Blackpool Tower Dungeon 2013
With the opening of the new London Dungeons in County Hall and the re-opening of the York Dungeons, the chain has undergone a slight transformation with new logos, ride name changes and a brand new strap-line - 'Fear is a funny thing'. So with changes to both the London and York shows, along with Warwick Dungeons new 'Witches of Warwick' show last year, we decided to make a visit to the Blackpool Tower Dungeon to see if anything had been updated.
The Dungeon itself has hardly changed at all and although Blackpool has a great selection of shows, it was slightly disheartening to know that the rebrand meant nothing at this venue. It would appear that Blackpool, although the newest of all the Dungeons, has been forgotten about and the show is exactly the same today as the day it opened in 2011. This isn't completely a bad thing as it still gives a great show. We had just expected something different.
As it is, the place still feels new and fresh and with a great array of talent from its actors, who were working extremely well to immerse all audience members into the action. We still think that the Pendle Witches show has far more to offer than it already does and The Vikings is already becoming slightly stale as it is just a projection and a couple of effects. These two areas really need something to give a little kick back into the whole show.
The Dungeon's new direction of marketing portrays their attractions as 'Better, Bolder and Funnier for 2013' but this promise seems to have failed in Blackpool. The Blackpool Tower Dungeons currently appear to have a slight identity crisis as the transformation from old to new appears to be taking much longer than the London and York shows. The entrance to the attraction uses both the large old logos, with new smaller logos dotted around. We also noticed a very large advertisement next to the exit shop advertising 'Extremis'. Since the re-branding, the drop ride has been re-named 'Drop Dead' yet actors, advertisements and the pre-drop video all still mention the word Extremis. The words Drop Dead only appear on the on-ride photograph, website and leaflet. It creates a feeling of laziness on Merlin's part. Either change it all, or not at all!
Although nothing has really changed at the Blackpool Tower Dungeons, it never fails to entertain and remains the entertaining show it always was. Blackpool have really have localised the brand to great extent and its definitely worth a visit when you're at the seaside town. Just don't expect anything new for the time being,
The Dungeon itself has hardly changed at all and although Blackpool has a great selection of shows, it was slightly disheartening to know that the rebrand meant nothing at this venue. It would appear that Blackpool, although the newest of all the Dungeons, has been forgotten about and the show is exactly the same today as the day it opened in 2011. This isn't completely a bad thing as it still gives a great show. We had just expected something different.
As it is, the place still feels new and fresh and with a great array of talent from its actors, who were working extremely well to immerse all audience members into the action. We still think that the Pendle Witches show has far more to offer than it already does and The Vikings is already becoming slightly stale as it is just a projection and a couple of effects. These two areas really need something to give a little kick back into the whole show.
The Dungeon's new direction of marketing portrays their attractions as 'Better, Bolder and Funnier for 2013' but this promise seems to have failed in Blackpool. The Blackpool Tower Dungeons currently appear to have a slight identity crisis as the transformation from old to new appears to be taking much longer than the London and York shows. The entrance to the attraction uses both the large old logos, with new smaller logos dotted around. We also noticed a very large advertisement next to the exit shop advertising 'Extremis'. Since the re-branding, the drop ride has been re-named 'Drop Dead' yet actors, advertisements and the pre-drop video all still mention the word Extremis. The words Drop Dead only appear on the on-ride photograph, website and leaflet. It creates a feeling of laziness on Merlin's part. Either change it all, or not at all!
Although nothing has really changed at the Blackpool Tower Dungeons, it never fails to entertain and remains the entertaining show it always was. Blackpool have really have localised the brand to great extent and its definitely worth a visit when you're at the seaside town. Just don't expect anything new for the time being,
Links:
Official Blackpool Tower Dungeon website - www.thedungeons.com
2012 Official review
2011 Opening review
2011 Blackpool Tower Dungeon auditions
Official Blackpool Tower Dungeon website - www.thedungeons.com
2012 Official review
2011 Opening review
2011 Blackpool Tower Dungeon auditions
You Review
I have recently visited the Blackpool Tower Dungeon for the fifth time, mostly because I adore it but also because the website had been updated to state it was better and bolder for 2014, with new shocks and surprises. The entrance seemed a lot darker and foggier, and the use of the Ned King highwayman is apparently gone. I had never once seen this on any of my visits.. The photo opportunity has now also been re located to the back of the queue next to the lift lobby and makes use of a green screen to allow for an extra fun photo opportunity including the Judge. However they also photoshop the wall where the axe and stocks used to be in to the head chopper photo which to me is a missed opportunity. Once inside the attraction nothing had changed really except for a few line changes which was most noticeable in the Jester scene and the Judge which was very funny indeed and reminded me of London's sheep joke. The labyrinth was still very scary, dark and foggy, and I only wish London wou ld do the same with theirs, which seeing as it is based around Jack the Ripper is a missed opportunity. Even though I have been many times and am growing immune to the shocks, I still find that the variety of performances and smaller setting to pack a punch even on multiple return visits, especially the caves of Skipool which also had slight changes to dialogue and is small enough to be much more tense than Sweeney Todd in London. I did notice that the Pendle Witch forest has been reduced in size. Perhaps this is utilizing the unused space for a future addition. Drop dead was as good as ever, again much more of a fun ride than London's version (well the new one anyway). The attraction is now completely up to date with the new branding, and there were a few noticeable changes in dialogue throughout, as well as some obvious scenery maintenance (the plague doctors chair had not 'bled' before) . The actors were as lively as ever, and I was happy that my favourite actor was working that d ay (he picked on me). However, there was nothing noticeably new, and the reduction in size of the Pendle witches is perhaps (here's hoping) something to do with the addition or alteration of another set/scene in the near future.
I visited the Blackpool dungeons last weekend when I went away for a Blackpool and Liverpool break away. I was keen to see the Blackpool dungeons as I've done the York one a few times in the past, and last year, the London dungeon.
From start to finish I really enjoyed the Blackpool version. To me at times the set up was a bit strange as we walked through the bowels of the tower where it's located at.
The only bit I didn't like was the set up before we boarded the Drop Dead ride at the end. I felt they should have had the courtroom bit just before the witches bit instead of going into the mirror maze. To me that didn't make sense.
With my way of thinking you would have been judged then moved onto the ride. Maybe I'm missing something here? Some people would say a brain, like the scarecrow from the wizard of Oz. I still enjoyed the dungeons for what it is, I always have.
The tour last for an hour roughly, give or take. I think I was in for about 50mins I'm sure. Don't make the mistake I made when I first visited the dungeon about buying your ticket at the door. If you're getting the bus or the tram to the tower, check your tickets for discount vouchers into various attractions. Also, check at your hotel if you're staying in one because they do discounted tickets on the main attractions. You can easily get a dungeon ticket for a tenner instead of the £15 or so it is at the door.
For a tenner that's a good price. I kicked myself for not checking when I arrived as I was in holiday mode and I just wasn't thinking about things like that. I'll know for next year when I go back.
If people are worried about the ride at the end, don't be. I'm the biggest fearty ever, and even I could do it. I wanted a second go of the ride.
From start to finish I really enjoyed the Blackpool version. To me at times the set up was a bit strange as we walked through the bowels of the tower where it's located at.
The only bit I didn't like was the set up before we boarded the Drop Dead ride at the end. I felt they should have had the courtroom bit just before the witches bit instead of going into the mirror maze. To me that didn't make sense.
With my way of thinking you would have been judged then moved onto the ride. Maybe I'm missing something here? Some people would say a brain, like the scarecrow from the wizard of Oz. I still enjoyed the dungeons for what it is, I always have.
The tour last for an hour roughly, give or take. I think I was in for about 50mins I'm sure. Don't make the mistake I made when I first visited the dungeon about buying your ticket at the door. If you're getting the bus or the tram to the tower, check your tickets for discount vouchers into various attractions. Also, check at your hotel if you're staying in one because they do discounted tickets on the main attractions. You can easily get a dungeon ticket for a tenner instead of the £15 or so it is at the door.
For a tenner that's a good price. I kicked myself for not checking when I arrived as I was in holiday mode and I just wasn't thinking about things like that. I'll know for next year when I go back.
If people are worried about the ride at the end, don't be. I'm the biggest fearty ever, and even I could do it. I wanted a second go of the ride.
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