Inside the Animal Crossing x SeaLife Exhibition
If you're a fan of Animal Crossing, the Aquarium Tour at SeaLife is a must-see, combining the charm of the game with real-life sea creatures. From meet-and-greets with Tom Nook and Isabelle to hidden villager stamps, it’s an experience that celebrates both the game and its passionate community. But is it worth the ticket price?
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Fellow G.URL Lauren Lees’ experience of the charming crossover bringing the world of Animal Crossing to SeaLife aquariums.
If you’re into cosy gaming, chances are the Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour at SeaLife branches across England has flooded your TikTok feed. But beyond the bite-sized highlight reels, is it actually worth the trip? In true Isabelle Island Evals style, I’m here to break it down—so if you’re on the fence about getting tickets or making the journey, this should help you decide. The Animal Crossing x SeaLife Aquarium Tour runs from February 8th to August 31st in Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, London, and Chessington.
For context, we visited the experience on Monday, 10th February, purposely choosing an early morning weekday slot to avoid large crowds. Despite our best efforts, it was still busy—so this is something to consider if you’re sensitive to crowds.
The absolute highlight of the experience is the meet-and-greet with Tom Nook and Isabelle. They appear in fifteen-minute intervals, meaning there’s always a short wait. When Tom Nook waddled towards me like a gangster, you could’ve convinced me he wasn’t human at all. He was so cool. After a photo with Tom (where I gave him a playful slap on the wrist for being a cult leader), we met Isabelle, who was, predictably, adorable. It was the kind of moment where my 10-year-old, City Folk-addicted self couldn’t contain her excitement.
What really surprised me, though, was the overwhelming sense of community. Waiting in line with fellow Animal Crossing fans felt just as fun as meeting the characters! The collective joy and excitement made the experience even more special, and it’s a great place to connect with others who share your love for the game. We joked with fellow fans that SeaLife had probably never seen so many overenthusiastic, childless adults on a weekday before! If you’re looking to meet more Animal Crossing fans in real life, this is the place to go—it’s a space where conversation flows as naturally as it does between villagers in-game.
At the start of the exhibition, you receive a stamp card in true New Horizons style, with different villagers scattered throughout the exhibit. It was so much fun hunting for the stamps, and the back of the card features a lovely design that’s now proudly displayed on our fridge! The aquarium is decked out with cute cardboard cutouts of characters, perfect for photo ops. If you’re lucky, you might even spot Gulliver washed up somewhere! Near the end of the experience, there’s a fossil-digging station where a staff member shares facts about ammonites and crustaceans that would impress even Blathers. For fans who appreciate the game’s aquatic creatures, there are plenty of plaques detailing real-life counterparts to the game’s icons—a perfect blend of learning and nostalgia.
When we visited, the only merch left was some LEGO, plushies of Isabelle and Tom Nook, and badges. While I was slightly disappointed (I’d seen way more on TikTok), it’s likely the result of going shortly after the opening weekend when the stock had already been snapped up. At least it saved us some money!
There’s room for improvement in this exhibition, though. At £17.95, it didn’t feel like the best value for money. Some might view it as simply a SeaLife visit with a few signs and cutouts. For the ticket price, I expected more—perhaps additional worksheet activities or more character meet-and-greets. If not, the ticket price could stand to be lower, as it might not be accessible to everyone. However, the atmosphere was electric. Being surrounded by so many other Animal Crossing fans, participating in such innocent, joyful activities like the meet-and-greet and stamp collecting, felt incredibly wholesome. The community experience makes it almost feel like a mini convention. If that sounds appealing, don’t hesitate to go.
It’s also worth noting that SeaLife itself is a wonderful standalone experience. We probably wouldn’t have gone without the exhibition, but it evoked many fond childhood memories. The sea creatures were beautiful, the atmosphere was calming, and there were endless learning opportunities. We even got to see a massive turtle glide overhead in the glass tunnel—plus a vibrant technicolor lobster!
Overall, I’d rate the exhibition 3 stars out of 5. That’s enough for a K.K. Slider concert, right? So, Animal Crossing promo team—how about a UK tour for him next?
Fellow G.URL Lauren Lees’ experience of the charming crossover bringing the world of Animal Crossing to SeaLife aquariums.
If you’re into cosy gaming, chances are the Animal Crossing Aquarium Tour at SeaLife branches across England has flooded your TikTok feed. But beyond the bite-sized highlight reels, is it actually worth the trip? In true Isabelle Island Evals style, I’m here to break it down—so if you’re on the fence about getting tickets or making the journey, this should help you decide. The Animal Crossing x SeaLife Aquarium Tour runs from February 8th to August 31st in Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, London, and Chessington.
For context, we visited the experience on Monday, 10th February, purposely choosing an early morning weekday slot to avoid large crowds. Despite our best efforts, it was still busy—so this is something to consider if you’re sensitive to crowds.
The absolute highlight of the experience is the meet-and-greet with Tom Nook and Isabelle. They appear in fifteen-minute intervals, meaning there’s always a short wait. When Tom Nook waddled towards me like a gangster, you could’ve convinced me he wasn’t human at all. He was so cool. After a photo with Tom (where I gave him a playful slap on the wrist for being a cult leader), we met Isabelle, who was, predictably, adorable. It was the kind of moment where my 10-year-old, City Folk-addicted self couldn’t contain her excitement.
What really surprised me, though, was the overwhelming sense of community. Waiting in line with fellow Animal Crossing fans felt just as fun as meeting the characters! The collective joy and excitement made the experience even more special, and it’s a great place to connect with others who share your love for the game. We joked with fellow fans that SeaLife had probably never seen so many overenthusiastic, childless adults on a weekday before! If you’re looking to meet more Animal Crossing fans in real life, this is the place to go—it’s a space where conversation flows as naturally as it does between villagers in-game.
At the start of the exhibition, you receive a stamp card in true New Horizons style, with different villagers scattered throughout the exhibit. It was so much fun hunting for the stamps, and the back of the card features a lovely design that’s now proudly displayed on our fridge! The aquarium is decked out with cute cardboard cutouts of characters, perfect for photo ops. If you’re lucky, you might even spot Gulliver washed up somewhere! Near the end of the experience, there’s a fossil-digging station where a staff member shares facts about ammonites and crustaceans that would impress even Blathers. For fans who appreciate the game’s aquatic creatures, there are plenty of plaques detailing real-life counterparts to the game’s icons—a perfect blend of learning and nostalgia.
When we visited, the only merch left was some LEGO, plushies of Isabelle and Tom Nook, and badges. While I was slightly disappointed (I’d seen way more on TikTok), it’s likely the result of going shortly after the opening weekend when the stock had already been snapped up. At least it saved us some money!
There’s room for improvement in this exhibition, though. At £17.95, it didn’t feel like the best value for money. Some might view it as simply a SeaLife visit with a few signs and cutouts. For the ticket price, I expected more—perhaps additional worksheet activities or more character meet-and-greets. If not, the ticket price could stand to be lower, as it might not be accessible to everyone. However, the atmosphere was electric. Being surrounded by so many other Animal Crossing fans, participating in such innocent, joyful activities like the meet-and-greet and stamp collecting, felt incredibly wholesome. The community experience makes it almost feel like a mini convention. If that sounds appealing, don’t hesitate to go.
It’s also worth noting that SeaLife itself is a wonderful standalone experience. We probably wouldn’t have gone without the exhibition, but it evoked many fond childhood memories. The sea creatures were beautiful, the atmosphere was calming, and there were endless learning opportunities. We even got to see a massive turtle glide overhead in the glass tunnel—plus a vibrant technicolor lobster!
Overall, I’d rate the exhibition 3 stars out of 5. That’s enough for a K.K. Slider concert, right? So, Animal Crossing promo team—how about a UK tour for him next?
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