Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2024 Discussion

[AltonLover123]

How is this distinguished considering across the Merlin parks they rarely ask to see your card and if they do it’s often at an irrelevant place like the ride entrance?

Surely that only applies on rides where RAP are seated in a specific area regardless of type (eg Vampire at Chessington always back rows)?

I’m just going of my personal experience. I’ve always been asked to see my card at both Towers and Thorpe.

 

[Skyscraper]

I’m just going of my personal experience. I’ve always been asked to see my card at both Towers and Thorpe.

Same, I've always been asked for my photocard at Towers.

 

[Bowser]

Same, I've always been asked for my photocard at Towers.

But what would they do differently? I know we sometimes get asked at Wickerman for example then get let through to the pre-show like everyone else.

 

[Skyscraper]

But what would they do differently? I know we sometimes get asked at Wickerman for example then get let through to the pre-show like everyone else.

On wicker Man they can only let a certain number of red RAPs through at once, so always have to check. I used to have red and the host had to let loads of people with yellow past me.

Edit- This should really be in the RAP thread

 

[Bowser]

On wicker Man they can only let a certain number of red RAPs through at once, so always have to check. I used to have red and the host had to let loads of people with yellow past me.

Edit- This should really be in the RAP thread

Right but once you’re past the merge point the number of RAP is irrelevant because people all mingle in the pre show so there’s no way of knowing how many are on the trains?

We’ve always had Red and never had that on any ride anecdotally.

 

[Benzin]

Depends on the user. It's pretty obvious with us since wheelchair.

Most red wristbands go up the exit or dedicated entrance. Wickerman is the weird outlier where both yellow and red RAP can choose to enter into the pre-show batch.

 

[Skyscraper]

Depends on the user. It's pretty obvious with us since wheelchair.

Most red wristbands go up the exit or dedicated entrance. Wickerman is the weird outlier where both yellow and red RAP can choose to enter into the pre-show batch.

Only wheelchairs have a designated row (very back) on WM as well, ambulant guests can be batched like normal.

 

[Bowser]

Just got back from AT and a few notes:

- Further to an earlier discussion in another thread, we went on 7 rides with RAP and not once was our ID requested.

- Queues were all very short. The longest was Wickerman but it wasn't down as far as the shop and cleared in less than 10 minutes.

- Two rides didn't give us a timeout. One had a 5 minute queue anyway so i think when they're using the paper system that makes sense as you're just wasting a slot on the card and potentially making someone have to traipse back to Guest Services (appreciate clearing a card at AT is very optimistic these days).

 

[Bowser]

Sorry double post but one thing I forgot is the toilet situation remains atrocious at AT.

We were at Spinball and my son needed the toilet. The closest ones on the map were by The Smiler so we went there but no disabled toilet!

The map doesn’t indicate which toilets have disabled facilities so we started walking towards the towers. Saw a member of staff on the way but they were unable to help and suggested going to guest services

By this point my son was getting quite distressed and just wanted to walk towards Wickerman (preferring to wet himself than endure the hand dryers of the public toilets) so we headed that way to placate him and I saw there were toilets to try again in Mutiny Bay… but again no disabled toilet!

Asked another member of staff who said the nearest one was by The Curse. I was fairly sure from memory this was incorrect but we started walking round anyway and I spotted the pasta buffet. The map indicated no toilets in this area but I went in anyway and lo and behold there was a disabled toilet. We ran in and there was a fair queue who I had to put in their place when they confronted us for “skipping the line” seemingly unaware of the purpose of a disabled toilet (there are several non-disabled toilets adjacent to be clear).

So that was fun. Ended up walking for 30 minutes just to find a toilet. It’s at the point where my son won’t drink anything at the park because he’s so anxious of visiting the bathrooms.

 

[AT86]

Sorry double post but one thing I forgot is the toilet situation remains atrocious at AT.

We were at Spinball and my son needed the toilet. The closest ones on the map were by The Smiler so we went there but no disabled toilet!

The map doesn’t indicate which toilets have disabled facilities so we started walking towards the towers. Saw a member of staff on the way but they were unable to help and suggested going to guest services

By this point my son was getting quite distressed and just wanted to walk towards Wickerman (preferring to wet himself than endure the hand dryers of the public toilets) so we headed that way to placate him and I saw there were toilets to try again in Mutiny Bay… but again no disabled toilet!

Asked another member of staff who said the nearest one was by The Curse. I was fairly sure from memory this was incorrect but we started walking round anyway and I spotted the pasta buffet. The map indicated no toilets in this area but I went in anyway and lo and behold there was a disabled toilet. We ran in and there was a fair queue who I had to put in their place when they confronted us for “skipping the line” seemingly unaware of the purpose of a disabled toilet (there are several non-disabled toilets adjacent to be clear).

So that was fun. Ended up walking for 30 minutes just to find a toilet. It’s at the point where my son won’t drink anything at the park because he’s so anxious of visiting the bathrooms.

There are changing places disabled toilets at the X Sector toilet block (on the side closest to X Sector I believe, not the side closest to Spinball), there is also one at the top of Towers St so probably a similar walk from Spinball.

Also for future reference there are disabled toilets available in the First Aid centre next to the Towers St Skyride station that you can pop in to use.

 

[Bowser]

There are changing places disabled toilets at the X Sector toilet block (on the side closest to X Sector I believe, not the side closest to Spinball

Thanks. That's annoying and i did think of that as i was writing the previous message (i'm now wondering if Mutiny Bay was similar) but really the point remains as there is no signage and no information on the app so they're unreasonably assuming people will know lots of the bathroom facilities are two sided.

 

[NuttySquirrel]

Thanks. That's annoying and i did think of that as i was writing the previous message (i'm now wondering if Mutiny Bay was similar) but really the point remains as there is no signage and no information on the app so they're unreasonably assuming people will know lots of the bathroom facilities are two sided.

The AccesAble website lists all the accessible toilets at Alton Towers, most of them also have photographs. It seems they tend to be near eateries rather than alongside the standard toilet blocks.

https://www.accessable.co.uk/alton-towers-resort/access-guides/alton-towers-resort-toilet-facilities

I have to say it's really disappointing that none of the staff you spoke to could give you accurate information. Have you raised this as feedback?

 

[Benzin]

Mutiny Bay has disabled loo in the courtyard area.

All the toilet blocks have one. Much like how they all have baby changing facilities but only at one end. As said that it relies on knowledge that they are double ended (the X-Sector toilets are a great shortcut).

 

[Bowser]

I have to say it's really disappointing that none of the staff you spoke to could give you accurate information. Have you raised this as feedback?

I have, i suggested placing signage on toilets with multiple entrances, indicating which toilets have facilities on the app and providing some toilets without hand dryers for those with sensory issues.

 

[Alphe86]

Supposedly RAP for fireworks 2025 are already sold out

 

[Bowser]

Supposedly RAP for fireworks 2025 are already sold out

The Saturday does appear to be unavailable whilst every other date is available next year which seems odd.

 

[TPick]

Sorry double post but one thing I forgot is the toilet situation remains atrocious at AT.

We were at Spinball and my son needed the toilet. The closest ones on the map were by The Smiler so we went there but no disabled toilet!

The map doesn’t indicate which toilets have disabled facilities so we started walking towards the towers. Saw a member of staff on the way but they were unable to help and suggested going to guest services

By this point my son was getting quite distressed and just wanted to walk towards Wickerman (preferring to wet himself than endure the hand dryers of the public toilets) so we headed that way to placate him and I saw there were toilets to try again in Mutiny Bay… but again no disabled toilet!

Asked another member of staff who said the nearest one was by The Curse. I was fairly sure from memory this was incorrect but we started walking round anyway and I spotted the pasta buffet. The map indicated no toilets in this area but I went in anyway and lo and behold there was a disabled toilet. We ran in and there was a fair queue who I had to put in their place when they confronted us for “skipping the line” seemingly unaware of the purpose of a disabled toilet (there are several non-disabled toilets adjacent to be clear).

So that was fun. Ended up walking for 30 minutes just to find a toilet. It’s at the point where my son won’t drink anything at the park because he’s so anxious of visiting the bathrooms.

I believe there is a changing places toilet in CBeebies where they have the shows. Only annoying thing is you have to walk all the way round to get to it as there is no way through from Spinball. As already mentioned, X-Sector was probably the closest one.

 

[Bowser]

Legoland RAP fully booked for every date of the Xmas events in November, December and January. Sigh.

February and March blocked out too though can't tell if that's because they haven't been released yet.

 

[Benzin]

I mean, it's nearly a month till Christmas. No surprise it's all booked up.

 

[Bowser]

It's sadly not a surprise but it's still 7 weeks of slots fully booked, including what are typically some very quiet periods like November and early January.