Universal GAP/ Seaworld

[tinkerbell423]

Hi I have a few questions about the GAP at Universal.
I read the sticky and it looks like they have different GAP designations. My question is how do I know if I should ask for a Familyroom GAP or Express GAP. Can anyone further explain the differences? Do I request one or the other or does the cast member make the decision? Can I use them in conjunction with a "stroller as a wheelchair". Finallt do I get the pass at guest services like I do at Disney? It is good for the lengh of stay or do I get a new one each day.

Do anyone have any more info about Seaworld? Do I ask for the same accomidations I do at Disney (stroller as wheelchair and seperate waiting area) What are their waiting areas like?

Sorry this is long. I am used to Disney and do not know what to expect this trip. Disney has set the bar pretty high.

Thanks

 

[zumbergc]

At seaworld. I'm not sure what they have. Since sea world is mostly shows.
There are reserved seating if your in a scooter or wheel chair. However, if you are approaching an entrance, and asking their cast members questions they are less than helpful.

We were in an ecv, and we were wondering if there were seperate entrances, etc? THey couldn't even answer the questions, it was at the dolphin show.

I will say the dolphin show. has entrances on both sides of the stadium, and the back of the stadium, long sloping there was scooter seating back there too. Much of the front seating is in the splash zones, for ecv's.

 

[SueM in MN]

Do I request one or the other or does the cast member make the decision? Can I use them in conjunction with a "stroller as a wheelchair". Finallt do I get the pass at guest services like I do at Disney? It is good for the lengh of stay or do I get a new one each day.

You go to Guest Relations and explain your needs the same as at WDW.
The Universal CM will determine which of their GAPs best meets the needs.
I believe that you do need to get one every day, but I am not positive of that.
You can get a stroller as a wheelchair at Universal too and combine it with other 'messages' the same as WDW.

Do anyone have any more info about Seaworld? Do I ask for the same accomidations I do at Disney (stroller as wheelchair and seperate waiting area) What are their waiting areas like?

Sorry this is long. I am used to Disney and do not know what to expect this trip. Disney has set the bar pretty high.

Thanks

I don't know if you saw it, but in post #10 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a link to the Seaworld guidebook for guests with disabilities. Since it is mostly shows, I don't think they have special waiting areas (but I don't know for sure).
Their guidebook does have information about access and gow to get into attraction buildings. I could not find information about any waiting spaces, but I just skimmed it.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The last time we went to Florida was in 2006 and unless it has changed since at Universal parks you have to apply for a GAC each visit to the parks, unlike at WDW where it covers the duration of your holiday (vacation).

 

[Figment1964]

The last time we went to Florida was in 2006 and unless it has changed since at Universal parks you have to apply for a GAC each visit to the parks, unlike at WDW where it covers the duration of your holiday (vacation).

We were just there in November and not only do you have to get one for each day you're there, but they've recently made a policy change that no more than 4 can use a family's GAP. What we were told was that up to 4 of our 6 could use the GAP to wait in another area and the other 2 would go through the line. When they got to the front we'd be allowed to enter the attaction with the rest of our group.

That was a huge deal for us since we have 2 autistic children who, for lack of a better word, hate being around each other and go out of their way to antagonize each other. My husband takes one and I take the other which meant my 10 & 11 year olds were the ones supposed to go and wait in line for the family. We got it worked out, eventually.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We were just there in November and not only do you have to get one for each day you're there, but they've recently made a policy change that no more than 4 can use a family's GAP. What we were told was that up to 4 of our 6 could use the GAP to wait in another area and the other 2 would go through the line. When they got to the front we'd be allowed to enter the attaction with the rest of our group.

That was a huge deal for us since we have 2 autistic children who, for lack of a better word, hate being around each other and go out of their way to antagonize each other. My husband takes one and I take the other which meant my 10 & 11 year olds were the ones supposed to go and wait in line for the family. We got it worked out, eventually.

That's poor - they really need to do better than that, whilst there are just the 3 of us and it wouldn't change anything we do I can see that wouldn't be great for you.

 

[phamton]

The family rooms are not that big. Usually they recommend that only 2 people wait in the family room while the rest of the family goes through the line. It is the same room that is used for baby swap so often there isn't room for several people to wait. It doesn't sound like the family room was the right choice for your family since both adults needed to be in there.


Sue is correct, you don't ask for the type of GAP. You explain your needs and the guest service coordinator will try to meet those needs. You do need to get the GAP each day when you enter the park. It is quicker on the next days because you can show then the GAP you had the day before so they can reissue that. If the GAP you got the day before didn't work OK for you, you can re-evaluate at that time and see if another type of GAP would work easier.

The only GAPs that are issued for length of stay are for Make a Wish and Give Kids the World.

Edited to add: All of the info I just gave was for Universal/Islands of Adventure. I don't know what the policy is at Seaworld.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

There is a very good document on the link below for Sea World that lists all the information required for guests with disABILITIES.

http://www.seaworld.com/SitePage.aspx?PageID=48

 

[sue and co]

I would just add that in seaworld for a couple of the shows the only disabled seating is in the splash zone and there is no other option. This is not ideal.

 

[livndisney]

I would just add that in seaworld for a couple of the shows the only disabled seating is in the splash zone and there is no other option. This is not ideal.

Which shows?
Shamu has wheelchair seating in the middle of the theater
Seal Lion and Otter has a wheelchair platform in the middle of the theater
Bayside stadium is the same.


No Splash zone-
Pet Ahoy
A lure

The only show I am not sure of since I have not seen it is the Dolphin show.
The Sea Lion show does have wheelchair seating in the front, but they do offer the higher platform for Wheelchairs as well.

 

[steery1]

Just wondering how this "waiting room" would work when my DS9 and I want to do an attraction. Theres no way he'll sit by himself in a waiting area while I do the queueing.

Last time we visited Universal was in July 2007 and at Guest Services we got GAC's. This enabled us to go through the Express entrance when appropriate. I know you're supposed to get one for each day you visit the parks but I told the lady which days we'd be visiting and she gave us one for every day we'd be there so we didn't have to queue at Guest Services every day.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just wondering how this "waiting room" would work when my DS9 and I want to do an attraction. Theres no way he'll sit by himself in a waiting area while I do the queueing.

If it's just the 2 of you, they won't make him wait alone. They need to make reasonable accommodations for the needs. It would not be reasonable (or possibly even safe) for them to expect him to wait by himself.
Either they will let both of you wait together or they will have some other way of dealing with it.

Last time we visited Universal was in July 2007 and at Guest Services we got GAC's. This enabled us to go through the Express entrance when appropriate. I know you're supposed to get one for each day you visit the parks but I told the lady which days we'd be visiting and she gave us one for every day we'd be there so we didn't have to queue at Guest Services every day.

Both of those things would be up to the discretion of the Guest Relations and ride staff. It may also depend on how busy it is.