The restrictions have happened because it’s been abused. Now too many people try and use it - and in massive groups. A big group of 15 bring one child with an ADHD diagnosis and therefore all get the queue pass. So they’ve had to make cuts. The same with everything in life, it’s ruined by people who abuse the system.
On a much larger scale, take a look at Disney World. They have recently tightened their system up majorly. The first change was to the disability equals complete queue jump format - they changed it to virtual queue, so a return time and only one virtual queue at a time and capped how many people could accompany the person with the disability. They adapted most queuing areas so that wheel chairs and mobility scooters could fit, therefore removing the “easiest” way to abuse the system. But then the new system became overloaded so they’ve had to tighten up again, and this time even more people are cut and you now have to be interviewed face to face to explain why you physically cannot cope in a line.
From what I’ve seen in the case of Merlin, autism : complex needs etc are still permitted to use the virtual line and wait somewhere else because it makes sense. They’ve tightened up ADHD and anxiety because ultimately the terms are too broad I believe and it isn’t a system needed by all. There are plenty who can’t manage - alongside those who actually could - and that’s the problem. Many children with ADHD can be taught to wait and gradually build that resilience, and to be honest that isn’t a bad thing, I work with children with ADHD at school and it is not impossible at all to find strategies to cope with waiting…..and not all theme park queues are hours, we did Alton towers at Easter a couple of years ago and waited no longer than 30 minutes for anything.
Anxiety again is so broad - it’s abused. It’s real. A genuine disorder. Which some people can conveniently time. And too many people have. So everyone, genuine sufferers and abusers, are being cut from the system meant to be for a sufferers benefit and ease and allow the to participate in life.
I rather liked an idea me and my family saw in Florida last year where one of the popular rides for children had a massive play area as a queue - so you entered and were given a timer thing which vibrated when it was your turn to ride. Was great - us adults sat down, niece and nephew went and played, got buzzed and boarded ride within 5 minutes of being called. That was a good system.
It’s down to the number of people using it. I don’t know what the solution is.