Information for Disabled Guests

General Information

This Guide has been designed to assist you by providing details of our services and facilities for guests with disabilities. You should read this leaflet alongside our main leaflets - Paultons Park, Group Visits and Season Tickets - which give full information on all aspects of the Park.

Statement on Safety for Disabled Guests

Paultons Park is a member of the British Association of Leisure Parks Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) and welcomes visits by people with disabilities and will do everything possible to ensure a safe and pleasurable visit. However certain rides and attractions can be physically demanding and vigorous. Paultons Park therefore reserves the right to refuse admission to certain rides should it be felt there is a danger to a particular individual for whatever reason.

Paultons Park has been advised by the Health and Safety Executive that refusal on the grounds of health and safety does not constitute discrimination. Paultons Park hopes this is understood and that guests can accept the decision made is in the interest of the safety of all.

There is a Queue Assist Scheme available that is offered as a concession to those who require additional assistance. This is an additional service to guests.

Parking

A number of spaces for disabled persons' vehicles are provided at the top of the car park close to Admissions. Please display your disability badge on your car windscreen so the parking attendants can easily identify you and direct you to the reserved spaces.

Other vehicles can drop-off and pick-up in the open area in front of the admission kiosks and then park in the main car parks.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted into the Park providing they are fully registered and in a harness (proof of registration may be requested). Assistance Dogs must be accompanied by the disabled person. A member of your party must remain with the dog at all times. Assistance Dogs will not be allowed to accompany guests onto the rides, please ensure the dog is left with another member of your group and not left unattended at any time. Dogs undergoing training will not be allowed inside the Park.

Toilets

Four toilets for disabled guests are available: a) Outside the main entrance to the right of the Admission Kiosks; b) At the Wagoners Restaurant (near First Aid); c) At the Rio Grande Station; d) At the Cobra. Location of toilets is marked on the map in the main leaflet.

Wheelchair Hire and First Aid Centre

Free wheelchair hire is available but we would ask you to please pre-book as there is a limited number. Wheelchairs should be collected and returned to the First Aid Centre.

The First Aid Centre has qualified staff on duty at all times when the Park is open.

We regret that Paultons wheelchairs will not be allowed past the turnstiles into the car parks.

Pathways

The Park is flat and nearly all the paths have tarmac surfaces. The only paths which are compacted gravel are in the Japanese Garden, the Grass Garden and the walk around the far side of the lake.

Catering

The Wagoners Restaurant and Station Restaurant have double doors for access and unfixed seating so that wheelchair and pushchair users can be easily accommodated. All adjacent patio areas are ramped for wheelchair and pushchair user access. Wheelchair users may find counters both in restaurants and at the Kiosks are at an awkward height so it may be necessary for a carer to assist. Should further assistance be required, our staff are always happy to help.

A separate room with double door access is also available for large groups of wheelchair users.

The Cedar Room, Oak Room and Sycamore Room, our purpose built function rooms, are available for special events. The Cedar Room has a lift for access by wheelchair users and the Oak Room and Sycamore Room are at ground level.

Shopping

All shops are fully accessible to people in wheelchairs. Counters may be at an awkward level for wheelchair users. Please ask a member of staff who will be pleased to help with your purchases. The shops have double doors and wide corridors for pushchair and wheelchair access.

Santa’s Christmas Wonderland

This seasonal attraction which is open for the Christmas period has wide aisles to enable access by guests using a wheelchair. All visits to Santa must be pre-booked and you should advise us when booking if anyone in your party requires wheelchair access. Larger electric wheelchairs are not allowed inside Santa’s Christmas Wonderland, however, we would be pleased to provide a suitable wheelchair free of charge. Please make your requirements clear at the time of booking.

Group Visits

We welcome groups of disabled guests and our group visits leaflet contains information about how to make a booking.

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Access to Rides

QUEUE ASSIST POLICY

The system that is available is offered as a concession to those guests who require additional assistance in order to fully be able to enjoy their visit to the Park. It is an additional service to these guests.

Paultons Park’s Queue Assist Policy is available primarily to assist those guests who do not understand the concept of queuing, have problems with everyday social interaction, have a limited capacity to follow instructions or to understand others emotional feelings, and may become agitated or distressed having to wait for periods of time.

We are also able to offer this assistance to guests who are wheelchair dependant.

Relevant documentation will be required (see Queue Assist Procedure below). Regardless of the type of disability all height, age and health and safety restrictions will be applied prior to boarding a ride or attraction.

Exceptions on the grounds of disability will not be made. Our guests’ cooperation to assist in measuring a child’s height is required. If the ride/attraction operator is unable to verify this, then the guest will not be allowed to use the ride/attraction.

Queue Assist Procedure:

Guests who feel they qualify for a Queue Assist Pass, including wheelchair users, must go to the First Aid Room (situated to the side of Wagoners Restaurant) with some form of identification relating to their disability. They will then be assessed by our nursing staff. Guests without relevant documentation will not be issued with Queue Assist Passes. Examples of documentation are: GP’s letter, Council run membership, or any other official type letter that states the disability.

The guest who has the disability will be issued with a blue wrist band. Accompanying family members or helpers will be issued another colour wrist band. Please note that a maximum of 3 helper wrist bands will be issued per party. The wrist bands will have to be secured onto the wrist before leaving the First Aid Room.

Be aware the guest wearing the blue wrist band and a maximum of three helpers can only gain fast track access to a particular ride or attraction once in every hour. Helpers can only fast track if accompanying a guest wearing a blue wrist band.

At least one guest with a non blue coloured wrist band must accompany the guest with the blue wrist band by sitting in the same boat, carriage, seat or row of the ride/attraction.

Guests with non blue coloured wristbands may only use the exit gate of a ride/attraction to gain fast track access when accompanied by a guest wearing a blue wrist band. The aim of the scheme is for the person wearing the blue wrist band to get as much enjoyment from their day at Paultons as possible.

Please note, Paultons Park staff are able to offer advice only but for the safety of all concerned will not assist with lifting.

The wrist bands issued to guests remain the property of Paultons Park and we retain the right to have them returned to Paultons Park at any time without reason.

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Ride Information

THE COBRA

Our largest roller coaster is 17 meters high. This is a fast and exhilarating ride. Minimum height to ride - 1.10m (a child must also be at least 4yrs old and be accompanied by a responsible adult). Children 1.30m tall and 8 years or over can ride without an adult.

Guests must have upper body control, be able to sit upright unaided and use the hand held restraints. Wheelchair users must get out of their wheelchair to ride and be accompanied by a helper to assist them to board and alight. There is wheelchair access at the exit side of the ride. Please ask for assistance at the ride photography kiosk who will call for a supervisor and arrange for you to use the ride.

The ride is not suitable for guests with broken limbs, heart problems, vertigo and Menieres Disease, high blood pressure or pregnant women and those with back or spinal problems.

THE SKY SWINGER

Riders are sat into seats that are suspended by chains, these are lifted to a height of 6 metres and then spun in a circular movement. There are double and single seats on the ride.

Minimum height and age to ride in a double seat is 1 metre and 4 years old, each child under 1.20M in height and under 7 years old must be accompanied in a double seat by a responsible adult.

To ride in a single seat a child must be a minimum height of 1.20M high and be at least 7 years of age.

Guests must have upper body control and be able to hang onto the supporting chains using both hands. There is wheelchair access through the exit gate. Riders must be accompanied by a helper to assist with getting onto the ride please contact the ride operator.

The ride is not suitable for guests with broken limbs, heart problems, vertigo and Menieres disease and high blood pressure.

KONTIKI RIDE

A raft ride that has the action of a pirate ship that also spins 360 degrees. The minimum height to ride – 900mm (accompanied by a responsible adult). Children 7 years or over can ride without an adult.

Guests must have upper body control and wheelchair users must be accompanied by a helper who can assist with boarding and alighting from the ride. Access is via the exit gate to the ride.

Please either contact the ride operator or any member of staff, who will call a supervisor and arrange for you to use the ride.

The ride is not suitable for guests with broken limbs, heart conditions, vertigo, Menieres Disease, high blood pressure, pregnant women and those with back or spinal problems.

Please contact the ride operator who will arrange for a wheelchair user to access the ride by the exit gate.

THE STINGER

A fast moving family roller coaster.

Minimum height to ride - 900mm (accompanied by a responsible adult). Children 7 years or over can ride without an adult.

Guests must have upper body control. Wheelchair users must get out of their wheelchair to ride and be accompanied by a helper to assist them to board and alight. There is wheelchair access at the exit side of the ride. Please ask for assistance at the ride photography kiosk who will call a Supervisor and arrange for you to use the ride.

Not suitable for guests with broken limbs, heart problems, vertigo and Menieres disease, high blood pressure or pregnant women and those with back or spinal problems.

DRAGON ROUNDABOUT

A very fast spinning ride that goes forwards and then backwards.

Minimum height to ride - 900mm (accompanied by a responsible adult). Children 6 years or over can ride without an adult.

Guests must have upper body control and be able to grip the lap bar. Wheelchair users must get out of their wheelchair to ride and be assisted up 3 steps to gain access to the ride platform. Guests must be accompanied by a helper to assist with this and to board and alight from the cars.

Not suitable for guests with broken limbs, heart conditions, vertigo and Menieres disease, high blood pressure, pregnant women and those with back or spinal problems.

PIRATE SHIP

A swingboat which has a sideways motion and reaches an angle of 60 degrees either side.

Minimum height to ride - 900mm (accompanied by a responsible adult). Children 6 years or over can ride without an adult.

Guests must have upper body control and be accompanied by a helper who can assist with boarding and alighting from the ride. Access is via the exit to the ride. Please either contact the ride operator or go to the Games Area who will arrange for you to use the ride.

Not suitable for guests with broken limbs, heart conditions, vertigo and Menieres disease, high blood pressure, pregnant women and those with back or spinal problems.

THE WAVE RUNNER

A high ride where you descend on a rubber dinghy down a chute on fast flowing water.

Minimum height to ride - 900mm (accompanied by a responsible adult). Children 7 years or over can ride without an adult.

There is no wheelchair user access to this ride. Guests must be able to climb approx 90 steps to the launch platform and be accompanied by a helper who is able to assist with boarding and alighting from the rubber dinghy. Please ask for assistance from any staff member or go to the ride photography kiosk who will call a Supervisor and arrange for you to use the ride.

We advise guests using our queue assist pass scheme who wish to access the ride using wristbands to do so before 12.30pm as the steps are used as part of the queue line. The boats have a combined weight limit of 150kg which must be made up of one adult and a child. If the combined weight of a disabled visitor and helper exceeds this limit they will not be permitted to ride due to health and safety regulations.

It is important that guests using our wrist bands to gain access to this ride take account of this situation before accessing the ride. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

THE FLYING FROG

A mini roller coaster designed to be a child's first experience of riding a coaster!

No minimum height limit but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Children 5 years old or over can ride without an adult.

Guests must have upper body control. Wheelchair users must get out of their wheelchair to ride and be accompanied by a helper to assist them to board and alight from the ride. There is no wheelchair user access via the exit gate of the ride. Please ask for assistance at the ride photography kiosk who will call a Supervisor and arrange for you to use the ride.

Not suitable for guests with broken limbs, heart problems, vertigo and Menieres disease, high blood pressure or pregnant women and those with back or spinal problems.

TREKKING TRACTORS

A slow moving track ride. No minimum height but children under 1.10m tall must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

A child under 900mm tall must ride only in the rear seats with an adult. Riders must have upper body control in order to hold onto grab rails and steering wheels. Children must be accompanied to assist with boarding and alighting from the Tractors.

Access for wheelchair users is via the exit gate. You will have to be able to step up into the Tractors. Please contact the ride operator.

ASTROGLIDE

A large and high six-lane slide using a mat on which to descend. Minimum height to ride - 900mm. Children 4 years old or over can ride without an adult.

There is no wheelchair user access to this ride. Guests must be able to climb approx 90 steps to the top of the slide and be accompanied by a helper to assist with the use of the mat to descend the slide.

Not suitable for guests with broken limbs, vertigo and Menieres disease, or pregnant women.

GO-KARTS (extra charge)

Two seater go-karts.

Guests must be 1.50m high and 13 years old or over to drive a kart and passengers must be 1.10m tall or over. A driver with a passenger must be 16 years old or over. To be a passenger you must be driven by a member of your own family or group.

Drivers must have use of all limbs to be able to use a go-kart. Passengers must have upper body control.

Not suitable for guests with broken limbs, back or spinal problems, heart problems or pregnant women.

VIKING BOATS

A gentle water ride in a boat.

No minimum height limit but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Children 4 years old or over can ride without an adult.

Guests must have upper body control. Wheelchair users must get out of their wheelchairs to ride and be assisted up 3 steps to gain access to the ride platform.

Guests must be accompanied by a helper to assist with access to the ride and to board and alight the ride which can be done through the exit gate. Please contact the ride operator for access.

FLYING SAUCER

A small spinning ride that also goes up at an angle and down again. No minimum height but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Children must be 4 years old or over to ride without an adult.

Guests must have upper body control in order to hold onto lap bar.

Wheelchair users must get out of their wheelchair to use the ride which is predominantly designed for younger children but an adult can ride if accompanying a young child. Please contact the ride operator who will arrange for a wheelchair user to access the ride by the exit gate. A helper will have to assist with both the boarding and alighting from the ride.

SEAL FALLS

A mini log flume for children 7 years old or younger.

No adults.

Riders must have upper body control and be able to hold onto the grab rails inside the boat. The child must be accompanied onto the ride platform to assist with boarding and alighting.

Wheelchair access is via exit gate. Please contact the ride operator. Access for wheelchair users is via exit gate. Please contact ride operator.

DIGGER RIDE

A train of small diggers going slowly around a track.

Ride for small children only, subject to the ride operator's discretion. No adults.

Riders must have upper body control in order to hold onto grab handles.

The child must be accompanied onto the ride platform to assist with boarding and alighting from the diggers.

Access for wheelchair users is via exit gate. Please contact ride operator.

LADYBIRD RIDE

Small cars that go round and round slowly.

Ride for small children only subject to ride operator's discretion.

Riders must have upper body control in order to hold onto grab handles. The child must be accompanied to assist with boarding and alighting from the cars.

Access for wheelchair users is via exit gate. Please contact ride operator.

RABBIT RIDE

Track ride which moves slowly.

No minimum height but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Children 4 years old or over can ride without an adult.

Riders must have upper body control in order to hold onto grab rails. The child must be accompanied to assist with boarding and alighting from the cars.

Access for wheelchair users is via either the entrance or exit gates. Please contact the ride operator.

WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Animated walk-around show.

No access problems for wheelchair/pushchair users. Some very large electric wheelchairs may have to exit through the entrance. The show has ultra violet lighting.

ROMANY AND VILLAGE LIFE MUSEUMS

No access problems for wheelchair/pushchair users. However, some very large electric wheelchairs may have to exit through the entrance.

GOLD RUSH FALLS - Adventure Golf

A themed 12 hole mini golf course. Access by wheelchairs and pushchairs is not available

PANNING FOR GOLD (extra charge)

This attraction involves water as you look for "gold nuggets" with a prospectors pan in a trough full of water.

The water is heated during colder weather! The area is accessible by wheelchairs/pushchairs.

TRAMPOLINES

No height restriction.

No shoes,or footwear of any kind to be worn. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

PERCY'S BOUNCER

Maximum height to use - 1.23 m.

No shoes or footwear of any kind to be worn.

Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

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Children's Play Areas

The use of all play area equipment is dependent upon the physical capabilities of the individual in addition to age restrictions in place for each area.

Children should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times whilst using play equipment.

TINY TOTS TOWN

This play area has been designed for use by children 0-6 years old. Children should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times whilst using this equipment.

PERCY’S PLAY PARK

This equipment is designed for use by 5-12 year olds.

Children should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times whilst using this equipment.

KIDS KINGDOM

Children under 7 should be accompanied by an adult on this structure.

Children should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times whilst using this equipment.

PERCY'S PLAYHOUSE

Only children 6-15 years to use this structure

Adults must not use tube slide. Only one child at a time to descend the slides.

A responsible adult is to ensure children move off the slide immediately after descending.

Beware that during warm weather the slides may get hot. Ensure children cover arms/legs before using slides. Adults may accompany smaller children onto structure.

KIDDIES PLAY VILLAGE

This area has been designed for use by children between 0-6 years old.

Children should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times whilst using this play equipment.

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Important Information

Guests are reminded that for technical, operational, weather or other reasons, any attraction, ride or facility may be closed, altered, removed or be otherwise unavailable at any time without prior notice. Limited opening times of some attractions and rides will operate at certain times of the year. No dogs or pets are admitted except assistance dogs. Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult, aged 18 or over, at all times.

Please read the signs at each ride entry and observe the rules for your safety. The Ride Operator's instructions must be obeyed at all times and the Management reserve the right to refuse entry onto the ride to any person without reason. Safety rules are strictly observed.

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