Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2024 Discussion

[Benzin]

God I detested that the RAP queues seem to completely miss the point of them at Legoland.

Truly made me vow never to visit on a "busy" day.

 

[TPick]

The wife visited Chessington couple of days ago and didn't manage to get onto Mandrill Mayhem. Got it booked in the morning but by the time they got to the ride the RAP queue was out of the queue line and snaking to the centre of the land - there was no way they were joining that. Then they never got it booked for the rest of the day as it was always fully booked. Also, the member of staff scanning the passes wasnt at the queue entrance, they were at the front of the queue so RAP users were queuing god knows how long to get to the front and then having the queue length time added. Not great.

 

[Bowser]

The wife visited Chessington couple of days ago and didn't manage to get onto Mandrill Mayhem. Got it booked in the morning but by the time they got to the ride the RAP queue was out of the queue line and snaking to the centre of the land - there was no way they were joining that. Then they never got it booked for the rest of the day as it was always fully booked. Also, the member of staff scanning the passes wasnt at the queue entrance, they were at the front of the queue so RAP users were queuing god knows how long to get to the front and then having the queue length time added. Not great.

We had similar this week, was almost to the entrance and was about 20 minutes so you’d have likely been 30+

The host was only letting one or two groups in per cycle and wasn’t putting the rope on the main queue so people were batching themselves.

 

[TPick]

We had similar this week, was almost to the entrance and was about 20 minutes so you’d have likely been 30+

The host was only letting one or two groups in per cycle and wasn’t putting the rope on the main queue so people were batching themselves.

I assume staffing issues are the reason the person has been moved from the queue entrance. The wife said when they tried to get on and gave up as the queue was too long the queue time was 80 minutes, so they would have had to wait that and then maybe 30 minutes to get to the front. A little unfair I think.

 

[Skyscraper]

As of now, all Scarefest Saturdays are fully booked for RAP.

Annoying as I was hoping to do a Saturday as you have more time to complete the mazes, but I knew they'd all be gone before I'm able to book.

 

[Bowser]

As of now, all Scarefest Saturdays are fully booked for RAP.

Similar story at Thorpe Park.

RAP in general is booked up across all the parks the furthest in advance i've seen since the capacity system was introduced. Previously 2 or 3 weeks was a safe bet.

 

[Bowser]

In other news, Legoland has won an award for being Autism friendly:

Legoland Windsor has become the first theme park in the UK to be awarded the Autism Friendly Award from the National Autistic Society.

The society chose to award the Windsor theme park this recognition award, based on several criteria:

• Specialised communication skills;
• A decrease of overwhelming spaces;
• Easy access to information; and
• A generally inclusive environment.

Legoland becomes the first theme park to win Autism Friendly Award - Park World Online

Legoland Windsor has become the first theme park in the UK to be awarded the Autism Friendly Award from the National Autistic Society.

parkworld-online.com

Seems somewhat tenuous imo.

"Decrease in overwhelming spaces?" Would that be the sensory room full of screaming non-neurodiverse children or the shared RAP/FT queues in confined corridors?

"A generally inclusive environment?" What does that even mean?

As a parent of a non-verbal child can't say i've noticed any "specialised communication skills" in the 4 years we've been regularly attending.

I'm nitpicking as we love the park and generally have a great time but i can't think of a single thing where they stand out from any other theme park we visit in this regard and as i suggested, the queues are some of the least friendly spaces for those with sensory issues.

 

[Islander]

"Decrease in overwhelming spaces?" Would that be the sensory room full of screaming non-neurodiverse children or the shared RAP/FT queues in confined corridors?

Ah, this is interesting... do neurodiverse children not scream then?

Or conversely, should quiet, calm, well-behaved children be barred from such spaces if they are neurotypical?

(To be clear, I'm definitely not claiming that screaming children of any flavour are acceptable in such a space... 'tis just that your wording was very odd, IMHO...)

 

[Bowser]

Ah, this is interesting... do neurodiverse children not scream then?

Or conversely, should quiet, calm, well-behaved children be barred from such spaces if they are neurotypical?

(To be clear, I'm definitely not claiming that screaming children of any flavour are acceptable in such a space... 'tis just that your wording was very odd, IMHO...)

I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt that you’re not deliberately misreading my point but I’m suggesting the space is used as an overcrowded playroom by inconsiderate parents for those who don’t require it.

Chessington have someone manning the door at theirs either asking for Access cards or assessing additional needs to ensure it’s not treated as an attraction. In fairness Legoland might now too as we haven’t been inside for a long time due to previous negative experiences.

 

[Skyscraper]

Towers have released more RAP availability, all dates are available.

 

[TPick]

Or conversely, should quiet, calm, well-behaved children be barred from such spaces if they are neurotypical?

There is a sign at the entrance to the sensory room asking you to only use it if you are with a guest that has additional needs. There has been a few times where we have received weird looks from parents of children who clearly shouldn't be in there because our son has got very excited at the bubble tube.

 

[Bowser]

A few Efteling specific RAP observations that may benefit people:

- As mentioned elsewhere, Danse Macabre does not have a RAP queue as the main line is physically accessible and the VQ is intended to cater for other needs. You need to be very close to Danse to be able to access the VQ (for example it wouldn't work from the drop of Baron plaza area).

- We did the main queue for Joris/Dragon this time as last time the RAP involved standing in the searing heat for a prolonged period before eventually reaching a handful of shaded seats. I couldn't believe how fast the queue moved, we barely stood still at all and the actual line was wide and very open excluding the station so was a much preferable experience for us.

- Baron seemed to be a similar set up with people waiting to reach a small seated area. Again, standing for an undetermined period of time is generally worse for us.

- We attempted the Loop earplugs again (this time on Baron). Ear defenders could be worn as far as boarding as there is a small rotating bag drop in station for phones etc. This time we had them on a chain so at least when they immediately got pulled out on the lift hill they weren't lost. On ride 2 we held one of his hands on the restraints each so he couldn't pull them out, which worked but that's a system that only works on coasters where we can sit either side so not a Hyperia etc solution. The search continues...

 

[Vicki]

Can definitely see pros and cons to Towers going digital. Mostly cons, sadly.

It would eliminate the big queue at the start of the day to collect the card, which is good.

But, the wifi there isn't great, my phone constantly drops off of it. Mobile data signal is also not great.
I also didn't like Legoland and Chessington's system because it means being on your phone constantly, and them having the ability to close RAP queues when they can't be bothered to operate them.
That coupled with a few RAP queues now merging with fast track, I think there's going to be issues.