Universal GAC equivalent?

[Stag]

Okay, so Disney has something called a Guest Assistance Card. Basically, you go to Guest Services and let them know what accomodations you need-- shaded or air conditioned waiting area (when available), stroller as a wheelchair, less crowded waiting area, etc. etc. so you can show it to the employee at the rides or shows, and get the acommodations you need without having to explain it a million times to everyone you come across.

Does anybody know if Universal/IOA has anything like this? I ask because I need both a less crowded and a shaded waiting area, the heat makes my symptoms increase tenfold and my anxiety is REALLY bad when I'm packed in crowded spaces. Also, I have a service dog and I don't want her to get stepped on/etc. but that's a secondary concern. Thanks in advance all!

 

[codimouse]

i forget what it is called but they do have one.
we got one from guest relations on our trip last year.
but once inside the park we found people arent as knowledgeable
about what they are or helpful in using them.

 

[Purseval]

Guest Services will give you the appropriate pass. Here is a link to the Disabilities FAQ, post #9 has a lot of information on Universal Studios:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

 

[Sleepy]

My father is elderly and used an ECV last summer. Universal was super fantastic with all his needs. We never even needed any sort of card/pass. We just went to the entrance of each ride and asked what the procedure was for wheelchairs and they motioned us in the appropriate direction. Was never a problem!

I would say the only challenge was Spiderman. They make you go through the exit, and there is a steady flow of people leaving. It is like swimming upstream......extremely difficult to get through without seeming rude.

 

[phamton]

Universal has GAP (Guest Assistance Passes). You do not need a doctor's note. Just be able to tell them what assistance you need at Guest Services.

Both parks are ADA compliant and, as such, are wheelchair accessible.

There are several types of GAP offered:

Stroller as a wheelchair (you can take your stroller right through the line without transferring to a wheelchair)

Show GAP (Special seating at shows--usually right up front for visually or hearing impaired)

Stairs GAP (for those rides that have stairs in the queue, you can use the elevator)

Familyroom GAP (where you wait in an airconditioned room with a few other family members while the rest of your family goes through the queue--then you join them at the front of the line)

Express GAP which is essentially like a fast pass at Disney all day (6 people maximum)

VIP Gap (back door access--mostly for Make a Wish Kids or Give Kids the World)

 

[Stag]

Very interesting! Thank you for all the good info. I think the family room GAP is the one I'd need since I can't really handle crowds OR heat for very long and I don't want to pass out in line!

I wonder what the Express GAP is used for?

 

[phamton]

I wonder what the Express GAP is used for?

Normally the express GAP is used for autistic children although the family room is really better for kids with autism. Even with an express GAP, autistic children can be over stimulated by the crowds so the family room usually works better for them. The best thing to do is explain your needs and they will give you the type of GAP that can address those needs.

 

[Blanche_Neige]

Normally the express GAP is used for autistic children although the family room is really better for kids with autism. Even with an express GAP, autistic children can be over stimulated by the crowds so the family room usually works better for them. The best thing to do is explain your needs and they will give you the type of GAP that can address those needs.

The family would not be possible to use if traveling alone with an autistic child...

Do they also offer alternative entrance? At MK some ride waiting area are dark and I know my son got really weary but loved the ride but could go throught the dark line (ex. pirate of the carabean, little murmaid...)

 

[Stag]

That's interesting. I have MAJOR crowd issues and it tends to result in massive panic attacks for me (they last 4-6 hours, so one of those totally kills my whole day) but I think I'd be alright with the family room pass if it's not crowded. A line I can handle better than a super crowded room, though!

I've never been to Universal/IOA before so I just know what Disney has, and am trying to take my info from there and figure out if it's the same.

 

[momto2js]

I traveled with a guide dog for many years and Universal provided the best service for us HANDS DOWN!! They saw us walking in and met us as we came through the gates. They had a quiet place for us to relieve the dog and even had crates for him on rides he couldn't ride. It was one of the only places my DH and I got to ride together. I never needed a card, but this was several years ago.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

The family would not be possible to use if traveling alone with an autistic child...

Do they also offer alternative entrance? At MK some ride waiting area are dark and I know my son got really weary but loved the ride but could go throught the dark line (ex. pirate of the carabean, little murmaid...)

Alternate entrance passes do exist.

Also, to the OP, I highly suggest you avoid certain rides (Ripsaw Falls, Forbidden Journey, Spider-Man, ROTM) between 12-5 if you go during a busy time of year. The lines, Express and Regular get LOOOOOOONG. Also, when going to Shrek, dawdle and stay in the back. Part of their preshow is to have everyone pack in close to the doors. And for the Simpsons ride, politely ask the carnie if they can leave the door open.

 

[Stag]

We're going at the end of September into the beginning of October so I'm hoping that's not a super busy time. I know it isn't at Disney and we had barely any waits!

Thank you very much for the tips though. I'm hoping that because I have a service dog with me, people will be more considerate about crowding me and her-- I find people are more polite, even in the elevator at the neurologist yesterday people were quite careful not to step on her paws.

 

[Selket]

If you are staying at a Universal hotel so you have the express associated with your ticket - is there much standing around in a hot que area? The a/c waiting room sounds like what we need but we wouldn't need it unless the wait would be long through the express area.

Just editing to ask - do they really have air conditioned areas? The shade GAC at Disney wasn't so shady sometimes and it definitely does not get you out of the heat. We never went into an a/c room with it.

 

[phamton]

Almost all of the family rooms are inside and air conditioned.

 

[dzorn]

Universal has GAP (Guest Assistance Passes). You do not need a doctor's note. Just be able to tell them what assistance you need at Guest Services.

Both parks are ADA compliant and, as such, are wheelchair accessible.

There are several types of GAP offered:

Stroller as a wheelchair (you can take your stroller right through the line without transferring to a wheelchair)

Show GAP (Special seating at shows--usually right up front for visually or hearing impaired)

Stairs GAP (for those rides that have stairs in the queue, you can use the elevator)

Familyroom GAP (where you wait in an airconditioned room with a few other family members while the rest of your family goes through the queue--then you join them at the front of the line)

Express GAP which is essentially like a fast pass at Disney all day (6 people maximum)

VIP Gap (back door access--mostly for Make a Wish Kids or Give Kids the World)

The family room GAP would be difficult for some autistic children because you are breaking up the group. When things set DD off sometimes her Dad is better calming her down sometimes I am. I wish they could just give you a time based on the que and let you all wait together.

We got the 7 pay passes before the price increase but I think we will wait till we can stay on site to use them so we can use the express pass.

Denise in MI