Theme park clamps down on 'disabled' queue jumpers after 'customers took advantage of system'

Published: 01:46, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 01:53, 14 July 2026 A theme park has clamped down on 'disabled' queue jumpers after customers allegedly took advantage of the system. Drayton Manor - the UK's fourth biggest theme park - is implementing a 10-ride limit on its Easy Access Pass which lets visitors with disabilities skip the line. The scheme can be used by customers unable to stand or those who have 'urgent toilet needs'. But it has increasingly seen vast queues forming, consisting of visitors who have 'social interaction' concerns or claim they have neurodiverse mental health conditions such as autism and ADHD. Drayton Manor has now attempted to restrict the use of the pass by imposing a ride limit - in a bid for it to 'remain effective and available to the guests who need it most', The Telegraph reports. Over the past few years, a spiralling number of customers have been using the queue jump system applying 'additional pressure on queue times' for other theme park lovers. The attraction claims it has been trying out a range of different processes to combat the issue, including applying different schemes at peak and off-peak hours, as well as wristbands.  Social media posts from visitors to the park have claimed the number of rides an Easy Access card can apply to is changed from visit to visit - depending on how busy the venue is.  Drayton Manor has clamped down on 'disabled' queue jumpers after customers allegedly took advantage of the system (Stock Photo) The UK's fourth biggest theme park is implementing a 10-ride limit on its Easy Access Pass which lets visitors with disabilities skip the line One customer said they had only been allowed to skip nine queues, adding a picture of the pass with a blue cross marked through the 10th slot on the card.  The Daily Mail has approached Drayton Manor for comment.  It comes after Merlin Entertainments announced it would U-turn on its decision to trial changes to its Rapid Access Pass (RAP) system. The theme park company runs some of the UK's most popular attractions including Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor and Thorpe Park. Merlin uses the RAP pass to offer guests who might find it difficult to stand in lines for rides 'due to a disability or medical condition' with a 'queuing adjustment' - often a virtual queue option for themselves and up to three additional members of their party. But changes to the system meant people with disabilities including ADHD and autism would possibly no longer be eligible for the RAP pass at any Merlin attractions, leaving them to stand in busy queues with other parkgoers instead. The company in February revealed it would be pausing the trial, 'while we explore alternative options', after considering feedback it had received from guests. Rob Smith, chief operating officer of Merlin Entertainments said: 'Whenever we make changes to the Ride Access Pass (RAP), it's because we genuinely want to improve the experience for guests who rely on it. 'They've told us loud and clear that the current system isn't working. 'Demand for RAPs is high and increasing, making RAP bookings harder to get and sometimes resulting in longer waits than the main queue. This isn't the experience we want for anyone, and we've been working hard to a find better way forward.' The proposed changes caused great upset from theme park goers who would be impacted by the proposed move, as well as families with neurodivergent children. The theme park boss added: 'We've listened carefully to the extensive feedback and wide range of opinions from our RAP community on the proposed trial and believe it's important to take the time to fully reflect on this input. 'We have therefore decided to pause the trial while we explore alternative options.' Rob also explained how the system still needed to be changed because of the 'huge pressure' it was under, but Merlin would 'fully reflect' on the backlash to the trial. Social media posts from visitors to the park have claimed the number of rides an Easy Access card can apply to is changed from visit to visit - depending on how busy the venue is He went on to apologise on behalf of the company and said: 'For those who were impacted by our recent announcement, we are sorry. 'We will keep listening, learning and improving. Our commitment to supporting our guests with accessibility needs remains our absolute focus.' It comes after Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, said in May that 'an ADHD diagnosis alone should not get you a Blue Badge'. She was responding to concerns that councils were increasingly handing out the badges for hidden disabilities including anxiety.