Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2024 Discussion

[GooseOnTheLoose]

Was at Drayton Manor today. It's interesting that on the face of it they offer the same system as Disneyland Paris. Same qualification, no time outs, no capacity and no meaningful impact on main queues.

Anecdotal as always but i also noticed that the users were quite obviously disabled.

The Merlin conundrum continues...

It was very dependent on the ride and the ride host. As Fast and Easy Pass share the same line, it's a little difficult for a bystander to monitor which group is making the most use out of it. As someone using the queue, you're in and out of it quickly. As someone in the main queue, not every disability is visible and one doesn't like to make judgement. I wasn't looking for wristbands either.

As you, anecdotal. The only ride I felt any sense of irritation on was Sheriff's Showdown, where the ride host would pause the main queue until the Fast / Easy Pass lane was empty. Whilst it meant that there wasn't a queue build up for Fast and Easy Pass, it also meant that what probably should have been a 10 minute queue turned into 45 for everyone else. It doesn't help that Drayton Manor Park and Zoo's ops make PortAventura's look efficient.

There were far more people noticeably using the Fast and Easy Pass lanes this year than in 2023, but that observation means nothing on its own, of course. The data will never be available, but it would be interesting to see the RAP breakdown of Annual Pass holders across all of the UK's parks, as that generally appears to be the feeling of where Merlin's problems begin.

 

[Leigh]

As you, anecdotal. The only ride I felt any sense of irritation on was Sheriff's Showdown, where the ride host would pause the main queue until the Fast / Easy Pass lane was empty. Whilst it meant that there wasn't a queue build up for Fast and Easy Pass, it also meant that what probably should have been a 10 minute queue turned into 45 for everyone else. It doesn't help that Drayton Manor Park and Zoo's ops make PortAventura's look efficient.

Not the sort of bonus you want.

 

[Smiley]

Let's not forget that not all disabilities are visible! The rise - especially in neuro-divergent or mental health issues - needs addressing generally. (Don't want to get into that debate).

Occam's razor suggests a solution where no-one gets any benefit, but people can be allowed to "virtual queue" if they have a specific reason. Which is what RAP should be. A wristband system could be used to stop people queuing for other rides in the meantime. Parks can then elect to be more generous to some users if they wish (e.g. Physically disabled).

Otherwise people will continue to game to system, spoiling it not only for the rest but for genuine RAP users.

 

[MellowPasta]

I noted that long-term illnesses include Type 2 diabetes, which I find rather bizzare. That's an awful lot of people when you include up to 4 additional guests - might as well have a queue for the healthy people

It’s not that black and white though. My partner has diabetes which has lead to diabetic neuropathy, he struggles to walk without a stick and has immense pain in his hands and feet. He hates coasters so no RAP needed, however it would be wrong to discriminate if he did.

 

[Alphe86]

That’s the thing though. He doesn’t need RAP because of diabetes - he needs Rap because of the mobility issues that just happen to have been caused by Diabetes. My work colleague has a nimbus with queue symbol for t1 diabetes but has no physical reason to have to use it. System can always be abused unfortunately

 

[Bowser]

That’s the thing though. He doesn’t need RAP because of diabetes - he needs Rap because of the mobility issues that just happen to have been caused by Diabetes. My work colleague has a nimbus with queue symbol for t1 diabetes but has no physical reason to have to use it. System can always be abused unfortunately

Then your colleague has lied on the application to acquire one. As you say, the system can always be abused. You could turn up in a wheelchair in the past, nobody would have questioned it. I think the difference now is the knowledge of how to do so and the benefits gained are widespread whilst the governing body is not in a position to require evidence.

We were hoping to ride Hyperia but Thorpe Park is fully booked till near the end of April and the next Saturday available is May 17th. It is what it is at this point, the number of applicants will keep increasing and the battle for slots will become increasingly difficult.

 

[Smiley]

That’s the thing though. He doesn’t need RAP because of diabetes - he needs Rap because of the mobility issues that just happen to have been caused by Diabetes.

As @Bowser says. Theme parks (like Govts) don't want to have the discussion about "what's a disability" because no one size fits all. Just make it fair and the same for all.

Rocket science it ain't.

 

[Bowser]

Went to Chessington and must say RAP was working flawlessly today.

Every ride we had our ID requested and code scanned. Then waited no more than 5 minutes for anything. Park seemed pretty busy too.

Got quite a few lengthy time outs in that regard so we checked out the new sensory room which was nice. There was a member of staff present and it was near empty the duration we were in there. Was great for my son to have 10 minutes or so just laying down as opposed to it being overrun with screaming toddlers like Legoland.

 

[Wangleberry]

Howdy all - I was wondering if folks could advise, please. I have hEDS so standing still for long periods of time is dreadful, but if I can sit and stretch I don't mind queuing. Has anyone used one of those folding walking sticks with a built-in stool for waiting in the main queues, and if so, how did you find it? I don't have any issues climbing stairs, getting in and out of seats, or anything like that - it's literally just standing still that is the problem, and a little folding stool chair would really help.

 

[Alix]

Howdy all - I was wondering if folks could advise, please. I have hEDS so standing still for long periods of time is dreadful, but if I can sit and stretch I don't mind queuing. Has anyone used one of those folding walking sticks with a built-in stool for waiting in the main queues, and if so, how did you find it? I don't have any issues climbing stairs, getting in and out of seats, or anything like that - it's literally just standing still that is the problem, and a little folding stool chair would really help.

Not quite the same thing but I bought the Chimp one of those collapsing stools you can get from Argos. We only used it for Hyperia last year and there were a few other people doing likewise. It collapses down to the size of a bulky frisbee and has a shoulder strap for easy carrying.

I would say though check the weight rating on it. We saw one larger than average chap have a nasty looking tumble when his gave way underneath him. I don't think they're as sturdy as perhaps they could be.

 

[Bowser]

Today I learned you can take service dogs on some rides at Disney


From: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIJU1r3MdlN/?igsh=MXU5MWxjc20yZzA5cQ==

 

[Smiley]

Howdy all - I was wondering if folks could advise, please. I have hEDS so standing still for long periods of time is dreadful

Then you are exactly the person RAP was designed for. Apply and have a more enjoyable and comfortable park experience.

 

[Benzin]

Today I learned you can take service dogs on some rides at Disney


From: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIJU1r3MdlN/?igsh=MXU5MWxjc20yZzA5cQ==

Back at Chessie one time when working on Bubbleworks we had a family with a blind person use the RAP. Usually nothing out of the ordinary, but they had a guide dog with them, and nothing in the ride CoSWP (big procedure book) said anything about such a situation.

So resulted in many calls and toing and froing with the guests as to what to do. Eventually the dog got to chill in the ops cabin whilst the family went on.

No idea if anything has changed since. Unlikely.

 

[Rowe]

Has anyone used one of those folding walking sticks with a built-in stool for waiting in the main queues, and if so, how did you find it?

From personal experience, my folding walking seat stick went well for the first 3-4 days of my last holiday but broke the very day I intended to use it at a particular park, since an RAP equivalent was not being offered at the time. A shame since it was initially a helpful concept as bringing crutches abroad is a faff.

I second Alix's post about the teloscopic stools, after a recent Thorpe Park visit. They can also fit inside a backpack and do, for the most part, feel lightweight. I have one with a square seat rather than a circle seat.

There are also Flipsticks but when you need to have a proper sit down and take the weight off your legs, they're rendered useless.

 

[Bowser]

Latest accessibility news from Merlin:

Dear All, As we kick off the 2025 season with sunshine, adventure, and unforgettable moments across our UK Resorts, there feels no better time to reach out and reconnect with you. Over the winter months, our dedicated teams have been working hard behind the scenes, listening closely to your feedback to guide a series of meaningful upgrades to our accessibility offerings. From physical enhancements to digital upgrades and more advanced team training, every change has been rooted in the belief that everyone regardless of ability deserves a magical, equitable, and empowering experience at our Resorts.​

WHAT’S NEW IN 2025? You’ll notice a host of accessibility improvements throughout our parks this year, including: • Dedicated spending areas to support guests with assistance dogs • Enhanced sensory rooms for guests and accompanying family members seeking a quiet and calm environment • Improved communication packs for guests who benefit from visual supports • Expanded and more bespoke staff training to help our teams better understand and support the diverse needs of our guests These changes were not made in isolation, they were inspired directly by your feedback and experiences.​

RIDE ACCESS PASS (RAP): We’re now in the second year of implementing our pre-booking system for the Ride Access Pass, and I want to take this moment to extend my heartfelt thanks for your continued patience, understanding, and constructive feedback throughout this journey. We know that introducing a major change like this was not without its challenges. But your voices have been instrumental. Every comment, suggestion, and shared experience has helped shape a more robust, thoughtful, and fair RAP experience. We’re excited to share that next month; we aim to release updates to the RAP booking journey. These enhancements will make the process more intuitive, transparent, and user-friendly. Stay tuned as more details are to follow soon!​

DAILY WAITLIST DISCONTINUED: We’ve also made the decision to discontinue the daily RAP waitlist, which we found did not deliver the experience our guests expected. Instead, we’ve increased online availability, making it easier for you to plan visits with greater confidence and control.​

A COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION, AWARENESS & EDUCATION As part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion, we’re proud to have recognised Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Autism Acceptance Month internally across the business throughout April. These moments of reflection help us continue to evolve, educate, and elevate the standards we set for ourselves and our teams. This year, we are investing further in accessibility-focused projects, alongside enhancing training programs to build greater awareness and confidence among our team members. Our mission is clear: to ensure every guest feels seen, supported, and celebrated during their visit. There is lots more to come so please stay tuned for regular updates this year for me to keep you updated of all the enhancements and projects as we navigate this season. We look forward to welcoming you to our Resorts for the 2025 season!​

 

[Benzin]

So they've just increased the number of available "slots" on each day then.

The term "booking journey" gives me the ick.

 

[TPick]

Latest accessibility news from Merlin:

​ Dear All, As we kick off the 2025 season with sunshine, adventure, and unforgettable moments across our UK Resorts, there feels no better time to reach out and reconnect with you. Over the winter months, our dedicated teams have been working hard behind the scenes, listening closely to your feedback to guide a series of meaningful upgrades to our accessibility offerings. From physical enhancements to digital upgrades and more advanced team training, every change has been rooted in the belief that everyone regardless of ability deserves a magical, equitable, and empowering experience at our Resorts.​

​ WHAT’S NEW IN 2025? You’ll notice a host of accessibility improvements throughout our parks this year, including: • Dedicated spending areas to support guests with assistance dogs • Enhanced sensory rooms for guests and accompanying family members seeking a quiet and calm environment • Improved communication packs for guests who benefit from visual supports • Expanded and more bespoke staff training to help our teams better understand and support the diverse needs of our guests These changes were not made in isolation, they were inspired directly by your feedback and experiences.​

​ RIDE ACCESS PASS (RAP): We’re now in the second year of implementing our pre-booking system for the Ride Access Pass, and I want to take this moment to extend my heartfelt thanks for your continued patience, understanding, and constructive feedback throughout this journey. We know that introducing a major change like this was not without its challenges. But your voices have been instrumental. Every comment, suggestion, and shared experience has helped shape a more robust, thoughtful, and fair RAP experience. We’re excited to share that next month; we aim to release updates to the RAP booking journey. These enhancements will make the process more intuitive, transparent, and user-friendly. Stay tuned as more details are to follow soon!​

​ DAILY WAITLIST DISCONTINUED: We’ve also made the decision to discontinue the daily RAP waitlist, which we found did not deliver the experience our guests expected. Instead, we’ve increased online availability, making it easier for you to plan visits with greater confidence and control.​

​ A COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION, AWARENESS & EDUCATION As part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion, we’re proud to have recognised Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Autism Acceptance Month internally across the business throughout April. These moments of reflection help us continue to evolve, educate, and elevate the standards we set for ourselves and our teams. This year, we are investing further in accessibility-focused projects, alongside enhancing training programs to build greater awareness and confidence among our team members. Our mission is clear: to ensure every guest feels seen, supported, and celebrated during their visit. There is lots more to come so please stay tuned for regular updates this year for me to keep you updated of all the enhancements and projects as we navigate this season. We look forward to welcoming you to our Resorts for the 2025 season!​

Thanks for posting this, no matter how many times I ask they still do not possess the ability to add me to their mailing list.