to expect a theme park discount....

[Lulabel27]

... when 6 months pregnant?

Went to Thorpe Park today with DH and 2 DSC (who have annual passes) aged 8 and 11. I knew I wouldn't be able to go on the rollercoasters so explained to the girl on the desk that I'm 6 months pregnant (and quite clearly so) and asked if they have any discounts to compensate for this. She replied that there are some rides suitable for pregnant women and so no, they don't and I would have to pay full price (£38). Upon being given a map of the park I asked if they had a list of rides I could go on or if she could tell me which ones were suitable. She had no idea.

Ok I thought lets go in and see how it goes. I queued up with the children and DH for the big rides and just waited for them after the ride. But when it came to finding something we could all do there was nothing. Even the fairly gentle log flume and kids flying carpet ride. In the end the only thing we found was the little train for toddlers which I don't think I could have fit in anyway! After 4 hours I was just tired and fed up so we left and felt really cross that despite there being nothing for someone who's pregnant, they still have the cheek to charge full price (oh and a supplementary £5 for each childs annual pass because its a special event TONIGHT regardless of the fact we were there in the day and left before anything special happened).

Am I being unreasonable to expect a discount? Or am I being hormonal?

I would be sooooooo embarrassed asking for a discount. You went somewhere that you knew (for the safety of your baby) you wouldnt be able to make maximum use of and want some money back .

I've been to all the big theme parks and suffer from a middle ear disorder that makes me extremely dizzy and nauseous on the more 'lively' rides. I went because the family wanted to go and I just had a go on the gentle rides. Should I have a discount too? S'pose you could say my case is even more deserving because it was an illness that caused my condition. Truly, it didnt enter my head to ask for some money back.

Am sure the children had a brilliant day, thats what matters.

I wouldn't go to Thorpe Park and expect them to give me a discount because I was pregnant, that's sily. You say you were disappointed there were no rides you could go on - well, what did you expect?

That's like going to a steakhouse and moaning because there's no vegetarian food.

This kind of sense of entitlement is what gives pregnant women a bad name, sorry.

Even pregnant women might be bringing children with them paying full child price. I'd say that theme parks are missing a trick there. Where I think YWBU is in going to Thorpe Park in the first place.

This culture is never arguing over prices is why we are held to ransom by our ferry companies you know. People should haggle. It's ingrained in virtually every other country in the world. We as a nation just like to queue and apologise when someone steps on our toes.

I'm not saying she should have had a discount, I'm just a bit shocked at the number of posters who berated her for her choice of venue and date of visit, like she had to justify going about her daily business.

Justmoreonethen - nice understanding of disability issues there.

YABU because the pricing structure is clear but I think it's a great idea and should be introduced.

I also think they should do an entrance fee that doesn't include rides like at Blackpool Pleasure Beach as I am not brave and hold the bags :)

Sorry have I missed something? In what way am I not "understanding disability"?

I am not comparing being disabled to being pregnant in any other way than you can't go on SOME of the rides. Hence the DISCOUNT...or did you think the discounts are out of pity Pheasant?

The vast majority of women will be pregnant at some point so they are missing a trick....she can't go on the rides(lowers the queue time for everyone else)but can walk round buying food, drinks and tat.In addition she's bringing a potential new customer into the world.

Pregnant women should totally get money off.

I think all theme parks should have an entrance fee, then pay for a wristband for the rides. We usually go west midlands safari because they do this. As my dh doesn't like the rides but me and my daughter do.

Depending on the age of your kids, I'd agree wholeheartedly with the poster who asked why you didnt just go to Chessington instead? Lots of things to do there that being pregnant wouldnt impede. Or even Legoland would have been marginally better, at least you could look round the lego and go in the shows.

A non-ride entry fee is a great idea for people that do just want to go to accompany others. But I doubt they'd do that, Merlin would never pass up on a chance to make huge profits. They dont see the bigger picture eg word of mouth, having a non-rider price encouraging a whole family to visit etc.

But given that there isnt a 'platform ticket' then yes, yabu; its easy enough to look on the website to see whats there.

thought I should reply to some of discobeavers points because from a male point of view I agree with justonemorethen and also do not think the OP is being unreasonable.

First of all, some peoples reason for visiting a Theme Park such as Thorpe Park is to accompany others, even if unselfishly they cannot use the main attractions. Surely you'd agree most of the exorbitant entrance fee is to cover access to the rides, unless you consider £38 a valid price to wander round your choice of Burger Bars and KFC? An admission fee is not unreasonable by any standards, however charging full price to someone who can't physically go on the rides and is only there to accompany others; is. A simple wristband/UV solution on entry would be very simple and cheap to implement.

Your vegetarian analogy doesn't wash I'm afraid, don't know many restaurants that charge you to get in so your mates can eat in front of you?

I went to Alton Towers when pg and got the disabled rate! Good thing, too, given I could only go on about 3 rides - YANBU.

So either Thorpe Park were wrong, or someone at Alton used their discretion to give that discount. Its nice to help someone out like that ,but it does sometimes backfire when there isnt a blanket policy in place throughout the group.

In years to come I fully expect to have to accompany DD to the cinema to see crap kids films which will not interest or entertain me. Should I get a discount?

I also expect I will go to theme parks, where I will not go on half the rides simply because I don't want to, but I will take her because it is a special day. Should I get a discount? No.

I agree that it would be sensible for theme parks to have an admission fee and a seperate fee for rides, however while they can charge full price for everyone, why wouldn't they? You can't expect a discount if there isn't one on offer. Write to them asking them to change their policy if it bothers you that much.

Hi!

I need help!

I found out I was pregnant this morning and ima around 4 weeks. It's the best news and me and my husband have been trying for two years!

We are due to go away at the weekend with our friends .. to a theme park

What excuses can I give to not go on the ride without having to tell them?

We are very conscious about telling them as it is so early!
Thanks in advanced

You’d be best off starting a new thread @glutenfreelife otherwise you’ll just get people replying to the original op from 10 years ago

YABVVU- after COVID and everything you expect theme parks to be changing their policies and procedures & I’m sorry but to expect a discount for not being able to go on anything when you know you are pregnant is just ridiculous.

That’d be as silly as going to spa and asking for a discount because you use any of the facilities like the steam room, sauna, hot tub and the treatments you would be able to have would be limited too.

@glutenfreelife sorry that was aimed at the original OP as read the original post

Some theme parks do have a discount for pregnant women which would just cover your entry to the park. I probably wouldn't go anywhere where I would be charged full price and I know I wouldn't be able to fit on any of the young children's rides ( 3rd baby, 23 weeks, bump is impressive). No harm in writing to them though, I think all of them should make concessions for pregnant women, free entry would be too much to ask for but a discounted ticket would be reasonable.

Zombie thread!

YANBU - Lightwater Valley offers a pregnancy discount for example.

I’d start your own thread OP!

Not OP I guess - new poster!

no rides are built for disabled or pregnant persons, all riders have to make decisions as to weather they would feel safe & comfortable on the device,you ride at your own risk. as for discounts, you went on your own free wiil no one forced you, and then you embarrassed the staff by even asking such a qustion,that you knew in your heart the obvious answer would be no.

[quote Workaholic94]@glutenfreelife sorry that was aimed at the original OP as read the original post [/quote]
Sorry that's my bad it thought I was writing a new post!

@justonemorethen

And another thing ....why is it acceptable to blame op for turning up and not said disabled person.

Love to hear you say "why did you go" to a wheelchair bound woman.
Doesn't happen.

Because disabled people didn’t chose to be disabled.