new rules for wheelchair users at Universal Orlando?

[darthtatty]

i haven't been to universal in at least 6-7 years. I have Spina Bifida and I use a wheelchair full time. I am paralyzed from the waist down and can't stand or walk at all. i can sit completely unaided and transfer independently etc. I can even crawl if I have to. I have never had issues at either Universal or Disney but i have had major issues with Busch Gardens (both in Williamsburg(i live about 45 mins from that park) and in Tampa. They seem to decide every year and sometimes almost every time i go to the Williamsburg park which rides they decide are "safe" for me. Before they implemented this "pass" not sure what they call theirs, I rode everything....minus the log flume that had stairs in the queue. Now it seems that every time i go they give me the pass with a new set of rides that i'm "allowed" to go on. I have had to complain numerous times to several different people because there are times they say i can ride everything then sometimes i can only ride the kiddie rides. It is so frustrating and I understand that they have liability reasons but when I have nothing preventing me from safely riding the rides there should be no issue. I remember one time going that they were going to allow me to ride Griffon (a floorless, dive coaster which i won't ride due to the speed and force of the 90 degree drop and not being able to control what my legs do...makes me nervous ) but not Europe in the Air (A simulator ride similar to Soarin'). It infuriates me everytime I go and it's a different situation each time. I have gone to Busch Gardens every summer since i was 7 (i'm now 27) and didn't start having issues until about 5 years ago. Makes me nervouse to go to Universal again

Its frustrating when there is no consistancy.
We went to Universal in August and had no problems, our son only goes on a few rides from each park. We know what is safe for him and have done the rides many times before.
We are not due to go for a couple of years and I understand that the rules may change many times before then.
we have friends visiting in the next few months, and would like more info for them.
On our next trip, we had planned on a major stay at Universal but looks like we wont even visit at all.
Seems like we wont be welcomed

I hope you have success on your next visit.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The best place to complain is not at the Park.

Either call or write a descriptive letter to the correct Department of Justice Office.

The way to address the letter would be:

United States Attorney
ATTN: ADA Compliance
Address, city and state.

For all the Florida Theme Parks it would be Middle District of Florida and the headquarters is in Orlando.

For BG Williamsburg it would be Eastern District of Virginia and the headquarters is in Norfolk.

And for the California Parks it would be Central District of California with the headquarters in Los Angeles.

I know a few months ago I was having a problem in Memphis and a very nice letter from the Western District of Tennessee took care of the problem.

(I worked for the Federal Court System for 17 years prior to retiring.)

 

[mainecoon lover]

Thank you

 

[darthtatty]

Thank you Cheshire Figment, very helpful.

 

[Lewisc]

my discrimination against the disabled comment, was in response to the comment- that a disabled person should not bother to enter the park.

We understand the need for safety rules and can understand it on rides where transfers occur.
However they have rides that allows the person to remain in their wheelchair eg ET, MIB. The wheelchairs are designed, so that the individual has total support.
why are they then refused entry to that ride?

Obviously the rule changed after the ride was built (or retrofitted) in a way which allowed a person to remain in their wheelchair on the attraction. AFAIK you can't attach a wheel chair in a plane and allow a passenger to sit in the wheel chair in flight. I don't know if Universal was "reckless" in allowing guests to sit in their wheelchair in those attractions, is now being overly cautious (insurance issues?) or if experience necessitated the change in policy.

I certainly think it's fair to ask Universal and /or complain to ADA enforcement people if you don't think the new policy complies. The policy might (or might not) be considered discriminatory. I have no idea.

I don't think the Universal employee who suggests not wasting your money is engaging in discrimination. Maybe if he doesn't word it right. I think he's trying to be helpful. Don't waste your money. Based on the new rules you won't be allowed to ride anything.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have emailed them and this was the reply



since we are the other side of the Atlantic it isn't really practical to visit them at the park. They have refused to clarify anything in an email or on their website and as far as I can see the Riders Guide still lists attractions where wheelchair users can remain in their chair.

That was certainly helpful wasn't it??? <cough>

 

[bedogged]

Its frustrating when there is no consistancy.
We went to Universal in August and had no problems, our son only goes on a few rides from each park. We know what is safe for him and have done the rides many times before.
We are not due to go for a couple of years and I understand that the rules may change many times before then.
we have friends visiting in the next few months, and would like more info for them.
On our next trip, we had planned on a major stay at Universal but looks like we wont even visit at all.
Seems like we wont be welcomed

I hope you have success on your next visit.

FYI I stayed at the Royal Pacific last month while using an ECV. I found it unfriendly because there are not any automatic doors so I had to rely on other people to open doors for me.

 

[darthtatty]

That was certainly helpful wasn't it??? <cough>

I know, very helpful.

FYI I stayed at the Royal Pacific last month while using an ECV. I found it unfriendly because there are not any automatic doors so I had to rely on other people to open doors for me.

Thats a shame, they dont seem to think of things like this.
I think everyone should experience at least 1 day in a wheelchair.

 

[bedogged]

I know, very helpful.



Thats a shame, they dont seem to think of things like this.
I think everyone should experience at least 1 day in a wheelchair.

I filled out one of those surveys that they send you after a stay and complained about the doors. I received the following:

"Aloha from the Loews Royal Pacific Resort,

We are appreciative of your business and for providing us
with details regarding your recent stay. Please accept our
sincere apology for the inconsistencies and inconveniences
which you've noted regarding accessibility in our Resort.

We do take very seriously your concern; therefore, we do
our best to improve our business and service. I will review
the specifics on this issue with the appropriate team so
that corrective actions are immediately pursued. Our focus
is to satisfy our guest concerns and feedback, like yours
in regards our guest with disabilities.

However, should you consider staying with us again, after
confirming your reservations, please consider contacting a
member of our team at this e-mail address, so that we may
ensure an enjoyable, relaxing and flawless visit.

Thank you again for your business and candid feedback.

Mahalo!

Larry J. Beiderman, General Manager
Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando"

 

[bedogged]

its discrimination against the disabled.

There should be a way to suggest a person with a specific condition, including pregnant, might not be able to ride enough of the attractions to justify spending XX dollars and a day of your vacation without discriminating against the disabled.

I don't know if Disney is being "reckless" or if Universal is being overly cautious. It's possible an objective standard, able to sit upright by yourself, is an appropriate way to screen some potential riders.

Last month my daughter and myself were very disappointed that we were unable to ride FJ. We are both large but the problem was in part because the ride attendants are no longer able to assist people with pushing the bar down. We both have large chests and there is just no way that I could see for a person to push the bar down that far themselves. The ride attendant was a very sweet boy and it was handled with great sensitivity, but he did say that HE could no longer ride either because of this "new" policy.

 

[phamton]

There are several rides that the guest is allowed to remain in his/her wheelchair but they must be able to sit up unassisted and must be able to grip the restraint bar with at least one limb. If the ride has spinning, drops, or sudden stops, the guests, for safety reasons, need to be able to support themselves somewhat.

 

[SueM in MN]

There are several rides that the guest is allowed to remain in his/her wheelchair but they must be able to sit up unassisted and must be able to grip the restraint bar with at least one limb. If the ride has spinning, drops, or sudden stops, the guests, for safety reasons, need to be able to support themselves somewhat.

Thank you.
I can see that, even in a supportive wheelchair, some people may not be able to maintain their position in the wheelchair if the ride moves too much.
And, I can see that being able to grip a restraint bar might be necessary for some attractions because it may be needed to prevent moving around too much.

 

[loadsapixiedust]

Surely if you ride in a supportive wheelchair, one designed especially for that purpose, you should be assessed with that support in mind for attractions where you are permitted to ride in your wheelchair?

I have just heard from another friend visiting just now who has fallen foul of the 'new rules' she says

DS was not allowed to ride unless he could sit unaided or grip the bars which he cannot do either of so nothing bar Despicable Me ride and Shrek where there is a bit where you sit at the front in your chair stationery

yet a friend of our DS who has just returned says she was able to ride everything she wanted including Hulk even though she cannot sit without her wheelchair. Apparently they should call a manager to assess wheelchair users at each attraction but on the day they visited they only did this at a few attractions. It sounds like there is some inconsistency and it is just your luck whether you can ride a few rides or none at all I think if they are going to withdraw access for so many attractions they need to look at offering more appropriate discounts to those affected.

 

[goldenpassion86]

Hi!!
I was so worried reading all this before going to disney and universal since I am in a wheelchair due to spinal muscular atrophy, wich means I can't walk and I am really weak in my upper body... still I LOVE roller coasters! so it was so sad for me to read all this...
I took both of my wheelchairs with me (the power one and the manual one) and here comes the good news I was able to enter EVERY WHERE! EVEN TO HULK!!! the problem they had... wich I dont know what it was, they dont have it any more! oh the only thing I didnt ride was the rock in mountain, but it was my desicion because i thought that the seat belt wasnt good enough
They just asked me in 2 games if I could grab the seat belt with my hands, and even though I did it (just at the begining, then my hands loose by the impact), it wasnt because of that that I ride safe, it was because of the good seat belts they had, and because of my best friend seated next to me! and nothing happened! oh and the accesible cars for the whole wheelchair in, are back and working! also if you dont bring your manual wheelchair with you, they will give one to you in each ride you need it!
So the only thing you need to do in order to avoid any problem is:
Say yes I can grab the seat belt with my hands (even if you let it go when the ride starts) (just take it as you can, putting your hands into it and grabbing them between them is a good way)
and
Go with a loving person wich has an eye on you just in case! well my beautiful best friend did that and put a hand on my neck just in case in the bigest roller coasters! and everything will be ok! (do not say you can't seat well, the seat belt will hold you on! don't worry) and i know! I don't have any straight and I just had the best experience of my life in disney and universal!
I just wanted to share this so that the people who's planning to visit knows what to do!

God bless you all and good luck!