to do them justice. Museum Odense had previously used an audio guide but began to feel that it needed something more. Delivering a high-quality visitor experience was a top priority, not just through an audio guide, but through a system that encouraged social interaction while maintaining full immersion in the exhibition. 

The museum envisioned a space where visitors could engage, reflect, and enjoy the unique stories together. However, past experiences with other audio guide solutions presented challenges with user-friendliness, hardware/software and service that led the team to search for a new alternative. 

Having seen the Podcatcher Pro at other venue in Denmark and abroad, the museum team decided to explore its potential. After reviewing various audio guide options, they decided to give it a try. 

Why the Podcatcher Pro? 

What the team at Museum Odense appreciates most about the Podcatcher Pro is its user-friendliness. The device is lightweight, intuitive, and comfortable to hold. The accessible content management software has been a major advantage, empowering the team to create and edit content independently. 

Equally important has been customer support from Guide-ID. The helpdesk has proven extremely helpful, offering immediate and effective support whenever needed, an invaluable benefit in day-to-day operations. 

The Podcatcher Pro in a Fantasy World 

The HCA exhibition is designed to inspire and engage visitors of all ages in HCA’s fairytale universe, inviting them to reflect on his imagination, his curiosity about life, and his reverence for nature. 

It offers a rich storytelling experience, thoughtfully crafted through special collaborations to delight visitors with a captivating narrative. At the heart of this, is a dramatized audio guide featuring Hans Christian Andersen as the central voice. The Danish version is written by the recognized author Kim Fupz Aakeson, and brought to life by notable actors such as Caspar Phillipson, Vibeke Hastrup, and Thomas Mørk. The English version, also available in Chinese, is written by the acclaimed author Lemony Snicket, while the German adaptation is the work of Christine Wunnicke. 

Each version offers a distinctive interpretation of Andersen’s extraordinary life, blending humor, charm, and depth to guide visitors through the exhibition. The Podcatcher Pro narration plays in harmony with the rhythm of lights and sounds throughout the space, drawing visitors deeper into Andersen’s world. 

Transforming the Visitor Experience 

Since the introduction of the Podcatcher Pro, the museum has noticed a positive shift in visitors’ engagement. Guests interact more meaningfully with the exhibition and with each other, enhancing both the individual and social dimensions of the museum experience. 

“I’m amazed at how well it works all around – it gets praised (a lot) by our guests. I would highly recommend it. The guest experience in the museum has improved, the device is simple and easy for our guests to use.” — Helle Smith, Front House Manager, Museum Odense 

Tailoring Solutions to Each Venue 

Every museum has its own needs and its own stories to tell. That’s exactly how Guide-ID sees it. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The adaptability of the Podcatcher Pro—both hardware and software—allows it to align with each venue’s specific goals, whether large or small. 

The goal remains the same: Empowering Museum teams with the right tools to elevate their visitor experiences with professional, reliable tools that are easy to implement and friendly to use. 

If you wonder how our product could adapt to your venue, we will be happy to guide you through the process. Get in contact with us and discover the magic of the Podcatcher Pro. Guide ID | Podcatcher Pro Audio Guide