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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:
Cubic · 27/08/2023 23:33

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

No but they deserve to have a day out with their family in the same way a non disabled person would.

Dwappy · 27/08/2023 23:36

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.

Does it not depend on the park or type of pass? I've never used an access pass but I've paid for fast track. I didn't have to log or choose a time. I just went to the ride I wanted whenever I wanted. If the queue was too long I came back later.

Cubic · 27/08/2023 23:36

Rap does make the day easier and it is advantageous if you don't have a disability or if you do have a disability but could queue. This can't be denied.

For those who truelly need it though it is a reasonable adjustment made to meet their needs and allow access.

SussexLass87 · 27/08/2023 23:36

Cubic · 27/08/2023 23:33

No but they deserve to have a day out with their family in the same way a non disabled person would.

Show quote history

Cubic - totally agree.

Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:38

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

my DC is also disabled, we just don’t have a RAP

OP posts:
Cubic · 27/08/2023 23:41

Dwappy · 27/08/2023 23:36

Does it not depend on the park or type of pass? I've never used an access pass but I've paid for fast track. I didn't have to log or choose a time. I just went to the ride I wanted whenever I wanted. If the queue was too long I came back later.

Show quote history

Merlin operates different systems. At legoland and chessington you sign into a website which tells you the ride wait time. You select a ride and wait but during that time you can do other things or even go on other rides. Mythica and the new jumanji ride I'd slightly different.

At alton towers you get a red leaflet thst you take to the ride. The ride op should write down the time of the next ride you can go on based on queue length.

Not sure about Thorpe Park as we don't go there.

Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:41

Limiting the number of RAP on a given day like paultons park does sounds like a good solution.

OP posts:
UndercoverCop · 27/08/2023 23:42

It's the paid for fast track passes that need to go and theme parks need to limit daily capacity to a number they can actually cope with

UsingChangeofName · 27/08/2023 23:42

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.

I agree with this.
I don't think it is the RAP s that create the issue with the queues being so long (it is a relatively low % of families that access these). The issue is that people with money are allowed to "buy" their way to the front of the queue, surely ?

The parks should only sell entrance tickets to enough people so that they can all access all the rides, not keep packing people in so families get frustrated and then buy fast track, which then mean the queues move even more slowly.

Baconisdelicious · 27/08/2023 23:42

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

In all seriousness, maybe just think a bit? If you can't queue then can you stand around near to the queue whilst someone queues for you?

If you have a disabled child, would you be happy for the family to be split into two on a day out?

Bobbybobbins · 27/08/2023 23:43

Drayton Manor has allegedly 'toughened up' on people accompanying those who need the RAP and limited it to one carer. 'Luckily' we have two disabled children to applied for the access cards for both. Only to find that staff are still letting huge groups in on the access queue. Tbf they are mostly teens and I get they are uncomfortable challenging people.
Totally get people having NT siblings too- no idea what the solution is.

SussexLass87 · 27/08/2023 23:43

NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:41

Limiting the number of RAP on a given day like paultons park does sounds like a good solution.

Limiting the number of disabled children who can go on a day out?

Nice.

Flopsythebunny · 27/08/2023 23:44

NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:38

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

my DC is also disabled, we just don’t have a RAP

Don't believe you.
If they were, you would understand why families use them

SwingingGentlyUnderTheMoon · 27/08/2023 23:44

Baconisdelicious · 27/08/2023 23:42

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

In all seriousness, maybe just think a bit? If you can't queue then can you stand around near to the queue whilst someone queues for you?

If you have a disabled child, would you be happy for the family to be split into two on a day out?

This. Or if the parent is disabled, their partner is their carer and they want to go on with a child - you’re hardly going to send the child to queue alone.

WelshNerd · 27/08/2023 23:45

Merlin have recently sent a survey to those registered with rap to look at it ways to improve and make sure it's used fairly.

In my opinion, limiting it to one carer would make it unusable and we wouldn't be able to visit places like Legoland again.

I'm going to paultons park next month for the first time so hopefully that runs smoothly.

giggly · 27/08/2023 23:46

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.

The “taggers on” ffs I’m sure you meant to say the other family members.
How incredibly rude and disrespectful to disabled people and their families.
I’ll bet your the family that can run/walk easily from one attraction to another without any difficulty.
As a single parent with two dc, one with a RAP are suggesting one child waits in line themselves and then we “jump in”. Would be nice if my child could actually jump.
Again how utterly selfish of you

Original poster
NameChanger207 · 27/08/2023 23:46

Baconisdelicious · 27/08/2023 23:42

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

In all seriousness, maybe just think a bit? If you can't queue then can you stand around near to the queue whilst someone queues for you?

If you have a disabled child, would you be happy for the family to be split into two on a day out?

We are split into two because of the DCs height difference anyway, they both still have a great time at chessington.

OP posts:
Notamum12345577 · 27/08/2023 23:46

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. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The fast trap ‘should’ be a separate queue. I say should in brackets because it isn’t always, but the parks have been separating more of them where possible.

DragonFly98 · 27/08/2023 23:46

Family life is so hard for families with disabled children, do you really begrudge them a day out together as a family!

Cubic · 27/08/2023 23:46

SussexLass87 · 27/08/2023 23:43

Limiting the number of disabled children who can go on a day out?

Nice.

Show quote history

Paultons Park have this policy in place. I think for those with merlin annual passes this could work if they identified the passes as needing rap when you prebook your day.

  • annual pass holders have had to prebook access for a particular day since covid.
DragonFly98 · 27/08/2023 23:48

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.

They do wait in the queue anyway just virtually.

Dwappy · 27/08/2023 23:48

SussexLass87 · 27/08/2023 23:43

Limiting the number of disabled children who can go on a day out?

Nice.

Show quote history

Isn't that just similar to any event selling out? Its a shame but if they want to keep wait times down for those with passes they have to do something. If on one particular day everyone with an access pass wanted to go then the RAP queues would be horrendous. Then everyone would be complaining about that. The point of them is that those using them don't need to queue. If the queues are as long as the general queue then they become pointless. People already say they should limit the amount of people in theme parks generally. So if that happens non disabled children will also miss out. It's a shame. But if you want a place like that running efficiently with hardly any queues then yes they need to limit numbers.

sunflowerdaisyrose · 27/08/2023 23:48

I have a physical disability (though most things I can do just fine and doesn't affect my ability to queue in any way - it impacts me in very specific ways). My child has a disability that means she can't queue and has a RAP. If your child has a disability that means they can't queue then apply for one with the evidence - not all disabilities do.

Im glad they allow 4 people to use it as means we can have a family day out together and not spend the day in 2 pairs as we have to do a lot of the time due to access (or lack of).

Cubic · 27/08/2023 23:50

WelshNerd · 27/08/2023 23:45

Merlin have recently sent a survey to those registered with rap to look at it ways to improve and make sure it's used fairly.

In my opinion, limiting it to one carer would make it unusable and we wouldn't be able to visit places like Legoland again.

I'm going to paultons park next month for the first time so hopefully that runs smoothly.

We've not had a survey, so maybe not all rap users? I'd be interested in filling it out.

Paulton's is a breeze compared to Merlin. Make sure you prebook for rap before you go if you haven't already. Hope you have z great time.

AnIndianWoman · 27/08/2023 23:55

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