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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:
Hoardasurass · 09/04/2026 11:33

Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:30

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

Show quote history

Unless you are physically in the queue no you don't, you are off doing other things whilst they are stuck standing in a queue and tbh thats not fair on those in the actual queue

TeenagersAngst · 09/04/2026 11:32

Mumsntfan1 · 09/04/2026 11:27

Surely it would be better is everybody could be in a virtual queue?

This is how Disney in Florida works. We spent most of the day on our phones trying to work out which queues we could join. They just need to let fewer people into parks so they are not so ridiculously crowded.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 09/04/2026 11:32

It works for people who are slow to move between rides/find queues difficult/find standing difficult. If Merlin didn’t oversell their parks, they might not be needed.

HobnobsChoice · 09/04/2026 11:32

I think the point that is being made is not that you don't have to wait but that unlike the main queue you do not have to stay in the queue at the ride. You can go to other no queue activities/rides or go for lunch and then go onto the ride. People without a RAP have to stand in a queue at the ride and cannot walk around. So it looks like queue jumping to others because you turn up after 1 hour and go on the ride while others are standing in the queue for that 1 hour.

Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:30

Hoardasurass · 09/04/2026 11:25

Its a form of queue jumping and whilst yes they would have to wait the same time as they do now (it wouldn't be much longer if it is, as you would be in the same queue as them rather than skipping ahead) the main thing is you would have to wait the same amount of time in a queue as they do which is fair.
Tbh i don't think these passes should exist in the first place and I say that as the mum of a disabled child who could get one of these passes and so could I for my own disabilities. If the noise, crowds or queues are to long for you then you either dont go or go on days set aside for asd etc customers.

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

OP posts:
McSpoot · 09/04/2026 11:29

Shallotsaresmallonions · 09/04/2026 11:23

There must be a lot of people with these passes. What's the point if you still have to wait as long or longer to get on a ride?

You can be in two places at once, essentially. Instead of standing in the line for the ride, you can go have lunch or ride another ride (which short enough lines that you don’t need the pass) or other things.

Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:29

Mumsntfan1 · 09/04/2026 11:27

Surely it would be better is everybody could be in a virtual queue?

I suppose but not sure how in reality it would work.

OP posts:
Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:29

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.

a disabled child should never get to go to a theme park ?

OP posts:
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.

Mumsntfan1 · 09/04/2026 11:27

Surely it would be better is everybody could be in a virtual queue?

Hoardasurass · 09/04/2026 11:25

Its a form of queue jumping and whilst yes they would have to wait the same time as they do now (it wouldn't be much longer if it is, as you would be in the same queue as them rather than skipping ahead) the main thing is you would have to wait the same amount of time in a queue as they do which is fair.
Tbh i don't think these passes should exist in the first place and I say that as the mum of a disabled child who could get one of these passes and so could I for my own disabilities. If the noise, crowds or queues are to long for you then you either dont go or go on days set aside for asd etc customers.

Original poster
Festivalfanatic · 09/04/2026 11:24

Shallotsaresmallonions · 09/04/2026 11:23

There must be a lot of people with these passes. What's the point if you still have to wait as long or longer to get on a ride?

Although there is a wait it’s no where near as long as the main line. You do wait the same length of the main line but virtually and not in the actual line.
Thats where it benefits us.
DD has medical devices in place and needs access etc so being able to wait in line but not physically is easier than waiting in the line standing.

OP posts:
Shallotsaresmallonions · 09/04/2026 11:23

There must be a lot of people with these passes. What's the point if you still have to wait as long or longer to get on a ride?