Review Time
Taking away benefits for people like myself with hidden disabilities e.g ADHD is utterly disgusting , I struggle with people standing close to me , people voices causes distress in my head and its overstimulating for my brain throw a 2 year old and a 5 year old in the mix visits are no longer worth the hassle its more stress than it is a great time.
Sort yourselves out
The recent changes Merlin has made to its Ride Access Pass (RAP) system are deeply disappointing and raise serious concerns regarding discrimination against neurodivergent guests and those with non-visible disabilities.
With no meaningful warning, Merlin has implemented changes that effectively exclude neurodivergent individuals from accessing its parks. The message now being communicated is that unless a guest has a physical disability, they no longer qualify for support. This approach appears to disregard non-visible disabilities entirely.
Under the Equality Act 2010, disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Neurodivergent conditions clearly fall within this definition, and service providers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to avoid placing disabled people at a substantial disadvantage.
Merlin’s current RAP criteria do not reflect the real needs of many disabled guests and families and disproportionately affect neurodivergent children and their carers, placing them at a significant disadvantage compared to non-disabled guests.
The suggested “alternatives,” such as sensory rooms or purchasable ear defenders, do not constitute reasonable adjustments to the core barrier faced by neurodivergent guests: the inability to tolerate long queues. A sensory room does not make queueing accessible, and ear defenders do not make prolonged waiting manageable. These measures do not remove the disadvantage and therefore fall short of meaningful access provision.
As a neurodivergent parent of a neurodivergent child, we are now unable to access Merlin parks in the way we previously could. We are far from alone. Thousands of families who have relied on RAP for years to access attractions safely and fairly are now affected by these changes.
What makes this particularly concerning is the contrast between Merlin’s public commitments to inclusivity and accessibility and the practical effect of these policies. Inclusivity cannot be claimed while whole groups of disabled people are excluded. Equality is not achieved by recognising only visible disabilities.
Neurodivergent people are disabled by environments, and these changes actively increase that disadvantage. Until the RAP system is reviewed and neurodivergent guests are meaningfully recognised in line with Equality Act obligations, Merlin’s parks cannot reasonably be considered accessible or inclusive. As a result, myself and many others are cancelling our passes.
I have had a pass for years and have loved visiting Legoland and Chessington in particular. We have had many happy family days out.
However, the shameful and discriminatory changes to RAP means the parks are no longer inclusive and SEND friendly. Shame on you merlin!
The changes to the ride access pass means I am no longer eligible and can no longer use the ride access queue. As an autistic person, I will no longer be able to access the Merlin Parks. Merlin has effectively discriminated against people with non-visible disabilities. Since I was diagnosed autistic 3 years ago, I’ve tried really hard to improve my mental health and become less isolated, and visiting theme parks has really helped me and improve my mental health… but I’ve only been able to go with schemes such as ride access pass. Now I’m no longer eligible, despite the barriers and issues with using the queues not changing. I will absolutely not be renewing my Merlin annual pass. If I visit any Merlin run attractions, I will not spend a penny on food or merch… I don’t want any more of my money going to Merlin (and i always spend £20-30 per visit on food or merch)… I want to distance myself from such a discriminatory organisation who simply don’t care about people with disabilities such as autism… “oh but we have a sensory room”… It’s okay though, I will visit Paultons Park more now, and spend my money there instead. Shame on you Merlin.
Merlin’s changes to the ride access pass yesterday have now made it impossible for us as a family to enjoy a day out at a Merlin attraction as a family with a disabled child. As a family we love visiting theme parks but I will never be giving any Merlin attraction any money again after these new changes as it has been made no longer accessible for my child. It is DISCRIMINATORY beyond belief and I can’t comprehend how they have been able to get away with these new changes.
Dont use merlinThere not helpful ive been trying since 9.05 this morning to get things resolved they pass me over to a different team who say only merlin can help etc.Cant even book a day for my son now because no1 is helping with his ride access pass
We have been visiting for years and had numerous passes over the years, due to my sons surgery we haven’t renewed the passes last year and will just do the odd days but planned to rebuy in time for warmer weather…. After the new rules regarding ride access passes we will not be returning to any parks!How can a company suddenly stop the only thing in place to help ND visitors? It’s against the law what they are doing despite the fact it’s morally wrong!We visited Disney in October and their disability access is flawless, Merlin should really take note!I hope they review their decision or I really see legal action being taken.Disgusting to say they advocate for ND guests.
This is unfair for people with adhd autism and tics and learning difficulties like myself where queuing for long amount of times is stressful and affects my day!! This is truly unfair and I will be not renewing my pass in July due to not being able to use The ride access pass soon.
Dont use merlin
There not helpful ive been trying since 9.05 this morning to get things resolved they pass me over to a different team who say only merlin can help etc.
Cant even book a day for my son now because no1 is helping with his ride access pass
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