Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2026 Discussion

[DiogoJ42]

A reminder this is discussion about Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access. Fastrack discussion can take place elsewhere, this isn’t the place to debate your opinions for or against it. Thanks.

Apologies if I was drifting in that direction.
FT created the expectation that there should be a way to "skip the queue". If it had never existed in the first place, it would be interesting to see how many people would still be scrambling to get their "free Fastrack by beating the system".

 

[RIPCorky]

What's stopping families from having two people with RAP, adding +3 extra people on each one then timing one out and then using another on a different ride in the meantime?

 

[John]

Nothing, some people do exactly that.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

To quote the Ts & Cs
"Attempting to use multiple timecards at once where a timecard system is in use" is banned.
That said a staff member would have to be really on the ball to notice it.

 

[DiogoJ42]

I work with a couple who have an almost double-digits number of children, spanning ages from end of primary school to "now-an-adult", at least half of which are neuro-diverse, and at least two of them absolutely, unquestioningly, do need some form of RAP (I have met their family on a few occasions). They all have MAPs, and are regulars at the three southern parks.

I've no idea if they have been affected by these changes or not, but they have always been pragmatic and realistic about it. I look forward to an interesting conversation the next time I work with either of them. (Which could be next week, or months away, I have no way of knowing, sadly).

 

[SuperMuscleMan]

I really detest this whole "if you find things overstimulating don't go to a theme park" viewpoint. Why should anyone be prevented from doing something they enjoy (especially kids)? Sensory seeking is often a big thing with neurodivergent people and theme parks are a perfect thing for this.

It's 2026. It's not beyond the possibility that places can provide reasonable adjustments as necessary. On top of whatever steps said person might do to help themselves (like ear defenders).

It's not that I'm suggesting that they should be excluded but in combination of my other experience that my friends with autism gaming the system makes me question how much the system is abused.

While I agree accomodations should be made they should not impact regular visitors too much.

 

[GaryH]

Can I as - is it still Towers policy that in order to go on a ride you must be able to get back off it if the ride breaks down and needs an evac?

 

[flyingguitar]

Disney and Universal also have long (albeit fast-moving) queues, and have never had the same issues with RAP as Merlin.

They do, I think it was only a few years ago disney did something similar removing some of their version of RAP and it caused some outrage (although not as much as merlin are seeing today.

IMO merlin are stuck between a rock and a hard place,

The problem is that ADHD, Autism etc are a spectrum as such each individuals needs are individual, some are perfectly fine around theme parks others can't handle crowds the problem is that when looking on paper it is very hard to differentiate those who need the service and those who don't, in the past few years I have overheard many times people in the RAP talking about it although it is a free fast pass and nothing else, I know not all disabilities are visible but I do question sometimes for instance when the wicker man RAP queue was like 60 mins long how many people in the queue needs it.


The only options merlin realistically have are either excluding these from RAP or including them and that isn't the best of options as either you are excluding those who can't handle crowds or you make the RAP queues long / too limited RAP spaces.

from my own experience I could have gotten (and may still be able) get an RAP pass however I don't need it and thus I don't want to abuse the system, but I do know people who are very similar to me in terms of sensitivity, etc and they had the RAP and a blue badge.

Don't get me wrong I want everyone to be able to enjoy theme parks and I really think that the best option was to allow them on RAP. changing fast track, etc I don't think would change much.

 

[rob666]

Hello stone pot, have you met glass kettle?

Just reread this amusingly.
Could this be anything to do with the saying "The stove calling the kettle black?"
And I did have a glass kettle.

And back on topic before Craig tells me off again...

What time was the skyride opening last season usually?
No season pass next year, so an early week day termtime visit can be done after the rush hour, as I will be relying on the skyride.
Might even take the volvo to thorpe.

 

[Bowser]

Can I as - is it still Towers policy that in order to go on a ride you must be able to get back off it if the ride breaks down and needs an evac?

You get allocated a colour on your RAP depending on whether you are able to go on rides alone or need assistance in an evacuation.

This is now done by a series of questions when you set up your account though previously i believe it was automatically applied if you had a +1 symbol on your Nimbus card.

It also means on some rides you will always be allocated a certain part of the ride to sit eg. Always back rows on Thirteen.

 

[Poisson]

Seems to me there is 2 separate issues at the moment:

Merlin want to change their acceptance criterion.
Nimbus have arbitrarily reassigned the symbols to people.

 

[Qwerty123]

No offence intended to you, or anyone else, but I think the problem is that people who do live with these conditions seem to be under the impression that the rest of us somehow like spending hours standing in a queue. We hate it just as much as you do. And the more people get to skip the main queue, the worse it gets for those of us who have no choice but to "deal with it".

One queue. One queue only. That is the only fair solution at this point.

In an ideal world I would agree that this would be the ideal solution, preferably with discussions with as many different groups of disabled people as possible as to how the queues can be made as accessible as possible.

They do, I think it was only a few years ago disney did something similar removing some of their version of RAP and it caused some outrage (although not as much as merlin are seeing today.

IMO merlin are stuck between a rock and a hard place,

The problem is that ADHD, Autism etc are a spectrum as such each individuals needs are individual, some are perfectly fine around theme parks others can't handle crowds the problem is that when looking on paper it is very hard to differentiate those who need the service and those who don't, in the past few years I have overheard many times people in the RAP talking about it although it is a free fast pass and nothing else, I know not all disabilities are visible but I do question sometimes for instance when the wicker man RAP queue was like 60 mins long how many people in the queue needs it.


The only options merlin realistically have are either excluding these from RAP or including them and that isn't the best of options as either you are excluding those who can't handle crowds or you make the RAP queues long / too limited RAP spaces.

from my own experience I could have gotten (and may still be able) get an RAP pass however I don't need it and thus I don't want to abuse the system, but I do know people who are very similar to me in terms of sensitivity, etc and they had the RAP and a blue badge.

Don't get me wrong I want everyone to be able to enjoy theme parks and I really think that the best option was to allow them on RAP. changing fast track, etc I don't think would change much.

The Wickerman stuff should have been dealt with at the time with ride operators confiscating the RAPs of those who had proven themselves able to queue (excluding those in wheelchairs who have never claimed to be unable to queue if the queue was made accessible).

 

[fearnwood]

So yes Merlin should boost ride capacity but you can’t have unlimited RAP usage in a time when more people qualify.

But there is no unlimited RAP usage? They clamped down on numbers per day two years ago... The number of RAP users in the park each day, and how many get to 'virtually queue' for each timeslot at each ride is now entirely down to Merlin and their app....

 

[Bowser]

The Wickerman stuff should have been dealt with at the time with ride operators confiscating the RAPs of those who had proven themselves able to queue (excluding those in wheelchairs who have never claimed to be unable to queue if the queue was made accessible).

1. Being in a wheelchair does not define your disability. Some people can walk short distances, some have other comorbidities that mean they require urgent toilet access and so on. You can’t claim to speak on behalf of what all wheelchairs users want and need.

2. The issue with the long RAP queues of the past was the wait time was undetermined. People might have joined assuming that it would have still moved quickly. Some might have got to a point of no return, suffered through it and be forced to leave the park afterwards.

 

[Qwerty123]

1. Being in a wheelchair does not define your disability. Some people can walk short distances, some have other comorbidities that mean they require urgent toilet access and so on. You can’t claim to speak on behalf of what all wheelchairs users want and need.

2. The issue with the long RAP queues of the past was the wait time was undetermined. People might have joined assuming that it would have still moved quickly. Some might have got to a point of no return, suffered through it and be forced to leave the park afterwards.

As I think you realise the point was that queuing for an hour shows that you are able to queue and therefore means you should not be eligible for a RAP on the basis of not being able to queue. Even the vast majority of NT people have a maximum tolerance for queuing and have to consider that when deciding on how long to stay or which rides to use.
Whilst some of those in wheelchairs may have other requirements, the requirement for a wheelchair is in itself a barrier from being able to use the main queues and therefore purely from a RAP perspective these people have a need irregardless of their ability to queue (as long as the queue is accessible) and are therefore not directly contradicting their so called need by their actions.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

The Wickerman stuff should have been dealt with at the time with ride operators confiscating the RAPs of those who had proven themselves able to queue

You're oversimplifying the reality of the situation and inviting a world of operational and legal pain for the frontline staff.

You're operating under the assumption that queuing is a singular, uniform experience. It's not.

A 60 minute wait in the RAP line (typically a straight path, less crowded, open air, ability to leave/step out if needed) is fundamentally different from a 60 minute wait in the main cattle pen (compressed on all sides, high sensory input, physically trapped behind fences, no easy exit).

A neurodivergent guest might be able to tolerate the former because they have personal space and a clear line of sight to the station, but would suffer a meltdown in the latter due to the sensory compression. Punishing them for tolerating the adjustment because the park's operations are slow is perverse logic.

Very few people willingly join a RAP queue knowing it is 60 minutes long. They join and then operations grind to a halt, a train is removed, or a shutdown occurs. Once you're in, you're committed. Confiscating a pass because a guest had the patience to wait out Merlin's operational inefficiencies is essentially victim blaming.

Expecting a seasonal ride host, earning minimum wage and likely in their first job, to perform an on the spot medical capability assessment and confiscate a disability aid from a guest is a recipe for disaster.

You're asking them to make a clinical judgement ("You've stood here for an hour, therefore you're cured") and enforce a punitive measure in a highly charged environment. At this point you're just asking for your staff to be assaulted.

(excluding those in wheelchairs who have never claimed to be unable to queue if the queue was made accessible).

This is factually incorrect. Many wheelchair users have complex needs that extend beyond "I can't walk up steps". Issues with pressure sores, temperature regulation, toileting urgency and muscle spasms mean that sitting static in a wheelchair in a slow moving queue for 90 minutes is physically dangerous or impossible, regardless of whether there is a ramp.

The "confiscation" approach treats accessibility as a privilege to be revoked at the whim of a ride host, rather than a necessary adjustment for a protected characteristic. It's unworkable, immoral and most likely illegal.

 

[RIPCorky]

I think if Merlin were going to reverse their decision they probably would have by now. I've also seen previous RAP holders who don't qualify anymore say they're considering trying to queue on less busier days. I've seen people fearful of many things get over them by drip feeding exposure over time. To be honest if you go on a Sunday and get there early and plan your day well you can normally have a decent day and not wait even an hour at any one time. Wickerman was the biggest issue for delayed queues. The RAP, fast track, baggage hold and the (seen it a million times ) Pre Show really make a mess of things.

I can't speak for every parent and child however I would at least give queuing one more chance before I ever claimed I wasn't going ever again. If you give any child who is capable of understanding the choice between queuing with people or never going again, well I know which I would choose.

 

[flyingguitar]

To be honest if you go on a Sunday and get there early and plan your day well you can normally have a decent day and not wait even an hour at any one time. Wickerman was the biggest issue for delayed queues. The RAP, fast track, baggage hold and the (seen it a million times ) Pre Show really make a mess of things.

Appart from in busy sections of the year (summer, scarefest, etc) you can often go on a sunday and see 10-30 min queues average with wickerman usually being 40mins. however that is limiting people to only certain days, which they may not be able to do (people may work Sundays, etc)

I can't speak for every parent and child however I would at least give queuing one more chance before I ever claimed I wasn't going ever again. If you give any child who is capable of understanding the choice between queuing with people or never going again, well I know which I would choose.

this is true, however they may never go again because merlin aren't the only entertainment company, they can go to the cinema, go karting, etc.

there is no requirement for people to go to the theme parks, we all probably want to go because we enjoy theme parks, but probably not your average person.

 

[Bowser]

Appart from in busy sections of the year (summer, scarefest, etc) you can often go on a sunday and see 10-30 min queues average with wickerman usually being 40mins. however that is limiting people to only certain days, which they may not be able to do (people may work Sundays, etc)

It's also asking an unreasonable amount of preparation from the average visitor. How are they to know that a day will potentially be accessible without spending time scouring internet forums for opinions, queue-time sites for averages etc? Even then it's a gamble, as we all know at Merlin parks it only takes a couple of rides to go down for the entire park to collapse into 100+ minute queues.

Now the park could publicly display anticipated attendance based on ticket sales like Efteling do but even then it's a risk unless you are deciding your visit last minute and know the park well enough.

The burden on RAP users is already high. Having to apply for passes months in advance, having to compete for slots, navigating a constantly changing queue system. I think many people don't appreciate what a military operation it is for many when it should be a carefree fun day out. Life for the disabled is already often a daily battle and it's a shame those abusing the RAP system are also eroding the compassion other people have.

 

[Steve74]

I think if Merlin were going to reverse their decision they probably would have by now. I've also seen previous RAP holders who don't qualify anymore say they're considering trying to queue on less busier days. I've seen people fearful of many things get over them by drip feeding exposure over time. To be honest if you go on a Sunday and get there early and plan your day well you can normally have a decent day and not wait even an hour at any one time. Wickerman was the biggest issue for delayed queues. The RAP, fast track, baggage hold and the (seen it a million times ) Pre Show really make a mess of things.

I can't speak for every parent and child however I would at least give queuing one more chance before I ever claimed I wasn't going ever again. If you give any child who is capable of understanding the choice between queuing with people or never going again, well I know which I would choose.

That is pretty much exactly what a caller to Jeremy Vine's Radio 2 show on Friday said (listen from 20:50). His son was born in the 90s and they decided they didn't need/want a RAP so he basically learned to queue and if he played up his parents removed him from the queue. He didn't say what his son suffers from but he says that that learning experience over time, taught his son how to queue and behave in public and now, as an adult he can queue quite happily.

Obviously that's not going to work for many who need a RAP but it does pose the question of if other parents who's children can play up* in a similar way did remove them from the queue/triggering environment every time they played up, over time how many of the kids would then not need RAPs or other provisions as they grow older? I suspect a fair few.

*'play up' may not be the correct term to use, but I can't think of another alternative.