Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2026 Discussion

[DiogoJ42]

A reminder this is discussion about Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access. Fastrack discussion can take place elsewhere, this isn’t the place to debate your opinions for or against it. Thanks.

Apologies if I was drifting in that direction.
FT created the expectation that there should be a way to "skip the queue". If it had never existed in the first place, it would be interesting to see how many people would still be scrambling to get their "free Fastrack by beating the system".

 

[RIPCorky]

What's stopping families from having two people with RAP, adding +3 extra people on each one then timing one out and then using another on a different ride in the meantime?

 

[John]

Nothing, some people do exactly that.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

To quote the Ts & Cs
"Attempting to use multiple timecards at once where a timecard system is in use" is banned.
That said a staff member would have to be really on the ball to notice it.

 

[DiogoJ42]

I work with a couple who have an almost double-digits number of children, spanning ages from end of primary school to "now-an-adult", at least half of which are neuro-diverse, and at least two of them absolutely, unquestioningly, do need some form of RAP (I have met their family on a few occasions). They all have MAPs, and are regulars at the three southern parks.

I've no idea if they have been affected by these changes or not, but they have always been pragmatic and realistic about it. I look forward to an interesting conversation the next time I work with either of them. (Which could be next week, or months away, I have no way of knowing, sadly).

 

[SuperMuscleMan]

I really detest this whole "if you find things overstimulating don't go to a theme park" viewpoint. Why should anyone be prevented from doing something they enjoy (especially kids)? Sensory seeking is often a big thing with neurodivergent people and theme parks are a perfect thing for this.

It's 2026. It's not beyond the possibility that places can provide reasonable adjustments as necessary. On top of whatever steps said person might do to help themselves (like ear defenders).

It's not that I'm suggesting that they should be excluded but in combination of my other experience that my friends with autism gaming the system makes me question how much the system is abused.

While I agree accomodations should be made they should not impact regular visitors too much.

 

[GaryH]

Can I as - is it still Towers policy that in order to go on a ride you must be able to get back off it if the ride breaks down and needs an evac?

 

[flyingguitar]

Disney and Universal also have long (albeit fast-moving) queues, and have never had the same issues with RAP as Merlin.

They do, I think it was only a few years ago disney did something similar removing some of their version of RAP and it caused some outrage (although not as much as merlin are seeing today.

IMO merlin are stuck between a rock and a hard place,

The problem is that ADHD, Autism etc are a spectrum as such each individuals needs are individual, some are perfectly fine around theme parks others can't handle crowds the problem is that when looking on paper it is very hard to differentiate those who need the service and those who don't, in the past few years I have overheard many times people in the RAP talking about it although it is a free fast pass and nothing else, I know not all disabilities are visible but I do question sometimes for instance when the wicker man RAP queue was like 60 mins long how many people in the queue needs it.


The only options merlin realistically have are either excluding these from RAP or including them and that isn't the best of options as either you are excluding those who can't handle crowds or you make the RAP queues long / too limited RAP spaces.

from my own experience I could have gotten (and may still be able) get an RAP pass however I don't need it and thus I don't want to abuse the system, but I do know people who are very similar to me in terms of sensitivity, etc and they had the RAP and a blue badge.

Don't get me wrong I want everyone to be able to enjoy theme parks and I really think that the best option was to allow them on RAP. changing fast track, etc I don't think would change much.