DrDude
Horrible place
My immediate family took a vacation day to visit the park. We bought 6 prepaid tickets for about $40 each = $216.94 in tickets and fees. We arrived at 1:17 and paid $15 to park. Running damage total: $231.94 Waited in line nearly 20-25 minutes, despite the fact that we had prepaid for our tickets. No one had a scanner available, so we had to wait in line with the people who had not bought their tickets yet. So what is the advantage to pre-purchasing? Not sure why there is only one ticket booth for a large theme park and why they did not have a prepaid check in line. Finally got in at 1:45. We then paid $12 for a locker. Grand damage total = $243.94 We then got in line for the Cat4 slide, and waited 45 minutes. Right when were next in line, the park features were suspended due to lightning. I realize this is not the park’s fault. However, we decided to wait at the top of the Cat4 so as not to lose our place in line. We waited about 1 h. My kids wanted to play mini golf as we waited, but were told they couldn’t because of the trees, which I assume had to do with the lightning. As we continued to wait under the shelter of the ride house, the teenage workers at the ride started playing golf! I told a fellow in a red shirt, who appeared to be in charge of the ride, and he remedied the situation. We continued waiting at the top nevertheless, while watching the ride workers playing basketball with the golf balls in the rain. I.e., they huddled under the overhang of the building and threw the golf balls into the nearest hole. They ran out into the storm to re-gather the golf balls, and some were rolling around in a pool of water that had filled up. Reminded me of the creature from the black lagoon. I then checked the radar and forecast, which showed more thunderstorms rolling in. We then decided to leave, after having done absolutely nothing. I explained the situation to the ticket booth folks, who waved their hand out the window booth in a magical fashion at what I presume was a regulations poster in ultra-small font, and gave me the “policy speech” about no refunds. They also said this policy was at the bottom of my ticket, but it was not in the e-ticket I received on my phone. I found this to be unacceptable as we had done absolutely nothing but pay and wait in lines. I then called for a manager, who rehashed the “policy” speech. I asked for his manager, and he said this person was unavailable. I could call them, but I was told that they would tell me the same thing. At this point, the wind is blowing, and I am freezing and soaked, and decided remedy this later. We left the park at about 4:30. So I ask you, dear reader, how would you feel if this happened to you? How would you feel if you prepaid for a dinner, paid to park at a restaurant, paid for a special table, waited for your food, and then told that you would not be served your food, and you would not be granted any refund whatsoever? After at least four attempts to contact the park and the park manager (Jason Crawford) using different phone numbers and leaving voice mails, I finally talked to a living person. She was very adamant about not refunding my money or giving me a rain check. It was the whole policy speech again. I asked her to tell me why, without using the word “policy”, that this was the right way to treat customers. She was unable to, and actually admitted that it was not right, but that she understands how I feel but that I should just “chock it up as a loss”. I asked to speak with someone who had the authority to give me a rain check, but she would not put me through. Unbelievable. I hate the word “policy”. It is simply an excuse to hide behind. One way to remedy this situation for the future would be, for example, if you have only been in the park for say 2 hours or less, and rides shut down due to weather, they give you a rain check. After all, you get a rain check at Braves baseball games! They would have made out better to just give me a rain check, as I would have had to spend another chunk of money to park, rent a locker, and buy food. Not happy, will never go back to any Lake Lanier Island resorts or the Christmas event. Wicked poor service.