I mentioned in my previous post that this year, our family has Merlin Annual Passes, and we're putting them to good use by visiting as many of the attractions as possible, including those that aren't most local to us. This year, this meant going to Blackpool for the Sea Life Centre and Madam Tussauds.
Madam Tussauds Blackpool is situated on the sea front, as part of Blackpool's "Golden Mile". We visited on the last Friday of the school summer holidays, and it wasn't busy. You start (as you do in London) with a ride in a lift to the top floor, and then work your way downwards through the floors. A word of warning: pushchairs aren't allowed. There's a buggy park just off the foyer, and if you have a toddler or pushchair person, be prepared to carry him or her around (especially on the stairs... did I mention the stairs?). Still, since you've just taken the lift to the top, most of the stairs are downwards!
The displays are very innovative: the Coronation Street exhibit was very well done, set up as the Rover's Return pub - with seating and eating areas, which are always welcome when you have little people to look after. Spiderman was clinging upside down on a wall, on a scene which was built to make it easy to look like you're hanging on to the edge of a tall building. Bear Grills is climbing up a large boulder, with another one alongside for you and your friends to climb - great photo opportunity. The exhibits are well spaced out, and are laid out in a way that gives you plenty of unusual and interesting photo opportunities.
There's a series of musicians - dead and alive - with a collection of listening booths (CD jukeboxes and a selection of tracks to choose from). Not exactly waxworks, but still a very interesting addition to the experience. There's even a set of drums to play on - just for fun. You can play along with the music, or you can just play (depending on your age and ability!). The range of activities make the museum an interesting place to visit, even if you aren't interested in waxworks and celebrities.
Facilities: I mentioned that push chairs had to be left at reception, which in theory sounds unfortunate, but is definitely better than lugging child plus pushchair down all the stairs. Apart from the Rovers Return, I don't remember any large seating areas or places selling refreshments. The shop at the end was geared more towards celebrity merchandise - clapper boards, microphones, all that stuff.
Overall, we all enjoyed our visit to Madam Tussauds. The range of activities in between the waxworks helped break up the visit - it wasn't just a series of relentless statues, and the changing scenery and backdrops really made it very interesting. Our children range from loving having their photo taken to hating it, but still everybody had an enjoyable time.
Ticket Pricing
There's the option of buying multi-tickets for Madam Tussauds, the Sea Life Centre; Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Tower Dungeons, but if you want to visit just Madam Tussauds, the tickets are £16 on the door (£13 in advance) for adults, and £13 (10.50 in advance) for children aged 4-15. Family tickets are £54 (£43 in advance).
Madam Tussauds Blackpool is situated on the sea front, as part of Blackpool's "Golden Mile". We visited on the last Friday of the school summer holidays, and it wasn't busy. You start (as you do in London) with a ride in a lift to the top floor, and then work your way downwards through the floors. A word of warning: pushchairs aren't allowed. There's a buggy park just off the foyer, and if you have a toddler or pushchair person, be prepared to carry him or her around (especially on the stairs... did I mention the stairs?). Still, since you've just taken the lift to the top, most of the stairs are downwards!
The displays are very innovative: the Coronation Street exhibit was very well done, set up as the Rover's Return pub - with seating and eating areas, which are always welcome when you have little people to look after. Spiderman was clinging upside down on a wall, on a scene which was built to make it easy to look like you're hanging on to the edge of a tall building. Bear Grills is climbing up a large boulder, with another one alongside for you and your friends to climb - great photo opportunity. The exhibits are well spaced out, and are laid out in a way that gives you plenty of unusual and interesting photo opportunities.
There's a series of musicians - dead and alive - with a collection of listening booths (CD jukeboxes and a selection of tracks to choose from). Not exactly waxworks, but still a very interesting addition to the experience. There's even a set of drums to play on - just for fun. You can play along with the music, or you can just play (depending on your age and ability!). The range of activities make the museum an interesting place to visit, even if you aren't interested in waxworks and celebrities.
Facilities: I mentioned that push chairs had to be left at reception, which in theory sounds unfortunate, but is definitely better than lugging child plus pushchair down all the stairs. Apart from the Rovers Return, I don't remember any large seating areas or places selling refreshments. The shop at the end was geared more towards celebrity merchandise - clapper boards, microphones, all that stuff.
Overall, we all enjoyed our visit to Madam Tussauds. The range of activities in between the waxworks helped break up the visit - it wasn't just a series of relentless statues, and the changing scenery and backdrops really made it very interesting. Our children range from loving having their photo taken to hating it, but still everybody had an enjoyable time.
Ticket Pricing
There's the option of buying multi-tickets for Madam Tussauds, the Sea Life Centre; Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Tower Dungeons, but if you want to visit just Madam Tussauds, the tickets are £16 on the door (£13 in advance) for adults, and £13 (10.50 in advance) for children aged 4-15. Family tickets are £54 (£43 in advance).
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