to never ever want to go to a theme park again!!!!!!!

[MiserableMotherFlunker]

Went to Chessington today and of course it was heaving with people, about an hour's queue for each ride. Had to leave a ride queue to take DS to the loo (leaving DD & DS there) and telling the people behind that I would be back. When I returned I said to people that I had left the queue to take DS to the loo and was not pushing in so they were aware of what I was doing.

Anyway this prat in front of me would not move and blocked the walkway so I could not get through on purpose, so I tapped his shoulder and told him I was returning to my place. He turned around with a snarl and said that I should not be so rude and he did not like my tone of voice . I said I was not being rude and had said excuse me. He then told me I was old and ugly and should get to the back of the queue so I basically told him tough and he should look in the mirror himself (early 20s bad case of acne, I am 37 btw and was slightly pissed off to be told I was old). DH came to meet me from the ride (he had been on another ride with DN) and I told him what had happened and DS had heard everything as he was with me and he was furious so went to where this guy was standing and gave him a bit of a mouthful about it (why were you calling my wife names, etc without swearing - the ride staff threatened to call security because it got a bit heated and DH is quite big but the guy looked suitably chastened and DH left it). I spent the rest of the day looking over my shoulder in case this guy came looking for us with a posse (he was with his girlfriend/wife and son of about 3). Am just so furious this guy was looking for trouble when he was with his own child. I did nothing wrong as anyone who has a child that needs to loo in an hour long queue would know.

It totally ruined my very expensive day and I have vowed never go to a park again while there are so many rude ignorant people about (and will be buying a good anti ageing cream - paranoid emoticon).

Hate themeparks. We went to Flamingo Land last summer and at one particular long queue a little boy decided he would push in and stand at the front. When the rest of us had been waiting over half an hour to get on, people understandably got a little defensive and a woman told him he had to to join the queue at the back like everyone else.
His mother came across and started shouting abuse at the woman saying "He's only 7, I told him to stand there because he's getting tired, he's only little, it's not like he'll take up much space on the ride!" etc etc

Soz but he can queue like everyone else! No matter how tiny he is!

Well I agree SBS (charming name btw!), no basis for queue jumping in that scenario

I had the misfortune to be at a theme park today. Witnessed some people grumbling vociferously because a wheel chair user was guided to seats on the ride and didn't have to queue like everybody else. Speechless at their attitude!

laughing at all us Brits arguing about queuing

At one of the theme parks, it might be Lighwater valley, they have clear rules put up by the rides saying that you cannot rejoin queues. We went down South and I silently seethed at all the middle class women pushing in at Legoland on the grounds that their child was going for a drink/toy/wee. We queued for loos/icecreams/drinks and then queued again for the ride; they should do the same.

It is not people stopping a child pushing in; almost everyone in the queue will be people with their children who you want to push in front of. I can't believe you would rather enter into an altercation in front of your child than simply tell them they had to queue! When I was seething I could at least keep some perspective by reminding myself that it is a theme park: we are not waiting for life boats on the Titanic.

Having said that, it is stressful and I think Chessington is partly to blame by letting in too many people and by not having clearly stated rules on queue jumping.

I have (a bit sad this) checked on the Chessington website! If you child needs the loo, you can go to guest services and get a pass to get on the ride. You should not try to regain your place in the queue.

This seems a sensible and civilised solution.

Very sensible point MillyR - my husband would love you ("why-don't-you-ever-read-the-bloody-instruction-book?")

For my two penneth I love the whole theme park thing but I don't intend to take my kids until they are early teens so that a) they can go on the big rides with me and b) they are old enough to appreciate it. I never understand people taking very young children on an expensive holiday to Disneyland - they can't get the best out of it surely?

I think your average 5 year old is going to get a whole lot more out of Disneyland Paris than a 13 year old, Fairynuff.

The visual spectacle of sparkly princesses and their entourage in a Disney procession will have lost its lustre and magic for most teens! Also most teenagers would surely prefer to hide in their hoodies than meet the Characters and cuddle Minnie Mouse?

Think you are missing a trick if you are going to wait until they are much older before they go to Disneyland....

I am inclined to agree re Big theme parks such as Alton Towers however...won't be doing those until my childre are older

you still up for a scrap, hmc?

We recently took teh dds ro disneyland paris (12 and 10) and they both got loads out of it. We all enjoyed the parades and the lighting up of the castle (even though dd1 tried to look like at the beginning). Dd2 loved meeting the characters and getting their autographs which surprised me. I thought she was more mature than that . Even dd2 cuddled Emile.

And there were so many rides to go on we easily filled 3-4 days. Enough white knuckle ones to keep them satisfied. Enough funny kiddy ones to laugh about (it's a small world).

No queue interruptions due to needing the toilet, no problem queuing from 7 in teh morning till 9 at night, no tears, great company. ahhh, it were brill.

(even dd1 cuddled Emile - we couldn't drag dd2 away)

havent read all the posts but chessington actually operate a policy called pit stop pass may need to scroll down so you can rejoin the queue if your child needs the loo, im not sure what age this goes up to as my oldest is a toddler

but agree ypou should say, "excuse me i need to get to my children, if that is an issue please contact a member of staff her" and not get into a slanging match or allow your dh to on your behalf

tbh if my children had witnessed your dh speaking like that to someone else in the queue i would have been expected him to be told tstop or security to be called,sorry

I think it's typical that this man spoke to a female on her own like crap and then backed down when faced with a man his size. Good on you and your bloke for defending you, this man sounds like a real gutless twat.