Back in 2013, TPG were invited to take a full tour of the newly opened London Dungeon building. This gave us the chance to explore everything from the entrance plaza and themed toilets to every room within the attraction.

During our visit, we learned a few interesting facts about the new building:

• The building features eight different flooring styles
• The lift can hold up to 140 people
• The boat ride was completely new for the relocated attraction
• Every scene received new theming
• Many of the special effects use air systems
• The shop became twice as large, with more merchandise than ever before

Descent

The experience begins with a short introduction from one of the Dungeon’s characters, who explains the rules, including no cameras and making sure mobile phones are turned off.

After the introduction, the machinery behind him bursts into life and the gatekeeper begins to sing “a song that will get on your nerves”. Guests are then led into the lift, where two ropes are placed in front of the group. Pulling them too hard or too softly could decide your fate.

Before the lift begins its descent, the lift operator warns that there is too much weight and too many traitors, before declaring that everyone is going to die. The scene builds tension well, with a perfectly timed pause before the lift doors finally open.

Henry’s Wrath Boat Ride

Henry’s Wrath is the new boat ride, featuring special effects, falling rum barrels and the voice of Brian Blessed as Henry VIII.

Unlike the old boat ride, this version features a unique lift hill, which is especially effective in complete darkness. The ride begins in the station before moving into a small show scene, followed by tumbling barrels and a few words from Henry VIII himself.

During our behind the scenes tour and main ride experience, some of the effects were unfortunately not working due to technical issues, so this part of our review is slightly more limited than we would have liked.

The City Gate

After escaping Henry’s wrath, guests meet the city gong farmer, who teaches the group a few defensive tricks to keep unwanted visitors away.

This scene uses smoke effects, audience participation and several simple but effective gags. Unlike some of the more story driven rooms, this scene works well as a lighter transition, meaning guests can enter part way through and still understand what is happening.

During the show, the gong farmer throws “poo” over the wall towards the audience, while smoke rings are fired from the cannons. Arrows also appear to shoot through the castle wall, helped by strong sound effects and other special effects.

Conspirators Walk

Conspirators Walk places guests in the middle of the Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot.

One member of the group is selected and handed a letter, which the King already knows about but the rest of the group does not. This becomes important in the next scene.

As police are heard in the distance, everyone is told to run and hide, leading guests into the Guy Fawkes scene.

Guy Fawkes

Inside the Guy Fawkes room, guests meet a guard from the Houses of Parliament, wearing steel plated armour. He explains more about Guy Fawkes, what he tried to do and where his plan went wrong.

Guy Fawkes’s head is mounted on a spike in the background, but later becomes part of the show. The guard asks who was carrying the letter, which leads to one unlucky guest being named and shamed.

The head of Guy Fawkes then suddenly comes to life, with the guard pretending not to know who he is. The scene builds towards the famous gunpowder plot, with the fuse beginning to burn a little too well. As it reaches the barrel, the lights go out, smoke fills the room, air cannons fire and the floor begins to shake.

Once the lights return, guests are quickly moved out of the room and into the Torturer’s lair.

The Torturer

The Torturer is back, and this version of the scene features more cages, more brutal looking torture devices and some familiar returning props, including the tongue tearer and the infamous hook.

New torture devices include the pear and the knuckle crusher, with the show relying heavily on audience participation. Guests are placed in cages or picked to sit in the chair, making this one of the more nerve wracking scenes if you do not want to be chosen.

Special effects are used throughout, including rattling chains and sudden seat movements, helping to make the scene feel more intense.

Plague House

“Bring out your dead!”

This short walkthrough scene helps set the tone for the plague section of the attraction. Dirty laundry hangs above the alley, while guests walk across creaking floorboards and pass a man being sick into a bucket.

There is also a plague collector waiting at the start of the walkthrough, along with atmospheric smells and small details that help bring the scene to life.

Coughin’ Coffin

Coughin’ Coffin was a new addition to the Dungeon line up and features two people hiding in coffins, with another character trying to break out while avoiding the plague.

The scene begins with a pre show video, where one character asks if it is safe to wake up yet, only to be told that it is not. Towards the end of the scene, the door opens to reveal an actor, ready to process the next victim.

The scene uses dummy heads with projected faces, an effect often seen across The Dungeons attractions.

Plague Doctor

The famous Plague Doctor scene returns, this time with a larger doctor’s surgery and seated effects.

The old plague room was smaller and mostly had guests standing, with fewer special effects. This newer version gives everyone a seat, with effects built into the benches to make the experience more interactive.

The scene teaches guests about some of the rather unpleasant medical practices of the time. Effects include leeches, back lighting and a large hammer gag, which creates a messy and memorable moment.

One downside is that guests sitting towards the lower right hand side may struggle to see some of the effects clearly, including the blood effect and part of the lighting.

Bazalgette’s Sewer

Bazalgette’s Sewer takes guests deep underground into London’s old sewer system.

This scene features a revolving tunnel, but with a Dungeon twist. As guests walk across the bridge, the tunnel spins around them while rats appear overhead. Leg ticklers along the sides of the bridge are also used to catch guests off guard.

Mrs Lovett’s Pie Shop

Mrs Lovett’s Pie Shop returns, complete with the distinct smell of pies filling the room.

Compared with the previous version, this new pie shop is much larger and allows more room for effects and actor interaction. During the show, hatches open and bodies appear from unexpected places.

It is a darkly funny scene, with Mrs Lovett offering her special pies and plenty of gruesome jokes along the way.

Sweeney Todd

Sweeney Todd is back, and the classic barber chairs have been given a makeover.

The chairs now include new air cannons, improved speakers and back pokers to make guests jump even more. Unlike the older version, which relied mostly on sound and sudden scares, this version can also include an actor in the room at certain points.

The result is a stronger and more physical version of the scene.

Jack The Ripper

Jack the Ripper returns to the streets of Whitechapel with a larger set and more realistic sound effects.

Police sounds play throughout the scene, while the actor takes on the role of a street girl who has a customer waiting nearby. The atmosphere is much stronger than before, with the larger room giving the scene more space to build tension.

The advice for guests, especially the women in the group, is simple. Mind your necks.

Whitechapel Labyrinth

The mirror maze also returns, although this version is shorter than the previous one.

There are fewer loops around the route, but the scene still works as a holding area before guests enter the Ten Bells Pub. It gives the next room time to reset while keeping guests disorientated and on edge.

Ten Bells Pub

The Ten Bells Pub returns with a larger room, allowing bigger groups and more action during the show.

Previously, Jack would appear once with a strobe light. In this version, he appears twice, using sound, wind and lighting effects to create a stronger scare. The moving lamp also makes a return, adding to the classic pub atmosphere.

Tables and chairs are now part of the set, although their long term survival may depend on how guests behave around them. The sound design is excellent, with surround sound helping voices and effects feel as though they are coming from different directions around the room.

Courtroom Judge

The Courtroom scene was still undergoing some final changes during our visit.

The Dungeon team were unsure whether the models positioned on either side of the judge would remain in place, as they were not fully active and did not quite look right at the time.

The room itself is just as large as the old version, but now includes a microphone for the judge, making the dialogue easier to hear. There are also new sound effects and a proper platform for guests who are selected to stand trial.

Newgate Gallows

Before the final ride, guests meet another character who explains how prisoners were once executed at Newgate Prison.

As expected with The London Dungeon, someone from the group is usually picked on and told to stand in a very specific spot, allowing a water effect to be used for maximum impact.

It is a short but fun scene that builds nicely towards the finale.

Drop Dead

Drop Dead is the new drop tower ride, taking guests on a sudden plunge into hell and back.

Unlike the old London Dungeon, this version loads from the top before dropping riders three storeys down. As guests fall, they pass hanging bodies on the wall, with air cannons firing directly into their faces.

Another difference from the old Tooley Street ride is that this version drops guests once, lifts them back up and then drops them again, giving the finale an extra shock before the experience comes to an end.