Access pass for Alton Towers

[merlinsmagic]

Is it possible to just take a referral letter from your GP or mental health worker and show it to the access team at Alton Towers to get an access pass for disability?
The website says it has to go through nimbus and a detailed application process at least 7 days before you plan on going.
I would think they’d be quite strict and a letter from a medical professional presented to the desk on the day isn’t going to cut it.
My brother thinks he can just take the letter and he and his friend can use the ride access system.
I suspect he will be disappointed.
Has anybody any recent experience of getting an access pass?

It’s highly unlikely to work, they are very strict as otherwise the access queues just get out of hand.

Even with an Access Card you need to book your access pass (usually months) in advance using their online booking. If you’re lucky there are cancellation slots that become available on the day.

Having an Access Card is great though, although they can be quite strict on who they’ll approve and a GP letter might not cut it.

It won’t work. You need to apply for the Nimbus pass.

I’ve told him but he’s not listening and thinks he can charm his way into a pass

Well then he will find out the hard way. Having first joined a long queue of people picking up their passes. 😆

I’ll not tell him about that

Not that easy unfortunately. You'll need to forward any drs letters etc to Nimbus and get a card.

Plus you'd need to pre book your RAP. They book up extremely quickly.

He's on a hiding to nowhere. Not only do you have to apply for a Nimbus card but Nimbus are very specific about what evidence they will accept, especially for proof of a +1.
Generally if you're trying to get a +1, you need evidence to say exactly why you need a +1. A referral letter almost certainly won't be enough as it doesn't state exactly what his needs are and why he needs someone else with him.

And having flicked through the Alton Towers website, it seems like you need a Nimbus Card with either a queueing or wheelchair symbol on it to be eligible for the access pass. Having just the +1 doesn't seem to be enough and Merlin will direct you back to Nimbus to get the symbols you need.

I’ve sent him the links to the website but he knows better and is sure he’ll get magically granted a pass. He’ll probably phone me saying they are being unreasonable and won’t give it him.

Let him turn up without one. He'll soon learn.

Does he even need the ride access pass?

It reads like he doesn't even need it and is just chancing it.

If he does need it, he needs to apply for the RAP card and then book a slot to use it. Having a card isn't even enough these days, you need to prebook the RAP use.

They 100% won't give it to him on the day if he just rocks up with a doctors note.

All the information is on the website and is clear, ignorance won't cut it.

Yep, he’ll soon learn and will get no sympathy from me. He’s been referred for ADHD and autism assessments so he might qualify. I don’t know what his reasons are for wanting a pass other than not standing in the queue. He might have genuine reasons that I don’t know about. I’ve told him he can buy a fast track pass instead.

He didn’t get one. He said they told him they had none left due to being very busy. I’m not sure I believe him but he had a great time anyway and queued 3 hours for rides quite happily 🤷🏼‍♀️

Last time I went there were a limited number. I think DH booked one when he booked a ticket in advance.

It's been so busy this weekend and a bit of a nightmare so that would be true.

They have updated their terms on the website this year to say that no passes at all will be issued on the day and they all must be prebooked.

Last year they had a wait list and you could get passes on the day if luck was on your side. But even then you still needed to have applied for, and been accepted for a RAP card.

Haven't read through the thread ao apologies if repeating.

First you need a nimbus card - whixh in itself isn't easy to get and takes a while.

Then you now need to apply for a ride access pass and these run out quickly and need bookin at least 7 days in advance (in all honesty I would book now for summer hols).

Last year we cocked up - already have a nimbus card but thought we could just rock up and show this to get a rap (as you could in previous years but we couldn't 🤦🏼‍♀️)