BBC Worldwide has today finally announced that the Doctor Who Experience will be opening its doors to the public in Cardiff on 20th July 2012!
The attraction, which launched in London last year, will now become a permanent fixture in Cardiff Bay, located right next to where the series is now being produced at Roath Lock studios. The head of Exhibitions and Events at BBC Worldwide, Paula Al-Lach, accepted the keys to the building this afternoon. The first exhibits are now being moved in.
“The Experience sets out to engage visitors’ imaginations from the outset, immersing them into the world of Doctor Who,” said Philip Murphy, Managing Director of BBC Worldwide Live Events. “Where better to do this than Cardiff, the home of the show.”
Cardiff Council’s head of economic development, Ken Poole, added: “Doctor Who is a global brand and has really helped to boost the profile of Cardiff. This attraction will bring millions of pounds to the economy. Benefits will be immense in terms of tourism.”
The Experience, which is expected to attract at least 250,000 people a year, features an interactive walk-through challenge, in which fans step aboard – and fly – a replica of the Eleventh Doctor’s TARDIS. The adventure culminates in an epic 3D showdown, before visitors journey into the exhibition, the most extensive collection of props and costumes.
The museum will be updated constantly with the very latest props from the series. The Doctor’s cradle from A Good Man Goes to War, his sonic cane from Let’s Kill Hitler, and more items being kept under wraps are to be showcased in Cardiff for the first time.
Tickets for the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff will go on sale at 10am on 14th June.
An exciting new chapter for Doctor Who has begun this month, as its new home at Roath Lock studios has officially opened in Cardiff!
The state-of-the-art BBC Wales drama village, located at the very heart of the city in Cardiff Bay, is where the series will be filmed from the autumn, alongside other flagship dramas, Casualty and Pobol y Cwm. By Christmas, the facility will have over 500 people working. Construction on the £2.5 million development began in June 2010.
The opening of Roath Lock also coincides with the forthcoming relocation of the Doctor Who Experience, which will become a permanent fixture in Cardiff Bay when it opens in the spring. Keith Jones, the Director of BBC Wales, has commented: “It’s very exciting that audiences will be able to come and enjoy the experience within a stone’s throw of where it is made… Locating the experience in Cardiff is a great development.”
A Doctor Who fan called Matt Smith (what are the chances?) proposed to his girlfriend at the Doctor Who Experience in London last night!
His long-standing partner, Stacie-Anne, had the shock of her life when he appeared from out of an exhibit wearing a bow tie and tweed jacket, and got down on one knee to pop the life-changing question.
The Doctor himself has sent his personal congratulations:
“Matt Smith proposing to his girlfriend! Being a Smith means that phone calls to the bank take so much longer. There are so many Smiths! But I bet none of them have proposed at the Doctor Who Experience! Amy and Rory would be proud. Next – babies in the TARDIS…? Congratulations to you both. Love, Matt.”
We would also like to say a a huge congratulations to the couple and wish them the best!
The Doctor Who Experience will be leaving London soon to relocate to Cardiff, and so a series of special activities has been planned for its final week. Read more about it here.
The Doctor Who Experience will soon be closing its doors at the Olympia in London, and, to go out with a bang, a host of additional activities has been planned for this month!
The Experience will open up for the last time on Wednesday 22nd February, ahead of its relocation to Cardiff later in the year, where it will become a permanent attraction.
Throughout half term week, visitors will be able to take part in a range of special events. See the schedule below!
Its latest additions include the Wooden King/Queen from last year’s Christmas Special.
Saturday 11th February Doctor Who choreographer Ailsa Berk who will be giving visitors a chance to perfect their monster moves with special lessons on how to walk like a Judoon/Cyberman.
Monday 13th February Millennium FX share their behind the scenes knowledge on the inspiration behind the show’s iconic characters, with live design and sculpt demonstrations.
Wednesday 15th February Come face to face with the Doctor’s terrifying adversaries, the Cybermen and Ood.
Thursday 16th February Doctor Who make up technicians will be ready to transform you into your choice of a Silurian, Cyberman, Clockwork Droid or Weeping Angel.
Friday 17th February Millennium FX will be taking part in drawing demonstrations.
The Doctor Who Experience will be hosting a special event to launch Elisabeth Sladen’s autobiography later this month.
On Saturday 26th November, the tribute will be held for the late actress, who passed away in April. In attendance will be her daughter, Sadie Miller, the Fourth Doctor, Tom Baker, and Doctor Who writer/producer, Terrance Dicks.
The launch event will be hosted by Ben Lawrence from TV Choice magazine.
The event is free for Doctor Who Experience ticket holders, but there’s a limited number of spaces available, so book in advance if you’d like to attend (book 12.30pm, 1pm or 2pm time slot, Saturday 26th November). The autobiography is out now, priced £18.99.
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
BBC News has reported that Cardiff police have called for a police officer to monitor the Doctor Who Experience when it relocates to the city in 2012.
South Wales Police predict that the attraction will have an estimated 3,500 visitors a day (250,000 a year), so have requested that it has its very own Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). However, the funding for it has been deemed unjustifiable, as the Experience will be fitted with its own security measures.
The Experience is currently in London and will move to Cardiff Bay in spring next year.
The team that brings us Doctor Who Adventures journeyed to the Doctor Who Experience in London on Friday to host a special day of behind the scenes masterclasses!
The workshops, led by the editor, Natalie Barnes, gave over 100 young fans an insight into publishing, cover design and the perfect free gift. Plus, comic artist John Ross, who has contributed illustrations for every single issue of DWA, was also on hand to share some tips. Sounds like it was a great day for all! Let us know if you attended!
Natalie Barnes has commented: “We had a lot of fun at the Doctor Who Experience on Friday. The workshop was a great opportunity for us to meet with fans and to show how we make DWA. We were impressed by their creativity. They’ll be after our jobs soon!”
The costume worn by Suranne Jones for her role of Idris in The Doctor’s Wife, plus the TARDIS set designed by Blue Peter viewer Susannah Leah, have recently been added to the exhibition, while next month the DWA team will be there for a day of special sessions and workshops, giving visitors the opportunity to see how the magazine is made, with insights from its editor, writers and illustrators.
When it finishes its current run at the London’s Olympia, the attraction will become a permanent fixture in the Welsh capital, with hopes that it “will draw fans from around the world” to the city. “Wales is the home of Doctor Who, so locating this fantastic experience in Cardiff Bay is a great development,” said the Director of BBC Wales, Keith Jones.
He continued: “The show will have moved to its new production home at Roath Lock Studios by this time next year. It’s very exciting that audiences will be able to come and enjoy the experience within a stone’s throw of where the magic is made.”
Philip Murphy, Managing Director for Live Events at BBC Worldwide, added: “The Doctor Who Experience opened to tremendous reviews. Having a long term home in Cardiff will enable us to develop it even further as the premier fan destination for Doctor Who.”
Rodney Berman, Leader of Cardiff Council, commented: “Cardiff is proud of being the home of Doctor Who which has undoubtedly helped raise the profile of the city. The Experience coming to Cardiff Bay is an exciting proposition and one that fans of the show are greatly looking forward to, with the added bonus of people being able to visit the Doctor Who Experience right next door to where the series is filmed.”
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...
The Doctor Who Experience have marked Friday the 13th by adding a new attraction to their collection!
The terrifying Silence seen in Series 6’s opening two-parter are now on show at the Experience at London’s Olympia 2, but before they joined the menagerie of monsters, they went for a casual walk around London to let the capital know about their arrival. How would you have reacted seeing one on your way to work? They’ve been contained now, so head down to… sorry, what were we talking about?
WhovianNet is an unofficial Doctor Who fansite. We are not endorsed by or affiliated with the BBC or any other companies connected with Doctor Who and its spin-offs. The official site can be found at bbc.co.uk/doctorwho.
