Alton Towers and disabled people

mrsmcmillan

Hey folks.

Me and the hubby plus possibly a friend are going to go to Alton Towers this weekend. I will get all 3 of us in under disabled/carer for 15quid if I book online and this also means we get in at 9 instead of 10. Because I am a blue badge holder I won't need to pay the 5pound parking charge and will get wristbands to skip the queues.

Anyway I just thought I'd say I was going thanks to some people telling me I can get these discounts on the 'what bargains can I get hunt'

I will also write a review on the service etc and how the park, ride and food lay outs are in terms of using a wheelchair.

If anyone has any other advice on how to make the most of my day I would be much appreciated.

Just need to go and look for a hotel to stay in...

Mhairi xxx

snoopy89

i went a year ago and had a good time, biggist problem i had they dont not have elec scooters for hire, it was a bind as i did not have a scooter at that time and its a big place. anyway hope u have a good time.:)

scottishf

Does anyone know if a DLA letter is sufficient proof of disablility in this park ?

ladymarmalade222

They changed their criteria a while back stating they required a doctors letter which says which problems cause you issues queueing.

I think they have had a rethink since ( I remember a piece in one of the national papers saying Alton Towers were asking for GP letters costing up to £50) then as they now state a blue badge for photographic evidence. I believe this is a much better idea as the wristbands were being heavily abused with people using friends/cousins DLA letters for proof. They also use the cards now where you have to leave a certain amount of time before you can go back on the ride ( Once is enough for me!:D) like at Thorpe Park.

I have been this weekend and can only praise how I have been treated. I am on Iv medication via a drip 3 times daily at the moment and they allowed me use of the medical centre and could not do enough to help.

Hope this helps.

xx

ladymarmalade222

Forgot to say, disabled parking is now £6 but is really close to the entrance so cannot grumble.

Also the concessions are if you pay for the disabled guest the carer gets in for free.

The only problem I had was that I required a wheelchair (due to just coming out of hospital and still not great) but they had run out by 10.30am and already had a waiting list. I think they are £20.00 deposit which they return.

xxx

nannytone_2

i went on july 28th last year and only needed my DLA award letter, so it must have changed within the last year

ladymarmalade222

Here you go:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/disabled-visitors-to-alton-towers-must-145765

I knew I was not going mad . As I said though, I think they have changed things again.

HTH

xxx

grummps

Is that right? That you only need a blue badge to gain discounted entrance etc?

If that is right then they are going backwards!

First they wanted sight of the DLA award letter
Now changed that to a BB.

Do they not know that you can get a BB and not be granted DLA as the needs are not of such signifance.

You can get a BB automatically with DLA HRM, but you can't automatically get HRM if you have a BB!

Surely it is much better to show the DLA award letter, the one that explains that you can have free road tax which means that you cannot, or virtually cannot walk?

Blue Badges are two a penny - you can 'borrow one' and you can even 'buy' one!!

L0RRY

grummps wrote: »

Is that right? That you only need a blue badge to gain discounted entrance etc?

If that is right then they are going backwards!

First they wanted sight of the DLA award letter
Now changed that to a BB.

Do they not know that you can get a BB and not be granted DLA as the needs are not of such signifance.

You can get a BB automatically with DLA HRM, but you can't automatically get HRM if you have a BB!

Surely it is much better to show the DLA award letter, the one that explains that you can have free road tax which means that you cannot, or virtually cannot walk?

Blue Badges are two a penny - you can 'borrow one' and you can even 'buy' one!!

anyone can borrow a dla letter from a family member/friend and pretend to be the named person whereas anyone borrowing/buying a bb couldnt use it alton towers because the photo is on the back.

ladymarmalade222

Yes, I believe it is the photographic evidence they are asking for, the showing of DLA letters was heavily abused by people using their friends/cousins DLA award letters.

The fast track passes are an extra £45 on top of entrance fee so many were using somebody elses DLA letter instead of having to pay the fee. I am glad they have changed their criteria.

xxx

grummps

L0RRY wrote: »

anyone can borrow a dla letter from a family member/friend and pretend to be the named person whereas anyone borrowing/buying a bb couldnt use it alton towers because the photo is on the back.

Not if they had to present other forms of acceptable evidence of ID as is required for most things today.

As for a 'dodgy' Blue Badge not having the correct photo, do you not know how easy it is to replace it with a photo of someone else?

A couple of quid down at the photo booth in your local ASDA will give you the photo. Then gently, with a craft knife, cut down the laminate at the edge of the old photo, pull it out and replace.

To be honest, I have yet to find anyone (other than a traffic warden) that asks to see the reverse side of the BB. They just accept it within the folder when shown.