Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2026 Discussion

[pluk]

Wherever this ends up settling, it will always be true that there will be a definitive cut off for those that qualify for a RAP and those who don't, just like there is for many things in life, like benefit patments and grades and taxes. Without it everyone qualifies for everything.

Whoever just misses that cut off will feel hard done by, quite possibly rightly, and probably be noisy about it. But that cut off has to exist. So we can look forward to this rumbling on for eternity. Yay.

 

[GaryH]

Just read this someone posted online. The down under perspective on Merlin’s RAP passes. Makes an interesting read - it’s free to read just click on the close button when the continue for free bit comes up to keep reading :

Alton Towers is right to ban ADHD queue-jumpers | The Spectator Australia

That will teach people who seek a diagnosis of ADHD in the hope that it will bring them various advantages…

www.spectator.com.au

 

[Ripsaw97]

This line made me laugh "But I know one thing: she would far more easily cope with a queue than she would with Oblivion, a rollercoaster at Alton Towers which subjects you to a vertical drop of 180 degrees" Other than that the article feels a little angry Im not going to lie and biased. But then again that should have been evident from the title. Im not sure where I stand on the debate, but it seems either way some bracket is going to feel attacked no matter what the decision is, unless a full uturn happens but Im just not sure if i can see that happen, only time will tell.

 

[Osaka12]

You could always side with fairness and not bend your knee to everyone with their palms up.

For context, I've not viewed that article or any other social post on any platform. This forum is as social as I'm willing to go. All my own opinion based on my own experience.

 

[GaryH]

I think that is a well worded argument in that article. I asked a few pages back if guests can go on rides if they are unable to get off. My follow up question was going to be around people who suffer from anxiety, or being in confined spaces with others if a ride were to break down for a long period of time.

Granted stopping on Squirrel Nutty for half hour may not induce this, but if oblivion was to break down for an hot near the drop (it did many years ago), or the haunted house stops in the dark for an extended period.

Food for thought perhaps …

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

Just read this someone posted online. The down under perspective on Merlin’s RAP passes. Makes an interesting read - it’s free to read just click on the close button when the continue for free bit comes up to keep reading :

Alton Towers is right to ban ADHD queue-jumpers | The Spectator Australia

That will teach people who seek a diagnosis of ADHD in the hope that it will bring them various advantages…

www.spectator.com.au

Although you've found an Australian link, this article is actually from the British edition of The Spectator. Ross Clark, the author, is British and lives in the UK.

You could always side with fairness and not bend your knee to everyone with their palms up.

You're not actually calling for fairness though. You've complete misunderstood what fairness actually is in a civil society. Fairness is not treating everyone identically, regardless of circumstance; it's about providing equitable access by removing barriers. The queue line is an artificial barrier, not a natural state of being. RAP is not a "handout"; it's a tool designed to mitigate a disadvantage created by the park's own operational model.

This narrative, which paints accessibility as an undeserved perk for "queue jumpers," is precisely the one being pushed by angry, biased articles like the one shared from The Spectator.

This line made me laugh "But I know one thing: she would far more easily cope with a queue than she would with Oblivion, a rollercoaster at Alton Towers which subjects you to a vertical drop of 180 degrees" Other than that the article feels a little angry Im not going to lie and biased. But then again that should have been evident from the title. Im not sure where I stand on the debate, but it seems either way some bracket is going to feel attacked no matter what the decision is, unless a full uturn happens but Im just not sure if i can see that happen, only time will tell.

The article is not just "a little angry"; it's intellectually dishonest. It's a piece that wilfully misrepresents a complex issue to stoke resentment, a fact made comically obvious by its assertion that Oblivion has a "vertical drop of 180 degrees", geometric impossibility that suggests the author's grasp of basic physics is as tenuous as their grasp of disability rights.

It's purpose is not to inform, but to validate the prejudice that disabled people are simply looking for an unfair advantage.
This brings us to the mechanism itself, and the illusion of choice offered by Nimbus.

I shouldn't have expected anything more from The Spectator though.

 

[Matt N]

It appears as though some people are writing to their MP about this, with Chris Vince, the MP for Harlow of all places (seems like an odd one given there are no Merlin parks in Essex…), writing a letter to Fiona Eastwood:

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I wonder if Merlin will hold firm on their decision or do a u-turn? This is certainly proving to be a highly controversial decision, if nothing else!

 

[Osaka12]

Although you've found an Australian link, this article is actually from the British edition of The Spectator. Ross Clark, the author, is British and lives in the UK.

You're not actually calling for fairness though. You've complete misunderstood what fairness actually is in a civil society. Fairness is not treating everyone identically, regardless of circumstance; it's about providing equitable access by removing barriers. The queue line is an artificial barrier, not a natural state of being. RAP is not a "handout"; it's a tool designed to mitigate a disadvantage created by the park's own operational model.

This narrative, which paints accessibility as an undeserved perk for "queue jumpers," is precisely the one being pushed by angry, biased articles like the one shared from The Spectator.

The article is not just "a little angry"; it's intellectually dishonest. It's a piece that wilfully misrepresents a complex issue to stoke resentment, a fact made comically obvious by its assertion that Oblivion has a "vertical drop of 180 degrees", geometric impossibility that suggests the author's grasp of basic physics is as tenuous as their grasp of disability rights.

It's purpose is not to inform, but to validate the prejudice that disabled people are simply looking for an unfair advantage.
This brings us to the mechanism itself, and the illusion of choice offered by Nimbus.

I shouldn't have expected anything more from The Spectator though.

Your telling me I'm not calling for fairness when I actually am. I have no issue with RAP, it's absolutely correct. But as with a lot of things in our society, it needs to now be measured properly, the well is drying up fast.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Just read this someone posted online. The down under perspective on Merlin’s RAP passes. Makes an interesting read - it’s free to read just click on the close button when the continue for free bit comes up to keep reading :

Alton Towers is right to ban ADHD queue-jumpers | The Spectator Australia

That will teach people who seek a diagnosis of ADHD in the hope that it will bring them various advantages…

www.spectator.com.au

The only interesting part of that article is the 180-degree gaffe. Thinking about it, you are already tilted to face downwards before the drop starts, so going from top to bottom of the drop itself is 180 degrees. I guess?

In all other respects, it's a toxic and ill-informed article that demonstrates no understanding at all of sensory seeking behaviours in neurodivergents. Ironic really since his own daughter seems to be a troglophile. That dank hole at the bottom of Oblivion might just be to her taste after all...

Seriously though, it's clearly a rage bait article intended to provoke its right-wing readership into ableist rants. Not sure it has anything constructive to add to this discussion really.

 

[Bowser]

I think that is a well worded argument in that article. I asked a few pages back if guests can go on rides if they are unable to get off. My follow up question was going to be around people who suffer from anxiety, or being in confined spaces with others if a ride were to break down for a long period of time.

Granted stopping on Squirrel Nutty for half hour may not induce this, but if oblivion was to break down for an hot near the drop (it did many years ago), or the haunted house stops in the dark for an extended period.

Food for thought perhaps …

By this logic people shouldn’t get in any vehicle in case they get stuck in traffic for a prolonged period.

Probability is in your favour boarding a theme park ride that you wont get stuck for a long time. Entering a 90 minute queue is knowingly entering the environment one cannot tolerate.

 

[Alsty]

Fairness is not treating everyone identically, regardless of circumstance; it's about providing equitable access by removing barriers. The queue line is an artificial barrier, not a natural state of being.

As laudable as that is, rides have a finite capacity per hour. The more people that use RAP queues the longer the wait will be for all RAP users, ultimately defeating their purpose. You cannot escape from that reality.

Equitable access doesn't mean RAP users are able get on more rides in a day than non-RAP users, for instance by pooling RAP cards or queuing physically whilst also queuing virtually.

 

[dave___]

It appears as though some people are writing to their MP about this, with Chris Vince, the MP for Harlow of all places (seems like an odd one given there are no Merlin parks in Essex…), writing a letter to Fiona Eastwood:

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I wonder if Merlin will hold firm on their decision or do a u-turn? This is certainly proving to be a highly controversial decision, if nothing else!

Merlin will hold firm until it's tested in court if it's even possible for anyone to bring a case against this. I doubt that any feedback they get from their February event will be enough to sway their opinion.

I do keep seeing various posts from someone across my Facebook FYP saying he is taking Merlin to court but I can't work out exactly why

 

[Skyscraper]

Merlin will hold firm until it's tested in court if it's even possible for anyone to bring a case against this. I doubt that any feedback they get from their February event will be enough to sway their opinion.

I think it's more likely that the positive feedback of non-ambulant users during February half term will convince Merlin to keep the changes as is. I wouldn't be surprised if that was their plan all along.

 

[Benzin]

I do keep seeing various posts from someone across my Facebook FYP saying he is taking Merlin to court but I can't work out exactly why

If it's the same guy that was referenced a few pages back then he started off because if the pre-booking situation being "discriminatory".

Nice to see he's still likely grifting along.

 

[GaryH]

I think the argument in that article where the writer says some use the disability when it suits them is correct for some (not all granted)….

Queue half hour for the monorail up the ramps in crowds of people - yep can do that

Queue half hour for the RAP pass on towers street with others - yep can do that

Queue half hour to get on a ride - oh I can’t do that, I need a faster way to get on the ride

Sorry, those statements will annoy some people granted, but this is the reality for some guests, and I believe Merlin are trying to filter this type of use out.

Add to this what I have read about Nimbus being paid more for each person they issue a card to and it’s no wonder Merlin are looking to change their approach. I don’t know how easy it is to get a RAP or how much medical information/proof is needed, but could it be that those without any significant (or dare I say it , no) disability are able to successfully apply for a card?

Sorry if it rubs people up the wrong way and granted not everyone with a RAP will take the same approach, but many of us have witnessed the large RAP queues on busy days and wondered the same.

Personally I think Merlin will u- turn and say it was just a trial due to all the complaints, and the saga of people with RAP having to queue too long, or complaining passes aren’t available for dates they want to visit will continue. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.

 

[Bowser]

I think it's more likely that the positive feedback of non-ambulant users during February half term will convince Merlin to keep the changes as is. I wouldn't be surprised if that was their plan all along.

And remember, only Legoland is anywhere close to fully open in February. The parks will be quiet as usual (especially with this weather) and the experience will be artificial. The feedback from both ambulant and non-ambulant guests onsite will almost certainly be positive.

There was no intention for this to be a trial, that's a statement made in reaction. They already trialled the new system at the tail end of last year though admittedly this will be the first time all Alton Towers RAP guests will be using it.

 

[Benzin]

I think the argument in that article where the writer says some use the disability when it suits them is correct for some (not all granted)….

Queue half hour for the monorail up the ramps in crowds of people - yep can do that

Queue half hour for the RAP pass on towers street with others - yep can do that

I know this is the preferred stick to use when moaning about RAP users being "selective", but what are the alternatives?

Wait for Monorail or a 20-30 minute walk? If you've got a blue badge it doesn't matter but a number don't.

Queue to collect RAP or... well nothing. They've bought in an alternative this year to remove that queue, but last year the choice was queue at GS, or queue at Ticket Booths, or hope that the FV/DF places were open. We had that issue in 2024 as hotels didn’t have any passes, so went to FV via hotel entrance to find it closed, meaning we had to go to GS anyway.

It's used as such a "GOTCHA" when the reality is the alternatives aren't/weren't there to begin. Unless they decide to operate the Monorail properly again the same issue will still exist this year too.

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

As laudable as that is, rides have a finite capacity per hour. The more people that use RAP queues the longer the wait will be for all RAP users, ultimately defeating their purpose. You cannot escape from that reality.

Equitable access doesn't mean RAP users are able get on more rides in a day than non-RAP users, for instance by pooling RAP cards or queuing physically whilst also queuing virtually.

You're absolutely correct. Equitable access aims for parity, not superiority.

A system which allows a user to ride significantly more attractions than a standard guest is a broken system.

Pooling cards to cycle through rides, or physically queuing in a main line whilst simultaneously running down a RAP timer, is exploitation.

The move to a digital system should, in theory, eliminate the card pooling and passing we saw with the paper cards. Double dipping though remains a behavioural loophole that's almost impossible to police without draconian measures.

OP wasn't making any of those distinctions, however.

Queue half hour for the monorail up the ramps in crowds of people - yep can do that

Queue half hour for the RAP pass on towers street with others - yep can do that

Queue half hour to get on a ride - oh I can’t do that, I need a faster way to get on the ride

Sorry, those statements will annoy some people granted, but this is the reality for some guests, and I believe Merlin are trying to filter this type of use out.

This is the most common, but flawed, piece of logic in this debate, as it doesn't account for the difference in environmental stressors.

A queue for a monorail or a RAP card is a task oriented, finite queue. They have a clear, visible endpoint and a predictable duration. The environment is open and one can leave at any time without significant consequence.

A ride queue is an inescapable, indeterminate trap. It is a confined, linear space with no clear endpoint, unpredictable stoppages and a high degree of sensory stimuli. For someone with specific neurodivergent conditions, the former is a manageable inconvenience, but the latter is a trigger for a panic attack or a physical meltdown. They're not the same experience and equating them ignores the essence of the disability in question.

The issue isn't the actual queue, it's the environment of the queue.

Add to this what I have read about Nimbus being paid more for each person they issue a card to and it’s no wonder Merlin are looking to change their approach. I don’t know how easy it is to get a RAP or how much medical information/proof is needed, but could it be that those without any significant (or dare I say it , no) disability are able to successfully apply for a card?

This is the real issue. the real issue. The problem isn't necessarily a sudden plague of "non-disabled" people gaming the system. The problem is that Merlin outsourced their gatekeeping to a for profit company whose entire business model, as their own financial statements show, is incentivised by approving as many applications as possible.

Merlin created a demand, and Nimbus, a highly effective commercial enterprise, very successfully met that demand. The subsequent operational chaos is a direct result of this flawed, profit driven partnership. Merlin are not now crudely attempting to fix a problem they co created, but in the process it unfairly penalises entire categories of genuine need.

The focus shouldn't be on playing disability top trumps in the queue line, but on scrutinising the broken, commercially driven system which created this mess in the first place.

 

[Benjsh]

The focus shouldn't be on playing disability top trumps in the queue line, but on scrutinising the broken, commercially driven system which created this mess in the first place.

Disney and Universal are equally commercially driven as Merlin, if not more so, both operating an expensive fast pass service and they don't seem to have anything like the same issues with their RAP based system as Merlin are.

What are they doing differently then?

I think you'll find if you dig deep enough, they are just being a lot more selective on who qualifies and who doesn't.

 

[Benzin]

They probably are, but as we're mostly dealing with day to day operations at UK parks we don't notice it much.

Besides, not like Disney massively changed their policies the other year to massive outrage.

Edit - Efteling at Christmas the other year was incredibly busy with RAP users. But the day before barely anyone. Way it goes really.