I bought and paid online for my 2 grandchildren and myself, with a timed entry. We arrived a bit early but were told to carry on in. We queued for 40 minutes just to get to one of only 2 registers. I don't know why I couldn't zapp my prepaid barcode on a terminal and enter. The hard sell for extras started at the register and continued to the entry corridor via a photo opportunity. That was the 2nd queue. We didn't want a photo, but still had to stay behind the barrier and queue with people who did. Then the 3rd queue, about 20 minutes, for a compulsory ride with laser guns, full of shooting, before we eventually entered the centre. There seemed to be no way to bypass this ride, we were ushered into line. The final central area was extremely noisy, airless, dark and very small for the number of people present. The cafe offering was poor, and expensive, but of course, you wouldn't want to go through that entry process again, to get better value and quality in the Trafford Centre. The only redeeming feature of the whole offering was the 4D cinema, but that was only 12 minutes long.
Adults cost more than children here, and no senior discounts, even though the place was full of grandparents and senior carers in the school holidays. It is so expensive for a very stressful experience.