Let's Start With This One...

Good Morning Lovelies, 

Over the weekend, I had a festive filled time! As did my mini reporter Jon! Having been to many events now, the five-year-old is becoming a little pro at helping me to cover events, including exciting Christmas filled ones at the Sea Life! Centre in London and Shrek’s Adventure! London. 

Both based on the South Bank, a short chilly walk along the River Thames, alongside the beautiful Christmas market, takes you straight to the doors of each one. Literally, the pair are right next to each other. Having planned a more gentle start to the day, we were kindly invited by Merlin to meet the animals housed at the wonderful Sea Life! Centre first. 

Full to the brim with magical under water creatures, Jon was in awe of the wonders of the world we very rarely see. From tiny stingrays, which could be stroked, to giant sharks and nippy crabs, it was incredible from the moment we arrived. 

Having announced a special mission to help the penguins at the aquarium, during Christmas, Jon and his cousin were off around the building searching for the missing pieces of the festive presents. Seeking out the clues, the experience led to them learning so much, whilst also being placed into a competition to win a special prize. 

Every single staff member we met was lovely. Opening the children’s minds to so much knowledge that I knew they would go to school and talk about. Jon loves animals of all kinds, so this festive experience was one of true bonding and love. Roaming around each room, he couldn’t stop asking questions about what he was seeing, whilst pointing out the fish, sharks and starfish he saw. 

Even as an adult, I felt like I was back in school. All in a very good way! I adore turtles so to see them swimming around was amazing. Stroking a starfish nearly caused my heart to explode with joy. Watching the kids walking above the sharks and laughing with pure joy was incredibly heartwarming. When we came to the end, I truly didn’t know how we were going to top such an amazing festive experience. 

Yet, the Merlin team knew just what to do! After exploring the world of Dreamwork’s in the summer at Shrek’s Adventure!, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like in the winter. Especially when the attraction had announced that they would be hosting an exciting Shrek’s Grotto this Christmas! 

Inspired by the short film, Shrek The Halls, the North Pole wasn’t what you would expect it to look like anymore. No, it was now a swamp! With the chance to meet a Santa themed Shrek, we couldn’t help but get excited walking back into the story land we had fallen for before. 

Decked out in all its festive decorations, I have to admit that it was definitely more my kind of swamp this time around! The red Santa outfit Shrek was wearing caused our minds to jump for joy. I think us adults were more excited than the kids! 

Having announced that the experience was only on during December on select dates, it felt super special to experience the grotto on its first weekend of being open. You could feel the excitement in the air. Not just from those getting to meet Santa Shrek, but also the team at the attraction. Everyone seemed ready to embrace the season with open arms, leading to further hype being built. 

An element that everyone truly loves about the attraction is the way other characters are captured to. Making the whole afternoon become even more great, as the kids got to meet so many characters they had only see before on screen. 

After receiving a lovely Christmas card from Santa Shrek and his team of animated elves, including Donkey of course, we bid a fond farewell, as we headed out into the dark magic of London and onto the tube home. A journey that was spent talking about all the wonders we had seen that day. 

With a few worries that I may have to send a letter to Santa asking for a wild animal for Christmas, I can’t get over how perfect the day was. Bonding with Jon and seeing him interact with everything he saw was amazing. His eyes took everything in and his questions were endless. Plus, a new Shrek fan has been created! 

Both festive opportunities were fantastic and Merlin has truly captured what Christmas is all about! Fun for all the family, you will end up spending hours embracing the wonders of the enchanting worlds. Both under the sea and I. The swamp! 

With the chance to experience both starting at £50 per adult, it is a really good price and way to spend any day of the week! Merlin has made magic and it is time to explore it, especially this Christmas! With a website full of great deals and opportunities, you can’t go wrong with finding an alternative way to celebrate the season! 

I’m already packing a bag to move into the turtle section of the Sea Life! Centre, fancy coming with me? Let’s go! 

Joey X

Good Morning Lovelies,

Half term is upon us and this means that we are embracing all things family wise. Hosting my brother and nephew from Blackpool means that we are planning lots of fun activities, including what was a very busy Valentine’s Day. 

Kindly gifted two experiences by Merlin, we took on the scary before the swampy, with a great adventure filled day at The London Dungeons and Shrek’s Adventure on the famous Southbank. 

At 12:30, after travelling to Waterloo station, which is five minutes away from both attractions, we headed into the deep, dark world of the dungeons. Greeted by some unkind folk, we descended quickly into the tunnels of the dungeons via Henry the 8th’s boat. From there we learnt about the plague, Guy Fawkes and the ever evil Jack the Ripper. 

As a history lover, I had tried The Dungeons before, but having been at Halloween before, I wanted to see if they did anything romantic for Valentine’s Day. Let me tell you for a start that you will definitely be holding hands and gripping onto your loved ones and friends for this thrill ride. 

Almost instantly your heart starts racing. Your nerves take a hold. You feel like if you say anything or step even an inch out of line then you are going to be in the hands of the most evil quickly. For me, the aspects that truly make my heart skip a beat, every single time, is the Sweeney Todd and Jack the Ripper segments. As soon as the lights go down, the music plays and the flashing lights begin, I just have to close my eyes and hope the minutes away. 

Not because I am not enjoying it. I truly am! It is more because of how terrified I am about the whole thing. I can’t take my mum to the attraction because I get worried that something may happen to her. And if she was to be crossed, I think I would do a Jess in New Girl, during the haunted house scene, which is would not be good. 

Taking my little nephew into a scary place was a bit of a worry at first. However, he took it like a champ. There is an age restriction for those who wish to go without an adult, which is 16. However, if you are 12 or under then you can go in with an adult and it is your responsibility to look after the child throughout. Luckily, he was interested throughout and when he did get a bit too scared, he simply closed his eyes and put his fingers in his ears. 

When it came to the court room and drop ride at the end, all worries were removed though and we were able to all laugh about what we had experienced. Though, I think I was really grateful to know we had a bit of an easier attraction coming up next. 

After two hours inside the dungeons, we quickly grabbed a spot of lunch, before heading next door - literally - to Shrek’s Adventure. During half term, to celebrate the release of the new Puss In Boots film, the characters from the series were hosting special meet and greets, which I kept a secret from my nephew, to form an extra special surprise. 

Stepping into the swamp land, you start the journey by climbing aboard a 4D flying bus, which shows you a little glimpse at what you can expect along the way in Far Far Away land. All of which adds to the excitement, which continues when you head into The Swamp. The real home of Shrek. 

This is where the magic really begins and my nephew Leo couldn’t stop laughing at the toilet aspect. I think he wanted my brother to go in to it a lot. For me, it was a magical moment, because me and my dad used to watch Shrek all the time. Even agreeing that Shrek 2 is the best one of the bunch (sorry, not sorry!). Seeing this scene come to life was a dream and I just wished my dad could have been there with us to see it too. 

Next up, we moved onto the Rumpelstilskin’s Carriage, where a mystical fortune teller reveals all your secrets and futures. Something that makes the whole experience move quickly, as you don’t want to hear your fate from that fairytale. Nope, you want to go to the pub! The next stage of the experience. 

Full of karaoke, a very familiar face I mentioned before and a whole host of partying antics, this is where the real magic of Shrek comes to life. Think of your favourite bits from the films and this is where they truly shine. You will be a believer in what I am saying if you experience it lovelies. 

Once the party has started, you are then treated to a Wheel of Fortune type game show, which my nephew thought was great to take part in, before going through an eye opening mirror maze to see the Muffin Man at Drury Lane in The Bakery. However, the experience isn’t always so sweet, when the next stage features a prison, which has Shrek calling on you for help, before you get the chance to meet the main man himself.

Yet, he isn’t the only one you get to meet. With the addition of Puss in Boots this half term, there are loads of other DreamWorks characters too, including Kung Fu Panda and the How To Train Your Dragon famous dragons. 

Ultimately, Shrek’s Adventure was just what we needed to make sure that we could get to sleep after the London Dungeon’s. Both Merlin attractions were fantastic though and I hope to delve into more special events and experiences soon, because they made our day. My nephew already told me that he can’t wait to go back to school to tell all of his friends about it. A fact that made my heart swell on Valentine’s Day. 

Whilst both may have been very different from each other, they were fantastic! However, Merlin have loads of attractions, all around the UK that you can enjoy, so head to their website to find out more about them! You will not be disappointed at all! I honestly can’t thank them enough for allowing my family to make such amazing memories!

Joey X