Ride Access Pass Systems and Disabled Access (pre 2024)

[bluesonichd]

Throp... how can we help our disabled guests enjoy their day more.....


I know, Lets make it easier to get an access pass so the que for rides is unworkable

 

[Benzin]

Throp... how can we help our disabled guests enjoy their day more.....


I know, Lets make it easier to get an access pass so the que for rides is unworkable

With spelling and grammar like that you'd probably qualify. Especially with them removing the VIP pass you might need it.

It don't look any different from the system last year, so not sure on the fuss. Of course if they trained staff to correctly fill in the cards then that would be another step towards making the system work as intended.

It's certainly an awkward issue. However the UK view of the system doesn't help matters. Efteling doesn't even give a return time but not as many people use it. Europa ask for the same things but I've not used it as of yet so cannot give an exact opinion on its efficiency.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

I've found from using the RAP that it is as good as unlimited fasttrack because ride hosts frequently don't put a time on (even when I ask them to) or they just put the current time on. The Blackpool system is better in that you reserve the ride so you wait the full time but it fails in that you have to choose who has to wait for the next train (despite apologising I still feel guilty). I think the whole concept of queuing needs to change instead of just the disabled system.

 

[Skyscraper]

Maybe they should only offer it to those who have an Access Card (these are accepted as proof)? That way it would be difficult for anyone to obtain an RAP fraudently. https://www.accesscard.org.uk/

 

[Benzin]

Maybe they should only offer it to those who have an Access Card (these are accepted as proof)? That way it would be difficult for anyone to obtain an RAP fraudently. https://www.accesscard.org.uk/

Presuming they require say a blue badge as evidence, what difference does that make given you have to formally qualify for that as well?

Saying that concert venues are starting to only accept these over a blue badge. Which I find dodgy given it's a paid for thing. Especially when you already have government issued proof.

 

[Skyscraper]

Presuming they require say a blue badge as evidence, what difference does that make given you have to formally qualify for that as well?

Saying that concert venues are starting to only accept these over a blue badge. Which I find dodgy given it's a paid for thing. Especially when you already have government-issued proof.

It costs just £15 for 3 years though, so would still be valid in time to renew the RAP. Low cost too.

 

[RoyJess]

I think the irony is, that any one that is using the RAP as a free fast track might actually find that the waiting time is longer than the main queue line

Maybe they should only offer it to those who have an Access Card (these are accepted as proof)? That way it would be difficult for anyone to obtain an RAP fraudently. https://www.accesscard.org.uk/

I saw this mentioned on the Merlin Annual Pass Special Need Facebook Page, up until then, I never knew that this existed. . I've always have said that people should be able to get a credit card size card as proof of disability. Jess and I always carry a copy of proof of disability, hospital medical records, Copy of her blue badge (we write across it the words "Photo Copy not to be used for parking" as it is illegal to use a photo copy of it especially for parking).

I still doubt that a card will stop those that have hate towards disabilities. Jess and I always are on the receiving end of disability hate crime. Only last week that I was confronted for parking in a blue badge bay, despite the fact that we had Jess Blue Badge on display and Jess was in the car with wheelchair packed away. This was at one of our regular Zoo and we had a great day up until that point. This resulted in the guy assaulting me. The police is currently dealing with the case. So the fact that we have issues with Hate crime despite Jess's wheelchair being very visible, I doubt that a credit size card is going to stop those that have hidden disabilities from being targeted, especially when it comes to having access to facilities.

Talking about RAP, the blade is still mentioned on the ride access information along with the new David Walliam's ride, so could this mean that the Blade is set to return this season, or has someone forgot to remove it from the information?

 

[Skyscraper]

I think the irony is, that any one that is using the RAP as a free fast track might actually find that the waiting time is longer than the main queue line

I saw this mentioned on the Merlin Annual Pass Special Need Facebook Page, up until then, I never knew that this existed. . I've always have said that people should be able to get a credit card size card as proof of disability. Jess and I always carry a copy of proof of disability, hospital medical records, Copy of her blue badge (we write across it the words "Photo Copy not to be used for parking" as it is illegal to use a photo copy of it especially for parking).

I still doubt that a card will stop those that have hate towards disabilities. Jess and I always are on the receiving end of disability hate crime. Only last week that I was confronted for parking in a blue badge bay, despite the fact that we had Jess Blue Badge on display and Jess was in the car with wheelchair packed away. This was at one of our regular Zoo and we had a great day up until that point. This resulted in the guy assaulting me. The police is currently dealing with the case. So the fact that we have issues with Hate crime despite Jess's wheelchair being very visible, I doubt that a credit size card is going to stop those that have hidden disabilities from being targeted, especially when it comes to having access to facilities.

Talking about RAP, the blade is still mentioned on the ride access information along with the new David Walliam's ride, so could this mean that the Blade is set to return this season, or has someone forgot to remove it from the information?

That's disgusting. Are you ok?

 

[bluesonichd]

Can’t allow more than 1 rap per train ...
yet let 12 or more through in one go on Wickerman

Potentialy then have half a train full of rap holders


Towers we say one thing but do the opposite because we don’t give a shite

 

[RoyJess]

That's disgusting. Are you ok?

Yeah, I OK thanks, we get abuse a lot and all those that know us, knows that Jess is clearly
disable and don't have a hidden disability, which makes us a sitting target. So I do get it that those with hidden disability's get harassed when trying to use disable facilities.

Harassment (hate crime) is classed as a serious crime, the police were more interested and took more seriously the fact that the guy approached our car and kicked off about us being in a blue badge bay more so than the actual assort. I have known for years that if I saw someone parked in a blue badge bay, even without a badge, that you are not allowed to approach them or even say anything as this is classed as harassment. The only person that is allowed to approach and examine the badge is an official traffic warden.

The lesson here to everyone, even if you are suspecting that someone is taking the "P" out of the system, do not say anything to them directly or indirectly unless you want to find your self in serious trouble with the law.

As a husband and carer for someone that is servery disabled, I too get frustrated at those that appear to be taking the "P" out of the system, however it is not always possible to see who is genuinely entitled to use the disable facilities. I know that there a % of people taking the "P", but we must not also tarnish everyone with the same brush. It is difficult being disabled on a good day, let alone having the extra stress of being on the receiving end of Hate Crime as well as not being able to access the disable facilities because people are also abusing the system.

So for this reason, If I see someone out and about that I think could be abusing the system, I usually keep shtum, for the simple reason that they may have a genuine disability that I might not be aware off. If I personally know someone that is abusing the system, them I either keep shtum or I report them to the appropriate authorities and let them deal with it.

All I can say on here, don't abuse the disable facilities for you own gain, as you are stopping those that are genuinely needing them from having access, but on the other hand, do not directly or indirectly make comments which could be deemed as hate crime towards the disable. They may be genuine, plus you are breaking the law.

 

[rob666]

Used an access pass for the first time in Blackpool last week, certainly the system is wide open for abuse.
Don't understand why you can get four people on a 50% speedypass for a fiver each under their system, just doesn't seem fair to the poor blighters in the main queue.

 

[Benzin]

It costs just £15 for 3 years though, so would still be valid in time to renew the RAP. Low cost too.

But my point is if you already have PIP/Blue Badge from the government why do you need this separate card at an extra cost?

If it's marketed towards those who don't qualify under current government standards then fair enough, but I honestly don't see the point of it on top of already existing evidence.

 

[RoyJess]

But my point is if you already have PIP/Blue Badge from the government why do you need this separate card at an extra cost?

If it's marketed towards those who don't qualify under current government standards then fair enough, but I honestly don't see the point of it on top of already existing evidence.

I agree, I think the government should automatically provide a credit card size proof for people to carry around for those that have been awarded a Blue Badge or DLA/PIP valid for the duration of the award.

Wearing the Sunflower lanyard is a recognition of having a hidden disability

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunflower-...t=&hvlocphy=9044870&hvtargid=pla-836303982120

 

[Skyscraper]

Wearing the Sunflower lanyard is a recognition of having a hidden disability

You still have to buy those though, but I agree that there should be a free card obtainable by all those with a disability (which includes myself).

 

[RoyJess]

You still have to buy those though, but I agree that there should be a free card obtainable by all those with a disability (which includes myself).

The lanyards are half the price of the card and last more than 3 years

Just photo copy your current DLA/PIP award letter and fold it up and carry it around with you in your wallet. That's what I've been doing for the past 10+ years

 

[jon81uk]

You still have to buy those though, but I agree that there should be a free card obtainable by all those with a disability (which includes myself).

Tesco and Sainsbury's are giving the sunflower lanyard away for free.

https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/...l-rollout-of-hidden-disability-lanyard-scheme

https://www.tesco.com/help/invisibledisability/

But there is no proof needed, its just a method of letting staff know you might need more time/space while shopping.

 

[shakey]

Used an access pass for the first time in Blackpool last week, certainly the system is wide open for abuse.
Don't understand why you can get four people on a 50% speedypass for a fiver each under their system, just doesn't seem fair to the poor blighters in the main queue.

It is far too easy to get a disability/access pass. I suspect that the majority of people using them are simply abusing the system and could easily queue up if they wanted to,

There can't be that many people who are unable to wait in a coaster queue line but are still perfectly able to ride on the coaster. There will be genuine cases where an access pass is clearly a good thing but I am not convinced it is required in a lot of cases.

In the case of Blackpool why not scrap the disability pass altogether and just give out a free basic speedypass to those who would normally be given the disability passes. So they wouldn't have to physically stand in a queue line but they would still have to wait their turn. That seems much fairer to everyone.

 

[jon81uk]

There can't be that many people who are unable to wait in a coaster queue line but are still perfectly able to ride on the coaster. There will be genuine cases where an access pass is clearly a good thing but I a not convinced it is required for most people.

I also think that parks should have considered in this day and age building queue lines that are accessible.
Disney do it this way, almost all queue lines are wheelchair accessible so a majority can just join normal queues, access passes are only needed for other disabilities (such as autism) where people cannot cope with waiting in the queue, rather than standing being the issue.
Considering it was only built three years ago, there are too many stairs in the Wickerman queue and the design could have been better thought through.

 

[MellowPasta]

I also think that parks should have considered in this day and age building queue lines that are accessible.
Disney do it this way, almost all queue lines are wheelchair accessible so a majority can just join normal queues, access passes are only needed for other disabilities (such as autism) where people cannot cope with waiting in the queue, rather than standing being the issue.
Considering it was only built three years ago, there are too many stairs in the Wickerman queue and the design could have been better thought through.

Health & Safety here would not allow that. In the event of an emergency e.g a fire, no way would you have someone in a wheel chair in an extended queue. It’s unfair & not safe for either parties.

 

[jon81uk]

health & safety here would not allow that. In the event of an emergency e.g a fire, no way would you have someone in a wheel chair in an extended queue. It’s unfair & not safe for either parties.

Again, this is the way it is done at Disneyworld. As long as there are appropriate fire exit provisions (which there should be for ambulant people anyway) then it should be fine. Most indoor queues have emergency exit points along the route of the queue. The external queues obviously don't have the same need for fire exits, but probably should have some push here in case of emergency gates anyway, for both ambulant and wheelchair users.