disablilities question

[dinifam]

Hi all,
We are going to Universal IOA for the first time with our family as well as another famliy (10 in all) My daughter Emily (10) has had several open heart surgeries and suffered a stroke last summer. She doesnt use a wheelchair anymore but still tires extremely easily and walks super slowly as well as tires extremely from the heat. Her cardiologist has given us permission to go but is sending us with a letter stating that she is not able to tolerate the lines and heat for long periods of time. This was no issue at all at wdw when we went several years ago and I was wondering if universal does the same things with the passes? We leave in 3 weeks and 2 days and will be down there for 7 days
thanks in advance\
amy

 

[ky07]

Hi all,
We are going to Universal IOA for the first time with our family as well as another famliy (10 in all) My daughter Emily (10) has had several open heart surgeries and suffered a stroke last summer. She doesnt use a wheelchair anymore but still tires extremely easily and walks super slowly as well as tires extremely from the heat. Her cardiologist has given us permission to go but is sending us with a letter stating that she is not able to tolerate the lines and heat for long periods of time. This was no issue at all at wdw when we went several years ago and I was wondering if universal does the same things with the passes? We leave in 3 weeks and 2 days and will be down there for 7 days
thanks in advance\
amy

Yes they do and I would contact guest services and let them know her condition and tell them you have the letter from the doctor and sure they will take care of everything for you.

 

[JLTraveling]

The only minor inconvenience you will encounter is that Universal doesn't offer "length of stay" disability passes like Disney does. You'll have to stop by Guest Services each morning to pick up your passes (GAP, similar to Disney's GAC). A couple of tips:

1. Use Guest Services inside the gate rather than the window outside. The outside window is generally swamped and we've had more difficulties there. Inside, you can wait your turn in the air conditioning, it's usually less crowded, and it's usually a breeze.

2. Build in extra time the first day to set things up for the rest of your trip. Explain how long you're staying and ask to be put into the computer system. That way you'll only need to explain the situation and show your documentation once. Every other day, at either park, one person can just run inside, give your daughter's name, and pick up the day's passes. No problems.

3. Have fun! Universal's very laid back, absolutely no need to rush. Relax and enjoy yourselves!!

Hi all,
We are going to Universal IOA for the first time with our family as well as another famliy (10 in all) My daughter Emily (10) has had several open heart surgeries and suffered a stroke last summer. She doesnt use a wheelchair anymore but still tires extremely easily and walks super slowly as well as tires extremely from the heat. Her cardiologist has given us permission to go but is sending us with a letter stating that she is not able to tolerate the lines and heat for long periods of time. This was no issue at all at wdw when we went several years ago and I was wondering if universal does the same things with the passes? We leave in 3 weeks and 2 days and will be down there for 7 days
thanks in advance\
amy

 

[dinifam]

Thanks so much for all the great advice. I am also wondering what kind of passes there are? Ours at WDW let her skip the lines (enter through the handicap entrance) as well as front seating for the shows. Some of the posts I have been searching suggest that there are different passes you can get. I am just trying to clarify before we leave in 22 days!!!!!
thanks
amy

 

[phamton]

Universal has GAP (Guest Assistance Passes). You do not need a doctor's note; just be able to tell them what assistance you need at Guest Services.

Both parks are ADA compliant and, as such, are wheelchair accessible.

There are several types of GAP offered:

Stroller as a wheelchair (you can take your stroller right through the line without transferring to a wheelchair)

Show GAP (Special seating at shows--usually right up front for visually or hearing impaired)

Stairs GAP (for those rides that have stairs in the queue, you can use the elevator)

Familyroom GAP (where you wait in an airconditioned room with a few other family members while the rest of your family goes through the queue--then you join them at the front of the line)

Express GAP which is essentially like a fast pass at Disney all day (6 people maximum)

VIP Gap (back door access--mostly for Make a Wish Kids or Give Kids the World)

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks so much for all the great advice. I am also wondering what kind of passes there are? Ours at WDW let her skip the lines (enter through the handicap entrance) as well as front seating for the shows. Some of the posts I have been searching suggest that there are different passes you can get. I am just trying to clarify before we leave in 22 days!!!!!
thanks
amy

Most of the lines at WDW do not have handicapped entrances (attractions have been changed to have "Mainstream" or wheelchair accessibility in the regular lines).
There is information about Guest Assistance Cards (GAC) at WDW in the disABILITIES FAQs thread on the disABILITIES Board (there is a link in my signature). Like at Universal, there are different 'messages' stamped on the GAC that will meet different needs. You explain the needs at Guest Relations, and the CM will issue a GAC that meets those needs.

WDW's official 'reply' to people who have stamina or endurance concerns is that they recommend using a wheelchair because the time spent in line is just a short part of the time spent in the park. When you think about it, it does make sense since people commonly walk between 3 and 10 miles per day - way more than in their 'usual' life outside of theme park visits. You can still request a GAC to meet her needs to wait out of the heat/sun, but a wheelchair would also be helpful to meet her needs.