Taking autistic son to Universal/Islands of Adventure

[disney-super-mom]

Before now, we've always rented my son, who is autistic, a stroller, and then when he got older, we rented him a wheelchair. Mostly it was for his hypotonia....he just couldn't walk and stand all day at the parks like the rest of us. But it also served as his own little protective "area" so crowds/people/touching/bumping didn't bother him.

Well now he is older (he's 11) and wanting to forgo the wheelchair. I'm sort of okay with him trying that, but he can get overstimulated with crowds/people (especially with little kids playing with the chains in a queue or climbing on the railings in a queue....that seems to be awful for him), so I will be getting him a GAC to use just in case waiting in the regular lines becomes too much for him to handle, which has happened before, even a few times while in a wheelchair. His personality is very sweet and polite, but when he becomes overwhelmed by something (which can happen quite often at times) he weeps, and then we can't get him to stop. He becomes hyper-focused on whatever it was that made him start weeping, and it takes
F O R E V E R to get him past that and focused on something else so he stops weeping.

Anyway, we are planning on also spending a couple of days at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, but I'm a little worried. I've heard they have something called a Guest Assistance Pass - yes?

Does anyone here know anything about Universal and their GAP? Does it work similar to Disney's GAC?

I guess I'm just worried because I've never been to Universal and don't know how Universal is with accommodating special needs kids, or if they accommodate them at all.

Any words of personal experience or advice for Universal would be greatly appreciated.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Nobody has any experience taking their special needs child to US/IOA?

Well, I guess maybe we'll be the guinea pigs and have to report back about our experience there for others should anyone want to know.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

We have visited several times from the UK with our autistic/non verbal child, we also bring our own wheelchair as he cannot walk long distances.

Universal do a similar pass for disabled guests, one of the main differences is the appearance in that it looks like a regular express pass, in addition unlike at WDW you have to renew at Guest Services each time you visit.

They cater for special needs and you should find them helpful to your requirements.
One thing about Universal Studios is some of the attractions such as Barney, Curious George and Woody Woodpecker do not open till at least 10am - so if like us you get to the parks early you may want to bear that in mind.

The fact that Universal Studios and Islands Of Adventure are side by side means you can easily walk from one to the other, if that suits your plan for the day.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Hi,

We have visited several times from the UK with our autistic/non verbal child, we also bring our own wheelchair as he cannot walk long distances.

Universal do a similar pass for disabled guests, one of the main differences is the appearance in that it looks like a regular express pass, in addition unlike at WDW you have to renew at Guest Services each time you visit.

They cater for special needs and you should find them helpful to your requirements.
One thing about Universal Studios is some of the attractions such as Barney, Curious George and Woody Woodpecker do not open till at least 10am - so if like us you get to the parks early you may want to bear that in mind.

The fact that Universal Studios and Islands Of Adventure are side by side means you can easily walk from one to the other, if that suits your plan for the day.

This is good to hear and takes a bit of worry off my shoulders. I hope when we are there they are as helpful for my little guy. It's always a little nerve wracking when you're not sure what to expect, but your post makes me feel much better. Thank you!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks and I agree when you have a child with special needs you want everything just right.

The rides at US that attract the most queue's are - Shrek4D and Jimmy Neutron, they are close to the entrance of the park. Others such as the one's I mention earlier are further away, the Suess Landing area at IOA is a good place for you to take your son, I am sure he would love it there.

Both parks are easy to walk around with a wheelchair, and there are also shops and restaurants at Citywalk - an area that essentially you walk through to get to the parks.

Themed retsuarants such as Nascar, Hard Rock Cafe are popular - I guess it just depends if your son will want to eat there.
Our Joshua doesn't really like dining out.