Special Needs?

[smg1062]

Question: Will my FOTL/Universal Express be enough for easier access with my 7 yr old autistic son? At WDW, they gave us a GAC (Guest Assistance card) that allowed us to use the FAST PASS lines...........
PS: staying at HRH


THANX!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Yes, you can get a GAP pass at Universal. Go to guest services. At IOA it is right before you go through the gate on the right. At Universal Studios it is on the right after you enter the gate. Just tell them your son is autistic and they will give you a card good for one day. You will have to renew it everyday you are there. The line at the Universal Studios guest services is usually shorter than at IOA. I have an AP and they put it on my card for my son so all I have to do now is just let them swipe it and then I get my son's GAP card. It is just like the Disney GAC card where you can use the fast pass line on everything. I have a 4 year old that is autistic and we are only able to handle a few hours in the park at a time anyway before he becomes overstimulated so this card helps us alot.

 

[smg1062]

For the tips. We will def do that!!!!

 

[Leafy]

I just called guest services, and was told that the only thing available is a Family Waiting Area Pass. It lets you stay in an air conditioned area while you wait for the rest of your party that is standing in the regular line.

Is this the guest assistance card that you are talking about? The representative was very specific about it not being a "fast pass."

My daughter has a seizure disorder (and struggles with medicine side affects) among other delays. Thanks for any further information on this!

 

[Daydreamer64]

We were given a card last year summer 2003 for our special needs son ( major hidden physiological handicaps- he does not have mental/behavioral/attention disabilities ) and we had back door entrances or immediate access- it stated a *VIP* pass for the length of stay but it wasn't the tour card. He has many health issues including a TERMINAL illness. This year when I planned our vacation I sent the request in ahead of time to be sure that it all went according to plan at the parks and was told in a "no way around it" that they were NOT giving out any more guest assistance passes ( universal express- like wdw fast pass )- don't know what changed from the year before if anything he is worse off health wise -- we were offered the waiting area too.

Seems that the change of hands ment a crack down for special needs cheaters- that's great but it hurts the people that have true- doctor backed needs - we coughed up the money and made arrangements to stay at the Royal Pacific ( this summer June 2004 ) because we couldn't get help- last years trip was the highlight of his year- it really irks me that non-medical people are the ones deciding if you need help for your special needs child.

We never know how much longer we have until he is too sick to travel so we didn't want to wait until later to vacation with him. We had letters from 4 different doctors comfirming my child's needs and were still denied- they wouldn't even look at them- if I offered them they could consider them to decide about the pass - they just can't ask to see them as it's against the American's With Disabilities Act --guess he didn't "look" sick enough for them hence the hidden disabilities mentioned in my email to the parks.

I have decided that we will not be going back to visit USO any time soon, we had a great vacation but in hind site I don't feel the need to give them the amount of money that we did just to have universal express- it's great but my child's disabilities are very time consumming and we can only visit the parks for a few hours daily.- WDW gave us the GAP as soon as I mention the problems that my son suffers from, even with their new limited access list for disabilities - we went there too this summer 2004 and didn't have a hitch with the assistance that we needed- plus had a great rate for Coronado Springs Resort- it really beat the Universal rates.

Good luck getting a pass- hope it all works out for you- I've noticed a trend from USO- not just for my emails but copied from others who have posted for various reasons- the replys to sent letters are all signed as Darlene- I don't think that one person could do all the email and customer service work for one office do you???

And to answer the origional posted question- YES- universal express or FOTL will be great for your family- my neice is Autistic and it worked good for her family and ours- I just didn't like being treated as if I was trying to pull something over on the parks and get out of line waiting.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I go to Universal monthly, sometimes like this month I go bi-monthly. I was there 2 weeks ago and am going again next weekend. I just got my GAP (guest access pass) out of my wallet from the last time we were there and it says "Univ Express GAP Entry-5" It has "Universal express" written on it. I have been using these cards for 2 years and have never had a problem with them. The guest services people were so nice that one time when I was at guest services they put it in the computer for me to make it easier for me to get my card every time I come so now all I have to do is go to guest services, tell them I need a GAP card and they swipe my annual pass and print one out, no questions asked.
We only use it on the rides that my autistic son rides. My family is usually in the park in the morning and afternoon (depending on how my son can take it) and then in the evenings my husband and I will take turns going out by ourselves and ride all the "big" rides that we couldn't ride in the morning.
I know that there are different types of GAP cards that do not allow this kind of access. I know depending on the condition or situation some cards will only allow you to wait in the family waiting area.
I don't think the person told you correctly when you called guest services. I always have found it is better to go talk to people in person anyway.
Hope this helps!

 

[Leafy]

Thank you for the responses. We have always stayed on-site, because FOTL was really the only way we (our daughter) could enjoy the park. And, of course, she is the driving force behind our trips because she absolutely loves it!

It would be nice to not have to spend the big bucks on the room, as my parents have a home in Kissimmee where we can stay.

Well, it seems that it depends on who you speak to and what kind of mood they are in at the moment. Our daughter looks normal, so I don't think we would have much luck with a fast pass, but the air conditioned family waiting area still would be very helpful.

We have always avoided Disney, since staying on-site doesn't offer the fast pass benefits. But, it sounds like they might be more accomodating to guests with disabilities.

Before we had our daughter, I was probably one of those who looked down at seemingly normal people receiving extra assistance. So I do understand the backlash. Now, however, I am walking on the other side.

Once in a while we would go to family bingo night at the local court club. She would have a great time until someone would win, everyone would clap, then she would become hysterically upset (due to the clapping). The room would then start laughing, not understanding her problem, which would cause her to become even more hysterical (due to the laughing). These were some of the side effects of the medicine she was on at the time to control her seizures.

When a child looks normal, it's hard for others to grasp that there is something medically wrong.

Again, thank you for sharing your stories and information.