Disability pass at Universal Orlando

[shosh1530]

We are making our first trip to Universal Orlando later this month so was happy to see this thread.

We already have our approval and case number, my question is do we have to check in with guest services every day to get the card they use for the return times? Or just our first day of the trip?

Our first two days is a park-to-park ticket to US and IOA and then our third day will be at Epic Universe.

 

[Keladry84]

We are making our first trip to Universal Orlando later this month so was happy to see this thread.

We already have our approval and case number, my question is do we have to check in with guest services every day to get the card they use for the return times? Or just our first day of the trip?

Our first two days is a park-to-park ticket to US and IOA and then our third day will be at Epic Universe.

For your 2 day ticket, for sure they will give validity dates to cover the length of the ticket, so you will only need to stop one of those days. For US/IOA note that you need to go to guest services at the front of the park (either before the entrance or there is a second one just inside the gates). You can't get it initially at the guest services located further inside the park (for example in HP lands), although those locations can usually assist you if you have problems once it is issued for those dates.

For Epic - note that I haven't been to Epic yet, but have been following closely on various forums.

How they will handle the Epic day is unclear. I've seen mixed reports. Some people have reported they were able to get it included on one AAP, others that they had to go each day individually to Epic guest services, and still others that initially had it included on one AAP at US/IOA but when they got to Epic were directed to guest services to get it replaced. You will probably not know for sure until you get there and pick up your US/IOA AAP. Also for Epic, I have heard that you can pick it up not only at the front guest services, but also at each one located by every portal entrance (which reportedly have shorter lines). I can't confirm this as I haven't been myself yet.

However it turns out, be sure to go to the dedicated line for those with a case number - it will be much more streamlined and a much shorter wait, even if the main guest services line initially seems like it would be shorter.

 

[Dancergirlmelody]

I just got back from Universal and wanted to share my experience getting the accessibility pass in case it helps anyone. The guest services line was long right when the park opened, so we did some of the short wait line rides first. Around noon, I went back to guest services where there was no line anymore. They asked me whether I'd gotten IBCCES first and when I said no, they said it wasn't a problem. They asked me: 1. Whether I was requesting the pass for a disability. and 2. What happened when I waited in a traditional line. They prefaced the conversation by telling me that they would not ask for medical diagnoses and when I asked question 2 with "I have panic attacks", they asked me again to rephrase my answer without using a medical diagnosis or teminology. I knew they'd ask that, but I was still flustered when I tried to describe a panic attack without using the word "anxiety" lol. After my stumbled explanation they asked whether I had any mobility issues and then asked whether I was able to wait in line at all or if I needed immediate access. In the end, they gave me the paper card and explained that for waits over 30 mins, the cast member would sign the card and give me a return time and for waits under 30 minus I could go right in. Either way, I'd go through the express line. I had the military year-long pass and they said the pass was only good for 2 weeks at a time, and after that I'd have to go through the requesting process again. I was only in Orlando a week, so that wasn't a problem for me.

I found the whole process very quick, easy, and respectful! I never had a problem with the cast members signing the card. When giving me a return time, I found that every cast member cut the time by 15-30 minutes. However, since even the express line usually had a 15-30 minute wait it all seemed very fair to me. Happy to answer questions!

 

[yourfriend2]

So here in LA Universal we have an app where my special needs son had to register IBCCES. (and despite recent reports this is still a requirement in Univeral Hollywood. We show that to the booth outside guest services and he gets his card where they write the return time down (unless the line is under 30 minutes then he goes right on). When I went today I asked if this app is also utilized for the Orlando Universal parks and surprisingly they didn't know.
So have things changed in Orlando? Do I need to bring a doctors note saying what accomodations he needs (but no diagnosis).
Universal and Six Flags now require a doctors note for their disability passes, it seems DIsney might do better with their if they required a doctors note about what accommodations are needed and with no diagnosis,
SO I ask how does the Orlando Universal system work now?

When is your Universal Orlando trip? If you went already, could you give us an update on how it works?