Madame Tussauds. Not just for dummies. (Madame Tussauds)

Member Name: Larachristina

Product:	Madame Tussauds
Date:	05/10/08 (153 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing waxworks, interesting history, live performers.

Disadvantages: Very busy, lack of courtesy, rather expensive, intrustive live performers.

Madame Tussauds London is located two minutes walk away from Baker street station.
Opening hours are 9.30-5.30.

Price-£25.00 per adult.

I loved Madame Tussauds as a kid.
I used to live, part time, in London, and would regularly visit all of the tourist traps.
The last time I visited was 15 years ago, and after visiting the Amsterdam Madame Tussauds last year, was eager to go back to the London branch whilst visiting the capital last week.

The queue was long.
Helpful little signs are located at various intervals in the queuing area, telling you how long it will take. there are also numerous food and drink machines, and lots of toilets.
We queued for about an hour, and when we finally got to the front desk, paid £50.00 for two adults.
Tickets work out cheaper if paying for multiple attractions, such as the London dungeons, or the London eye. Tickets are also cheaper if bought online.

Once we had paid, we were herded into a jam packed lift.
i would have preferred having the option to get the next lift, but this choice wasnt given to us.
Throught Tussauds, you can see the waxworks of Hollywood stars, the best of British, singers, sports stars, bollywood stars, cultural icons, and royal family members.

Some waxworks, the newest, and most popular are restricted to photographs taken by Tussauds only. You then recieve the photograph for a fee.
These waxworks include Johhny Depp, Miley Cyrus, Amy Winehouse, and the Queen.

We bypassed these waxworks, choosing to take our own photos.

Even though it was a tuesday when we visited, and during term time, it was very busy.
That wasnt so bad, but a lot of the people in there seemed to completely lack manners, and it because very difficult posing with a waxwork, and taking a photo, without some mannerless tourist wandering in front of the camera.
Because of this, we somewhat rushed the experience.

Whilst most of the waxworks are incredibly lifelike, some look a little ropey. Jennifer Aniston and Wayne Rooney for example.

Half way through Tussauds is their nod to the haunted house *scream*
Before entering (and you have the option whether to enter or not, in case you have children, or someone nervous with you) you are informed that you are not allowed to take pictures, or to touch the actors.
This is completely fair. I only wish they had taken their own advice.
I found the performers to be completely unaware of personal space, and felt they could be quite intimidating.
A couple of times i had to literally push my way through them.

Madame Tussauds has a section detailing how the waxworks were made, and explaining the history behind the museum.

Toward the end, there is a short ride, in mock black cabs.
This ride was welcome, as I had become a little tired of walking and queuing.
This ride takes you on a journey through London through the ages, and was quite pleasent.
At the very end, is the obligatory gift shop.

Madame Tussauds was wonderful, but quite pricey for the time you are in there. Like I said, I felt rushed the whole way through, due to the amount of very rude people in there.

I dont think we could have gone at a time that would have been quieter, so I wonder how dreadful the experience would have been during the summer holidays.

Overall, a very enjoyable experience.

Make sure you take a camera, and some patience.

Summary: A good tourist trap for visitors to London.