Merlin Entertainments Big Accessibility Update for 2025
As the UK’s beloved resorts welcome guests for the 2025 season, there’s more to be excited about than just sunshine and family fun. Behind the scenes, resort teams have been hard at work through the winter, listening to guest feedback and rolling out a series of impressive accessibility upgrades—making these destinations more inclusive and empowering for all.
Here’s a closer look at the big changes and what they mean for guests with access needs.
Accessibility Upgrades You’ll Notice in 2025
This year, guests will find thoughtful and practical enhancements across the resorts, all designed to improve comfort, communication, and confidence for disabled visitors and their families. Highlights include:
- Dedicated Spending Areas for Assistance Dogs:
Recognising the vital role assistance dogs play, new designated spending areas have been introduced across the resort grounds. These are secure, hygienic, and easy to access, giving guests peace of mind and their canine companions a comfortable space to relieve themselves without disruption or concern. Signage and proximity to accessible routes have been carefully considered to ensure convenience. - Enhanced Sensory Rooms:
Sensory rooms have been thoughtfully upgraded to offer calm environments for guests with SEN needs. These spaces now include soft lighting, textured materials, noise-reducing features, and calming visuals to support regulation and comfort. Importantly, they’re designed to be inclusive for accompanying family members or carers, too. - Improved Visual Communication Packs:
For guests who benefit from visual supports, such as non-verbal individuals, those with learning disabilities, or anyone who prefers visual over written information, new and improved communication packs are available. These include easy-read guides, visual timetables, symbol-based cards, and step-by-step cues to help guests navigate their visit more independently and confidently. - More Tailored Staff Training:
Beyond physical changes, resort teams have undergone enhanced training that goes beyond basic awareness. This includes real-world scenario learning, empathy-based workshops, and sessions led by disabled individuals and advocacy organisations. The aim is to allow better knowledge and interaction for staff members to assist with disability needs.
What makes these updates even more special is that they were directly shaped by feedback from guests. It’s a sign that these resorts are listening—and acting.
Ride Access Pass (RAP): A Smoother Booking Experience Ahead
The Ride Access Pass pre-booking system, introduced last year, has undergone continuous improvements, thanks in large part to guest insights. While any new system takes time to perfect, the resorts’ teams have clearly valued the community’s feedback.
In exciting news, an updated RAP booking journey will be launching soon, with improvements focused on making it more intuitive and user-friendly. Stay tuned for announcements in the coming weeks.
Also of note: the daily waitlist for RAP has been discontinued. This change follows feedback indicating the system wasn’t delivering the experience guests hoped for. In its place, online availability has been expanded to help visitors plan ahead with greater clarity.
A Broader Commitment to Inclusion
The upgrades don’t stop with infrastructure. The resorts also took time this spring to honour Neurodiversity Celebration Week and Autism Acceptance Month, reflecting a growing internal commitment to education, empathy, and inclusion.
Looking forward, the resorts are investing even more into accessibility projects and training initiatives. Their goal is simple but powerful: that every guest feels seen, supported, and celebrated during their stay.
Final Thoughts
With these accessibility initiatives, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most inclusive yet. Whether you’re a returning visitor or planning your first trip, you’ll find a growing focus on creating an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy magical, memorable experiences.
We’ll continue to share updates as they’re announced. Until then, here’s to an amazing, accessible year ahead at the UK’s top resorts!
If you would like to find out more about the accessibility of the Merlin Attractions, please see the links below.
Merlin Entertainments Accessibility Information