Lots and Lots of Questions!

[Figaro]

This is probably too many questions and too long, so I apologize in advance for that!

I've been reading here on the Universal boards and trying to learn some of the answers to my questions so I don't have to bore everyone witless by repeating the same questions over and over.

We are two adults in our 50's and we have never been to Universal Studios. We are planning on being in Orlando from the 13th through the 25th of October and because of hotel reservations already made, will be staying at the Royal Pacific Resort from Monday, October 13th, checking out on the 16th to head over to the Dolphin hotel at Disney for the rest of our trip.

We purchased a couple of 7 day two park passes to Universal. We wouldn't have known to do this except by reading here, so thank you everyone who took the time to answer other people's questions, as it helped this lurker quite a bit.

I am in a manual wheelchair and know pretty much how everything at WDW works with that, but have NO clue as to how that will work at Universal. Do they have roll-in shower rooms at the hotel?

And will they have two queen beds (what we reserved since it was all that was available) or a king bed since I will need space to move around the room with the wheelchair?

Are the water taxis wheelchair accessible?

Which area of the Royal Pacific should we request if we would like to be closest to the path to walk to the parks?

I also have an extraordinary number of medications that need refrigeration and since we are driving, I can bring a small fridge if necessary, but it would be easier if the hotel provided one for the medications, so that is another question.

That pretty much ends the resort/accessibility questions, but if anyone has any other information that would be useful, I would be very appreciative!

I don't really have a ton of questions about the parks yet, mostly since I don't know enough about them to ask intelligent questions. The main one that I can think of is if the Express pass lines are all wheelchair accessible?

And if the streets are paved with cobblestones, since those are pretty exhausting to bounce around on in a wheelchair and would necessitate more breaks at the hotel. That's one of the reasons we don't spend a lot of time at Animal Kingdom...the uneven pavement is very exhausting and painful for me and after about 3 hours we need to leave. I can't tell from the pictures if the pavement is uneven at Universal or fairly smooth?

Are there companion restrooms at the parks?

And is there any way to get a guide to where they are?

I downloaded the disabilities guide for Universal Studios, but it focuses on the rides, not on the park.

Oh, and is there a First Aid station and if so, do they have companion restrooms there? I need assistance to use the bathroom, so my opposite sex spouse needs to help me and it is a LOT easier for everyone if we just use the companion restrooms.

I can't do the coasters and any rides that are particularly jerky because I don't have the leg strength to brace myself. What rides should I avoid?

Thanks again to everyone who has taken time to write about the parks and resorts! I can't really find this information on the disAbilities board since very few people there go to Universal.

 

[RAPstar]

Hey, Fig! I was double checking Universal's website and found a guide that has most of the info you requested about the park. It lists where the first aid and companion restroom are. http://www.universalorlando.com/pi_gs_ada.html Also, I remember from doing hotel research that they do have disability accesible rooms, and I'm pretty sure you can request a fridge in the room, but don't quote me on that. The Royal Pacific's website has a run down of ther accessibility features. http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_rpr_more_info.html Hope this helps some!!

 

[rpbert1]

Hi Figaro, i would call RPR direct and tell them what your needs are,i.e you need roll in shower because of the wheelchair, and ask if a kingsize bed would be available, standard rooms are 2 queens, and i am sure they have the roll in showers. Also ak about a fridge and explain that you need it for the medication you take, they should put the info on your booking then when checking in just remind them.
The water taxis are wheelchair accessable, and noit sure about the cobblestones , but i think there is an area just past the Mummy ride.
Just one other thing which i am not sure if you know or not, but if you show your Disabled badge at the RPR at checkin you will get complimentary parking, which should save a few $$.

If you get Phantom on here or maybe Pm her ,she could give you all the info on the parks you are looking.

 

[phamton]

The main one that I can think of is if the Express pass lines are all wheelchair accessible?

Yes, they are. They are not all ECV accessible but they are accessible via wheelchairs.

And if the streets are paved with cobblestones, since those are pretty exhausting to bounce around on in a wheelchair and would necessitate more breaks at the hotel.

Many of the streets are brick and are rather bumpy. Most have sidewalks you can go on though to get from place to place.

Are there companion restrooms at the parks?

http://www.universalorlando.com/pi_gs_tpservices.html

There are more specifics on that page. The companions restrooms are in the First Aid/Health Services. There is one on the far right after you enter the turnstiles at Universal Studios.

There are two at IoA: one on the far right after entering the turnstiles and the other near Sinbad show.

We'll certainly try to answer any questions as needed. I don't know all the answers but luckily we have a group of knowledgable people here.

 

[Figaro]

Thank you so much for the links and information! It helps a great deal to have such a knowledgeable and helpful group of people here! And while we love WDW, I am perfectly willing to accept Universal on its own terms and not just in comparison to the other place. I thought we would enjoy going there because the Studios is our second favorite park (Epcot is first).

And staying on site will help make up for the time we lose that I end up spending at at the First Aid Station. I know when people ask about Universal on the disAbilities board that phamtom has always been a huge help. But that board is mostly full of people who go only to WDW, so there isn't a ton of information available there.

Thanks again!

 

[phamton]

I know when people ask about Universal on the disAbilities board that phamtom has always been a huge help. But that board is mostly full of people who go only to WDW, so there isn't a ton of information available there.

I wish I had more information. I don't know very much about the hotels as I've only stayed onsite once and didn't travel with anyone who needed accomodations. I'm sorry to say that since I haven't travelled with a wheelchair, I often don't notice obstacles. I think I should spend at least a day in a wheelchair and I bet I'd notice.

I'll certainly try to find out any answers to questions that others don't answer here. And when you come back, you can be our expert.

 

[ky07]

I wish I had more information. I don't know very much about the hotels as I've only stayed onsite once and didn't travel with anyone who needed accomodations. I'm sorry to say that since I haven't travelled with a wheelchair, I often don't notice obstacles. I think I should spend at least a day in a wheelchair and I bet I'd notice.

I'll certainly try to find out any answers to questions that others don't answer here. And when you come back, you can be our expert.

Like Phamton I don;t know about the hotels but as far as Universal and Ioa we went with FIL in 2005 and he was in a wheel chair due to he had prostetic legs and he got around fine and shouldn't be a problem unless you can't get on the rides without help in which FIL didn't have trouble.
So you should be fine

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I am in a manual wheelchair and know pretty much how everything at WDW works with that, but have NO clue as to how that will work at Universal. Do they have roll-in shower rooms at the hotel?

They should, if you ask!

And will they have two queen beds (what we reserved since it was all that was available) or a king bed since I will need space to move around the room with the wheelchair?

We had two doubles at RPR, but they most likely have queens.

Are the water taxis wheelchair accessible?

Uhhh...you do have to step down, I think. I'm not sure on that one.

Which area of the Royal Pacific should we request if we would like to be closest to the path to walk to the parks?

Tower 3! It's closest to the pool/water taxi/paths.

I don't really have a ton of questions about the parks yet, mostly since I don't know enough about them to ask intelligent questions. The main one that I can think of is if the Express pass lines are all wheelchair accessible?
I can't tell from the pictures if the pavement is uneven at Universal or fairly smooth?

Some of the EP lines are wheelchair accessible (most are) but some (i.e. Dudley Do-Right's) have stairs. Ask the CM who is checking the passes for assistance. The pavement is fairly even at Universal, no worries

Are there companion restrooms at the parks?

Yes, there should be!

And is there any way to get a guide to where they are?

The park guide you can get at the park enterance should point them out.

Oh, and is there a First Aid station and if so, do they have companion restrooms there? I need assistance to use the bathroom, so my opposite sex spouse needs to help me and it is a LOT easier for everyone if we just use the companion restrooms.

First Aid stations are there, and they most likely have companion bathrooms. Ask a CM, or check the park guide as to where the First Aid stations are.

I can't do the coasters and any rides that are particularly jerky because I don't have the leg strength to brace myself. What rides should I avoid?

Avoid Revenge of the Mummy, then. And for Jimmy Neutron and Shrek 4D, just ask for the stationary seating/wheelchair area. Spiderman jerks a bit, but is smooth.

 

[mslclark]

I second the vote to contact the hotel directly and request a wheelchair accessible room. You can get a fridge in your room there.

We had 2 queen beds when we stayed at RPR, but I'm sure they have king rooms.

I hope you have a great time there!

 

[Metro West]

I second the vote to contact the hotel directly and request a wheelchair accessible room. You can get a fridge in your room there.

We had 2 queen beds when we stayed at RPR, but I'm sure they have king rooms.

I hope you have a great time there!

 

[Figaro]

Wow, thank you all so very much! This is really a great group of people and I really appreciate all of the fantastic information! I'm copying it all down into a word document so that I have it and we will be calling the hotel later on today to let them know about the roll-in shower.

Thanks again! When I finally have enough knowledge to ask some intelligent questions about the rides, I know exactly where to come.

 

[phamton]

There's also a companion restroom at the Health Services by Beetlejuice. I'm not sure why it wasn't listed on the website.

 

[damo]

The beds at the Loews hotels are queens or kings unless you are in a kids suite and then there are twins.

We have seen many people in wheelchairs on the boats, so you will be just fine! No need to worry about that at all. Just make sure when you make your room reservations you tell them that you need a wheelchair accessible room. They are there, so make sure you get one!

 

[Figaro]

Thanks, phamton and damo! I added that information to my word document.

My spouse called the hotel last night and requested a roll-in shower and tower three. The reservation person was very nice and helpful, just like everyone here!

Thanks again!

 

[Notatourist]

The water taxis are wheelchair accessible.

 

[Figaro]

Is it a huge hassle to load wheelchairs onto the water taxis? Would it be easier for us to just walk? I hate it when we slow other people down. We seldom take the buses at WDW because people get so impatient with the wheelchair and I was wondering if loading the wheelchair on the water taxis was going to be an issue? If so, we will walk. Well, I'll roll and my spouse will walk/push.

 

[Tinker-tude]

Hi, Figaro.

As far as the bricks/cobblestones go, would you consider renting a motorized cart to get around in? I don't know if they meet your needs or not, but they are available to rent at the front of the parks where they rent the strollers.

 

[Notatourist]

Is it a huge hassle to load wheelchairs onto the water taxis? Would it be easier for us to just walk? I hate it when we slow other people down. We seldom take the buses at WDW because people get so impatient with the wheelchair and I was wondering if loading the wheelchair on the water taxis was going to be an issue? If so, we will walk. Well, I'll roll and my spouse will walk/push.

No, they aren't a huge hassle. It's a roll in situation.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Is it a huge hassle to load wheelchairs onto the water taxis? Would it be easier for us to just walk? I hate it when we slow other people down. We seldom take the buses at WDW because people get so impatient with the wheelchair and I was wondering if loading the wheelchair on the water taxis was going to be an issue? If so, we will walk. Well, I'll roll and my spouse will walk/push.

Please. If anyone has a problem waiting a few more seconds for you to load, then THEY can walk.

 

[tlinus]

Please. If anyone has a problem waiting a few more seconds for you to load, then THEY can walk.

I agree with ^^^^^

you take the boat - don't worry about loading a few seconds slower than non wheelchair people.