I forgot to post about my experience at Chessington and Thorpe last week. I did something pretty stupid and forgot my pass, which was on my desk 200 miles away ... I was too busy ensuring I had all my work gear, which I needed for the same trip. I had read that it wasn't an issue, you just went to an office and they found your details etc, in theory ...
... in reality. This worked great at Chessington, I arrived, showed my pre-book and in seconds was given a paper ticket that I could then use to access the park, great ... my only concern was having no pass for parking - but for the sake of £4, it wasn't the end of the world. But ... I needn't have worried as the barriers were up - seemingly the staff had already gone home after we waited an hour for them to run off the queue on Vampire, with a single train. Shambles.
Then, the following day we hit up Thorpe where I expected to repeat the above (ha!). I explained the situation to the lady in the portacabin near the entrance, she laughed and pushed my pre-book back towards me. When I explained what had occurred at Chessington the day before she said there was "absolutely no way" I could enter the park without paying a £10 reprint fee, for a pass that I didn't need printing.
So rather than cause a scene, I relented and paid £10 for a replacement pass where the barcode is half on, half off and my head looks like I am looking in a fun house mirror. I walk up to the gate, the new pass obviously doesn't scan and I am sent to reception where the chap on the desk prints me my ticket (the one that I wanted all along) - I regale my tale of Chessington vs. Thorpe processes and he tells me earnestly that they have to account for all the plastic cards and that's why I had to pay £10 ... I reiterate that I didn't want a plastic card, they have forced one upon me, I just wanted to get into the park.
As we leave, the pass obviously doesn't scan at the (unmanned) car parking barriers, so cars start queueing up behind us. We contemplate paying just to get away, but after spying the help button and waiting for someone to respond, the barrier is lifted after we explain the pass issue and read out the 18 digit number in size 4pt font.
It felt particularly ridiculous given how the anti-plastic propaganda is in full force with regards to drinking straws and the like. My old pass is now in the bin, if that ends up in the sea and some dolphin chokes on it, I hope the Karen in the annual pass office at Thorpe can sleep easy.
Merlin. Consistently inconsistent. Forever frustrating.
