Warning.....Space Centre Leicester - terrible, terrible entry system

[dietqueen]

We got there first thing and qued for over an hour, to find they had only 3 tills open and they were going through the spille, and explaining what was on and where to every single person...After a couple of hours around the place which was incidentally way over the head of my LO we left.

The que was massive and had grown to way past the car park.

You have been warned!

how old are your lo?

he is 4

It's too open plan for little ones IMO, the temptation to run around is far too much. It is half term so it's going to be busy.

OH.Mine are 3 & 5 and love it.Shame yours didn't but at least at 4,you didn't have to pay for him.

TBH,I wouldn't go anywhere indoors at half term without pre booking,as scrooged says,any where under cover is bound to be busy with huge queues.

We may attempt Belgrave House today,but I'm expecting it to be packed.

think a mumsnetters' dh works there, and likes feedback, so try and keep this bumped!

what time did you get there? hoping to arrive by 11am at the latest on Sunday, really don't want to spend an hour queing.

I've been twice and always in school holidays. Never had to queue more than 5 mins.

Tis my dh.He wasn't there today,but rang in to check with his staff and there were 1300 visitors today.DH says if you arrive about 10ish,you should walk straight in,100-11.30 expect a half hour or so wait.

Jarvis Cocker was there with his kids today..

bluesky-thanks for remembering-dh does like to know what people think-good and bad.

Hope you enjoy it,Chasingsquirrels.

we arrived at 10.15am - the car park was pretty packed.

We qued for just over an hour - at one point I nearly left as my LO was very, very restless.

Although it was half term and vistors were higher in number, there were only 3 tills open and each teller gave a full run down of what was one and where to each and every person, plus the fact if its your first visit you can upgrade to an annual pass - again you have to fill out a form which takes time.

Many people in front and behind were grumbling. The only other niggle was the Luna Jim playroom - it was scruffy in my opinion and everything was everywhere - bits missing from jigsaws, rocket toy shapes missing - My LO was even bored here.

The interative areas were way over his head....not to say I wouldnt go again next year though

I love the Space Centre. Am VERY jealous that Jarvis Cocker wasn't there when I've been though.

FuriousGeorge, if your DH would like some feedback I'd add to dietqueen that it is disappointing that many of the hands on items don't work (we've been more than once)and for younger children this is a shame as a lot of the stuff is for older ones, at least if there was something for younger siblings to interact with it would make it better for the whole family. I remember the last time we went that some things weren't working in the space mission area (can't remember the name).
HAving said that there is loads of great info for older children and the rocket area and cimema shows are good.

Thanks-have given dh this thread to read.I commented to him some time ago that the area for pre -school children wasn't very good and he told me that,although the buy new toys ect,they get pinched by the visitors!

Arrived around 10.30am. I queued while friend went to the loo - approx 5 mins Car park quite empty.
Boys had a good time, highlight was the SIM ride.
Felt aggrieved that they had an extra (chargeable) show that was plugged at the end of the Stars show. And that the lego thing was payable - which wasn't mentioned on the website.
But an enjoyable day had by all.

hope it's all ship shape for our visit in August