COMPLETE GUIDE TO USING YOUR RIDE ACCESS PASS AT ALTON TOWERS RESORT | UK

[@lewisf5607]

This helped me out so much thank you, hope you had a good day 😊

[@ElaineDenton-mg7tp]

At last someone who as described this perfectly Thankyou

[@zoehenshaw7499]

just want to point out that you do NOT need to wait for the physical nimbus card to come through the post to link it to merlin. all you need is your application ID which is on a email when nimbus approves your application. can be linked right there and then

[@axlandsean]

Maybe this is true however, that was not my experience (I did not even receive an approval email - It just arrived through the post) but thanks for the update. I guess the main reason for the video is to ensure people pre book RAP because I have seen many guests turned away on the day.

[@zoehenshaw7499]

@axlandsean when you apply with nimbus. You get a acceptance email. To say it is now live. And on that email there is a application ID. You use that to then link it to Merlin. It was like this 3 years ago. And again a few weeks ago.

[@Meme_Mania999]

@@axlandseanhi I’m going to Alton towers in a few days and I have my access card all up to date and everything but I applied for the nimbus card and it is not going to be delivered I got an email to use instead you reckon I’m supposed to use the code on my phone?😅

[@Meme_Mania999]

@@zoehenshaw7499is this still available so I can use my email instead of the card I haven’t got?

[@axlandsean]

@@Meme_Mania999 yea, use the code to pre book ride access for your date of visit 👍

[@dante8641]

thanks this is super helpful but my one question is can you stack rides like reserves nemesis reborn then go and reserve galatica would that still work?

[@axlandsean]

@@dante8641 You unfortunately can not reserve ride times with ride access pass. You just have to wait for the time stated on your sheet to run out, then head towards the next attraction.

[@SaturnPandaCat]

We’re hoping to go on 30th May. Today is Sunday, May 19th. I don’t have either access pass. Does anyone know how long it takes to process both access passes? Thank you.

[@axlandsean]

It can be fairly quick to be honest. Apply today and it might be sorted by the end of next week.

[@zorbathegreek192]

Do all the rides have a place to store a small bag before getting on the ride? I have medical equipment which can be put into a locker.

[@axlandsean]

@@zorbathegreek192 Yes, all rides have a baggage hold. Most have a 'cloak room' type where you hand your bag over in the queue line and they give you a wristband with a number on it which you collect at the exit of the ride. Others have a standard baggage hold in the ride station.

[@THE_Iconator]

@@axlandsean I’m pretty sure only smiler and wickerman do. Most have little cubbys though. I don’t know if th13teen does but Ik 2/10 coasters do

[@leannebrock9925]

I’m confused.. so once you go on a ride, they mark a time that you’re not allowed on another ride til? Seems bizzare to me! So you’ll just be hanging around until that time?

[@axlandsean]

@@leannebrock9925 Simply, yes haha. If you queue for The Smiler and the queue time stated 60 minutes on the board, then the assistant will mark 60 minutes on your pass. So you won't be able to ride another attraction until that time specified.

[@joannaxuereb4722]

​@axlandsean but can i go to another attraction not using the access pass? I hust use the normal queue ?

[@jasmyn_k]

Hi, is the Nimbus card free?

[@axlandsean]

@@jasmyn_k a one year nimbus card to one specific location / theme park is free OR you can buy a nimbus card for all locations / theme parks which is £15 for 3 years

[@jasmyn_k]

@@axlandsean I just want it for Alton Towers, thanks

[@daviesl5]

Do you still need to prebook when you haven’t collected the card yet? I just have the confirmation email so no id to prebook for my visit?

[@axlandsean]

You will be given ride access on the day that you collect your Merlin Ride Access photo card. After that, you will need to pre book each time.

[@emilyparrett1605]

You must prebook! Places run our quickly - you need to precooked one ticket per person in the group, use the code beginning with a 5 to do so

[@deanhughes3179]

@@emilyparrett1605I booked my red access card and it gave me 3 barcode one for each person is this right?

[@benmaryroden1933]

Sorry unclear. If you need details from you ride access if to pre book your day pass, what if you haven't picked it up yet from one of the venues? (Eg using for the first time)

[@axlandsean]

@@benmaryroden1933 Access card will send you a code to book your first time ride access pass on the Alton towers website. When you arrive at Alton towers, you will be given a merlin ride access for future usage

[@benmaryroden1933]

​@@axlandseanthank you so much. You have really helped make sense of this whole process.

[@deanhughes3179]

I have registered my access card with Merlin an they gave me a barcode I don’t have the Merlin I’d photo card? I have pre booked to go though so do they issue you the actual card on the day and take your photo there for you im confused

[@axlandsean]

@@deanhughes3179 yes, they will give you your Merlin card when you arrive at guest services 👍

[@deanhughes3179]

@@axlandsean thank you, will they take my photo there also? When selecting the red ride access which is what I was issued it asked for party size which for me is 3, it then issued 3 red ride access bar codes. Is this right also?

[@deanhughes3179]

@@axlandseanalso sorry to keep going on, but as I have a plus +1 for companion where do we go as I have two tickets to scan in, but my carer doesn’t have a ticket as I’ll be using the plus +1 for a free ticket. ? I’m so confused

[@axlandsean]

@@deanhughes3179 it will be the same photo as your access card - as they will scan it. When you arrive go straight to the main entrance and they will assist on entering the park with your carer. Once inside, turn right and queue at guest services for your Merlin card and access passes for the day.

[@bp19870]

So hold on, let’s say the queue line is 4 hours long for Nemesis, you get to ride it without queuing, but you wouldn’t be able to ride oblivion till 4 hours later?? Or is it you can’t ride nemesis for 4 hours? If that’s the case, that’s a bit unfair because you go on a ride and then sit around for 4 hours until the next ride which for someone who suffers ADHD or Autism for example cannot do.

[@axlandsean]

Correct: for example if a queue line is 2 hours and you enter the ride at 10am, they would put 12pm for the next time you can ride an attraction however sometimes they can be more lenient. I guess it depends on the day. This is the same across all Merlin theme parks (in the UK at least anyway).

[@bp19870]

Seems a bit unfair to me. Also, I noticed my wife’s access pass doesn’t allow any additional adults like the one on the video does, however this may because we’re still waiting on her pass to come through and haven’t reached step 4 yet, so that may change because I have to be with my wife at all times due to her condition, however we didn’t have enough proof to grant the +1 stamp, only the queueing, standing for long periods of time and urgent toilet use. Your video is very informative btw 👍