The New London Dungeon
After 38 years in its original site at Tooley Street, the world famous London Dungeon has now re-opened in a brand new site in County Hall on the Southbank. Built for a reported £20m, the brand new Dungeon experience offers new shows, updated rides and a host of new characters and stories.
Over the last few days we have been fortunate enough to take several runs through the new show and despite a couple of small technical issues we can report that generally the move has breathed a whole lease of life into the experience.
The original Dungeon was famous for the long queues that stretched outside, and the new show has ample space inside the building to keep the waiting masses entertained. From the opening hall with the entertaining Black Jester through to the effects filled "interactive queue", there's no reason to stand outside in the cold any more. Once past the ticket booths, guests get the chance for one last toilet stop before their tour and the amusing touches include flies in the urinals, strange sound effects and some very funny commentary. All the little touches in the build up to the main tour really feel quite immersive and its easy to forget that you are actually inside something that has just been freshly built and painted. The final waiting area sees a much better placement of the attraction's colony of live rats and leads directly to the first show - Descent.
From here on in the 90 minute tour takes us through some of the darkest parts of London's history including real events such as Jack the Ripper and Guy Fawkes and fictional recreations such as Sweeny Todd and Mrs Lovett. Each show uses a combination of live actors, special effects and animatronics to tell a story with just the right mix of fun and fear.
The new strapline for the Dungeon is "Fear is a Funny Thing" and there certainly seems to be a lot more humour in the new shows and revised scripts as well as quite a lot of sexual innuendo, which we found hilarious but may pass over the heads of many foreign visitors! We have wondered in the past how foreign tourists get along inside the Dungeon, but part of the build has been to put in a few more physical gags and effects and certainly there are now more sudden noises/movements and scares than the old venue.
Throughout the whole experience each room is themed to tie in with the story, and in some cases these work better than others. Some rooms such as Torture and the Pie Shop feel really well themed while others such as Conspirators Walk and even the Henry's Wrath boat ride feel just like bare walls covered with black paint. This was probably most notable on the boat ride, as it's clear that some of the effects were not working and there didn't seem to be any reasoning or logic to what happens whilst on the ride. Obviously this is where the much publicised Brian Blessed talking figure is - but apart from him and the surprise drop element - there really isn't anything to see. Compared to the detailed theming on the old boat ride with Traitors gate opening before you, this was quite disappointing.
But the boat ride aside - most of the Dungeon shows are based on good characterisation and scripting and now the shows are some of the strongest in any of the UK Dungeons. Mrs Lovett's Pie Shop is a thoroughly entertaining room and each different actress we saw play this part really brought the character to life. In fact all the actors throughout the event seemed clearly excited about their new locations and the new shows.
So what of those new shows? New to London are Guy Fawkes, which puts a humorous spin on the tale, the previously mentioned Pie Shop and the Gong Farmer at City Gate - a show that reminded us of the taunting French Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail with abuse (and poo) raining down from up high! Existing shows such as Court Room Judge, Plague Doctor and Torture have had some changes with new scripts and updated effects to keep things fresh. Probably the most exciting upgrade of an existing scene is the Ten Bells Pub which has been filled with very impressive jump scares throughout. At the moment this is clearly the scariest show in any UK Dungeon to date.
Finally - once all the history fun and fear are out the way, the tour ends with Drop Dead, the drop ride, and anyone brave enough is sent to the gallows to prepare for the big drop. Much has been speculated about this updated version of Extremis and the ride has a number of fun surprises that should catch most people by surprise.
As we emptied into the gift shop it was time to look back over the 18 advertised shows and assess their relative strengths and weaknesses. Certainly Mrs Lovett and Ten Bells were our favourite and the rest were all entertaining in their own right with fun effects and storytelling. But one show stands out as being the least entertaining and that's the Coughing Coffins set. We just didn't find the show engaging as it wasn't that informative or entertaining. It sort of felt like it was just put there to fill an empty space and was instantly forgettable compared to the quality of some of the other shows. It probably didn't help that it was one of the few shows not to have a live actor involved and relied on projected talking heads - an effect we had already seen twice before on the tour.
But one show in 18 isn't a bad hit rate and as an overall package the new Dungeons delivers exactly what it promises. Of course - going back to the the comparisons with the original venue - the shows and scale of the effects are bigger than Tooley St, but it will take time for our memories of the old and smelly building to be replaced by the new one. Maybe we are just old romantics at heart. After all - it's like having an affair with a sexy new mistress. It's all fun and exciting and new but part of us is still in love with the old woman we left behind!
But as the show settles in and rightfully takes its place as the crown jewel of the Dungeons chain, our memories of the old Dungeon will fade. The London Dungeon is Dead, long live the London Dungeon!
Over the last few days we have been fortunate enough to take several runs through the new show and despite a couple of small technical issues we can report that generally the move has breathed a whole lease of life into the experience.
The original Dungeon was famous for the long queues that stretched outside, and the new show has ample space inside the building to keep the waiting masses entertained. From the opening hall with the entertaining Black Jester through to the effects filled "interactive queue", there's no reason to stand outside in the cold any more. Once past the ticket booths, guests get the chance for one last toilet stop before their tour and the amusing touches include flies in the urinals, strange sound effects and some very funny commentary. All the little touches in the build up to the main tour really feel quite immersive and its easy to forget that you are actually inside something that has just been freshly built and painted. The final waiting area sees a much better placement of the attraction's colony of live rats and leads directly to the first show - Descent.
From here on in the 90 minute tour takes us through some of the darkest parts of London's history including real events such as Jack the Ripper and Guy Fawkes and fictional recreations such as Sweeny Todd and Mrs Lovett. Each show uses a combination of live actors, special effects and animatronics to tell a story with just the right mix of fun and fear.
The new strapline for the Dungeon is "Fear is a Funny Thing" and there certainly seems to be a lot more humour in the new shows and revised scripts as well as quite a lot of sexual innuendo, which we found hilarious but may pass over the heads of many foreign visitors! We have wondered in the past how foreign tourists get along inside the Dungeon, but part of the build has been to put in a few more physical gags and effects and certainly there are now more sudden noises/movements and scares than the old venue.
Throughout the whole experience each room is themed to tie in with the story, and in some cases these work better than others. Some rooms such as Torture and the Pie Shop feel really well themed while others such as Conspirators Walk and even the Henry's Wrath boat ride feel just like bare walls covered with black paint. This was probably most notable on the boat ride, as it's clear that some of the effects were not working and there didn't seem to be any reasoning or logic to what happens whilst on the ride. Obviously this is where the much publicised Brian Blessed talking figure is - but apart from him and the surprise drop element - there really isn't anything to see. Compared to the detailed theming on the old boat ride with Traitors gate opening before you, this was quite disappointing.
But the boat ride aside - most of the Dungeon shows are based on good characterisation and scripting and now the shows are some of the strongest in any of the UK Dungeons. Mrs Lovett's Pie Shop is a thoroughly entertaining room and each different actress we saw play this part really brought the character to life. In fact all the actors throughout the event seemed clearly excited about their new locations and the new shows.
So what of those new shows? New to London are Guy Fawkes, which puts a humorous spin on the tale, the previously mentioned Pie Shop and the Gong Farmer at City Gate - a show that reminded us of the taunting French Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail with abuse (and poo) raining down from up high! Existing shows such as Court Room Judge, Plague Doctor and Torture have had some changes with new scripts and updated effects to keep things fresh. Probably the most exciting upgrade of an existing scene is the Ten Bells Pub which has been filled with very impressive jump scares throughout. At the moment this is clearly the scariest show in any UK Dungeon to date.
Finally - once all the history fun and fear are out the way, the tour ends with Drop Dead, the drop ride, and anyone brave enough is sent to the gallows to prepare for the big drop. Much has been speculated about this updated version of Extremis and the ride has a number of fun surprises that should catch most people by surprise.
As we emptied into the gift shop it was time to look back over the 18 advertised shows and assess their relative strengths and weaknesses. Certainly Mrs Lovett and Ten Bells were our favourite and the rest were all entertaining in their own right with fun effects and storytelling. But one show stands out as being the least entertaining and that's the Coughing Coffins set. We just didn't find the show engaging as it wasn't that informative or entertaining. It sort of felt like it was just put there to fill an empty space and was instantly forgettable compared to the quality of some of the other shows. It probably didn't help that it was one of the few shows not to have a live actor involved and relied on projected talking heads - an effect we had already seen twice before on the tour.
But one show in 18 isn't a bad hit rate and as an overall package the new Dungeons delivers exactly what it promises. Of course - going back to the the comparisons with the original venue - the shows and scale of the effects are bigger than Tooley St, but it will take time for our memories of the old and smelly building to be replaced by the new one. Maybe we are just old romantics at heart. After all - it's like having an affair with a sexy new mistress. It's all fun and exciting and new but part of us is still in love with the old woman we left behind!
But as the show settles in and rightfully takes its place as the crown jewel of the Dungeons chain, our memories of the old Dungeon will fade. The London Dungeon is Dead, long live the London Dungeon!
The photos below were taken on a pre opening tour of the Dungeon and were taken with full permission of Merlin Entertainments. These photos must not be copied or pasted to any other website or social media without prior permission from ScareTOUR.
We would love to hear your thoughts of the new Dungeons and find out which shows you liked best. Why not contact us or send a You Review so you can share your opinions with all our readers?
Links
The main London Dungeon can be found at www.thedungeons.com
Our write of the last tour of the Tooley St Dungeon can be found at - http://www.scaretouruk.com/review---last-rites-at-london-dungeon.html
Our write of the last tour of the Tooley St Dungeon can be found at - http://www.scaretouruk.com/review---last-rites-at-london-dungeon.html
You Review
So after visiting the new dungeons on Saturday the 2nd of March I came out the attraction feeling quite entertained but unsatisfied with the overall experience.
At the front gates there was a 2 hour queue which was to be expected on the opening day however I had pre-ordered a priority ticket on-line for my partner and a premium annual pass for myself so we would both get priority entrance. I was then told that the priority was not valid and after a bit of an argument with the staff out the front the manager came and let us through and had a fairly loud word with his staff which I felt was a little unprofessional.
From there on it started to look up. The new photo booth is very nice with some good extra touches and being lead into the waiting corridor the teeming and the interactive pieces really helped the atmosphere but there was one thing I felt wrong here is that there was one pair of doors that the audio had been lifted straight from Alton towers. If you go try to guess which ones.
The first actor was fantastic adding some humour and some creepy lines into his script before you took the decent. Again it looked pretty well themed in the lifts but some of the effects were not working especially the chains in the side of the lift.
I was surprised to then head straight into Henry's wrath which had some good set pieces. Brian blessed obviously makes this but the effect was just too late and you missed half of what Henry 8th had to say. The lift was surprising and the seats were very comfortable and you do get wet.
The gong farmer was an odd one to me because we were suddenly at a completely different point in time. This is something that unfortunately re-occurs thought the whole of the attraction as it feels very disjointed in time and where you are. guy forks was very well done with a lot of humour and some very good information however it felt like a very very long walk to the scene from the gong farmer.
The Torturer is a stable favourite of mine and the actor was fantastic doing a lot of ad-libbing though the script which has had some nice changes and it was also nice to see they have a new device to show off but the ending was a bit rushed and not really sure where some things where happening and why. It was just a bit confusing.
The plague house was pretty good. The coughing coffins were very well executed and pretty funny. The plague doctor really had not changed one bit though. I would have liked to see some more effects or some extra information or something a little different however certain parts do still make the public squirm and scream.
Down into the sewers where nothing was working, the tunnel didn't spin, the leg ticklers were jammed in the fencing and it was all far to light. The lighting is still a problem with whole attraction with some parts far to light and others (including a set of stairs which were so dark you couldn't see them) far to dark and I did trip up a step because it was impossible to see.
Mrs Lovetts shop was fantastic though in her new premises it looked fantastic and the new scripts and additions really added to the story however Sweeney Todd’s was exact ally the same as the last dungeons. It would have been nice to see something added to that even if it was just a few air blasts or a new script. The white chapel labyrinth was very small and not very disorientating like it used to be and Whitechapel Street didn't seem as gory as it was in the last dungeons. It being a jack the ripper scene I would of like to of seen a better corpse in the street and it was obvious that the actor had not really settled in yet as she seemed not to confident with the script or the set.
The 10 bells have lost a lot of charm from back in Tooley Street where you were all squeezed into a small pub. It’s gotten so big in fact that the new show, effects and ripper really do-sent have as much of an impact as what it once was. I was expecting a lot more from the ripper.
The judge as ever was fantastic and really put on a great show with some new parts in the script and some much more innuendoes based crimes it was very entertaining. I'm looking forward to going though this scene again and seeing if crimes change at all.
Finally we come to drop dead which was very disappointing. None of the characters moved and the "drop" experience was extremely tame. It did bounce which was a nice surprise and I like the opening floor however it was not a thrilling as the old extremis tower at Tooley Street.
Overall the new dungeons had some fantastic teeming and a lot of teeming which I looked at and though "wow that’s very good" and some very interesting pieces however it really needs it lighting, long empty corridors and some of the actors sorting out as well as some of its front of house staff.
The one thing that was not in the new dungeons that is a very very major part of the London history was the great London fire. This is something that very much needs adding to the dungeons which would be something to fill the empty spaces with inside.
I’m sure it will turn into a fantastic attraction over the next 3-5 years but at this moment in time it still needs a lot of work to live up to Tooley street and the atmosphere that place had.
At the front gates there was a 2 hour queue which was to be expected on the opening day however I had pre-ordered a priority ticket on-line for my partner and a premium annual pass for myself so we would both get priority entrance. I was then told that the priority was not valid and after a bit of an argument with the staff out the front the manager came and let us through and had a fairly loud word with his staff which I felt was a little unprofessional.
From there on it started to look up. The new photo booth is very nice with some good extra touches and being lead into the waiting corridor the teeming and the interactive pieces really helped the atmosphere but there was one thing I felt wrong here is that there was one pair of doors that the audio had been lifted straight from Alton towers. If you go try to guess which ones.
The first actor was fantastic adding some humour and some creepy lines into his script before you took the decent. Again it looked pretty well themed in the lifts but some of the effects were not working especially the chains in the side of the lift.
I was surprised to then head straight into Henry's wrath which had some good set pieces. Brian blessed obviously makes this but the effect was just too late and you missed half of what Henry 8th had to say. The lift was surprising and the seats were very comfortable and you do get wet.
The gong farmer was an odd one to me because we were suddenly at a completely different point in time. This is something that unfortunately re-occurs thought the whole of the attraction as it feels very disjointed in time and where you are. guy forks was very well done with a lot of humour and some very good information however it felt like a very very long walk to the scene from the gong farmer.
The Torturer is a stable favourite of mine and the actor was fantastic doing a lot of ad-libbing though the script which has had some nice changes and it was also nice to see they have a new device to show off but the ending was a bit rushed and not really sure where some things where happening and why. It was just a bit confusing.
The plague house was pretty good. The coughing coffins were very well executed and pretty funny. The plague doctor really had not changed one bit though. I would have liked to see some more effects or some extra information or something a little different however certain parts do still make the public squirm and scream.
Down into the sewers where nothing was working, the tunnel didn't spin, the leg ticklers were jammed in the fencing and it was all far to light. The lighting is still a problem with whole attraction with some parts far to light and others (including a set of stairs which were so dark you couldn't see them) far to dark and I did trip up a step because it was impossible to see.
Mrs Lovetts shop was fantastic though in her new premises it looked fantastic and the new scripts and additions really added to the story however Sweeney Todd’s was exact ally the same as the last dungeons. It would have been nice to see something added to that even if it was just a few air blasts or a new script. The white chapel labyrinth was very small and not very disorientating like it used to be and Whitechapel Street didn't seem as gory as it was in the last dungeons. It being a jack the ripper scene I would of like to of seen a better corpse in the street and it was obvious that the actor had not really settled in yet as she seemed not to confident with the script or the set.
The 10 bells have lost a lot of charm from back in Tooley Street where you were all squeezed into a small pub. It’s gotten so big in fact that the new show, effects and ripper really do-sent have as much of an impact as what it once was. I was expecting a lot more from the ripper.
The judge as ever was fantastic and really put on a great show with some new parts in the script and some much more innuendoes based crimes it was very entertaining. I'm looking forward to going though this scene again and seeing if crimes change at all.
Finally we come to drop dead which was very disappointing. None of the characters moved and the "drop" experience was extremely tame. It did bounce which was a nice surprise and I like the opening floor however it was not a thrilling as the old extremis tower at Tooley Street.
Overall the new dungeons had some fantastic teeming and a lot of teeming which I looked at and though "wow that’s very good" and some very interesting pieces however it really needs it lighting, long empty corridors and some of the actors sorting out as well as some of its front of house staff.
The one thing that was not in the new dungeons that is a very very major part of the London history was the great London fire. This is something that very much needs adding to the dungeons which would be something to fill the empty spaces with inside.
I’m sure it will turn into a fantastic attraction over the next 3-5 years but at this moment in time it still needs a lot of work to live up to Tooley street and the atmosphere that place had.
Having previously been to the old London Dungeon, I had some reason of what to expect, I knew the shows, I had been on on the rides (but I had not been there recently enough to experience Vengeance or Bloody Mary) and loved every minute of it; the last time I went it was at Christmas and seemed extremely rushed and some of the shows were closed (and the Christmas element was only apparent in minor theming and mentioned only in the Crypt). However, the new Dungeon is full of new shows, changes and surprises that will s tartle and delight the Dungeon veteran (and yes, it is scarier, but only slightly).
Descent - After flooding through the queues (I had free priority tickets from a Facebook competition) and accepting bogies from the Dungeon inmates, we met up with a Tim Minchin wannabe and traveled down the lift, which was a great way to start the tour.
Henry's Wrath - After a short break-down we were able to ride the new and updated version of Traitor, instead of being sentenced to travel down Traitor's gate, we were sentenced to death alongside Anne Boleyn. The effects were fantastic (if you have been on Saw the Ride at Thorpe park, you will recognise some of the mechanisms use to scare guests) and you will definitely get wet and is especially intimidating if you have a fear of Brian Blessed!
The City Gate - After dying for the first time you meet up with a gong farmer who attempts to save the city from the Armada, lets just say he doesn't do a good job at it!
Conspirators Walk - Just some dark corridors
Guy Fawkes - This show was fantastic, the actors really interacted with the guests and features some brilliant techniques and lots of tension to build the fun.
The Torture Chamber - This show never gets old, no matter how many times you've seen it in the old dungeon, the humour never gets stale, plus you're in for a big surprise if you are chosen to be put in the cages!
Plague House - Just like in the old dungeon, this contains models, smells and liquids that venture through the air.
Coughin' Coffin - Probably the down-point of the dungeon, its just a couple of figures yapping on about the plague, and the fact that there are no actors in this part alongside the length of this section brings the atmosphere down a bit.
Plague Doctor - Basically a sit down version of the old surgery/plague section in the old Dungeon, but much more fun.
Bazalgette's Sewer - Disorientating spinning tunnel
Pie Shop - Much more improved introduction to the Sweeny Todd section, you actually get to enter the pie shop and have a hilarious encounter with Mrs Lovett
Sweeny Todd - It's hard to say anything about this one without giving spoilers, but I can say it's much better than the previous version, which still was fantastic.
Jack the Ripper - The previous Dungeon's version seem to drag on way too long, there were multiple section before you got to sit down in the Ten Bells, and when you were there, only a small area experienced an encounter with Jack. This version is a thousand times better, the actresses are much more enthusiastic and believable in their roles, the Ten Bells section is larger but provides better scares than the previous incarnation and there's more seating!
Whitechappel Labyrinth - Gone are the annoying wall banging skeletons and you are now in for a much more tense journey through the mirror maze.
Courtroom - Same old thing, but like the torture chamber; this never gets old.
Newgate Gallows - You are told you are going to die, even though you have multiple times already. Plus you are told this is a drop ride (in-case you can't envision that from the dungeon maps hung up outside the dungeon (please pardon my pun).
Drop Dead - Improved and larger version of Extremis. You are still being killed at Newgate, but you are in for a fun ride (I didn't find this scary as the previous day I had been on Detonator at Thorpe Park).
Overall, the Dungeon whilst fantastic, whilst I wouldn't want to queue for 3 hours in the standard queue, it was well worth queuing for 20 mins in the priority queue (the inside queue has some interactive elements) - as well as our tickets being free (check their official Facebook page as they do competition every few months). I would definitely visit again (but I will definitely book online). Plus, I'd make sure you'd have something else to do in London as well (whilst I had a Muse concert in the evening, there are plenty of other attractions including the Tombs and Bridge Experience.).
Descent - After flooding through the queues (I had free priority tickets from a Facebook competition) and accepting bogies from the Dungeon inmates, we met up with a Tim Minchin wannabe and traveled down the lift, which was a great way to start the tour.
Henry's Wrath - After a short break-down we were able to ride the new and updated version of Traitor, instead of being sentenced to travel down Traitor's gate, we were sentenced to death alongside Anne Boleyn. The effects were fantastic (if you have been on Saw the Ride at Thorpe park, you will recognise some of the mechanisms use to scare guests) and you will definitely get wet and is especially intimidating if you have a fear of Brian Blessed!
The City Gate - After dying for the first time you meet up with a gong farmer who attempts to save the city from the Armada, lets just say he doesn't do a good job at it!
Conspirators Walk - Just some dark corridors
Guy Fawkes - This show was fantastic, the actors really interacted with the guests and features some brilliant techniques and lots of tension to build the fun.
The Torture Chamber - This show never gets old, no matter how many times you've seen it in the old dungeon, the humour never gets stale, plus you're in for a big surprise if you are chosen to be put in the cages!
Plague House - Just like in the old dungeon, this contains models, smells and liquids that venture through the air.
Coughin' Coffin - Probably the down-point of the dungeon, its just a couple of figures yapping on about the plague, and the fact that there are no actors in this part alongside the length of this section brings the atmosphere down a bit.
Plague Doctor - Basically a sit down version of the old surgery/plague section in the old Dungeon, but much more fun.
Bazalgette's Sewer - Disorientating spinning tunnel
Pie Shop - Much more improved introduction to the Sweeny Todd section, you actually get to enter the pie shop and have a hilarious encounter with Mrs Lovett
Sweeny Todd - It's hard to say anything about this one without giving spoilers, but I can say it's much better than the previous version, which still was fantastic.
Jack the Ripper - The previous Dungeon's version seem to drag on way too long, there were multiple section before you got to sit down in the Ten Bells, and when you were there, only a small area experienced an encounter with Jack. This version is a thousand times better, the actresses are much more enthusiastic and believable in their roles, the Ten Bells section is larger but provides better scares than the previous incarnation and there's more seating!
Whitechappel Labyrinth - Gone are the annoying wall banging skeletons and you are now in for a much more tense journey through the mirror maze.
Courtroom - Same old thing, but like the torture chamber; this never gets old.
Newgate Gallows - You are told you are going to die, even though you have multiple times already. Plus you are told this is a drop ride (in-case you can't envision that from the dungeon maps hung up outside the dungeon (please pardon my pun).
Drop Dead - Improved and larger version of Extremis. You are still being killed at Newgate, but you are in for a fun ride (I didn't find this scary as the previous day I had been on Detonator at Thorpe Park).
Overall, the Dungeon whilst fantastic, whilst I wouldn't want to queue for 3 hours in the standard queue, it was well worth queuing for 20 mins in the priority queue (the inside queue has some interactive elements) - as well as our tickets being free (check their official Facebook page as they do competition every few months). I would definitely visit again (but I will definitely book online). Plus, I'd make sure you'd have something else to do in London as well (whilst I had a Muse concert in the evening, there are plenty of other attractions including the Tombs and Bridge Experience.).
*SPOILER ALERT*
I was very excited about visiting the New London Dungeon, however I had major reservations,as I had fond memories of the original location, with its dark and foreboding atmosphere, and hate the new brand the Dungeons went for. I find it quite annoying and a bit arrogant. They may have been one of the best attractions in London but they have a great deal of what made them so great in the move!
Firstly, it is easy to forget that you are in a historic London Building, as the attraction is generally well themed. Some shows feel entirely immersive, whilst some shows are far too light and open to have any kind of atmosphere. Firsly, the Guy Fawkes, Plague Street, Sweeney Todd and Ten Bells were great shows and had classic Dungeons feel about them. The Boat ride was shut (again) on my visit, as was the city gate. Both are getting a revamp for summer so I have heard. Still, there were some great interactions and Sweeney Todd and Ten Bells were very scary indeed.
However, I found a lot of the Dungeon highly disappointing. Many of the new gags along the walkways happened once which meant they were missed by the members of the group at the back and middle. The groups were far too large and this detracted from the whole experience somewhat. The Jack the Ripper segment was EXTREMLEY disappointing. Gone was the claustrophobic, dark alleyway setting , complete with a shocking reveal of a mutilated corpse, of the Original dungeon, to be replaced with a large open space which was very well lit, and badly executed. It seemed to me like they shoehorned in a little historic fact after writing their funny script. The mirror maze which followed was just as bad. I was expecting a tense journey through a dark foggy Victorian setting. Instead we were lost in a generic mirror maze which was very bright and even had some lovely wires for scenery on the ceiling.
The Finale of the Dungeon, Drop Dead, is in a word, tame. Extremis was a short, atmospheric and sharp experience. I didn't ride the Tooley Street version but have ridden Blackpools many times. The drop was barely noticeable and it wasn't an historical experience, more of a pathetic attempt at a theme park style ride. I hoped it would be as fun as Nemesis Sub Terra, but no.
Overall Verdict of the Shows I experienced:
Descent :- 7/10 -Good Opener
Conspirators walk :- 5.5/10 starts off good but is really just dark corridors with an easily missed scare.
Guy Fawkes :- 9/10 Funny, Jumpy and historically entertaining. A great Dungeons addition.
Torturer 8/10 :- Never gets old but did seen a tad rushed.
Plague Street :- 6/10 Good theming but rushed through and over quickly.
Coughing Coffins :- 5/10 Quite Funny, but ruined by the visible overhead projector.
Plague Doctor :- 4/10 Too Big, much more atmosphere standing up.
Bazelgettes Sewer : 3/10 Not a show at all. A spinning tunnel with big black wires that whack your ankles. A poor imitation of the inferno tunnel at Tooley Street.
Mrs. Lovett :- 5/10 Funny, but rushed and too big.
Sweeney Todd :- 8.5/10 Scary part. Very dark, great segment. Scarily funny.
Mitre square :- 2/10 No Atmosphere. No Shocking mutilation. Just a wide open space with a tame imitation of a once great show.
Whitechapel Labyrinth:- 3/10 Admittedly the loud noises made me jump but overall a huge letdown. No fog. No dim lighting. Just a bright, Uneventful and generic mirror maze.
Ten Bells :- 9/10 Extremley good show. Tense and scary, it reminds me of the atmosphere that the original dungeon made its name on. Fantastic.
Courtoom :- 8/10 No it's not scary and never was. Funny and fantastic. Never gets old. Shame it lost its Bedlam counterpart.
Newgate Prison :- 4/10 Quite funny. More filler but still ok.
Drop Dead :- 2/10 Drop Dead with Boredom. Poor replacement of Extremis. Starts at the top, very tame drop. Drops twice for some reason. Gone is the atmospheric historical experience replaced with a poor kids ride. Very poor end to the dungeon.
Overall, it's not that bad an experience. There are some really good parts whilst some are much weaker. Over time it may iron out these inconsistencies and regain its status as one of the iconic London attractions. Right now though, it's overpriced, the groups are too big, the atmosphere is non existent, and the unthemed ceilings destroy any scenery. Go if you have a merlin pass or offer ticket but certainly don't pay on the door price.
I was very excited about visiting the New London Dungeon, however I had major reservations,as I had fond memories of the original location, with its dark and foreboding atmosphere, and hate the new brand the Dungeons went for. I find it quite annoying and a bit arrogant. They may have been one of the best attractions in London but they have a great deal of what made them so great in the move!
Firstly, it is easy to forget that you are in a historic London Building, as the attraction is generally well themed. Some shows feel entirely immersive, whilst some shows are far too light and open to have any kind of atmosphere. Firsly, the Guy Fawkes, Plague Street, Sweeney Todd and Ten Bells were great shows and had classic Dungeons feel about them. The Boat ride was shut (again) on my visit, as was the city gate. Both are getting a revamp for summer so I have heard. Still, there were some great interactions and Sweeney Todd and Ten Bells were very scary indeed.
However, I found a lot of the Dungeon highly disappointing. Many of the new gags along the walkways happened once which meant they were missed by the members of the group at the back and middle. The groups were far too large and this detracted from the whole experience somewhat. The Jack the Ripper segment was EXTREMLEY disappointing. Gone was the claustrophobic, dark alleyway setting , complete with a shocking reveal of a mutilated corpse, of the Original dungeon, to be replaced with a large open space which was very well lit, and badly executed. It seemed to me like they shoehorned in a little historic fact after writing their funny script. The mirror maze which followed was just as bad. I was expecting a tense journey through a dark foggy Victorian setting. Instead we were lost in a generic mirror maze which was very bright and even had some lovely wires for scenery on the ceiling.
The Finale of the Dungeon, Drop Dead, is in a word, tame. Extremis was a short, atmospheric and sharp experience. I didn't ride the Tooley Street version but have ridden Blackpools many times. The drop was barely noticeable and it wasn't an historical experience, more of a pathetic attempt at a theme park style ride. I hoped it would be as fun as Nemesis Sub Terra, but no.
Overall Verdict of the Shows I experienced:
Descent :- 7/10 -Good Opener
Conspirators walk :- 5.5/10 starts off good but is really just dark corridors with an easily missed scare.
Guy Fawkes :- 9/10 Funny, Jumpy and historically entertaining. A great Dungeons addition.
Torturer 8/10 :- Never gets old but did seen a tad rushed.
Plague Street :- 6/10 Good theming but rushed through and over quickly.
Coughing Coffins :- 5/10 Quite Funny, but ruined by the visible overhead projector.
Plague Doctor :- 4/10 Too Big, much more atmosphere standing up.
Bazelgettes Sewer : 3/10 Not a show at all. A spinning tunnel with big black wires that whack your ankles. A poor imitation of the inferno tunnel at Tooley Street.
Mrs. Lovett :- 5/10 Funny, but rushed and too big.
Sweeney Todd :- 8.5/10 Scary part. Very dark, great segment. Scarily funny.
Mitre square :- 2/10 No Atmosphere. No Shocking mutilation. Just a wide open space with a tame imitation of a once great show.
Whitechapel Labyrinth:- 3/10 Admittedly the loud noises made me jump but overall a huge letdown. No fog. No dim lighting. Just a bright, Uneventful and generic mirror maze.
Ten Bells :- 9/10 Extremley good show. Tense and scary, it reminds me of the atmosphere that the original dungeon made its name on. Fantastic.
Courtoom :- 8/10 No it's not scary and never was. Funny and fantastic. Never gets old. Shame it lost its Bedlam counterpart.
Newgate Prison :- 4/10 Quite funny. More filler but still ok.
Drop Dead :- 2/10 Drop Dead with Boredom. Poor replacement of Extremis. Starts at the top, very tame drop. Drops twice for some reason. Gone is the atmospheric historical experience replaced with a poor kids ride. Very poor end to the dungeon.
Overall, it's not that bad an experience. There are some really good parts whilst some are much weaker. Over time it may iron out these inconsistencies and regain its status as one of the iconic London attractions. Right now though, it's overpriced, the groups are too big, the atmosphere is non existent, and the unthemed ceilings destroy any scenery. Go if you have a merlin pass or offer ticket but certainly don't pay on the door price.
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