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Lego Land and DDA
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Flyboy152
Posts: 17,118 Forumite
Having spent the day at Lego Land in Windsor, I returned home with a nasty taste in my mouth, about the way we had been treated. Flyboy12 is ASD, ADHD, CAPD and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. We discovered, two years ago that he can have a special pass that allows him to avoid queues (those who are familiar with the disorders mentioned before, will understand how important it is to avoid queues). We had registered his annual pass as a disabled child and this gives the opportunity for him to have a carer to go with him for free. We had been going for many years and never knew of this scheme. We would spend a lot of money to get in, only to be wasted, because he decided to have a bad day, which meant that he couldn't face queuing for the rides, or that we would have to leave altogether.
With an "exit" pass (an ink stamp on the back of the hand) we are allowed to go to the ride exit and join a shorter queue with about four or five other disabled people. He and up to four other guests with him, would be allowed on the rides with a relatively short wait. This was great, because as a child with ASD etc., he doesn't have many advantages in life and with this he is able to enjoy a day out without having panic attacks and us having to cut our day short (this was particularly unfair on Flyboy10).
However, this year they have changed their procedure. We now have to sign a card and agree to a list of terms and conditions for the scheme, but the benefits of this scheme have been restricted. We have to present this A5 sized yellow card to each ride have it signed and timed by the staff and we are not allowed to take part in any of the six major rides for another hour, regardless of how long the able-bodied queue is. So, for example, if we go on the Viking Splash ride, we cannot go on the Pirate Falls ride for another hour, even if the normal queue for that ride is only half an hour long.
Lego Land's rationale for this change in procedure is because they received complaints from other "guests" that they couldn't get on rides, because disabled people were jumping the queues.
Now, the point with the DDA, as I see it, because we have to sign an agreement to use the exit passes within restricted conditions and have to present a large yellow card to the staff on each ride, this discriminates against disabled people. Also because he now has to wait longer than able-bodied people before he can go on a ride also discriminates.
But the worst and perhaps the most disturbing reason, is that Lego Land has apparently taken account of complaints from able-bodied customers that disabled people are given concessions, which allows them to enjoy the theme park, as much as the able-bodied do. But just as discomforting is the fact that people complained in the first place.
With an "exit" pass (an ink stamp on the back of the hand) we are allowed to go to the ride exit and join a shorter queue with about four or five other disabled people. He and up to four other guests with him, would be allowed on the rides with a relatively short wait. This was great, because as a child with ASD etc., he doesn't have many advantages in life and with this he is able to enjoy a day out without having panic attacks and us having to cut our day short (this was particularly unfair on Flyboy10).
However, this year they have changed their procedure. We now have to sign a card and agree to a list of terms and conditions for the scheme, but the benefits of this scheme have been restricted. We have to present this A5 sized yellow card to each ride have it signed and timed by the staff and we are not allowed to take part in any of the six major rides for another hour, regardless of how long the able-bodied queue is. So, for example, if we go on the Viking Splash ride, we cannot go on the Pirate Falls ride for another hour, even if the normal queue for that ride is only half an hour long.
Lego Land's rationale for this change in procedure is because they received complaints from other "guests" that they couldn't get on rides, because disabled people were jumping the queues.
Now, the point with the DDA, as I see it, because we have to sign an agreement to use the exit passes within restricted conditions and have to present a large yellow card to the staff on each ride, this discriminates against disabled people. Also because he now has to wait longer than able-bodied people before he can go on a ride also discriminates.
But the worst and perhaps the most disturbing reason, is that Lego Land has apparently taken account of complaints from able-bodied customers that disabled people are given concessions, which allows them to enjoy the theme park, as much as the able-bodied do. But just as discomforting is the fact that people complained in the first place.
The greater danger, for most of us, lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark
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Comments
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I don't see any discrimination. You are being given access to the rides without queueing, but in fairness to other guests you are not allowed to go on all the top rides all of the time.
He does not have to wait longer than able bodied guests, you just need to plan your time better. LegoLand has over 55 rides, so you have the option of 49 other rides to fill the hour until you go on the next 'big' ride.Gone ... or have I?0 -
Whilst I can understand your annoyance at now having to wait an hour before being able to join the fast queue for the next big ride, it does sound like legoland does still cater for disabled people and their families very well.
They could just say that the disabled person and one other person (carer) can join the short queue, but you say that up to 4 people can go with them which is pretty generous.
I've never been to legoland, but if as dmg says, there are 55 rides - then theres plenty to do while waiting to join the short queue for the next big ride. And if the queue for one of them did happen to be quite short, then I'm sure you could all join the main queue without having to wait for the hour limit or getting the yellow card signed.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX:wave:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX0 -
As a parent of 2 autistic children, I would like to respond.
I can understand if able bodied people feel agrieved if they are queing for long periods of time, when disabled can have a quick queue, with as you say four or five people, and then maybe go to the back of their line and start again having multiple rides in the time that able bodied persons have just one.
If the system and concessions are abused, then I can understand why people have comaplined. I'm sure any theme park making changes, would not take the decision lightly, and would evaluate the situation, and witness for themselves to see if the complaints were justified.
It's about all being treated fairly and equally.
The arrangement for 4 people to use the advantage of express queue if far more generous than just the disabled person and carer.
You also have a discounted entrance fee, so the carer goes free.
Big deal you need to get a Big Yellow Card signed. Fold in in half, or quarters, it's not discriminating so don't search for complaints. It allows you to use the express queue in a fair manner.
Queing is a pary of everyday life, and like it or not, our children are going to need to cope with it, in one way or another. There are not always going to be express queues. So it's very noce where there is such a thing, but more important, is coping strategies for when there are not.
As for the statement about 'not being many advantages in life', is possibly the route of the problem.
It's such a defeatist attitude.
I'll never let my kids use their autism as an excuse. Yes, there are things that are difficult, and hard to cope with, but the minute they give in, then the autism has beaten them, and got the better, and as their parent I don't want that to happen.
Autism doesn't have to be a negative. Turn it around, and use it to their advantage.
Regards
Munchie
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All of those changes are perfectly fair and reasonable. Also they would never have to wait longer if one of the big rides had a short line (but let's be honest they're always going to be about an hour) you could still just join the regular line and not use your pass.
You.ve had it extra cushy in the past with this scheme and now it has been made fair but still very generous, there is nothing to be complaining about at all. Don't be greedy."Life is what you make of it, whoever got anywhere without some passion and ambition?0 -
" ive got adhad i what to go on all rides NOW..... stamps fott .......or whatever this new age noncence is.
dda if fairness to disabled not to take the !!!! of able bodied...
and my veiw is the op is abled bodied, as i though t the reason disabled did not have to que the normal way is because there chair wont fit between the barriers and the twists and turns of th e que...
every one gets !!!!ed off queing on a hot day for 1 hr to get on a ride but thats life...
op noone ows u anything so wake up and see the real world!0 -
" ive got adhad i what to go on all rides NOW..... stamps fott .......or whatever this new age noncence is.
dda if fairness to disabled not to take the !!!! of able bodied...
and my veiw is the op is abled bodied, as i though t the reason disabled did not have to que the normal way is because there chair wont fit between the barriers and the twists and turns of th e que...
every one gets !!!!ed off queing on a hot day for 1 hr to get on a ride but thats life...
op noone ows u anything so wake up and see the real world!
I agree with your post completely but thought I'd mention the other valid reasons for such a pass like reduced time standing forthose who have mobility problems but can avoid using a chair like those who use crutches (not just for a broken leg of course). There are plenty of people who can get around with crutches but to not be able to sit and res for 2 hours straight would be completely impossible for them."Life is what you make of it, whoever got anywhere without some passion and ambition?0 -
jetta_wales wrote: »I agree with your post completely but thought I'd mention the other valid reasons for such a pass like reduced time standing forthose who have mobility problems but can avoid using a chair like those who use crutches (not just for a broken leg of course). There are plenty of people who can get around with crutches but to not be able to sit and res for 2 hours straight would be completely impossible for them.
yea i see what u mean i really mean peole would cant walk ,
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" ive got adhad i what to go on all rides NOW..... stamps fott .......or whatever this new age noncence is.
dda if fairness to disabled not to take the !!!! of able bodied...
and my veiw is the op is abled bodied, as i though t the reason disabled did not have to que the normal way is because there chair wont fit between the barriers and the twists and turns of th e que...
every one gets !!!!ed off queing on a hot day for 1 hr to get on a ride but thats life...
op noone ows u anything so wake up and see the real world!
*facepalm* Ignorant on so many levels.I must go, I have lives to ruin and hearts to break
My attitude depends on my Latitude 49° 55' 0" N 6° 19' 60 W0 -
ignorrant !dont tell me hidden disability with dozons of tribunals under ur belt ......Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »*facepalm* Ignorant on so many levels.
oh before u say TROLL no just fed up with 3/4 on this forum !0 -
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