The Dracula Experience
When you first arrive in Whitby it is clear to see why the area inspired Bram Stoker (the author of Dracula) so much. The seaside town is full of Gothic architecture and has an eerie ambience which means you can easily imagine the famous vampire stalking the streets looking for his next victim.
The Dracula Experience is a show that promises to tell the story of Dracula and his connection to Whitby, and is based in the marina just down from where the boat that carried Dracula's casket crashed upon the rocks. Well - where it was supposed to have crashed - you have to keep reminding yourself that the character is fictional and this isn't a historical story but something purely out of Stoker's imagination. Editors note - Irish born Stoker visited St Michans Church in Dublin just before he came to England, which is also believed to be part of the inspiration for his novel.
The front entrance of the attraction is dark, as you would expect, with artefacts of Dracula related items and trinkets for sale in the window display. A recorded audio track entices passers by to venture into the building to witness the story of Dracula, while a board outside the entrance lists a few of highlights of the tour, including the actual cape Christopher Lee wore in the subsequent movies.
Once inside, an audio track tells the story of how the Count arrived in Whitby and relates some of the key scees from the novel. Unfortunately at times it was hard to hear the commentary over the loud ambient background sound but we passed quite quickly between rooms, witnessing some animatronic effects and props. In one scene - there was even a live actor who provided a quick startle as we hadn't seen him as we approached (they have a sign at the admission desk letting you know if a scare actor is present). It was very dark inside at times (which is never ideal when steps are involved) but we managed to get though all the scenes hoping for a big finale before we left. Unfortunately the final scene was very anticlimactic and very soon we were back outside on the street with no final pay-off.
Although not a scare attraction per se - the Dracula experience has enough moments of darkness and potential scares that it could be rather intense for small children. There are some quite impressive sets and props throughout the experience but we kept expecting something more. Having only recently gone through the Terror Tower in Scarborough (also owned by the same people ) we thought that a few more scare effects might have livened up the tour. Even though we only paid £3 per person, we weren't inside the attraction for very long and we certainly wouldn't have wanted to pay any more.
As Dracula is so important to the mythology of Whitby it's a shame that his experience isn't as exciting and scary as it could be. Granted it tells its story effectively, but as one of the all time classics of British horror literature, we think the Count deserves just a little bit more!
The Dracula Experience is a show that promises to tell the story of Dracula and his connection to Whitby, and is based in the marina just down from where the boat that carried Dracula's casket crashed upon the rocks. Well - where it was supposed to have crashed - you have to keep reminding yourself that the character is fictional and this isn't a historical story but something purely out of Stoker's imagination. Editors note - Irish born Stoker visited St Michans Church in Dublin just before he came to England, which is also believed to be part of the inspiration for his novel.
The front entrance of the attraction is dark, as you would expect, with artefacts of Dracula related items and trinkets for sale in the window display. A recorded audio track entices passers by to venture into the building to witness the story of Dracula, while a board outside the entrance lists a few of highlights of the tour, including the actual cape Christopher Lee wore in the subsequent movies.
Once inside, an audio track tells the story of how the Count arrived in Whitby and relates some of the key scees from the novel. Unfortunately at times it was hard to hear the commentary over the loud ambient background sound but we passed quite quickly between rooms, witnessing some animatronic effects and props. In one scene - there was even a live actor who provided a quick startle as we hadn't seen him as we approached (they have a sign at the admission desk letting you know if a scare actor is present). It was very dark inside at times (which is never ideal when steps are involved) but we managed to get though all the scenes hoping for a big finale before we left. Unfortunately the final scene was very anticlimactic and very soon we were back outside on the street with no final pay-off.
Although not a scare attraction per se - the Dracula experience has enough moments of darkness and potential scares that it could be rather intense for small children. There are some quite impressive sets and props throughout the experience but we kept expecting something more. Having only recently gone through the Terror Tower in Scarborough (also owned by the same people ) we thought that a few more scare effects might have livened up the tour. Even though we only paid £3 per person, we weren't inside the attraction for very long and we certainly wouldn't have wanted to pay any more.
As Dracula is so important to the mythology of Whitby it's a shame that his experience isn't as exciting and scary as it could be. Granted it tells its story effectively, but as one of the all time classics of British horror literature, we think the Count deserves just a little bit more!
The Dracula Experience is open daily during the Summer and weekends only during Winter. For more information check out the website
I've been to both attractions a mentioned here. I go to Scarborough quite often for my holidays, so I know Terror Towers and the Dracula Experience well.
Terror Towers is supposed to be done up in the style of horror sets from the movies, it claims on its board outside. I think I was £3 or £4 if that.
They have various scenes from different films such as Dracula right at the start, then they go on to Jurassic park etc. I was the only person in the attraction that day. They're supposed to have scare actors in the afternoon, I never experienced the actors. From the impression I get you get chased out the door by leather face.
Terror Towers is what it is. I didn't even show up in the souvenir photo at the end. If you're passing the front at Scarborough, it's worth a pop in for a laugh.
The Dracula experience is pretty much the same thing. They have Christopher Lee's cape on display before you go in if I mind right. I didn't realise this was owned by the same people that run Terror Towers.
It tells the story of Dracula as you go through it. Small children might be scared of it. There was a family in front of me and the small girl in the group was a bit nervous going through it. She was young.
Again, if you're in Whitby it's worth a look in. To be honest, both attractions are pretty naff I thought compared to what I'm used to. Go and see it for yourself, that's just my opinion. I always pop into these attractions when I'm down in the area for my holidays anyway.
Terror Towers is supposed to be done up in the style of horror sets from the movies, it claims on its board outside. I think I was £3 or £4 if that.
They have various scenes from different films such as Dracula right at the start, then they go on to Jurassic park etc. I was the only person in the attraction that day. They're supposed to have scare actors in the afternoon, I never experienced the actors. From the impression I get you get chased out the door by leather face.
Terror Towers is what it is. I didn't even show up in the souvenir photo at the end. If you're passing the front at Scarborough, it's worth a pop in for a laugh.
The Dracula experience is pretty much the same thing. They have Christopher Lee's cape on display before you go in if I mind right. I didn't realise this was owned by the same people that run Terror Towers.
It tells the story of Dracula as you go through it. Small children might be scared of it. There was a family in front of me and the small girl in the group was a bit nervous going through it. She was young.
Again, if you're in Whitby it's worth a look in. To be honest, both attractions are pretty naff I thought compared to what I'm used to. Go and see it for yourself, that's just my opinion. I always pop into these attractions when I'm down in the area for my holidays anyway.
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