Universal GAC/GAP

[Tinkerbell1986]

Since my original thread has been closed, I shall have to start a new one. SueM, you may have decided to close the thread because you thought all questions had been answered but they haven't so I will continue here, hoping this thread will not be closed as well.


So the express GAP is for people who are incapable of waiting in line? When we go to theme parks in the UK my partner walks and we get a wristband to use the exits of rides. This applies even when the queue lines are accessible (mainstream) as although he can walk, he cannot stand for prolonged periods of time. This works quite well. So could the Universal express GAP be used for the same thing?

 

[SueM in MN]

The thread was closed because people answered the questions as much as we could and this thread is basically the same question again with the same answer.

So the express GAP is for people who are incapable of waiting in line? When we go to theme parks in the UK my partner walks and we get a wristband to use the exits of rides. This applies even when the queue lines are accessible (mainstream) as although he can walk, he cannot stand for prolonged periods of time. This works quite well. So could the Universal express GAP be used for the same thing?

The answer is no.
The Express GAP (Guest Assistance Pass) is not for needs like that.

The needs that you are talking about:

although he can walk, he cannot stand for prolonged periods of time

are ENDURANCE NEEDS and, as people explained in the other thread, for those types of needs, at both WDW and Universal, a wheelchair or ECV is suggested (and you already mentioned on the other thread that he uses a wheelchair). Choosing not to use a wheelchair would not be a reason that Universal would give out a GAP, since the wheelchair could be easily used in lines.

The email that you got from Universal that you mentioned in your original thread,

Actually I just remembered I emailed Universal a while ago about this. I've just found the email in my archive. I wrote;


Myself and my partner (who uses a wheelchair) will be coming to Florida from the UK next October and visiting the Universal Parks. Would we need to visit Guest Services for a Guest Assistance Cass or similar?

Your help would be much appreciated.


And they replied;


Thank you for contacting Universal Orlando®. Our resort has been carefully designed, and our staff specifically trained, to help our guests who may need assistance. For the convenience of our guests with special needs, various types of assistance passes are available. Please visit Guest Services upon your arrival so that we may arrange to meet your individual requirements. I recommend you visit http://www.universalorlando.com/riders_guide.pdf for our Rider’s Guide to Rider Safety and Guests with Disabilities.

Again, thank you for contacting us. We look forward to providing the greatest entertainment experience.

Best Regards


It seems what they have said is contrary to what I have been told on here.

Is not contrary to what has been posted in that thread; you asked if you should visit Guest Services to inquire about a GAC and they are replying that they have various assistance available and you should visit Guest Relations if you want to inquire about what is available. They also gave you a link to their rider's guide which basically says that the lines are accessible and gives details of the 'abilities' someone needs to safely ride each attraction.

I may be wrong, but it appears you are interpreting their answer to be talking about the Express GAP, but they are just talking about assistance in general. As was mentioned in the other thread, there are many 'layers/types' of GAPs to meet various needs besides the Express GAP. They give the level of GAP that meets the needs (for example, someone who can walk in line but not climb stairs would get a "Stairs GAP" that allows them to avoid the portion of the line that includes stairs, not a GAP that would allow them to avoid the whole line.
Someone who needs to avoid the sun might get a GAP to wait in a shaded area, not avoid the line.

Going to Guest Relations to inquire is the mechanism to inquire about a GAP at Universal. It basically works the same as at WDW, so if you check the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will get information about the process.

As you mentioned in your original thread, you are aware that most of the lines are mainstreamed and that means that you will be waiting in lines with everyone else.
Several people mentioned that October is not that busy, so the waits should be short in lines at any rate.

And there is the option of staying at a Universal resort, which would give you Universal Express access or the option of buying that type of access by adding it to your ticket if it turns out to be busy.

He can always go to Guest Relations and explain his needs to them, but no one is going to tell you what needs 'warrant' an Express GAP. Since we don't give them out, anything you are told here would not mean you would get a GAP of any kind anyway.

I am closing this thread and if another is started on this subject, it will be deleted and points given for re-starting a closed thread.