AndSoWeSaw // Elf: A Christmas Spectacular


Never before have I headed to Resorts World to kick off our Christmas holidays. But on Friday the boy and I went running out the school gates and straight onto the train to go and see our favourite festive film live on stage. Bring on Elf!


Whether you love the film or not, there is no denying it is all about the Christmas feels and it was translated onto the big stage with the biggest tinsel money can buy (quite literally).

Buddy (played by Tam Ryan) is, of course, the star of the show and we all fall in love with the silliness of it all as he goes on his journey to find his family. With the addition of some great show tunes (my personal favourite was Nobody Cares About Santa), it was a show for all the family to enjoy.

Jovie was played by Martine McCutcheon and David Essex in the role of Walter Hobbs my boys most favourite person to see was Jennie Dale (aka Captain Captain from Cbeebies Swashbuckle), with the ensemble rounded out with local theatre students from the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (which reminded me of a youth spent as a panto babe back in the 80s!)

This is the first time I’ve seen a stage show on such an epic scale and no matter what way you looked there was something to see including a tightrope walker and some wonderful aerial acrobatics with Santa’s sleigh being the star of the show in terms of bringing a touch of magic to the arena.

With an overall running time of 2 ½ hours (including interval) the show was a little too long for my boy (he was over tired and over stimulated by the time the final song was sung), and so whilst it was a great festive adventure for the grown-ups, I would recommend you leave the little little ones at home for this one.

Elf: A Christmas Spectacular is on until December 24th and so plenty of time to get into the festive spirit.

Resorts World Arena kindly invited us along to watch the show in exchange for our review. As ever opinions our ours

AndSoWeWent // Budapest: The Short Version

Young boy holding the Budapest travel card

Here is a super quick guide of places to explore when in Budapest. For the longer version click HERE

Eat:



Hot chocolate from New York cafe, Langos from a street vendor and Risotto from Budapest Makery
There is no shortage of good eats across the city and for all budgets

Market BDPST – burgers, tacos, beer. Affordable and fresh fast food

Lángos - a deep-fried dough with sour cream and cheese: totally delicious, rather plentiful and a bargain of €5

Budapest Makery* – Think of Hello Fresh Live and you’ve got yourself a couple of hours of fun and fab food!

SuWu coffee – Speciality coffees and a great selection of cakes and treats (also open late as an added bonus)

Cirkusz – If you love a good brunch and coffee spot this is the place. The price point is spot on


Hummus Bar – exactly what it says on the tin. Budget friendly, fresh and plentiful 

Sleep:

a small apartment with a double bed, sofa bed and small kitchenette
Our accommodation in central Budapest

Budapest Holidays Harmony Apartments are slap bang in the centre of the city, we had a 3 person apartment (1 double bed, a double sofa bed bathroom and small kitchen) for 3 nights and cost £150

See:




Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the stunning church of St. Matthias

Jewish Quarter – bars, food, street art galore.

Walking Tours – Free and different routes around the city every day of the week


Thermal Baths – Pack your costume and head to one of the many baths in the city. 

Repeat:

Budapest Info** – Travel cards available for 24,48,72 hours and let you use all public transport (with the exception of the airport shuttle). Also gains you access to a large number of attractions including the thermal baths.

Fisherman’s Bastion and the church of St. Matthias - Go back in the evening for a completely different experience (a lot quieter and the views are just stunning)


Young boy holding the Budapest travel card


Budapest is a fabulous and vibrant city to explore as a family (or leave the kids at home and check out all the Ruin Bars!)


*We were gifted our meal at Budapest Makery with no requisite for a review.

**Budapest Info gifted us 72hours travel in the city in exchange for our honest review. Your Budapest card not only gets you travel but entrance into the thermal baths and many museums around the city and we wouldn’t hesitate to purchase one on our return visit.






AndSoWeSaw // Rudolph at MAC


Dashing from a Softplay birthday party on a Saturday evening the boy does a Speedy costume change into his PJs and we crash into MAC with minutes to spare before Rudolph begins.

Walking into a Theatre filled with children (and adults) in their PJs makes it feel quite magical, and with our complimentary red noses we were seated and waiting for the show to begin.

Mom and Son with red noses ready to watch Rudolph
Rocking our Red Noses
We join the story in the Starry Safari Park where an alien lands with a bump in the night. This isn’t your usual Xmas affair. 

Although we quickly realise that this isn’t an alien. It is a rather lost Rudolph.

A rather lost Rudolph who doesn’t know who she is. Yes. SHE; we all know that it’s the females that lead the sleigh (the poor males lose their antlers in the winter!)

Through the guidance of Baggy (Snowy Owl and narrator of sorts), Rudolph explores the safari park trying to fit in with the other animals and finding it hard when they say she is different to them.

Rudolph is sitting with Baggy as she realises she has made it home to the North Pole
(L-R Tea Poldervaart, Hannah Bristow, Lakesha Cammock) Credit Robert Day
There are funny and tender moments throughout and everyone was drawn into the tale. And here is where I leave it, as I don’t want to spoil the ending.


Pins and Needles have bought us another Christmas show to remember and to feel all the festive joy, you’ve got until December 31st (Click HERE to grab your tickets)

MAC kindly invited us along to watch the show in exchange for our review. As ever opinions our ours (and we both loved it!)