Play Session At Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester

Play Session At Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester

4 August 2020

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We have been Merlin pass holders for years now and I actually can’t remember when we didn’t own annual passes. We visit Alton Towers the most throughout the year however as there are more attractions now in the North we can now choose from the Tower, the Sea Life centre and Madame Tussaud’s in Blackpool and the Legoland Discovery Centre and Sea Life Centre in Manchester




We have been to the Legoland Discovery Centre many times in the past. It is in the Trafford Centre which is just outside of Manchester City centre. Last week we visited for the first time since lockdown and if I am honest it was our favourite visit to the centre by far.




The Legoland Discovery Centre is working on two play sessions per day. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. Each session runs for approximately two hours and has to be pre-booked




We arrived 10 minutes before our afternoon session began and there was quite a queue as everyone was getting their tickets checked and also their temperature. Once inside we were given the rules of how the two hours play session work. As you enter the main part of the attraction you are encouraged to go on the ride Kingdom Quest. The ride is closed at approximately 1 hour after the session begins allowing everyone to take a turn on the ride.




Kingdom Quest is a small ride inside the centre. The ride takes you around the kingdom and every now and then stops in front of a large screen where are you then pick up your gun and shoot at the screen to score points and try and save the princess. The duration of the ride is probably less than five minutes long but lots of fun.



Next we headed into Miniland which was unusually quiet. Miniland is a smaller version of the Miniland at Legoland Windsor. It is made up of attractions from the North West. The attractions are made out of Lego such as a football stadium, horse racing stand, Blackpool promenade and Alton Towers.




The boys got to play on the football mini game, watch oblivion at Alton Towers and see Blackpool turn from light to darkness.




After a quick toilet break we then decided to pay for the boys to go on the VR attraction. It costs £5 per person unless you are an annual pass holder and it will then cost £2.50 each. The boys seemed to enjoy the VR experience however it was less than two minutes long so at £5 per person it seems quite expensive.




If you have been to Legoland Discovery Centre before you will know that the main area is for Lego building, especially cars. This Area is still available however you are given your own bag of Lego bricks which stay with you throughout the session. So you can still enjoy making and racing cars however as it’s your own bricks there is no cross contamination. Once you finish you hand them back and you receive a pop badge. 




Other attractions available are the Ninjago climbing wall, Merlins Apprentice ride, the 4D cinema and the café.




Whilst at the centre it was so easy to enjoy the attractions and building without it being overcrowded which it has been many times in the past. For us it was definitely more enjoyable as we where building. We had our own space, own lego bricks, and the queues for the rides and the Ninjago wall where short. 




The Ninjago soft play and the toddler play area towards the back of the centre are closed for now and also the Forest Pursuit electric car ride.

Towards the end of our session we headed to the café for a quick drink and snack before heading home.




I would definitely recommend heading to the Legoland discovery Centre in Manchester this summer.Two hours was plenty of time to enjoy all the attractions and have a good building session too. Having the space to play and build without lots of kids running round made it more enjoyable. Masks have to  be worn inside the Trafford Centre however once inside the Legoland discovery you can take your mask off should you wish. You have to put the mask back on as you exit through the gift shop at the end of your session. 

Overall, we enjoyed this more than any time we have been before. The social distancing requirements have made the attraction a more relaxing environment for all. 

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Michelle

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Air Unlimited Liverpool

Air Unlimited Liverpool

16 December 2019

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Disclosure - We were invited to the relaunch of Air Unlimited. All thoughts, opinions and Photographs are our own. 

Over the past few years we have visited many trampoline and inflatable parks but last week we were invited to our first ever trampoline and inflatable park all under one roof at Air Unlimited

Air Unlimited has everything you want from a trampoline park. Lots of trampolines for bouncing fun, airbags and tumble tracks. The trampoline area is quite spacious and there are lots of trampolines to choose from.

Then you have the inflatable area. You can still enjoy lots of bouncing fun with the added bonus of tunnels, inflatable stairs to climb up and slides to whizz down on. 

Little J spent most of his time in the inflatable area. It's secluded away from the trampolines and once inside I couldn't really see him from the viewing area both on the mezzanine floor or on the ground however I would see him occasionally as he slid down the slide. 

Having both the trampolines and inflatables together is a great idea and neither area seemed overcrowded or busy. There was plenty of space and little J had a fantastic time. 

There are party rooms available too, so perfect for a child's birthday party and there is also a cafe upstairs which has a great selection of meals and snacks.

If you would like to try Air Unlimited for yourself then I am giving three lucky readers the chance to win an Air Unlimited Liverpool Family Pass

All you need to do is complete the entry form below

Win A Family Pass to Air Unlimited Liverpool

Michelle

Competition closes on Thursday 5th January 2020

Entrants must have a valid UK address. 

Bulk, third party or any other entries using automated software will be disqualified. 

All entrants and entries are checked and verified. 

3 lucky winners will be chosen at random by the Gleam application. 

Playdays and Runways will contact the lucky winners within 7 days of the competition closing. 

The winners will be emailed to the email address given at the time of entering. 

The winners will not be announced on my blog or social media until they have agreed that their name can be displayed. 

The winners must respond within 28 days, if no response a new winner will be chosen. 

This prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative 

The Prize : A family pass to Air Unlimited Liverpool 

Passes are valid for up to four people for a one-hour session

Expiry date for all passes is Saturday 29th February 2020

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Manchester Giants Basketball Party

Manchester Giants Basketball Party

17 November 2019

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Disclosure - We were invited to the a Manchester Giants Basketball Party for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own.

Little J's birthday isn't till March but already he has been talking about his birthday party. Birthday parties are such a big deal when you are a kid and over the years we have hosted and been to so many different parties. We've been to soft play parties, swimming parties, Nerf parties, football parties, there are lots of different party venues to choose from.  We were invited last week to a basketball party and for us this was the first time we have ever been to a basketball party and game so we were very excited.

The Basketball party was at the home of the Manchester Giants in Urmston, Manchester.  I had already read about the party and what was included but I didn't tell little J as I wanted it to be a surprise.

When we arrived we were shown to a cafe / seating area to wait until our allocated time which was 3pm. There was another party waiting too and after reading the information leaflet there is a maximum of two parties per time slot.

We then followed the staff member to the basketball court area. Little J was really excited at this point and had no idea that for the next hour he would have a one hour basketball coaching session with the Giants coaches.

We were able to sit and watch the children on one half of the court as the coach did mini coaching sessions with them and little games. The other party I mentioned earlier was on the other half of the court.

The coach told all the children to get a ball and they practiced dribbling, tackling and shooting from different angles. It was lots of fun and all the children seemed to be having a great time. They finished with a game that involved two teams racing to their ball and trying to score a basket before the other team. They were joined by two Manchester Giants players which was amazing.

Once the coaching session was finished it was time for some food. The children headed to the cafe / seating area and were rewarded for their hard work on the court with Pizza, Chips and Juice. There was so much pizza and chips available so the kids could just help themselves once they had finished what they had been given. Afterwards they enjoyed birthday cake.

The children were given about 45 minutes to eat which was just the right amount of time as I could see some of them becoming a little restless.

Once they were finished their party meal we headed back to the court to watch the Manchester Giants take on the Newcastle Eagles. We have never seen a basketball match before but I have to say we all really enjoyed it. It's quick paced with music playing and a DJ/Compare talking on the microphone encouraging the crowd to get involved, it really was a fun and exciting experience.

All party children get to go on to the court which was an amazing experience. They all looked so happy.

After the game the Manchester Giants all stay behind and are quite happy signing autographs and having photographs taken which is a lovely way to end the party.

Included in the party is...

One hours coaching session on the court with Giants coaches.

Party Children run out with the players for a team huddle.

Match tickets on the day of the party.

Birthday child or group receives a Molten Basketball signed by the Giants.

A Giants T-Shirt for each child.

Pizza meal following the coaching session.

Parties take place on match days before games. The price for a party is £350 for 10 children and 2 adults, additional children are £35 per head. You can purchase extra adult tickets for the match at £10 each.

A Manchester Giants Party is a perfect choice for a basketball fan however we didn't know anything about basketball before we visited and absolutely loved it so I would say it's a great party choice for all.

Michelle

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What To Expect At The New Look Inflata Nation, Manchester

What To Expect At The New Look Inflata Nation, Manchester

11 November 2019

31 comments

Disclosure - We were invited to Inflata Nation for the purpose of this post. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Last year we visited Inflata Nation in Manchester and little J loved it, he loved it so much that he has continued to ask when we could go back. Last week we finally managed to return and it was perfect as it has had a refurbishment and is bigger than before with dual level inflatables.

For those that have never been before Inflata Nation is an indoor inflatable arena so is perfect for lots of bouncing fun.

Little J couldn't wait to get bouncing as soon as we walked through the door. Upon arrival you need to complete a waiver form (if you haven't already done it when you booked online). You are given a coloured wristband to show staff that you have bought and paid for a one hour time slot. If you book two hours you will be given a second different coloured wristband. Once checked in you can remove your shoes and place them in a locker and then head for a safety brief.

As soon as that is complete you head to the inflatable arena ready for your session. There are so many features to choose from little J didn't know where to start.

The new arena has lots of super slides to choose from

Two lane slides with a jaw dropping 7m near vertical drop. This was little J's favourite thing. He went on it 25 times. He just wanted to go round and round and round again. He is such a daredevil and the look of excitement as he slid down with his arms crossed on his chest, made me giggle.

Next to the vertical drop slides are dual bumpy slides. Little J didn't quite fancy these but John had a turn and almost flipped upside down.

The incredible tipping slide looked fun so I encouraged John and little J to go on it. It will definitely test your balance and skills as the slide inflates and starts tipping you down.

Inflata Bubbles always makes me giggle as little J bounces from one to another.

Inflata Free fall is a new free fall activity for all thrill seekers. Take a jump off the 6m platform. You’ll be wearing a harness and clipped to a free fall device to help you land safely.

The new ball pit was another favourite of little J's.

There is also and Improved interactive obstacle course for trying out those challenging ninja style moves. Both John and little J tried this out and had lots of fun doing so.

Inflata Duel, the popular and hilarious gladiator podium is back however we were told it was reserved for a party only which was a shame. Little J was desperate to have a turn.

As well as the arena there is a downstairs cafe, party and viewing area plus an upstairs seating/viewing area too.

For more information you can visit Inflata Nation.

We really enjoyed our session and I would definitely recommend choosing a two hour bounce. It will give you time to take a break in between and have a drink as it does get hot in there.

If you found this post useful there are a few ways that you could say thanks and support Playdays and Runways.

Have you visited? Leave us a comment below and let us know about your visit.

Visit our Out and About Section for lots of travel posts

Like us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

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Share This Post With Friends Who May Also Find It Useful. 

Michelle

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