9/23 Possible changes Universal AAP via IBCCESS???

[mistysue]

I’ve been a passholder at UO since the pandemic and have not witnessed any such influx of disability pass use. The two parks cater to very different crowds and saying nobody went to UO shows ignorance of the huge expansion the resort has undergone in the past decade (new water park, several new hotels, second Harry Potter land, second ranked best coaster in the world) culminating in the opening of a brand new park (Epic) next year along with three new hotels. Halloween Horror Nights is generally considered the best theme park Halloween event in the world (although it’s gone downhill massively this year).

UO historically had a very difficult to get disability pass. Almost no one who had one at Disney would qualify at UO. Most disabled Disney guests had no interest in going to UO since the rides are almost all thrill-based and restraints not very accommodating plus queues are only wheelchair accessible and ECV users need to switch to a free manual chair at each attraction. Using IBCCES actually made it much easier to obtain a disability pass, especially a higher-tier one. Passes given out reportedly from inside sources actually increased with the new system because so many who needed and qualified had been previously denied by hourly wage guest service employees making decisions and not just showing medical documentation as proof. There’s been no indication of widespread fraud being prevented since requiring medical documentation either.

The recent change is most likely due to lawsuits and DOJ filings because of requiring use of the third-party system since around July of last year. It’s a very problematic and discriminatory system. I’m actually very satisfied with the change. Using IBCCES is easier for UO but allowing in-person keeps it accessible for those who have difficulty getting the required documentation for whatever reason…not knowing ahead of time, foreign guests whose documents aren’t in English, those with gaps in medical care, etc.

My comment was assuming some context I didn't explicitly state. I meant "nobody goes there" referring to the disabled community for exactly the reasons you said. It was harder to get and the rides are less friendly for so many anyway.
But since WDW redid the DAS a few months ago, there have been MANY saying they would go to UO instead. Unless all of it was just talk, they got quite an influx from people having tantrums about it. I'm aware of the lawsuits and reasons the ICBBES system had issues, but it would also be predictable that more people with disabilities would gum up their system, which has been being reported this summer.
I had the unfortunate experience of being at WDW just before their changes, when they were giving extreme preference to the LL guests and it was a nightmare for the standby. It wasn't sustainable, and if that crowd goes elsewhere and gets passes, it wouldn't be sustainable in other locations either. There are just too many people with something that qualifies as a disability, we can't all get the highest level of accommodation for everything or it turns into nobody really getting accommodation.

 

[jennab]

There are just too many people with something that qualifies as a disability, we can't all get the highest level of accommodation for everything or it turns into nobody really getting accommodation.

This 100%. That’s what was happening at Disney.

 

[JLTraveling]

I can confirm that the IBCCESS card is no longer required. But if you have the documentation, I can't imagine why you wouldn't use it. There are dedicated accommodations pickup lines now for anyone who already has their approval. Still long at peak times, like in the hour before HHN starts, but SO much better than joining the Guest Services line, which is what's required if you don't already have approval. And the line's pretty quick, because there are no surprises. Everyone knows what accommodations they have, and they just show their card, get their accommodations, and go.

Renewing IBCCESS is super easy. Answer a couple of questions, confirm that nothing's changed, upload new documentation if yours is expired, and you're done. Your accommodations stay the same. I personally love the system as it exists now and I hope it never changes.

 

[Keladry84]

I can confirm that the IBCCESS card is no longer required. But if you have the documentation, I can't imagine why you wouldn't use it. There are dedicated accommodations pickup lines now for anyone who already has their approval. Still long at peak times, like in the hour before HHN starts, but SO much better than joining the Guest Services line, which is what's required if you don't already have approval. And the line's pretty quick, because there are no surprises. Everyone knows what accommodations they have, and they just show their card, get their accommodations, and go.

Renewing IBCCESS is super easy. Answer a couple of questions, confirm that nothing's changed, upload new documentation if yours is expired, and you're done. Your accommodations stay the same. I personally love the system as it exists now and I hope it never changes.

It seems like those who go the documentation route have better consistency and a quicker in-park experience. They know ahead of time they have the accommodation and it goes smoothly.

But by having the in-park non-documented option alongside, those who either don’t have documentation, don’t want to submit it, or didn’t know about the process ahead of time still have options. The drawback is not knowing until you get there for approval, and a longer guest services wait.

It’s seems universal has gone the best of both worlds I really like that both are there.

For myself, I love having the case number and knowing what to expect. Them putting in the designated IBCCESS line is extremely helpful, as the card pickup is quick, while all the other guest services conversations weren’t. It was so frustrating having to start with a 30+ minute wait every trip despite the line appearing short, and some of those long waits being caused by people who were literally only trying to talk guest services into giving them comp tickets ˋbecause it rained´ and refusing to leave until they got it.

 

[keishashadow]

It was so frustrating having to start with a 30+ minute wait every trip despite the line appearing short, and some of those long waits being caused by people who were literally only trying to talk guest services into giving them comp tickets ˋbecause it rained´ and refusing to leave until they got it.

They usually have 'a greeter' near start of line inquiring what guest require

Never understood why 'those sort' of complicated/potentially lengthy interactions aren't funneled directly to A 'specialist's' window.

 

[Evita_W]

It seems like those who go the documentation route have better consistency and a quicker in-park experience. They know ahead of time they have the accommodation and it goes smoothly.

But by having the in-park non-documented option alongside, those who either don’t have documentation, don’t want to submit it, or didn’t know about the process ahead of time still have options. The drawback is not knowing until you get there for approval, and a longer guest services wait.

It’s seems universal has gone the best of both worlds I really like that both are there.

For myself, I love having the case number and knowing what to expect. Them putting in the designated IBCCESS line is extremely helpful, as the card pickup is quick, while all the other guest services conversations weren’t. It was so frustrating having to start with a 30+ minute wait every trip despite the line appearing short, and some of those long waits being caused by people who were literally only trying to talk guest services into giving them comp tickets ˋbecause it rained´ and refusing to leave until they got it.

Yes, this is the setup that makes the most sense, gives the option either way.