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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the Merlin RAP queues are overused

152 replies

NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:05

….which means the main queue moves much more slowly on rides with limited capacity, especially when it’s really busy and there’s also lots of fast track riders. Is it really fair that every ride access pass holder has about 3 people accompanying them?! Surely there should be just one carer per RAP user?

OP posts:
Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:08

All the friends and family members are also making the RAP queue much longer for those who are unable to queue.

OP posts:
SussexLass87 · 27/08/2023 23:09

I take it from your post that you don't have a disabled child who needs the ride access pass?

Life is really bloody hard when your child is disabled, why would you begrudge a family being able to enjoy a ride on a day out together?

Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:11

SussexLass87 · 27/08/2023 23:09

I take it from your post that you don't have a disabled child who needs the ride access pass?

Life is really bloody hard when your child is disabled, why would you begrudge a family being able to enjoy a ride on a day out together?

So do you not think the RAP queues are too long?

OP posts:
NameChangedForThis195206644 · 27/08/2023 23:12

Depends on the additional need I suppose - as a parent of a child with unpredictable behaviour/bolting/meltdowns, it is much safer, and easier, with a second adult around! But understand the frustration.

WhateverMate · 27/08/2023 23:13

It's difficult isn't it because if say 1 out of 3 siblings actually needs the pass, they'd be unable to enjoy the ride with the rest of the family if they didn't all queue together.

But I see what you mean, it kind of defeats the object if the queues are very long.

Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:14

NameChangedForThis195206644 · 27/08/2023 23:12

Depends on the additional need I suppose - as a parent of a child with unpredictable behaviour/bolting/meltdowns, it is much safer, and easier, with a second adult around! But understand the frustration.

Okay so maybe the number of carers could be varied depending on the needs of the pass holder.

OP posts:
AdditionalCharacter · 27/08/2023 23:14

Not everyone in those queues will have a RAP, some are using paid for fast track passes.

My DS gets a RAP at theme parks, if the RAP queue is too long, then we don't go on the ride. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Murphs1 · 27/08/2023 23:15

As someone who has a RAP pass I can understand your frustration, but a day out to a theme park is usually a family day out, so the whole family enjoy the rides together.

quitefranklyabsurd · 27/08/2023 23:15

so what for formation would you allow?

1 parent/carer disabled child and an additional child? Two additional children? What if that parent is a single parent - you can’t expect those children to queue on their own.

what about a family with a disabled child who want to enjoy a ride together? Are they allowed?

some people need two carers or what if there are two disabled people and two carers? Would you rather they queued seperatley even if they were spending the day together?

i can only assume you’ve no idea what it’s like trying to navigate a theme park with someone who’s not disabled and needs necessary adaptations.

Wattleanddaub · 27/08/2023 23:16

At Legoland at least the ride access pass only covers 4 people. Though there are 5 of us. Fortunately the operators tend to be understanding and not make one adult or child join the main queue.

SussexLass87 · 27/08/2023 23:17

NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:11

So do you not think the RAP queues are too long?

Show quote history

Like a PP has already said - some people have R.A.P, others have paid extra for the fast track.

The people who have a R.A.P have had to submit a very long form and a lot of evidence to prove why they need one.

And yes, a family deserves to be able to enjoy a ride together.

Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:18

Or maybe the friends and family could join the main queue and the RAP holder and their carer could jump in when they get to the front. That way any ‘taggers on’ still have to queue, and the RAP don’t have to wait in a queue when they struggle to do so.

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 27/08/2023 23:18

Queues at theme parks are a problem. It’s in their interests to admit too many people because not only do they get the ticket revenue up, they also get to sell fast passes. It’s frustrating that the queues are so long but I wouldn’t begrudge the disabled children/parents the chance to stay with their small family group.

SussexLass87 · 27/08/2023 23:19

Do you or your family members need a R.A.P OP?

Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:20

Yes I noticed at chessington yesterday they were letting 4 or 5 go with one RAP, which again meant the RAP queue was also very long.

OP posts:
SweetieLie · 27/08/2023 23:20

Were you at Alton Towers? Their RAP system is poor. Paper based. No one signs form. Queues are long and so RAP holders just join next queue.

We went recently and the queues were so long. LEGOLAND is much better. There is an app and so you virtually queue and can only go on rides (via the RAP queue) when that time is up.

On your point about too many people. My son has a RAP. If it was one carer what would I do with my other 2 children? As others have said life is hard with a disabled child. There is a lot my child can’t do with his sibling (not physically able), this means we can do an activity as a family.

Hickry · 27/08/2023 23:23

🕳️Have you ever tried to get a ride access pass. Having recently applied for one for Drayton manor for the first time it's not an easy process! And the amount of people allowed on with the pass holder varies.

🕳️The suggestion of the pass holder hopping into the queue after the rest of the family have queued shows you don't really understand why they're needed.

🕳️Some places the ride access pass is the same queueing place as people who have paid for fast passes. Not everyone in that section are disability related. Some have paid to queue jump. Some have a genuine need to be able to access the rides differently.

🕳️Yabu.

Cubic · 27/08/2023 23:24

Paultons Park seems to get it right. Rap has to be precooked so that there are only so many users in the park on a given day and no fast passes.

Rap in my opinion is too easy to get. I know merlin are now using nimbus but that just seems as bad. They need to stop accepting Dr's letters as proof as private letters can easily be paid for, dla and pip doesn't mean someone can't queue and they need to continue to make new rides with their queue areas wheelchair accessible so in the future they can adopt the Disney world approach that anyone with mobility probs can use the main queue with an aid.

Rap holders need more than one person with them, they have every right to spend time together with their family and friends as anyone else does at a park. Some people also require more than one person with them.

AdditionalCharacter · 27/08/2023 23:25

The problem with other people in the RAP family queueing in the regular queue is that the person then potentially has to wait after their turn, which can lead to a very agonising stressful situation and potentially a quick end to an expensive visit.

Queueing isn't fun, but neither is having a child with a disability. I know which one Id rather have though.

Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:28

I’ve not applied for a RAP, but could probably get one (DC1 is type 1 diabetic), it does seem that lots of people can get them given the numbers in the queue. The RAP queues were actually longer than the some of main queues on some of the smaller rides at chessington yesterday, so main queue wasn’t going down.

OP posts:
Cubic · 27/08/2023 23:28

Just to add as well RAP is definitely abused, we've had merlin passes for about a decade and have seen all sorts and heard people in rap queues talking about free fast pass.

McFlyFan · 27/08/2023 23:29

As a support worker for adults with autism, learning disabilities and challenging behaviours and some of the people I support need 2 support workers. It would be unsafe to have only 1.

iminvestednow · 27/08/2023 23:31

Merlin ‘access passes’ mean you ‘virtual queue’ you have to log into that ride and show up at the correct time in the exact same way a fast track pass works. It’s still the same queue, you can’t be in more than one queue at once. How can you tell who has paid for fast track and who has a pass? It doesn’t make a difference to your wait times as we are still queuing, just not physically in the line. Your post shows zero understanding of the system. Also, even if it was grossly unfair, how about I trade you a child you will never live an independent life and I’ll wait an extra hour in a line for a fairground ride.

Flopsythebunny · 27/08/2023 23:32

NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:20

Yes I noticed at chessington yesterday they were letting 4 or 5 go with one RAP, which again meant the RAP queue was also very long.

Fancy being jealous of a family looking after a disabled member.

How would you feel if your family went for a day out and couldn't go on rides together?

Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:32

I do understand that some people will need more than one person supporting them, but not everyone who has a RAP will need more than one carer

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