Blocked by a Tourist Attraction

[MrsMomoa2]

This is a relatively small attraction in part of the UK but popular in the Summer months and been there for years. I visited as a child and for past 10 years we have stayed locally and visited every year with my children and more recently my nephew.
They used to offer return visit as many times as you wanted within 7 days but this was stopped a couple of years ago due to abuse.
As we stayed opposite it was a great place to pop in for 1/2 hour at end of the day so in conversation that first year they kindly agreed to give us the 7 day free return. Last year we spoke to one of the owners who again was lovely and agreed again
(just to confirm max of 1 child and 2 adults at a time and would not have impacted on anyone else going in)
This year I asked again and after disappearing was quite rudely told no. I have no issue with the refusal but it was the way I was made to feel and my son (SEN) was upset. We still went round the attraction that day as it is a passage of rights to us now!
My sister did ask the following morning and did not realise was the same person who was just as rude!
On return I sent a private message saying how much we loved the attraction but was disappointed by the staff member’s attitude. Although we were disappointed by not being able to pop in we did understand but we still had visited and was lovely.

I was shocked to get a very curt reply a few days later. Telling me how cheeky we had been and trying to take advantage eyc etc. It had been their Deputy Manager and we had put her in a really awkward position and we could have accepted the offer a season ticket. (Not offered!!)
It was a really rude reply and left me a bit taken a back. I tried to reply politely and say this was not offered to find I had been blocked from all their social media (I was pretty active in a positive way!This has been a place that I grew up visiting and was weirdly special, I have many photos of my kids at various stages but to behave like this. I was truly never rude! Just surprised and now feel upset over this.

I did email but never received a reply. I know third world problems but just feel upset about it all really.
AIBU (or are they!)

I’m wondering what tourist attraction this could possibly that anyone would want to see so much.

Cheapskates usually do get a short shrift when trying it on.

There’s a farm park near me with soft play. Loads of people have a season ticket and just pop in for a short amount of time in there. Lots of attractions have little outdoor parks. My guess is something like that.

Cringing for everyone involved.

Just wondering why your sister asked for a free pass when you had already been refused? Cf's all the way.
You know attractions have been struggling post Covid? If it was that special, show it some support and pay your way, rather than trying to take advantage!

It's not a right of passage, it's a rite of passage. Not wanting to be pedantic, but it makes all the difference in this context. A right would imply you were actually entitled to do it - which you weren't. Sad, but times change.

So do you blow off steam by patting a goat?

I was hoping it was Madame Tussaud’s.

Don’t let it ruin your attachment or experience of the place though. Sounds like one bad apple out of the bunch. It was probably more laid back lower level employees that worked with you before. I live in a touristy area and there’s often special deals for locals. We just show our ID with local address and get a discount most places. It’s not unreasonable or unheard of. I think they greatly overreacted, so don’t let them ruin your fun.

You then throw the fact your child has Sen and was upset, as if that entitles you to have something others aren't allowed.

😂😂😂😂

I promise you this those workers will be laughing at you cfery for a long time. I find it hard to belive you aren't mortified by your behavior. I cringe in second hand embarrassment

That is one heck of an entitlement issue you have right there, OP. Imagine if everyone who had a childhood attachment to Disney demanded free entry!

You’re being ridiculous. Send them an apology for being a CF.

CF won't be coming back here either...

Cringing so much but most about ‘third world problem’ 🤦‍♀️

Is this attraction a family-run business?

Even if it’s not, has it passed you by that times are harder for almost everyone running a business these days?

You asked, you were told no, that should have been the end of it. That it was special to you doesn’t entitle you to special treatment from them. They have bills to pay. A customer’s happy memories of the place won’t pay those bills.

I have very fond memories of a pizzeria my parents used to take me and my siblings to as a kid, and now I take mine. It’s the owner’s children running it now. Times are hard. We DELIBERATELY leave bigger tips for the wait staff (so they stick around longer), order more (and take the rest home), and go more frequently. The owners know what we’re doing, and it’s the least we can do for all the times the grandad used to give us all a free scoop of ice cream when we were children. This is how you treat a valued business, not by making a tough job tougher.

What the fuck is wrong with people.

If you want to use the attraction then pay for it.

It’s vile when people do that 😡!

Probably sulking as they didn’t get the responses they’d hoped

Presumably the season ticket deal would be on the price list you could see if you weren't trying to still get the deal and price from three years ago again. You didn't need to be offered it, nor to invoke your child's SEN unless that's relevant in some way beyond extra CF sympathy grab?

It’s rite of passage.

It does seem pretty cheeky to keep asking just because you've visited quite a lot previously.

You are a customer and you need to pay!

I'm in the US - is "passage of rights" a common phrase in the UK? We have "rite of passage" here, but it isn't really used how the OP used it here.

Ugh, I should have read the whole thread before I asked my question. 😒

Ha ha no!!! We also don’t say ‘third world problem’ 😵‍💫

Good spot! 🤣🤣