London/ Paris OYO time

[magickingdommommy]

I am very excited to be taking my first ABD trip this summer, and just had a few questions RE: OYO time.

I really wanted to see a show while in London but the rest of my family isn't as excited about the idea and since it is a bit $$ I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions.

And in Paris has anyone been able to squeeze a tour of the catacombs in your OYO time

Thanks

 

[sayhello]

What are you interested in and how many hours are you looking at? I'm doing a 10 day trip to London this year & have done tons of research.

Sayhello

 

[Carrie_Cat]

For the Catacombs waiting time to get in can be 3hrs or more especially in summer - people start queueing from first thing - If you really want to do it get there early so you aren't making the journey for nothing.

 

[BadPinkTink]

@magickingdommommy if you want to see a show in London but no one else does, the best and cheapest way is the TKTS kiosk in Leicester Square. Just like in Times Square in New York, this is a company which does discount tickets to the London shows. I used to live in London and this was what I used to do. Most of the tickets are for shows that day, ie you buy a ticket at 11am for a show at 7pm or 8pm that evening. They sometimes have tickets for the next day, depending on the show. Just like Broadway in New York, London has a huge range of shows, so just go for it

oh and Leicester Square is basically like Times Square in New York

 

[kristilew]

For the Catacombs waiting time to get in can be 3hrs or more especially in summer - people start queueing from first thing - If you really want to do it get there early so you aren't making the journey for nothing.

Thanks for this info! We are headed to Paris in two weeks and catacombs was on my list. None of the guide books mention the wait! Hmmm, we were planning to go after a morning at the Cluny, but perhaps we shall flip that.

 

[magickingdommommy]

Thanks for all your feedback...

Cheap tickets to the theater sound like a good plan, that way I won't feel too bad dragging everyone to a show.

In London, if we don't go to the theater I was thinking of The Medieval Banquet. Has anyone tried that? What did you think?

For the catacombs, the only time that we might be able to fit it in is on day 6 after Versailles. It is open 'till 8, so it might work. Are the catacombs something worth waiting hours to see?

 

[BadPinkTink]

In London, if we don't go to the theater I was thinking of The Medieval Banquet. Has anyone tried that? What did you think?

I haven't been to that, in fact had to Google it as I had never heard of it. Looking at the website it looks high standard but for me personally its not something I would go to in London. If your family enjoys that sort of thing, thats one thing, but to me these types of shows give a very fanciful stereotypical, showy fake view.

London has soo much better things for tourists than wasting money on a show like this, the adult prices are £50, children £30, thats nearly £200 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children!!

When my parents came to visit me I took them on this http://www.theoriginaltour.com/ They a few different routes which cover all the places I would consider as must see in London. Sometime you can also get a deal which includes a riverboat ride.
Map of the routes http://www.theoriginaltour.com/UserFiles/Original Tour Map.jpg

• Trafalgar Square
• Horse Guards Parade
• Downing Street
• Big Ben / Westminster/ Houses of Parliment
• The London Eye
• Piccadilly Circus
• Leicester Square
• Kensington Palace
• Harrods/Knightsbridge
• Hyde Park
• Royal Albert Hall
• Buckingham Palace/ Changing of The Guard
• Covent Garden
• St Pauls Cathedral
• London Bridge
• Tower Bridge
• Tower of London
• Oxford Street / Regent Street
• Shakespere Globe

 

[magickingdommommy]

Thanks BadPinkTink - that tour sounds like everything you need to see/visit while in London. I think several of those place are included with ABD. I guess what I am really looking for is an idea for night 2. We already have shopping and museums planned for the daytime.

What have other people done?

 

[im4kycats]

What date are you doing the ABD? We have a couple of pre days and are planning on the Sherlock museum, Warner Bros Studio, British Museum and still looking for another couple of options.

 

[GAN]

How about catching a play at the Globe, it's a great experience:

http://www.shakespearesglobe.com

Or if you're available on the first Tuesday of the month...

http://www.soane.org/your_visit/evening_opening/

So much to do, so little time....

 

[paddles]

With free time in Paris, I think there are 2 amazing museums to see instead of the catacombs: Musee D'Orsay for Impressionist work and Musee Rodin for sculptures.

 

[GAN]

With free time in Paris, I think there are 2 amazing museums to see instead of the catacombs: Musee D'Orsay for Impressionist work and Musee Rodin for sculptures.

I agree.

 

[Leenies]

Thanks for the Globe Theatre idea. This will be perfect for our 1st day free time. My daughter is thrilled with this. Depending on time, we hope to do the tour, see a matinee and perhaps afternoon tea at the bar next door. Appreciate it!

 

[GAN]

What date are you doing the ABD? We have a couple of pre days and are planning on the Sherlock museum, Warner Bros Studio, British Museum and still looking for another couple of options.

If you have any war history buffs(or not) -The Churchill War Rooms are really something to see.

 

[GAN]

Thanks for the Globe Theatre idea. This will be perfect for our 1st day free time. My daughter is thrilled with this. Depending on time, we hope to do the tour, see a matinee and perhaps afternoon tea at the bar next door. Appreciate it!

Your welcome! I have to say I really enjoyed it -we saw Julius Caesar which was really interesting, as they used the patrons in the standing area as part of the street scenes -so it was kind of rowdy/noisy during a few scenes which made it very realistic. The actors left it all on the stage -they were amazing!

 

[GAN]

Anyone interested in a cocktail in a "secret speakeasy"? Try to make it here...

http://www.themayorofscaredycattown.com

Hint: tell the hostess that you're there to see "The Mayor" -she will show you the way to their speakeasy

 

[kristilew]

Thanks for the Globe Theatre idea. This will be perfect for our 1st day free time. My daughter is thrilled with this. Depending on time, we hope to do the tour, see a matinee and perhaps afternoon tea at the bar next door. Appreciate it!

My DD and I toured the Globe a couple of years ago - it was great! We didn't get to see a play, but spent several happy hours there anyway. There is a quay right in front of that where you can catch one of the river boats after. Even if you just get off after a few minutes, it's a fun little bit of London.

imforkycats - if you're into Sherlock, and the exhibit will still be there, there is a lovely special exhibit at the Museum of London about Arthur Conan Doyle's London, and much about Sherlock Holmes. Benedict C's coat from the tv show is there, along with many props from all in incarnations of SH. You need timed entry tickets, which you can get online and print at home.

 

[sayhello]

imforkycats - if you're into Sherlock, and the exhibit will still be there, there is a lovely special exhibit at the Museum of London about Arthur Conan Doyle's London, and much about Sherlock Holmes. Benedict C's coat from the tv show is there, along with many props from all in incarnations of SH. You need timed entry tickets, which you can get online and print at home.

Darn it, this sounded just up my alley, but I looked into it, and the exhibit ended April 12, 2015.

Sayhello

 

[im4kycats]

I think I'm going to need another trip to London. LOL There is far too much I want to do! We, essentially, have three days before our ADB starts - arrive at 6:20 am on Wed and the welcome is Friday evening. I may have too much planned.

 

[kristilew]

Darn it, this sounded just up my alley, but I looked into it, and the exhibit ended April 12, 2015.

Sayhello

oops! I should have checked before suggesting it! The museum itself is worth a visit, especially for a first-timer to London. It traces the history of the area from early stone age through modern times, in an easy-to-follow spiral through the building.