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Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2026 Discussion

RAP update from Merlin:

Hi all

You will have received our most recent update, which we know has generated some concern within the Ride Access Pass (RAP) community, and that’s why we’re getting back in touch.

We recognise that this communication was not as clear as it could have been, and we’re genuinely sorry for this. We want to provide some further clarity, reassurance and guidance ahead of February half-term. We are also asking for direct feedback, so we can hear from the voices that really matter on this topic - yours.

Over the past year, we’ve worked hard to improve the RAP experience, by tackling pre‑booking issues and making the virtual queuing system easier to use, more accurate and reliable. Even with these improvements, demand for RAP has continued to grow to a level that is now affecting the very reason it exists – helping to reduce queue times for those who need it most.

Last year, we know that many of you were unable to secure RAP availability when you wanted it – and those who did often faced longer than expected wait times during peak periods. This is not the experience we want for you. Our intention has always been -and will always remain - to provide a positive, supportive experience for those who need RAP. This hasn’t always consistently been the case, and it needs to be addressed. Getting this right matters and we’re working hard to find solutions.

Over February half‑term, at the three parks which are briefly open, we are trialling changes to RAP eligibility criteria. More information about and the trial can be found in updated information on our resort websites ( Alton, Chessington and LEGOLAND). We’re sorry that the trial nature of this change this wasn’t clear enough.

While we know there is always more we can do, we’re proud of the range of support we offer guests. Over the years we have broadened our focus beyond queueing alone and have introduced a number of adjustments and support measures across the whole attraction to better support guest in their specific needs throughout every part of their day. Detail of these adjustments can also be found on our resort websites.

This trial gives us the opportunity to listen, learn, and review these support measures, and to explore whether we need to do more ahead of the main season opening in March. Your feedback is genuinely important to us, and we would really appreciate you sharing your thoughts through this survey.

Your voice matters to us and this input will play a key role in our review over the coming weeks and shaping next steps. We remain committed to ensuring our attractions are as welcoming and inclusive as possible. We won’t get everything right first time, but we will keep listening, learning and evolving our approach.

We want to thank you for your patience, and we will be back in touch ahead of season opening.

Merlin Accessibility Team
 
Should Merlin reply to the feedback with two options for guests.

1. Allow all RAP users and people in with any disabilitiy and then say don't complain about the queues as that is the consequence of allpwong everyone in

2. Keep the new RAP policy in to keep lines shorter and get people who can't stand long on quicker.
 
RAP update from Merlin:

Hi all

You will have received our most recent update, which we know has generated some concern within the Ride Access Pass (RAP) community, and that’s why we’re getting back in touch.

We recognise that this communication was not as clear as it could have been, and we’re genuinely sorry for this. We want to provide some further clarity, reassurance and guidance ahead of February half-term. We are also asking for direct feedback, so we can hear from the voices that really matter on this topic - yours.

Over the past year, we’ve worked hard to improve the RAP experience, by tackling pre‑booking issues and making the virtual queuing system easier to use, more accurate and reliable. Even with these improvements, demand for RAP has continued to grow to a level that is now affecting the very reason it exists – helping to reduce queue times for those who need it most.

Last year, we know that many of you were unable to secure RAP availability when you wanted it – and those who did often faced longer than expected wait times during peak periods. This is not the experience we want for you. Our intention has always been -and will always remain - to provide a positive, supportive experience for those who need RAP. This hasn’t always consistently been the case, and it needs to be addressed. Getting this right matters and we’re working hard to find solutions.

Over February half‑term, at the three parks which are briefly open, we are trialling changes to RAP eligibility criteria. More information about and the trial can be found in updated information on our resort websites ( Alton, Chessington and LEGOLAND). We’re sorry that the trial nature of this change this wasn’t clear enough.

While we know there is always more we can do, we’re proud of the range of support we offer guests. Over the years we have broadened our focus beyond queueing alone and have introduced a number of adjustments and support measures across the whole attraction to better support guest in their specific needs throughout every part of their day. Detail of these adjustments can also be found on our resort websites.

This trial gives us the opportunity to listen, learn, and review these support measures, and to explore whether we need to do more ahead of the main season opening in March. Your feedback is genuinely important to us, and we would really appreciate you sharing your thoughts through this survey.

Your voice matters to us and this input will play a key role in our review over the coming weeks and shaping next steps. We remain committed to ensuring our attractions are as welcoming and inclusive as possible. We won’t get everything right first time, but we will keep listening, learning and evolving our approach.

We want to thank you for your patience, and we will be back in touch ahead of season opening.

Merlin Accessibility Team

Interestingly I haven't received it, despite receiving the others 🤔
 
Should Merlin reply to the feedback with two options for guests.

1. Allow all RAP users and people in with any disabilitiy and then say don't complain about the queues as that is the consequence of allpwong everyone in

1. Keep the new RAP policy in to keep lines shorter and get people who can't stand long on quicker.

I’m going with option 1 but option 1 is also good.
 
lower queue times would lead to less Fastrack sales for Merlin so the cynical side of me thinks that they're not in a massive rush to substantially lower queue times.
Of course theme parks are incentivised to lower queue times. Whilst you are in a queue, you're not generating them income at concessions, going to the restaurants, going to upcharge attractions, or having a positive day in general. It's short sighted to think that Fast track has anything to do with this.
 
Of course theme parks are incentivised to lower queue times. Whilst you are in a queue, you're not generating them income at concessions, going to the restaurants, going to upcharge attractions, or having a positive day in general. It's short sighted to think that Fast track has anything to do with this.
Of the flip side, you could argue that longer ride queues mean guests are more likely to use the in-queue F&B kiosks
 
I am fairly cynical when it comes to businesses such as Merlin so I am in the camp of thinking potential additional fasttrack sales are a likely driver for this and that the trial/feedback aspects are suddenly being presented as the plan all along.

I also think the effect of this will be very much throwing the baby out with the bath water. I'm sure while there are those capable of queueing using RAP unnecessary, there are certainly those across the neurodiverse spectrum who are as equally incapable of using some queues as wheelchair users are incapable of using queues with non level wide ground.

Those who have been taking unnecessary advantage currently would presumably have no qualms using the very strong correlation between neurodiversity and joint hypermobility as a way of getting a difficulty standing classification. Meanwhile those who really need it, but describe their conditions accurately will miss out if it doesn't involve a physical disability.

Not that I have a solution to working out who is accurately describing a condition they have that is not immediately visible and it is a shame that there seems to be a sizable portion of society having the populist attitude of "if I can't see your disability I cannot accept your word it is real"
 
That's really strange, glad it's not just me who didn't receive it then!

Perhaps they’re only sending it to non-RAP users so the survey is overwhelmingly in favour of the changes.

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