TAKING US FOR A RIDE
Fury as theme parks charge kids adult rates
GREEDY theme parks have been slammed for charging three-year-olds the same ticket price as their parents.
Family attractions such as Chessington World of Adventures now have one price for all visitors.
Teenage campaigners and consumer experts called on operators to think of cash-strapped families and review “unfair” admissions.
It comes as millions of parents start planning theme park staycations and days out.
Chessington and Legoland Windsor have a single ticket price of £29 for visitors, itors, with only under-threes ees going free.
Other attractions tractions also came in for stick, viewing anyone over 12 as an adult. Alton Towers, Staffordshire, has £27.50 kid tickets for those aged three to 12, then it shoots up to £33. Drayton Manor’s child tickets are for under-12s. Anyone else visi visiting the Staffs theme pa park must fork out £30 on th the day – a third more t than a child’s. Online d discounts are the same fo for everyone over 12. Martyn James, of con consumer websi t e Resolv Resolver, said: “You’re a child till you’re 16 – and for some things 18 – so how is it fair that a huge range of businesses charge adult
prices from 12? It’s time firms charged kids’ prices until they’re officially adults.”
Attractions including Edinburgh Castle, HMS Belfast on the Thames and London’s Imperial War Museum charge adult prices for over 16s.
Students Emily Stott and Sophie Barber, both 19, launched the Childfare website calling for fair prices for under-18s.
Emily, of Nottingham, said: “In the eyes of the law you’re an adult at 18. They should set prices accordingly.”
The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions said theme parks consider their target market when setting prices and there are no set rules.