Autistic son at Universal

[cindy17]

Forgive me if this has been addresses previously, havent been on these boards in awhile. I've been researching and haven't been able to find out if Universal offers any accomodations for special needs guests similar to the GAC offered by Disney. I have a severely autistic son and the Disney GAC has truly been a lifesaver for us. We'd like to get brave and try Universal on our trip next summer, but were wondering if they have a pass to offer. I know about the access availability if you stay at one of their three hotels, but I was kind of leaning toward staying off site if possible. Thank you for any advice/insight!

 

[krisnme]

Our last trip to universal was 2008, but yes they had thier own version of a GAC with very similar assistance offered. Don't know why, but DS just never really took to US like WDW. Just not as magical? maybe we will try again next summer. good luck!

 

[SueM in MN]

Just time for a quick post. There is information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about Universal’s version of the Guest Assistance Card.
the disABILITIES FAQs thread is near the top of this board, or follow the ink in my signature. The first post is an index to the thread.

 

[MomofLogan&Evan]

We just came back from Universal and used their version of a GAC. You pick it up at Guest Services. Ours is an alternative entrance and stroller as a wheelchair. Basically you take the card up to the ride entrance, they electronically scan it then if the wait time is less than 30 min you go through the fastpass line. If the line is longer than 30 minutes, they stamp your card with a time to come back and ride it. We only had one ride we had to come back to ride. Of course, it doesn't work for Harry Potter. Luckily we went on a non-crowded day and had only a 20 minute wait.

 

[tinkerpea]

Is there a reason they don't allow the GAC to be used for Harry potter?I also have an autistic son who usually gets the alternate entrance stamp for DIsney and was wondering how you went about using one at Universal so I'm pleased there is one just gutted it doesn't allow you to do harrypotter as my son loves the films, we might have to stay at the hotel to get early entrance although I really didn't want to have that expense

 

[MomofLogan&Evan]

With Harry Potter, there is no other option but standing in the regular line. It moved quickly and the only part that was difficult was the greenhouse because it was already a 90 degree day! Our problem was that we couldn't take our stroller because it was a double and the castmember said it wouldn't fit through the turns. Luckily, my son (who is type 1 diabetic) did not have any low blood sugars while we were waiting in line. Otherwise, it could have gotten ugly

Again, the rule is +30 minutes - return time. -30 minutes fast pass. We went at rope drop and the last week of September so I felt we went at a reasonable time for crowds. I would not have wanted to be there over the summer though - one time I checked the time wait and it was 180 minutes for Harry Potter!

This was our best day of the entire week and we will definitely go back! I was really worried too because everyone kept saying my kids were too little for IOA. I am so glad I didn't listen - OMG did we have fun!!

 

[Disney1976]

Is there a reason they don't allow the GAC to be used for Harry potter?I also have an autistic son who usually gets the alternate entrance stamp for DIsney and was wondering how you went about using one at Universal so I'm pleased there is one just gutted it doesn't allow you to do harrypotter as my son loves the films, we might have to stay at the hotel to get early entrance although I really didn't want to have that expense

There is no alternate entrance for FJ, that's why. The line that would be an alternate entrance is set up as a castle walkthrough line, per JK Rowling's request.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I went to Universal last summer. We stayed at one of the hotels (never again) and we used the room keys.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Yes, we went last September with our autistic son and they gave us a very similar pass to the one Disney provides. We are big Disney people and tried Universal for 2 days while on our annual Disney trip. We didn't have any problems with using it, and as other stated- no rules were given or inforced. We just showed the pass, and were sent to the "fastpass line"(cant remember what they call theirs). HP was a 60 minute wait, and we went through the FP line in about 5-10 minutes.

 

[OlMy]

Do I understand correctly that after "return time" they'll send us to the Express line? (not in front of the standard line?)
And is it true that we can't have "return time" for more than one attraction at the same time?

 

[jmartinez1895]

What about the number of people with you. Is it like Disney? We are a family of five and my child would freak out if we got separated. When we do potty breaks he has to sit by the door of the ladies room to make sure we are "ok".

 

[phamton]

Do I understand correctly that after "return time" they'll send us to the Express line? (not in front of the standard line?)
And is it true that we can't have "return time" for more than one attraction at the same time?

There are a few different GAP passes. Some have a return time and you can only get one at a time. You can get another return time after the first has passed. When the return time arrives, you will get in the express line not the regular line.

There is also a GAP that is similar to a front of the line pass. Most kids with autism will need that one.

What about the number of people with you. Is it like Disney? We are a family of five and my child would freak out if we got separated. When we do potty breaks he has to sit by the door of the ladies room to make sure we are "ok".

The GAP is for up to 6 people except for Halloween Horror Nights which only allows for 2 people.

 

[Indy_Disney]

There is no alternate entrance for FJ, that's why. The line that would be an alternate entrance is set up as a castle walkthrough line, per JK Rowling's request.

Actually,there is somewhat of an alternate entrance when using Universal's "GAC" card for FJ. Go to the beginning of the queue, get your approval there from the cast member, then proceed down the left side of the queue as directed (it may be an Express Pass queue, don't quite remember). When entering the castle (lockers will be on the right), approach the cast member there with your card and they will let you proceed, bypassing the regular line.

 

[Indy_Disney]

There are a few different GAP passes. Some have a return time and you can only get one at a time. You can get another return time after the first has passed. When the return time arrives, you will get in the express line not the regular line.

There is also a GAP that is similar to a front of the line pass. Most kids with autism will need that one.

The GAP is for up to 6 people except for Halloween Horror Nights which only allows for 2 people.

Wish I had known this, as we had difficulty in just getting the 30-minute wait card. We always get the GAC at Disney for our autistic son. Universal Guest Services said they could not accommodate us in any other way. Of course, we could always purchase an Express Pass according to them.

 

[cindy17]

Thank you so much for all your responses! Kind of sounds like a "crap shoot" whether my son (who is not in a stroller or wheelchair) will be able to get the pass (unlike at Disney where all they have to do is take one look at him running around guest services!) for him to obtain a GAC. Just to be on the safe side, I think we will buy the express pass. We'll only be there 2 days and even with including that cost, it's still cheaper than staying on site. My only concern is Harry Potter. With the purchased Express Pass (not staying on site) and can you still get "fast pass access" (sorry, I can't think of proper term)?

 

[lovethattink]

Our last time at Universal was in March during Mardi Gras and it was packed! We were given an Attraction Assistance Pass. It listed how many were in our party, our name and if an alternative to stairs was needed or not.

When we arrived at the Sly Trolley, they wrote the name of the attraction, the arrival time and the return time. There was an area for validation once it was the return time.