London Eye - are 'Flexi Fast Track' tix worth the price?

We're planning to go on the London Eye this summer. Can anyone comment on whether or not Flexi Fast Track tickets are worth the money? They're very expensive, but I'm prepared to pay a bit more to avoid a ridiculously long wait with kids!

Edited to ask for any other suggestions of things to do with kids in London. I can't believe that I've never taken my 5 and 8 year old there, but they've finally twisted my arm. Neither my husband nor I can stand crowds, so we're looking for things that may be a little bit less touristy, if that's even possible.   

Totally depends on what time you're going and on what day BUT I've been on it loads of times and never had to wait more than 10-15 minutes for what that's worth. Often you're on pretty much immediately as so many people can fit in each car, I tend to try and go at dusk though, so if you're trying to get on in the middle of the day, it will be worse, unfortunately it's a YMMV situation.

Are you coming by rail? I think the eye is on the 2 for 1 if you are, worth checking anyway.


What sort of things are your kids in to? It depends on what you want to do with them really, the exhibition road museums are normally packed, but you can do stuff like take canal boat rides  which are normally much less busy and more interesting (and stop off to go to the zoo if wanted).

I can suggest some alternative museums if you'd like, but with kids that young I don't know if they'd be interested in semi-scientific paraphernalia or the museum of brands or bodyparts, my taste in museums runs quite eclectic But maybe the -
http://www.horniman.ac.uk/ or  I've never been but heard good things about - http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/index.html
I really like Kew bridge steam museum, so much that I'm thinking of volunteering to become a train driver - http://www.kbsm.org/

Everything on the south bank is always totally rammed but there's some nice city farms I suppose, if that's of interest like http://www.batterseapark.org/ or http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit-us/london

It is touristy but Madame Tussaud's is really cool.  They have really life-like wax statues and it's a lot of fun to take photos with them.  You can get a deal with London Eye tickets for it.  I went a couple summers ago in the late afternoon and it wasn't that busy at all.

Also, the London Transport museum is great and I think kids would find it fun because there are lots of old buses and tube trains and an interactive thing where you can pretend to be a tube driver.  If they're into that sort of thing.

The whispering gallery at St Paul's Cathedral is good fun also, but does require climbing part way up.

I haven't done any of these things with kids, but I think kids would enjoy them.  And definitely do the London Eye.  I wouldn't think you need the fast track tickets for it either.

We did the London Eye last year with no fast track tickets, and I was surprised by how quickly the queue moved.  It looked really long, but I don't think we waited more than 20 minutes.  We had budgeted an entire morning for it, and ended up with lots of time left over.  This was mid-morning on a Friday.  So I'd say don't bother with the fast-track, especially if it's lots of money. 

If you don't like touristy and crowds, I would avoid Madame Tussad's which is always crowded.  I live near there and there is always a massive line just to get in.

In another thread you mentioned that one of your kids was into castles and history.  I would consider the Tower of London where the Crown Jewels are kept.  The Beefeaters give tours which are just fantastic.  It is a popular tourist attraction, but something your kids will love.

You can also tour Tower Bridge.

Other things which aren't so much in the thick it are Apsley House which is the home of the Duke of Wellington.  Lots of war memorabilia.  Just outside is Wellington Arch which you can also tour for a different view of London.

http://fattirebiketours.com/london

Are really good as well, they have the little kids tandems for your kids, they're super cute!

http://fattirebiketours.com/london/tour-atmosphere#bikes

Thank you all! Great suggestions.

Do you think it would be worth combining the river tour with the London Eye? 

Do you think it would be worth combining the river tour with the London Eye? 

Yes!  We did one with some friends and their kids who were I think 4 and 7 at the time and they loved it.  It was only about 20 or 30 minutes and we went from Embankment on the north side of the river to Tower Bridge but I know there a few different points on both sides of the river where you can pick up tours.

I've done a river tour also and it was good fun.  We went all the way to Greenwich, but I wouldn't recommend going that far (unless you actually want to go to Greenwich, which could be fun; prime meridian, observatory, etc) because once we got past the Tower Bridge there wasn't much of interest to see. 

OK, you've convinced me.    Do you think a Sunday would be more or less busy than a Tuesday, in early August?

Another positive vote for the river cruise-- personally though I absolutely love the bus tours and most of them include the river cruise as part of it. They are great because you get to see everything..and you can decide which bits you want a closer look at-- it also covers your transportation for the day. I admit not cheap-- but I personally think it is worth it, and even more so with kids.

http://www.sightseeingtourslondon.com/original-london-sightseeing-tour-p-32.html?gclid=CIux5fL2-6gCFQod4QodwEPLSA

I prefer the free stuff myself

However, I also like the parts that the tourists don't know about.

One of my favourites are the tours at The Grand Lodge Of England, it is near Covent Garden, and is a real eye opener .. and ... free.
http://www.ugle.org.uk/

Also, take a look at: http://www.secret-london.co.uk/Welcome.html