Not the best for wheelchair users
2
2
Date of visit: September 2017
I have experience of challenges around: hearing and moving around.
Overall Rating
Poor
As always I check out the disabled loos, most of them didnt even have an emergency cord, one I couldnt even get my wheelchair in, another had more spiders in than I was willing to sit around and count, One of the 'new loos' which had one an award, had the red cord so tight in the corner behind the loo that it would be impossible to get to if you fell, Most of the attractions although say they are accessible are not truly if you cannot walk, on the 'Thomas' Train I had to wait until everyone was on so the train could pull forward as the barrier was in the way and couldnt turn my wheelchair to get up the ramp. on the Drayton Manor train I could get on fine, but there was a step that made it near impossible to get off again the guard had to push my electric chair. Most rides unless u can walk are not accesible I am fortunate that I can partly weight bare, or I would have been excluded from even more rides.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
There are plenty of seats to stop and rest if you dont want to do it at lunch time as they get taken very quickly, none of the tables had wheelchair slots so u have to sit at an end. also the picnic tables were in some cases very wobbly and dirty. there were alot of steps around and also little steps which could be classed as a tripping hazard, some doors were quite narrow, although staff were mostly helpful, some could do with smiling,
Parking & Transport
Good
If you are early enough there are many disabled places for parking , not the biggest spaces but not bad, public transport is out of my remit I am afraid
Accessible Toilets
Bad
the loos are terrible, only two on the whole site were big enough to turn around in, and also to transfer, the others were either dirty, no emergency cord, loo roll half way up the wall, flush on wrong side, narrow door way, slippery floor, dripping taps, air dryers great for drying hair not good for hands, emergency pull in corners not accessible, the list goes on,
Staff
Average
Most staff helpful and smiley, some of the staff were miserable and couldnt be bothered, and could do with learning to smile or change job,
Additional Information
overall the place is good it could do with being a lot better and has a lot going for it, but they could do with talking to disabled people and not sticking to the bare min building regs, taking into account the various papers on dignity care and wellbeing, basically if your walking and prepared to que its not a bad place, although alot of rides were not working when I was there, if your disabled and like to go on rides this perhaps is not the theme park best suited for you,
