Emerald Park Disabled Access Review

Iona sitting in a roller coaster car, smiling widely. She is wearing pink ear defenders and orange-tinted glasses, and holding a sign that reads "100th Cred" with a gold ribbon marked "100" and a cartoon of herself riding a roller coaster. The roller coaster car is black and orange, marked with the number 11. The background shows wooden decking and metal railings. On the right side of the image, a yellow background features bold black text: "Emerald Park Disabled Access Review." There is a cartoon of the same woman, arms raised, riding a stylized roller coaster. At the bottom are two icons: one representing accessibility, and the other a roller coaster.
Join me for my very first visit to Emerald Park located in Dublin!! As I experience all the park has to offer and of course exploring all the disabled access along the way. Oh and lets not forget, I went on the airplane for the first time this trip and got my 100 Cred!

Table of Contents

Facilities and Services Available for Disabled Guests

Here is a quick overview of the facilities and services available for disabled guests at Emerald Park, so that you can decide if this attraction is able to meet your access requirements. Please note: some of the services are listed below and a full explanation is available later on in the blog post. In order to quickly navigate through the post you can use the table of contents.

  • Mobility Scooters: Emerald Park have a number of mobility scooters that can be hired to people 18 years and over on a first come first serve basis. In order to hire a mobility scooter there is a €50 cost as well as a €25 refundable deposit. Please note: During my visit Emerald park had no Mobility scooters.
  • Wheelchair Hire: A limited number of wheelchairs are available to hire on a first come first serve bases. To hire a wheelchair there is a €20 refundable deposit is required. Please note: During my visit Emerald park had no wheelchairs.
  • Changing Place: Emerald Park has an accessible changing place available including changing bench and hoist.
  • Essential Companion Tickets: Emerald park offer an additional needs and carer ticket to disabled guests and their essential companion at the reduced cost of €25 with disability proof. Full information can be found in the ‘before your visit’ section of this blog post.
  • Assistance Dogs: Emerald Park welcomes assistance dogs  who are registered with an accredited training provider. Assistance dogs are not allowed in the zoo and whilst on site assistance dogs and their handlers must followed Emerald Park’s assistance dog policy that you can read by clicking here Assistance dogs policy Emerald Park.
  • Additional Needs Entrance: Guest with disabilities are able to enter Emerald Park through the members entrance. Full information can be found in the ‘arrivals’ sections of this blog post.
  • Social Story: Emerald Park have created a lovely social story about the full park to help you know what to expect. You can find the social story by clicking here Emerald Park social story.
  • Queue Assist Pass: Emerald Park of the reasonable adjustment of a queue assist pass for guest who are unable to queue due to a disability. Disability proof is required and the Access Card with the standing and queueing symbol is accepted as well as other documentation. Full information can be found in the before your visit, Arrivals and how queue assist pass works sections of this blog post.
  • Limb differences & Reduced Mobility: There are different restrictions depending on the ride and type of limb difference or limited mobility. details of limb difference and reduced mobility related restrictions for each ride can be found by clicking here ride access guide 2025 Emerald Park.

Step free access: A number of rides at Emerald Park have step free access. To quickly identify if a ride in this blog post has step free access please look for the step free symbol as seen next to this text.

The image shows two symbols on a light yellow background. On the left, there is an icon of a person in a wheelchair using a ramp. On the right, there is an icon of a person walking up stairs, which is crossed out with a red "X". This shows that that the area is step free.

Ear defenders allowed on ride: During my Visit all rides and attractions allowed me to keep my ear defenders on during the ride.

In the image you can see a picture of some ear defenders and a green tick

Can remain in wheelchair for attraction: Some attractions allow guests to stay in their wheelchair for the full duration of the ride or attraction. To quickly identify if a ride in this blog post allows you to stay in your wheelchair please look for the wheelchair access symbol as seen next to this text.

image of person sat in a wheelchair with a green tick next it. meaning you can stay in your wheelchair for the ride

Before your visit

Before visiting Emerald Park there are a few steps you must take in order to ensure you have the correct access available to you so you can enjoy your day.

Booking Tickets

Emerald Park offers an additional needs and carer ticket at the reduced rate of €25. This one ticket enables the disabled guest and their essential companion entry to all attractions at Emerald Park. Supporting documents of disability proof is required to obtain an additional needs and carer tickets the access card with the +1 symbol is accepted as well as many other documents. A full list of supported documents accepted as disability proof can be found by clicking here essential companion supporting documents.

I already have a Pleasure Beach season pass that intitles me to one free visit to Emerald Park. I just emailed Emerald park with my season pass details and access card details where they then issued me wit a day ticket for me and my carer free of charge.

queue assist Pass

Queue assist passes can not be applied for in advance of your visit. therefore, all you need to do before your visit is remember to bring your disability proof for the queue assist scheme full list of disability proof accepted for a queue assist pass can be found by clicking here queue assist supporting documentation requirements. I used my access card with the standing and queueing symbol. If you do not already have an access card then I have a full blog post detail everything you need to know about the access card that can be found by clicking here What is the access card and is it worth it?

Planning my Visit

Emerald Park is a brand new park for me as it was my first visit therefore, before my visit I created a list of all the rides I would like to go on and what area of the theme park they are located. I did this almost like a wish list so it wasn’t to overwhelming with all the choices when we arrived. In order to decide what rides were suitable and I would enjoy I went on the Emerald Park website and looked at all the rides that you can find by clicking here Emerald Park attractions. I have attached a copy of the list I created using Widgit Online encase your looking for any inspiration.

Arrivals

In this section of the blog we detail what will happen when you arrive at Emerald Park so you know what to expect and can get on the rides as quickly as possible. I travelled to Emerald Park via airplane and got a taxi from Dublin Airport to Emerald Park. I will be creating information posts on the full airport experience as a disabled person. Once I have created them I will link them here to this post.

blue badge parking

Emerald park had plenty of blue badge parking bays located nice and close to the theme park entrance. We did not require a blue badge parking space during our visit as we travelled via taxi so can’t give my own experience however, during our visit there was plenty empty blue badge parking spaces.

entering the park

Upon arrive at Emerald Park there is a members entrance that also doubles up as an ‘additional needs entrance.’ Just follow the sign for the member entrance as seen in the images bellow. The ticket office admissions desks are very high up so something to bare in mind for wheelchair uses.

The admissions area was quite busy when we arrived however, we didn’t have to wait long as we used the additional needs entrance. Emerald Park operate on a wristband system on the day prices can be seen in the images bellow. We showed our tickets online I had an all rides wristbands both me and my carer were given a green wristband. The green wristband is the all access wristband which is what you get when purchasing the additional needs and carer ticket.

Getting Queue Assist Pass

You can collect your queue assist pass from the admissions desk where you get your wristbands. admissions is where you enter into the theme park. We showed my access card with the standing and queuing symbol. My PA then had to fill out a form in order to get the queue assist as seen in the images bellow we were unable to keep the form. Once the form was filled out we were given a red wristband for me and my PA. You can get the red wristband for the disabled guest and named companion as well as a maximum of 2 other people so 3 people and queue assist user. Unfortunately, I was very dysregulated by this point so we didn’t manage to get an image of the admissions desk. Please see the section bellow for a full guide on how queue assist works.

How Queue Assist Pass Works

Once you have collected your queue assist pass wristband and time card you can go on your first ride without a timeout you will be timed out after all other rides for the length of the main queue. You can use the queue assist pass for a maximum of 8 rides. However, during my visit a lot of rides didn’t sign the card or were walk on. Please see the example bellow of how the queue assist pass works on the rides.

Step 1: Check ride restrictions

Before going through the queue assist pass entrance for the ride of your chose it’s important to make sure you have checked the ride restriction to make sure this ride or attraction accessible for you. The ride restriction board are clearly located at the entrance for each ride and attraction. details of limb difference and reduced mobility related restrictions for each ride can be found by clicking here ride access guide 2025 Emerald Park.

Step 2: Find The Easy access pass entrance

Now you have found out the ride is accessible for you it’s time to locate the queue assist pass entrance for the ride you would like to enjoy. The queue assist pass entrance can be found by the sign saying queue assist pass. The entrance for queue assist pass users is normally located not to far away from the main queue. For some rides and attractions the queue assist pass queue line isn’t wheelchair friendly. The vast majority of rides have a step free option available for guests that require level access, as you can see for The Cu Chulainn Coaster there is a lift.

Step 3: Show your easy access wristband and time card

Once reaching the front of the queue assist pass queue line for your chosen ride a ride host will come and ask for your queue assist pass wristband and time card. The staff will have a look at your queue assist wristband and write a time on your timecard in line with the length of the main queue line. For example, if I went on The Cu Chulainn Coaster at 14:00 and the main queue line was 40 minutes the time written on my card would be 14:40. This means that you are unable to use the queue assist pass on any rides and attraction till 14:40 when the time on your card is up. This is commonly referred to as a timeout.

Step 4: Enjoy the ride

Iona sitting in a roller coaster car, holding a sign that reads "100th Cred" with a gold medal labeled "100" and a cartoon of someone riding a roller coaster. The person is wearing glasses and pink ear protection, smiling excitedly. The roller coaster car is bright orange with the number 11 on it. There are other people seated nearby, and the setting appears to be a wooden roller coaster station.

It’s now time to experience your chosen ride! weather your going on thrilling rollercoaster or having a relaxing ride on the Steam Train Express I hope you enjoy being able to access the ride thanks to the queue assist pass system.

Step 5: Relax until your timeout is finished

Image of a symbol of a person a clock and sand timer with text reading take a break.

Once you have experienced the ride of your chose it’s time to take a break and re regulate until your timeout is over so in my example till 14:40. Once your time out is up you simply repeat the process with another ride or attraction.

Top tip: Use the Emerald Park website to see what rides have a long main queue time so that you can do a ride with a long main queue before your lunch or dinner. This allows you to be virtually queueing whilst having your lunch or dinner maximising your day at Emerald Park.

Our Day at Emerald Park

Now we’re in the park and have sorted all of our access out it’s time to enjoy the park and get on some rides. In this section you will find a write up of our day of Emerald Park including all the accessibility information of course. So come and enjoy the day with us!

Thrill Rides

Emerald Park is a wristband operated theme park and all rides in the thrill ride section require a all access wristband. There was a good choice of thrill rides for all the family, including some unique flat rides that I had never seen before. The thrill rides weren’t necessarily an area more spread out throughout the theme park.

The Rotator

The rotator had a minimum height restriction of 1.3 metres, and was a fun, intense, flat ride with a long cycle. The ride gave some good views of the park from a unique perspective drawing our visit, the ride did not go upside down. However, I do believe the rotator has an upside down cycle setting.

In terms of access, the rotator had full level to access via both the main queue and the queue assist pass entrance. Due to the nature of these types of rides, the seat can be quite far back and hard to transfer out of. However, it was fully level in order to get into the seat with no lips or steps leading up something that I haven’t seen on this style flat ride before. The queue assist pass entrance was located at the exit as seen in the images bellow. However, during our visit the ride had no queue so I just went down the main queue line and was on the next ride cycle. This ride is great for sensory seekers as it was outside the ride itself was quite quiet when running and there was no sensory effects I was also allowed to keep my ear defenders on for the ride.

The Cu Chulainn Coaster

The Cu Chulainn Coaster was my Favourite ride of the day by far, and also my hundredth coast of credit, making it extra special. This coaster had an insane first drop and a long layout. With a height restriction of just 1.2 metres, I would say that this is a very family thrill coaster, perfect for thrill seekers.

In terms of access, The Cu Chulainn Coaster has level access available via lift as seen in the images bellow. The lift is located at the exit of the ride and is staff operated. In order to use the lift just let one of the staff know in the photo kiosk (also located at the exit) that you need to use the lift. The queue assist pass entrance was located to the side of the ride and was very easy to find, as seen in the images below. The ride was very loud However, I was able to ware my ear defenders drawing the ride. The first drop especially was insanely loud as well as the lift hill. So I highly recommend using ear defenders if you’re sensitive to loud noises. Apart from the noise, there was no other sensory effects on this ride. I loved the air time the ride gave as well as the insane weightless feeling on the first drop.

Endeavour

Located right next to The Cu Chulainn Coaster was Endevour A unique and thrilling flat ride. I have not been on this style of ride before. However, it did remind me of enterprise that used to be at Alton Towers. The ride had a nice, long cycle with not too intense of a spin perfect for the 1.2 minimum hight restriction. This ride did not go upside down however, there was a tilted element that made it feel a little more thrilling.

In terms of access, Endevour had full level to access via both the main queue and the queue assist pass entrance. The queue assist pass entrance was located at the exit as seen in the images bellow. However, during our visit the ride had no queue so I just went down the main queue line and was on the next ride cycle. I found it pretty easy to get in and out of the seat. The ride had no sensory effects and ear defenders were allowed however, it was a little tight with the over the shoulder restraint.

Power Surge

I was so excited to ride power surge as I have never been on a flat rag like this before, and it did not disappoint. The ride tilted you up and round. While spinning each gondolas side to side, it was brilliant and gave pretty intense, thrilling experience For a minimum height restriction of 1.2 metres.

In terms of access, Power Surge had full level to access via both the main queue and the queue assist pass entrance. The queue assist pass entrance was located at the exit as seen in the images bellow. However, during our visit the ride had no queue so I just went down the main queue line and was on the next ride cycle when walking around the park later in the day we did notice the ride had a pretty big main queue so something worth keeping in mind. I found it pretty easy to get in and out of the seat.

Dino Dash

One of the less thrilling coasters in this section is Dino Dash with a 0.95 hight restructuration when accompanied by an adult. This ride was very well themed and included elements like audio and animatronic dinosaurs. This really elevated a coaster with a simple layout into a memorabile ride experience.

In terms of access, Dino Dash had level access and the queue assist entrance is located next to the main entrance. The queue assist entrance lead you up a ramp that is also so the ride exit so can get quite crowded when everyone is let of the ride. This ride had quite a few sensory effects including water splash and music however, my ear defenders were allowed.

Junior Rides

Emerald Park is a wristband operated theme park and all rides in the junior section require a junior wristband or an all access wristband. There was a nice variety of family rides including nice mix of rollercoasters and mini flat rides that were very well themed. The junior rides were mostly in one area located near the zoo however, the flight school coaster was a bit further away.

Ladybird Loop

The Ladybird Loop coaster was a fun family friendly spinning coaster with a 0.95 Meter hight restrictions when accompanied by an adult. This ride was very similar to Dino Dash in the sense that it was a fairly simple layout however, had amazing theme park. for example, there was a little log tunnel you go through.

In terms of access, The queue assist pass entrance was located at the ride exit as seen in the images bellow. In order to get on the Ladybug Loop coaster you had to be able to get up the stairs in the images bellow. I do find these style of rides are quite loud but like all the rides at Emerald ear defenders were allowed. I do find these rides a good chose for little sensory seekers as they provide a nice spin whilst going around the coaster.

Flight School

Flight school is a fun airplane themed rollercoaster with a nice lift hill and some twist and turns. The flight school has a slightly higher hight restriction then some of the other junior coaster with a 1 meter hight restriction when being accompanied by an adult.

In terms of assess, there is both step and lift access available for the Flight School ride. The queue assist entrance is via stairs and located at the ride exit past the photo boof. The lift is located next to the main entrance as seen in the images bellow. A staff member is needed to operate the lift however, there was aways a staff member stood by the entrance during our visit. The queue lines for both queue assist and main entrance were inside the station building it did found it quite overwhelming in the station building so something to be prepared for.

Steam Train Express

A nice gentle ride option for the whole family with no hight restriction! The train takes you around in a loop where you get a look at the Junior zone rides as well as the playgroup oh and of course there is a tunnel to go through.

In terms of access, the train has a wheelchair adapted carriage as seen in the images bellow allowing you to stay in your wheelchair for the train ride. The queue assist entrance is located via the ride exit for the train however, we were walking past just as the train was loading with no main queue that also has level access. Sensory wise it is dark when you go through the tunnel.

Emerald Park had a fully wheelchair accessible swing allowing wheelchair users to stay in their chair on the swing as seen in the image bellow. It can be very hard to find rides and attractions where you can stay in wheelchairs so had to share this swing that was located in the junior zone next to the honey pot bears. I believe you need a radar key in order to use all features of the swing.

Lunch

After an early start we were definitely ready for lunch we ate at the Lodge Restaurant it was a canteen style serving system with lots of different options as seen in the images bellow. I went for the children’s chicken nuggets and chips meal that you can see in the picture bellow it was a massive portion and cost just €6.50. I was very shocked with the high quality food available was definitely better then theme park food options back in England. The restaurant had plenty of tables all spread out so was easy enough to find a nice quiet spot. Also wanted to share by the Flight School Rollercoaster there was a picnic area including wheelchair accessible picnic benches.

Tír na nÓg

The newest area in the park is Tír na nÓg all rides in this area require an all access wristband. This area also features two disabled toilets with left and right transfer as seen in the images bellow.

The Celtic Dreamer

The Celtic Dreamer was the most beautifully themed flying swing ride I have ever seen it was just simply magic! The Celtic Dreamer has a hight restriction of just 1 meter when accompanied by an adult. The ride its self was just your average swinging chair ride however, gave a unique perspective of Tír na nÓg.

In terms of access, The Celtic Dreamer was completely level something that can be hard to find on this style of ride. The ride does have chairs together a nice option for people that need carer directly next to them at all times. The queue assist pass entrance was located next to the main entrance as seen in the images bellow.

Na Fianna Force

The only inverting rollercoaster in the park is Na Fianna Force a fun and thrilling suspended coaster. Na Fianna Force has a hight restriction of 1.2 Meters witch I was pretty impressed with considering the coasters layout.

In terms of access, the queue assist entrance was located next to the main entrance as seen in the images bellow. We were told this queue line as level however, we were directed by a staff member to enter via the wooden door in the gift shop this is the exit to the ride and meant we entered straight into the station. This is very usefully if you you struggle navigating around a queue line. Ear defenders were allowed on Na Fianna Force.

The Quest Rollercoaster

The Quest Rollercoaster was a fairy tail vibes! A family boomerang coaster with a hight retraction of just 0.95 meters when accompanied by an adult. Giving this insane hight restriction it was a fun and thrilling ride with some great views and interaction with Na Fianna Force.

In terms of access, the queue assist entrance was level and located next to the main entrance. However, upon exiting the ride station there was stairs leading into the gift shop the trolly chair also had to be lifted over the train to the other side of the station. The staff were incredibly helpful but due to it being air gates would be no where to leave a wheelchair and exit back down the queue assist entrance. It was very disappointing to see such bad access on a rollercoaster that opened just a year or so ago but can’t fault the staff for helping.

A roller coaster with red tracks and black supports, featuring a steep drop and several twists and turns. In the foreground, there are wooden picnic tables with people sitting and standing around them, some using their phones. The sky is overcast, and there are sparse trees and some castle-like structures on the right side.

Final Thoughts

Overall we had a wonderful first visit to Emerald Park and is great chose to add in if you are wanting to try the airplane as we did it all in a day. The park was clean and well themed it was very similar to Drayton Manor. I do believe that Emerald park could make some improvements with their access as it was very tricky with no wheelchairs being able to hire on site and the horrible layout of the quest. However, I was impressed with how the queue assist pass worked as was worried due to the ride limit however, many staff didn’t sign the pass meaning we got on all the rides I was hoping to experience. I had the best time exploring a brand new park! I hope to see you on my next adventure, bye for now.

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Disclaimer​

The information provided on this blog about theme park accessibility is based on my experiences and the details available from the attractions’ official websites at the time of my visit. Please note that facilities and services for disabled guests may change, and the information may not always be up-to-date. I strongly recommend checking the accessibility section on the respective attractions’ websites for the most current information. The comments and opinions expressed in this blog are solely my own and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of any other organisation.