The biggest problem for Merlin parks are the high numbers of MAP holders who qualify for RAP. If an average person visits a theme park once or twice a year MAP holders probably visit more than 10 times and this means the same people are continually using all the RAP slots available. They are also more likely to book way in advance as there is less risk of booking a rainy day or changing plans as you can just cancel the booking.
I would imagine unfortunately it means riding out a storm until there is enough frustration that the % of MAP holders who also qualify for RAP starts to reduce as people look elsewhere. There are clearly signs that Drayton Manor has seen a huge increase in their ride access as I dont think I had ever seen anyone using it until this season where queues are now forming at exit paths. Paultons also had a sign up saying they had no more access pass capacity left on a recent visit.
The only options for Merlin are to make further changes. The scan at ride QR codes have appeared around the parks so that looks to be a big change next season. They could also reduce the additional carers down to 1 which could mean they could double the the amount of RAP per day. I've seen people mention the option of checking out when you leave the park potentially opening capacity later in the day although this seems hard to manage. I also wonder if only allowing 1 booking at a time for RAP would make people less likely to book random dates just in case (this would probably keep better availability for last minute bookings).
Ultimately they need to level the playing field and stop the impression that it's a "free fastrack". Whenever I see posts on socials you will see those without RAP only managing 3 or 4 rides on a busy day whereas those with RAP are claiming to have ridden each big ride several times during the day often having ride counts closer to 20. This can't be the way its supposed to work as it should only be taking away the physical queuing not the actual wait times.
I would imagine unfortunately it means riding out a storm until there is enough frustration that the % of MAP holders who also qualify for RAP starts to reduce as people look elsewhere. There are clearly signs that Drayton Manor has seen a huge increase in their ride access as I dont think I had ever seen anyone using it until this season where queues are now forming at exit paths. Paultons also had a sign up saying they had no more access pass capacity left on a recent visit.
The only options for Merlin are to make further changes. The scan at ride QR codes have appeared around the parks so that looks to be a big change next season. They could also reduce the additional carers down to 1 which could mean they could double the the amount of RAP per day. I've seen people mention the option of checking out when you leave the park potentially opening capacity later in the day although this seems hard to manage. I also wonder if only allowing 1 booking at a time for RAP would make people less likely to book random dates just in case (this would probably keep better availability for last minute bookings).
Ultimately they need to level the playing field and stop the impression that it's a "free fastrack". Whenever I see posts on socials you will see those without RAP only managing 3 or 4 rides on a busy day whereas those with RAP are claiming to have ridden each big ride several times during the day often having ride counts closer to 20. This can't be the way its supposed to work as it should only be taking away the physical queuing not the actual wait times.
