*This is a collaborative post. Please see my disclosure policy for details
You may remember our post a few weeks ago that mentioned The Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff will be closing their doors for the final time (ever) on 9th September 2017. If you're a fan of the show, this is your last chance to head down and enjoy what I think is the best Doctor Who adventure in the whole of the UK and definitely a must-visit attraction with kids.
You can pre-book tickets to The Doctor Who Experience online which is definitely advised as it can get busy and buying on the door can involve a bit of a wait for a free time slot. Online tickets are very reasonably priced at £14 for adults and £9.75 for children. A family ticket is £41 and under 5's are admitted free of charge. We parked in a nearby street (£5 per day) or you can choose pretty much any car park in Cardiff Bay and walk over to the attraction. It's a pleasant stroll around the bay and it's fun seeing who can spot the TARDIS first.
I love the whole theming of the Doctor Who Experience - there is something exciting to look at from the moment you step inside. We loved spotting Matt Smith and the Daleks. There can be a little wait as your tickets are scanned and you join the queue for the experience to start (the first part takes part in 30 minute time slots).
The Doctor Who Experience is a museum of two halves. You are not allowed to take any photos or film the first half which is a very interactive experience so you will have to visualise what it's like (or visit for yourself!).
The interactive experience lasts around 30 minutes. You are taken through (with a guide) in groups of around 30-40. Everyone is provided with a time travelling crystal which you keep around your neck throughout. I don't want to give the story away too much but it is so much fun. You get to fly the TARDIS, run away from daleks and creep past weeping angels before ending with a 4D experience flying through the sky. I'm just an average Doctor Who fan and LOVED it. I felt like I was part of a TV show. Proper Doctor Who fans had the best time ever. The experience does get a little scary in places but all of the children and toddlers in our group seemed to take it in their stride.
After the interactive experience, you are free to walk around the museum which is split over two floors. Here you'll find lots of paraphernalia, sets, costumes, props and monsters from across the years. There's loads to look at and you can get quite close. There's even the chance to sit inside of a dalek and move his arms (or plunger and whisk). You can take as many photographs as you like in this area and I'll share a few of my favourites below:
The Doctor Who Experience ends with a trip to their fab gift shop where you can pick up all sorts of gifts. I even started my christmas shopping! The Doctor Who Experience runs until 9th Sept. Visit whilst you still can!
Check our our video featuring the Doctor Who Experience below:
You can pre-book tickets to The Doctor Who Experience online which is definitely advised as it can get busy and buying on the door can involve a bit of a wait for a free time slot. Online tickets are very reasonably priced at £14 for adults and £9.75 for children. A family ticket is £41 and under 5's are admitted free of charge. We parked in a nearby street (£5 per day) or you can choose pretty much any car park in Cardiff Bay and walk over to the attraction. It's a pleasant stroll around the bay and it's fun seeing who can spot the TARDIS first.
I love the whole theming of the Doctor Who Experience - there is something exciting to look at from the moment you step inside. We loved spotting Matt Smith and the Daleks. There can be a little wait as your tickets are scanned and you join the queue for the experience to start (the first part takes part in 30 minute time slots).
The Doctor Who Experience is a museum of two halves. You are not allowed to take any photos or film the first half which is a very interactive experience so you will have to visualise what it's like (or visit for yourself!).
The Doctor Who Experience | The Interactive Experience
The interactive experience lasts around 30 minutes. You are taken through (with a guide) in groups of around 30-40. Everyone is provided with a time travelling crystal which you keep around your neck throughout. I don't want to give the story away too much but it is so much fun. You get to fly the TARDIS, run away from daleks and creep past weeping angels before ending with a 4D experience flying through the sky. I'm just an average Doctor Who fan and LOVED it. I felt like I was part of a TV show. Proper Doctor Who fans had the best time ever. The experience does get a little scary in places but all of the children and toddlers in our group seemed to take it in their stride.
The Doctor Who Experience | The Exhibition Hall
After the interactive experience, you are free to walk around the museum which is split over two floors. Here you'll find lots of paraphernalia, sets, costumes, props and monsters from across the years. There's loads to look at and you can get quite close. There's even the chance to sit inside of a dalek and move his arms (or plunger and whisk). You can take as many photographs as you like in this area and I'll share a few of my favourites below:
Check our our video featuring the Doctor Who Experience below:
Cardiff Bay Beach and Plazas
The main area of Cardiff Bay is just a short stroll away - it will take around 5 or 10 minutes to walk around the harbour and past the Welsh Assembly. The bay is lined with family friendly restaurants and fun fair rides plus there is a free beach to visit in the summer months. You can take boat trips out to sea too and prices started at a very reasonable £2. The funfair rides were not so reasonable with a trip around the fun house costing £2 per child. It's still a lovely place to spend an afternoon though and perfect for families.
Let me know if you've ever taken your children to visit Cardiff Bay and if you fancy a trip to The Doctor Who Experience before it closes next month.
Check out more from our day in Cardiff here:
I LOVE Cardiff, although haven't been for years! Last visit I went with a friend (I'm pretty sure we were seeing Girls Aloud at the arena ... that's how long ago it was!) and being a huge Dr Who fan I dragged her round the entire Dr Who Experience even though she'd never seen the show. Probably made worse by being a Torchwood fan as well as most of that was filmed round and about Cardiff Bay so there was a lot to see! I don't think she really understood what was going on when we went to visit Ianto's shrine (wonder if that's still there?!!)
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