Ride Access Pass and Disabled Access - 2026 Discussion

[Benzin]

Some members here often wonder why the rest of the world doesn't appear to have the same level of apparent oversubscription to accessibility as the UK. The rest of the world doesn't have Nimbus.

We need a return to human assessment based on clinical evidence, not just bureaucratic paperwork. This means requiring supporting statements from recognised professional bodies, occupational therapists, SENCOs, specialist consultants, rather than relying on a DWP letter (which proves financial status, not physical capacity) or a commercial entity incentivised to say "yes".

Seeing this reminded me I need to sort out Access Card for Mrs for our trip to Efteling.

Took seconds because it's an automated AI. Granted it has also randomly decided she can't go on Baron (but everything else is fine?) so all hail our robot overlords.

But the reality is all it took was answering a number of questions as yes or no. No evidence provided. Our trip to Europa last year was literally showing the Access Card at rides and that was accepted by the staff. One guesses (and has assumed for a number of years) that our continental cousins are just a bit more respectful about the situations surrounding accessibility. Possibly because their laws are a bit behind in the matter. But even beforehand all we showed was a doctors note and as soon as staff saw MS on there was instant approval.

As for one shots the only park I've seen do it is Paultons. Also believe that it is only relevant for ambulant disabled as we could re-ride Storm Chaser on our last visit. Might be put to the test more next time since we'll be forced into Pig Land.

Liseberg even allowed a re-ride before moving on!

 

[GooseOnTheLoose]

Seeing this reminded me I need to sort out Access Card for Mrs for our trip to Efteling.

Took seconds because it's an automated AI. Granted it has also randomly decided she can't go on Baron (but everything else is fine?) so all hail our robot overlords.

But the reality is all it took was answering a number of questions as yes or no. No evidence provided. Our trip to Europa last year was literally showing the Access Card at rides and that was accepted by the staff. One guesses (and has assumed for a number of years) that our continental cousins are just a bit more respectful about the situations surrounding accessibility. Possibly because their laws are a bit behind in the matter. But even beforehand all we showed was a doctors note and as soon as staff saw MS on there was instant approval.

As for one shots the only park I've seen do it is Paultons. Also believe that it is only relevant for ambulant disabled as we could re-ride Storm Chaser on our last visit. Might be put to the test more next time since we'll be forced into Pig Land.

Liseberg even allowed a re-ride before moving on!

With how quickly this chat has been moving, it's likely that you missed the previous discussion this.

The primary difference with our European counterparts is that they accept Nimbus' Access Card alongside a whole ranger of other identification. They're not tied into exclusivity.

The majority of UK parks (including Paultons Park) now will only accept Nimbus' accreditation and nothing else.

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.

 

[Dan12345]

Now I don’t see Footbal matches/Concerts etc offering tickets to people that allow them to “be away from crowds” and enjoy the event. Please correct me if I’m wrong

Murrayfield stadium will allow anyone who struggles with crowds to sit in a quiet room and get a pretty good view of rugby matches from a quiet room, in order to be away from crowds and enjoy the event

Scottish Rugby to unveil new sensory space

Situated above the South Tunnel at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, the space will be opened formally by Scottish Rugby patron, HRH The Princess Royal, ahead of the opening Guinness Six Nations Championship match between Scotland and Italy on Saturday (1 February). Previously, the indoor TV...

scottishrugby.org

 

[Ash]

Murrayfield stadium will allow anyone who struggles with crowds to sit in a quiet room and get a pretty good view of rugby matches from a quiet room, in order to be away from crowds and enjoy the event

Scottish Rugby to unveil new sensory space

Situated above the South Tunnel at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, the space will be opened formally by Scottish Rugby patron, HRH The Princess Royal, ahead of the opening Guinness Six Nations Championship match between Scotland and Italy on Saturday (1 February). Previously, the indoor TV...

scottishrugby.org

They’ll need a bigger room…

 

[Dan12345]

They’ll need a bigger room…

Obviously you also need to buy a ticket to enter the stadium

But of course, the situation is different. I’ve not been in there but my guess is that it’s a similar size to Alton Towers’ sensory room. It would appear fewer people need a sensory room than need access to a RAP virtual queue system!

 

[Hid]

I don't want to see a single comment complaining about RAP queue lengths. You didn't like the system they changed it to and is now back to the system you did not like in the first place.

Also U Turn is always taken in negative context when in reality its actually a sign of strength admitting to your fault and changing course when needed.

In my opinion there should be only 2 queues main queue and single rider. Scrap RAP and Fastrack and have the queues accessible to all by ensuring theres benches around the queue. Toilets in the queue line and lots of accomidations

 

[Blackrock]

This U turn was unnecessary and they kowtowed when they shouldn’t have. They’d already taken most of the heat and now they’ve just made things worse for themselves.

Also there’s sometimes in life when you don’t apologise, you just carry on and eventually the background noise will fade and things will carry on as normal.

 

[Hid]

Merlins biggest problem was its comms in this instance its been terrible. They need a new comms team

 

[Smiley]

I hope it doesn't turn out this way, but according to https://adhduk.co.uk/adhd-incidence/ there are 3.25m people with ADHD alone. Add 2-3 accompanying guests and that's 10m people. And that's just ADHD.

And I fear the worse it gets, the more ineligible people will just on the bandwagon. It will be the straw that breaks it completely.

 

[BarryZola]

This is precisely the problem, and why the camel's back is being broken already. People have seen others dodging queues and have found out how to do it themselves. Then those people, aided by internet groups, have helped others to game the system. It was all ok before the internet.

 

[imanautie]

Email I have sent to Alton towers sick of the system being completely abused

Dear Alton Towers Guest Relations Team,
I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction and frustration regarding the decision to revert back from the changes you were going to implement to the RAP (Ride Access Pass) system.

I completely recognise the importance of accessibility arrangements; however, reverting back from the proposed changes to the RAP system appears to create an uneven experience.
General admission guests are required to physically queue for extended periods, while RAP pass holders are able to wait virtually and still access rides in a way that seems to reduce their overall queuing burden. When RAP queues themselves can sometimes exceed an hour, it feels contradictory that the system exists on the basis that these guests cannot queue, yet they are still able to wait in a dedicated line for a significant length of time — just not in the general queue.
This creates a perception of inconsistency and unfairness in how waiting time is applied across different guests.

Meanwhile, general queue guests are required to physically stand and shuffle forward for the full published wait time, unable to leave for food, rest, or other attractions. No one enjoys queuing, but it is generally accepted as part and parcel of visiting a theme park.
If this system is to remain in place, I strongly believe changes are needed to ensure fairness for all guests.
For example:
One member of a RAP guest’s party could be required to wait in the standard queue.

Wristband or digital tracking could be implemented so guests cannot queue (physically or virtually) for multiple rides at the same time.

A restriction period (for example, 30 minutes) could be introduced preventing RAP holders from joining another ride queue while already virtually waiting for one.

At present, the system feels open to abuse and disproportionately disadvantages those in the general queue, who are often waiting longer than the stated ride times.
I am completely in favour of equality and accessibility, but not when it appears to come at the expense of fairness for other paying guests. There must be a balanced solution that supports accessibility needs without creating resentment or inequality within the park experience.
I would appreciate clarification on the reasoning behind reverting this decision and what steps, if any, are being considered to ensure fairness for all visitors.

Dont forget disabled people often visit solo, and sometimes even in groups with other disabled people with similar accessiblity needs!