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Peppa Pig World to charge disabled children's carers

BBC A balloon with peppa pig on in front of a hot air balloon themes rideBBC
Peppa Pig World is part of Paultons Park

The mother of a boy with autism has told the BBC she is disappointed with the decision to remove free entry for parents and carers of children with disabilities at Peppa Pig World.

Paultons Park, which is home to the Peppa-themed rides, previously offered a free essential companion ticket alongside a full-priced ticket for any visitor requiring additional assistance.

The New Forest-based park has now rescinded this offer, and will instead charge carers 50% of the usual ticket price to enter the park.

A spokesperson for Paultons Park said the decision to bring in the change had been made "under deep consideration".

Katie, who has an essential companion ticket with her five-year-old son Edward, said the change was "just not affordable".

She has an annual pass, and takes her two children to the park every other weekend.

"We might pop up over the weekend, but sort of do an hour, which is enough for him [Edward] because he is the sort of child that can get very overstimulated very quickly," she said.

Katie is sat down in a beige chair. She has long blonde hair and is sat in front of shelves with toys on.
Katie visits the park with her two children

The mother-of-two from Southampton said she only found out about the proposed changes from a friend, who also has a child with special educational needs.

Katie said she was "disappointed in the company" for not communicating the change in policy.

"I think had we been informed earlier on in the season that it was going to change, there would have been some time to sort of accept it."

She said the removal of the free ticket would mean the pass will now cost around £400, meaning the family could not renew.

"I'm a working mum of two special educational needs children and I can't afford that."

Katie Edward is smiling whilst on a ride. He has short hair and is wearing a yellow coat.Katie
Five-year-old Edward has autism and loves visiting Peppa Pig World

A spokesperson for Paultons Park said the decision to bring in the change had been made "under deep consideration" and was "not introduced lightly".

"We wish to support as many disabled guests as possible to come and enjoy Paultons Park," the spokesperson said.

"The introduction of a 50% discount off the standard ticket price for Essential Companions enables us to continue to operate this scheme on a broad scope."

The spokesperson added: "It is always our intention to communicate changes affecting our guests in as transparent and timely a manner as we can, and we apologise for not doing so on this occasion."

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