Universal - express pass and or guest assistance pass

[harrowgirl]

I am a die hard DISer, and feel I know the tricks of the trade there, but on our May 21 - May 28 trip to Orlando, we are planning to do a day at Islands of Adventure. We have never been to universal or IoA. It is dh, myself, dd (5) and ds (2 weeks shy of 4). It looks like it is going to cost an additional $200 for us to get express passes for the day. Crowd levels due to Memorial Day weekend look to be in the 7ish range. We are staying offsite, and plan to arrive 45 minutes or so before park opening. Would you spring for the express pass, or go without? I'm not all that familiar with the universal process.

As an aside, my son has autism, and generally is pretty good, but we MAY go the route of getting a guest assistance pass for disabilities if he is really struggling with the standing still in line. Would that change your answer above?


Further to the above, the universal website looks like to get a guest assistance pass, I require a dedicated doctors note? I have a copy of his diagnosis report, do I really need to get an official note from my doctor?

 

[blondietink]

We had great luck in January with Universal's guest assistance program. We got a card from guest services that each ride could fill out with a time to come back if the ride had a wait time of 30 minutes or more. I believe that if the ride had less than a 30 minute wait, we were allowed in the express lane. I don't know if that was because we had a wheelchair, or because they were just being nice as there were not many people in the express lines.

I would look at projected crowd levels and go on what will be the slowest day and just get the guest assistance card. I also don't know about a doctor's note as again, my son is in a wheelchair and has an obvious disability.

 

[bopper]

Personally, I would suggest staying one night at a Universal hotel. Then you get the express pass for the day you get there AND the day you leave (so essentially two days)
if you want to go to both Universal park

 

[jodifla]

I am a die hard DISer, and feel I know the tricks of the trade there, but on our May 21 - May 28 trip to Orlando, we are planning to do a day at Islands of Adventure. We have never been to universal or IoA. It is dh, myself, dd (5) and ds (2 weeks shy of 4). It looks like it is going to cost an additional $200 for us to get express passes for the day. Crowd levels due to Memorial Day weekend look to be in the 7ish range. We are staying offsite, and plan to arrive 45 minutes or so before park opening. Would you spring for the express pass, or go without? I'm not all that familiar with the universal process.

As an aside, my son has autism, and generally is pretty good, but we MAY go the route of getting a guest assistance pass for disabilities if he is really struggling with the standing still in line. Would that change your answer above?


Further to the above, the universal website looks like to get a guest assistance pass, I require a dedicated doctors note? I have a copy of his diagnosis report, do I really need to get an official note from my doctor?

We were at IOA the week before Easter break, and the crowd level was supposed to be a 6. It was packed. We went on 4 things, then left. And it took us 45 minutes to even be able to park.

An express pass at IOA is likely quite worth it Memorial Day week. You can buy them there, too.


We also used valet parking for our last day there. Totally worth it!

 

[infopurposesonly]

I'm going in a couple of weeks. I called Universal, and they said no doctor's note was necessary.
Universal has different kinds of disability asistance passes. They have the attractions assistance card, which gives a return time but allows you in the express line if the wait is less than thirty minutes. They also have another pass for people with disabilities that allows you to enter the express line. They will give you whatever pass they think will meet your needs.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm going in a couple of weeks. I called Universal, and they said no doctor's note was necessary.
Universal has different kinds of disability asistance passes. They have the attractions assistance card, which gives a return time but allows you in the express line if the wait is less than thirty minutes. They also have another pass for people with disabilities that allows you to enter the express line. They will give you whatever pass they think will meet your needs.

From everything I have heard, the card giving access to the express pass line is rarely given out, so I would not count on getting it.
It is alśo not valid for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios, Pteranodon Flyers or Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Islands of Adventure.
This page has more information about Universal's disability cards. it does say a doctor's note is required, but that is not correct in general; they may require a doctor note for the express line one. For doctor's notes and your own request for their passes, they are not looking for diagnosis. You need to explain whet the needs are - how does his autism affect his ability to wait inside the line.

 

[SueM in MN]

For your situation, buying Express Passes or staying at a Universal resort might be the better option.
If you are using a disability pass, your son will have to be riding with you in order to use it. Universal and IOA have much more extreme attractions than WDW and there may be some that your children are too small for or don't want to ride.

You can check out the Universal Rider's a Guide for guests with disabilities here:
https://www.universalorlando.com/Images/Riders_Guide_tcm13-26195.pdf
It has more details about attractions, including some things that might help you decide how intense they are. I will add that all the I of A water attractions will get most guests soaked, not just wet.

 

[DCDisney]

Are you absolutely set on going to IOA? There just really isn't that much for a 4 and 5 year old unless they are tall and like extreme rides. Yes there is Seuss landing but the rides aren't really among the better rides at Universal. They might be tall enough for the Hippogriff ride in HP but the ride is less than a minute and very similar to the Goofy rollercoaster. There is also one ride in the Dino area. I don't think they would be tall enough for the water rides and if they are they have to be OK with getting totally soaked (I wore a poncho tucked under my rear and was still wet through my underwear). It's just a lot of money to spend on a day at the one park that may be done in an hour or two for little ones. My family loves Uni but my kids are teens. I would highly recommend Discovery Cove as an alternative or even Sea World and/or Aquatica.

 

[tinkerpea]

From everything I have heard, the card giving access to the express pass line is rarely given out, so I would not count on getting it.
It is alśo not valid for Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios, Pteranodon Flyers or Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Islands of Adventure.
This page has more information about Universal's disability cards. it does say a doctor's note is required, but that is not correct in general; they may require a doctor note for the express line one. For doctor's notes and your own request for their passes, they are not looking for diagnosis. You need to explain whet the needs are - how does his autism affect his ability to wait inside the line.

That's strange that they say the pass is not valid for the above rides
We only used it in November, we asked and they said it was fine, we had both issued to us the card where they write times down and was given the express.Gac where as the express Gac is not good for it, strangely they said the other one was. We rode at least 7 tines.over 3 day period,The only thing with the assistance card is you miss alot of the great effects in hogwarts as the que takes you through the back way,then you join the que close where you get on the ride.
We have never had a problem getting the express line card,just explain your needs.

 

[SueM in MN]

That's strange that they say the pass is not valid for the above rides
We only used it in November, we asked and they said it was fine, we had both issued to us the card where they write times down and was given the express.Gac where as the express Gac is not good for it, strangely they said the other one was. We rode at least 7 tines.over 3 day period,The only thing with the assistance card is you miss alot of the great effects in hogwarts as the que takes you through the back way,then you join the que close where you get on the ride.
We have never had a problem getting the express line card,just explain your needs.

The Express GAP has the attractions printed on it where it can't be used.
I'm going by what people have posted pictures of their cards and their experiences on other forums.
If your experience was different, it sounds like there are some inconsistencies in experience.

 

[tinkerpea]

The Express GAP has the attractions printed on it where it can't be used.
I'm going by what people have posted pictures of their cards and their experiences on other forums.
If your experience was different, it sounds like there are some inconsistencies in experience.

I'm not on about the express gap as that does have the rides printed on the back,however the one where you go through express or get a time to come back if over 30 mins allows you to go through the back way in hogwarts, and the exit on the fliers!
I've just called them as we go again for 3wks next month and they said that it still works exactly that way.
I'll report back next month as I'm staying on site for 7 nights.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Are you absolutely set on going to IOA? There just really isn't that much for a 4 and 5 year old unless they are tall and like extreme rides. Yes there is Seuss landing but the rides aren't really among the better rides at Universal.

I totally disagree. Seuss Landing is our favorite part of Universal!