Universal IOA disabled pass program and recent changes happening now

[LuvOrlando]

Has anyone out there done this recently? I am supposed to go in 2 weeks but am not sure what I am getting myself into, it seems very unclear

I already put in for the Universal Disability Pass thing called ibcces - IAC card and have it, or a temporary one. I see on the website someone is going to contact me but that is very vague.

The whole situation is very unclear and on top of that I am reading there are recent changes, is sort of seems like I need to get in some sort of line when I show up at a park, maybe...

Do I need to buy tickets first, which I'm not sure I want to do because I don't want to go if it sounds like I'll suffer?

Where is this line I need to get on? Walking to the parks is a big undertaking and I don't want to do all that walking only to find out this won't work for me?

Any info on whatever the new system is would be a big help in making choices

 

[Keladry84]

Has anyone out there done this recently? I am supposed to go in 2 weeks but am not sure what I am getting myself into, it seems very unclear

I already put in for the Universal Disability Pass thing called ibcces - IAC card and have it, or a temporary one. I see on the website someone is going to contact me but that is very vague.

The whole situation is very unclear and on top of that I am reading there are recent changes, is sort of seems like I need to get in some sort of line when I show up at a park, maybe...

Do I need to buy tickets first, which I'm not sure I want to do because I don't want to go if it sounds like I'll suffer?

Where is this line I need to get on? Walking to the parks is a big undertaking and I don't want to do all that walking only to find out this won't work for me?

Any info on whatever the new system is would be a big help in making choices

You don’t need to buy a ticket before talking to them. They should reach out to you through email to ask for upcoming trip info and a good time to call.

They should then call you to discuss your needs, and if approved, will issue you a case number. You then bring that case number to guest services on the first day of your visit to pick up the aap card to use in the park. If you get your case number before your visit, there is an expedited line.

If you dont hear back from universal in email before your trip, then you can :
- reach out yourself by calling or emailing guest services
- go to guest services main line once at the parks and discuss your needs then. The wait for this will be longer than if you get an approved case number ahead of time.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I recently had to stand in line at guest services along with the guests in line for this process .
The location is just inside Universal Studios (not Islands of Adventure) to the right of entry turnstiles.
A castmember is present and will direct you to wait in the correct line .
I noticed 2 different procedures so I am not completely certain but the one line was for the individuals that had the access code/paperwork and was different from the guests that needed to actually discuss their needs and had to wait in a longer line to enter the guest service building . I’m not sure if they had to then wait in the other line after completing this process … it was slightly confusing . I was in line for a different issue but the line was very long and in the sun .
If you can complete the first half online I highly recommend it .
It did seem like many guests had a friend or relative to work both lines . That is why I am not sure if you complete one portion before proceeding to the other line
I do recall thinking it was not easy or convenient for all those families .
I hope you have better luck but I recommend arriving early .

 

[drenalin'junkie]

Went last month with a friend and have been with disabled friends and family before. They had bought tickets or APs prior, walked or rolled in and went to a short line on the right just past the turnstiles with vouchers the first time. Took about 10 minutes total to get the pass and scan all our tickets.
It is quite a hike from parking and only a little shorter from the resorts unless you take the boats.
Our experience with the passes is very positive. With a mix of call backs, walk ons and single rider lines we got on everything we wanted.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I got the ibcces - IAC card once I uploaded my Dr note, no diagnosis just --- is under my professional care. I am recommending that the patient receives disability accommodations because of her multiple medical conditions.

Still, I am so distrustful of the muddy process I got a room at Portofino for the one night to cover both days in the parks. It is way more expensive than I think it is worth but if the goal is to avoid wasting thousands hosting my entire family for 10 days next year it is worth it.

What I think I will do to test is go through the ibcces - IAC card process and also will have the room key perk. To test I'll do a mix of both using interchangeably and a spot check / audit how it is handled every now and then &/or use it first at each ride to see the directions and then use the room key for a side by side.

Why is this so messy? I feel so very unwanted by Florida parks lately. This is such a deterrent I was tempted to do the 5 days but I have no idea what I would be getting so 2 days and 1 night instead.... making me feel a bit sad tbh

 

[Keladry84]

I got the ibcces - IAC card once I uploaded my Dr note, no diagnosis just --- is under my professional care. I am recommending that the patient receives disability accommodations because of her multiple medical conditions.

Still, I am so distrustful of the muddy process I got a room at Portofino for the one night to cover both days in the parks. It is way more expensive than I think it is worth but if the goal is to avoid wasting thousands hosting my entire family for 10 days next year it is worth it.

What I think I will do to test is go through the ibcces - IAC card process and also will have the room key perk. To test I'll do a mix of both using interchangeably and a spot check / audit how it is handled every now and then &/or use it first at each ride to see the directions and then use the room key for a side by side.

Why is this so messy? I feel so very unwanted by Florida parks lately. This is such a deterrent I was tempted to do the 5 days but I have no idea what I would be getting so 2 days and 1 night instead.... making me feel a bit sad tbh

While the universal process is a bit daunting, once approved it becomes very easy as you get a case number and know each trip you will be accommodated and how. It is very consistent and easy to use. I've never had any difficulties using it at rides once I have the physical card, and now each trip all I have to do is quickly stop by guest services to get the cardboard aap for the trip. With them adding the dedicated line for pre-approved AAP, it goes quickly.

If you do try both side-by-side the hotel EP and standard AAP accommodations, the EP wins because you can go immediately into the express line at any time rather than waiting the standby time first. With hotel EP, the only time you would need the AAP is for Hagrids as it doesn't have EP.

There are a couple of times I've gone back for my return time and had to leave the express line because it was too much....but even with hotel express pass this would still be true. It just means that I have to use other strategies to be able to access those rides (ie single rider, different time of day/year, etc.).

For your first trip as you don't yet have the full approval for accommodations, it makes sense for you to have gotten the EP/hotel as backup. Depending on how you booked though, once you get the case number from universal you could cancel the more expensive hotel and extend to your desired trip length if you think the AAP accommodation would be enough.

 

[CeCe0906]

We did this recently. You take your approval email. They did call my daughter to discuss ahead of time. Took the email to guest services, and they gave you a card, if you have people with you, that will be riding with you, they need to be present also, to be added. We were staying at Hard Rock, so we ended up using it for Hagrids only, since the Express Pass was easier.

Basically, you go to lines and they write on the pass what time to come back, based on the standy wait, and then you enter the express line. You can cone back anytime after that time, but you can't get another time until you ride that one. Essentially you wait the same as regular line, just not in the line. Wish you could do it in the app, as it's more steps unless you just find a place to sit out your wait time near the ride.

We only used it for Hagrids, as the Express Passes included with our hotel didn't work there as no Express Line except for VIP or Disability pass.

Otherwise the Express Pass served the same purpose and was usually quicker.
They will call near your arrival date.

 

[PurplePencil]

I have utilized the accessibility pass on multiple occasions, but have not used Express Pass. I’ve learned that Universal is very receptive to changes if the accommodation provided is not adequate.

I have sensory issues and discovered that certain queues after the merge point are still unbearable due to echoing noises (ie. Cavern in Hagrid’s, spiral staircase at Gringott’s, a lot of Velocicoaster queue). Talking to guest services, they figured out how to make the queue more bearable for me.

I’ll be visiting next week so I am curious to see how the process works now that I’ve had AAP for a year.

 

[LuvOrlando]

OK, so update, things went very well and I'll go back.

I got the interview call on 11/1. After reading about the program I knew to focus on the non physical aspects of my disability and it seems like that is what they want to hear about since I got the accommodation. To anyone with disabilities the pain side tends to eclipse other things so when asked it's the thing we usually talk about first and all so I guess it is good to tell people to resist the urge and talk about the other stuff, whatever that may be for you. So the first IAC card was temporary, AFTER talking to the interview person I got assigned a case number that was attached to the card with the case reference number under the issue and exp dates. I printed it out because I don't love a bunch of nosey apps all that much, at any rate the card with the case number is the version you need.

After the call I felt confident that it would be ok so I canceled the night at Portofino and stuck with Endless Summer Surfside. I got a regular 2 bedroom room. It was roomy and spacious with 2 hard back seats and a bench plus a big bathroom so I was able to move around easily and comfortably. I did ask for a quiet room near handicapped parking which I guess was contradictory because they only did half of the request. We were in tower one so while the room was near elevator which was close to the door to parking it was bizarre to see that tower one parking had literally zero handicapped parking. All the handicapped parking I saw is on the other side near the main entrance, so if facing the lobby for checkin handicapped parking is to the right, tower two. I was having a good two days so I was able to manage but heads up because this could easily have been awful for me.

I struggled with how best to manage volume of steps and my comfort level when it came to how to get in to the parks. The busses are free with a stay but being unable to cool down quickly can be awful for me so that is a factor plus being cramped and unable to move around is not great. There is always Uber and Lyft so that plus tip has got to be near the $32 of park parking, but what if it is peak times for ride share or I want to go back and forth, so that is a thing too. I watched a few Universal Florida Parking videos and tracked down some maps to get a feel & ended up deciding to just suck it up and park in the Jurassic section and I was fine. It is a lot of walking to get into the parks but I did ok.

So we did IOA first. I did get conflicting info, the first team member I spoke to told me I needed the info on the app instead of printed but when I got to the counter upset the person said it didn't matter. I guess not everyone is informed so that is something to remember. There was an area dedicated to IBCCES to the right with a sign further back but before the turnstiles. They gave me a paper card that I tucked into the waterproof phone lanyard I kept on my neck the whole time. I would totally reccommed this because sometimes you need to take the card out for employees to write times or initial use and sometimes they just scan it but without it being in the case I can see it being loost or destroyed very easily so it was worth the $5.

The program worked for me. It ends up being a mix of sometimes they initial and write a time on the card if the wait is over 30 min and just being express pass other times if the wait is shorter. I don't think I could do the parks without the help so I am grateful it exists. There were a few rides where I ended up waiting on steps which is not great for people who are unsteady or get dizzy but I had two adult men to assist me and hold onto so I was ok, not sure if I would have done it on my own. I think one was Gringotts but the second escapes me, I think there must be elevators or something but didn't see anything or anyone to ask so that could probably have gone better. There is also an excessive wait for the Bourne show and I didn't see any way out of the standing and no-one to ask. If I go back I'll know to ask while I see staff next time.