London Imax Cinema (South Bank)

[BUTTERBALL]

It's supposed to have the UK's biggest cinema screen and an 11,600 watt sound system (and also all films shown in 3D). They show short 45 min films with things like undersea and space themes. I'm thinking of taking my boy on Friday as it's his 6th birthday and wonder if anyone on here has ever been there and if it's as good as it sounds?

Have already booked the London Eye so can't wait - i'm more excited than him!

 

[clapham_gull]

All I know is that the place is built on special rubber shock absorbers, to absorb vibrations from the roads outside.

While you'll down there I would recommend the London Aquarium down the road - Magnificent.

 

[Gully]

Went to an Imax cinema at Cape Kennedy some years ago, the film was about Earth and shot mainly from space, it was so good it felt like you were actually there.

 

[BUTTERBALL]

While you'll down there I would recommend the London Aquarium down the road - Magnificent.

Cheers for that. I was thinking of going to the science museum but really want to stay on the South Bank so the aquarium is added to the list!

 

[The Great Cornholio]

I went there a couple of years ago and saw a film about the Space Station. Very impressive and as big as it sounds. But, IMHO, if you have seen one IMAX, you have seen them all. The one at the Science Museum is just as good. Plus you get to see all the other goodies. Avoid the simulator ride though as it is pants.

I had to work a few weeks of evenings in London a couple of years ago and did everything touristy. I particulary enjoyed the tour of BBC Centre, Tate Modern and the Transport Museum. The British Museum.

I know they will bore your 6 year old rigid but useful advice for any other tourists.

 

[clapham_gull]

Aquarium: Not to be missed...

There's a massive shark tank inside, and a pool where the kids can stroke the fish.

 

[Juan Albion]

I went there a couple of years ago and saw a film about the Space Station. Very impressive and as big as it sounds. But, IMHO, if you have seen one IMAX, you have seen them all.

Can't agree with that. That's like saying once you've seen one TV program, you've seen them all. Seen quite a few IMAX movies and they are very different. Saw one on dolphins that swam along with them, another on special effects, another on volcanoes, another on Africa,etc. Best was perhaps the one filmed on the wreck of the Titanic made by James Cameron. The storylines for some of the others were totally naff, but that doesn't really matter.

There are several different formats of IMAX, too, using different size screens - the bigger the better. You need to make sure you get good seats, though. I saw the one at the Space Centre twice. The first time I had great seats, nice and central, and it was wonderful. The second time I was last in and had terrible seats in the corner of the bottom row, and it was far less impressive.

IMAX is a great Canadian company. I think they are about to sell to someone else, though.

 

[London Calling]

Cheers for that. I was thinking of going to the science museum but really want to stay on the South Bank so the aquarium is added to the list!

Science museum also has a IMAX! If you go to their site it tells you what is on, the films change thru the day and i think change on different days.

If you walk 5 mins on from the wheel, you will get great views of big Ben, Westminster Palace. You could also go up tp Whitehall from there.

Next to the wheel, is a kids playground.

 

[Brixtaan]

Went to an Imax cinema at Cape Kennedy some years ago, the film was about Earth and shot mainly from space, it was so good it felt like you were actually there.

Where? Earth?

 

[GNF on Tour]

go - its really good.

 

[Cian]

IMAX is a great Canadian company. I think they are about to sell to someone else, though.

That would explain the average excitment level of the average IMAX movie, then

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Where? Earth?

I went to an IMAX in Sydney and ended up in a canoe up the Amazon (If you know what I mean).

IMAX rocks!

 

[Lush]

A Xmas tradition at ours is to take the kids to see Santa vs The Snowman in 3D. Been to the IMAX at Waterloo and at the Science Museum - both are great.Make sure you take a photo of your boy in the big 3D glasses!

A London Eye/IMAX/Aquarium experience will be a brilliant but quite expensive day though.

The Science Museum is free (you just have to pay for the IMAX cinema) - and when your lad gets bored of looking at planes trains and automobiles there's a great kids area down in the basement with lots of hands-on exhibits and messy stuff. The Natural History Museum next door (dinosaurs!) is also free.

Have a great day.

 

[Bwian]

That would explain the average excitment level of the average IMAX movie, then

Says he from the land of Val Doonican, The Batchelors and Dana

 

[Cian]

Says he from the land of Val Doonican, The Batchelors and Dana

And Wee Daniel O'Donnell! How could you forget Wee Daniel!

Dana's actually from the UK, but thats another matter...

 

[Juan Albion]

That would explain the average excitment level of the average IMAX movie, then

Trust an Irishman to think IMAX movies are about excitement. Perhaps you should stick to Rambo.