Over recent years, we’ve been thrilled to welcome more and more guests with disabilities to Merlin theme parks far and wide. To ensure that we meet and exceed the diverse needs of our guests, we're committed to listening to feedback and reviewing our facilities and the way we do things.
We’re excited to share with you the following improvements to the Ride Access Pass scheme for 2020, which we hope will make a visit to one of the UK Resort Theme Parks even more accessible and utterly enjoyable for you and your family!
Register just once
This year, we’re making it simpler and speedier than ever to register for a Ride Access Pass!
From February 28th 2020, all you must do is register once, with either Alton Towers Resort, THORPE PARK Resort, Chessington World of Adventures Resort or LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and you will be given a Merlin Yellow Ride Access Pass card on your first visit. This card will be your Ride Access Pass ID for all your visits over the following 24 months, which will have your name, photo and carer requirements on it and will be valid at all 4 parks.
Registration is the same at all 4 UK Theme Parks
All Resorts will accept the same documentation and have the same process of approvals for your registration. One of the following pieces of documentation is required for Ride Access Pass:
- Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance award letter (dated within the last 24 months) showing that you receive the higher rate mobility component.
- Personal Independence Payment letter (dated within the last 24 months) showing that you receive enhanced mobility component.
- A current and valid Blue Badge.
- A certified NHS letter from your doctor, consultant or Nurse clearly stating why you are eligible for the Pass (dated within last 2 years) which clearly states that you are unable to queue and why (we do not need a letter of diagnosis).
- A valid Access Card - We will accept guests who present an Access Card with the Queueing logo on it. (These cards are available from https://www.accesscard.org.uk/ ).
Documentation must be presented alongside valid photographic ID for the named recipient (if a photo is not already included on the document).
Carers and helpers
Making our attractions accessible to everyone is exceedingly important to us, however safety must remain our number one priority. During the registration you will answer a couple of short questions which will assess if a carer / helper over the age of 14 is required to ride with you on rides which have complex evacuations. If you require a carer/helper you will be given a Red Wristband when you visit an attraction, if you do not require a carer/helper you will be given a Yellow Wristband. As always, guests will be able to have up to 3 carers/helpers with them on the attractions.
How Ride Access Pass works
As in previous years, the Ride Access Pass will give you the option to visit your first ride and use the Ride Access Pass entrance, a time will be marked on your card which is when you can use the next ride. LEGOLAND Windsor continues to offer the pass on your mobile device and this year will be exactly like the other UK Theme Parks where you ride the first ride and then a countdown appears for your next ride.
Already registered with a photo card in 2019?
If you have already registered and have a photo card in 2019 then simply present this card before it expires on your next visit to a Merlin UK Theme Park. We’ll then issue you with a shiny new yellow pass valid for 24 months, without having to show any further documentation!
So there we go, we listened to your valued thoughts and feelings, the key feedback being the importance of consistency across the Theme Parks. We absolutely agree! We hope the improvements we have listed will help you have many more enjoyable and memorable experiences at Merlin attractions in 2020. As always, we welcome any and every bit of feedback from you, our friendly teams at the Resorts would be more than happy to listen!
All the best for your 2020 adventures!
Questions & Answers
Does the Ride Access Pass Card cost?
It’s absolutely FREE to register for a Ride Access Pass Card for Merlin UK Theme Parks. If you to misplace this, not to worry as we can replace it for a small administration fee of £5.
Last year I registered for Ride Access Pass and was given a reference number, what do I need to do in 2020?
Simply bring your 2019 reference with you on your first visit in 2020 and in exchange we will issue a a shiny new Yellow card which is valid for 2 whole years!