Facilities and Services Available for Disabled Guests
Here is a quick overview of the facilities and services available for disabled guests at Paultons Park, so that you can decide if this attraction is able to meet your access requirements. Please note: some of the services are listed below and a full explanation is available later on in the blog post. In order to quickly navigate through the post you can use the table of contents.
- Mobility scooter hire: Paultons Park offer a number of mobility scooters for hire. You must pre book a mobility scooter via Paultons Park website website Before your visit. Pre-book a mobility scooter link
- Wheelchair hire: Paultons offers a limited number of wheelchair available to hire free of charge from first aid. Due to limited numbers Paultons Park recommend pre booking a wheelchair via email: enquiries@paultons.co.uk or phone: 023 8081 4442
- Ear defender hire: Ear defenders can be hired on a first come first serve base from the first aid centre for a £10 refundable deposit.
- Changing place: Paultons Park have a changing places toilet located just after the entrance to the theme park. Full details of the changing place via the changing places website. Paultons Park changing place link
- Assistance dogs: Fully trained and experienced assistance dogs are welcome at Paultons park. Paultons Park offer a designated grass fouling area located behind the Pavilion in John and Anne’s Garden. For more information on visiting Paultons with an assistance dog please search ‘assistance dogs’ on Paultons website. Assistance dogs at Paultons Park link
- Essential Companion tickets: Essential companion tickets formally known as carer tickets are available at Paultons Park and must be done before your visit. I detail all you need to know in the ‘before you visit’ blog post.
- Queue assist: For guests who are unable to queue in a conventional queue line due to a disability, Paultons Park offer the reasonable adjustment of their queue assist scheme. This must be done before your visit, don’t worry I detail all you need to know in the relevant sections of this post.
- Quiet areas: Paultons park have a number of sensory friendly and quiet gardens. You can find out more about our experience using the quiet areas at the ‘quiet areas’ section of this blog post.
Before Your Visit
Before visiting Paultons Park there are a few steps you must take in order to ensure you have the correct access available to you so you can enjoy your day.
Essential Companion ticket
For Paultons Park you book your essential companion ticket and ticket for the disabled guest together. It is important to note that the tickets for the disabled person and essential companion is booked separately to other ticket types.
Booking with an access card: If you already have an access card with the +1 or +2 symbol then you simply book the tickets for the access card holder and essential companion on Paultons Park website. The booking system will prompt you to enter the access card holders name and access card ID. Your access card ID is the number on the front of your access card. Book disabled guest and essential companion ticket link
Booking without an access card: If you do not wish to purchase the access card and only want access at Paultons Park then to get an essential companion ticket you can register your access requirements for Paultons Park. You should allow 10 days for your application to be processed. This is the same application you use if you don’t have an access card and require a queue assist pass. Register your access needs with Paultons Park application form link
queue assist
Pre book queue assist with an access card: If you have an access card with the standing and queuing Symbol or the WC Symbol then you simply pre book your queue assist via Paultons Park website. The booking system will prompt you to enter the access card holders name and access card ID. Your access card ID is the number on the front of your access card. You will be sent an email with your queue assist pre book (remember to check your junk mail) the email will enclose your queue assist ticket as well as some helpful information about queue assist at Paultons Park. Pre book queue assist link
Unable to queue but Don’t have an access card?: If you do not not have an access card and wish to purchase one I have a full blog post detailing the process. Access card blog post link If you don’t want an access card only want access at Paultons park then in order to use queue assist you can register your access Reequipments on Paultons Website. You should allow 5 days for Applications to be Processed. Please note: this is the same application you use if you don’t have an access card and require an essential companion ticket. Book disabled guest and essential companion ticket link
Arrivals
In this section of the blog we detail what will happen when you arrive at Paultons Park so you know what to expect and can get on the rides as quickly as possible.
blue badge parking
Paultons Park offer plenty of blue badge parking. We arrived at around 10:30 on both days and there were plenty of spaces of left. The blue badge parking was located very close the entrance we could see the iconic Paultons park sign from our car.
entering the park
Paultons Park had male, Female and shared baby change and Accessible toilets before entering the park as well as a kiosk to get snacks. Upon entry to Paultons Park a member of staff will scan your ticket allowing you entry to the park. We found the entrance queue to move quicky with plenty of turnstiles. The entrance operation were very efficient considering all children under 1 meter are measured on the gate as enter for free.
collecting queue Assist wristband and time card
Once entering the park you will need to head to first aid to collect your queue Assist time card and wristband. To get to the first aid centre turn right once entering the park. On both days of our visit their was no queue at first aid and the staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Once in first aid the QR code on my queue assist pre book confirmation email was scanned. I was then given a wristband to wear, a different colour wristband is issued depending on the guests height and weight. Don’t worry if you are unable to wear a wristband the staff checked if I was able to before putting the wristband on. If you are unable to wear a wristband then from our experience the staff will look to an alternative solution. I was then given a time card to show at each attraction as well as our time card we were also given an information booklet. The information booklet included all of the access information for each ride as well as where to enter the ride using the queue assist scheme. This was a brilliant addition as the information was very well laid out with each ride having all of the access information. This was particularly helpful for me due to my vision and processing issues as I find it challenging to navigate the information when it’s all in a big table.
How Queue Assist Works
Similar to most theme parks in the UK you give your time card to the ride staff they then time you out the length of the queue time. For example, if you went on the ride at 11:00 and the main queue line for the ride was 20 minutes the time written on your time card would be 11:20 meaning that you are unable to access another attraction using the queue assist scheme till 11:20. I wouldn’t worry to much about really long time outs as Paultons Park don’t normally experience really long main queue for their rides and attractions.
Paultons Park implement a one ride per day rule the majority of their rides. This means that you are only able to go on the ride 1 time per day using the queue assist scheme. This is something I was a little worried about as we were only bothered in the more thrilling rides so I wasn’t sure if there would be enough for us to do only being able to go on the popular rides once per day. I had nothing to worry about there was plenty to do to fill both days despite not doing re-rides. The limit of 1 ride per day can also ensure that waiting is kept to a Minimum on all attractions when using queue assist in busy periods.
In terms of using queue assist to access rides, I’ve detailed the queue assist entrance for all the rides we went on in this blog post. The majority of rides you simply go to the ride exit show your time card and wristband. Paultons Park allow the queue assist user plus three accompanying guests on the majority of rides. However, the following rides are limited to queue assist user plus one accompanying person: George’s Dinosaur Adventure, Buffalo Falls and Al’s Auto Academy. Please note: the queue assist user must be present and ride all rides when using the queue assist scheme. The queue assist user is required to be accompanied by at least one person over the age of 14. However, if the queue assist users doesn’t meet hight restrictions to ride unaccompanied on a ride then they will be accompanied by a responsible adult 16+. More information about Pautlons Park queue assist scheme can be found on the accessibility section of Paultons Park website. Paultons Park queue assist pass link
Our Day at Paultons Park
Now we’re in the park and have sorted all of our access out it’s time to enjoy the park and get on some rides. In this section you will find a write up of our day of Paultons park including all the accessibility information of course. So come and enjoy the day with us!
Tornado springs
We headed straight to Tornado Springs Paultons Park Newest area. I had head reviews online about how well themed this area was and on my goodness the areas theming was definitely the best of any UK park I’ve been to. This is something to bear in mind if you’re a fellow sensory avoider to noise. The area felt very immersive witch can be a little challenging and lead to sensory overload for me so I wouldn’t recommend heading to Tornado Springs first if you struggle with Immersion. I would recommend ear Defenders as I did struggle with the music in the area. There were a couple of outdoor play areas with in Tornado Springs along with plenty of seating. In terms of facilities there were toilets, a gift shop and a restaurant called the Route 83 Diner I detail our experience at Route 83 at the ‘lunch’ part of this blog.
storm chaser
I was very excited to ride storm chaser so headed there first. Storm chase is a very nice family coaster that is quite thrilling for a 1 meter hight restriction. It ended up being my favourite coaster of the trip.
In terms of access, the queue assist entrance was well marked and near the exit of the ride as you can see from the photos below. There was also lift access available. The lift was located next to where you go for a queue assist so follow the signs for queue assist as both the lift and stairs are located next to each other. There is nothing to worry about in terms of sensory as you waiting outside and the station was ok as you’re not in the station for long.
Cyclonator
On the hunt for some more thrills we headed on Cyclnator. Clyclonator was quite a forceful flat ride with a 1.2 meters hight Restriction Definitely aimed at older children. In terms of access, with a queue assist pass you entered the ride via the exit. It’s also worth noting that there were a few steps up to the ride platform.
windmill towers
If you’re looking for a less forceful flat ride in the area then the windmill tower drop towers are the perfect chose. At just a 0.9 meters hight restriction this ride is perfect for smaller sensory seekers as the ride spins and drops. Very similar to fire and ice at Legoland Winsor.
In terms of Access, the queue assist was located via the exit this is an ongoing theme with the rides at Paultons. I found the ride easy to get onto however, as two adults on a quiet day we were unable to sit directly next to each other due to weight distribution. Not an issue for me but something to consider if you require your carer sat directly next to you at all times.
farmyard flyer
Of course we had to get the cred and experience farmyard flyer! With a 0.9 meters height restriction it was quite a little coaster with some nice theming elements as you go around the track.
In terms of access, the queue assist entrance was located next to exit by the photo booth. There was also lift access available at the same place.
lost kingdom
Lost Kingdom is a Dinosaur themed area featuring a nice number of rides all themed around… you guessed it, Dinosaurs! This area had lots of animatronic dinosaurs as well as dinosaur meet and greets throughout the day. In Lost Kingdom there is also has a restaurant and shop.
Flight of the Pterosaur
Once finishing up in Tornado Springs we headed on to the Flight of the Pterosaur. This was a very fun tame little coaster. With a height restriction of just 1 meter its perfect for getting little ones used to an over the shoulder restraint. On the first day of our visit there was no main queue so it’s safe to say we had plenty of re-rides we were even allowed to stay on.
In terms of access, the queue assist entrance was located next to the exit of the ride, however too far back for the ride operator to see that you were waiting. This did mean that it could be challenging for the ride operator to know you’re waiting. In terms of sensory, the station was absolutely fine and was also level. Flight of the Pterosaur was certainly a very fun ride!
dino chase
A creds a cred right? Of course we needed the cred and had to have a go on Dino chase a fun little coaster that doesn’t even have a height restriction!
In terms of access, you guessed it, the queue assist entrance was at… non other than the exit to the ride! The trains were quite low down and I believe there was a step down as I found it challenging getting on and off this ride.
lunch
Lunch is a challenge for me on days out due to many food outlets normally being busy and restaurants normally playing music and being too overwhelming for me. We also often find parks have a lack of areas to eat your own food. However, we were very surprised to not encounter any of these issues during our visit to Paultons Park. We ate at both the Route 83 Diner and the Wild Forest Restaurant. We found both restaurants to have options for picky eaters like me as well as being reasonably priced with our food in both restaurants arriving quickly. I managed to access both the restaurants due to them both having booth style seatings available. This made it a lot easier to cope in the restaurant environment. Both the restaurants didn’t have music playing, giving me the opportunity to cope. We also noticed there were plenty of picnic areas located around Paultons Park.
critter creek
Critter Creek was a small little area with a Playground, 2 rides and a bug emporium. I highly recommend this area if you or someone in your party isn’t used to theme parks and want to start of in a small, quieter and less overwhelming area.
Cat-o-pillar coaster
With one final cred to get of course we had to take a ride on the Cat-o-pillar coaster! A fun coaster that really whipped around the Corners With a 0.9 Meters height restriction.
In terms, of access, for queue assist you wait at the bottom of the exit, don’t worry it’s all well signposted and the ride operator can see you from there. When its your time to ride they will put a sign across a row of the air gates so that no one from the main queue goes on that row allowing you to take your time getting on the ride.
beasty burrow
Beasty Burrow is a bug emporium with lots of different little animals like bugs and fish. This is a good attraction for a sensory break with soft lighting – it was almost like a Sealife Centre. The walkthrough had level access so perfect for Wheelchair users as well.
peppa pig world
Of course we couldn’t visit Paultons Park without checking out Peppa Pig world. The area was incredibly child friendly it was like walking into an Episode of Peppa Pig. This area was the busiest of all and many people tend to go there first so if Peppa Pig world is an area you would like to do I recommend going later on in the day. In order to access the rides in the area with the queue assist scheme you simply enter by the exit of the ride, of course showing your time card and wristband. Wheelchair users can stay in their wheelchair in Peppa Pig’s house contacting the operator in Pedro Pony’s Ride Photo kiosk to gain access. The Victorian Carousel and Rio garden train ride are other wheelchair accessible rides and attraction available on park. I just wanted to note that there is no queue assist available to meet Characters such as Peppa and George so this is something to bear in mind as on our visit, the queue to meet Peppa and George was the longest queue in the park.
quiet areas
Visiting a new theme park can be difficult for me no matter how much preparation we do. When we visit any theme park we always ask if they have a quiet room available should I require it. We asked the staff in first aid if there was an area available they informed us that there was a space in guest services however all it was is a quiet room without anything inside. They also let us know about the brilliant gardens. During our visit I had a meltdown due to it being my first theme park visit of the season and visiting a park I haven’t been to before. As we had the prior information from staff in first aid we headed straight to guest services and my Dad asked if we could use the quiet room. The staff in guest services were great and quickly directed us to a quiet room as discussed before there wasn’t anything in the room however this wasn’t a problem for me as I simply needed a calm space to calm down before I could reregulate. Once I’d calmed down we then had a walk around the gardens. This was great in helping me to reregulate as it was a quiet space with lots of sensory elements like plants and water features. Without the use of these spaces we would have had to leave and go home. By having these spaces available to guests with additional sensory needs it allowed me to continue to have a lovely day at Paultons Park. Maybe over time the quiet room could have simple calming items added to it such as bean bags and possibly a bubble tube. These items are very simple to implement and can really help guests like me with additional sensory needs to calm down quicker.
Final Thoughts
I was very impressed with Paultons Park, the park was incredibly well maintained and clean we didn’t see a single price of litter on the floor during our visit. There were plenty of accessible toilets available as well. I was very impressed with the access services available to guests at Paultons Park and how well they have implemented the use of the access card. I highly Recommend Paultons Park for an accessible day out or if you just want the creds. The pre booking access has a good system and works well ensuring that Everyone can have a turn on the rides and attractions available.
Well, thank you for joining me on my first theme park trip of the season. Please feel free to contact me with any feedback. see you on my next theme park adventure bye for now!