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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take ds 13 to Thorpe Park Frightnight for his birthday & ask guest to paying for extras?

18 replies

lechatnoir · 21/10/2021 18:13

My youngest Dc turns 13 in a few weeks and wants to go with a few friends to the Thorpe Park Fright night experience. They all seem to love the idea of being scared shitless & think it sounds brilliant & I'm planning on going during the day. Bit hesitant as I do worry 12/13 is too young.

Ds also wants to go off on the rides on their own. He gets himself to school, goes to town on the bus etc but I'm not sure whether this type of place/experience is ok for unaccompanied 12 & 13 year olds but regardless, presumably I still need to buy a ticket?It's bloody expensive so not desperate to spend another £42 unless I absolutely have to & it will mean 1 less friend as budget is limited.

And here's the main part of the AIBU, can I politely request the friends bring water bottles & either packed lunch or money for lunch/snacks? And tell them if they want extra rides (scare mazes & fast tracks etc) it's up to them to pay for them or do I just not mention extras and they get what they're given ie an entry ticket and a lift!

Or AIBU to even entertain the idea on a limited budget & at this age?

OP posts:

RandomCatGenerator · 21/10/2021 18:43

YANBU. The tickets are pricey enough!

Cantstopthewaves · 21/10/2021 18:48

I'd speak to the friends' parents and tell them you will get them there and entry to it but they'll need their own money for food/extras.
Personally I'd not be leaving them unaccompanied and would be following them around as at that age I really think they need an adult on- hand and when you are in charge on an outing like this you are responsible for them.

thevassal · 21/10/2021 19:00

I definitely don't think you'd be unreasonable to send a message to the other parents saying something like, 'We'll be buying the entrance ticket, up to your son if they want to bring their own food or money to buy something or other extras there."

I'm not sure about you going - on one hand I think they are old enough themselves generally if everything goes ok but if something does go wrong - they get in a fight, lose one of the group, an incident happens within the park, one is sick, etc. would you be allowed in to help them?

Do you have to pay full price? I know there are usually loads of different discounts for thorpe park - I get money off via my work, and also through my breakdown cover for example. There's a deal going where you get £25 off entry if you've bought a lottery ticket atm www.visitbritainshop.com/gb/en/nationallotterydaysout. Not sure if they apply for the frightfest week but might be worth something?

Kids are bloody lucky these days! I remember parents used to be considered generous if they paid for a few friends to go to the cinema when I was 12/13 (not a million years ago!)

ThirdElephant · 21/10/2021 19:03

We let our Year 6s wander off by themselves in a theme park at the end of year trip. Teachers set up camp in the packed lunch area and remain there, kids have to check in at various points throughout the day. I'd do something like that.

EdgeOfTheSky · 21/10/2021 19:04

Perfectly ok to tell them to bring money or food and drink.

I would go into the park but would let them go off on their own. Making sure each has your mobile number.

Our school used to take them at that age (at night). The teachers were in the park but the kids roamed free.

WorraLiberty · 21/10/2021 19:07

YANBU

But regarding you not going in with them, you'd have to check the unaccompanied age with the venue.

WorraLiberty · 21/10/2021 19:09

Also OP, make sure they're taking mobile phones and clothes with zip up pockets to keep them in.

Newnormal99 · 21/10/2021 19:09

My DD went last year at just turned 13 with a friend of same age. They had both been a few times over the summer so were familiar with the park. Check the age limit for going in alone - in one place it said 14 and another 12 I think.

My worry (if he hasn't been before) is it was manic at kicking out time. Like I said they had been several times before and knew where I would be picking them up from and had done it daylight. I think it would be hard if they didn't know as it's just so busy. You can also only stay in pickup parking half hour without being charged so if they are late you are stuffed.

MajorCarolDanvers · 21/10/2021 19:11

YANBU re asking them to bring packed lunches and drinks. Ticket price is more than enough for you to pay.

But you need to go. Fine to let them roam around themselves. If you don't fancy a ride find a coffee spot and take your kindle. But you need to be there.

DockOTheBay · 21/10/2021 19:12

Definitely not unreasonable to ask them to bring a drink and packed lunch (or money for food, but this may be a bit harsh on any kids who don't have money for food)

I wouldn't mention things like fast passes. That's not really an option for one kid to choose to buy, they either all get one or none if they want to go round together, so I wouldn't let it be an option.

SatsumaPumpkinFace · 21/10/2021 19:14

@ThirdElephant

^ This seems the best idea I think.

Asking them to bring food/extra money is perfectly fine too.

FawnFrenchieMum · 21/10/2021 19:18

You need to get booked ASAP I’d say, we’ve just tried to add an extra ticket on for Alton Towers and it’s sold out for 30th / 31st.

There are loads of discount ticket offers, we’ve just used the carex 50% off ticket offer, Google it to see if Thorpe park is included

FawnFrenchieMum · 21/10/2021 19:20

Sorry ignore me, it’s Chessington not Thorpe Park that’s Merlin!

titchy · 21/10/2021 19:22

@FawnFrenchieMum

Sorry ignore me, it’s Chessington not Thorpe Park that’s Merlin!

They're both merlin!

ImUninsultable · 21/10/2021 19:22

They need to be told to bring food or money. You cant not tell them that.

There was a thread on here a long time ago. A mum had sent her son to a birthday party at a theme park and she had loaded his gohenry card with money incase he wanted anything extra. She found out when he got home that the birthday boy's dad had paid their entry and then sent the kids off alone. No money for food or drinks or anything and the other kids had no money. Even the birthday boy had no money because he thought his dad would be paying for food. Anyway, the poster's son ended up having to buy them all water bottles and lunch and everything.

She was posting to ask how to handle asking for the money back from the other parents. So reallyif you're not going to provide food then you need to tell all the parents and check the kids have money of their own before they go off alone.

Thatsplentyjack · 21/10/2021 19:23

Honestly I would just tell the parents that he wants to go to Thorpe Park for Halloween and asked if his friends could come, so if they fancy it the tickes are £... (however much) and they should bring some spending money but you will buy them some food.

morechocolateneededtoday · 21/10/2021 19:27

A school friend's parents used to take us to an equally popular theme park every year for her birthday and did similar. If I remember right, we also paid our own entrance because of how expensive it was so it was brilliant enough that they would drive for 3 hours just to get us there and another 3 back.

I cant see how it is unreasonable if expectations are set from before.

ouchmyfeet · 21/10/2021 22:17

Could you bring a picnic for all? That way you're still providing food but at much lower cost

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