PARK_HOPPER Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 (edited) Did anybody notice the abrupt change to Six Flags parks disability policy and the elimination of the Equal Access Pass? Effective November 7, 2015 - Six Flags parks will require a doctor's note in order to obtain what is now referred to as an "Attraction Access Pass". https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/plan-your-visit/guests-with-disabilities What do you think of the change? Reminds me of what the Disney parks used to refer to as the "Special Assistance Pass", commonly referred to as the SAP pass. So - will this be the "AAP" pass at Magic Mountain and other Six Flags parks? Will guests receive some kind of Flashpass to use with their AAP pass to manager their reservation times for rides? Edited October 8, 2015 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Well...that's certainly unprecedented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physical Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I can't say I'm surprised. I know a few people that would go to Guest Services at SFGadv and claim they had Autism or another disability that isn't immediately obvious just to get an access pass. I would assume this is fairly widespread, I've seen parents use their childs disability pass at Dorney. It seems like there's a fair amount of people taking advantage of a park being accommodating. I don't think a doctors note is too much to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaellynn4 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I'm really curious to see what kind of feedback they end up receiving from these changes. Requiring doctors notes will certainly help cut down on any abuse of the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 As always, a few terrible people ruin things for the rest of humanity. I don't see this as a terrible thing, I think if you need a pass you should have a doctor's note or obvious disability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 A doctors note can always be forged and that's exactly what people will be doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterfreak101 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 A doctors note can always be forged and that's exactly what people will be doing. It's one more hurdle for these lowlifes to have to jump. The system will never be perfect, but this will at least weed out the people who aren't willing to break the law just to save time in line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 ^I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealthFan Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 This is something Merlin parks have been doing in the UK for several years now. It still causes a few people to complain but I really do think it reduced the amount of people taking advantage of the system which is never a bad thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippindotsguy8 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 This is a pretty ballsy move. People are going to scream bloody murder over this, but I'm glad they're trying to do something to deal with the abusers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerstlaueringvar Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 It's a great move! People are taking advantage of this system and I'm glad SF did something about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Hero Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 You have no idea how glad I am that they're doing this. I'm sick and tired of people abusing the system and faking disabilities to get the passes, and I've complained about it multiple times and here goes Six Flags actually FIXING a major problem at the parks. Six Flags actually listened...? I've waited 5 hours on Kingda Ka this year once because of this problem and now it's getting fixed. I'm sure there will still be the pathetic lowlifes who will forge doctor's notes but the issue will largely be eliminated. It makes it a little harder to take advantage of the system. The only people who deserve access to the program are the ones who really are disabled, and I feel bad that these lowlifes are ruining it for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFOG1991 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 So glad to hear this. There is absolutely no reason someone shouldn't have a doctor's note or some kind of verification for their disability if they want to use a special service the park offers. Does this also mean they will not be given immediate exit access to go on rides? I am not totally against that but it is abused I think, so maybe putting them on a Regular or even a Gold Flash Pass would be a more fair way of doing it. I'm not sure what that would mean for rides that are not a part of Flash Pass though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaceBoarder Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 So glad to hear this. There is absolutely no reason someone shouldn't have a doctor's note or some kind of verification for their disability if they want to use a special service the park offers. Does this also mean they will not be given immediate exit access to go on rides? I am not totally against that but it is abused I think, so maybe putting them on a Regular or even a Gold Flash Pass would be a more fair way of doing it. I'm not sure what that would mean for rides that are not a part of Flash Pass though. It's essentially a regular Flash Pass... The user would check in and then would be able to ride after the posted waiting time has passed... The user wouldn't have to wait in line... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azza29 Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 Good move by Six Flags, asking for a doctor's note isn't unreasonable. This seems to be a problem for the entire industry, especially Disney, and it's disappointing that some people have ruined the trust-based system by deciding to abuse it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I like the idea behind it. However, this is going to end badly for six flags. If someone goes up to them and says "I have a disability and need this accommodation" and they deny that person because they don't have a doctors note, it is still going to get them sued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I like the idea behind it. However, this is going to end badly for six flags. If someone goes up to them and says "I have a disability and need this accommodation" and they deny that person because they don't have a doctors note, it is still going to get them sued. Damn right! 'Murica! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire2box Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I'm glad Six Flags will finally be doing this. One of my last times at SF:DK some guy who accompanied a disabled person took the front seat of Roar and went to the left side of the double seat car. I'm standing in line as a single rider and i'm like "Can you slide over please so I can ride and not have to wait a extra min". Ask him on the lifthill "How long did you guys wait? I've been up on the platform for about 10 mins myself." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I like the idea behind it. However, this is going to end badly for six flags. If someone goes up to them and says "I have a disability and need this accommodation" and they deny that person because they don't have a doctors note, it is still going to get them sued. True. There will be people b*tching regardless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 There will be lots of complaining, but this is a good thing. Let's hope they stay strong during the bitchstorm they're about to endure. dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 I've waited 5 hours on Kingda Ka this year once because of this problem and now it's getting fixed. 5 hours, maybe you need to have your head examined and get a doctor's note. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Hero Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I'll put it like this; I was feeling extremely determined that day . I was not about to leave without riding it and I had been on everything else multiple times; plus the fights and the tension building between the regular line waiters and flash passers vs. the people faking disabilities was too entertaining to miss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sensesfailed Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I'm all for this. People abuse the system, it's nothing new. If someone can get away with something in order to gain an advantage, they will. Will this stop every single person? Probably not. Will it make it harder? I believe it will. Will certain groups of people bitch and moan about it? I think we can all agree this will happen. Should Six Flags cave to those people? Hell no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I like the idea behind it. However, this is going to end badly for six flags. If someone goes up to them and says "I have a disability and need this accommodation" and they deny that person because they don't have a doctors note, it is still going to get them sued. Damn right! 'Murica! I should also clarify that if the person actually DOES have the disability, it's a lawsuit they likely lose. ADA laws are ridiculously complex, but I am fairly positive imposing the extra burden of a doctors note doesn't qualify as "equal accommodation." Asking someone to provide proof is DEFINITELY illegal when it comes to service animals, so I'm not so sure the same doesn't apply to all other disabilities covered under ADA as well. I'm sure Six Flags vetted it through their attorneys, but as someone who follows the industry very closely I am definitely interested to see how this plays out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkFunk Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I'm sure if someone shows up with an obvious disability they'll get the pass anyways. Six Flags can't be that stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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