Plenty to do, fun for all the family, not too expensive and a brilliant circus !
Disadvantages:
None unless you are scared of heights .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
As an absolute lover of all things Blackpool I have been meaning to get round to doing a write up on the tower for ages now, finally here it is.
Blackpool has changed greatly through the years, sadly mostly for the worst. Becoming ever more geared towards stag and hen parties and milking every penny it can from it`s visitors but if you choose what you do in Blackpool carefully it can still be a great place to visit.
One part of Blackpool that just gets better and better is the world famous Blackpool Tower. It has seen many changes since I was a kid but unlike the rest of Blackpool it continues to change for the better.
The tower first opened it`s very impressive doors to the public on 14 May 1894 and unbelievably after just thirty years standing there was plans to pull it down because it had not been painted correctly and the salt from the Irish sea on which the tower stands on the banks of had corroded the tower very badly.
Thankfully however the powers to be at that time re-invested in the tower and between 1921 and 1924 the whole of the steelwork in the structure was replaced and it still stands tall and proud to this day.
From outside it is easy to think that all the tower is, is a tower and other than taking a trip to the top there would be nothing else to do, of course once you have visited the tower you know different. Once you enter through the giant towers doors there is a magical world inside for kids and adults alike.
Inside the massive building that engulfs the base of Blackpool tower you will find plenty to do whether you are 4 or 94 you will enjoy everything the tower has to offer and unlike many attractions these days you truly can call the tower a fun day for the family because if you take part in everything the tower has to offer then it will take you a day to enjoy it all properly.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND INSIDE!
When you first enter the Tower you will come to the pay in desk where you will pay your admission fee and have your hand stamped with an ultraviolet stamp, the stamp is put on so you can leave the tower at any time and return again during that day. You will also be given a map of the tower so you can find your way around (without it the tower can become a bit of a maze for first time visitors) the map will also have on it the times of certain attractions that happen throughout the day in the tower so you can time your visit so as not to miss anything.
When paying you will also be asked which circus performance you wish to attend (the circus performs up to three times daily). I suggest you take the evening circus as the circus is THE main event of the tower and will leave you with a great memory and plenty to discuss on your return to your hotel.
Once you have completed all the admission formalities you will head through to the first part of the tower (the aquarium). Inside there is a large range of fish and various other sea creatures in massive glass tanks. The tanks all have signs on them clearly stating which type of fish or other creature is inside and enough information on them to be interesting without becoming boring. Once you have moved around the aquarium seeing what you want to see you can then decide which part of the tower is next for you, some people choose to go through it in order as it comes I personally prefer to wander around doing things in my own preferred order.
Directly above the aquarium you will find the pizza restaurant and the Jurassic walk, the pizza restaurant is self explanatory (it`s a restaurant that sells all kinds of pizza`s). The Jurassic walk used to be a dinosaur ride but they have taken out the cars that used to take you round the exhibition and now you just walk round the stone walled eerie walkway staring into the eyes of the massive dinosaur models that surround you. The main reason for taking out the cars is that they have added a new feature to the Jurassic area, a 3d cinema at the end which shows a short film about the under water and on land dinosaurs that used to roam our planet. The 3d effects were brilliant and my fiancée, myself and my 5 year old son loved it.
On the opposite side of the tower and up a few steps from the Jurassic walk you will find the breathtaking world famous Tower Ballroom. There is always something going on in the ballroom it can be anything from locals using it for ballroom dancing to quite fantastic shows, we were lucky enough to be there once when the Disney master class was on this was a show featuring all the Disney characters completely played out by kids from the age of 8 to 18 it was a show I will never forget (but then the venue itself is unforgettable).
The ballroom consists of a massive dance floor area and a large stage, to the rear of the stage is the Wurlitzer organ which rises through the pit at the back of the stage into full view and is played by one of the towers three resident organists to outstanding quality. Almost every show in the ballroom is accompanied by music from this awesome instrument and it makes every occasion very special.
The tower have now introduced an event which will allow the public to learn to play this organ. For £200 you can book to be allowed to rise through the stage seated at this organ (what a photo or video opportunity that is). You will also be taught by one of the resident organists to play it a bit and will be given the option to have a half hour playing session recorded for you to keep if you can master a tune.
The ballroom also has plenty more to offer with a selection of licensed and coffee bars open all day round and the chance to be served with a traditional high tea in this truly awesome and magical Victorian setting. I could go on all day about the ballroom but would still never be able to put across just how amazing it is and there's so much more to get through so I had better get on.
Moving out from the second story of the ballroom you will find sea view terrace (a lovely place to enjoy a full dinner or even just a coke and a snack whilst looking out over the Irish sea), the family bar and food courts (an area of the tower where you can enjoy a bite to eat from one of the many different bar style eateries which includes burgers, baked potatoes, fish and chips and much, much more. Also the chance for the grown ups to grab a beer or a glass of wine) and the tower heritage trail which for true enthusiasts is fantastic. On this trail you will find out not just all about the history of the tower but also a fair bit about the history of Blackpool itself too.
There is also a bit dedicated to Charlie Cairoli the original clown of Blackpool circus. It looks at the part he played in making the circus the massive success it is today and also a look into the life of the man himself. There are many of his personal items on display including some of the outfits he actually wore to do the shows. I personally love looking around this area even though I must have now seen it twenty or thirty times the hairs on the back of my neck still stand as I stare at the amazing suits worn by him and read about the man himself.
Next on to jungle Jims (a giant themed play area for kids). In jungle jims there is a massive climbing structure with tubes to slide and crawl through, bridges to cross, steps to climb and chutes to slide down along with a seated area or a amusement arcade for the adults to relax in whilst the kids run wild. My 5 year old son loved playing in here, apart from the circus it was his favorite part of the tower. There is a burger bar inside jungle Jims where you can feast on anything from a small bag of chips to the massive tower burger meals. The burger bar is very reasonably priced (cheaper than McDonalds) and the food was excellent.
Onwards and upwards we come to the lifts for the tower top ride. Two massive glass elevators which sit side by side and are controlled by people who have scripts to stick to on the way up to let you know how high you are and also to try to give you a wee fright or two. Some people may not like the lifts because they do at busy times tend to cram a lot of people into them and it can be a bit uncomfortable but to get to the top you have to put up with it.
The lift operators will let you know when you are half way up the tower and when you reach the height of the Pepsi max rollercoaster (a giant roller coaster at blackpools pleasure beach) they will also crack jokes about the state of the tower coming out with things like " ok fingers crossed folks this is the bit the lift got stuck at yesterday" and " the cables are due for replacement on this lift but we are too busy to get round to it, hope it gets us to the top ok".
Once you are at the end of the elevator ride you will step out onto a metal floored platform which is surrounded by windows allowing amazing views over the whole of Blackpool and the Irish Sea. There is also coin operated telescopes which will allow you to look even further as well as narrating what you should be seeing to you.
For the more adventurous this is not the top you can also climb another three levels via an old winding metal staircase onto three further outdoor platforms, these platforms are fenced to around adult waist height and then netted off above that so your not going to fall off!! I love going right to the top but my fiancée won't leave the safety of the indoor level. It did used to be possible to climb one further level only a few people at time could go right into the point but this has long since been stopped.
In the indoor section of the top of the tower a massive piece of the metal flooring has been removed and replaced with a two inch thick piece of laminated glass, known as the walk of faith you will be encouraged to go step on to it and look straight down at the road and cars bellow. The initial step onto the glass turns your stomach it is a very weird experience, it really feels like you are stepping off the edge. You can buy certificates to say you have taken the walk of faith whether you have or not but come on no cheating!!
Ok as I said at the beginning I like to leave the circus till last and have done so in my review also, it really is a casa of last but definitely not least. I can remember coming to the circus as a child and being blown away by its brilliance even then. In those days of course their were performing animals and this was always a great favorite with the kids but where many circuses fell to the way side when the use of animals was banned Blackpool circus just took it in its stride and found new and even better ways of entertaining the young and not so young alike.
The circus is run by mooky the clown who is at constant logger heads with the master of ceremonies (all part of the show of course). The shows change twice a year but this is always the main theme and with hilarious outcome. The way these two fight over who should introduce the next act and who could perform better than the other is an outstanding way to keep the audience very entertained between the actual performances. They use visual humor which the kids love along with adult innuendos to put a smile on our faces whilst going straight over the kid's heads.
The actual performers come from all over the world; you get everything from the usual trapeze artists to some of the best choreographed original shows I have ever seen. The circus is a two hour long extravaganza which has a 15 minute interval where they do the usual (try to get you to part with some more money for their special merchandise or popcorn and ice cream for the kids. When you consider this fantastic circus is well worthy of the tower admission fee itself and you have already experienced some wonderful times in the tower its not like a few pound for an ice cream and a program is going to spoil your day.
Once all the performers have done their bit they all return to the ring along with mooky and the master of ceremonies for the grand finale. You will be gob smacked as the floor opens up and they flood the ring for the aquatic finale`s. Each and every one I have seen (around 20 or so) have been absolutely fantastic. You can then applaud till your hands hurt and then fight your way through the crowds of people all saying how amazing the circus had just been and make your way back to wherever you are staying to continue discussing and appreciating what you have just watched and the fantastic day you have had in general.
OPENING TIMES AND PRICES
Blackpool Tower is open all year round although various attractions inside may not be. Their main season runs from march till the 5th of November during this time every attraction will be open unless there is high winds then the tower top is closed. Occasionally there will be events on in the ballroom which of course means the ballroom will be closed for dancing but will normally remain open to the public to view the shows or event taking place. During shows in the ballroom photography and videoing are strictly forbidden (as they are in the circus).
During peak season the tower opens at 10am and remains open till 11pm allowing spectacular views of the illuminations when they are on (although the last lifts to the top are at 9pm). Out of season the tower typically opens from 10.30am till 6pm but it makes sense to check before you set off to make sure.
PRICES
Adults - £13.95
Senior citizens - £9.95
Kids (up to 16 years of age) - £ 10.95
Under 90cm`s in height go free.
FAMILY SAVERS
(1 adult and 2 children) - £ 33.00
(2 adults and one child) - £36.00
(2 adults and 2 children) - £46.00
(2adults and 3 children) - £55.00
Prices may be lowered during off peak seasons if there are a few attractions closed or unavailable, this will be made clear to the customers on entry and is usually well advertised on boards outside or even on their website if you wish to check before traveling.
This review was written in 2008 and based on my latest experience of the tower which was in September of 2007. It pays to regularly check their website for new features or shows because the tower is constantly changing. I can tell you that the afore mentioned jungle jims is currently (07/03/2008) undergoing a massive 3 million pound refit which will see it not only expanded but also designed as a lost city which will be a 2500 square meter attraction which will lead kids through an amazing adventure in the search for lost treasure. This refit is scheduled to be complete for the Easter season starting this year (2008).
