VIALAND ISTANBUL – A DISASTROUS EXPERIENCE! TOURISTS, BE CAREFUL!
We visited Türkiye in August and were really excited to take our children to Vialand Theme Park. Unfortunately, what we expected to be a wonderful family experience turned into one of the biggest disappointments and most embarrassing experiences of our holiday.
We purchased our tickets through Booking.com and paid for two adults and one child. According to the specified age categories, children aged 0-3 were free, while children aged 4-14 required a ticket. Therefore, naturally, we didn't buy a ticket for our three-year-old child.
But when we reached the entrance, we were stopped and not allowed in! We were suddenly told that a child who had just turned three years old now falls into the 4-14 age category. What kind of logic is this? If a three-year-old child doesn't fall into the 0-3 age category, why are you declaring the age range that way?
We waited at the entrance for almost an hour with our children. We tried to explain the situation to the official, whose name I believe was Esrin or Erin. However, instead of acknowledging how misleading the age categories were, the official called the manager. The director didn't even bother to come out to speak with us face-to-face.
The answer was very simple: NO! Either pay more or don't go in.
Treating tourists who have traveled to your country and paid to visit your facility in this way is truly unacceptable!
We had two options: We have two options: either comply with this demand, which we consider unfair, and pay the extra fee, or leave. We chose to separate. Because for us, principles are more important than money.
We specifically requested a refund before leaving. The representative directed us to Booking.com because we made our reservation through them and assured us that our money would be refunded.
However, this assurance turned out to be a complete empty promise.
We have been trying to get our refund for two whole months. Finally, Booking.com informed us that Vialand refused to approve the refund!
Now I ask if I understood correctly: You refused us entry due to a disputed age category, took our money even though we never used the tickets, directed us to Booking.com for a refund, and then refused to process that refund. Really?
Where is the honesty? Where is the responsibility? Where are the most basic human values and conscience?
That amount of money isn't going to change our lives. That shouldn't be a significant amount for a theme park of this size. However, the way you handle this situation says a lot about your customer service approach and business ethics.
What made this experience even more upsetting was that we had come to Türkiye with great excitement and respect. We expected hospitality and a fair approach. Instead, we felt humiliated, disappointed, and utterly abandoned.
I sincerely hope other tourists read this review before making a reservation. Please check the age categories and return conditions in detail, especially. Because our experience clearly shows how costly misleading information and poor customer service can be.
A business should be remembered not for the money it refused to refund, but for the happiness it brought to people.
I condemn Vialand for the way it handled this issue. Even though two months have passed, we are still waiting for our refund. I will continue to raise this issue until it is resolved properly.
ZERO STARS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, HONESTY, AND RESPONSIBILITY!
A
anuj3012
September 18, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Fun experience
A little far from main city istanbul but worth the journey. We went on a weekday after local schools had started and found the park surprising empty in the morning and limited crowd as the day progressed. This made all rides with no queues! The kids rode the Nesfekesen 7 times! Good staff too. Overall a good park for young kids.
事業者からの返答
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your wonderful review and valuable rating. We are delighted to hear that you had an enjoyable time at Vialand Theme Park. We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Best Regards,
Vialand Theme Park Guest Relations
P
Prestigest
August 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
It was a wonderful experience.
It was perfect. It was a lot of fun. We rode all of them except one. They were all very beautiful.
事業者からの返答
Değerli Misafirimiz,
Güzel yorumunuz ve değerli değerlendirmeniz için teşekkür ederiz. Vialand Tema Park'ta keyifli vakit geçirmenize çok sevindik. Sizleri yeniden ağırlamaktan mutluluk duyarız.
Saygılarımızla,
Vialand Tema Park Misafir İlişkileri
R
RojgarShekho
August 17, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Neutral
Not bad, not that good either to lay 60 dollars per person,
事業者からの返答
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback with us. Our pricing policy is determined by considering the services, experiences, and operational processes we provide. Your comments will be reviewed by the relevant departments.
Best Regards,
Vialand Theme Park Guest Relations
_
_smailb356
August 15, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
...
The opening time could have been a bit earlier. Even though we had diamond tickets, we waited in line for a very long time, especially for the breathtaking performance. When 5-6 people bought diamond tickets and 15 people bought regular tickets, the diamond ticket becomes meaningless. However, there is still no alternative to this place in Istanbul. Overall, we had a great day, and the staff were generally friendly and helpful.
事業者からの返答
Değerli Misafirimiz,
Ziyaretiniz sırasında yaşadığınız bekleme süreleri nedeniyle memnun kalmadığınızı öğrenmekten üzüntü duyduk. Özellikle yoğun dönemlerde tüm misafirlerimize en iyi deneyimi sunabilmek için çalışmalarımızı sürdürüyoruz. Geri bildiriminiz ilgili ekiplerimizle paylaşılmıştır.
Saygılarımızla,
Vialand Tema Park Misafir İlişkileri
2
273zainabs
August 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Fun day out
We paid for fast track which came with access to etnopark as well as a free meal. If you plan on going early and on a weekday, the queues aren’t so bad. Great variety of rides! Had so much fun!
事業者からの返答
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your wonderful review and valuable rating. We are delighted to hear that you had an enjoyable time at Vialand Theme Park. We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Best Regards,
Vialand Theme Park Guest Relations
S
salihd638
July 29, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Long queues
They've increased the fares a lot, you wait 50 minutes but get on in 10, and it's always crowded.
事業者からの返答
Değerli Misafirimiz,
Ziyaretiniz sırasında yaşadığınız bekleme süreleri nedeniyle memnun kalmadığınızı öğrenmekten üzüntü duyduk. Özellikle yoğun dönemlerde tüm misafirlerimize en iyi deneyimi sunabilmek için çalışmalarımızı sürdürüyoruz. Geri bildiriminiz ilgili ekiplerimizle paylaşılmıştır.
Saygılarımızla,
Vialand Tema Park Misafir İlişkileri
S
sultank941
July 28, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
DISAPPOINTMENT
It was the worst experience I've ever had, definitely not worth the money. You pay a very high fee to get in, but the activities available for children are very limited. Even if they meet the height requirement, their age becomes a problem. I definitely wouldn't recommend this place to families with children aged 4-5. That was truly the worst experience of my life!
1人が参考になったと回答
事業者からの返答
Değerli Misafirimiz,
Geri bildiriminizi bizimle paylaştığınız için teşekkür ederiz. Yaşadığınız deneyimin beklentilerinizi tam olarak karşılamamış olmasından dolayı üzgünüz. Görüşleriniz ilgili ekiplerimiz tarafından değerlendirmeye alınacaktır.
Saygılarımızla,
Vialand Tema Park Misafir İlişkileri
S
s0m0raik
July 15, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Perfect
Everything is so beautiful
Have a lot of fun
事業者からの返答
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your wonderful review and valuable rating. We are delighted to hear that you had an enjoyable time at Vialand Theme Park. We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Best Regards,
Vialand Theme Park Guest Relations
6
614g_kayy
July 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
It was nice.
I had come with my friends in the summertime. Honestly, we had a wonderful and enjoyable time; I would recommend it to anyone visiting—it's worth the money.
事業者からの返答
Değerli Misafirimiz,
Güzel yorumunuz ve değerli değerlendirmeniz için teşekkür ederiz. Vialand Tema Park'ta keyifli vakit geçirmenize çok sevindik. Sizleri yeniden ağırlamaktan mutluluk duyarız.
Saygılarımızla,
Vialand Tema Park Misafir İlişkileri