On the ninth of September 2017, my
daughter and I had the opportunity to visit the Doctor Who Experience in
Cardiff, Wales. For those “Who” are unaware of what that is, it’s an
interactive exhibition that showcases Doctor Who with various costumes and
props from the show. It starts off with a short film starring Peter Capaldi,
recorded specifically for the Experience. A guide takes you through a 30
minute(ish) adventure following the Doctor’s instructions and takes you to the
Tardis console and other sets including awaking Daleks. Your goal, obviously,
save the planet and save the Tardis. Once the day is saved, a door opens to the
museum and you are free to roam and look at the costumes, props, etc. from
various series of the show. You were able to see costumes and props from just
about every Doctor, companion, & villain. There is also (as there is
always) a gift shop (You have a little shop. I love a little shop. ) that
offers a variety of Doctor Who souvenirs you can purchase. Since the day my
daughter and I attended was the last day it was open, souvenirs were slim
pickings. I was able to buy an official companion guide (Program) and an
autographed print of Camille Coduri (aka Jackie Tyler).
There were also a multitude of costumed people walking around the
inside as well of outside of the Experience, which made it even more
interactive. It was really cool to see live Cybermen, Whisper Men, and even one
of Mrs. Rossiter’s Peg Dolls (And it was actually Nathalie Cuzner in the
costume) walking around the exhibit. Since the last day was sold out, the
Experience asked to limit your time within to only 2.5 hours. So my daughter
and I made sure we had seen everything in triplicate. A friend of
mine (who actually bought our tickets to the DWE) messaged me saying that there
was someone I had to meet before I left. Well we were already downstairs. He
told me I had to meet Jamie Hill. I knew that Jamie played the Foretold in
the Doctor Who episode Mummy on the Orient Express, and the
Monk in Extremis, The Pyramid at the End of the World and The Lie of the Land.
Well to my surprise Jamie was also a manager at the Experience. I asked the guy
in the gift shop if Jamie was around. He told me he should be right inside the
exhibit. I told him I couldn’t go back in because of the no in and out policy.
I also told him where we hailed from. He was really shocked and excited that we
traveled all the way from Texas. He said follow me. And he proceeded to take me
back in the exhibit to Jamie. Jamie was actually giving an interview with
Christel Dee for the Doctor Who Fan Show. So I waited until he was through and
the guy introduced me to Jamie and told him where I was from. We spoke for a
couple minutes. I didn’t want to take up too much of his time as technically he
was working. But he was a really cool guy. He took a couple photos with me and
signed a photo for me with no problem.
So I headed back downstairs to my daughter and we stopped and had
a snack in The Blue Box Café’ downstairs. I had seen Christel in the lobby downstairs.
We chatted for a couple minutes (just an extremely nice person) and we took a
couple photos together. As my daughter and I were sitting there my friend Tom
had messaged me saying that he just had seen on tv that Nick Briggs was inside
doing an interview. Nick does the voice of the Daleks. Well unfortunately as I
said before the Experience is a no in and out policy. So I couldn’t go back in
and get him. But…I could go back into the gift shop which happens to be where
the exit is. Lol. My daughter and I went back to the shop and not two minutes
later he came out. I got his attention and he signed a photo for me as well and
took a photo with me. I told him where we came from and he asked if any of my
family were affected by Hurricane Harvey and he expressed deep concern for
Texas. We spoke for about five minutes and he was on his way. And so was my
daughter and I. We went outside to take a walk around Cardiff
Bay to see some of the filming locations of Doctor Who. Before we left, we
kept hearing that there was going to be a big sendoff of the Experience. Actors
and actresses and writers and directors who frequently visited the Experience
would be making an appearance. Just a few that were rumored was Peter Capaldi,
Pearl Mackie, and the hilarious Matt Lucas. It was going to have a proper
farewell. So we waited and waited and waited. After the last tour went in, they
had everyone make their way outside and they locked the doors. Everyone hung
around outside expecting something to happen or someone to show up. But alas
nothing happened. The crowd kept getting smaller and smaller. Finally we
decided to leave and take in the sites and grab a bite to eat.
This was just an all-around great Experience. From the
actual Doctor Who Experience to the BBC Studios across the street to the sights
and everything. But I am glad I was able to spend the time and share the
“experience” with my awesome daughter Sydnie. And though it’s been some time now since we’ve been there, it still seems like yesterday. And I’m sure
the memories will stay like that forever.
