Universal now requiring documentation be sent to a third party for accessibility

[Bibbidi_Boo]

Actually, it encourages the bad actors to act even worse, as I mentioned previously, history has proven this. And I am not saying front of the line access, I am saying the ability to skip stairs and no, at our Six Flags not all lines are accessible. And she was fighting for equal access to EVERYTHING, not just necessities. Again, not saying superior access, but equal access must exist without the need for proof.

But, there is still not equal access to EVERYTHING. Some rides are in accessible to those that can’t transfer out of a wheelchair to the ride seat, and so on. So what is then considered equal access?

 

[DLgal]

Most people who get the pass will probably receive the regular access pass. The poster who got Express Access more than likely has a more complicated issue.

I don't know. We have been to USH twice this year and both times got the attraction assistance pass with the requirement to get a return time. I said the exact same thing in person as I did over the phone the other day.

Of note, at least at USH, if a standby line was less than 45 minutes, they allowed immediate entry to the ride via the Express Lane. We were only issued return times when the standby wait was over 45 min.

 

[Evita_W]

But, there is still not equal access to EVERYTHING. Some rides are in accessible to those that can’t transfer out of a wheelchair to the ride seat, and so on. So what is then considered equal access?

And honestly, in today's day and age there is no excuse for that, with enough effort all attractions could be made fully accessible.

 

[DLgal]

I will say it seems like the company accepted my general VA benefit letter as accepted documentation. It doesn’t say anything more than that I have service connected disabilities and that I am considered totally and permanently disabled.

Well that is good enough in CA to get a Handicap placard/DV license plate issued by the DMV also. It is a government document ascertaining that you are disabled. That's all they need.

 

[starlite_]

Sorry if it sounds harsh, but generally speaking they don't, Six Flags is filled with teenagers running amok (at least ours is). This is based on our experience here, I cannot attest to other Six Flags for sure, but definitely seems to be the case from everything I have seen.

Additionally, Six Flags doesn't have the money that Disney or Universal does, there is no money from either side in filing a lawsuit against Six Flags, suing Universal will be a different story for someone out there.

You make it sounds like teenagers running amok is somehow not what is expected at a Six Flags. It's a Six Flags.

You're also overfocusing on the wheelchair access when in reality they aren't gonna deny anyone accessible accommodations for that EVEN if they don't have a card. Mobility issues like that are not what this type of pass is for, at least at Disney. And from what I am reading here, it is no dif at Universal.

I don't understand why you believe a USO cast member will see the wheelchair and say "sorry, can't let you go thru the back or use this wheelchair path because you don't have the card"

 

[OurBigTrip]

And honestly, in today's day and age there is no excuse for that, with enough effort all attractions could be made fully accessible.

And honestly, in today's day and age there is no excuse for that, with enough effort all attractions could be made fully accessible.

No, they couldn’t be.

How are they going to make Rock & Roller coaster accessible. There is no requirement to do so, nor should there be.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

And honestly, in today's day and age there is no excuse for that, with enough effort all attractions could be made fully accessible.

Umm guess then roller coasters should be banned ?

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

You make it sounds like teenagers running amok is somehow not what is expected at a Six Flags. It's a Six Flags.

You're also overfocusing on the wheelchair access when in reality they aren't gonna deny anyone accessible accommodations for that EVEN if they don't have a card. Mobility issues like that are not what this type of pass is for, at least at Disney. And from what I am reading here, it is no dif at Universal.

I don't understand why you believe a USO cast member will see the wheelchair and say "sorry, can't let you go thru the back or use this wheelchair path because you don't have the card"

Correct, if a wheelchair or stroller tagged as one can solve the issue the pass is not given out.

The point of the pass is for someone that can’t wait in the traditional line.

 

[DLgal]

Does Disney actually have 25% of guests attached to a DAS? That seems so high. Just in my experience using one with my dd, we're usually the only ones with the CM getting a return time. We don't do any 'newest and greatest' type rides (dd won't go on most rides) so I can't speak to those.

As a family using DAS, we also don't use it for everything we ride-dd only needs it for rides with indoor/loud/dark lines. We don't use it for rides where she can wait calmly in an outside line (sensory issues). I don't know if other people use DAS for all their rides. I just wonder if the DAS is really used so much and is an issue.

There is no proof that it's 25% of guests. That figure is a postulation by Len Testa based on the estimation that "1 in 4 Americans is diagnosed with a disability."

He extrapolated out that the micro population at WDW on any given day mirrors that of the broader population, which isn't exactly accurate for MANY reasons. WDW has a barrier to entry ($$$$) and is a place that many people with disabilities will never step foot in. If I had to guess, I would say more like 1 in 100 guests at WDW on any given day is disabled and using DAS. And that's a high estimate.

 

[DLgal]

And honestly, in today's day and age there is no excuse for that, with enough effort all attractions could be made fully accessible.

You know that people missing upper limbs usually can't ride rollercoasters and other thrill rides, right? If they can't hold on and brace themselves adequately, they are not permitted to ride.

Many people of a certain body shape or size are excluded from numerous rides, partially at Universal.

There is NO requirement that every ride and every space needs to be accessible to every body.

 

[Evita_W]

You make it sounds like teenagers running amok is somehow not what is expected at a Six Flags. It's a Six Flags.

You're also overfocusing on the wheelchair access when in reality they aren't gonna deny anyone accessible accommodations for that EVEN if they don't have a card. Mobility issues like that are not what this type of pass is for, at least at Disney. And from what I am reading here, it is no dif at Universal.

I don't understand why you believe a USO cast member will see the wheelchair and say "sorry, can't let you go thru the back or use this wheelchair path because you don't have the card"

I am fixated on wheelchair access, because Six Flags DOES deny access to wheelchair users if they haven't registered for this card, it is ALREADY happening at Six Flags. And if you read Universal's website, it pretty much says anyone with a disability needs to pre-register for this card, including wheelchair access or if you have a service animal.

I am also not saying teenagers running amok isn't what is expected, I am saying it is one of the reasons we haven't seen lawsuits yet.

 

[Evita_W]

You know that people missing upper limbs usually can't ride rollercoasters and other thrill rides, right? If they can't hold on and brace themselves adequately, they are not permitted to ride.

Many people of a certain body shape or size are excluded from numerous rides, partially at Universal.

There is NO requirement that every ride and every space needs to be accessible to every body.

There currently is no requirement, but there should be and there is no reason there can't be with modern technology.

 

[DLgal]

There currently is no requirement, but there should be and there is no reason there can't be with modern technology.

No, there shouldn't be. The entire safety profile of a ride includes a guest's ability to look out for themselves and make informed decisions about what is safe and what is not, as well as the rider's ability to evacuate in the event of an emergency. It is not the theme park industry's responsibility to make every single ride accessible to everyone. It's NOT possible. Height requirements exist for a reason. Ride restraints can only do so much. They do the best they can with the technology available. Unless you are a ride engineer, you have no knowledge of what is actually possible and what is not. You can't just claim that "technology" is a way to solve every problem.

The world is simply not equally accessible. It will never be. That's a pipe dream. I mean, I'd love it if everyone was truly treated equally, but that will never actually happen.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

No, there shouldn't be. The entire safety profile of a ride includes a guest's ability to look out for themselves and make informed decisions about what is safe and what is not, as well as the rider's ability to evacuate in the event of an emergency. It is not the theme park industry's responsibility to make every single ride accessible to everyone. It's NOT possible. Height requirements exist for a reason. Ride restraints can only do so much. They do the best they can with the technology available. Unless you are a ride engineer, you have no knowledge of what is actually possible and what is not. You can't just claim that "technology" is a way to solve every problem.

The world is simply not equally accessible. It will never be. That's a pipe dream. I mean, I'd love it if everyone was truly treated equally, but that will never actually happen.

Well said!

The world will never be equal never has been never will be it’s just isn’t possible. But if there is a reasonable way to make something accessible the yes the goal is to figure out how.

And in the end what is accessible and not also comes down to the person . I have personally known many people with kids that have sensory disorders and not a single one of them ever even thinks about stepping foot in a theme park. Sure the card can help with a line but the entire process of the day is enough to make it such a hard and not fun day. Sure maybe for some staying out of the lines helps but not all.

 

[SirDuff]

There currently is no requirement, but there should be and there is no reason there can't be with modern technology.

Did you ever find proof of those looping roller coasters you claim can accept wheelchairs?

 

[kathyk2]

I’m pretty sure when Jennifer Keelan was crawling up the steps of the US Capitol to fight for the Americans with Disabilities Act she was fighting for ramps and actual life necessities….not for front of the line access at Universal because someone has to use the bathroom frequently or just “can’t handle crowds”. The 3rd party service sounds like a very manageable option for those who have a disability and enough of a deterrent for most of the bad actors.

Disabled people who worked to pass the ADA wanted access to everything including recreation. That's why access to theme parks and beaches and campgrounds are included in the ADA, I think access to Six Flags isn't as big an issue as access at the Disney parks is that some Six Flags parks are closed for several months of the year.

 

[ttintagel]

The fact that some doctors charge for documents and others don't just shows how this system creates two tiers of guests, who have no control over which tier they fall into.

 

[ttintagel]

I don't understand why you believe a USO cast member will see the wheelchair and say "sorry, can't let you go thru the back or use this wheelchair path because you don't have the card"

This was at Kennywood and not a Six Flags park, but at a ride that loaded from the second story they wouldn't let my sister, who was on crutches, use the elevator instead of the stairs unless she limped all the way to the other end of the park and registered for a disability pass. So yeah, I can absolutely see that happening for users of other mobility aids.

 

[ttintagel]

As we stand in the DAS line, the vast majority of people are smiling and have no visible issues waiting in a long line that seems to get longer every year.

Are you seriously saying you don't believe in the existence of invisible disabilities? And you really don't think that those people might be smiling because the accommodation fully meets their needs?

 

[starlite_]

This was at Kennywood and not a Six Flags park, but at a ride that loaded from the second story they wouldn't let my sister, who was on crutches, use the elevator instead of the stairs unless she limped all the way to the other end of the park and registered for a disability pass. So yeah, I can absolutely see that happening for users of other mobility aids.

I have no idea what Kennywood is. I'm sorry your sister was treated like that there.

I still don't believe that would happen at USO or USH simply because it would be a media disaster and honestly just a horrible human being move. But I guess there are always exceptions and badly trained workers.