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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Blackpool Tower/Circus

8 replies

starlingsintheslipstream · 18/04/2011 19:01

We're in Blackpool next week with the kids (9, 5 and 3) and am trying to decide whether or not to book up for the circus. It would cost over £50 for us. Is it worth it do you think? The dc have not been to a proper circus and I thought it might be a nice birthday treat for ds2. On the other hand, it sounds like there is a lot of refurbishment going on at the Tower, so am wondering if it will be a bit chaotic.

Or does anyone have any other recommendations for things to do? We plan to give the zoo a miss as we have been to quite a few zoos/safari parks in the past year and Tussauds would be lost on my kids, I think, but anything else would be considered Smile.

OP posts:
Original poster
starlingsintheslipstream · 19/04/2011 21:38

Hopeful bump!

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wheresmywaist · 19/04/2011 22:15

The Circus is excellent - do you have any Clubcard vouchers? Probably not worth doing the pleasure beach as Nickelodeon Land isn't open yet. Still loads of construction going on so traffic is worse than usual but it's starting to look great and when it's finished it will be fab! Stanley Park is free & nice - you can get off the tourist bus near there. Where abouts are you staying? I'll keep my eyes open for anything going on next week - weather has been brilliant so hope it continues for you :)

Original poster
starlingsintheslipstream · 19/04/2011 22:51

Thanks, wheresmywaist, that's really helpful, think we'll book up though probably haven't time to cash in the Tesco vouchers now. We're staying at Haven, Marton Mere but plan to get off-site during the day. Stanley Park looks great Smile

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Threelittleducks · 19/04/2011 22:56

Pleasure Beach is amazing. I went last week with my family. Nick land not open yet, but still plenty for ds to do (he is 2 and a half). He had a truly magical day out and IMO it's looking the best it's looked for years.
Definitely worth a visit, especially if it's a nice day.

The Circus is great. I did notice Merlin have taken over the Tower and are re-modelling now. We didn't visit because we were unsure what would be open apart from the circus - they do have a Jungle Jim's though to let the children loose in.
On the circus site (I think) you can get double family savers which allow you to visit Sealife Centre (which is really cool with the shark tunnel!) and the Tower for a reduced price - like a 2 in 1 thingy. If you get my drift.
Hope you have a lovely holiday :)

Threelittleducks · 19/04/2011 22:56

Ooo...definitely have a look at the Sandcastle Waterpark too - great fun!

FoJo · 20/04/2011 15:49

We're in newcastle and try and have a trip to blackpool every year. Pleasure beach is brill, there is a lovely model village in stanley park, might cost about £15 for a family? there is a little clue trail and i love it, you can spend a couple of hours there. The models are all quite old but still really good. We went to the tower once about 5 years ago with tesco vouchers. Have to say that the food area and soft play were a nightmare, way overcrowded, we couldnt do the walk at the top as it was too windy, there was a 'ride' there as well, carriages taking you thru biritsh history i think whihc was quite good. We were thinking to ourselves that we were glad we hadnt paid for it, then we saw the circus and it was FAB. Really special. Oh and there was the ballroom as well, me and dd are big strictly fans so that was nice, kids were about 5 & 8 at the time and the four of us all had a bit of a waltz around whihc was lovely, so go for it. Yes sandcastles is good as well.

Original poster
starlingsintheslipstream · 20/04/2011 15:56

Thanks all! I've booked up for the circus and am really looking forward to it. Going to keep it as a surprise for the dc.

The kids would love the waterpark I'm sure but it is mine and dh's idea of hell so we'll just stick with the free pool at Haven, I think.

I'd assumed the Pleasure Beach was more big thrill rides so good to hear there was plenty to do for your ds Threelittleducks.

Model village sounds interesting. we've not done anything like that before so will give that a whirl.

Thanks again Smile.

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FoJo · 20/04/2011 16:08

Mine are now 9 & 12 and have always been 'speed freaks' where theme parks are concerned. I imagine the nickelodeon bit is what was beaver creek. There were some seriously great rides in there for 'in the middle' ages including a rollercoaster called the 'zipperdipper' i think. We stood on the bridge and videoed our 2 aged about 4 and 6 on it (my ds is big for his age so minimum age alone may really be 5 or 6 depending on height) and they loved it. The same man ran it every year, was well into his 50's and had an eastern european/russian soudning name and he used to give them time to get off the ride, rush over the bridge and join the queue agian and hopefully get straight back on if it wasnt too long and me and dh would sit on a seat while they did this for literally and hour or more. There was also a 'fruit shoot' whihc was the little peoples version of the ice blast (about 6 people sitting in a row being whizzed up and down) we have video of dh and the kids on it and you can hear him screaming!! Happy memories, will be sad if they;ve gone! There are also other rides dotted around for all age groups

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