Ad | Madame Tussauds - Blackpool Has It All Review 2017

Just before the Summer holidays we took a trip to Blackpool as part of the Blackpool Has It All campaign with Visit Blackpool, Merlin Entertainments and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. We rode on the trams and reviewed 3 of the seafront attractions. Although we really enjoyed both Sandcastle Waterpark and Sealife Blackpool, the highlight of our day was probably Madame Tussauds.

We've been to Madame Tussauds before, so we thought we knew what to expect, but it was so different from our visit 4 years ago that it really was a completely different day out and we saw so much that was new - and got nostalgic about old favourites too..

As soon as you enter you see familiar faces and you can join most of them for a photo. Alan Titchmarsh bears the dubious honour of having to have lipstick cleaned from his face more often than any other wax figure here...

Madame Tussauds is more hands-on than you'd expect. Our 7 year old is very excitable and can drive us insane in places like this, but there was enough for him to touch and do that he was a delight. I'm not sure he was meant to replace Bear Grylls while he is renovated though...

There are photo opportunities-a-plenty and you have to take your camera. I look forward to bringing some of these out on 18th birthdays....

 

Madame Tussauds has it's own pub! In Coronation Street no less is a genuine Rovers Return and you can have a drink. Sadly Bet Lynch no longer serves, but she is still overseeing everything. Look at those two watching the telly!

After a trip back to Manchester and Coronation Street, it's music and for some reason my family decided to stand in front of every model, or hide behind them, or both. I cannot explain why.

I did at least get a sensible photo of the wax figure of one of the most well-loved women in Manchester, Ariana Grande (Manchester Arena re-opens next month). 

At this point we experienced something totally new for us - we made wax models of our hands. There are about 10 different colours to choose from and of course it's your hand in whatever position you want, so it's totally unique and personal to you.

Our 7 1/2 year old wasn't allowed to make a wax hand - you have to be 8. He was a bit worried about the wax being really hot though, so he was fine with that. In fact the wax isn't very hot at all and you dip your hand in so quickly that it will not burn or even become uncomfortable.

Wax is applied in layers and it's all incredibly quick. Then you have to cool the wax and remove it like a glove. The staff are lovely and it was loads of fun and very interesting to watch as well as take part in.

The end results are really impressive, sturdy model hands which you can even choose to fit an LED light inside. They are packed in paper and boxed and we were worried about them being in the van in the heat all day and melting. Thankfully they are hardier than they look.

After a little of the history of Madame Tussaud, it's the giant deckchair and the Hall Of Mirrors. It's such a good Hall Of Mirrors too. Quite terrifying to see so many of these lot...

Back into the model displays and it's a few well-known UK famous folks and Festival Fields, which we love. Who doesn't smile at a 1970's VW van...

 

My youngest really was on form. He was obviously feeling the love that day already...

It's a terrific place to visit for a few hours, and really quite quiet in the morning. The building is accessible for wheelchair users, and there are chairs dotted about for people who aren't able to keep going all the way around. We were there for almost 3 hours and could have easily spent longer. The boys at 7 and 8 recognised most of the models and took great joy in doing so.

Entry to Madame Tussauds costs £16.50 on the day or £13 booked in advance online. You can pre-book tickets and find out more on the Madame Tussauds Blackpool website.

For better value you can get the Blackpool Resort Pass.

The Original Blackpool Resort Pass costs £55.00 per person, is valid for 7 days and includes 6 attractions:
Madame Tussauds Blackpool
Blackpool Pleasure Beach (Ride Wristbands)
Nickelodeon Land
SEA LIFE Blackpool
The Blackpool Tower Eye & 4D Experience
The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

You can add extras to the pass at reduced prices, including:
Tickets and Attractions: e.g. Sandcastle Waterpark £11 or Ascent Trampoline Park £8.00
Shows and Events: e.g. Blackpool Tower Circus £11.00/9.00, Funny Girls Ticket £3.50
Transport and Parking: e.g. Blackpool Transport 3 Day Adult Ticket £8.50, 7 Day Parking Pass £20.00
Food and Drink: e.g. £30 Coral Island Food Voucher £25.00

Find out more on the Visit Blackpool website.

We were treated to the attractions during our day in Blackpool in order to review and expenses paid for this post.