2018: General Discussion

[John]

It would all rather depend on how assertive everyone is in the respective queues.

Not a good system at all.

Of course, if they bring back a merge host to manage it, then there's no reason not to bring SRQ back too - merge fastrack onto the right side of the stairs as before, avoid having the supposed H&S risk of people queueing on the stairs and fill every seat on the train whilst they're at it.

 

[bluesonichd]

there is an A4 poster telling people to merge that should be more then enough

 

[imanautie]

there is an A4 poster telling people to merge that should be more then enough

Just like having signage on disabled toilets stating not every disability is visible prevents users of said toilets getting verbal abuse.

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[John]

The sign is cable-tied to the fence, so will probably fall off in a few days. There's a more permanent one fixed to the wall above what used to be merge, though as it's mounted in the dark well above head height you'd forgive people for not seeing it.

 

[Benzin]

Well I bet the person's reading feedback from RAP users who have to suffer the abuse forward it onto Merlin to show that some things just need to exist...

I'm honestly shocked that such a situation is in place...

 

[delta79]

Knowing merlin complaint about how the cut affect RAP and they will just remove RAP.

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[imanautie]

Knowing merlin complaint about how the cut affect RAP and they will just remove RAP.

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That's unlikely, they know full well if rap got removed entirely they would face legal action.

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[bluesonichd]

is it the law they have to give this level of access, I dont see my local Asda offering rap for the checkout queues when they are out the door

 

[imanautie]

is it the law they have to give this level of access, I dont see my local Asda offering rap for the checkout queues when they are out the door

That wouldn't be a reasonable adjustment, having had rap successfully for years shows that rap is a reasonable adjustment for merlin parks.

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[John]

It's an odd situation, as RAP has evolved from a system of allowing wheelchair users a means of accessing rides they otherwise couldn't physically get to, let alone on, into a system where Smiler has an "ambulant disabled" entrance which requires people using it to queue on a flight of stairs for 10 minutes as a minimum. If I was someone unable to tolerate queueing then I'd find Smiler's RAP entrance far less accessible than Nemesis' main queue was 90% of last year.

 

[imanautie]

It's an odd situation, as RAP has evolved from a system of allowing wheelchair users a means of accessing rides they otherwise couldn't physically get to, let alone on, into a system where Smiler has an "ambulant disabled" entrance which requires people using it to queue on a flight of stairs for 10 minutes as a minimum. If I was someone unable to tolerate queueing then I'd find Smiler's RAP entrance far less accessible than Nemesis' main queue was 90% of last year.

Queueing on the stairs isn't that bad , at least not compared to the queue pen.

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[Matt.GC]

is it the law they have to give this level of access, I dont see my local Asda offering rap for the checkout queues when they are out the door

In a word, no. They indeed have to provide "reasonable access" to the rides, this does not include guarantees of a shorter wait time however.

As long as they can provide a way of everyone with a disability who is suitable to ride safely with a way of getting on and off the rides, they are legally fine.

The reduced wait times they try to offer people with conditions such as autism etc is out of courtesy and not legally required.

 

[imanautie]

In a word, no. They indeed have to provide "reasonable access" to the rides, this does not include guarantees of a shorter wait time however.

As long as they can provide a way of everyone with a disability who is suitable to ride safely with a way of getting on and off the rides, they are legally fine.

The reduced wait times they try to offer people with conditions such as autism etc is out of courtesy and not legally required.

Is it reasonable access for them not to provide rap for people such as myself with autism or Asperger's when it's at relatively low cost to them? I would argue that it's not.

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[delta79]

Smiler has an "ambulant disabled" entrance which requires people using it to queue on a flight of stairs for 10 minutes as a minimum. If I was someone unable to tolerate queueing then I'd find Smiler's RAP entrance far less accessible than Nemesis' main queue was 90% of last year.

It is almost as accessible as getting the RAP at the start of the day. Long queues in box office to get it for someone that cant tolerant queuing is not good. Becoming tired from running coping strategies does not help at the start of the day.

Then to have to do it again for the smiler queue changes causes more stress on the carer (me in this case) running coping strategies for the RAP user.

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[imanautie]

It is almost as accessible as getting the RAP at the start of the day. Long queues in box office to get it for someone that cant tolerant queuing is not good. Becoming tired from running coping strategies does not help at the start of the day.

Then to have to do it again for the smiler queue changes causes more stress on the carer (me in this case) running coping strategies for the RAP user.

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Its a shame they haven't yet figured out an annual rap system.

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[Rollercoasters4Life]

That's unlikely, they know full well if rap got removed entirely they would face legal action.

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Entitled much? They don't have to supply a separate queue, its just courtesy that they do. Although they would get a backlash if they did remove them but certainly no legal action.

 

[imanautie]

Entitled much? They don't have to supply a separate queue, its just courtesy that they do. Although they would get a backlash if they did remove them but certainly no legal action.

No, I just know how much some people depend on rap, without it there are a huge number of people who either could not visit the parks or couldn't visit as a group.

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[delta79]

Its a shame they haven't yet figured out an annual rap system.

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I have ideas on that.

Similar to MAP card. They want online registration for RAP now. Why not get issued with a photo card. Then have a machine that dispenses a wristband and a time card with the date and users name printed on it.


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[imanautie]

I have ideas on that.

Similar to MAP card. They want online registration for RAP now. Why not get issued with a photo card. Then have a machine that dispenses a wristband and a time card with the date and users name printed on it.


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I suggested something very similar, to give admissions staff the rap wristbands and leaflets on presention of the rap photo card .

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[Katy]

...avoid having the supposed H&S risk of people queueing on the stairs...

I wish I knew where they got this idea that stairs are bad from, "You can't get people to queue on stairs, it's dangerous!" followed by "Let's have a scare maze in the towers with ancient uneven stairs and chase people up/down them". Also the Nemesis queue line is full of stairs, loads more hazardous than the level, same-sized concrete steps inside the Smiler/Thirteen etc.

They do the same on Saw at Thorpe Park now - hold you outside the building, then let about 30 people through at once for a climb right to the top. Worked a lot better letting people queue indoors. Can you even imagine how the queue would work on Revolution if Merlin ran BPB?!

I was expecting that with the removal of Smiler's SRQ they'd join the fence going up the stairs with the fence by the baggage room to stop people switching sides and just let them queue up through the normal routes.