Worst Virtual Reality ? Tyler's Birthday at VR centre Plymouth
We celebrate Tyler's Birthday at Plymouth's Virtual Reality Centre. The experience costs £80 for six people. The wording on website implies the participants will have an hour and participate at the same time. In reality they had less than eight minutes each and had to take in turns with the one headset.. You have to be over 10 to participate so we took the younger kids (5, 8 and 8 years) to watch Tyler and his chosen five play. The website says there are hot drinks and refreshments available which is how we convinced his Grandmother to come and watch! They had decided upon the Whale or rollercoaster experience as advertised on the website. On arrival it wasn't quite what we imagined. It was a large room with a seperate area containing the headset. The noise of the broken loo constantly refilling and making the pipes screech was uncomfortable. There was a fridge with some cold drinks in. A pool table which was not free as the website stated. We were told to watch a video so an experience could be chosen. We told the member of staff we wanted the whale one. He said he didn't have it and offered no further explanation. We asked for the rollercoaster and once again were told no, with no further explanation. This is discussed at the start of our video and it was very strange indeed especially as we spotted the whale picture on the wall!! They eventually chose the haunted house but couldn't play that as it was for over 16 year olds although it was fine for the younger ones to watch. In the end the younger ones chose their own while the rest played the haunted house one which was incredible boring apart from the younger kids scaring themselves and screaming. My elderly mother asked to buy a coffee but was told they didn't sell hot drinks. Once again this was advertised on their website.
All our outings are family orientated. Most places we visit, bringing non-participants has never been an issue. It was here. aside from the six participants there was myself, sis, mum, nephew and three little girls. I really thought from the wording on the website that we could sit and watch while enjoying our purchased refreshments. This was not the case.
We were so disappointed with the experience that I emailed the owner to suggest the wording of the group VR experience on offer is misleading and that we were disappointed that the advertised games weren't actually available. I also pointed out that the free pool advertised wasn't honoured. I was really surprised by their response and anger. I was asked what did I expect for the money and they denied us ever asking about the whale and rollercoaster experiences. They reported that they were not happy with the spectators being there and the member of staff felt uncomfortable with our presence which is why he wouldn't sell us coffee. I never imagined my elderly mother and three young children could be perceived as intimidating. Anyway, it was rubbish! The video makes it look good. It wasn't. If you want to read the Basil Fawlty style comments from the owner head over to Trip Adviser.