Great gig experience at Alexandra Palace
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Visit date:
This review is especially helpful for those who have or use the following: Walking Aid, Powerchair
Overview
Visited for a sold out gig and felt reassured and safe at the event. Viewing platform is slightly raised above crowd to left of stage with a good view of the stage and a clearance area to ensure general admissions guests do not block line of sight. Staff very helpful. After gathering wristbands, you can order drinks to your seats for the main act. Viewing platform equipped with removable seating (for those requiring seats and/or carers) + plenty of wheelchair space. Venue also has a downloadable 'visual guide' (https://assets.alexandrapalace.com/uploads/2019/10/Greathall-VisualJourney.pdf) on their website so you can feel reassured and understand the venue layout and amenities. Overall pretty happy with the experience!
Transport & Parking
We drove to the venue and parked in the 'Grove car park', however there is another car park ('East car park') on the other side of the venue which we will likely use next time. The Grove car park was stated to have blue badge parking, however this is not the case. Fortunately, we were able to park wherever was possible and the car park was quiet. Unfortunately, to leave the carpark, I had to drive my powerchair down the road entrance ramp, which is perhaps not the safest method (however there was a member of staff at the car park entrance)! From there, I returned to the pavement and followed a steep incline (manageable in powerchair) to the venue entrance. This incline was much more difficult when leaving the venue but I managed. I understand the East Car Park is completely step free to the venue from the opposite end to the the Palm Court entrance. There was also an overflow car park at the bottom of the park that would render difficult venue access via a steep incline for those that are mobility impaired. The w3 bus travels from Tottenham (including Wood Green Station) to the venue, or via Finsbury Park. The W7 also travels from Finsbury park but does not travel through the park grounds. Alexandra Palace Station (GNR route) is also a 10 min walk from the venue, however via a steep incline. There appears to be a taxi/car drop off at the venue.
Access
Beyond the issues of being on a hill (see notes re parking), the venue access is very good. There was a separate queue for disabled access (with the 'guest list' access mixed in). When we visited this was via a separate door, however I understand sometimes this queue is situated alongside the general admissions queue at the Palm Court entrance. We were not granted access prior to general admission, however, which meant we entered the venue alongside ~10k other guests. Thankfully, there were no issues with this and people filtered through slowly, but priority access would have been more reassuring for a number of worried disabled patrons. Access to the disabled toilet was via ground floor access, and the viewing platform was accessed via a gentle ramp.
Toilets
There was one disabled toilet located fairly closed to the viewing platform (via two sets of double doors, a single door and manned by a security guard). Access via Radar key (I understand the security guard had access to one). Toilet was clean with fair space to manoeuvre and space for a carer. Access to toilet was at a slight angle past a single door not the easiest clear entrance. Did not have changing facilities.
Staff
Very friendly and helpful throughout the venue, with staff always available on the viewing platform. Two security guards were stood by the ramp at all times to ensure only those with the appropriate wristband were allowed onto the platform and that the entrance and clearance area was clear.
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