Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2026 Discussion

[Benzin]

If they wanted to be spiteful nothing stopping them retroactively applying it to existing bookings.

Truly would be problems. Not that it would affect Mrs Benzin as she would qualify for the changed criteria.

 

[Bowser]

If they wanted to be spiteful nothing stopping them retroactively applying it to existing bookings.

I'd be very surprised if they did that.

I do expect a lot of people will no longer qualify and as renewals come up, MAP purchases will decline accordingly.

If we no longer qualify then our 3 Merlin passes become worthless pieces of plastic unless we want to give them even more money for Fast Track. For us i'm glad that we've managed to make European park trips possible (for now) where this isn't an issue (also for now) but i appreciate for many that isn't possible and with Merlin's dominance in England this is nearly all they have.

Should be noted that it seems Paultons have also updated their RAP criteria to reflect the new symbols but have not adopted Merlin's fewer levels of acceptance.

 

[TPick]

It's in the email that was sent to RAP users from Merlin this afternoon.

As ever, no email received. Wonder what we need to do to get these emails sent to us, requesting multiple times doesn't seem to work.

 

[imanautie]

As ever, no email received. Wonder what we need to do to get these emails sent to us, requesting multiple times doesn't seem to work.

Basically if you miss the initial consent from when you initially sign up, too late. Been a thing with map orders for a while

 

[Skyscraper]

Basically if you miss the initial consent from when you initially sign up, too late. Been a thing with map orders for a while

I receive the RAP emails but don't have a MAP, unless it's from when I used to have one of the old Towers' Season Passes

 

[Bowser]

Its a better system overall. Not without its frustrations but improved.

Putting all the parks on one app is great. The ability to cancel. No repeat bookings. Multiple slot releases including last minute.

The change in criteria is the big concern. They’re ultimately weeding out the neurodivergent, who likely form the majority of users but its such a wide definition that some are going to unfairly get disqualified.

 

[Alphe86]

Looking at how this is blowing up on line.. they’re gonna have to release a statement at some point. Either there’s an error and these people are still eligible. Or an explanation for the changes. At the moment there’s just void and void breeds anger.

 

[Bowser]

Perhaps to be taken with a pinch of salt but web chat are telling people if you’re able to book a slot with your current card it will be accepted which was as i expected.

If your card doesnt qualify the system won’t register it.

Nimbus have digitally updated everyone’s cards which you can check here:

Access Card App

App for Access Card - accesscard.org.uk

app.accesscard.online

 

[Dave]

The change in criteria is the big concern. They’re ultimately weeding out the neurodivergent, who likely form the majority of users but its such a wide definition that some are going to unfairly get disqualified.

I would argue this is a Nimbus problem, if you can’t tolerate crowds that would suggest you should have access to reserved spaces in concerts etc, a queue isn’t a crowd, it’s a linear progression of people.

If you can’t wait in a queue because your neurodivergence means you can’t manage being in a restricted area of movement for a period of time that needs its own definition.

 

[Vicki]

I have gone through an utterly exhausting range of emotions about this since I heard.

I will not qualify after my current RAP. I have tried, and cannot tolerate more than around 15 minutes in the main queue environment, and that was on a quiet day.

There isn't a symbol on the Access Card that fits visually impaired people who struggle in queue environments - it's not processing visual information, it's navigating often uneven surfaces, steps, and dark spaces. I am also awaiting assessments for autism and ADHD, so it's not just a VI thing for me.

Ironically, this is what Access Card say about the "crowds" symbol (which I have now) I've added the bold: "This symbol is allocated to people who find crowded environments or queues overwhelming or distressing, often due to neurodivergence or mental health conditions."

I've sent an angry email. It won't do anything, but it's better in an email than in my head.

 

[Leigh]

I’m going to start by giving Merlin the benefit of the doubt on this - I’m hoping that this is just an oversight and the response will help them realise their error.

That being said. If this is the course they’re choosing to go down, I don’t know how this can be taken as anything except indirect discrimination towards the neurodivergent, and I suspect they’re going to need a lot of help from legal as (in my view, not a lawyer) this may well constitute a breach of the Equality Act.

 

[Bowser]

I would argue this is a Nimbus problem, if you can’t tolerate crowds that would suggest you should have access to reserved spaces in concerts etc, a queue isn’t a crowd, it’s a linear progression of people.

If you can’t wait in a queue because your neurodivergence means you can’t manage being in a restricted area of movement for a period of time that needs its own definition.

To play devils advocate, what are the reasons one is unable to queue? If it's a physical inability to stand for long periods or urgent toilet access, these remain covered. If it's as you state, about a restricted area of movement for a period of time or similar, i suspect they might argue that's something they cannot guarantee, not a reasonable adjustment that can be made and their theme park is not a suitable environment in such circumstances?

To be clear, this is not my view but i'm trying to see what their justification will be. Obviously the above would be a hard sell considering they were previously able to accommodate these disabilities. If they're reducing access, and lets be clear it is Merlin not Nimbus reducing eligibility here (as i mentioned Paulton's have retained both queueing symbols), then they need to give an explanation, especially when they already have the money of annual pass-holders who may no longer be able to visit the attractions they have paid for.

 

[RIPCorky]

I read somewhere that they went public with the amount of RAP % and general guests and it was 44%? Can't be true surely? If so I'm not surprised they have restricted it further.