Robert, who's 10, writes: As you know I live in London and have been to countless great experiences here but last week I went to the new(ish) DreamWorks Tours, Shrek’s Adventure and it was one of the best things I have ever done. This is why...
I love rides, shows, comedy and action and Shrek’s Adventure had all of that. Unlike most attractions similar to this it followed one great story so every section led on to the next and it made it more like a show. The whole thing was split into 12 sections and I will explain each of them briefly.
- Departure gate
This section is basically queuing but a lot more fun. Instead of just standing around you should look at the props and posters spread out over the room. There were posters promoting various DreamWorks destinations or saying "Beware of witches" but also legs coming down the chimney or the stationery cupboard sign being crossed out and now reading "security office." It was really funny. We then met a hilarious staff member who talked to us about what was going to happen. We then met Princess Fiona and did some singing, before moving onto...
- The Ride
Even if you aren’t a rides person I’m sure you’ll still like it as it isn’t too bumpy, but even if you don’t go on the ride you still get to watch the video (like mum!). Personally I expected it to be moving you around a bit more but I still liked it.
The ride took place on a bus, and it involved Donkey driving us to Far Far Away with the help of characters from How to Train your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda. However, we killed Rumplestiltskin’s (Boo, he’s the bad guy) favourite witch on the way. Oh No. We needed to find Shrek to get us out of that mess so we went to...
- Shrek’s Swamp
Here we met Cinderella who told us how to get home. She told us to go to the fortune teller’s caravan but that we needed to give him some gold. Eventually we found some but only after one man had to look in Shrek’s toilet. The sound effects were especially good at that part.
- Rumplestiltskin’s Carriage
This was one of my favourite sections. All the actors at Shrek were good but this one was so funny. After giving him the gold we looked in the magic ball. Throughout the tour the audience are picked to do a lot of things and at this bit my dad had to dance in front of everyone, he was quite embarrassed. But it was brilliant...
[caption id="attachment_1846" align="alignnone" width="940"] The fortune teller was great[/caption]
- The Poison Apple pub
After flirting with my dad, Cinderella's ugly sister told us the ingredients to make a potion to bring us back home. Puss in Boots gave us the hair of a hero, the first item on the list but just before a witch discovered us and we had to run to the next section.
- Game Show (this had some of the best special effects)
I love a good game show especially one with a twist and this one had a big twist. To get the second ingredient on the list, conscience of a boy we had to answer yes or no questions with the buttons beside us. If we got them all right we got what we needed but if we got them wrong Pinocchio would get tortured. After getting what we needed (it was a close shave with the witches) we left the wheel of torture and landed in
- The mirror maze
I won't go into full detail about the mirror maze as I assume you know what a mirror maze is.
- Drury Lane and 9. Muffin Man’s House
In this section we met Sleeping Beauty (she was very funny), Gingy and the Muffin man in order to make the potion. After Donkey gave us the last ingredient essence of ogre we created number 10, the magic portal where we stood in a circle and then transported back home.
I won’t give away the ending but it involves 11. A prison, Shrek’s giant head and a bumpy surprise on the benches we were sitting on. It’s not the ending you were expecting.
- Arrivals hall
When we finally made it back to London there were plenty of photo opportunities from all the DreamWorks films. At the beginning you get some pictures taken and they are put in a DreamWorks Travel Guide for you. As well as pictures, this has games, jokes and recipes too, it is £20 for a book with no extras, £25 for one with a bonus How to Train your Dragon picture and £30 for a key ring and magnet as well of your pictures. If you just want one picture it costs £15. The shop is also expensive but has great things from cute cuddly toys to a Shrek’s Adventure Monopoly.
[caption id="attachment_1844" align="alignnone" width="768"] There were some incredibly cute toys for sale![/caption]
Overall I really enjoyed my day, which was brilliant and I would really recommend it.
Shrek's Adventure costs £26 for adults if you pay on the door (£23.40 if you book online) and £20.80 for children (£18.72) if you book online. You should book online as you need to reserve a slot. We were fortunate enough to be offered complimentary admission in order to review the attraction. However, all words and opinions are our own.
We would recommend the attraction for ages 5+. Robert's sister Jess, who is 13, thought she would be too old, so decided not to come, but Robert's parents really enjoyed it, and so did the other adults present!
Shrek's Adventure is situated on the South Bank of London, by the River Thames. It's right next to the London Dungeon, which he has also written about - read his post here. The National Theatre is only a few minutes away and we loved this too! Read Robert's post about the backstage tour. After Shrek, you can also enjoy the playground in Jubilee Gardens, just a few minutes away.
Labels: Blog, days out in London, Dreamworks, London, Shrek, Shrek's Adventure