- Theme parks have put up prices by as much as 57 per cent since 2009
- The high price of petrol makes the theme park an expensive day trip
- Many will simply be unable to afford to take their children out for the day
By
Sean Poulter
17:41 EST, 26 May 2013
|
17:41 EST, 26 May 2013
Parents trying to keep their children entertained over half-term face hefty prices for a day out.
Some popular theme parks have put up prices by as much as 57 per cent since the start of the cost-of-living squeeze, according to a study.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, if you add on the high price of petrol and rail travel, a trip to a theme park or the seaside can become an expense too far.
Expensive: A day out for the family at a theme park is becoming more and more expensive
Many who are struggling to pay winter heating bills and put food on the table will simply be unable to afford to take their children out for the day.
Research first conducted by national charity 4Children in 2009 found the impact of tough economic times meant people could not afford a traditional day out.
However, it said many are now financially worse off than they were four years ago, while the cost for a family of five to visit theme parks such as Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor and Thorpe Park has soared.
The parks can fairly argue that they have increased the value of a trip by adding new rides and attractions, but that is little consolation for families. Over the same period petrol prices have rocketed, while the average rail fare is 36 per cent higher.
A recent study named London as the most popular destination for ‘staycation’ families.
However,
the research found that a family of four travelling to the capital on
an anytime ticket from Swansea, Plymouth, Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle
is forced to pay more than £481 – the equivalent of the average weekly
wage in these areas.
The
charity claimed that reductions in pay, the increasing costs of
childcare and cuts in benefits such as tax credits have led to greater
financial pressures on parents than ever before.
Anne
Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said: ‘Financial concerns and
work pressures can take their toll on the amount of time families spend
together.
Increase: Parks such as Alton Towers (pictured) have increased their prices by as much as 57 per cent
‘Days out can strengthen bonds and
build shared family experiences and memories that we know are so
important in keeping families strong and together.
‘The
financial pressures facing families are already deeply concerning and,
when combined with the escalating costs of attractions and transport,
the traditional family day out is increasingly under threat.’
Miss
Longfield added: ‘The Government must work to ensure that this valuable
time together for families does not become a thing of the past
altogether.’
Transport: When you add the cost of petrol or trains onto that it becomes an extremely expensive day out
One London mother told the researchers: ‘We have to consider carefully whether we can afford to make train journeys to visit friends and family, let alone luxuries such as days by the seaside or other family days out.
‘Instead we try to find more cost-free activities than before.’
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I love Alton Towers, it’s all about choosing the day wisely and getting BOGOF or 1/2 price tickets – then it is worth going, not otherwise. Luckily we don’t live far away so petrol (although expensive) is worth paying to go. I do however think that Alton Towers should certainly be partially reimbursing tickets bought in advance – they haven’t managed to get their new star attraction up and running yet (minimal warning), it doesn’t affect me as I am going later in the year, but a lot of my friends re disappointed – if Alton Towers can’t provide the goods, why should people pay full price?
Anon
,
UK,
27/5/2013 22:03
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Every heard of vouchers and tokens and packed lunch?
Lee
,
London England,
27/5/2013 21:55
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Can’t go…..too expensive….and apparently I.m in a well paid job! Another luxury…..like education that the RICH can only afford!
Smileawhile
,
Carlisle, United Kingdom,
27/5/2013 21:51
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We have just come back from a daytrip at chessington world of adventures on this bankholiday and it was really poor value for money, long, long waits of up to 2hrs for a ride, you can get fast track entry but that adds another £4 per person per ride, thats a whopping £16 extra PER ride on top of the family dayticket and no one cleans the tables at the cafes after eating, they are dirty and stay like that for ages.
We spent 6hrs there, 3 and a half hours spent waiting in the queue, needless to say, Im very tired and exhausted and wont do it again, will take kids to Butlins again next year, not so much of a rip off but not innocent exactly, or alternatively we will take a tent and go to the seaside and have a picnic.
Veronica Essex
,
London, United Kingdom,
27/5/2013 21:12
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Every cereal box has 2 for 1 vouchers on at the moment, life would be better if everyone got in for half price………as most people already do, attendances might even go up, along with the queues but hey ho
Dave
,
Chatham,
27/5/2013 20:22
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All of the Merlin attractions are an extortionate amount of money, and very poor value.
Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty
,
Little Ball of Fur,
27/5/2013 19:54
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This is rip off Britain and our government allows it to happens. We are taken for ride!!
Chocolatecake_5
,
Surrey,
27/5/2013 19:06
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We are lucky enough to live right near a beach so we pack a lunch and go there if the weather is warm enough or we do ‘nature walks’ in the countryside where we live. I grew up in London so now living in the countryside is a real treat for me and my family although both my children were born out here in the sticks. The fresh air and beautiful scenery never gets old to me a hubby.
Fraggle
,
Fraggle rock,
27/5/2013 18:41
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4 of us go to chessinton world of adventures and we use our club card voucher and it comes to less £30 and all the parks do 2 for 1 vouchers all through the school holidays. I think theme parks are poor value for money overall, once they have your money they don’t care if you can or can’t get on a ride. The theme parks make so much money they have build hotels, who would want to stay in a hotel at a UK theme park, they are so small they can be done in 1 day. Chessington world of adventures is the same as it was 20 years ago.
TORYPARTY-EVIL-PARTY
,
London,
27/5/2013 18:16
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People moaning about the queues – if you go on a weekend or during a school holiday, what do you seriously expect? Go during term time when the weather is not the best, and you will find yourself walking off one ride onto the next. We had over 40 rides at Chessington last summer on one day. Friends who went two days later on the Saturday had just 5. – David , North East Hampshire, 27/5/2013 14:07 Are you seriously suggesting taking children out of school to go to a theme park in term time to save money?
Where did I say anything about taking children? Anyway if you do take children, go on an Inset day – they get around 5 a year.
David
,
North East Hampshire,
27/5/2013 18:04
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How the cost of a half-term day out has rocketed: Theme park prices rise by as much a 57%
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