Having been a massive fan of The Crystal Maze since childhood, I was thrilled that I finally got the chance to go with my mates to Manchester for the experience. The Medieval, Industrial, Aztec and Futuristic Zones are all great recreations of the original realms on TV, with the physical, skill, mental and mystery games all being challenging and great fun.
Like the original series, you go around the entire experience in teams (in our case, it was 6), trying to win crystals and win time for The Crystal Dome at the end. Each game along the way has an average time of two minutes to complete, and there are occasional automatic lock-ins. However, if a team member gets locked in, you immediately forfeit a Crystal. No one gets left behind.
The staff were all really friendly and professional, and before the game got underway, they consulted with all of us about any health issue/conditions (which I really appreciated given my epilepsy). The experience was made even more rewarding knowing that valued health & safety and accommodated accordingly. A big shout-out as well to our guide, Dingo Dave! He was a great character and the perfect host for our experience!
Finally, there’s a great cafe there, and some good souvenirs (like crystals) and photos to purchase as well afterwards. Overall, The Crystal Maze Experience in Manchester was a fantastic day out and vital for both fans of the TV show and those just looking for a fun activity! Thank you very much! Would love to come back again!