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Original poster

AIBU to think Merlin Ride Access passes are unfairly judged?

363 replies

Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:14

We went to one of the Merlin parks Easter weekend and over the years I’ve seen many people get angry at Ride access lines and nothing has changed it seems.
this particular day it seemed everyone was on their high horse about it. Including one man exclaiming to his wife “ they let too many specials in “
then social media the last few days now the parks are open have loads of videos about RAP “ queue Jumpers “.

My DD has a RAP card and we wait just as long as everyone else sometimes longer than others to get on rides. It’s not instant access.

the pass times out for the length of time that the main line states and then you can’t use it again until it times back in. Then when it does time back in you have to go and scan in the ride you want and then there is also a line ( ok not as long as the main line ) but we will have to wait that amount of time anyway. Plus the waiting time in the RAP line. They do not let all the RAP line in its usually 1-2 at a time per ride. The rest is from the main line and then we get timed out for the length of time the queue indicates on top of the time we have already waited.
how would removing it or it not existing help the main line ? It would just actually make it longer so you would still be waiting averagely longer to ride anyway !
why do people judge it so much ?

what is the alternative ?

OP posts:
SummerFrog2026 · 09/04/2026 11:51

Neemon · 09/04/2026 11:27

I don’t get why anyone who can’t queue would go to a theme park. Just don’t go or don’t take your child.

Oh FFS. Could you be any more ableist??

Being disabled doesn't mean you don't want to do things, just that you might need some help to do them.

maybe you'd prefer we were all
locked away out of sight?

LittleMissClutter · 09/04/2026 11:49

I suppose when you take into consideration each RAP holder can take an additional 3 people onto the ride, it does get very busy indeed.

But all of this is down to Merlin being greedy and overcrowding the parks.

Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:47

Ablondiebutagoody · 09/04/2026 11:46

I've done the application and got the card. It's a ball ache admin wise but hardly a thorough assessment.

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But you need the correct evidence … is my point.

you can’t just click struggle with crowds … you have to send evidence by other professionals.

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 09/04/2026 11:46

Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:43

Have you checked the nimbus application. They are not easy to get.

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I've done the application and got the card. It's a ball ache admin wise but hardly a thorough assessment.

Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:43

Ablondiebutagoody · 09/04/2026 11:41

Keep guessing. They are so easy to get. That's why every man and his dog has one and Merlin are scratching around trying to reform the system. People without RAP are ditching Merlin parks because its a shitty two-tier system.

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Have you checked the nimbus application. They are not easy to get.

OP posts:
Backpain2026 · 09/04/2026 11:43

Merlin parks are particularly badly managed overall, and that includes the ride access part.

Therefore it's easy to identify that as a failing of it being badly managed

Ablondiebutagoody · 09/04/2026 11:43

Vconcerned1 · 09/04/2026 11:39

I wouldn't wish my child's needs upon anyone, even people like you who think we all lie or milk it.

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I didn't say "all" 🤷🏻‍♂️

VerityUnreasonble · 09/04/2026 11:42

I don't go to theme parks for a variety of reasons but if I did, I couldn't stand in a long line (I'd faint, it would cause all sorts of issues for people). I've managed similar situations in the past by sitting on the floor and sort of shuffling but it's not ideal, especially if it's raining. It makes sense to be able to be somewhere with seats for the queue duration and then join at the appropriate time. I have no problem waiting my turn.

I guess alternatively I could use a wheelchair, but that would be a bit ridiculous as I don't have any problem walking really, just standing still for long periods.

It would make sense for me if everyone was in a virtual queue and I'm sure I've seen that in some places?

Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:42

Vconcerned1 · 09/04/2026 11:39

I wouldn't wish my child's needs upon anyone, even people like you who think we all lie or milk it.

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. My daughter and her friend were going on I think it was tiger rock. When they came out which was really quick they said it’s because the people in the rap line she she could in front and then the person before them said the same and so on ! Which is lovely.
she would never have asked or demanded mind.

OP posts:
McSpoot · 09/04/2026 11:41

Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:36

It is different im not saying it isn’t different i am saying we wait the same amount of time.

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Waiting implies in line. You booked the ride. It’s like saying someone who made a reservation for dinner three weeks in advance, waited for three weeks to have dinner.

I don’t have issues with the pass and have used similar at other parks but I think your argument is disingenuous and YABU.

Ablondiebutagoody · 09/04/2026 11:41

Sartre · 09/04/2026 11:36

Guessing people with the passes are disabled and have to prove this…

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Keep guessing. They are so easy to get. That's why every man and his dog has one and Merlin are scratching around trying to reform the system. People without RAP are ditching Merlin parks because its a shitty two-tier system.

Vconcerned1 · 09/04/2026 11:39

This reply has been deleted

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I wouldn't wish my child's needs upon anyone, even people like you who think we all lie or milk it.

Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:39

Backpain2026 · 09/04/2026 11:37

Not every ride is well managed, so it's not just one or two people on, it's an entire ride.

Having one stood at the front of the queue for almost 45 minutes( having already queued for over an hour) before being allowed on a ride because the entire ride was filled up by access pass riders, 8 times in a row, I can understand the frustration.

Also when one person is allowed to take five other people on at the same time it doesn't seem proportionate

This is the theme parks not following their own rules.

because a ride access doesn’t give you an extra 5 people in any Merlin park.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 09/04/2026 11:38

I think part of the issue here is that the RAP system has got so big that those who really need it don’t benefit from it and the amount of people accessing it makes it harder for those who don’t have them.

So for those they help they are great but I don’t think the system works brilliantly.

Sartre · 09/04/2026 11:38

Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:35

So for example if our line pass is not timed out and we wanted to go on dragon fury which had a 90 minute wait. Our pass was open to use, we click the ride on the app and head there. You scan the code at the front of the ride and then your pass will sighed out for 90 minutes. You then join the rap line … after you get off the ride you can not access any other ride with the pass for 90 minutes.

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Ah that’s fascinating, thanks for explaining. My youngest has SEN and is insufferable in queues- we basically spend the whole time wrangling with him and that’s getting harder the older he gets so I’ll have to look into this!

Backpain2026 · 09/04/2026 11:37

Not every ride is well managed, so it's not just one or two people on, it's an entire ride.

Having one stood at the front of the queue for almost 45 minutes( having already queued for over an hour) before being allowed on a ride because the entire ride was filled up by access pass riders, 8 times in a row, I can understand the frustration.

Also when one person is allowed to take five other people on at the same time it doesn't seem proportionate

Greymatterwriter · 09/04/2026 11:37

We found those queuing systems a godsend when DS was younger, he has grown out of the worst of it now he is older and he can actually be reasoned with so we don’t use them anymore as it would be unfair. For as long as kids have been disabled there have been people complaining about them getting treated in different “better” ways because they don’t understand disability.

You just have to be thankful about businesses who really try to include people who wouldn’t be able to participate and ignore any ignorance that comes up. People will always complain about something.

Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:37

Sartre · 09/04/2026 11:36

Guessing people with the passes are disabled and have to prove this…

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Yes you have to send very detailed evidence to nimbus to qualify.

OP posts:
Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:36

McSpoot · 09/04/2026 11:33

You’re being disingenuous. With the pass you can do other things during the waiting period - very different than spending the time in one line. If it wasn’t different, why would there be a pass?

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It is different im not saying it isn’t different i am saying we wait the same amount of time.

OP posts:
Sartre · 09/04/2026 11:36

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Guessing people with the passes are disabled and have to prove this…

Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:35

Sartre · 09/04/2026 11:33

I didn’t realise they worked this way, I always thought the person could skip ahead and go to the front of the queue. If it works as said above and you can go on another ride/walk around/eat etc rather than stand in the queue, how do you know when it’s your turn to come back? Just curious.

So for example if our line pass is not timed out and we wanted to go on dragon fury which had a 90 minute wait. Our pass was open to use, we click the ride on the app and head there. You scan the code at the front of the ride and then your pass will sighed out for 90 minutes. You then join the rap line … after you get off the ride you can not access any other ride with the pass for 90 minutes.

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 09/04/2026 11:34

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McSpoot · 09/04/2026 11:33

Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:30

We do wait the same amount of time that’s the point.

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You’re being disingenuous. With the pass you can do other things during the waiting period - very different than spending the time in one line. If it wasn’t different, why would there be a pass?

Sartre · 09/04/2026 11:33

I didn’t realise they worked this way, I always thought the person could skip ahead and go to the front of the queue. If it works as said above and you can go on another ride/walk around/eat etc rather than stand in the queue, how do you know when it’s your turn to come back? Just curious.

Indianajet · 09/04/2026 11:33

Neemon · 09/04/2026 11:27

I don’t get why anyone who can’t queue would go to a theme park. Just don’t go or don’t take your child.

So children would have to miss out on experiences available to those without additional needs? I thought we were trying to include everyone where possible with a bit of empathy?
I am not personally affected , and would be happy to wait a little longer if it helps make life a bit brighter for someone with additional needs.