Its the day after Valentines day and I did mostly what I need to do today and I was a little bored, so I thought I would look at some TripAdvisor reviews. Its fun sometimes, I pick a place and I’m off down the rabbit hole. I picked the Tower of London, my most favorite tourist attraction. Sometimes I think of the phrase “tourist attraction” as a negative, but really this place as been one longer than the US has been a country so I think the Tower of London has not only earned the adjective but puts a positive spin on it.

When I read reviews, I tend to read the the one and two star ones. I know I’m setting myself up for aggravation, but if I already love the place, I already know its amazing and I want another perspective. Also I find negative reviews better for trip planning. When I read them I know what some of the worst things that have happened to people and if I’m okay with those potential situations or I just plan around it. I like to research new places I visit. Reading these reviews makes me realize how much people don’t plan their getaways and vacations. I can almost understand locals, but in this day in age who doesn’t at least look up the operating hours and the ticket prices online?

Many of the reviews were for how bad the lines are. Well you are going to wait in lines everywhere and if you are visiting any tourist attraction on a holiday or weekend you are going to wait in horrendous lines. Maybe because I prefer to travel alone or since I don’t have kids, I don’t have to book around school holidays, or the fact that I have worked in some part of the tourism industry almost my entire adult life (I worked at a summer camp my first summer out of college), but I know that when most people are able to travel, there will be lines and crowds. Use common sense. I’ve seen the same type of reviews for Disney World and special events – use common sense. Do your research and plan a trip when there are less people. You will probably pay full price (or you may get an out of season discount, who knows) or have to pull your kids out of school, but your experience will be so much better. Or just deal with it.

This biggest line complaint I saw was for the crown jewels or that they were just a couple of crowns and some plate and it wasn’t worth it. Every time I’ve been, there has been almost no line (plan ahead). In fact the last time I went, I had to time to visit twice. Once at the beginning of my day and once before I left. These are the jewels and regalia used in crowning the monarch of the United Kingdom and they are amazing. They do have a few other jewels in the exhibit and the Yeoman Warders are so nice, they answered all my questions. First with a little sarcasm and a joke, but then an actual answer. He even pointed a few things out about one of the crowns I never would have known about if I hadn’t of asked.

My favorite part is at the end where they show the boxes used to carry each piece needed for the coronation. Each one has its own specially made box. So cool. (Yes, I know its a little stupid, but hay its in the details sometimes.)

I thought it was hilarious that one person basically said that it’s just a bunch of gift shops. There are three (that I remember) and you are only forced to walk through the one. And only if you want to exit the White Tower. Its not Disney (I love Disney World).

A few people were upset they couldn’t go in to the church. Well do your research, they website says you can only go in on a Beefeater tour. Join one, they’re free. And by the way, there is a chapel inside the White Tower (I know, not the same). Why can’t you go inside the church without a guide? Okay, I don’t really know the exact reason, but the Yeomen Warders and their families live and worship there. Would you want thousands of tourists traipsing through a place was that special to you? I’ve seen what Americans do to places they’ve paid to enter, they think they have the right to do whatever they want. People can be quite disrespectful.

I read a lot of people said it was boring. I beg to differ, take your time to read the graphics. You don’t need an audio guide, just a basic understanding of the Tower of London (which you can get from the website when you check admission), the ability to read English (yes I know not everyone who goes can read English) and an imagination. I had the hardest time trying to wrap my had around what must have been going through the head of the last prisoner held and executed there, during WWII. Its an excellent place to see how animal exhibits have changed over the years. I know not everyone is a fan of zoos, but they have come a long way from the Tower of London which kept a polar bear on a chain just long enough so he could fish in the Thames. That must have been a site.

I was taken aback the first time I saw Keeper. I mean I actually stepped back onto my sister upon seeing him. Keeper was jaw dropping sight. I do have a complaint about him, I wish there had been signage explaining him. I had to Google Keeper.

This biggest complaint over all was how expensive admission was. Well yeah, compared to free museums. But think they have to keep a fortress built in 1078 up to historical standards and modern safety standards (people do live here). They also need to keep the lights on, mow the grass, feed the ravens, pay the staff, put food in the cafe and stock the gift shops among other things (these are just the things that quickly come to mind). The Tower of London isn’t government run, Historic Royal Palaces is a self run charity. If you take a look at other attractions, most of the big, paid admission ones have a comparable price tag. If this is a vacation or part of a day trip look up the price and budget.

In other words do some research!

End of rant.