Is there a GAC at Universal?

[3kidsmommy]

We are planning a trip to the Orlando area April 2-7 with my children and dh and myself. At Disney, we will be getting a GAC for my son, who has autism, mental retardation, low muscle tone, etc. He uses a stroller type wheelchair and waiting in a huge que line of people is horrid for him. He does very well time wise with a wait, just can't do the huge lines with tons of people in a cattle chute (that is what the que lines remind me of!) very well. Is there a GAC for Universal? We so want this to be a good family trip.

 

[STLmomof3]

Yes there is we just returned from there and it definetley helped, THE staff WAS great about getting us in quickly. Have a Fun time!

 

[3kidsmommy]

Ok--where at Universal do you go to get one? Having never been to Universal, I have no clue at all. Also, do you simply describe the issues like you do at Disney? Do they have alternative waiting areas? I noticed on their website they said that all ques were wheelchair accessible--which is super, but we need to avoid que lines at all costs. Thanks for the info!! I appreciate your help.

 

[STLmomof3]

We went throught GKTW so the pass was already available to us so IM not sure where u go or what you have to go through someone else prob knows on the disability forum if you post there. That forum is on the main screen and they talk about all different parks and issues.
Usually I would just flash the card & they would call a greeter down at each ride and they would take us in the back way and get right on , a few had lines for wheelchairs/or fastpass that we went thru and got on that way.
Hopefully someone can help you out more .

 

[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 an take your stroller right through the line without transferring to a wheelchair)
Show GAP (Special seating at shows--usually right up front--mostly for hearing or visually 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 esentially like a fast pass at Disney all day
VIP Gap (back door access--mostly for Make a Wish Kids or Give Kids the World)

I find Universal very accomodating for kids with Autism.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi we are from the UK.
Our little 8 year old boy is Autistic.

We visit Orlando every year, you can get a special 'express pass' from Guest Services at both US and IOA, this will get you on any rides without having to queue and will also make it clear that you have a child with special needs.

The only problem is that the pass is only valid for 1 day, so you have to get a new one each visit.
I am not aware of the GAP but this pass was fine for us.
For example on ET, we simply show the pass and explain we have a special needs child and we enter through the back door - mainly because we want to miss out the pre-show, hence we get on ET as many times as we like.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

The "Special Express Pass" is the GAP, johnnysharp.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The "Special Express Pass" is the GAP, johnnysharp.

I bow to your greater knowledge oh Dark one