Dickens World, Chatham

Advantages: Well designed and constructed scenery
Disadvantages: Attractions a let down, not enough to do

...to pay a visit to Dickens World, the South East’s newest tourist attraction, which opened recently in Chatham, Kent, home to Charles Dickens for many years. Nestling between the town’s Historic Dockyard and a somewhat less historic outlet shopping mall, Dickens World was opened to the public on 25th May, 2007, and all the advertising material we’d seen promised “the day out of a lifetime…with a host of captivating attractions” ...
...halt, and a couple of Dickens World staff members in period attire were despatched to pacify and entertain the waiting throng. As we edged towards the entrance doors, a group of senior citizens, some in wheelchairs, others aided by walking-sticks, were led by an attendant to the front of the queue and through the entrance reserved for disabled visitors. “Artful Dodgers!” cried one wag in the crowd, while another remarked that we’d ... Read review

Advantages: Entertaining, plenty to see and experience, fun, friendly atmosphere
Disadvantages: Not a great deal to interact with and do, not a theme park

...point clear- I work at Dickens World, and have done since it opened. As such, this may sound like a press release and/or shameless plug at times, and for that I'm sorry, but I'm going to strive for fairness in this review. All of the other reviews on this site about this attraction were written after visits from customers in the opening few days, and I'm not going to argue them down- they're justified. The opening of the place went horribly- it ...
...to expect. I stress that Dickens World is not a theme park, and it has never been advertised as one. It is an attraction, it is the experience of life in Dickensian times. There are not dozens of huge, fast, thrill-seeking rides, anyone going there expecting an Alton Towers or Disney World will be disappointed. What IS there is a collection of six or seven different features, based around a central square in which costumed staff put on activities ... Read review

Advantages: Good attractions, very authentic
Disadvantages: Queuing (like anywhere), lack of places to sit

...first thought about going into Dickens World at around lunchtime, however we there was a long queue. We found that by around 2pm the queue was much shorter - this is when we went in. I was a bit worried about the pricing: Adult: £12.50 Child (5-15) £7.50 OAP £10.50 -This had better be worth it! Upon entering you walk quite a long staircase which as you climb becomes themed to the Dickens era. If you like you can have a photo taken here, we ...
...told the story of Charles Dickens and we learnt a lot of things from this which we had not known previously. Everyone else we spoke too also recommended this. Lastly, we tried the Britannia Theatre. Again, the theme of this room was very fitting and quite realistic. Although this was a very good show technically, we found this quite boring and young children may get bored easily. Altogether we spent 3hours in this place, although you could easily ... Read review

Advantages: nice recreation of victorian buildings
Disadvantages: pretty much everything else

...entertaining family outing as the Dickens World website promised " a fascinating journey through Dickens’ lifetime as they step back into Dickensian England and are immersed in the urban streets, sounds and smells of the 19th century" We arrived 30 minutes before opening, joining the queue of 30 or so people. An actor in costume as a 'rat catcher' helped pass the time as we waited patiently for the opening hour. First hiccup with 3 tills of which ...
...based on questions related to Dickens work. An actor in costume hurried in and tried to play head teacher. It was a little perplexing as you were not sure if you were supposed to watch or take part in someway. After a few minutes we wandered back to the square and found the boat ride entrance. With some excitement we joined a short queue for "the largest dark boat ride in Europe". Got in a boat and sat there. Slowly floated round roof tops, no animations, ... Read review

Advantages: All under one roof - places to eat - rides, helpful, friendly staff
Disadvantages: A bit dark! Not all attractions clearly signed

I visited Dickens World this week - 23.10.2007 - and was very pleasantly surprised. I took my daugher and her friend (12 and 13) and was surprised when the first thing they said was "cool". They do not really know a lot of Dickens, apart from Oliver! and then they've never seen it all the way through, but they loved the place. The boat ride is really rather good - not up to it's larger theme park cousins, but all the same, there was lots of screaming ...
...for the unaware, and I'm not about to spoil it for you! However, it is not half as frightening, nor as dangerous as the signs at the entrance would have you believe! The haunted house was a little disappointing, for me anyway, but all the youngsters seemed to enjoy it. Sometimes you will have to queue for the attractions, but we found that towards the end of the day we could just walk on to the boat ride without another soul in sight! There is ... Read review