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Ride Access Pass Systems and Disabled Access (pre 2024)

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DLP do it that way, but on busy days it still has exactly the same issues (especially on BTM) as it does at the Merlin parks...

If people aren't in one queue they're in another, perhaps Thorpe and co need to get their staff on board with signing it correctly...

Legoland's system is constantly complained about because of the wheelchair bias (i.e. you MUST use a wheelchair no matter your disability) so it's not better...
 
problem with the paper based is not counterfeiting its getting the ride hosts to sign off said bits or paper and even when they do to put the correct times on them
with the tech its just done, once you scanned in thats it computer says when you can go back, end of
 
Benzin said:
Legoland's system is constantly complained about because of the wheelchair bias (i.e. you MUST use a wheelchair no matter your disability) so it's not better...
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They must have changed it then as it wasn't like that when I went a few years ago.
 
Benzin said:
DLP do it that way, but on busy days it still has exactly the same issues (especially on BTM) as it does at the Merlin parks...

If people aren't in one queue they're in another, perhaps Thorpe and co need to get their staff on board with signing it correctly...

Legoland's system is constantly complained about because of the wheelchair bias (i.e. you MUST use a wheelchair no matter your disability) so it's not better...
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o_O Have to use a chair. ? That don’t sound rite.
 
bluesonichd said:
o_O Have to use a chair. ? That don’t sound rite.
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Some mobility impaired people don't use a wheelchair, but if you have something LL class as a mobility impairment them your stuck in main queue/wheelchair (if you use one)

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bluesonichd said:
cos merlin wont invest in the technology to make it happen, only at Legoland as thats where the money is and wouldn't want to upset all the lego people.
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Merlin have access to the technology, accesso lo-q is the system at Legoland, if merlin are bringing accesso passport out across their global attractions portfolio as accesso claim then I'm sure they can work something out.

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ihaveaspergers said:
Merlin have access to the technology, accesso lo-q is the system at Legoland, if merlin are bringing accesso passport out across their global attractions portfolio as accesso claim then I'm sure they can work something out.

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Passport is already rolled out to most attractions, certainly in the UK I believe there’s only one outstanding and that’s Sealife Gweek.

When Merlin decide to fully embrace what they’ve got then everything will go via it and it’ll make the experience for fastrack & RAP the same at any park
 
ringo said:
Passport is already rolled out to most attractions, certainly in the UK I believe there’s only one outstanding and that’s Sealife Gweek.

When Merlin decide to fully embrace what they’ve got then everything will go via it and it’ll make the experience for fastrack & RAP the same at any park
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I expect Thorpe to be the next park to use a digital RAP system, after all they already scan fastracks

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bluesonichd said:
problem with the paper based is not counterfeiting its getting the ride hosts to sign off said bits or paper and even when they do to put the correct times on them
with the tech its just done, once you scanned in thats it computer says when you can go back, end of
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That's a symptom of the current system. If a RAP rider turns up at Nemesis with their RAP sheet now, it makes no odds to the Nemesis host whether they sign it or not. If it was a true virtual queue and there was no effort or intervention on the part of the ride host, the guest wouldn't have a time to return - they would have to action.
 
Went to lightwater Valley today and experienced their disabled priority system. Let's just say that it is very complicated: There are two wristband colours; orange (service users) and pink (carers), and there are different ratios by which the bands can be used. For example, one carer can accompany up to three service users on a ride (any more then another carer is required), and one disabled person can be accompanied by no more than two carers. Only up to four people can access the exit at once.

Luckily the staff were great and bent the rules for us a bit, such as allowing me (the carer) and three service users on Raptor Attack even though we didn't have another pink wristband wearer with us. On certain rides they also allowed more than for of us to access them at once.

This brings up another issue: on most rides priority guests use the exit, and as there was a lot of people in our group we contantly blocked the exit for people getting off.
 
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skyscraper said:
Went to lightwater Valley today and experienced their disabled priority system. Let's just say that it is very complicated: There are two wristband colours; orange (service users) and pink (carers), and there are different ratios by which the bands can be used. For example, one carer can accompany up to three service users on a ride (any more then another carer is required), and one disabled person can be accompanied by no more than two carers. Only up to four people can access the exit at once.

Luckily the staff were great and bent the rules for us a bit, such as allowing me (the carer) and three service users on Raptor Attack even though we didn't have another pink wristband wearer with us. On certain rides they also allowed more than for of us to access them at once.

This brings up another issue: on most rides priority guests use the exit, and as there was a lot of people in our group we contantly blocked the exit for people getting off.
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How busy was the park today? Nice that they have a system in place, and I imagine most of the time it is good enough for such a small park?

Glad you had a good day out!
 
skyscraper said:
This brings up another issue: on most rides priority guests use the exit, and as there was a lot of people in our group we contantly blocked the exit for people getting off.
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Would say if this is the case the carer(s) alone go an notify the staff member and let them know, that way not everyone is in the way...

Tbh at Lightwater there were more issue of people standing in the exit to watch family on rides than anything else... Quite a few parks bend the rules a little bit (I certainly used to at Chessie, I don't think many people pay that much attention to the max carer rule)...
 
speedy said:
How busy was the park today? Nice that they have a system in place, and I imagine most of the time it is good enough for such a small park?

Glad you had a good day out!
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The park was quite busy, but not overly so.
 
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Hello,

I was wondering if anyone could answer any questions I have as I’ve not had a reply to the two emails I’ve sent to Alton towers.

My husband is eligible for a Ride Access Pass and we are planning to go to Alton Towers for Halloween.

Is there a limit on how many times the RAP can be used on the rollercoasters?
Is it like a fast pass where you only get one go on each or could you say go one each ride in one area a couple of times and then move on to the next area?

Is a companion able to go with the RAP holder on to the ride?
So will I be allowed to use the disabled entrance and go on the rides with my husband or will I have to queue in the normal queue?

If you are able to answer my questions thank you.
 
I’m maybe not the best qualified to answer this, but it is my understanding that when you use the Ride Access Pass, you will have the pass marked with the current queue length for the ride you are wanting to go on. You then won’t be able to use the RAP again until that amount of time has passed by – it is essentially virtual queuing.

There isn’t a ride limit I don’t believe, but if the pass gets full (when all the slots have been marked) you will have to go back to the Box Office to collect a replacement.

RAP users can take up to three companions on the rides with them (using the RAP queue), and will always be required to ride with at least one companion, in case of any emergency / evacuation.
 
As @Robert.W say's.

You will also need proof of why you can't use the normal queue-line, eg. a letter from your doctor explaining why. I don't know if a DLA/PIP letter or blue badge can also be use as proof for obtaining a RAP?
 
RoyJess said:
As @Robert.W say's.

You will also need proof of why you can't use the normal queue-line, eg. a letter from your doctor explaining why. I don't know if a DLA/PIP letter or blue badge can also be use as proof for obtaining a RAP?
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DLA pip any level is enough for carers, I belive it has to be high rate mobility/enhanced mobility.

Fyi pre booked ticket collections also give out rap I've been told, sometimes you may be able to go to the dark forest box office to collect assuming they open it!

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ihaveaspergers said:
DLA pip any level is enough for carers, I belive it has to be high rate mobility/enhanced mobility.

Fyi pre booked ticket collections also give out rap I've been told, sometimes you may be able to go to the dark forest box office to collect assuming they open it!

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DLA/PIP is OK for carers, not 100% sure for RAP.

As far as I'm aware, the dark forest box office has never opened this season, I'm sure there is someone that maybe able to correct me on that
 
RoyJess said:
DLA/PIP is OK for carers, not 100% sure for RAP.

As far as I'm aware, the dark forest box office has never opened this season, I'm sure there is someone that maybe able to correct me on that
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I have seen it open this year but it’s seems to not open that much this year.
 
RoyJess said:
DLA/PIP is OK for carers, not 100% sure for RAP.

As far as I'm aware, the dark forest box office has never opened this season, I'm sure there is someone that maybe able to correct me on that
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Just checked and yep they are accepted as long as it's dated within 12 months.

In pretty sure the DFBO is only used for exceptionally busy days like some scarefest and all fireworks.

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