Can an attraction sell annual passes advertising 12 months of entry to the park then close for 4 months

[Aimee1987]

So over the summer I bought a family pass to a local attraction where it specifically says in the annual pass page 12 months of entry to the park. I just went on their website and it says the season is over and we will reopen in March. I bought the pass thinking I'll use it in the winter to entertain the kids. This place has lots of indoor stuff as well as outdoor.
AIBU
Yes it's normal
No if they close for 4 months of the year they should have said it on the annual pass website. This is false advertising.

Is the pass valid for the 12 months the park is actually open? So spanning multiple years (if that makes sense)?

Just request a refund. Doesn't sound outside the norms to be honest.

If it's normally closed for the winter, that's not unusual at all. Things like national trust properties have always closed over winter, so the 12 month membership doesn't mean all year round.

If it's normally open year round, but for some reason is closed for maintenance/renovation or something this year, then you might have a case for a proportional refund.

Surely this would have been in the terms and conditions when you bought it? Theme parks often close over winter, it’s not unusual. Sorry it wasn’t clear for you.

Was the information available that it was closed for 4 months when you bought the annual ticket? Many many attraction type places close for winter, and it's common knowledge.

If they always close for winter it will be in the T&C's somewhere. If it's unscheduled they should add it to the end of your existing pass.

Do they always close for the winter months, or is this something they brought in after you purchased?

Most of these attractions close for winter and they all offer annual passes ime.

It sounds normal. Chessington, etc do the same and sell annual passes.

I dont know if they always close for winter. But in previous years there have always been Santa grotto (something I thought about when buying the pass). The other ones in the area that are similiar ( and the ones I was contempleating getting annual passes to ) are still open.
There is nothing in the terms and conditions to say they would be closed.

Is there a part of the attraction that remains open all year round or does the whole site close?

Yes, it’s standard and it’s a pain in the bum! They may have some ‘special’ opening days around Christmas, though.

@eurochick

It sounds normal. Chessington, etc do the same and sell annual passes.

The zoo element of Chessington is open throughout the year, it's only the rides that close.

The website says the whole site is closed an theres no mention of Christmas stuff. Most other places are taking the Christmas bookings now so makes me think there just shut.
The other one we had in a different theme park would close the rides in winter but all the indoor stuff was open so assumed some of it would remain open

Can you share where it is?

World of country life Exmouth

I think it's simply a case of poor phrasing - a 12 month pass v. an annual pass. Having been there, it doesn't strike me as the kind of place that would have a huge legal team to remove such ambiguity from their T&Cs.

It should be in the t&c. I've had an extension on passes for unadvertised closing. Go after an extension or partial refund.

@Ponoka7

It should be in the t&c. I've had an extension on passes for unadvertised closing. Go after an extension or partial refund.

Ok I will go after an extension / partial refund. I think I'm mostly just bummed out as it has fucked up my plans for today and now I need to find something else to do this weekend 🥴🤣

There is something on the page that says seasonal opening time apply and the park is only open between March and October half term. I would question the 12 month season ticket as it's not for 12 months. It says you will have free entry to the park for 12 months so I can understand why you bought it and I would be miffed if I bought one only to find out it's closed for nearly 5 months out of my 12 month ticket.

Sorry, 4 months as it closes after October half term.

Take screenshots of all the pages where it says it's open for 12 months. I imagine they just haven't updated their website but I would definitely be asking for a refund or a discount on next year's.

I had theatre tickets booked which were cancelled during covid, I got vouchers for a year but the theatre still hadn't reopened by the time the year was up. They extended them without any issue.

@Aimee1987 - That's near us, hello neighbour!

Unfortunately, on the information page regarding the Annual Pass (www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk/annual-pass/), it says the following:

FREE entry to the park every day throughout the season for 12 months* from date of purchase– so you can come back and forth as little or as much as you like!

*seasonal opening times apply - World of Country Life is open each year between March and the October Half Term.

So it looks like they've covered their backs. I thought they did Christmas bits too and having googled it, it looks like they definitely have done in the past, but there are no upcoming events showing on their website for Christmas 2021, which is a shame.

If you're really unhappy with what you're getting versus what you felt you were paying for, then it's certainly worth emailing them to see if they'll offer at least a partial refund.

@tapdancingmum

There is something on the page that says seasonal opening time apply and the park is only open between March and October half term. I would question the 12 month season ticket as it's not for 12 months. It says you will have free entry to the park for 12 months so I can understand why you bought it and I would be miffed if I bought one only to find out it's closed for nearly 5 months out of my 12 month ticket.

I just found it but had to scan the page several times to locate it.

Still annoyed at the phrasing. Why state 12 months entry to something that's only open for 8 months.

I have looked at the website and they do say the park is closed over the winter.