to think centre Parcs are money grabbing disablist idiots!

[lisad123]

We have gone to CP every year for last 4 years with my two girls who both have autism and my mum and dad normally come and help too.

We dont normally have too much of an issue with my girls and dont tend to ask for anything ontop of normal package.
However, my mum had a major stroke at Easter this year. This has left her with mobility problems, lose of 50% of her sight, cant manage large crowds and having fits.
With this in mind I asked if they could move us to a closer villa, because shes not able to walk far at all so will be in a wheelchair (and those that know CP, its quite a walk from some villas to the centre). We also asked for a slightly earlier check in, so that she can get in and rest especially if shes been having fits (which at the moment she is having almost daily)
They have refused both of these requests.

They have said we could have a closer villa but it would be £180 more!! Oh and they told me that they have to limit the early check because of cleaning BUT if i wanted to pay for early check in suddenly that isnt an issue

Should add, that i wouldnt mind paying for early check in, BUT comes with 2 bikes which we cant use because of mum and her wheelchair!!

I am never booking with them again, I am shocked that such a large company is willing to charge people extra for services they need because they are disabled.

I will be writing to head office but think this is something that needs to be public knowledge.

Out of curiosity what do you expect head office to do?

MrSpoc, three, Lesley and others are saying the same thing

It's up to you to decide to enjoy what you can of your holiday, pay the extra and forget the bikes (although maybe you or your dh could take one and go off on your own for a bit, even your father!)
Or you can be of the mindset that CP is going to spoil your holiday and it will be a disaster from the start

I know this having a mum who once she decided something was not going to work, a company was not good enough etc, she proved herself right to the detriment of everyone else

Or you could give the holiday to a family who can't afford it and who will love every minute . . . . .

I'm going to stick my neck out and say no wonder some companies like Alton Towers etc are changing their disability policy.

sorry it has all gone tits up.
have to say 3 is a good book in. everywhere we have been it has been 4.

Yes OP you are being unreasonable. CPs are very generous in that you don't need to buy a disabled toilet pass as after all they are a business and lots of People would like the luxury of more space when they shit.

^^^^
was that a little tongue in cheek or did you mean that?

I think yabu. You can expect to upgrade your holiday for free which is basically what you want!

The way you are describing your mil makes me wonder if she is really looking forward to this 'holiday' . Honestly, I think if I had just had a stroke and was having these fits frequently, I would want to be at home unroll they were more under control. I really would

And isn't this kind of thing what disability payments are for? To help pay for extras to make life easier? Tho I appreciate mil's money is still in limbo.

That would be nice Sara if it ever stretched to those kind if sums, and why should CP get it for providing two unusable bikes. Are you happy for your tax to be used in that way?

I have stated that it is important to address the need for dog villas because of allergies. I also stated why not earmark some of the disability villas as suitable for dogs. Just as some of the villas are suitable for dogs.

And so you know, as people have found out from experience they don't tell you if you are going into a villa that is a dog one if you've booed a specific area and that is all that's left. You only find out when you are in there.

CP were better when you were able to deal with the centres directly. We went once, sometimes twice a year. Once they changed the booking structure we gave up. We are not the only ones.

Can they provide a wheelchair instead of bikes at all?

I know some of you think the op is exaggerating but trying to find out what facilities will and won't be available is a nightmare with CP. There solution to everything is to suggest you pay more to upgrade.

CP make it stressful before you get there.

well it does make sense that if you want to "upgarde" then you will be charged for it.

If the service is bad, then dont go.

Also the bikes a given for free if you que jump. just incase you mist it "they are free", it is not a dissabled person paying for a bike they cannot use. you are not forced to take the bike.

We are going to CP on the week leading up to Xmas (cant wait!) with our 5 girls and CP they have been nothing but brilliant and helpful for us!
We had to ring/email lots of times because of amounts of cots for our children (2YO triplets) - lovely woman then rang back (after looking at the ages of our children I think!) and said that if it was easier, she could offer us a villa closer to the pools so that it would be easier taking our children - obviously this was at a cost which we are happy to pay.. just means that our girls can walk and we dont have to take triple buggy into plaza!
We have since had many emails from them asking us what other things they can do to help and how we can contact them if theres anything we need.
Have been blown away by the customer service from them - is our first proper 'holiday' since having triplets and they've made it so much easier!
I can understand your concerns, but I do think that if you want an upgrade - then you have to pay.. just like every other family who may have disabled family-members.
Hope you manage to sort it out and enjoy your holiday

The bike is just an extra. Nobody forcing it. Take or leave..... I would leave it as 2 bikes would cause arguments as more than 2 of us, would have to hire more so it would be equal. No big deal

Are you going in one car and you mum and dad in another? If so, can't they arrive later?

The bikes aren't an extra it is a package deal.

no they are a free b if you que jump.

The kingsmill bread and gold blend coffee come as part of it too but I wouldn't use it! What do I expect them to do about it?? Nothing.

I just won't use it

They get 2 adult bike vouchers. There are 2 able bodied adults in this family group.

OK

This link here indicates CP are overcharging you anyway. It should only be £105 for both early book and central location. Get back on the phone and point it out to them.

Thank you for all the suggestions. There is little I can do now any way. We live going and I am not going to let this spoil our holiday, and thank you for pointing out I could pay for it, like I didn't already know that

.... I understand your frustration. Everything at CP is solved "for just a little bit extra..."

Seems to me CP are breaking the law under the equality act
"Service providers have to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people in the way they deliver their services. This is so that a disabled person is not put at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled people in accessing the services."

REASONABLE

I've been going for years as a wheelchairuser, we pay extra to choose the villa and haven't had any other problems, everything else there seems very accessible.

Dog..how ate they breaking the law? They are making adjustments, just not to this op's liking...