4
A (Mostly) Great Holiday Park
I've reviewed this park [elsewhere] before with glowing 5☆ reviews... sadly, this year, I cannot be as effusive. And it's not entirely down to this being my first time thinking about accessibility issues...
Our break this time didn't get off to the best of starts. We, along with others arriving at the same time and, presumably, throughout the day, drove up to the main reception... only to be told that we had to go back down the hill as check-in was taking place in the Showbar. Some simple signposting would have avoided that and maybe also cheered up the receptionist a bit, who was clearly fed up with having to tell this to all of us annoying customers interrupting whatever it is receptionists do when they're not actually being a receptionist.
This being our third time at this particular Parkdean site (but first since I've been in a wheelchair), we knew that the Wemyss Bay park wouldn't be ideal... but we weren't prepared for just how unsuitable it was. As well as being on quite the slope, which we did know about to be fair, all of the roads were quite severely potholed. Negotiating my wheelchair to the caravan from the entertainment hub would have been quite impossible, especially after dark.
Another problem, in particular, was that, despite being termtime, there were loads of school-age kids around. Any truant officers would have had a field day if they came onto the park. Put it this way, if they worked on commission, they would have been able to consider retiring. As an aside, if any policymakers are reading this, I wonder if shifting a modicum of responsibility for this onto the accommodation providers would stop us adult holidaymakers, who specifically take their holidays off-season, having their breaks ruined by hordes of screeching brats?
It's beginning to seem like I'm really dissing the Wemyss Bay Parkdean. I'm really not! It's just that our previous experience with the park has been so positive that the few problems this time round have really stood out.
Sorting the potholes and suggesting that their receptionist smiles every so often would go a long way to regaining top marks.
The caravan itself was great... clean, well-equipped and with fantastic views.
Now, admittedly, we weren't in a "Wheelchair Accessible" caravan but I've managed before without a problem.
Ensuring, at least, having a verandah, means that there are double railings on the outside steps, and I can manage with my zimmer within the van. And we also booked accommodation with a private parking space next to the van, so we could get the car right to the door.
We ended up only using the Hub a couple of times, and not for food. It's very accessible with the main bar being on the level and ramps to all other areas. There are accessible toilets but I didn't need to use them.
The local area is fantastic. The beautiful Wemyss Bay station is worth a visit in itself and nearby Largs is a lovely wee town. Ferries to Arran, Great Cumbrae, Bute and the Cowal Peninsula are all close by. The view from the park is worth the visit alone, especially if you catch a sunset.
We will definitely return again, so don't worry Parkdean(!), but I do hope you can address the issues I've raised.
I've reviewed this park [elsewhere] before with glowing 5☆ reviews... sadly, this year, I cannot be as effusive. And it's not entirely down to this being my first time thinking about accessibility issues...
Our break this time didn't get off to the best of starts. We, along with others arriving at the same time and, presumably, throughout the day, drove up to the main reception... only to be told that we had to go back down the hill as check-in was taking place in the Showbar. Some simple signposting would have avoided that and maybe also cheered up the receptionist a bit, who was clearly fed up with having to tell this to all of us annoying customers interrupting whatever it is receptionists do when they're not actually being a receptionist.
This being our third time at this particular Parkdean site (but first since I've been in a wheelchair), we knew that the Wemyss Bay park wouldn't be ideal... but we weren't prepared for just how unsuitable it was. As well as being on quite the slope, which we did know about to be fair, all of the roads were quite severely potholed. Negotiating my wheelchair to the caravan from the entertainment hub would have been quite impossible, especially after dark.
Another problem, in particular, was that, despite being termtime, there were loads of school-age kids around. Any truant officers would have had a field day if they came onto the park. Put it this way, if they worked on commission, they would have been able to consider retiring. As an aside, if any policymakers are reading this, I wonder if shifting a modicum of responsibility for this onto the accommodation providers would stop us adult holidaymakers, who specifically take their holidays off-season, having their breaks ruined by hordes of screeching brats?
It's beginning to seem like I'm really dissing the Wemyss Bay Parkdean. I'm really not! It's just that our previous experience with the park has been so positive that the few problems this time round have really stood out.
Sorting the potholes and suggesting that their receptionist smiles every so often would go a long way to regaining top marks.
The caravan itself was great... clean, well-equipped and with fantastic views.
Now, admittedly, we weren't in a "Wheelchair Accessible" caravan but I've managed before without a problem.
Ensuring, at least, having a verandah, means that there are double railings on the outside steps, and I can manage with my zimmer within the van. And we also booked accommodation with a private parking space next to the van, so we could get the car right to the door.
We ended up only using the Hub a couple of times, and not for food. It's very accessible with the main bar being on the level and ramps to all other areas. There are accessible toilets but I didn't need to use them.
The local area is fantastic. The beautiful Wemyss Bay station is worth a visit in itself and nearby Largs is a lovely wee town. Ferries to Arran, Great Cumbrae, Bute and the Cowal Peninsula are all close by. The view from the park is worth the visit alone, especially if you catch a sunset.
We will definitely return again, so don't worry Parkdean(!), but I do hope you can address the issues I've raised.
