Reduced entry price to attraction for carers.

[Jenkeywoo]

We are off on holiday tomorrow, down to Devon to stay in a little caravan. I've been looking at some of the places we would like to visit and some say entry is free for carers of a disabled person. My dd is 17 months old and has cp, gets DLA so does that mean I could ask for free entry? I feel so weird about it all as if I am scamming them or something - yet if the truth be known I will spend more time caring for dd than enjoying the attraction myself. I think because she's little and in a pushchair they might think I'm making it up. What do you think? I don't want to 'cash in' on dd's condition but any saving at this time would really help. Just feeling so darn embarrassed about it all, it's ridiculous, I don't think I've got the balls to ask for something I probably am entitled to.

i ALWAYS ask if they have concessions. it is not cashing in it is making life easier.
Ask once then next time it will be easier. I ask every time now to keep the habit.

Go ahead Jenkeywoo and ask for concessions, you are entitled to them. It would be a good idea to take along some documentation relating to your daughters CP as some places ask to see proof and then you wouldn't need to worry about people thinking that you are scamming them.

sadly it does get easier as they get older. dd is in a wheelchair so I have never been asked for proof.

YES! You should ask for discounts, if anything to reinforce the principle! You do get used to it. Your Soc Svs dept should have a Register of Disabled Children and they may be able to give you an ID card, we have one which I use to prove DS's disability when needed.
As an aside, we took DD (NT) to Longleat recently and the woman at the booth noticed our Blue Badge which I always leave in the car as I got tickets when I forgot to put it back. She asked if we had someone disabled with us and, exactly at the same time DH said "yes" and I said "no". She looked at me as if she suspected that I was the one with some hidden disability and gave us a massive discount..... we didn't argue!

Dear Lord, yes, ask for it. DD1 needs 1:1 care. If she didn't, one of us would have a lie in on holiday and the other one take the kids out. The only reason we need 2 adults for 2 kids is because of her disability, so we're paying extra because she is disabled.

Re: proof .... I got our paed (bless him) to write The Mother Of All Letters because Legoland were being a bit tricky about what did or did not count (some places it's the DLA letter, some places just believe you - Legoland, because their exit pass scheme is so subject to misuse need a "diagnosis" explaining the problem and how it relates to your ability to queue ) I can quote the whole thing if it helps - it's entirely comprehensive and gets us in anywhere! lol!

We've had an ID card for DD since she was little from the council which says she is a registered disabled person.

Ds's teacher wrote us a letter to take to Legoland (on school headed notepaper) to explain why he couldn't queue and they accepted that with no problem.

Definitely ask. When I had a meet-up with MissesF from the SN board she phoned the place in advance and told them we were coming. It turned out to be a good thing because when they later saw ds2 (ASD) about to escape they were able to stop him and put a call out for us. The money off helps too.

i am not sure if this is relevant or not, but my dp works in a childrens home,none of these children have 'obvious' disability or problems, however they do have emotional issues.

anway i know that when dp takes them out, ie to the cinema, to museums, etc when they go into somewhere he says he is their "carer" and most places let him in for free, he was shocked by this but it is what his bosses told him to do (the care home is run by a charity) and even at the cinema etc he hasnt been asked for any id or proof, (though he does have photographic carers id) and they do just let him in for free.

i dont think it is taking advantage at all, go for it, think of the benefits to your child and family, those saved entry fees etc will add up and you could save for a special treat etc, you are entitled to it, use it

Thanks for this thread and the info. I didnt realise council would give a card as proof. Also didnt think to ask when we go out for a discount as Im ds's carer.

Hi my son is profoundly deaf and has a learning delay and behaviour problems too, we have got into several places free with his disabled badge, including London Zoo and Eye, Longleat(half price) and free to Edinburgh Zoo too. On the Eye i got in free my son got in with a disabled rate and we went to the front of the queue. Ive heard its possible to do this at pleasure parks too!

Yes you can at pleasure parks lottiejenkins, if you went to, for example, Chessingtons and it was the first time then you would have to provide proof of disability if not immediatly obvious and fill out a basic form. On subsequent visists to all Taussauds group parks (Alton towers and Thorpe park) all you have to do is quote your postcode and the name of the disabled person and it will be on their system. You then get a wristband and time card and enter all rides by the exit and if a premium ride then they write on your time card the equilivent time of the main queue and you can't go on another premium ride until that time. Just use the time in between to go on smaller rides, eat ect.

One note of caution though, disabled people get in at a reduced price and carers have to pay full price, the wristband you get from guest services and they have your details but the pay booths don't so may ask to see proof there.

I always ask if they do concessions for disabled visitors, even if it's not displayed anywhere. Even our local swimming baths do!