Universal GAC?

[Sue & Co.]

Hi, having just heard that Disney do a GAC, does Universal doing anything equivalent?
PS I wish I knew how to put one of those countdowns to our trip that so many of you seem to have, by my reckoning it's 183 days and counting.

 

[signtalker]

Yes universal and IOA both do a GAC, this can only be used on the day you are given it, we did universal first, then IOA second, we had to get a second GAC for IOA,whereas disney specify this for your whole visit, Universal/IOA just do it on a day thing.

Hope that helps

Jules

 

[SueM in MN]

signtalker, can you elaborate a little bit.
When we went to Universal (the last time was at least 5 years ago - so I admit to being out of date), they said that they did not give any special assistance besides making their lines wheelchair accessible. We tried to explain that DD had other disabilities that were not visible and they basically just said "tough, our lines are wheelchair accessible and that is all we have to provide"
What sorts of assistance do they provide with their GAC?

 

[Poohnatic]

Sue & Co.

The countdown calendar instructions are on the tech board. I had to take mine off, because my 7yo got expelled from daycare monday night, 24 hours before I was supposed to leave for my trip! Gotta love those daycare centers that allow the kids to bully my son with Asperger's, but as soon as he did something, they expelled him. Oy.

Here's the link for the countdown...

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=346911

I'm sure others have info about universal, but the only thing we've done over there is lunch at Emeril's.

Suzanne

 

[signtalker]

SUEM, I just went to the guest services and asked for a GAC, I explained ds's disabilities, autisitic,dysbraxic,hearing, sight impaired,ADHD,OCD and an eating disorder, with asthma thrown in !!!, they issued me a GAC, again I used this like I do in disney, for alternative entrances, multiple rides(as his sensory impairments means he cant process all the scenaery and sounds at the same time), and again allowed to use the fast pass entrnace(express pass sorry).

Is that enough elaboration LOL!!!

Jules

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks. I have heard other people with the same experience as we had - espeically people who had a wheelchair plus other needs. We were pretty explicit in explaining what sorts of needs DD had and they were not at all helpful. I'm glad to hear that Universal/IOA have gotten a little more flexible (and realistic).

 

[Absimilliard]

Forget it! Mom uses her personal wheelchair, due to back problems. When we were off to the rollercoasters, which she can't ride. She tried going into a shop alone in Marvel Superhero Island... Guess what! Alone, she almost ended up on her back, cause the walkway wheelchair access is too steep! Then, its was off to Popeye and Pluto... Bad move, cause the standard line had a portion where its was just a 15 degrees incline... oops... 3 of us had troubles holding the chair to keep mom from being the ball in bowling game (with the pins being the other people...).

The only line that didn't have that problem was Jurassic Park. All the others were troublesome.

At the end of the day, we pass by Guest Services and my mom made the comment that their "wheelchair accessible" lines... well weren't really accessible. We had the worst experience, with the "Guest Services" employee being an absolutely arrogant fool. Ripping Disney "as not being accessible" and such and such.

Now, being that I'm a proud WDW Cast member... that works in "Guest Relations", I was majorly ticked.

Also, they dont have the right to ask for any proof in case they give you troubles regarding giving a Guest Assistance card.

 

[tinksfriend]

Absimilliard, I totally agree with you!!!

We will NEVER go to US or IOA again!!!!!
My DH managed to go on 3 things out of both parks. CM's were unhelpful & dismissive!!!! IOA was worse than US!!!

He was turned away from 2 rides having queued for ages with 2 of our children, because I wasn't there to help (outside with baby who wasn't old enough to ride) Go figure!!!!!!

Haven't a good word to say about either parks!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

At the end of the day, we pass by Guest Services and my mom made the comment that their "wheelchair accessible" lines... well weren't really accessible. We had the worst experience, with the "Guest Services" employee being an absolutely arrogant fool. Ripping Disney "as not being accessible" and such and such.

So, maybe things haven't changed for people with wheelchairs/scooters. That's exactly the type of attitude we experienced on our last trip.

 

[dclfun]

I had a much better experience at Universal/IOA than I've ever had at Disney. I went into Guest Relations, didn't need to explain anything...the castmember there ( or whatever they're called) came around the counter to issue a GAC. I do agree about the lines being inaccessible although the only lines I tried to queue in were the restaurants with my kids. As I couldn't ride anything, but did enjoy the shows, I stopped in Guest Relations also to comment at the end of the day. I wished they had more rides that could accomodate a power wheelchair since I can't transfer. Anyway, without my complaining or even asking, a different CM came around the desk and issued me a complimentary pass, saying that even though I couldn't enjoy the park fully, he wanted me to be able to come inside with my kids. I was incredulous! We were staying onsite at RPC and I was just going to let the kids go to the parks without me ( they're teens) and go to a movie or something vs. paying for admission, but with the complimentary passes I did join my kids. I'm sorry to hear anyone was treated poorly there. ---Kathy