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Has anyone been to the stranger things experience ? Can you speak to me about it!

13 replies

Pikafuckingwho · 15/09/2022 14:26

I’m booked to go. However dd is autistic and sometimes when we go to an attraction I download the accessibility guide that tells you what to expect in each area so I can prep DD and there are no huge surprises.

She LOVES stranger things and so I booked the experience I went with the VIP ticket so we don’t have to queue but I can’t seem to find an accessibility guide anywhere.

Can anyone who has been let me know a brief run down of what happens? So I can prep her? Thank you!!

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Ontobetterthings · 15/09/2022 14:45

Im interested too as want to take my daughter

Pikafuckingwho · 15/09/2022 17:21

Anyone? Thank you!

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Whatoflife · 15/09/2022 20:21

I can’t help with your specific question, but I emailed them today as I couldn’t find the answer to my question on line and they have emailed back already

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Pikafuckingwho · 16/09/2022 20:30

I have emailed asking the layout so no surprises.

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AlwaysTheBabysitter · 18/09/2022 14:13

I went on Thursday (and it was absolutely amazing!) What kind of things do you want to know? Any specific triggers or things you'd need a heads up about? I don't want to accidentally spoil anything by saying too much!

Pikafuckingwho · 20/09/2022 22:58

@AlwaysTheBabysitter i need the spoilers can you talk me through the experience bit?

other things that upset her are audience participation where someone will pick you out at random. If that is the case I will have to advise someone on the door not to pick her.

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JessesMum777888 · 20/09/2022 23:04

We went couple weeks ago. Absolutely loved it and I don’t even watch stranger things ! My boy (12) loves it and loved the experience. I wouldn’t pay VIP (it was his birthday treat so we did) again totally not worth it. Food is VERY expensive that’s the only thing I could criticise. X

AlwaysTheBabysitter · 20/09/2022 23:30

SPOILERS BELOW for anyone thinking of going.

We did VIP but I'd say it didn't really change much about the queuing, not that there was much. Basically as soon as we walked in and were waiting behind some ropes (three colours to put us into three teams), we were met with actors playing lab techs. Some were friendly and some had more of a gruff/unsettling manner, and one really liked interacting and asked us lots of questions but that was probably because my husband responded warmly and in character to his initial greeting (lots of compliments about our 80s clothes!) and we kept up the back and forth, he definitely wasn't that involved with everyone, and generally they seemed good at reading who was willing to interact and who wasn't. I normally dread audience participation, but this was really just within our group, more like a chat with me and my husband, and it was actually super fun and I wish we'd got to do more of it.

Then we all went into a room and had a talk from a lady playing a cheery/slightly patronising lab tech, there was a bit here where the security camera took photos of some members of the group as 'examples', but they were only on screen for a few seconds and weren't overly clear anyway.

Then we all went into a room to answer questions (all answering together with hand signals, no real interaction) and do tests (ours was a wooden 'fit the shapes into the grid' puzzle). One member of each team was chosen as the leader, and had to copy an action/pose which the rest of their team then copied, but it wasn't a big thing even for those chosen. The special effect made it look as if our 'powers' were manipulating things in the room, e.g. moving a Coke can, making spiders appear (like a projection on the wall, not too scary even if you're not a spider fan!)
At one point an actor disguised as a member of the group said they didn't want to join in anymore, and they ran off, only for us to hear some screaming/sounds of distress. This might not have been an obvious plant/part of the show to younger kids and so might have been distressing.

Then we basically followed audio/video clips from the kids (actually the actors! I was impressed!) To complete tasks in the rooms, usually by taking a specific pose and waiting until the special effects kicked in! There were no actors in roles in that part, so if you didn't want to interact, you didn't have to. The previously chosen leaders were referred to ("red leader, show them what to do" style thing) but it wasn't a big deal and everyone did the actions together anyway.

There was a great thing using screens on doors, making it look like Demodogs were trying to attack the room, and scientist were trying to get in or run away from them.

Then we went into the Upside Down through a slightly tight, dark tunnel (very short, not really claustrophobic at all) with 3D glasses on, and the final bit was a 3D showdown with El and Max fighting Demodogs and Vecna, and it did look like the dogs were jumping out at you but nothing more than usual 3D visuals.

After that, you emerge into Starcourt Mall and be prepared to spend a whole lot of money on merch! It gets a little busy later with people queuing for the photo ops, so I'd suggest doing those first if you can (Vecna and the Byers' living room were most popular, as was the Palace Arcade free to play games but there were still pockets of time throughout when the queues died down)

I noticed staff in non actor roles in place in all the rooms, so if you did need to leave at any point, I think the guidance was to raise your hand and they'll help you out.

I think that's most of it, but let me know if you have any more questions. I absolutely adored it and was buzzing all night. I hope you and your daughter have a wonderful time.

AlwaysTheBabysitter · 20/09/2022 23:31

@Pikafuckingwho Thought I'd tagged you in the above but apparently not!

Pikafuckingwho · 21/09/2022 15:19

That is huge

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Pikafuckingwho · 21/09/2022 15:19

Hugely!!! Helpful thank you. At least I know if it gets a bit much we can leave.

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Ontobetterthings · 25/09/2022 08:51

Brilliant thanks

Pikafuckingwho · 25/09/2022 16:04

I have had a response from them as an FYI to anyone else who may need it:

Thank you for your message, and for your patience.

We've had several autistic patrons visit the experience. Clearly this patron indicates that the individual sways more towards the sensitivity spectrum

With that said, the caretaker knows best. Special effects are used throughout the experience in addition having to transit through a squeeze wall

Each pulse enters with a group of 50 then separated into 2 smaller groups of 25

As long as the caretaker understands the above, what we may offer is the ability to be brought front of line to minimize the time in cue and more importantly we would offer a brand ambassaor to escort them through the expeirience so that in the unlikely event the guest is uncomfortable, we would be able to safely extract them. In regard to the squeeze wall, we would also accomodate by placing them on the track that accommodates wheelchairs where they wouldn't have to go through the squeeze wall, but instead through a secret corridor that takes them to the upside down!

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