Accessibility Guide to Norfolk’s Dinosaur Attraction

ROARR! FOR EVERYONE

From the first arrival at the Park, we aim to make accessibility and getting around as easy as possible for all. Blue badge parking spaces are located closest to the entrance and there is step-free access throughout the Park and its attractions. We offer free entry to ‘essential companions’ and assistance and guide dogs are welcome.

Valley of the Dinosaurs, Opened in 2022.

The Valley of the Dinosaurs trail is now fully resurfaced, for a smoother journey for those in wheelchairs and with limited mobility. Strollers, mobility scooters and ear defenders are available for hire, and wheelchairs are available free of charge. There are many aspects of the Park’s design that are carefully considered in order to offer the most inclusive and accessible experience. These are detailed in our online Accessibility Chart and detailed Accessibility Guide, available on our website prior to visiting and via the ROARR! app during visits.

Earlier this year we opened a new Changing Places facility to complement the existing accessible toilet facilities. We also have a designated Quiet Room with sensory aids.

Both of the new rides opened earlier this summer are accessible, adding to other attractions around the Park with specific accessibility adaptations including: wheelchair-friendly picnic benches, adaptive swing seats and multi-level sandpits in Extinction fossil dig.

Wheelchair Friendly Picnic Benches

In terms of guest interaction, we have introduced Makaton signage to the Secret Animal Garden, we have a number of staff trained in British Sign Language and recognise Sunflower lanyards for guests with hidden or invisible disabilities. Elsewhere, we are careful to position signage where it is easily legible by seated wheelchair users and standing guests. Our newest character Raz, who features in live shows and meet and greets around the Park during peak periods is non-binary, encouraging engagement with children across the gender spectrum.

At ROARR!, we believe that accessibility and inclusivity are an invaluable part of the guest experience, and our aim is to fulfil if not exceed these at all times.

Top ways in which we have developed the Park for people with accessibility requirements?

Changing Places, Opened 2023

• On 1st April 2023, ROARR! opened a new Changing Places facility, developed in partnership with South Norfolk & Broadland Council and expert designer-manufacturer RISE . It is currently one of only 3 available at visitor attractions across the whole of Norfolk (the other two being Norwich Castle Museum and Banham Zoo). Importantly, it is available for use by anyone that needs it during Park opening hours, regardless of whether they are a ticketed guest or not.The Changing Places room is a revolutionary concept that has been purpose-built and designed to ensure that everyone, regardless of their access needs or disability, can use a toilet with dignity and hygienically, whilst visiting the ParkThe new facility is spacious, well-lit, and fully accessible, with non-slip flooring, a ceiling hoist, and a height-adjustable changing bed. It also features a privacy curtain, height-adjustable sink, full-length mirror and space for a carer to be present as needed.The Changing Places innovation has been incredibly well received, with related social posts showcasing it consistently among the Park’s most engaged with, liked and commented on. Our Faecbook announcement that the facility was complete and available for use garnered 187 shares, over 800 likes as well as 140 comments, which were overwhelmingly positive. Commenters have called it “a life changer for families like ours”, “invaluable”, “fantastic” and praised us for “thinking ahead and thinking of everyone.

Raptor Contraptor

• In July 2023, we opened two new rides in the area designated as Discovery Land. These rides are both accessible and have been incredibly well-received by guests since their opening.Raptor Contraptor allows riders to take to the air, seated on one of a number of units that rotate around a central pillar and will elevate depending on how fast the user pedals. One of these units has been specially designed to offer wheel-on access and hand pedals. Swing-O-Saurus, a hydraulically-powered swing boat has accessible seats, attachable leg/foot supports and steps to make transfers easier.Recent guests have made a point of telling our crew that, having learned about the accessibility of the new rides, they have entirely changed their holiday plans in order to be able to make a special trip to Norfolk just so that their mobility-impaired children can enjoy ‘proper’ rides!

• From 1st of July 2023, we started to offer free access to Essential Companions, defined as those accompanying a registered disabled guest. This is an update on the previous Concessions category (discounted ticket price), specifically for designated carers in order to increase accessibility to guests of all ages who may not otherwise be able to attend due to the additional cost of a second entry ticket.

Makaton Signage in Secret Animal Garden

• In 2021, we introduced new signage to the Secret Animal Garden featuring Makaton signage, pictographs and pronunciation to increase accessibility of the educational aspects of this part of the Park to people with varying abilities.

ROARR! Feedback

Guest feedback is the most meaningful metric for ROARR! when it comes to inclusivity and accessibility. That’s why feedback like this public Facebook post from guest Jamie McKean, who visited from Nottingham in August of this year along with son Jimmy is so special. The post has had 30,000 likes, over 2000 overwhelmingly positive comments and 5.9k shares.

“A first for Jimmy today…a TRULY accessible experience at a park! So many places claim accessibility and inclusivity but few, if any are actually truly accessible for full time wheelchair users. Today we visited ROARR in Norfolk and this is the first ride we have ever seen in this country to accommodate wheelchairs and it proves that it can be done.

Thank you Roarr, you’ve made our holiday!

Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Drayton Manor, Gulliver’s Kingdom (can anyone add anymore?) you need to take a leaf out of Roarr’s book.”

Harper, who has Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, visited the Park in August 2023. She spends the majority of her time in a wheelchair. Following their visit, Harper’s mother shared this post on Facebook.

“We had the best time at ROARR yesterday with all our friends!

It’s so refreshing to visit somewhere which is inclusive and accessible for those with disabilities – hopefully this will be the start of other places and attractions following suit in the near future.”

DISCOVER MORE AT ROARR! WITH OUR ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION HERE.