The Snowman and The Dog Grotto at intu The Trafford Centre

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I recently saw an advert on TV that there was a Snowman and The Snowdog grotto in intu Trafford Centre. When I went online I was gutted that it was pretty much sold out, obviously very popular. We were going to the Trafford Centre last weekend but there was no times available. I double checked the night before to see if any times had become available and I was so please that one time slot was showing green instead of the sold out red. 
I quickly whizzed through the booking form and secured our placed in the grotto. There was an option to book and pay for your photographs and other souvenirs online but I decided to wait until we got there.
The Snowman and The Snowdog is situated in Barton Square amongst lots of festive stalls and a lovely Victorian Carousel.

We arrived 10 minutes earlier than are booking time and joined the queue. Only 45 people can go through at any one time so even though are timed slot had past by the time we got to the front of the queue we had to wait a further 15 minutes to go through as it had reached full capacity. 

We left our buggy by the entrance and when it was our time to go through we were taken into a room that was set out as Billys living room and we were greeted by Billy's Mum. We took a seat on the benches provided and the children were invited to sit on the floor at the front.
Billy's mum told us all about the Snowman and The Snowdog and what had happened on one Christmas Eve when Billy had made them both and at the magic hour 12:00am they both came alive.  There was a large TV screen and we got to watch snippets of The Snowman and The Snowdog. It really put us in the Christmassy mood both the Snowman and The Snowman and the Snowdog are our favourite christmas movies.

Once we had finished in Billy's living room (approx 15 minutes) we walked past all the snowmen until we cam to a place were we could write a letter to Santa.

We were actually first in the queue to walk through the magical walkway to see Santa but little J kept running back and forth and looking at all the snowman so we were actually last in the end.

Towards the end there is a huge display with the snowman and the snowdog. 

We managed to get little J to sit down for two minutes while big J wrote him out a list so we could post it in the big red postbox.
Once we had done that it was time to see Father Christmas. He was lovely and gave both big and little J a gift. 
The overall experience was lovely and it was well worth the wait and I can see just why it is so popular. We were inside for approx 30-40 minutes in total and it was truly magical.

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Daddy and Big J go to Play Expo

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Last weekend daddy and big J had a great time at their first games convention. We had been invited to review Play Expo at Event City, Manchester. 

I would class Big J and Daddy as 'gamers', big J loves FIFA and daddy likes lots of different games and has been playing since he had his first zx spectrum - a long time ago!  Although they both love games, they had never been to an event, and both where looking forward to it. 

Daddy's post
When we arrived, the queues looked huge! Luckily we had press passes and manger to squeeze through to the front of the queue to get in.  When we first walked in bumblebee and barricade - the actual cars from the transformers films, where on show protected by some guards with guns, that anyone could handle - hopefully replicas!    

The cars are very impressive, whether you like the films or not, and everyone was talking a photo or two. 

We had a look at the size of the event as we walked in. The place was enormous. It really was difficult to know where to go first as there really was so much on show.

The first thing little J saw that he wanted to look at was a stall full of all types of t-shirts, collectibles, toys and all kinds relating to games. He liked the look of some of the minecraft bits, but decided to wait before parting with his money. 

Next was a section with approximately 100 ps4 consoles showing new and older games for anyone to play. Driveclub is a new ps4 exclusive racing game and we enjoyed a few goes on this.  Big J is definitely a FIFA fan, whereas I grew up with PES being the only football game to play, back when FIFA was a game that allowed you to score easily from the halfway line! A match was due and PES 2015 was on show. After 3 games, I was the 2-1 victor overall. 

After this is was time for some pinball.  I have honestly never seen so many machines in one place, and all free to play.  We both had a good few games of some classic machines, the Addams family, lord of the rings and nba basketball to name a few.  

Next to the pinball was a large arcade with, again,  more machines than I have ever seen in one place.  All free to play, and we played the classics, outrun, afterburner, hard drivin' even virtual striker ( which little J comprehensively battered me on with a 3-1 score line).  SCI was next - for those who remember chase hq, this was chase hq2. I loved this game when I was younger but never managed to get past level 5. Now that I had lots of free credits, I managed to get to the end - and got the high score,

There was a large retro console area, which didn't really excite little J too much, although I was impressed and so many stalls selling all manner of gaming goodies.

The best parts of the show for me have to be getting my picture taken in the delorean from back to the future 

and on the iron throne from game of thrones. 
Although these needing paying for, well worth a fiver each in my opinion. 

We finished by visiting the same stall as we looked at when we first went in, little J sticking by his initial thoughts of minecraft stuff. One foam sword and cardboard box later - and he looks like he is from the game!

Then it was another look at barricade and bumblebee, and home, after a really good day.  We will definitely be attending another gaming convention!

To find out more about Play Expo you can visit the website HERE

*we were invited to review Play Expo all thought are our own*

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CBeebies Land at Alton Towers and kids go free

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We love Alton Towers and have been visiting for as long as I can remember. Its a very special place for us, we visit several times throughout the year but there are certain dates we never miss.   Screamfest is amazing and if you have never been you should definitely plan a trip. It usually runs for a couple of weeks leading up to Halloween. Then the fireworks is the week after. I have never seen a fireworks display as big as the ones in Alton Towers. This is special for us because Daddy proposed to me while we watched the Fireworks a long time ago :)   Then their is Santas Sleepover in the Hotel. We have been going for years and its so special for the children. We usually visit for Big J's birthday too and you can read about that here.   So when CBeebies land was announced we did get excited because now we have little J and he will be able to enjoy Alton towers as much as we do.  

When we arrived it was really colourful, fresh and new and very appealing to the youngsters.  

It has its own section in Alton Towers which you have to enter by walking through two trees.  

There is a map when you enter showing you all the rides and attractions. It was very busy so we decided to have a look around first.  

The first thing we saw was Something Special Sensory Garden. Its a walk through garden area with two TV's showing Justin singing and welcoming you to the garden.  

The Sensory garden has lots to touch, feel and smell. Their are musical instruments such as drums and also mirrors too. Both big and little J enjoyed the garden and I'm looking forward to taking little J back when he is walking.  

 Next we went on the In the Night Garden Boat ride.   The ride takes you on a journey so you can see all your favourite In the Night Garden Characters.

Little J really enjoyed the ride and we were planning to go on again but the queue was almost a hour long so maybe next time.  

After the boat ride we managed to meet Iggle Piggle. There is a large arena section and there are little tents and Iggle Piggle was there.    Little J was really excited and got lots of cuddles. Big J did too.  

Nina's Science LAB is an indoor attraction is aimed at children older than little J but big J enjoyed it.

There are lots of hands on things to do inside.

 There was no queue for the number go round so we went on this next.

Little J enjoyed sitting on the car as it went round. He cried when we got off so we had to go on a few times.

Last but not least we went on Postman Pat ride

 

Little J and big J drove Postman Pats van around Greendale.

 There are lots more activities and attractions to visit once inside CBeebies Land but little J fell asleep so we went off around Alton Towers to go on some bigger rides.

I am looking forward to returning once its been open a little longer and hopefully queues will have calmed by then.

If you didn't know already Cbeebies Magazine has teamed up with Merlin Entertainments to offer readers Kids Go Free tickets. This current issue of CBeebies magazine has two kids go free tickets in so can save you a little bit of money.

Have you been to Cbeebies Land? Did you enjoy it?

 

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