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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Theme park refund?

57 replies

3beforeme · 29/07/2021 19:55

Went to a local theme park yesterday for DS's birthday. Cost over £100 for the family of five. Weather was atrocious and half the attractions (including practically all those suitable for DS) closed due to thunder and intense rain. Asked at the park for the option to come back another day or for at least a partial refund. Got refused and told to email in - which I have done, but no reply. AIBU to expect they at least reissue the tickets for a day when we can get to use the attractions that we have paid for?

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JustCallMeBubblesDahling · 29/07/2021 21:44

I doubt you’ll get a refund for something beyond their control like the weather.

What is within their control is the amount of people they pack in and the bloody fast pass disgrace where you pay an arm and leg to get in and only get on a couple of rides because the waiting time is over an hour on each one, a lot of that due to all the fast passes jumping the queue!

Original poster
3beforeme · 29/07/2021 21:45

@MadeOfStarStuff I agree. I need to be patient. I just had assumed there would be a policy already in place and that they would have sorted it while we were there rather than emailing.

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LynetteScavo · 29/07/2021 21:48

£100 for 5 is very cheap compared to many theme parks.

I'm the first person to say British weather is unpredictable- put a rain coat on - but if you're not getting what you paid for, that's not on.

DH took DD to Alton Towers a couple of weeks ago and after 90 minutes of queuing a ride closed, and there were various other hiccups ( but the weather was good) DH came home having had a miserable day - DH wasn't too bothered but suggested DH raise his grievances with Alton Towers and they might get tickets for another day. DH said the last thing he wants is tickets to go back and relive that hell. He used to really like Alton Towers, but now it seems you can queue for several rides which close before you ride, due to a possible fault, and you're just supposed to be happy you've gone home with the limbs you came with. As a mother waking at home I'm super happy my family came home safe, but it's not worth paying and queuing up for something your not going to experience. It's better to stay at home IMO.

I'd real like to hear Alton Towers take on it, even if DH wouldn't .

Mumvschildren · 29/07/2021 21:48

My son went yesterday-Alton towers
It pissed it down and they’ve issued new tickets to use before it shuts for the winter
Didn’t have to email-they got them on the spot

Original poster
3beforeme · 29/07/2021 21:50

This is Gullivers World - so not really on the same scale as Alton Towers which is why I was amazed at the £100 plus price. I'm sure it used to be around £55 for a family ticket (for 4).

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Original poster
3beforeme · 29/07/2021 21:51

@Mumvschildren - this is what I was expecting.

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oblada · 29/07/2021 21:58

Don't buy full prices for Gulliver's world - wait for the Wowcher offers, much better deals and they come round frequently enough.
I'd expect them to have a policy on this have you checked? Try their Facebook page as they are quite responsive in my experience

Rooroobear · 29/07/2021 22:03

Some theme parks will reissue tickets for bad weather. I went to Blackpool and it was torrential (started after we arrived) and on our way out they were giving letters to rebook due to the weather.

CakeandGo · 29/07/2021 22:05

Chessington do a rainy day return within 12 months if you book in advance online.

ConstanceGracy · 29/07/2021 22:07

@20viona

Alton towers do this.
All the merlin parks have the ‘Rainy day guarantee’ it’s a good idea
girlmom21 · 29/07/2021 22:10

I just had a look at their website and it looks like the only weather they explicitly move bookings for is extreme snow.

For everything else it just says they reserve the right to close attractions for safety reasons and nothing about refunds or rebooking, so it doesn't look as though they have an official Rainy Day policy unfortunately.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 29/07/2021 22:17

I went to Gullivers the day Princess Diana died (prebooked), and it thunder and lighteninged then too. Most rides closed. People in the queues were muttering "this is her. Shes furious she was murdered"

Which obviously doesn't help you with your situation but is a reasonable anecdote for both Gullivers and theme park thunderstorms.

We didnt get a refund either.

Cuddlyrottweiler · 29/07/2021 22:24

21 per person for a full day at a theme park is pretty reasonable I think.

I don't see why you should be entitled to free tickets though. Its like paying a weeks holiday and expecting tui to give you another week when the weathers shit. Its just the luck of the draw.

They stop the rides because its dangerous, not just because they can't be arsed to stand out in the rain. So it's not really down to them, it's not like your day was ruined because of their lack of staff or maintenence or whatever.

Gilly12345 · 29/07/2021 22:27

I agree be patient and give them time to reply.

However since March 2020 the country has had its problems and businesses have seriously suffered financially, asking for a refund is a bit unreasonable, personally I would not ask for a refund but ask for tickets to visit again?

lastcall · 29/07/2021 22:30

I agree that rain? You take your chances.
But not all the rides closing. Too pricey a day not to get to go on any of the rides you were looking forward to.

gardeninggirl68 · 29/07/2021 22:34

but if the rides were left open and there was an ACCIDENT then what would you say?

health and safety is policy driven and there is no way anyone could override that. staff were still there... they would need to be paid.

gardeninggirl68 · 29/07/2021 22:35

Gullivers have plenty of things to do inside for under 10's

Original poster
3beforeme · 29/07/2021 22:38

@girlmom21 thanks - I can't seem to find much info re policy other than they reserve the right to close attractions.
@Cuddlyrottweiler Well if you'd booked a weeks holiday but couldn't actually get into the hotel room for a week as it had a leak and were expected to wait in the lobby then surely you'd expect to be allowed to return when the room was available.

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SeaToSki · 29/07/2021 22:39

DS works at a water park. Their weather policy is that if it rains and the rides are running, just bad luck as you can choose to stay and the park is open for you if you want to. If they close rides due to weather they will give you a voucher to come back another day that season (if you ask for one)

Original poster
3beforeme · 29/07/2021 22:41

@gardeninggirl68 no I fully understand WHY they had to close rides. However I would expect to be offered to return when the rides were open. My Ds is 3. It was his birthday. Aside from the spinning dinosaur egg things and the teacups (which is essentially the same ride twice) there was nothing else for him that was open.

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HungryHippo11 · 29/07/2021 22:41

The terms and conditions for Gullivers World don't mention a wet weather policy, so they probably don't have one. It says they may close attractions in inclement weather but doesn't say anything about refunds. I doubt you will get your money back.

Incidentally I don't see why they should refund you. Its an independent business, not a huge company like Merlin, they probably can't afford to refund hundreds of people each year especially at this time. Its a shame but its not their fault the weather was bad. Would you prefer they kept the rides open and risked your safety?

Original poster
3beforeme · 29/07/2021 22:42

Oh and the haunted house. I'm pretty certain that is all as we walked around the sodding park 3 times in the pissing it down rain looking for things he could do.

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Scbchl · 29/07/2021 22:45

If it was Alton towers, we were there yday and it was horrific. The worst thunder storm I have witnessed. The rain was mental. They do a rainy day ticket where the date will be put on the website within the next week and you can get a replacement date.

Original poster
3beforeme · 29/07/2021 22:45

@HungryHippo11 nope I wouldn't want them to put anyone at risk. I would expect them to reissue tickets though given that they were unable to deliver what we had paid for. Obviously we buy food, drink etc while in the park so surely it's not a complete loss for them to have us back another day.

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Original poster
3beforeme · 29/07/2021 22:45

@Scbchl nope it was Gullivers Sad

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