To think this was badly handled? London zoo

[LondonZoo55]

They are doing an accessibility scheme thing for people on low incomes, so anybody who receives supplemental universal credit etc.

A woman took it upon herself to post about it in a Facebook bargain group and it went viral.

Thousands of people (us included) have been turned away at the gates after travelling for 2hrs to get here. We were happy to pay full price and came fully intending to even though we do qualify, but we were refused as they're at max capacity.

Cue a meltdown from autistic DS. A tantrum from DD. It was absolute mayhem.

AIBU to think this was badly handled?

There are people that have travelled further than us, the zoo employees are apologetic and suggested they try again tomorrow. It'll be like this daily until the offer ends on 31st March.

Ridiculous.

You’re the only person who has handled it badly. If you want to take your kids somewhere, you prebook, especially at half term!

This would have been a good idea.

An attraction not far from us did this a few weeks ago - reduced entry for people who live within a fairly close proximity.

This can happen anyway, without the scheme for people on a low income. I have been to the typical half term day out places like the aquarium etc during half term and been told they are full. Granted they usually give us a slot and say to come back later rather than just no entry at all, but it's to be expected that with people who would not have usually been able to go now being able to go would mean it is even more full than those times people get turned away without the scheme.

I’d love to hear OP’s solution to this

Or those who complain to shop workers on boxing day that the shops are open on boxing day

This is routine in London. However it does feel really horrible when you misjudge it and your kids are crying and you feel like the crappest parent ever. It used to make me really angry on the odd occasion it happened to me. Obviously it was my fault but that didn't make it feel better. Hopefully the OP stopped reading poster after poster putting the boot in after the first few hundred posts 😬

Gah, you're all right. I messed up.

The reason I didn't book ahead was because I was told (by the friend we was meeting there - I've never been before) that I need to show proof of DLA at the door. I'm a carer for DS so whilst he and the others require full price tickets (DP, DD etc) I get in for free.

Incredibly frustrating to be turned away but it is what it is. We resorted to a picnic in Regents Park.

I book in advance and get dla and carers you just show proof at the door even if you’ve booked in advance, your fault for not checking that. If you had looked you would have seen it lets you add a free carer.

Cripes places can't do right anymore can they. Entirely sensible to turn people away when at capacity.

It was badly handled by you, OP, especially with children of an age or disposition to not be able to handle changes to the plan or disappointment.

Poorly thought out from London Zoo, I saw the FB post and they told people they were no limits on the number of £3 tickets so everyone likely thought they would get in.

Not the zoo's fault, they are only allowed so many in.

It is half term so would have been busy anyway.

How awful for you. A full paying family being turned away when the place was full of poor riff raff.

Any offer is always subject to availability.

if a child’s favourite or most coveted toy goes on offer and you go down to the toy shop to buy one and they’re sold out is the shop at fault?

Travelling for two hours to get into an attraction which you absolutely know is going to be full was never going to end well.

And pre-booking was never going to work out because too many people would have booked, taken up the places, and then turned out not to be eligible.

This kind of offer is always luck of the draw. And if you have a child who cannot handle change and you know that, then you would know that you needed to pre book because there’s no way you didn’t know that they wouldn’t sell. Out. You absolutely did know.

Fair play op, you've had quite the bashing and been gracious in the face of it.

OP's acknowledged this was her error.

Your friend is wrong. When you book online you select disabled guest where it clearly states carer goes free.

OP sorry you've had a wasted trip.

For future reference you book online, carer doesn't require a ticket and then show proof when you arrive

Hope that helps next time!

I was told by a zoo employee that they had closed ticket booking for full paying customers so I couldn't have got tickets there and then.

They probably expected more just locals on low income rather than people travelling for hours to save less than the travel costs (in many cases). I would think

I had the royal hump when I posted and was venting out of place. I felt guilty and embarrassed that my lack of prior planning spoiled the day for the kids. We live and we learn though. Hopefully we can go another time.

No need for the nastiness though, just say I'm unreasonable and hold the abuse 😂

I live in London and the zoo is mission for me to get to, well over an hour from work (which is the only reason I'd go) and that's also in London. Unless you mean only accessible to Camden residents?

Good for you, OP. I hope you had a great time picnicking in the park.

I'm with you OP. Those tickets should have been bookable in advance. MN loves a reason to put low income people in their place.

I did share a link on MN for think thinking it would be good for those on UC or low income. I myself don’t qualify but glad to see there’s always someone to moan about people sharing links to try and help others out.