Gold Coast

Surviving Pacific Fair Shopping Center or The Pacific Fair Park

I doubt there are too may Brizzy mums and dads that don’t know about Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast. It’s a shoppers paradise with all manner of shops from boutique to Coles. The problem is that you just can’t wander around and try things on with kids in tow. I’ve always left them at home if I was actually going to shop.

For the first time though I thought I’d check out the kiddy play zone in the middle of the fair under the sails. My big boy really wanted to try the motorized cars, and as he’d been pretty good that morning I decided to treat him. These cars are for the kids over 3 so my little guy was pretty disappointed. That’s just another little lesson for him. They cost $3 a ride and are really worth the money. Easy to steer, they operate by remote control, so the kids pretty much just have to hold onto the wheel.  If they do get stuck the operator is over to help in a flash and everyone continues on their way. I didn’t time how long they get to drive around the track but it was a decent period and the kids didn’t complain or ask for more.

Then we went into play area. To be able to spend time in here though is not as simple as walking in. Someone will stop you and get you to fill out a form. You must enter your name that of the kids, your home address and a mobile number. Then sign that all that’s correct. The kids are then fitted with a wristband with their names on them. You can be in here now for a maximum of 1 hour. I have no idea on how strict they are in sticking to that time, but from the way I was “kindly” asked (yelled at from the check in station) to please put shoes back on the children’s feet. I guess they would kick you out after your hours up.

This is not a drop off zone; you must stay with your children. I was informed that they collect all the form information because from time to time a parent will do a runner. But perhaps this happens because it wasn’t too long ago that you could leave the kids here for a while so you could shop in peace.

Still it is a good Idea and if you do have another adult with you could take turns in watching duty, while the other person shops.  This park is really just one big climbing frame disguised as a boat that has a large slide on the side of it. Older children over 7 would probably get tired of it quite quickly but the little guys enjoyed themselves and my 2 year old had no trouble negotiating it.

Ohh and don’t stuff the piece of paper (copy of signed form) into a place where you can’t find it, you’ll need it to get everyone back out again. I’m all for safety but I think since you’re not allowed to leave your children unattended anyway I think this is all a bit over the top.

© 2008 Brizzy Kidz.