Ride Access Pass Systems and Disabled Access (pre 2024)

[Skyscraper]

Why would it need to be gradual?

Because, as was discussed in the general thread, big changes could annoy both legitimate users and those who use it as a free fasttrack, which could result in a media storm. I woudn't be surprised if that is why Towers have been so reluctant to make changes; they need to be really careful.

The carers should be limited to 3 that can ride with the person with the wristband, as that's not taking up more than one row/car on a coaster. I've seen instances of about 6 people riding with the RAP user, so I think this needs to be strictly enforced. I think 3 is a perfectly reasonable number for reasons listed above - one row on Nemesis/Galactica/Smiler, one car on Rita, Spinball, Mine Train, 13 - and only a quarter of seats on Oblivion. Any more than that is pushing it too far.

I second that, 3 really is the way to go. That might actually discourage some people who aren't legitimate from using the system, which would only be a good thing.

 

[tayspru]

Boo hoo, people might get “annoyed” . RAP DOES NOT work for those who need it most . In its current form it may as well not exist at all . They need to bite the bullet

 

[imanautie]

(Sorry for double post)

I second that, 3 really is the way to go.That might actually discourage some people who aren't legitimate from using the system, which would only be a good thing.

3 is also what the rules say, so it's less a change and more actually enforcing them

 

[jon81uk]

Because, as was discussed in the general thread, big changes could annoy both legitimate users and those who use it as a free fasttrack, which could result in a media storm. I woudn't be surprised if that is why Towers have been so reluctant to make changes; they need to be really careful.

Often better to make one big change (rip off the band-aid) rather than annoy people over years making small changes.

But there are a number of changes that should be easy to implement now, enforce the waiting time properly and introducing a maximum group size would be the first two easy ones.

 

[spinba11]

On dual for example I think the limit of careers should be 4 as 5 people can find on a ride vehicle.

 

[imanautie]

On dual for example I think the limit of careers should be 4 as 5 people can find on a ride vehicle.

I disagree as it sets the expectation that you can go above across all rides.

 

[Skyscraper]

enforce the waiting time properly and introducing

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about that. Definitely needs enforcing as well. Hosts need to be reminded to write the times down, although I'd assume that part of the issue is the amount of time that takes.

 

[jon81uk]

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about that. Definitely needs enforcing as well. Hosts need to be reminded to write the times down, although I'd assume that part of the issue is the amount of time that takes.

It should be an app, so it isn't dependant on the host so much, scan into a ride and you are locked out from scanning into another ride for the queue time less 10minutes (so if its a 60 minute wait you need to wait 50 minutes to scan into the next ride). That gives 10 minutes grace for the time spent in the RAP queue (which should only be 10/15 minutes if its working correctly).
For those without a smartphone I'm sure a Q-bot type device could be loaned out at guest services.

 

[rob666]

There should be a single queue, accessible to all, wide, reasonably sheltered, without steps.
That would be fully, truly inclusive.
Once you have two queues you have discrimination.
Going to another park, BPB has an app for disability access, it failed on day one, don't know about since.
And they did have spare phones for loan for those without a smartphone, but they were simply not available on my last visit.

 

[imanautie]

It should be an app, so it isn't dependant on the host so much, scan into a ride and you are locked out from scanning into another ride for the queue time less 10minutes (so if its a 60 minute wait you need to wait 50 minutes to scan into the next ride). That gives 10 minutes grace for the time spent in the RAP queue (which should only be 10/15 minutes if its working correctly).
For those without a smartphone I'm sure a Q-bot type device could be loaned out at guest services.

This is where they have a plus in having rap and fastrack handled by the same host, they already have a scanner.

The problem then becomes what about when rides break down, merlin don't seem to have a good solution to that issue at LEGOLAND

 

[John]

The trouble with any tech system is it has to be able to regulate RAP access to the more popular rides, otherwise you'd have WM/Smiler running with staggeringly high numbers of RAP guests.

If you cap it at, say, 20% of the ride capacity the result would be virtual waiting times in excess of main Q and a deluge of complaints.

 

[Skyscraper]

There should be a single queue, accessible to all, wide, reasonably sheltered, without steps.
That would be fully, truly inclusive.
Once you have two queues you have discrimination.

Yeah I've thought about that too. Could even have interactive games in the queue lines to keep young/additional needs guests occupied. Only issue would be that a lot of landscaping would be required to add ramps in place of the steps in some of the queue lines, given the depth and original design.

 

[rob666]

That landscaping should have been done when the ride was being built...Oblivion comes to mind here, fully accessible at both entry and exit.
In the short term...scaffolding and non slip walkways are a cheap an inexpensive short term solution for most rides.
It works for thirteen!

 

[imanautie]

There should be a single queue, accessible to all, wide, reasonably sheltered, without steps.
That would be fully, truly inclusive.
Once you have two queues you have discrimination.
Going to another park, BPB has an app for disability access, it failed on day one, don't know about since.
And they did have spare phones for loan for those without a smartphone, but they were simply not available on my last visit.

Still problematic for some people where it's the people in the queue that's the main issue!

 

[jon81uk]

There should be a single queue, accessible to all, wide, reasonably sheltered, without steps.

I've said before, this is what Disney have done with a lot of rides. If you can't stand rent a wheelchair but you still join the main queue.
If it is an autism type issue or similar stopping someone getting into the queue then Disney have an app-based system to wait out the queue time (less 10 minutes) and then come back and join via the fastpass lane. By making those who only have mobility issues use the main queue it makes the number who need the access pass much lower.

 

[Tommy85]

Yeah when I went to the states with a disabled friend I was suprised that we queued in the main line but it worked just fine! (Only exception being the mummy ride at universal which was ridiculous. Pitch black for most of queue and she kept driving into the walls etc. Was funny at first but soon got frustrating! Lol)

Once we got near the front it was only then that the ride hosts took us a different way to access the loading bays. It’s much fairer and on some rides, using a FT/RAP queue u miss out on great theming and interactions etc (more true in the states than over here). It would be much better if we had something similar over here. One single queue line with no steps in etc so everyone can use it.

 

[John]

Taking wheelchair users out of the equation would makes no difference. Just look at Smiler - it has a separate wheelchair lift entirely removed from the RAP queue line but still has long RAP waits.

 

[Skyscraper]

Taking wheelchair users out of the equation would makes no difference. Just look at Smiler - it has a separate wheelchair lift entirely removed from the RAP queue line but still has long RAP waits.

Yeah it's ambulant RAP users that are the issue, not wheelchair guests.

 

[jon81uk]

Taking wheelchair users out of the equation would makes no difference. Just look at Smiler - it has a separate wheelchair lift entirely removed from the RAP queue line but still has long RAP waits.

I think thats because in the UK we have a different issue to the one Disney had.
They have a lot more non-ambulant guests, so taking them out of the access pass (and therefore the fast pass queue) and into the main standby queue helped.
In the UK it feels like it isn't non-ambulant guests that are the majority of access pass users, it is those with autism and other reasons not to wait in a main queue.
Also I think knowledge of these conditions and accommodations for them has increased over the last 20 years.

20 years ago I think it was a handful of wheelchair users entering via the exit. Now it is a larger number of families with children with autism or related conditions.

 

[spinba11]

You're correct about 20 years ago