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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take DC to a theme park in the heatwave?

25 replies

Bakingwithmyboys · 10/08/2022 08:31

We've not had the best of summers. MIL passed away a bit suddenly at the start of July. Funeral was yesterday as it went to coroner, burial is today. We had to cancel our holiday as it should have been this week.

DS and 3 and 7. It's hit them hard, they were lucky enough to have a close relationship with her so they do miss her.

We were supposed to go to Paultons park on Friday as a nice end to the week and to still give the boys some nice days out over summer.

I'm just a little concerned about going in the heat. Will it make us just grumpy and not enjoy the day or will we be ok?
Anyone got any tips to survive the day?

AIBU to go to a theme park in 30 degree heat?

OP posts:
ColettesEarrings · 10/08/2022 08:35

I wouldn't but then I dislike theme parks and really dislike 30° temps! Pack lots of snacks and water, lots of little distracting games or toys for the queues, large hats, and be prepared to shell out lots of money on multiple ice lollies.

MoodyTwo · 10/08/2022 08:36

Can you get a que jump pass so your not stood in the heat?

Sunnyqueen · 10/08/2022 08:37

I think you'll be fine its only early 30s. Just take all the usual precautions, lots of fluids, sun hats, sun cream, hand held fans etc. Maybe take a stroller with a parasol on for 3yo as all the walking about the park might get to him a bit. On that note if youve not been before look up the map of the park before you go and plan your route to minimise walking and get an idea of where there are seating areas and ice cream stands etc for breaks.

TeenDivided · 10/08/2022 08:38

Paultons is lovely but it's not an ideal activity for a heatwave.
There are shady parts, but not really where the rides are.
On the other hand presumably fewer people will go so the queues might be less?
There are a couple of water areas, though we have a hosepipe ban so they may not be allowed to be running.
It's expensive. I'd be tempted to save it for when you can enjoy a full day personally.

LittleMG · 10/08/2022 08:40

I wouldn’t, my friend got heat stroke at a theme park on a hot day about 5 yrs ago and she was so ill.

Rainallnight · 10/08/2022 08:44

I’m so sorry you’ve had such a tough time.

I think I probably wouldn’t do a theme park this Friday. As you say, there’s a risk it would be so hot and grumpy.

Would you consider an outdoor swimming thing that day, so everyone stays cool? Maybe a lido or water park?

Thatboymum · 10/08/2022 08:44

In Scotland we have had the shittest weather this summer we are in Newcastle this week it’s like 27 degrees and we are going to digger land today with 6&4 year old making the most of the sun, just be sensible with suncream and fluids and resting and you’ll be fine

Skyeheather · 10/08/2022 08:50

We went to Legoland on the hottest day of the last heatwave. Legoland gave people who had pre-booked tickets the option of moving to another day and most people took it so Legoland was deserted, we didn't have to queue for anything all day, it was great. They did however have to close some of the rides in the afternoon due to the heat (the sun was shining on the seats making them too hot to sit on and they couldn't have customers burning their bums so the rides closed) or you were only allowed to sit on the seats that were in the shade. We still had a good day though.

We did drink huge amounts of water. At Legoland there are free water points everywhere, does Paulton's offer this? We took refillable bottles and were filling them up constantly. Make sure you wear sun hats and apply lots of sun cream. It was hot walking around but still a good day. No regrets going in a heatwave.

We went just before the school holidays though......

Favouritefruits · 10/08/2022 09:05

If you’ve all ready promised them you can’t back out now, especially if they’ve had a tough few months. Lots of water, ice creams and no rushing around you’ll be fine.

balalake · 10/08/2022 09:07

Can you go next week when it is in the 20s?

Lifelessordinary1 · 10/08/2022 09:10

It depends on how you and the children cope in hot weather - I'm absolutely fine and so is my Granddaughter but my daughter and Grandson hate the heat.

How upset would the children be if you moved the date - some would take it well, others less so.

Go with what you know about your family.

Whatevertheweather · 10/08/2022 09:12

There’s two big splash parks at PP - one in the Paultons side and one in the Peppa Pig side. I would go and just plan a couple of stops through the day in the splash parks to cool off!

clickychicky · 10/08/2022 09:12

You're going to have to take them. Take water. And ice packs.

Sandinmyknickers · 10/08/2022 09:13

Sunhat, ice packs/drinks, suncream... being outdoors might have more of a breeze than at home anyway. I would go but just be sensible

pimlicoanna · 10/08/2022 09:18

I wouldn't with kids that age in the baking sun

CrotchetyQuaver · 10/08/2022 09:19

Well maybe talk to the DC about it will be very hot and would they like to do it another day instead when it's cooler. They may be happy to go another day

Goldbar · 10/08/2022 09:23

I think I remember that there was a splash park and indoor soft play area, although it's years since I've been. I'd check that the splash areas are running and whether the soft play is air conditioned and plan to use those during the hottest park of the day.

Goldbar · 10/08/2022 09:23

part

nojudgementhere · 10/08/2022 09:25

So long as the splash park is open then I'd take them so long as I had a t shirt / rash vest they could wear in the water to keep them covered. There are some lovely shaded, garden areas where you could have a nice cool picnic in the hottest part of the day. There's also some indoor activities like the 4d cinema and the indoor playzone where they could cool off for a bit. Queues have never been that big when we've gone and you can buy individual fast passes for the most popular rides I think. If you do go then I hope you have a wonderful time!

Phos · 10/08/2022 09:25

We went to Legoland in that kind of heat. It was fine. Put DD in a hat (she kept taking it off though), sun cream, plenty drinks and ice lollies and spent some time in the splash park to cool down.

10HailMarys · 10/08/2022 09:33

Provided the kids have hats, sunscreen and stay hydrated, it's fine. It's very hot, but it's no hotter than the kind of weather in which you'd go to a theme park in Spain, or Florida or whatever. If it was 40C I'd say no, but while 30C is very hot, it's not freakishly hot.

Dragmedown · 10/08/2022 09:35

If I hadn’t already told my kids and got them excited about it (I somehow always repeat this mistake!) then I wouldn’t take them. Change your tickets for another day soon when the weather is more bearable. Hope things pick up for you all.

itsgettingweird · 10/08/2022 09:36

There's lots of shade if needed at Paultons.

I live near there but have teen so we are heading to chessington instead for a theme park - on Friday!

Do t forget they also have the splash park which you can just run though to,cool off and go and queue for another ride if you want Grin

itsgettingweird · 10/08/2022 09:37

Oh and fwiw we had season tickets for years.

We often have 30° over the summer here and I've always gone when it's that hot too.

TeenDivided · 10/08/2022 10:11

It is due to be 33C down here on Friday.

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