Avoiding the Queues at Theme Parks
Theme parks such as Alton Towers Resort, Thorpe Park Resort, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort, and Chessington World of Adventures Resort have a Ride Access Pass system in place to help people with health problems, like Ectodermal Dysplasia.
A Ride Access Pass removes the need for guests to wait within the main ride queue lines, and enter through a dedicated entrance for Ride Access Pass users. Ride Access Pass applications are individually assessed to determine if you are unable to queue. You can collect your Ride Access Pass on your first visit to your chosen theme park, which will be valid for 3 years.
You can find out more here –https://www.legoland.co.uk/plan-your-day/before-you-visit/accessibility/theme-park-accessibility/ride-access-pass/
The Ride Access Pass states….
“The Ride Access Pass is a system we have in place to help guests who require extra assistance, or are unable to queue, due to a condition or disability. This allows them access to the rides via a queuing system for themselves and up to three people (one of which must be age 14+).”
Having a member of your family affected by ectodermal dysplasia who cannot sweat, or sweats excessively, will have problems queuing, and therefore will benefit from a Pass. To help you obtain a Pass, the following information may be helpful to document when you apply:
The major and life-threatening symptom of Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED) is the total absence of any sweat glands, whereby the sufferer can easily overheat leading to fits and ultimately death. Equally, excessive sweating causes rapid dehydration with the same outcome.
Lack of temperature control, even on days when the temperatures are considered normal, means that he/she (delete where appropriate) can walk no more than a few yards in sunshine, or on a warm day.
In addition to this, children affected by ED cannot control their temperature in cold weather, causing hypothermia to the point that it is also extremely dangerous for them.
Children and individuals who have non-functioning and missing sweat glands are therefore unable to maintain a constant internal core body temperature leading to overheating at any time of year, either from atmospheric temperatures or an impending infection. If they are not cooled down, they will become tired and lethargic, eventually leading to a fit or worse death. Also, there are problems in the winter months in maintaining an adequate body temperature, i.e., if they get too cold and have difficulty in warming up, and when this happens they appear to be in a dream, not concentrating or listening.
One of the signs that their temperature is too high is their behaviour. Individuals affected become emotional, frustrated, anxious, uncooperative, badly behaved, and lose concentration. In many cases, their skin temperature is absolutely no indication as to their internal core temperature.
Lack of temperature control causes joint pain and muscle weakness, making standing for long periods and walking very painful and difficult.
From this, you will see that it would be extremely difficult for them to queue for any length of time, thereby making a happy exciting family outing into a nightmare and placing them in possible extreme danger.
We are more than happy to help and support you through this process by checking over any documentation before you apply. We can also step in with a supporting letter to help with your application.
Please get in touch with us today – jaye@edsociety.co.uk