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Legoland Discovery Centre - the trafford centre
Adam James
TS Contributor
Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester
The centre has only just had an expansion on the first floor with a new ride, so I doubt there'll be anything major for a while.
I was surprised however, as it was space I didn't know was there until it was opened up. However, the addition of the driving school is definitely a positive one in my eyes as it creates a new route through the latter end of the centre, and makes it alot less claustrophobic and squashed. The driving school is also particularly well themed for what it is.
In terms of further expansion, the only place I can think of would be to expand the ground floor level in what is currently rented retail space. Saying that, a Sealife centre is due to open directly opposite the LDC in the next few years, so it depends what budget Merlin Entertainments have to play with.
The centre has only just had an expansion on the first floor with a new ride, so I doubt there'll be anything major for a while.
I was surprised however, as it was space I didn't know was there until it was opened up. However, the addition of the driving school is definitely a positive one in my eyes as it creates a new route through the latter end of the centre, and makes it alot less claustrophobic and squashed. The driving school is also particularly well themed for what it is.
In terms of further expansion, the only place I can think of would be to expand the ground floor level in what is currently rented retail space. Saying that, a Sealife centre is due to open directly opposite the LDC in the next few years, so it depends what budget Merlin Entertainments have to play with.
BigAl
TS Member
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
On the way back from the Trafford Centre today I looked at the empty plot of land not far along Barton Dock road (heading south east). It has been a bit of a dump for a good few years since the building that stood on the site was pulled down, so I wondered if Merlin could perhaps develop it into some sort of miniature Legoland attraction, or a miniature theme park style area? It's highly unlikely and I've no idea if they'd even be allowed to. It'd also probably cost quite a bit and it's probably too ambitious, but the transport links are all there and there's more than enough parking to support another attraction opening in the area.
The area I'm talking about is here. It's right next to the building that used to be Museum of Museums (or the Argos warehouse before that). There's space for another small car park and then a small entrance that could open up into a small themed land with a few attractions. Or, alternatively, Merlin could build their Sealife aquarium there?
It's just an idea though. It seems like a shame for such a large plot of land to be left in such a busy area. Merlin could really transform Trafford with their attractions and there's certainly enough people that visit the area with the disposable income that could potentially be being used at more of their attractions. If they opened the Sealife opposite the Discovery Centre and something on the site above, they could even sell multi-attraction tickets like they do in London and Blackpool.
On the way back from the Trafford Centre today I looked at the empty plot of land not far along Barton Dock road (heading south east). It has been a bit of a dump for a good few years since the building that stood on the site was pulled down, so I wondered if Merlin could perhaps develop it into some sort of miniature Legoland attraction, or a miniature theme park style area? It's highly unlikely and I've no idea if they'd even be allowed to. It'd also probably cost quite a bit and it's probably too ambitious, but the transport links are all there and there's more than enough parking to support another attraction opening in the area.
The area I'm talking about is here. It's right next to the building that used to be Museum of Museums (or the Argos warehouse before that). There's space for another small car park and then a small entrance that could open up into a small themed land with a few attractions. Or, alternatively, Merlin could build their Sealife aquarium there?
It's just an idea though. It seems like a shame for such a large plot of land to be left in such a busy area. Merlin could really transform Trafford with their attractions and there's certainly enough people that visit the area with the disposable income that could potentially be being used at more of their attractions. If they opened the Sealife opposite the Discovery Centre and something on the site above, they could even sell multi-attraction tickets like they do in London and Blackpool.
Ben
TS Founding Member
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
I think ive read before there is alot of underused space in the existing centre.
I think perhaps this was a controlled trial and now with the sea life being added, it could be something we see rolling out to more shopping centres and similar.
I think ive read before there is alot of underused space in the existing centre.
I think perhaps this was a controlled trial and now with the sea life being added, it could be something we see rolling out to more shopping centres and similar.
Andrew
TS Contributor
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
Are Merlin trying to make the North West their strong point or something?
I'm not complaining though, as it's another place that I can visit with a MAP, 12 months of fun for less!
The discovery centre looks very good, but out of my many trips to the Trafford Centre, I've never been...
One day...
Are Merlin trying to make the North West their strong point or something?
I'm not complaining though, as it's another place that I can visit with a MAP, 12 months of fun for less!
The discovery centre looks very good, but out of my many trips to the Trafford Centre, I've never been...
One day...
BigAl
TS Member
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
It's okay. I wouldn't pay to get in, but it's not the sort of attraction that's designed to appeal to me. We've been a couple of times with our MAP's but I don't feel the need to go back just yet. A Sealife will be great though, although I'd still rather see that money put into the parks.
It's okay. I wouldn't pay to get in, but it's not the sort of attraction that's designed to appeal to me. We've been a couple of times with our MAP's but I don't feel the need to go back just yet. A Sealife will be great though, although I'd still rather see that money put into the parks.
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
What I can say is that LDCM is aimed to younger kids. Visited just before New Year Eve and really enjoyed, kids were really happy to play there. There is a few rides - basic one - like laser ride, carousel , electric cars 4d cinema and plenty of lego bricks! It was quite hard to get them home
Very short video tour I did
Visit Legoland Discovery Centre - Manchester - Virtual Tour HD
What I can say is that LDCM is aimed to younger kids. Visited just before New Year Eve and really enjoyed, kids were really happy to play there. There is a few rides - basic one - like laser ride, carousel , electric cars 4d cinema and plenty of lego bricks! It was quite hard to get them home
Very short video tour I did
Visit Legoland Discovery Centre - Manchester - Virtual Tour HD
Craig
TS Administrator
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
The SEALIFE Centre is going just a little further up in Barton Square from where LDC is at the moment (facing the entrance its further up to the right). I don't think we'll see anything too spectacular in terms of leisure attractions from that space you mentioned BigAl, at least not without a massive investment in some decent transport links. As lenient as I feel the council have been with the Trafford Centre in the past, it's simply not sustainable for them to add more large scale attractions at present due to the strain it puts on the M60 at busy period as it is.
I too spotted that piece of land though, although I think it's more likely being redeveloped as part of the work they're doing on Eventcity rather than anything else (I love those new lights!). I have a feeling they're wanting additional car parking closer to the venue in order to bid for some concerts.
BigAl said:
The SEALIFE Centre is going just a little further up in Barton Square from where LDC is at the moment (facing the entrance its further up to the right). I don't think we'll see anything too spectacular in terms of leisure attractions from that space you mentioned BigAl, at least not without a massive investment in some decent transport links. As lenient as I feel the council have been with the Trafford Centre in the past, it's simply not sustainable for them to add more large scale attractions at present due to the strain it puts on the M60 at busy period as it is.
I too spotted that piece of land though, although I think it's more likely being redeveloped as part of the work they're doing on Eventcity rather than anything else (I love those new lights!). I have a feeling they're wanting additional car parking closer to the venue in order to bid for some concerts.
BigAl
TS Member
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
I was kind of hoping that they'd pull the Event City area down as well as we hardly ever see anyone in there! I feel that using the area for events isn't the best idea anyway as most major events are held in the city centre.
It'd certainly create a sizeable plot when you combine it with the other area we've already talked about, but yes, traffic in the area is bad enough so that would need sorting before anything else. If the they could extend the tram lines out to the Trafford Centre then that would make a good start.
Besides something like a smaller Legoland, something like a water park might be a better idea?
Edit: Just found a map of what Manchester want to do with the metro by...... 2030!
There's also a tiny bit of information on the proposed Trafford Centre metrolink station on Wikipedia.
Craig said:
I was kind of hoping that they'd pull the Event City area down as well as we hardly ever see anyone in there!
I feel that using the area for events isn't the best idea anyway as most major events are held in the city centre.It'd certainly create a sizeable plot when you combine it with the other area we've already talked about, but yes, traffic in the area is bad enough so that would need sorting before anything else. If the they could extend the tram lines out to the Trafford Centre then that would make a good start.
Besides something like a smaller Legoland, something like a water park might be a better idea?
Edit: Just found a map of what Manchester want to do with the metro by...... 2030!
There's also a tiny bit of information on the proposed Trafford Centre metrolink station on Wikipedia.
Jordan
TS Contributor
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
I think an extension of the Metrolink to the Trafford Centre would be fantastic, especially in busy periods. Right now, the X50 bus service from Manchester City Centre is fast at the best of times, but just falls over whenever the traffic gets bad.
It could also open up some potential for park-and-ride schemes a little bit further away, which could free up traffic around the area at peak times.
I think an extension of the Metrolink to the Trafford Centre would be fantastic, especially in busy periods. Right now, the X50 bus service from Manchester City Centre is fast at the best of times, but just falls over whenever the traffic gets bad.
It could also open up some potential for park-and-ride schemes a little bit further away, which could free up traffic around the area at peak times.
BigAl
TS Member
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
Exactly, Jordan! There's quite a lot of land all around the Trafford Centre that could be used in some way and making some of the visitors park further away but bringing them across on a tram to the shopping centre would really help to clear some of the traffic.
This area might be somewhere good for them to build extra parking:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.466923,-2.366438&spn=0.004337,0.013078&t=h&z=17
There's also this sizeable plot of land here that could be turned into something great to go alongside the indoor ski slope and indoor sky diving attractions:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.471547,-2.354829&spn=0.008621,0.026157&t=h&z=16
I wonder how this could be used in the future?
Just think, the more available at the Trafford Centre and the better connections, the easier it will be for greater numbers of people to get to the two Merlin attractions here.
Exactly, Jordan! There's quite a lot of land all around the Trafford Centre that could be used in some way and making some of the visitors park further away but bringing them across on a tram to the shopping centre would really help to clear some of the traffic.
This area might be somewhere good for them to build extra parking:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.466923,-2.366438&spn=0.004337,0.013078&t=h&z=17
There's also this sizeable plot of land here that could be turned into something great to go alongside the indoor ski slope and indoor sky diving attractions:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=53.471547,-2.354829&spn=0.008621,0.026157&t=h&z=16
I wonder how this could be used in the future?
Just think, the more available at the Trafford Centre and the better connections, the easier it will be for greater numbers of people to get to the two Merlin attractions here.
Rollercoasters4Life
TS Member
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
Didn't want to start a new topic for my question and seeing as there was already one I thought I might as well ask my question in here.
Is the Legoland Discovery Centre worth visiting as two 20 something adults? Going the Trafford Centre on Saturday and have bought Merlin Annual passes for the first time (usually just get Alton Towers Annual Passes) and was just wondering if there is much to view or is it mainly activities for small children? Thought while we are there, we might as well go there and Sealife centre to make use of our passes.
Out of interest, how do you get to them? Am I right in thinking it is a separate building from the main Trafford Centre building which is connected somehow?
Didn't want to start a new topic for my question and seeing as there was already one I thought I might as well ask my question in here.
Is the Legoland Discovery Centre worth visiting as two 20 something adults? Going the Trafford Centre on Saturday and have bought Merlin Annual passes for the first time (usually just get Alton Towers Annual Passes) and was just wondering if there is much to view or is it mainly activities for small children? Thought while we are there, we might as well go there and Sealife centre to make use of our passes.
Out of interest, how do you get to them? Am I right in thinking it is a separate building from the main Trafford Centre building which is connected somehow?
djtruefitt
TS Team
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
It could do with some kind of more major ride, however they don't really have any room left in the current building (I don't think?), so maybe building a ride that goes outside would be good, It doesn't have to be the dragon, it could be any kind of coasted themed to what ever Lego phase is on at the time.
It could do with some kind of more major ride, however they don't really have any room left in the current building (I don't think?), so maybe building a ride that goes outside would be good, It doesn't have to be the dragon, it could be any kind of coasted themed to what ever Lego phase is on at the time.
BigAl
TS Member
Re: Legoland discovery- the trafford centre
It would be nice to see more attractions at the Trafford Centre (Merlin owned or from someone else).
A coaster at the Legoland Discovery Centre like that one would probably not be possible due to the fact that the Trafford Centre a) needs that road for delivery trucks and other staff vehicles and b) the building to house such an attraction would have to conform to the rest of the building's aesthetic, otherwise it would probably be laughed at by the owners of the Trafford Centre, I'm afraid (not to mention the fact that it'd be sandwiched between two car parks).
It's a shame that the 'Event City' convention centre (a.k.a an ugly, empty metal box) has to be next to Barton Square as that space would be perfect for an amusement area (it's not as if Event City is needed when conventions can be held in the city centre, just as they always have done). American malls have their own amusement parks (mostly indoors), so it'd be interesting if we received something similar here in the UK.
It would be nice to see more attractions at the Trafford Centre (Merlin owned or from someone else).
A coaster at the Legoland Discovery Centre like that one would probably not be possible due to the fact that the Trafford Centre a) needs that road for delivery trucks and other staff vehicles and b) the building to house such an attraction would have to conform to the rest of the building's aesthetic, otherwise it would probably be laughed at by the owners of the Trafford Centre, I'm afraid (not to mention the fact that it'd be sandwiched between two car parks).
It's a shame that the 'Event City' convention centre (a.k.a an ugly, empty metal box) has to be next to Barton Square as that space would be perfect for an amusement area (it's not as if Event City is needed when conventions can be held in the city centre, just as they always have done). American malls have their own amusement parks (mostly indoors), so it'd be interesting if we received something similar here in the UK.