A few minutes of rain PARK CLOSED, NO REFUNDS - even when the sun came out

When we arrived yesterday, we were informed tickets were sold out and to book online for another day. With only one day left in Johannesburg before travelling back to Cape Town, we booked online and returned today even though it was raining. This was because we received an SMS at 8:45am assuring us that even though it was raining, the water rides would remain open, along with the 4D theatre, bounce park and all museums/indoor attractions, and that as soon as the rain stopped, the whole theme park would re-open.

Heavy rains subsided by 9:45am as we waited to ride the log ride which was still closed, despite being a water ride. By 10:00am the last drizzles came down, yet no water rides were operating.

We went to the ticketing office to speak to the manager, along with many other upset and disappointed families, and were told NO REFUNDS and the PARK IS NOW CLOSED. All staff began leaving the premises. The manager began shouting, actually screaming at everyone that there would be no refunds.

There was a distinct feeling that the priority for the staff was to have a day off, and not to try to assist the disappointed crowds. We were given the option to come back another day, but this is not an option for us as we do not visit Johannesburg often, and have been planning this trip for 4 years.

While we understood the policy of no refunds in the event of rain, we were promised by the management, in writing, that water rides and indoor activities would remain open and that the moment the rain stopped, the park would operate as usual. This was not the case today, as all staff were sent home and everything was shut down, even though the sun began to break through the clouds and shone for the rest of the day.

As people working in an entertainment industry, I found it incredible that they were allowed to leave the premises instead of actually working for the money they are earning, which we have paid at a hefty R250 per head. For example, they could have helped direct people towards activities which could have remained open (yet did not) such as the tombola stands, indoor arcade, bounce park, museums, mine shaft, 4D theatre, restaurants (which also closed). If the staff had not been so quick to go home, the theme park could have easily opened long before noon, with at least 5 hours left for guests to enjoy the facilities.

We feel the whole thing was an absolute **** and it has left a sour taste in our mouths. Unless we are refunded in full, not only will we never return to Gold Reef City Theme Park if we ever visit Johannesburg again, but we will inform everyone we know that they should beware that this is a *****ed business run by lazy managers and staff who will take your money and run.

Rather spend your hard-earned money elsewhere.