Category: QLD

Categories
Gold Coast QLD

Seaworld on the Gold Coast – Baby Change Treasure Map

Do you check out the map of a theme park before you go there? 

Or do you assume there will be adequate supplies of baby change facilities/parent rooms?

Do you expect the baby change facilities will be well marked and easy to locate?

 

It seems that theme park maps aren’t as well marked as us parents would like.

For instance, let’s look at Seaworld on the Gold Coast. It’s a fabulous family theme park that’s been around for years!

I’ve been there as a little kid, and again as an adult. I’ve not taken my little one there, but hope to in the not too distant future.

I’ve always assumed the map for the park would be well marked, clearly showing the locations of ALL toilets, food outlets and baby change facilities. However, the map for Seaworld is sadly lacking in telling parents where to find all the baby change areas.

A recent visit to Seaworld by Melanie and her little family has highlighted this problem. I received an email from Melanie telling me there is only 2 baby change areas in the whole of Seaworld! Crazy right! For a family theme park, this seemed quite poor and incredibly inadequate. Looking at the map for the theme park, it shows Melanie was right!

http://seaworld.myfun.com.au/Visitor-Information/Park-Map.aspx

By all indications, the map only shows the location of 2 baby change facilities/parent rooms in the entire park. One of them is just near the main entrance, and the other is near Shark Bay. I can only imagine how over-run these two rooms must get during peak season. Why are there only two baby change facilities/parent rooms in a theme park like Seaworld?

Wanting to give Seaworld a chance to explain before publishing these findings, I contacted their Guest Services centre for a ‘please explain’. Do you know what I found out?

There are 6 baby change facilities in Seaworld. Not 2, but 6!!!!!!!

So why does the map only show 2???? This is very confusing, and not at all helpful to families with babies and toddlers.

According to Seaworld, 3 baby change tables are located in 2 of the Parent Rooms. I’m assuming these are the 2 shown on the map. The other 3 baby change tables are located in the ‘mens and ladies amenities at various locations throughout’.

Okay, I am happy to know there are definitely more than 2 baby change areas in the park. I just don’t want to have to find the other 3 remaining baby change tables by myself like searching for treasure on a map!

Maybe there is a prize in store if you can find the other 3 change tables located in the mens and ladies amenities elsewhere in the park?

Are the change tables that bad they don’t want to show parents where they are? Or maybe the change tables are so spectacular, the park operators don’t want anyone to use them!

Who knows. All I know is I want the park map updated to show where ALL of the baby change tables are located. Not just the two parent rooms, but all 6 of the baby change tables. It will make life so much easier for families planning their day at Seaworld.

So stay tuned! Hopefully we can get the map updated.

Categories
Mackay QLD

Coles Sydney Street Markets Parent Room – Sydney & Gordon Streets, Mackay QLD 4740

The parent rooms in Mackay really do need some work! This is probably the best of the three reviewed to date. It’s small but it has a locking main door, change bay and toilet. Check it out and let us know what you think. Go to Mackay Needs Better Parent Rooms for more information.



Just the one toilet in here. However, the main door to the whole Parent Room locks from the inside. This means you don’t have to try and squish the pram or trolley in the toilet room with you. 


The change bench has one nappy change bay. A couple more change bays would be nice. Nappy bins are under the bench. Sadly there’s no microwave or bottle warmer in here. And as the food outlets in the centre won’t heat up any baby bottles or food, parents are at a loss.


Lovely sink for handwashing, and the usual unhygienic hand dryer. Getting rid of the hand dryer, and installing a paper towel dispenser would be much friendlier. Adding a chair to allow mums to rest and feed their babies would be a nice and necessary touch. Having to sit on top of the toilet to breastfeed is not acceptable.


Narrow doorway is not twin/double pram friendly. Even for a regular pram, the turning circle is quite snug. This room is not big enough for more than one pram or family at a time.
Categories
Mackay QLD

Mt Pleasant Shopping Centre Food Court – Phillip St, North Mackay QLD 4740

More photos from the incredible team at Mackay. This is horrible! No wonder why they’re campaigning for better facilities for their children. How anyone is expected to use this room is beyond me. Check out the photos and let us know what you think. While you’re at it, head to Mackay Needs Better Parent Rooms on FB and lend them your support. 
The room is filthy and the stench is horrendous.


This is filthy. Overflowing nappy disposal bins to the extreme.  Apparently the bins are only emptied on certain days, regardless of whether or not they’re overflowing like this. Centre Management needs to wake up to themselves and spend a bit of money on fixing this problem.


Now would you like to heat up a bottle in this microwave, especially with it being so close to sky high spilling-over nappy bins?? I don’t think so! And adding to the problem is the lack of paper towels. None at all! 


Two dirty, wet hard changing bays on the bench.


Dirty, wet, floors in the smelly toilets. 


Impractical, small toilet-cubicle size private feeding cubicle.  Curtain for privacy.