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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take an 8 year old to London Dungeons?

26 replies

RioEve · 19/10/2021 11:36

I’m not sure if it’s appropriate/too scary? He really wants to go and generally doesn’t scare easily or worry about things like that.
The website recommends no under 8s so would that mean that 8 is ok???
I don’t want to accidentally traumatise him!

OP posts:
SouthOfFrance · 19/10/2021 11:39

I was thinking of taking my similar 8 year old (not easily scared etc) but everything I read on previous mumsnet threads or reviews on trip advisor made me think twice. Going to leave it a few years I think! If you do take him come back and update the thread how it went!

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/10/2021 11:41

We took an 8 year old to the York dungeons. He loved it. It depends on the child, obviously, though.

DrSbaitso · 19/10/2021 11:41

They're really horrible and, in my view, in bad taste. I expect they'd love to hear me say that, though.

I would have said it wasn't really appropriate for the under tens, and that's not to say all children that age would be OK. The Dungeons franchise attractions get very graphic in parts.

Geamhradh · 19/10/2021 11:42

I've only ever seen that kind of age group going in tbh.

CaptainMyCaptain · 19/10/2021 11:44

@DrSbaitso

They're really horrible and, in my view, in bad taste. I expect they'd love to hear me say that, though.

I would have said it wasn't really appropriate for the under tens, and that's not to say all children that age would be OK. The Dungeons franchise attractions get very graphic in parts.

I've only been to the York one and it was very educational with a lot of history. I don't remember anything really gratuitously horrible.
Dontforgetyourbrolly · 19/10/2021 11:47

I wouldn't! I took my 11 year old cousin and he was terrified , a member of staff had to let us out a special door half way through

Angel2702 · 19/10/2021 11:49

I’ve taken mine from 8 and even my squeamish DS liked it. We went a few weeks ago and my 10yr old DD absolutely loved it.

WhiskyXray · 19/10/2021 11:50

I think my child went in Year 3!

mamabluestar · 19/10/2021 11:51

Went to the Alton Towers dungeons with my 13 year old DD and 10 year old DS.

DD loved it DS was terrified. I think it depends on how sensitive they are. For reference my DS had nightmares after watching Goosebumps at your child's age

DrSbaitso · 19/10/2021 11:52

I know they're meant to be educational in a way kids will like, as well as schlocky and not serious.

I seem to recall some really bad taste stuff about Jack the Ripper (ha ha, all the women he murdered were sex workers, whoop whoop!) and so on. Perhaps it's changed since then, or maybe I'm confusing it with Madame Tussaud's.

Tal45 · 19/10/2021 11:55

I didn't find it scary and enjoyed it much more than I expected (I'm a wuss!). I would definitely take an 8 year old unless they were nervous/anxious, mine was 10 or 11 when we went and definitely didn't find it scary. It made me think of the Horrible Histories books, lots of gruesome historical info, it's that type of thing IMO.

steppemum · 19/10/2021 11:58

It is a long time since I have been, but it was pretty horrow show, quite graphic.

I would say it 100% depends on your ds.
One of mine would have been really cocky about being up for it, and then found it detressing.
One of mine would have thought it was cool.
My third one would probably have been really gung ho and then chickened out half way through.

NuffSaidSam · 19/10/2021 11:58

I wouldn't. But it will depend on the child.

I went as an adult and found it quite scary, but I am a massive wuss.

DrSbaitso · 19/10/2021 11:59

Jack the Ripper's not on the website, so maybe that part's gone now, or I'm thinking of something else. You'll still get to hear what a snapping neck sounds like, though.

FelicityPike · 19/10/2021 12:01

No. I wouldn’t.

LemonMuffins · 19/10/2021 12:03

We went to the London Dungeons in the summer and I'm sure it's less scary than it used to be. We, the adults, thought it was crap so I reckon a brave 8 year old would be fine. There's a couple of jumps and a couple of gross bits. Check if they're tall enough for the drop ride at the end in case you need to manage expectations.

RoyKentsHairyBack · 19/10/2021 12:29

I went probably 15 years ago so very out of date. The Jack the Ripper stuff was grim. The fire of London bit upset a group of early teens who were in front of us and they had to be taken out.

I think Dd2 would be fine as she quite likes grim horror type stuff (the worst she seen is sleepy hollow mind). Dd1 I would think twice because she dwells - we watched jaws recently and it's given her nightmares

Both nearly 12.

shouldistop · 19/10/2021 12:32

I would have been fine with it at 8. I very much doubt my 5yo will be at 8 though. I loved gruesome things and wasn't very sensitive at all. My 5yo cries at even remotely sad Disney films Blush

Chesneyhawkes1 · 19/10/2021 12:33

We took DSS who is 8 recently and he loved it. He keeps going on about Jack the Ripper since though 🤦‍♀️

dancinfeet · 19/10/2021 12:35

As long as you are fully prepared to take them out if they don’t like it. We went and there was a family with a child of about 10 who screamed and wailed through most of it, two parents so one could have easily taken him out and the other parent stay with their other two older kids but no. We couldn’t hear much of the commentary/ acting, my two are older teenager and young adult and were thoroughly pissed off with the family by the end of the tour as the child was clearly distressed, they were wailing before we even got into the first dungeon room. I know for a fact that my eldest would have loved it age 8 and my youngest would have hated it at that age- you know your child best, but if they are upset please be considerate to other guests who have also paid a premium for entry tickets.

MsTSwift · 19/10/2021 12:37

Depends on the child definitely no under 8s. We went in the last few weeks with young teens and enjoyed it. When we went there was a woman with a large toddler in a buggy. Sorry but I judged - what the hell was she thinking!

Original poster
RioEve · 19/10/2021 12:40

dancinfeet- definitely would take him out if he was upsets he’s ASD so emergency abandoning of day trips is fairly standard for us anyway
I think I will take him, he really wants to go and it will be just me and him going so easy to leave if he changes his mind!

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 19/10/2021 13:04

I'm wondering this too, my 8 year old asked to go the last time we were in London, I said no at the time but I might take him to York. He's not scared easily and is begging me to watch Walking Dead! (I said no way)

RosieLemonade · 19/10/2021 13:05

We took Year 6 one year. This was when they still had the Jack the Ripper section which was fun but now looking back is seriously bad taste!
It was a real mixed bag however I didn't realise you could leave through a secret door so my scardy ones hid in my coat holding my hands the whole time. Gosh I felt mean at the end when they said they could have left
Just remembered I had to walk through the beginning bit by myself to tell them our school had arrived. That was genuinely scary!

WhateverHappenedToMe · 19/10/2021 13:09

If you go to The London Bridge Experience rather than the London Dungeons you can request an "Angel" to go around with you. This is a staff member who will look after you, and the actors then know to go a little more gently.