Here is my experience with the new process:
I applied to IBCCES on July 16th and was accepted by them on July 24th. I submitted the last page of a psychological evaluation report that listed my diagnosis (autism and a couple others). This page did not have a date, but it did have the signatures of the psychologist and their assistant. It also listed some recommendations for accommodations, but nothing specific to theme parks.
I received my email from Universal on July 24th and told them I had a trip planned for July 29th. They called me on July 27th (one of the preferred contact days I gave them) and they basically just confirmed the accommodations I selected on the IBCCES card (I selected all the sensory ones) and then gave me my case number to use at the parks to get the AAP.
Based on everything I’ve been reading about other peoples experiences and the fact that they added the bathroom accommodation option, it sounds like Universal thought guest services was spending too much time having the same conversations and arguments with guests who have bathroom or mobility issues. While I think bathroom issues ABSOLUTELY warrant an AAP, I bet if they are seeing abuse of the system, that’s probably the number one reason abusers give.
This just streamlines the process and they can just say no and move on, rather than spend time listening to someone plead their case when guest services has already made up their mind. I think they also want to make issuing an AAP more consistent across guest service employees, however that seems to be failing miserably at the moment. I’m sure if this is true though, it’s one reason among many that they decided to make this change.
Update with my park experience:
I went to Universal this weekend and got the AAP like usual at guest services. The in-park process is exactly the same for me as it was before, except I had to show them the IBCCES card and they also wrote my case number on the AAP card, which they had never done before.
I was curious to see how many people would have the AAP during this trip, so I kept an eye out. It was a moderately busy day and I do feel like I saw a lot less people requesting return times. There used to be long lines at Hagrid’s for return times, but I only saw a few groups coming up. Other popular rides like Mummy and Gringotts that I usually see multiple groups getting return times for didn’t even have anyone there requesting.
I’ve also been noticing more people with the gold AAP, which is something I started seeing within the last month. I wonder if the documentation process is allowing easier access to the gold AAP for those that have been needing it, which would be a wonderful outcome of this whole change!
I want to make clear that there wasn’t a lack of people with an AAP, only a lesser amount than before. Obviously this was only one day and I’m not able to see everything people are doing at all the rides, but it was interesting considering my previous observations of AAP users was pretty consistent.
For context, I’m an AP holder and I go to the parks quite often.
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More thoughts:
I wonder if the lesser number of AAP users at the park is a result of eliminating abusers who can’t prove they need the pass**, preventing people who genuinely do need the pass but don’t have access to documentation from getting it, or people waiting on their doctors to send documentation/get approved from IBCCES and Universal.
I’m interested to see how this plays out in the coming months, especially at
HHN.
**I’m aware it’s probably not as abused as people claim, but there’s been plenty of anecdotal experience from people with acquaintances who admit to abusing the system. In fact, I’ve met some of these people myself.
