Does anyone here know central London?

[IneedsomehelpinLondon]

Hello, I’m very sorry to post here it’s not AIBU. I have ALN and am getting stressed and overwhelmed trying to organise a trip to London for me and my children .
I can’t seem to work out where things are despite looking on Google and how to get from one place to another.
we want to do the following

we will arrive in London at Waterloo station

London dungeon
London Eye
show at Adelphi theatre
Aquarium (sealife London).

I obviously need to book these things in advance, is it possible to do this in one day? Sorry I don’t know anyone in London to ask. Which order would be best? I was thinking the show latest (either matinee or evening)
thank you very much if you can help

On second thoughts, if an evening theatre performance doesn’t make getting back to Waterloo too late for you, then you probably could do it all, as they’re so close. If I go up to London, I’m usually leaving by 8!

My top food tip in the area is to go to the street food market behind the Royal Festival Hall for lunch, eat on the steps that lead up to the upper levels of the South Bank and then you can wash your hands and go to the loo afterwards in the RFH. However that depends how many adults there are: it might be tricky to keep track of two children, one with autism while queuing for food if there's only you.

You could definitely do all 3 with teenageds. Dungeon,eye and aquarium really really close. A pp who said the dungeon is out of the way might be thinking of years ago when it was in London Bridge. Then have some food and do the show.

Is your DC ok with flashing lights inc strobe lighting etc.

Have a look at the autism / ND section
www.thedungeons.com/london/plan-your-visit/before-you-visit/accessibility/

Even if they are ok with the horror aspect will this be too much?

How are they with queuing up for things? You may be able to get assisted boarding at the London Eye if they would struggle to queue.

Are you going to a musical at the Adelphi? I am NT and I think I would feel pretty overloaded by the LD and a musical in one day. Let alone all the other stuff.

I've learnt over the years when people come to visit us in London to resist the urge to cram in everything as it becomes a bit overwhelming and you don't get to stop and enjoy yourself because you are always watching the clock and pushing to get to the next thing.
I would reduce the amount you plan to do and allow for some downtime just sitting watching London life go by.

Eh??! What do you mean there aren't many food options near the Dungeon and London Eye?!

It's 2 mins walk to the South Bank Centre or Waterloo, both of which are surrounded by places to eat and drink. Tons of chain places such as Giraffe, Ping Pong, Pizza Express, Strada, Gail's etc but also some decent independents.

I'd do the Dungeons over the Aquarium as well but that's because we all loved the Dungeons!
DS 13 went to the sea life centre with school- said it was ok. I think actually you'd be ok to do it all but we're in London so know our way around and would find it easy.

We really like the Dungeon and it's right next to the London Eye and the Aquarium. I actually think if you're ditching anything it would be the Aquarium, your children seem a bit old for it to be interesting. The Dungeon is a great way to learn history. The Adelphi theatre is a 15 minute walk from London Eye, Aquarium and Dungeon so I think you have planned well with your accomodation.

Download the app Citymapper.

i’m a central Londoner and use it all the time. It’s so simple and totally accurate.

giver you lots of variations on how to get from one place to another

That is quite a fair bit to do, don't forget London is exhausting even when you're not doing very much!

I’ve heard the London Dungeon can be very unsettling for some people/children so probably best to check it’s suitable before booking.

At those ages I’d also do the dungeon rather than the aquarium , but I’d also do the Shard over the London Eye which is frankly boring as hell .

Hi, a frequent London weekender here!

The Dungeon, sealift centre and London eye are all next to each other. If you were in early it’s possible to do it all in one day but it may feel rushed when you leave time for eating.

A lot of attraction don’t open until 10 or 11am too.

Also if going to the Adelphi I would recommend Joe Allen’s restaurant nearby.

It’s absolutely not a “2 minute walk” particularly with kids in tow one of whom is disabled. The London Eye, London Dungeons and Aquarium are within spitting distance of each other and there are no food options there apart from some stalls and a relatively expensive (but nice) restaurant upstairs.

It’s about 10 minute walk to Waterloo/Southbank. Not everyone can do that.

If you are going to a show in the evening, it will be approx a 10.30pm finish, so presumably you will be booking a hotel room? So you could do one of your activities the following morning, before going home.

Thank you everyone who has replied there’s some great advice here, especially to those who posted the link for info about booking ‘carers allowance’ a lot of places offer a free entry ticket so that’ll make a big difference!

do you think I can get away without booking anywhere for lunch as someone mentioned there were a lot of places to eat around the south bank.?

Also is it walking distance from the south bank to the Adelphi? I’m sorry if this has already been posted but I couldn’t see it. My son is ok walking short distances but I wasn’t sure if a tube is better (but I think he’d struggle with the crowds on the tube maybe). It has to be the Adelphi as that’s the only theatre showing Back to the Future which is his favourite film.

also I will book a restaurant for the evening near the theatre,

Thank you I think we can manage that, especially if it’s leisurely.

Could you afford to get a cab on one occasion, my autistic son bloody loves a black cab lol

It depend si wouldnt do all three and the show but its up to you-you can walk acorss waterloo bridge about 15-20 mins to adelphi theatre or maybe just pop in a cab if its too much for your son

i wouldnt book lunch but dinner yes-it might be a tight squeeze though as shows usually start at about 7 so u need to eat about 5 to not rush about

when are you thinking of going

They're all within shortish walking distance. Sounds like a lovely day.

If London Dungeon is the preference I would do that, a snacky lunch on the go the matinee, then supper and then the eye then home . Sounds like a brilliant day out.

My youngest, (same sort of age) found the Aquarium a bit underwhelming and a bit uncomfortable.

There are loads of food options as PP have said back towards the South Bank centre and the food stalls are fun.There are also lots of food options on the Strand and Covent Garden near the Adelphi.

Can I throw a spanner in the works and suggest you try the London Transport Museum if you find there is a long gap between end of theatre and supper time.
Hope you have a really wonderful time.

The London Dungeon has moved and is now right next to the Aquarium/London Eye.

I would book lunch so you aren’t waiting in line. You could try the Gourmet Pizza Co at 56 Upper Ground or there is a Wagamama on the ground floor of the Royal Festival Hall.

It may have been pointed out but London Dungeon is not at London Bridge anymore. It’s right by the London Eye and the Aquarium.