AIBU to think Merlin Ride Access passes are unfairly judged?

[Festivalfanatic]

We went to one of the Merlin parks Easter weekend and over the years I’ve seen many people get angry at Ride access lines and nothing has changed it seems.
this particular day it seemed everyone was on their high horse about it. Including one man exclaiming to his wife “ they let too many specials in “
then social media the last few days now the parks are open have loads of videos about RAP “ queue Jumpers “.

My DD has a RAP card and we wait just as long as everyone else sometimes longer than others to get on rides. It’s not instant access.

the pass times out for the length of time that the main line states and then you can’t use it again until it times back in. Then when it does time back in you have to go and scan in the ride you want and then there is also a line ( ok not as long as the main line ) but we will have to wait that amount of time anyway. Plus the waiting time in the RAP line. They do not let all the RAP line in its usually 1-2 at a time per ride. The rest is from the main line and then we get timed out for the length of time the queue indicates on top of the time we have already waited.
how would removing it or it not existing help the main line ? It would just actually make it longer so you would still be waiting averagely longer to ride anyway !
why do people judge it so much ?

what is the alternative ?

This is the theme parks not following their own rules.

because a ride access doesn’t give you an extra 5 people in any Merlin park.

I wouldn't wish my child's needs upon anyone, even people like you who think we all lie or milk it.

Keep guessing. They are so easy to get. That's why every man and his dog has one and Merlin are scratching around trying to reform the system. People without RAP are ditching Merlin parks because its a shitty two-tier system.

Waiting implies in line. You booked the ride. It’s like saying someone who made a reservation for dinner three weeks in advance, waited for three weeks to have dinner.

I don’t have issues with the pass and have used similar at other parks but I think your argument is disingenuous and YABU.

. My daughter and her friend were going on I think it was tiger rock. When they came out which was really quick they said it’s because the people in the rap line she she could in front and then the person before them said the same and so on ! Which is lovely.
she would never have asked or demanded mind.

I don't go to theme parks for a variety of reasons but if I did, I couldn't stand in a long line (I'd faint, it would cause all sorts of issues for people). I've managed similar situations in the past by sitting on the floor and sort of shuffling but it's not ideal, especially if it's raining. It makes sense to be able to be somewhere with seats for the queue duration and then join at the appropriate time. I have no problem waiting my turn.

I guess alternatively I could use a wheelchair, but that would be a bit ridiculous as I don't have any problem walking really, just standing still for long periods.

It would make sense for me if everyone was in a virtual queue and I'm sure I've seen that in some places?

I didn't say "all" 🤷🏻‍♂️

Merlin parks are particularly badly managed overall, and that includes the ride access part.

Therefore it's easy to identify that as a failing of it being badly managed

Have you checked the nimbus application. They are not easy to get.

I've done the application and got the card. It's a ball ache admin wise but hardly a thorough assessment.

But you need the correct evidence … is my point.

you can’t just click struggle with crowds … you have to send evidence by other professionals.

I suppose when you take into consideration each RAP holder can take an additional 3 people onto the ride, it does get very busy indeed.

But all of this is down to Merlin being greedy and overcrowding the parks.

Oh FFS. Could you be any more ableist??

Being disabled doesn't mean you don't want to do things, just that you might need some help to do them.

maybe you'd prefer we were all
locked away out of sight?

I think that the bar is set way too low, and unless you have RAP, it's a terrible day out. I can totally understand people being annoyed at the two tier system. The two experiences are like chalk and cheese.

Yanbu op, but your post will bring out all the usual ableist nonsense. See also: you're getting a diagnosis so you can claim DLA.

I say this as a parent to an adhd teenager who gets bored queueing like everyone but doesn't need a RAP and hasn't got one - his main symptom is inattentiveness and disorganisation rather than hyperactivity. I also have an autistic dd who probably would benefit from a RAP, but I can't be bothered with the disapproving looks so just won't take her.

The RAP provides equity for those who are otherwise disadvantaged and excluded. I'm fine with that.

There are too many people getting the passes. I say that as a parent of three disabled boys. We used to go to smaller parks on quiet days and just taught them to queue like everyone else. You are not always helping them by teaching them they don't need to even try.

The passes are easy to get. I had evidence and all that but tbh, they could wait. Sometimes, we would go to places with a charity and they would get us passes for the whole bus, whether we needed them or not.

You'll get some kid like my youngest who is diagnosed autistic but pretty much as functional as anyone getting a pass and then taking their whole family and friends through to the ride with them. It's not really fair is it?

I think it does need a complete overhaul.

My ds is a wheelchair user. He has no issue suing apart from the fact their own design makes it impossible for him to access the ride via the main queue.

So he gets a RAP. He waits as long as it takes at the 1 lift per ride. Then has to wait as long as the queue line until he can access the next ride. So often waits 1.5 hours between rides instead of the 1hr the people in the main queue - he cannot access through the parks design - wait.

But your answer is he shouldn’t go if he can’t queue.

should he also not leave the house because he needs a ramp to get onto the train? Or the bus step lowered so he can wheel on? Because this all takes longer than those who can walk and also means they have to wait.

These ablist attitudes stink.

There are 4 "needs" for the RAP.

• Difficulty Standing
• Level Access
• Urgent Toilet Needs
• Difficulty with Crowds

The last one is the issue. It is the vast majority of RAP holders who have this down as their reason for needing one which is why they tried to remove it to make the lines shorter for those with physical disabilities (I'm not condoning this by the way).

If you're willing to pay a private nurse or GP to write you a letter saying you have ADHD or anxiety, that's all you need. It's not exactly a thorough PiP assessment.

A private GP is not goin to forge documents.

Going to the bathroom (yet again, before I pee my pants), eating very boring, required food & taking medication, sitting down (before I fall down) ....

Yeah fucking fantastic, I'd happily swap any 'advantage/discount' or fast pass for my life prior becoming disabled & being able to stand in a queue.

also it’s not the issue because the amount of grunts we have has other the years and you see my daughters disabled. She has not got a pass for nuerodivergency.

You can pay online for a GP letter. £50

Yes what and you can ask them to write things that are not true ?

But surely they're not going to put in the letter that you have a diagnosis, when you don't actually have one?

If you say you have trouble with crowds then what test can they do? They will just report it in the letter. Tbh, it will probably say 'patient reports...' but that would probably be enough.