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Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2026 Discussion

Benjsh said:
Disney and Universal are equally commercially driven as Merlin, if not more so, both operating an expensive fast pass service and they don't seem to have anything like the same issues with their RAP based system as Merlin are.

What are they doing differently then?

I think you'll find if you dig deep enough, they are just being a lot more selective on who qualifies and who doesn't.
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You're asking the right question, but you've arrived at a conclusion built on a flawed foundation, because you are missing the last piece of the puzzle. The difference is a structural difference in the business model and the primary incentive of the assessment process.

Disney and Universal conduct their accessibility assessments in house and, critically, at no charge to the user. Their only incentive in this process is operational integrity. They need a system which functions smoothly to protect the overall guest experience. A queue that is overwhelmed by their equivalent of RAP users is a commercial failure for them. Therefore, their goal is to get the assessment right, to approve those who genuinely need the adjustment and refuse those who do not, in order to keep their entire park operation functional. There's no direct financial gain to be made from the assessment process itself.

Merlin have outsourced this critical function to Nimbus, a for profit commercial enterprise. As we have already established by examining their financial statements, Nimbus's business model is predicated on the sale of Access Cards. They're either paid by Merlin to conduct assessments for the "free" Merlin Digital Access Pass, or by the applicants themselves for a successful Access Card application. This introduces a conflict of interest.

Nimbus has a direct, undeniable financial incentive to approve as many applications as possible. An approval is a completed sale and revenue on the books. A refusal is an administrative cost that results in a refund. Their primary commercial driver is not the integrity of Merlin's queue lines, but the volume of cards they can issue.

The reason Disney and Universal don't seem to have the same issues isn't because they're inherently "more selective" out of some moral fortitude. It's because their assessment process isn't corrupted by a direct profit motive. Merlin has a system where the gatekeeper has a financial interest in approving as many applications as possible, and we're all now living with the entirely predictable consequences.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
Disney and Universal conduct their accessibility assessments in house and, critically, at no charge to the user.
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I should flag this only applies to their US parks. Disneyland Paris for example accept the Nimbus cards for UK visitors and equivalents from elsewhere.

I don’t know about the various Asian parks but i expect cultural differences there mean RAP is barely used.
 
Bowser said:
I should flag this only applies to their US parks. Disneyland Paris for example accept the Nimbus cards for UK visitors and equivalents from elsewhere.

I don’t know about the various Asian parks but i expect cultural differences there mean RAP is barely used.
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Although you're right that Disneyland Paris will accept an Access Card, the comparison you've drawn is a misleading one, as it misses the distinction that lies at the heart of the entire debacle.

It's a difference between using something as evidence versus mandating it as an exclusive gatekeeper.

At Disneyland Paris, the Access Card is treated as one piece in a portfolio of acceptable evidence. A visitor can present a Blue Badge, a DLA / PIP letter, or a relevant national disability card from their home country. The park's own trained Cast Members then assess that evidence and issue their own internal Priority Card. It is an in house system that accepts a variety of proofs.

Merlin don't simply accept the Nimbus card. It's the sole and mandatory gateway to the RAP system.

You can, of course, waddle up to Guest Services with your Blue Badge and a consultant's letter thick enough to stop a door, and they will very politely grant you a carer ticket. But for the Ride Access Pass itself? Nimbus assessment or bust.

It's more than an administrative difference, being more akin to a fundamental philosophical and commercial one.

The Disney model is a non-commercial, in house assessment of various proofs. The Merlin model forces every single applicant into the sales funnel of a for profit, third party company whose entire business model, as we have already established, is predicated on the volume of cards it issues.

One system accepts the Access Card as a valid form of ID. The other makes it a compulsory purchase.
 
Bowser said:
Short answer: Infinitely more capacity. More rides, more throughput, more maintenance, more entertainment, longer opening hours.
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I take your point on board around increased capacity but a lot of that is offset by a far higher daily visitor number though, surely? So instead of 15,000 a day you might find at Towers you could be talking 50,000 at Magic Kingdom so it's swings and roundabouts. Longer hours definitely helps though for sure.

So I think some of what you said probably holds true but ultimately I think you'll find that these places simply aren't as 'inclusive' as one might believe they'd be. Not through choice but simply through necessity.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
The park's own trained Cast Members then assess that evidence and issue their own internal Priority Card.
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Unless it has changed since our visit this isn’t correct I’m afraid. There is no assessment, the card (or whatever you are using eg Blue Badge) is the evidence that illustrates you have already been assessed. If “trained cast members” are looking at it they are simply confirming the authenticity. They are not contacting Nimbus or the NHS for details on your disability.

The only additional information is confirming your level of autonomy but your access is already approved upon receipt of your Access card etc.

In fact the level of eligibility is incredibly high compared to any UK park with any the following granting you a Priority Card:

  1. Disability Living Allowance
  2. Attendance Allowance Award
  3. Personal independance payment
  4. Armed Force Compensation Scheme
  5. Certificate of Vision Impairment
  6. U.K. Disabled I.D
  7. National Disability Card
  8. Access Card
  9. Parking Card for Disabled People
  10. Registration Card BD8
  11. Adult Disability payment
  12. Disabled Student's Allowance
  13. Scottish Child Disability Payment
 
Bowser said:
Unless it has changed since our visit this isn’t correct I’m afraid. There is no assessment, the card (or whatever you are using eg Blue Badge) is the evidence that illustrates you have already been assessed. If “trained cast members” are looking at it they are simply confirming the authenticity. They are not contacting Nimbus or the NHS for details on your disability.

The only additional information is confirming your level of autonomy but your access is already approved upon receipt of your Access card etc.

In fact the level of eligibility is incredibly high compared to any UK park with any the following granting you a Priority Card:

  1. Disability Living Allowance
  2. Attendance Allowance Award
  3. Personal independance payment
  4. Armed Force Compensation Scheme
  5. Certificate of Vision Impairment
  6. U.K. Disabled I.D
  7. National Disability Card
  8. Access Card
  9. Parking Card for Disabled People
  10. Registration Card BD8
  11. Adult Disability payment
  12. Disabled Student's Allowance
  13. Scottish Child Disability Payment
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Apologies for the confusing semantics, I meant that trained Cast Members verify a wide and inclusive range of existing, pre-approved, often state issued documentation from around the globe; rather than conducting a fresh assessment with you there and then at the gate.

Disneyland Paris operates like a nightclub bouncer who will accept a passport, a driving licence, or a national ID card. They trust multiple, established forms of verification.

Merlin (and increasingly more UK park operators), on the other hand, operate like a bouncer who only's accept a specific, branded "Club Merlin" ID which you must purchase for £15 from the shop next door, even if you have your passport in your hand.

The list you've provided is a testament to an open, inclusive system that acknowledges and respects a variety of official and semi-official disability verifications. Merlin's list, for the purposes of RAP, contains precisely one item: The Nimbus Access Card / A Nimbus assessment.

This brings us to the core of Nimbus's business model, which appears to be built entirely on exclusivity.

As you rightly point out, a UK visitor can waddle up to Disneyland Paris with their Nimbus card and gain access. Yet a French national cannot arrive at Alton Towers with their equivalent French government issued disability card and expect the same courtesy. They would be directed to go through the Nimbus system. This is not an open system; it is a closed loop, a tollbooth.

Let us examine Nimbus's own words on the matter, from their website:
"Where the Access Card has become popular is when businesses want to streamline their customer access registration scheme and offer a free alternative to having an Access Card. Nimbus are subcontracted to run these access schemes on their behalf... Customers are offered the opportunity to upgrade to a full Access Card."
— https://www.nimbusdisability.com/services/access-card-and-nos/
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The language is explicitly commercial. The "free" registration is not an act of benevolence, it's the top of a sales funnel. It's the trial version, designed to encourage the user to "upgrade" to the full, paid for, multi venue product. The entire system is designed to either be paid for directly by the venue or by the user as an "upgrade".

The issue was never about the "level of assessment" conducted by a Cast Member versus a Nimbus employee. The issue has always been about compulsion and commercialisation. Disney's model says, "Prove to us, using one of many accepted methods, that you have a need." Merlin's model says, "No matter what proof you already possess, you must first engage in a commercial transaction with our designated for profit partner."
 
Bowser said:
I don’t know about the various Asian parks but i expect cultural differences there mean RAP is barely used.
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Out of curiosity, I couldn't help derailing from what I was initially doing to make a cursory investigation:

Considering Japan is the home of Disney's two most popular parks, Tokyo Disney Sea and Disneyland, where visitors do rock up as early as 7am, I would be honestly shocked if their version of DAS was barely used. Thankfully, from a glance at their thorough online guides for visitors with disabilities, reviews and videos, their version of DAS is in regular use and is quite well regarded. The same applies to both the Hong Kong and Shanghai parks. They're all largely accessible, listing which rides require/don't require transfer, offer braille and sign language at shows too, which is nice.

Universal Studios Japan offers the Guest Support Pass but, unsurprisingly, there are few rides for those with limited mobility. Universal Studios Beijing has the Attraction Assistance Pass and has a decent pdf pamphlet available to read. Universal Studios Singapore appears committed from a couple of reviews to an accessible experience, and they have some form of pass but there's almost no website information I could glean from.

The Legoland parks range between having their own Ride Access Pass (Dubai), Hero Pass (South Korea), or the Assisted Access Pass (Malaysia, Japan). Interestingly, both the Japan and Malaysia parks are both Certified Autism Centers™. The term for the latter park I find a little funny since their website wasn't really that accessible or robust in information for visitors with disabilities such as, you know, autism.

Overall, every Asian park listed requires (specific) proof from the respective visitor's home country, or in some cases a card, to confirm their disability and for said visitor and carer slash party to typically apply in person at a Guest Services location for their RAP equivalent. They all largely use a time out system and or have a dedicated separate queue / accessible exit for visitors to use. So, the disabled guest experience regarding accessibility passes isn't too different to what some of us here have experienced. Still, just because we haven't seen the data, reports or feedback regarding every park's accessibility service in a continent made up of 48 different countries doesn't mean we can say RAP equivalent usage is up or down in comparison to us. It could be better, it could be worse, it could be mixed.

But what I've learnt most is, this one comment led to me taking 2 hours of information overload to write up a simple post and I am now exhausted.
 
GaryH said:
I asked a few pages back if guests can go on rides if they are unable to get off. My follow up question was going to be around people who suffer from anxiety, or being in confined spaces with others if a ride were to break down for a long period of time.
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That is an interesting point. Not that long ago whenever we boarded a ride using my sons RAP card, we would be required to sit in the back row of the ride and he had to be accompanied by an adult 18+. (This meant that he could never ride the Smiler because it was beyond my tolerance level and his siblings weren't old enough to accompany him!) When we queried why, we were told that it was in case of ride breakdowns, they would contact or evacuate the back row first, and was why they had to have an adult with them. When they rejigged the RAP entrances a few years ago that scheme seemed to go out of the window, so not sure what their rationale for changing it was as I thought it was a sensible system.
 
GaryH said:
I think the argument in that article where the writer says some use the disability when it suits them is correct for some (not all granted)….

Queue half hour for the monorail up the ramps in crowds of people - yep can do that

Queue half hour for the RAP pass on towers street with others - yep can do that

Queue half hour to get on a ride - oh I can’t do that, I need a faster way to get on the ride

Sorry, those statements will annoy some people granted, but this is the reality for some guests, and I believe Merlin are trying to filter this type of use out.

Add to this what I have read about Nimbus being paid more for each person they issue a card to and it’s no wonder Merlin are looking to change their approach. I don’t know how easy it is to get a RAP or how much medical information/proof is needed, but could it be that those without any significant (or dare I say it , no) disability are able to successfully apply for a card?

Sorry if it rubs people up the wrong way and granted not everyone with a RAP will take the same approach, but many of us have witnessed the large RAP queues on busy days and wondered the same.

Personally I think Merlin will u- turn and say it was just a trial due to all the complaints, and the saga of people with RAP having to queue too long, or complaining passes aren’t available for dates they want to visit will continue. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
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GaryH said:
I think the argument in that article where the writer says some use the disability when it suits them is correct for some (not all granted)….

Queue half hour for the monorail up the ramps in crowds of people - yep can do that

Queue half hour for the RAP pass on towers street with others - yep can do that

Queue half hour to get on a ride - oh I can’t do that, I need a faster way to get on the ride

Sorry, those statements will annoy some people granted, but this is the reality for some guests, and I believe Merlin are trying to filter this type of use out.

Add to this what I have read about Nimbus being paid more for each person they issue a card to and it’s no wonder Merlin are looking to change their approach. I don’t know how easy it is to get a RAP or how much medical information/proof is needed, but could it be that those without any significant (or dare I say it , no) disability are able to successfully apply for a card?

Sorry if it rubs people up the wrong way and granted not everyone with a RAP will take the same approach, but many of us have witnessed the large RAP queues on busy days and wondered the same.

Personally I think Merlin will u- turn and say it was just a trial due to all the complaints, and the saga of people with RAP having to queue too long, or complaining passes aren’t available for dates they want to visit will continue. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
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You make a fair and concise point, but you said sorry twice as if your saying something wrong by voicing your opinion. Don't be afraid to speak up based on your own experience and thoughts.
 
fearnwood said:
That is an interesting point. Not that long ago whenever we boarded a ride using my sons RAP card, we would be required to sit in the back row of the ride and he had to be accompanied by an adult 18+. (This meant that he could never ride the Smiler because it was beyond my tolerance level and his siblings weren't old enough to accompany him!) When we queried why, we were told that it was in case of ride breakdowns, they would contact or evacuate the back row first, and was why they had to have an adult with them. When they rejigged the RAP entrances a few years ago that scheme seemed to go out of the window, so not sure what their rationale for changing it was as I thought it was a sensible system.
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During a breakdown the staff usually come and talk to you. They ask iirc if there's any reason someone needs to be evac'd first.
 
Much like the Daleks though, the rebellion will be frustrated by stairs.


Sadly I always feel that those shouting loudest (i.e. abusing staff) about the changes were the ones who were abusing the system anyway. Much like when Lego first went digital and the outcry that happened then. And it perpetuates this stupid "us vs. them" feeling that doesn't help anyone.
 
A RAP related story from Efteling to briefly move the thread away from the Merlin debacle. Only one perspective of said incident of course:

A Belgian family's visit to Efteling ended prematurely in early February after a fight at Droomvlucht. Nathalie Verbist reported on her Instagram account @uitstapjes_met_autisme that her group had to leave the park after an incident with other visitors and security guards, in which her autistic son misbehaved.

Verbist writes that she was at the park on Saturday, February 7th, with her husband and two young children with autism. They were invited by Efteling, as part of "tourism for autism ." A disagreement arose with other people waiting at the accessible entrance to Droomvlucht. During an altercation, another couple allegedly cursed and threatened violence.

"Dirty Belgian, get lost. Join the regular line with your fake disability ," the mother quotes one of the attendees as saying. When the conflict escalated, the Belgian family was denied entry to the attraction. Droomvlucht employees called security. Verbist's autistic son, Charles, then lost it. He allegedly screamed and kicked a door.

According to Verbist, the family members were surrounded by security guards. They were told to leave. This led to much misunderstanding. Verbist called her contact person at Efteling, but he, too, concluded that the family had misbehaved and that going home was the only option. Several complaints had reportedly been received about the Belgian group.

www.looopings.nl

Incident bij Droomvlucht escaleert: Belgisch gezin met autistische zoon uit Efteling gezet

Een bezoek aan de Efteling is voor een Belgisch gezin begin februari voortijdig geëindigd na een ruzie bij Droomvlucht. Nathalie Verbist meldt op...
www.looopings.nl www.looopings.nl

I've certainly noticed on our European theme park trips (excluding Disney) that we get constantly stared at but equally beyond that we've had no negative experiences or interactions.
 
Bowser said:
A RAP related story from Efteling to briefly move the thread away from the Merlin debacle. Only one perspective of said incident of course:

A Belgian family's visit to Efteling ended prematurely in early February after a fight at Droomvlucht. Nathalie Verbist reported on her Instagram account @uitstapjes_met_autisme that her group had to leave the park after an incident with other visitors and security guards, in which her autistic son misbehaved.

Verbist writes that she was at the park on Saturday, February 7th, with her husband and two young children with autism. They were invited by Efteling, as part of "tourism for autism ." A disagreement arose with other people waiting at the accessible entrance to Droomvlucht. During an altercation, another couple allegedly cursed and threatened violence.

"Dirty Belgian, get lost. Join the regular line with your fake disability ," the mother quotes one of the attendees as saying. When the conflict escalated, the Belgian family was denied entry to the attraction. Droomvlucht employees called security. Verbist's autistic son, Charles, then lost it. He allegedly screamed and kicked a door.

According to Verbist, the family members were surrounded by security guards. They were told to leave. This led to much misunderstanding. Verbist called her contact person at Efteling, but he, too, concluded that the family had misbehaved and that going home was the only option. Several complaints had reportedly been received about the Belgian group.

www.looopings.nl

Incident bij Droomvlucht escaleert: Belgisch gezin met autistische zoon uit Efteling gezet

Een bezoek aan de Efteling is voor een Belgisch gezin begin februari voortijdig geëindigd na een ruzie bij Droomvlucht. Nathalie Verbist meldt op...
www.looopings.nl www.looopings.nl

I've certainly noticed on our European theme park trips (excluding Disney) that we get constantly stared at but equally beyond that we've had no negative experiences or interactions.
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This is very one sided. Not to say it’s not accurate, who knows, none of us were there. But it’s more difficult to believe that the family with the autistic son were blameless, especially when supposedly multiple different staff came to the conclusion that removal from park was the best option.
 
Does note that the group had received a number of complaints.

Though I'd imagine the quote is also accurate.


That being said, the system for access for Droomvlucht isn't particularly good. Kinda just get led to a merge point by staff (via the exit/shop) and left to your own devices. And we all know how merging without staff tends to go.
 
Getting violent, even against inanimate objects, is a hard line. Once crossed, you should be kicked out without delay. No excuses.
 
While the odd comparison to experiences in global theme parks is fine in order to illustrate a point about UK parks, please remember this topic is for discussion about the operation of Ride Access Pass and equivalents at UK parks.

If we start extensive discussion about every single park across the globe in this topic we’ll quickly get bogged down with multiple discussion points.
 
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