To feel ripped off and have expected more?

[wineandharibo]

My family and I (2 adults and 3 children) went to BeWilderwood in Norfolk yesterday. My oldest DD (9) had been wanting to go for a while and looked up on the internet what to expect.

We arrived shortly after the opening time of 10 and started to make our way around. It really is a great place with plenty of activities to keep active kids busy and have fun but unfortunately this is also where the disappointment started.

-We discovered that the larger of the zip wires is closed. The staff said there was not enough staff to open it.
-One of the main activities BeWilderville was also closed off.

• the toilets were closed and being worked on. The temporary toilets were in a terrible state and had clearly not been cleaned since the previous day.
• The snack bars were all closed until we left at 12. We were told one would be open but I took photos of all three which were all closed.
• the face painting at the Big Hat- closed

-my daughter was looking forward to an event due to take place- nowhere to be seen

• a new event was all set up but also closed and with a big sign stating it would open for the Summer 2018- for us, and many others, it IS Summer and the summer holidays.

I totally understand that the main summer holidays are only starting next week and that we visited what is clearly their off- peak season. I understand that during quiet periods there might be less going on as they have fewer staff. But then why not charge an off- peak rate for those days and let people know on the internet what to expect.
Instead we were charged the full price of £82 for a park which was only half open and we left after just two hours with three disappointed children.

AIBU to feel ripped off?

[KC225]

That doesn't sound right at all. I think a voucher for a repeat visit should be in order. I would complain but leave out the bit about the main holidays not being until next week.

A lot of the public school break up early July and Europe an schools break up in June, We time our holidays back to the UK so we can do touristy bits and beaches before the schools break up, so it should be up to scratch.

[gunnyBear]

No, you're not being unreasonable.

Did you say anything to anyone in a position of authority while you were there?

[greendale17]

Extremely poor- I would want a partial refund for a start. And I would leave a review online to let others know

[KC225]

Did you contact them OP?

[Ohyesiam]

What did they say when you complained?

[GlitteryFluff]

Thanks for this. We keep looking to go here but definitely won't now. Unless they have a decent explanation and offer you a second visit for free/refund.

[MapleLeafRag]

Write a letter of complaint stating that the facilities fell far short of what was advertised and that your family were expecting and that your children were very disappointed, giving examples. You are giving them 7 days to reply and either give you a refund or a set of tickets (depending on what you’d want). If you don’t hear within 7 days then you will be taking your complaint further (trading standards, local paper, local court etc.)

[MissionItsPossible]

I’d be very angry at this. It didn’t fulfill your expectations, in multiple ways and must have ruined your expectations of a fun day. Have you complained?

[ShatnersWig]

What did they say when you complained?

This. Anything else is irrelevant.

[GahWhatever]

Oh what a shame.
One of my main regrets about my brood growing up is that we don't get to go to Bewilderwood any more. It must have been mostly closed if it only took 2 hours OP. It used to take us longer than that just to build a den together and do the tree walk!

[countrybump]

That sounds utterly rubbish and as a regular at Bewilderwood - in and out of season - I'm really shocked. Was there no advance warning that parts of the park would be closed?

Have you written in and complained? I would be doing so and asking for complimentary tickets so that you can return another time and enjoy that park when everything is open.

We went once when it was school holidays for us but not holidays in Norfolk. By the time early afternoon rolled round it was just me and my son in the park. They opened and closed zip wires etc as we wanted to use them, with a member of staff basically following us around (but not in a creepy way!). They also asked us whether we would be wanting to use the snack bar before they closed that, and opened the shop for us as we left too.

Given that it is the holidays for many schools at the moment it's surprising they haven't planned ahead a bit better.

[TheVonTrappFamilySwingers]

Well we went during April in a friend's recommendation and everything was open. It was a total rip off in my opinion, anyway. £90 odd quid to go in. I just kept repeating that as we walked around. My kids did enjoy it but we didn't last more than 3 hours.

[ColdTattyWaitingForSummer]

Did you complain when you were there?
It’s probably harder to resolve if you didn’t to be honest. (Although I get how awkward it can feel to do at the time).

[Trinity66]

YANBU I would definitely complain and either get your money back or passes to go again when everything is open

[RevRichardWayneGaryWayne]

the only similar experience I've had was at Thorpe Park - Long story short a lot of rides were closed due to snow (it was Easter holidays!) As we left staff were giving out vouchers to everyone for a free return visit. I think you should expect the same.

[sadeyedladyofthelowlandsea]

That does sound pretty crap all round, but schools in Norfolk don't start holidays until next week, so they're probably gearing up for that. My kids have spent many happy days at Bewilderwood (bit too old for it now), so I'm sorry your experience was so shoddy.

I don't know if you're in Norfolk, or just here on holiday, but a much cheaper day out is at www.naturalsurroundings.info/ Nowhere near as fancydan as Bewilderwood, but it's really lovely, and there's tons of stuff to do.

[BewareOfDragons]

That's shocking and very, very poor and I would copy your post to their Facebook and Twitter pages seeking a refund.

It's overpriced on the best of days ... so I would not let that stand.

[Arum51]

It's no excuse that "it's not school holidays yet". It is in Scotland.

[Muddlingalongalone]

Thank you for this thread. We are in Norfolk on holiday next week and I had it as a back up plan to visit. Will scratch it off now!

[Basilandparsleyandmint]

I went a few years ago and only had to pay myself, husband and ds aged 5 as my dd was free. I wanted to take us all again now that my ds is old enough to enjoy but was horrified at how expensive it was! It is fun but I can't see how they justify the prices.

[ProperLavs]

You have to complain, not here but to them.
i spent money going to a local autumn show last year, we went a little later in the day to avoid the early crowds. The weather wasn't brilliant, not raining, just a bit meh. When we got in half the stall holders had gone and many others were packing up. After about half an hour I went back to the ticket desk and complained. I got most of my money back.
I told them they should have let me know before I paid what was going on as should the staff at the park you went to.

[fascicle]

ShatnersWig
What did they say when you complained?

This. Anything else is irrelevant.

I expect the OP would have mentioned a response if she had already complained. The trip was yesterday - give her a chance. Unless you think her opportunity to complain has passed - which is nonsense.

OP, I think you deserve at the very least a partial refund.