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

[keishashadow]

Saw this posted on a couple of Disney related websites

The U website has not been updated to reflect this change of not needing a IBCCES card when requesting

Unclear as to whether U will follow their stated protocol of:

Once approved by IBCCES
&
Completed interview with U
&
Assigned a specific version of the AAP
=
It would remain in effect as long as the IAC card was updated each year with IBCCES

My group will be @ USO on 10/7. If anyone stops in earlier who had prior IBCCES accommodation they renewed this year, please post your experience

 

[jennab]

Yeah someone posted about the changes in the DAS discussion. It makes sense ans people shouldn’t be required, especially if they don’t want to anpply until they get there (and the lawsuit that is out there). Also, the article I read said they were also not approving their “skip the wait” accommodation for bathroom or mobility issues.

 

[Evita_W]

Yeah someone posted about the changes in the DAS discussion. It makes sense ans people shouldn’t be required, especially if they don’t want to anpply until they get there (and the lawsuit that is out there). Also, the article I read said they were also not approving their “skip the wait” accommodation for bathroom or mobility issues.

Where has this information come from? I mean it would be nice, but it would be better to see it officially announced somewhere.

 

[jennab]

Where has this information come from? I mean it would be nice, but it would be better to see it officially announced somewhere.

I saw someone link to a touring plans post in the DAS thread.

 

[greeneyedchick]

So they are going back to their previous process?

 

[gottalovepluto]

So issuing most everyone with a handicap placard or Dr’s note a I’m Definitely Disabled card was a flop? I. Am. Shocked.

 

[Hippomom]

From people who were there today, you can do either. If you want to do Ibcess they have a separate window to pick up your AAP. If you didn’t do that process you can go to guest services like previous. People talking about bathroom issues or certain physical issues and leaving the line that was changed before, that’s nothing new. We will see but it seems this change is just giving more options which seems fair since not everyone may know to preregister.

 

[jennab]

From people who were there today, you can do either. If you want to do Ibcess they have a separate window to pick up your AAP. If you didn’t do that process you can go to guest services like previous. People talking about bathroom issues or certain physical issues and leaving the line that was changed before, that’s nothing new. We will see but it seems this change is just giving more options which seems fair since not everyone may know to preregister.

Oh I didn’t realize the bathroom issues changed before. I remember reading posts about people mad they lost DAS for those reasons and were going to universal because they still qualified there.

 

[AnneK]

Bathroom issues have not qualified at Universal for at least a year now.

 

[HopperFan]

So issuing most everyone with a handicap placard or Dr’s note a I’m Definitely Disabled card was a flop? I. Am. Shocked.

One reason we opted to not return to Universal since this is because they seemed to hand it out like candy. I was shocked at number of people stating they were approved, with few saying they were not. And so many given the top, once rare, card ... some saying it was a lifetime approval???

We made decision that we would not return until Epic opens and Universal gets their disability program in check. It was already lots more work than Disney's and if I'm now waiting in lines just to get a return time, we would pass on it for now. There is nothing new there to see.

Oh I didn’t realize the bathroom issues changed before. I remember reading posts about people mad they lost DAS for those reasons and were going to universal because they still qualified there.

There have been plenty of reports in multiple places of folks with IBS getting their IBCCES card and being approved for AAP. I feel like I see more approved than not. Not sure Universal had a solid plan when they went this route for parameters.

 

[jennab]

There have been plenty of reports in multiple places of folks with IBS getting their IBCCES card and being approved for AAP. I feel like I see more approved than not. Not sure Universal had a solid plan with they went this route for parameters.

That’s what I was gathering from posts I read too. People mad they no longer qualified for DAS but said they still qualified at universal so would go there instead.

 

[mistysue]

That’s what I was gathering from posts I read too. People mad they no longer qualified for DAS but said they still qualified at universal so would go there instead.

Obviously speculation, but it was easy to predict that an influx of "Disney's making it hard" people wanting accommodations at UO was going to cause them to need a system re-do as well. UO could be generous because nobody was going there, because WDW was better... and now UO gets to also feel the wrath of at least a third of the population having something that can legit be called a disability.

 

[jennab]

Obviously speculation, but it was easy to predict that an influx of "Disney's making it hard" people wanting accommodations at UO was going to cause them to need a system re-do as well. UO could be generous because nobody was going there, because WDW was better... and now UO gets to also feel the wrath of at least a third of the population having something that can legit be called a disability.

Yes that was my thought process as well. They had an influx of applicants who were made at Disney and wanting to “show them” by going to universal.

 

[lanejudy]

Bathroom issues have not qualified at Universal for at least a year now.

True that "bathroom issues" supposedly did not qualify for AAP at UO at the time they changed to using the IBCCES process more than a year ago. And that likely carried through for individuals who ended up having discussion of those issues with Guest Services. However, I think many were never required to have such discussion.

There have been plenty of reports in multiple places of folks with IBS getting their IBCCES card and being approved for AAP. I feel like I see more approved than not. Not sure Universal had a solid plan when they went this route for parameters.

Agree, I've seen the same thing. Often with just a "rubber stamp" approval once documentation was submitted through IBCCES and often without any discussion with UO. Maybe UO expected the IBCCES process to weed out more? But I've seen a lot of people reporting they automatically received a UO final "case number" just a day or so after submitting documentation.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

I wish I’d been so lucky. When I did my original application for the AAP at UO, I filled out the IBCCES with my documentation. They did the temporary card, 3 days later it was the complete card. About a week before my UO trip they called to complete the AAP discussion. I was on there an hour, talking over my needs, their offerings, what would and wouldn’t work. She was very nice and helpful but extremely thorough. If people were getting rubber stamped then I wish I had got that instead of the anxiety I had from my call. For my 1 yr card renewal, I had to submit my documents, then had to take a better picture as they didn’t like the one I had. Then it was approved a few days later for the IBCCES renewal. I supposedly should just be able to pick up my AAP card at the park easily without another discussion as I still have my active case number, but if not I’ll report back in October.

 

[keishashadow]

If you want to do Ibcess they have a separate window to pick up your AAP.

That will hopefully move quickly

And so many given the top, once rare, card ... some saying it was a lifetime approval???

Not sure how many (more) due to the change.

Yes, TMs did verbally state to many that the accommodation granted was “lifetime” as long as IBCCES was kept current after U’s approval. Don’t believe it’s was put into writing. Will be interesting to see if that holds or is changed going forward.

I’ve heard of an U accommodation that super cedes the gold card, that is given out to very few; not to be confused with make a wish sort. Could be an urban legend. Only a few TMs have commented (when we’ve asked out of curiousity) that they have various options available depending on the individual.

Did find it interesting to hear many comments both from TMs & from those individuals, who were told they should have had a higher level of accommodation in the first place; years before this change.

Thanks to the mandated discussion, U was able to sort it out to assist many people in a different/better fashion. In my mind, that is a very good thing.

I’m sure I’d feel decidedly different if the interview went in a different direction for my party, as it has for so many. I try to look at it from their viewpoint before commenting here, as one could easily morph onto that side of the fence…all depending on the outcome of the next interview and potential changes to the criteria going forward.

 

[HopperFan]

That will hopefully move quickly

Not sure how many (more) due to the change.

Yes, TMs did verbally state to many that the accommodation granted was “lifetime” as long as IBCCES was kept current after U’s approval. Don’t believe it’s was put into writing. Will be interesting to see if that holds or is changed going forward.

My POV is that they NEVER should promise anyone a lifelong accommodation because as we have seen with both companies the offerings can change. What did they open themselves to when they told these people (who have no issue telling everyone) that it is for a lifetime? What is? What if the program goes through major changes and what they are getting now no longer exists? What if their "need" is addressed in a new way but guest only wants the old way ... much like Disney is dealing with folks upset to no longer get DAS? It just wasn't a good move to make promises to people, especially when trying a new service that now seems to be not required??

As I said we decided to not return to Universal for now because of this loose program. We have always had the regular AAP except for a couple years when we had the top one. Not sure if it was that one but we were approved for the duration of our AP and the disability pass was actually printed across the back of his AP, and I think his photo was on it (maybe everyone had their photo).

 

[keishashadow]

What if the program goes through major changes and what they are getting now no longer exists? What if their "need" is addressed in a new way but guest only wants the old way ... much like Disney is dealing with folks upset to no longer get DAS?

Agree U could find themselves in same position as Disney if they pull back

What did they open themselves to when they told these people (who have no issue telling everyone) that it is for a lifetime?

I don't see it as an issue for people to discuss the categories of AAP U had/has offered. Basic info on the program is widely available.

If anything, transparency in dealing with DAS strikes me as a good thing for both sides (park & guest). It can be a helpful factor in deciding which park is the best fit for one's family.

 

[OurBigTrip]

My POV is that they NEVER should promise anyone a lifelong accommodation because as we have seen with both companies the offerings can change. What did they open themselves to when they told these people (who have no issue telling everyone) that it is for a lifetime? What is? What if the program goes through major changes and what they are getting now no longer exists? What if their "need" is addressed in a new way but guest only wants the old way ... much like Disney is dealing with folks upset to no longer get DAS? It just wasn't a good move to make promises to people, especially when trying a new service that now seems to be not required??

As I said we decided to not return to Universal for now because of this loose program. We have always had the regular AAP except for a couple years when we had the top one. Not sure if it was that one but we were approved for the duration of our AP and the disability pass was actually printed across the back of his AP, and I think his photo was on it (maybe everyone had their photo).

Agree 100%, I always thought saying lifetime accommodations was kind of dumb, as not only programs can change, so can needs.

 

[ZJ5/9D47]

Obviously speculation, but it was easy to predict that an influx of "Disney's making it hard" people wanting accommodations at UO was going to cause them to need a system re-do as well. UO could be generous because nobody was going there, because WDW was better... and now UO gets to also feel the wrath of at least a third of the population having something that can legit be called a disability.

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.