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Original poster

Alton Towers to remove disability pass for people with ADHD and anxiety

740 replies

AnitaRita · 06/02/2026 16:10

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gwgj4xreo
Too many people wanting to join the "Fast pass queue" so you actually end up with two queues rather than one queue and a fast entry! Got to agree with them - if you're too anxious to queue then a white knuckle ride is probably not for you!

People riding a rollercoaster, their legs dangling underneath the carriage as it speeds at an angle round the track

Alton Towers to remove disability pass for people with ADHD and anxiety

Operator Merlin Entertainments said the pass was no longer working as intended because of increasing demand.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gwgj4xreo

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
KilkennyCats · 06/02/2026 18:54

Mydoghealsmyheart · 06/02/2026 18:53

Usually people have to produce evidence of their child’s disability at theme parks and don’t/can’t rely on a lanyard!

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How do you produce evidence of anxiety?

StepAwayFromGoogling · 06/02/2026 18:55

Tell me you know nothing about coping with a child with ADHD or autism, without telling me you know nothing about coping with a child with ADHD or autism.

LizzieLemons · 06/02/2026 18:55

Mydoghealsmyheart · 06/02/2026 18:50

You completely misunderstand why people may need to avoid the specific stressors of long queues and yet they can enjoy the sensory experience of various rides. Please don’t judge people in the way you are. It’s hard enough raising children with disabilities without people making unqualified statements.

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I have a disabled relative and have lots of experience with others whom have chronic medical conditions.

If you can tolerate a ride you can tolerate a queue regardless of what stressors you suggest are enjoyable as opposed to others that aren't.

Mydoghealsmyheart · 06/02/2026 18:55

RudolphTheReindeer · 06/02/2026 18:54

I think the whole point of reasonable adjustments making things accessible to those who would otherwise be unable to access things has severly bypassed many in this thread.

Thank you for being a voice of reason. 💐

XiCi · 06/02/2026 18:55

UserFront242 · 06/02/2026 16:30

Anxiety does not mean someone is anxious about everything.
Some has already explained the difference between queuing and going on a ride already.

Edited
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Agreed. A number of people have explained but it seems there are some very thick people on here. The ignorance is astounding

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 06/02/2026 18:56

@AnitaRita "f you're too anxious to queue then a white knuckle ride is probably not for you!"

That's not how anxiety works. I assume you have had that explained to you ad nausium in this thread. Thought I'd do it again to make sure though.

Mydoghealsmyheart · 06/02/2026 18:56

StepAwayFromGoogling · 06/02/2026 18:55

Tell me you know nothing about coping with a child with ADHD or autism, without telling me you know nothing about coping with a child with ADHD or autism.

💐💐💐

youalright · 06/02/2026 18:57

Fulmine · 06/02/2026 18:47

Why should disabled people do without when the problems they suffer can easily be ameliorated? You might just as well say that disabled people shouldn't be able to use public transport because helping them to access it is a bit inconvenient.

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Because life isn't fair and lots of disabled people can't use public transport. I can't

pinkdelight · 06/02/2026 18:58

All these people saying how much their DC love rollercoaster but can't queue...

Just buy a fast pass.

They're still available, just not free.

No one is being denied the ability to get on the rides and to queue jump if queuing is the problem. If it's a big deal to your kid, save up and pay for it like every other treat. Every aspect of theme parks is a massive rip-off, so just add fast passes to the list and you're sorted. No one has to be locked in cupboards.

I think the issue is being overstated in response to the news but it'll shake down okay when people adjust. If all else fails, go to the local fairground. Rarely much of a queue and often way more terrifying rides with friendly folk there to help.

littlelemonbiscuit · 06/02/2026 18:59

Mamamamamm · 06/02/2026 18:25

The problem with this is that it is being reported that it is those with anxiety and ADHD who are being affected and the public response is actually siding with merlin because they think those conditions - especially anxiety - shouldn’t be eligible anyway.

What people are failing to understand is that this means all autistic individuals can no longer access this - unless they have a physical condition. No one seems to grasp that this is directly preventing a huge amount of people from accessing the park . It is discrimination.

My son is 18 and autistic. He is heartbroken. Rollercoasters are his hyper focus . I have watched him on them and other thrill rides and he is stimming the whole time and he is happy , they regulate him. He knows he struggles and now knows unless it changes he won’t be able to go anymore. He spends his life watching others his age do things he cannot and live a life that he cannot and he is very aware of that. Theme parks are his thing , the things he looks forward to.

It is not anxiety that stops him being able to queue. He doesn’t get anxious about other people in the queue , but he gets overstimulated. It is standing in one place for a long time, with no distraction, and no certainty on when he can go on a ride. If the queue said 20 mins and we waited 20 mins and were not on he would go into meltdown as he would not understand why. These meltdowns are very distressing and can result in self injury and would mean the end of the day as he would be exhausted, embarrassed and upset. He can’t deal with not knowing when and why the queue hasn’t moved when he knows exactly how long the ride is on for .

A virtual queue can work - if he was told you can come back and go on this ride in 20 mins, 30 min , even an hour - because he would know the time . But he categorically cannot handle the queue . This is what these passes mean .

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Flowers That was very sad to read, I am so sorry for your son (and you) that this has happened. It sounds like he really needs and deserves this adjustment, I hope there is a re-think.

TakeTheCuntingQuichePatricia · 06/02/2026 18:59

LizzieLemons · 06/02/2026 18:55

I have a disabled relative and have lots of experience with others whom have chronic medical conditions.

If you can tolerate a ride you can tolerate a queue regardless of what stressors you suggest are enjoyable as opposed to others that aren't.

Show quote history

Maybe read the thread (and if you've read it, then read it again) as people have explained the difference.

Personally, I don't "tolerate" rides, I fucking love them. Last time I went to a theme park I was on a high for a couple of days. I can "tolerate" the queue and see it as a necessary evil. The end result outweighs the stress of queuing. My son doesn't particularly like rides and it definitely doesn't compensate for the queue. Which he finds harder than I do. So he doesn't come.

RudolphTheReindeer · 06/02/2026 19:00

youalright · 06/02/2026 18:43

People do have to accept that if you are disabled there will be limits to things you can and can't do. If you are unable to stand in a queue and wait your turn then you can't go on that specific ride it is what it is. I haven't been to a theme park in over 10 years because of my disabilities. I don't want or expect special treatment. Its nobody elses problem that I'm disabled

Well totally! I mean if you can't get your wheel chair up those few steps without a ramp you just shouldn't go to the cinema/bank/shop/dentist/pub/cafe/museum/etc.

Mydoghealsmyheart · 06/02/2026 19:01

KilkennyCats · 06/02/2026 18:54

How do you produce evidence of anxiety?

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There are many ways of doing this.

Hardhaton12 · 06/02/2026 19:02

In a really selfish way - I was a little excited about this happening so we could re take DD to theme parks 🙈🙈 - I think it will be over turned.
I admit it is due to selfishness that I agreed with the proposed plan !

RudolphTheReindeer · 06/02/2026 19:03

LizzieLemons · 06/02/2026 18:55

I have a disabled relative and have lots of experience with others whom have chronic medical conditions.

If you can tolerate a ride you can tolerate a queue regardless of what stressors you suggest are enjoyable as opposed to others that aren't.

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I have many disabled relatives and know many more disabled people. Many of them cannot tolerate a queue but are perfectly fine on a ride. What's your point?

LizzieLemons · 06/02/2026 19:03

'Maybe read the thread (and if you've read it, then read it again) as people have explained the difference.'

I've read it. The consensus from some seems to be people in queues are irritating and may overstimulate some and queuing can be unpleasant as opposed to rides which are thrilling.

I'm all for access for those in wheelchairs to be able to physically get to the ride easily but anyone mobile should queue or not go.

hazelnutvanillalatte · 06/02/2026 19:04

Playingvideogames · 06/02/2026 17:17

We already do. It’s so prevalent I basically don’t know anyone that doesn’t have an ND family member. That’s the whole point - it’s become so common it’s losing meaning. We did say but were told we were being ‘ableist’ for even thinking this. 🤷‍♀️

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Just because something is common doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Cancer is set to affect 50% of us - does that mean it has lost its meaning?

MrsScarecrow · 06/02/2026 19:04

Many years ago went to Disneyworld Florida where it was possible to hire wheelchairs. It was then possible to jump the queues. Remember seeing families taking turns in who was 'disabled '. Too many scumbags playing the system who ruin it for those with genuine needs.

LifeOfAShowgirl13 · 06/02/2026 19:05

LizzieLemons · 06/02/2026 18:55

I have a disabled relative and have lots of experience with others whom have chronic medical conditions.

If you can tolerate a ride you can tolerate a queue regardless of what stressors you suggest are enjoyable as opposed to others that aren't.

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“I have a disabled relative” 🤦🏼‍♀️ Me too!

I’m also a qualified psychologist and you are wrong…

Hardhaton12 · 06/02/2026 19:05

LizzieLemons · 06/02/2026 19:03

'Maybe read the thread (and if you've read it, then read it again) as people have explained the difference.'

I've read it. The consensus from some seems to be people in queues are irritating and may overstimulate some and queuing can be unpleasant as opposed to rides which are thrilling.

I'm all for access for those in wheelchairs to be able to physically get to the ride easily but anyone mobile should queue or not go.

Not all physically disabled people are in wheelchairs. We have today’s our nimbus and my DD who is not in a wheelchair still gets difficulty with standing.

We are Hoping it will be manageable if this goes ahead- we haven’t visited Legoland ( her fav place ) ina really long time due to last over haul of the RAP system.

LizzieLemons · 06/02/2026 19:06

MrsScarecrow · 06/02/2026 19:04

Many years ago went to Disneyworld Florida where it was possible to hire wheelchairs. It was then possible to jump the queues. Remember seeing families taking turns in who was 'disabled '. Too many scumbags playing the system who ruin it for those with genuine needs.

Just awful. No checks to see if anyone was actually immobile?

Sprogonthetyne · 06/02/2026 19:06

Unfortunately there parks will now be inaccessible to my autistic DC. Every autistic person has their own sensory profile, which can mean they're over sensitive to some types of input (sensory avoident) and undersensitive to others (sensory seeking).

DC are sensory avoident in regards to noise and close proximity to people, while also being sensory seeking in terms of proprioception (feel of body moving). Meaning they love rides, but can't cope with the environment of the queue.

Us been able to check in, then go for a walk until our allotted time instead of physically remaining in the queue area makes no difference to the wait times of people behind us in the queue. But to us it's the difference between having a nice day out, and DC crying, hurting themselves and becoming so distressed they need to be carried out of park sobbing before actually getting on the ride.

PineappleGummyBear · 06/02/2026 19:07

Muchtoomuchtodo · 06/02/2026 16:14

Why can’t everyone just have a virtual queuing system?

100% - don't the Disney Parks have this option? I would figure the parks would make more money as visitors would spend more times in shops/cafes

LizzieLemons · 06/02/2026 19:08

'Not all physically disabled people are in wheelchairs'

Of course they aren't but the only reason to get a fast pass should be due to practicalities of access not because a queue is too stimulating but a ride isn't.

Smoosha · 06/02/2026 19:08

BassinBas · 06/02/2026 18:50

This is exactly it. If they have technology that means no physical standing around for one group of people, they have it for everyone. They're just choosing not to utilise it across the board in order that they can charge even more money. And lobbing in a bit of "fake disability bashing" by way of distracting us from this.

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Some theme parks have some rides that have in the past been on virtual queue only. They sell out very very quickly. Could you imagine the ranting if you didn’t get in quick enough for your favourite ride or two yet you’d paid for a day ticket? And as I mentioned earlier, what if someone has ADHD and forgets the time they need to book and misses out? What if on the day lots of people with ADHD miss their slots? Or lots of people with autism have become overwhelmed and need some time out so can’t attend the slot they booked? Or would there need to be special open virtual queues for those with disabilities? Meaning there could be an influx at say 2pm, which then leads to delays for the rest of the time slots. Or do those people just get told tough you can’t ride now as all the disabled people get priority? Even though they all booked and paid correctly?

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