British family say theme park trip 'absolutely ruined' as child 'denied wristband'

A mother has voiced her disappointment over a family trip to Gulliver's World theme park, where she claimed that her daughter 'couldn't enjoy the rides'.

Claire Brookes-Fortun, 46, and her family, including 12 year old daughter Olivia, had visited the Warrington-based theme park to celebrate Father's Day alongside Olivia's aunt and cousins on Sunday, June 16. But, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, Claire claimed that her daughter was denied a disability wristband despite being diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome Copralalia in 2022.

It's alleged that the family were told their proof of Olivia's condition was not 'sufficient', leaving Olivia unable to access the wheelchair she required. Despite presenting their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) letter, the family claim they were refused the wristband on the grounds the letter 'wasn't good enough'.

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In response, a spokesperson from the theme park stated their rules were explicit, explaining that DLA letters 'are not permitted'. To illustrate her frustration, Claire shared how Olivia, hailing from Birkenhead, was diagnosed with Tourette's when she was just 10 years old.

She went on to describe the incident when Olivia started hitting herself and making noises one day after waking up. It was due to a family friend noting this pattern of behaviour that led Olivia to confide in her mum, claiming 'I think I have Tourette's', reports the Manchester Evening News.

Her mother stated that Olivia spends roughly 90% of her day experiencing tics, seizures and muscle spasms, adding: "We don't have the real Olivia there anymore. It's hard and it's challenging for us all."

The mum says the family have gone through so much in the last three years trying to fight for more 'understanding' of Olivia's condition, and have 'really struggled' following her diagnosis. Claire added: "Olivia has disabilities, she has seizures through the day, she tics so much her brain shuts down."

"With her condition she has muscle spasms and her mobility has gone downhill, she has to use a wheelchair often and suffers from severe anxiety and can't stand for too long."

"She also suffers from FND disorder, she can't wait in a queue due to her muscle spasms and muscle weakness, that's why she has a wheelchair - she needs it for when she is unable to walk and has a seizure or body spasms."

Detailing what happened at Gulliver's, Claire said: "We went on Sunday [and] took Olivia's DLA letters, we had booked online before going and the lady scanned the online booking, we showed the letter and she said that was fine. We had taken my daughter's wheelchair because we knew she would be using it with the amount of walking and standing we would have to do in the theme park."

"When you go on a disability ticket normally all I have had to do is show the DLA forms - I never thought any more of it. We went to go on the first ride and they asked to see the disability bands, I told the woman we didn't get any so she told me to go back to the shop to get the bands from the entrance, I ran back to the shop to go and get them.."

The mum recounted her ordeal, saying that even after presenting a DLA letter as proof of her daughter's disability, the shop staff deemed it 'not good enough' and denied them the band.

She shared: "The theme park had an offer on for Sunday (June 16) where adults went free so it was extremely busy. My daughter couldn't stand in the queues and her wheelchair couldn't fit round the windy queues that snaked up around the park. It meant she couldn't go on most of the rides."

Detailing the challenges they faced, she said: "The only thing she went on was a pirate ship, when we were pushing her wheelchair it got stuck in the queue and we had to get my daughter out of the wheelchair and had to fold it up."

Claire expressed her disappointment: "We had a lovely family day out planned for Father's Day and it was absolutely ruined."

In response, a spokesperson for Gulliver's Theme Park Resorts stated: "To obtain ride access passes we make it very clear what documentation our guests must provide as proof of eligibility and DLA letters are not permitted. Our additional needs guide also provides detailed information on wheelchair access for each individual ride at our resorts."

"We are sorry if this was not communicated to this particular guest on the day of their visit and are more than happy to talk to them about their concerns if they would like to contact us directly. We would advise any customers who want a ride access pass or to find out more about the support we provide for those with additional needs to check our website prior to their visit: https://www.gulliversworldresort.co.uk/special-needs-guide."