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Ride Access Pass Systems and Disabled Access (pre 2024)

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Matt N said:
True, but in theory, wouldn't the RAP queue line remove the long term exposure to nuts that the main queue could provide?
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However for someone with that bad an allergic reaction time to have a RAP, a few seconds of exposure would have a reaction.

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As someone with a (mild compared to a lot of people) nut allergy, I can confirm that being on a packed, hot tube train with someone eating nuts has caused me to feel ill a few times. I've never had an issue personally in the open air, but I can totally see how anyone with a more severe reaction to them than myself would not want to be trapped in close quarters with someone eating nuts.

I tend to view public nut eaters with the same bile some have towards smokers. (The irony is not lost on me ;) ) They usually turn out to be millitant vegans in my experience. I've had to tell a certain vegan I work with to stop tipping his nuts out (leave it!) all over our shared desk. He honestly can't understand the risk. I've gone hungry when the only food left in the work canteen is granola bars with nuts. I've ranted at the staff there when they put almond croissants on top of the plain ones. I've spent an entire night at Phantasialand heaving my guts out in my hotel room because the Ling Bao buffet didn't mention on the labels that while the curry did not CONTAIN nuts, it was fried in peanut oil.

.... And yet still, despite all that, I would personally backhand-pimp-slap anyone who told me thay use a RAP just because they have a nut allergy.
 
Matt N said:
What is it that has made the system so widely used these days? My parents imply that when we used the system (admittedly back in around 2009), we were the only ones using it on most rides, and they said that we stood out so much that a lot of guests in the regular queue gave my parents and me very judgmental looks as we got onto rides. Nowadays, however, a great number of people seem to use RAP. Admittedly, things such as inclusion of those with SEN needs and disabilities, as well as knowledge about disabilities, has improved over the last decade, which would naturally lead to an increase, however I can't think of a reason why use would have increased so exponentially over the last decade.

In fairness to Merlin/Alton, they need to be inclusive to those with disabilities in this day and age, and I think it's really good that they are being so inclusive. Also, I'm not really sure how they can solve the issue. The only plausible way I can think of is through a virtual queueing system, sort of like what Universal does with Jimmy Fallon & Volcano Bay.
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I agree, disability in general is getting talked about more, and rightly so.

What only Alton Towers themselves can answer is how many people use the RAP, and how many have been caught "cheating". It's easy to blame people abusing the system, but perhaps simply there are more people using the pass before and the system can't cope. Plus, if a ride has a two hour wait in the normal queue the considering many people do have a disability (visible or otherwise), and they could take up to four (?) people on with then, it's hardly surprising RAP users are having to wait?

The answer I don't know, but the park and staff must make an effort to administrate the system properly to prevent abuse. Also, more rides and keeping up capacity. Higher throughputs benefits everybody
 
speedy said:
higher throughputs benefits everybody
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Except the theme park operator trying to sell Fasttrack tickets, the problem with the queuing system as it stands is that it gives parks an incentive to keep wait times longer than necessary.
Trip Advisor would solve this if Merlin didn't have a near monopoly on the UK theme park industry
 
With the volume of users we are now seeing, I think it has to be more aligned to something like a virtual queue, which it almost is if implemented properly.

I think that would restore a level of fairness, reduce the notion that it's free unlimited fastrack (some truth in that as it stands...) and re-establish the system for what it is.

We have surely reached a point where the system has to adapt/evolve to its ever increasing popularity or they need to find a way to have less people use it, but the latter is very difficult.

speedy said:
Higher throughputs benefits everybody
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The benefits are somewhat diluted if a not insignificant number of guests loop round the ride time and time again, with an unmarked card.
 
I think the problem is, how do you stop a RAP user from joining another queue during their time window? If you could enforce the virtual wait time then that would be half the battle.

I must admit I do find it bizarre how much things have changed. In 2000, disabled guests used the ride exit. On Nemesis for instance, you'd chain the rear row off for them. After they'd been on, it'd be several more trains before another group turned up (and this was before there was a time window). Now we have queues for RAP and while it's great to see a more inclusive system, I can't help but wonder how many of those users actually need it?
 
Alsty said:
I can't help but wonder how many of those users actually need it?
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The trouble is, now-a-days the disability spectrum has grown. Disability is no longer just for those with physical mobility issues. Someone with mental issues, or even drug addicts, or just a simple underlying long term medical condition can now be classed as disabled. Where as using disable facilities should be based on how the disability affects you from accessing basic facilities that we all take from granted, it has now become an entitlement just purely based on being registered disabled. This goes beyond the control of themepark, as if they were to restrict who can and can't use the RAP, then they will be breaking the law under the equality act.

As I have often said, we can't tarnish everyone with the same brush and there will be those that will have a hidden disability that will generally prevent them from using the main queue line that won't necessarily be apparent to us. For this reason, I never prejudge anyone, but I also do see the system being blatantly abused which I feel is sad considering that the main losers from the abuse is those that genuinely need access to the rides. Also don't forget that the end of last year that those with hidden disabilities can now apply for a Blue Badge, so things are now going to get worse, not just for RAP access, but also for disable parking.
 
Public disabled parking is already bad enough when people use it illegally. Least the parks can enforce a bit more.

The Dutch parks even properly inspected the blue badge. In UK we've just shown the front on way in.
 
What a bloody joke merlin are, claiming to be accessible when they don't give a crap and don't even do the bare minimum.
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I take it RAP access is via the exit on these attractions and the walkaways are not of a sufficient width to enable RAP guests and exiting riders to get past each other with social distancing?
 
AT86 said:
I take it RAP access is via the exit on these attractions and the walkaways are not of a sufficient width to enable RAP guests and existing guests to get past each other with social distancing?
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Yes but holding guests back is an option, not doing so shows they don't care about disabled guests

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It does highlight the poor design of some of their attractions from a RAP perspective.

Especially River Rafts that opened this year. Having RAP use the exit on a ride opened in the 80s is one thing, but in 2020 they should design these things better.
 
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