Doctor Who Experience
Discovery Quay, Porth Teigr, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 4GA
Doctor Who is a long running British sci-fi series which is very popular around the world. Doctor Who isn’t a medical doctor, but rather an alien Time Lord who fights evil by traveling through space and time. For all those fans, young and old, the Doctor Who Experience is the perfect tourist attraction to visit in Cardiff, Wales.
Located by Cardiff Bay, the Doctor Who Experience celebrates over 50 years of the Doctor Who character. The interactive tour kicks off with a introductory video from the doctor himself. After the video, the room opened up, allowing visitors to participate in a hands on interactive experience. 3D glasses brought out even more fun and we felt like we could reach out and grab what was coming straight toward us! At the end of the experience, we entered an area that highlights costumes, sets and props from the shows over the years.
We were so lucky to be joined by two great families on our tour. One of the families had a personal connection to the Experience as both parents worked with the program. They brought their girls with them and they were the perfect little experts! The other family that joined us was from Tampa, FL! They were on a family vacation and we had actually met them when we were shooting at Cardiff Castle earlier in the day. We invited them to join us and they were great sports. They had fun getting a private tour with us and we really appreciated having them on set with us. It was a bonus that they were big Dr. Who fans!
If you just can’t get enough of Doctor Who, sign up for the Doctor Who Walking Tour around Cardiff to see over 40 locations within a 1.5 mile route. Tours usually run on select days from April through June and are weather dependent. Make sure you check with the Box Office on the day of the tour if you have any concerns. The walking tour includes the Doctor Who Experience where many of the show’s scenes have been shot. The tour will also visit the BBC Hoddinott Hall which is part of the Wales Millennium Centre, home of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales who record the music for Doctor Who.
Wales Millennium Centre
Bute Place, Cardiff Bay CF10 5AL, Wales
The Wales Millennium Centre is definitely worth a visit while you are in Cardiff whether or not you get the chance to take the Dr. Who Walking Tour. When we first entered the Wales Millennium Centre, we were pleasantly surprised with a beautiful choral concert taking place for FREE on the Glanfa Stage in the main entryway! As it turns out, complimentary performances are offered regularly and you just need to pop in during show times. The performers were just wonderful and it was such a beautiful setting for a concert…and the price was right!
The Wales Millennium Centre has so much to offer visitors including live performances, guided backstage tours, and a fun family area called The Milipwts’ Den. The den is a free play space for little ones to explore, read stories and just chill out! It is located next to the Glanfa stage so you can still enjoy listening to performances while you play with the kids.
Our crew was invited for lunch at ffresh Bar and Restaurant located inside the centre. Talk about delicious! We tried some amazing Welsh delicacies and weren’t surprised to find out that the restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide. We were really impressed by the kid’s menu that included a lamb & mint burger, salmon and broccoli spaghetti, and a hearty soup served with bread & butter. They offered fresh, local ingredients for everyone to enjoy! YUM!
Don’t leave Cardiff without visiting the Dr. Who Experience and the Wales Millennium Centre. The two locations are near each other and make for a perfect itinerary for a family vacation in the capital city of Wales.
Some Tips and Fun Facts – Doctor Who Experience
• Keep in mind that there are monsters and other creatures who might be frightening for little ones.
• Some areas with special effects such as strobes, lasers and loud noises.
• Allow about 1 ½ hours for the tour
• Strollers are not permitted through the actual Experience, but there is a spot to park them while you go through with your family.
• Some tickets are available at the door, but they are limited. It is suggested to make reservations in advance.
• Kids under 5 are free, but you still need to reserve a spot for them!
• Family tickets are available for 2 adults and 2 kids.
• Tickets are nonrefunable
Some Tips and Fun Facts – Wales Millennium Centre
• Audio-Described performances and Touch Tours for visually impaired people and Captioned and BSL performances for Deaf or partially hearing visitors are available. Check the Wales Millennium Centre website for performance schedule.
• Cardiff Bay Visitor’s Center is located inside the Wales Millennium Centre
• Pre show dining menus are available at ffresh Restaurant & Bar
• Roald Dahl Plass is a public space next to the Wales Millennium Centre. The plass is named after Welsh born children’s author, Roald Dahl, who wrote James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG.
