Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2024 Discussion

[Benzin]

God I detested that the RAP queues seem to completely miss the point of them at Legoland.

Truly made me vow never to visit on a "busy" day.

 

[TPick]

The wife visited Chessington couple of days ago and didn't manage to get onto Mandrill Mayhem. Got it booked in the morning but by the time they got to the ride the RAP queue was out of the queue line and snaking to the centre of the land - there was no way they were joining that. Then they never got it booked for the rest of the day as it was always fully booked. Also, the member of staff scanning the passes wasnt at the queue entrance, they were at the front of the queue so RAP users were queuing god knows how long to get to the front and then having the queue length time added. Not great.

 

[Bowser]

The wife visited Chessington couple of days ago and didn't manage to get onto Mandrill Mayhem. Got it booked in the morning but by the time they got to the ride the RAP queue was out of the queue line and snaking to the centre of the land - there was no way they were joining that. Then they never got it booked for the rest of the day as it was always fully booked. Also, the member of staff scanning the passes wasnt at the queue entrance, they were at the front of the queue so RAP users were queuing god knows how long to get to the front and then having the queue length time added. Not great.

We had similar this week, was almost to the entrance and was about 20 minutes so you’d have likely been 30+

The host was only letting one or two groups in per cycle and wasn’t putting the rope on the main queue so people were batching themselves.

 

[TPick]

We had similar this week, was almost to the entrance and was about 20 minutes so you’d have likely been 30+

The host was only letting one or two groups in per cycle and wasn’t putting the rope on the main queue so people were batching themselves.

I assume staffing issues are the reason the person has been moved from the queue entrance. The wife said when they tried to get on and gave up as the queue was too long the queue time was 80 minutes, so they would have had to wait that and then maybe 30 minutes to get to the front. A little unfair I think.

 

[Skyscraper]

As of now, all Scarefest Saturdays are fully booked for RAP.

Annoying as I was hoping to do a Saturday as you have more time to complete the mazes, but I knew they'd all be gone before I'm able to book.

 

[Bowser]

As of now, all Scarefest Saturdays are fully booked for RAP.

Similar story at Thorpe Park.

RAP in general is booked up across all the parks the furthest in advance i've seen since the capacity system was introduced. Previously 2 or 3 weeks was a safe bet.

 

[Bowser]

In other news, Legoland has won an award for being Autism friendly:

Legoland Windsor has become the first theme park in the UK to be awarded the Autism Friendly Award from the National Autistic Society.

The society chose to award the Windsor theme park this recognition award, based on several criteria:

• Specialised communication skills;
• A decrease of overwhelming spaces;
• Easy access to information; and
• A generally inclusive environment.

Legoland becomes the first theme park to win Autism Friendly Award - Park World Online

Legoland Windsor has become the first theme park in the UK to be awarded the Autism Friendly Award from the National Autistic Society.

parkworld-online.com

Seems somewhat tenuous imo.

"Decrease in overwhelming spaces?" Would that be the sensory room full of screaming non-neurodiverse children or the shared RAP/FT queues in confined corridors?

"A generally inclusive environment?" What does that even mean?

As a parent of a non-verbal child can't say i've noticed any "specialised communication skills" in the 4 years we've been regularly attending.

I'm nitpicking as we love the park and generally have a great time but i can't think of a single thing where they stand out from any other theme park we visit in this regard and as i suggested, the queues are some of the least friendly spaces for those with sensory issues.

 

[Islander]

"Decrease in overwhelming spaces?" Would that be the sensory room full of screaming non-neurodiverse children or the shared RAP/FT queues in confined corridors?

Ah, this is interesting... do neurodiverse children not scream then?

Or conversely, should quiet, calm, well-behaved children be barred from such spaces if they are neurotypical?

(To be clear, I'm definitely not claiming that screaming children of any flavour are acceptable in such a space... 'tis just that your wording was very odd, IMHO...)

 

[Bowser]

Ah, this is interesting... do neurodiverse children not scream then?

Or conversely, should quiet, calm, well-behaved children be barred from such spaces if they are neurotypical?

(To be clear, I'm definitely not claiming that screaming children of any flavour are acceptable in such a space... 'tis just that your wording was very odd, IMHO...)

I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt that you’re not deliberately misreading my point but I’m suggesting the space is used as an overcrowded playroom by inconsiderate parents for those who don’t require it.

Chessington have someone manning the door at theirs either asking for Access cards or assessing additional needs to ensure it’s not treated as an attraction. In fairness Legoland might now too as we haven’t been inside for a long time due to previous negative experiences.

 

[Skyscraper]

Towers have released more RAP availability, all dates are available.

 

[TPick]

Or conversely, should quiet, calm, well-behaved children be barred from such spaces if they are neurotypical?

There is a sign at the entrance to the sensory room asking you to only use it if you are with a guest that has additional needs. There has been a few times where we have received weird looks from parents of children who clearly shouldn't be in there because our son has got very excited at the bubble tube.

 

[Bowser]

A few Efteling specific RAP observations that may benefit people:

- As mentioned elsewhere, Danse Macabre does not have a RAP queue as the main line is physically accessible and the VQ is intended to cater for other needs. You need to be very close to Danse to be able to access the VQ (for example it wouldn't work from the drop of Baron plaza area).

- We did the main queue for Joris/Dragon this time as last time the RAP involved standing in the searing heat for a prolonged period before eventually reaching a handful of shaded seats. I couldn't believe how fast the queue moved, we barely stood still at all and the actual line was wide and very open excluding the station so was a much preferable experience for us.

- Baron seemed to be a similar set up with people waiting to reach a small seated area. Again, standing for an undetermined period of time is generally worse for us.

- We attempted the Loop earplugs again (this time on Baron). Ear defenders could be worn as far as boarding as there is a small rotating bag drop in station for phones etc. This time we had them on a chain so at least when they immediately got pulled out on the lift hill they weren't lost. On ride 2 we held one of his hands on the restraints each so he couldn't pull them out, which worked but that's a system that only works on coasters where we can sit either side so not a Hyperia etc solution. The search continues...

 

[Vicki]

Can definitely see pros and cons to Towers going digital. Mostly cons, sadly.

It would eliminate the big queue at the start of the day to collect the card, which is good.

But, the wifi there isn't great, my phone constantly drops off of it. Mobile data signal is also not great.
I also didn't like Legoland and Chessington's system because it means being on your phone constantly, and them having the ability to close RAP queues when they can't be bothered to operate them.
That coupled with a few RAP queues now merging with fast track, I think there's going to be issues.

 

[Bowser]

them having the ability to close RAP queues when they can't be bothered to operate them

I’ve never known this to happen in dozens of visits to both parks nor ever heard of it happening.

The only time RAP queues have closed is temporarily when they are at capacity, which arguably is the point of the system and would be even more beneficial at AT. Better to see that a queue is currently unavailable than to trek across the park only to be faced with an intolerably long line because all users have descended simultaneously.

 

[Skyscraper]

Aaaand there we go, all peak dates gone for Scarefest RAP.

Only 8 dates left now.

 

[Vicki]

I’ve never known this to happen in dozens of visits to both parks nor ever heard of it happening.

The only time RAP queues have closed is temporarily when they are at capacity, which arguably is the point of the system and would be even more beneficial at AT. Better to see that a queue is currently unavailable than to trek across the park only to be faced with an intolerably long line because all users have descended simultaneously.

That's actually good to hear - I am basing this off a Legoland trip where many, many rides weren't available on RAP but you could pay to access on Reserve and Ride. I'm also in a couple of groups that report that's a regular thing there.

You make a very good point actually - I was at AT today and Wickerman went down for a while, the RAP queue was pretty big, but then a lot of people left and it became manageable (just! I was SO close to asking my friend if we could bail...). Having some way of knowing that would be good - I don't suppose there'd be a way of calculating an estimated wait for RAP queues though.

As an aside, pretty decent day at AT - timed out correctly everywhere apart from Hex where she didn't bother (queue was only 15 minutes though). Incidentally, that final pre-show room is definitely one of my biggest struggles at the park on a sensory level. I enjoy the ride enough to stick my earplugs in and endure it though. Wickerman they checked if I needed the step free exit, and Spinball they asked if I needed the car stopping - all really appreciated. Both rides they were taking loose articles from you and stowing them (my companion usually stows my bag and white cane while I get settled) which I thought was really good - I always feel bad slowing them down. Also used my new glasses strap which was brilliant and I'm not sure why I didn't use one sooner - glasses don't completely fix my sight issues but I'd feel more comfortable evacuating a ride wearing them than without!

Off to Blackpool Pleasure Beach in a few weeks, looking forward to that one - anyone know if they're alright with secured glasses on rides?

 

[Katy]

Off to Blackpool Pleasure Beach in a few weeks, looking forward to that one - anyone know if they're alright with secured glasses on rides?

Yes - they occasionally ask something like "Are your glasses going to be okay?" and you can just say "yes", I wear my glasses on all the rides (sometimes with a strap, sometimes without as they don't come off even without a strap) with no problems.

 

[Bowser]

That's actually good to hear - I am basing this off a Legoland trip where many, many rides weren't available on RAP but you could pay to access on Reserve and Ride. I'm also in a couple of groups that report that's a regular thing there.

You make a very good point actually - I was at AT today and Wickerman went down for a while, the RAP queue was pretty big, but then a lot of people left and it became manageable (just! I was SO close to asking my friend if we could bail...). Having some way of knowing that would be good - I don't suppose there'd be a way of calculating an estimated wait for RAP queues though.

The shared queues of Legoland are certainly problematic and i too have experienced what you describe. Technically the reason for that should be that the RAP allocation for the ride has reached capacity but one could cynically posit that the FT numbers are being prioritised. Equally as RAP is meant to be an accessible equivalent of the main queue, one could argue it's not unreasonable for the park to do this and due to the shared lines, closing the queue is more sensible than having RAP users enter a lengthy wait.

At the other Merlin parks where queues are rarely shared this shouldn't be a problem and in theory RAP queue times could be estimated.... though the purpose of a functioning RAP system is there should be little to no actual queue time. Since adding the capacity limit this is generally my experience at the digital parks outside of a few attractions, namely Vampire/Mandrill at Chessington with the latter having a shared queue and Skylion at Legoland (again shared but poor loading system adds to its woes).

 

[Benzin]

Would say the biggest issue I found with the Lego queues is that because they are shared and the merge point is often still got a bit of queue (like Ninjago) makes the thing feel pointless.

Also the location of the disabled lift on Dragon is quite possibly the dumbest possible choice. I don't like onload side entry for wheelchair users at best of times but having to go back against the actual queue is genuine idiocy.

 

[popey85]

Really is sad that Alton can't implement a rap system where the younger people are unattached to the older people my daughter is only 5 and not tall enough for any of the big rides she loves Cbeebies and scarefest but now she has started school she will not be able to attend this year as there isn't any availability on the weekends. I haven't done a pre book for the rap as i didn't want to take up a space because we wouldn't know until the morning of our visit if we are coming she is autistic and non verbal with Global development delay she doesn't sleep well at all so it's so hard to know when we can come but this system now makes it nearly impossible and it's so sad when she absolutely loves this park. Have now took on annual passes for paultons and drayton manor as the access pass is easier to get but understanding there not as busy as Alton.