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Ride Access Pass Systems and Disabled Access (pre 2024)

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samaugust323 said:
Thank You for completing the survey! It really does mean so much to me! I am in close partnership with Merlin and will be showing Merlin your feedback at the end of the project :)
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That's great, hopefully something positive will come off it. Feel free to contact me if you would like me to talk in more detail.
 
Just to show how laws change between countries - I remember on my last visit to Phantasia Land that just about every employee working in the Deep in Africa section of the park was, well there is only one word to say, black.

Could you even imagine if a UK park - or an USA one - tried to pull this off? There would be uproar.
 
Kraken27 said:
Could you even imagine if a UK park - or an USA one - tried to pull this off? There would be uproar.
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Germany is a very progressive, fair and tolerant country in many respects, but their attitude towards race and diversity is really archaic. It's all to do with certain events in the past, a kind of perceived colour-blindedness that's really a bit of a farce. I love Phantasialand, but that stuff makes me cringe, although their move towards more 'fantasy' based themes probably signals that they're aware that the world is a smaller and more understandably sensitive place now.
 
I found out recently that carers don't go free in the Scarefest mazes, but they go free in the Dungeon. Is that fair? :confused:
 
ihaveaspergers said:
There's logic.
The mazes are designed to be tightly packed and as such it's considered "unsuitable for disabled guests", not so much with the duengons.

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What does that have to do with anything? They still let them in. They charge the carers for one and not the other.
 
ihaveaspergers said:
There's logic.
The mazes are designed to be tightly packed and as such it's considered "unsuitable for disabled guests", not so much with the duengons.

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Is it right though for Alton Towers to decide what is and isn't suitable for disabled guests?
 
There is no legal obligation for any attractions to give concession of any sort.

Unfortunately there are carers and there are carers, different disable people will require different level of care, and there are those that claim to be carers just to get free entry when the disable person is independent and don't require a carer whilst other disable people will require extensive care and need an essential carer.

I'm a carer, and my wife needs extensive care, but you won't find me complaining that I don't get free access to facilities when it's not offered.

If you don't agree with the carer paying for entry into the mazes, then simply just don't do them :)

speedy said:
Is it right though for Alton Towers to decide what is and isn't suitable for disabled guests?
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Alton are not medical experts, the mazes don't have level access, each attraction gives advice for disable guess so that the individuals can make their own minds up whether the mazes are suitable or not. The mazes are unsuitable for Jess, so only myself will do them. This is where the scare zones were brilliant for wheelchair bound guest, taking the scare zones away it what is really unfair (not the carer charge) as this excludes those that can't walk.
 
Imo they should have one policy across the park regarding free carer access. (I'm assuming that not all people with carers are in wheelchairs. I'm not saying the park should allow wheelchair users access to something they won't be able to get round)
 
They should allow ambulant disabled RAP users to use the Fast Track entrances, to reduce congestion at the exits, like Thorpe does. RMT recently changed to this.
 
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skyscraper said:
They should allow ambulant disabled RAP users to use the Fast Track entrances, to reduce congestion at the exits, like Thorpe does. RMT recently changed to this.
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That must be extremely frustrating for all parties given the numbers we've seen using and abusing the respective systems?
 
speedy said:
Imo they should have one policy across the park regarding free carer access.
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Carer goes free to enter the park is no skin off the park as it just bypasses the 2-4-1. With regards to secondary attractions, I don't expect to get free access for careers. You wouldn't get a free meal, free go on the games, or a free ride photo just because you are a carer, so the same should apply to the mazes.



skyscraper said:
They should allow ambulant disabled RAP users to use the Fast Track entrances, to reduce congestion at the exits, like Thorpe does. RMT recently changed to this.
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I agree and disagree. On the positive note, this will mean that it will reduce the congestion at the exits making the exits more accessible to wheelchair users.

On the negative note, this just confuses what the RAP is all about and gives the wrong impression that the RAP is just a free fast track to those with a medical condition as oppose to just being a means to make the rides more accessible.

This brings me back to the first question about carers being charge for the mazes and how unfair it is. Don't forget the disables and their whole group are getting potentially free fast track in the disguise of RAP, so count yourself lucky if you are moaning about paying for the mazes. The price of the maze is nothing compared to the price of fast track for the whole family :)
 
RoyJess said:
Carer goes free to enter the park is no skin off the park as it just bypasses the 2-4-1. With regards to secondary attractions, I don't expect to get free access for careers. You wouldn't get a free meal, free go on the games, or a free ride photo just because you are a carer, so the same should apply to the mazes.





I agree and disagree. On the positive note, this will mean that it will reduce the congestion at the exits making the exits more accessible to wheelchair users.

On the negative note, this just confuses what the RAP is all about and gives the wrong impression that the RAP is just a free fast track to those with a medical condition as oppose to just being a means to make the rides more accessible.

This brings me back to the first question about carers being charge for the mazes and how unfair it is. Don't forget the disables and their whole group are getting potentially free fast track in the disguise of RAP, so count yourself lucky if you are moaning about paying for the mazes. The price of the maze is nothing compared to the price of fast track for the whole family :)
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I wasn't complaining, but I won't be doing the mazes anyway (never done them before, not sure I'd cope). I don't like using the RAP, but I'm forced to by my family when we visit parks. :(
 
skyscraper said:
I wasn't complaining, but I won't be doing the mazes anyway (never done them before, not sure I'd cope). I don't like using the RAP, but I'm forced to by my family when we visit parks. :(
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You shouldn't need to feel the need to justify or explain.

I personally can't comment on individuals and whether they are entitled to use RAP or not. Everyone will have different level of needs. It's not for me to say.

I was just merely expressing my own opinion to the discussion.

You could always try out the kids scare maze to see how you'll cope and make it known to a member of staff if you feel the need to exit it at any point.

As I've mentioned on here before to you. It's your disability and only you know whether you are able to use the normal queue or not. You shouldn't feel pressured by family members to use RAP, it's not their disability or for them to say how if affects you. The RAP is there for your benefit and your benefit alone and not for your family to take advantage off.

Roy :)
 
Had anyone seems nick Varney's latest attempt to seem like Merlin truly care about being inclusive?
Obviously I replied pointing out that Thorpe has some ways to go.


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