Universal Studios question - special needs

[lovethattink]

I'm trying to figure out what we can do or see at Universal Studios. We have annual passes, but haven't been to the studios since 2003 and haven't been to IOA since 2010. Our passes are going to waste.

Our 8 year old cannot go on attractions with strobe lights or that are jerky in motion. He has problems with TSM and Star Tours at DHS so those type of attractions are out, he's also had problems the last few times he rode the Barnstormer.

When we went to IOA last, we only rode the Suess Trolley Train and One Fish Blue Fish with him. He really loved both!

 

[macraven]

why don't you check out what is in the parks to see what your child can go on.

www.universalorlando.com


if you haven't been to the studios since 2003, a lot has changed.

you said you last went to ioa in 2010 but not much has been added since then.



the shows in both parks could be doable.
ET should be okay for your child.


use the website of the parks and maybe you will find fun things your child and family could do together.

if you want to go and your child has to avoid a certain ride, use the child swap program.

 

[lovethattink]

why don't you check out what is in the parks to see what your child can go on.

www.universalorlando.com


if you haven't been to the studios since 2003, a lot has changed.

you said you last went to ioa in 2010 but not much has been added since then.



the shows in both parks could be doable.
ET should be okay for your child.


use the website of the parks and maybe you will find fun things your child and family could do together.

if you want to go and your child has to avoid a certain ride, use the child swap program.

Thank you for the information.

Do you know if the Simpson attraction is a theater type thing like Captain EO at Epcot? What about Shrek or the new Despicable Me attractions?

 

[Metro West]

Do you know if the Simpson attraction is a theater type thing like Captain EO at Epcot? What about Shrek or the new Despicable Me attractions?

The Simpsons and Despicable Me are ride simulators but Shrek 4-D is a theater seating attraction.

 

[lovethattink]

The Simpsons and Despicable Me are ride simulators but Shrek 4-D is a theater seating attraction.

Thank you!

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Thank you for the information.

Do you know if the Simpson attraction is a theater type thing like Captain EO at Epcot? What about Shrek or the new Despicable Me attractions?

The Simpson's is a simulator and about as jerky as Star Tours. Shrek is a 4-D movie similar to the Muppets at Hollywood Studios.

With Despicable Me (also a simulator ride) so new, I found this on YouTube. At the 20 second mark, they show the ride car - you can see for yourself if this would be too much motion for your DS. :

 

[lovethattink]

The Simpson's is a simulator and about as jerky as Star Tours. Shrek is a 4-D movie similar to the Muppets at Hollywood Studios.

With Despicable Me (also a simulator ride) so new, I found this on YouTube. At the 20 second mark, they show the ride car - you can see for yourself if this would be too much motion for your DS. :

Thank you so much for that link! That attraction is definately out for him. So is the Simpson's if it's similar to Star Tours. Sounds like Shrek should be ok as long as they don't use strobe lights. I will have to read signs before we go inside.

I think we will plan on seeing Universal's Superstar Parade, A Day in the Park with Barney, Animal Actors on Location, and ride E.T. Adventure.

 

[macraven]

Thank you so much for that link! That attraction is definately out for him. So is the Simpson's if it's similar to Star Tours. Sounds like Shrek should be ok as long as they don't use strobe lights. I will have to read signs before we go inside.

I think we will plan on seeing Universal's Superstar Parade, A Day in the Park with Barney, Animal Actors on Location, and ride E.T. Adventure.

shrek has stationary seats in the front row.
ask if the other rides have stationary seats, thinking of the minionion new ride.

 

[lovethattink]

shrek has stationary seats in the front row.
ask if the other rides have stationary seats, thinking of the minionion new ride.

Oh that's good to know! I wouldn't have thought of that! Thanks.

After further exploring the link you posted, I found This Link to a pdf Riders Guide for disabilities and warnings. There is a specific symbol for strobe effect. The minion ride is out and so it E.T.

 

[englishrose47]

Good to see you over here on the darkside !!!!

 

[lovethattink]

Good to see you over here on the darkside !!!!

muahaha!

We have the passes we should make use of them, right?!

 

[englishrose47]

muahaha!

We have the passes we should make use of them, right?!

I am going in September with another Group, this will be my first trip to the darkside!!!

 

[lovethattink]

I am going in September with another Group, this will be my first trip to the darkside!!!

Oh fun!! You'll love it!

Before Anakin was born we went frequently. But that was in the day of King Kong, Back to the Future and Jaws. I'm excited to check it out again!

He is still seizure free since June 10th and sure don't want to go on anything that could break that streak!! (Though dh and I would really love to go on Men in Black again!! Maybe one of us will go?)

 

[macraven]

i adored that ride, King Kong.........

still miss it..

 

[lovethattink]

i adored that ride, King Kong.........

still miss it..

I know!! I loved that ride!

Have you seen the new parade? Someone told me to stand at the Mummy area for shade?

 

[macraven]

I know!! I loved that ride!

Have you seen the new parade? Someone told me to stand at the Mummy area for shade?

this thread started back in early april about the parade.
i read thru it and have a clip for you below.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2904711&highlight=universal+studios+parade


clip
http://behindthethrills.com/2012/05...ters-and-amazing-floats-at-universal-orlando/


i read a few posts and trippies about the best place to be to view the parade.

i think some said Mummy area.

i'll look thru those threads and see if i come up with any thing different.



i won't be at the darkside until beginning of october, right after i leave the motherland......

so, looking forward to the parade of the minionions too!

 

[lovethattink]

Thank you all so much for the links and advice! We went to Universal on Sunday. He was able to go on Minion Mayhem and sit on the stationary bench. We all loved it! The same with Shrek! Minion Mayhem twice and Shrek once on Sunday was the extent of the rides we did.

Today we went to IOA, but only I have a prefered annual pass, so they were blocked out. We went over to Universal and sat in the stationary seats for Minion Mayhem. The line for that attraction was larger today than Sunday. Riding it once (stationary seats) and eating at Bubba Gumps was the extent of our Universal day today.

 

[disneywithfive]

So glad that you went. We have a daughter with seizures but no triggers. She had 8 yesterday after not having any for 7 days. That's been the longest run of seizure freedom in years. But we still go as often as we can. She absolutely loves to go to see the characters and will ride when she can. The best part for us is the water areas because she has trouble getting overheated. We had been diehard Disney fans for years but now, it's just easier at Universal.

 

[lovethattink]

So glad that you went. We have a daughter with seizures but no triggers. She had 8 yesterday after not having any for 7 days. That's been the longest run of seizure freedom in years. But we still go as often as we can. She absolutely loves to go to see the characters and will ride when she can. The best part for us is the water areas because she has trouble getting overheated. We had been diehard Disney fans for years but now, it's just easier at Universal.

So sorry she had 8 yesterday. That's great she went 7 days though. Does she have a rescue medication?

Thanks for the heads up about the water area. We avoided it because I'll need to do some research on those areas. We had a very difficult time with him at TL in the kiddie area where all the squirt guns were. That area was easy to lose him, even when we tried to stay right with him.

He has trouble with stairs. He can go up fine, but coming down is very difficult. He is up to about a five step going down limit if holding onto a railing. Are there stairs? Wiggly walkways? Or anything else that requires balance?

May parents accompany the kids at all times and places in the water area?

His favorite part of what we did was the minion dance party. Boy did he boogy!

 

[macraven]

So glad that you went. We have a daughter with seizures but no triggers. She had 8 yesterday after not having any for 7 days. That's been the longest run of seizure freedom in years. But we still go as often as we can. She absolutely loves to go to see the characters and will ride when she can. The best part for us is the water areas because she has trouble getting overheated. We had been diehard Disney fans for years but now, it's just easier at Universal.

i'm so sorry to read about the seizures she had.
i know it would be a concern to know more about rides to avoid your daughter going into a seizure.
my cousin always had problems going on rides.
he had a few grand mal ones and it wiped him out for the day.

happy to hear you had fun at the darkside.

did you go to the woody woodpecker play area?
lots of water activities there.
i know lots of little ones do that ride and water section at the studios but my boys still would want to hang out there for a couple of hours when they were 10 and under.

So sorry she had 8 yesterday. That's great she went 7 days though. Does she have a rescue medication?

Thanks for the heads up about the water area. We avoided it because I'll need to do some research on those areas. We had a very difficult time with him at TL in the kiddie area where all the squirt guns were. That area was easy to lose him, even when we tried to stay right with him.

He has trouble with stairs. He can go up fine, but coming down is very difficult. He is up to about a five step going down limit if holding onto a railing. Are there stairs? Wiggly walkways? Or anything else that requires balance?

May parents accompany the kids at all times and places in the water area?

His favorite part of what we did was the minion dance party. Boy did he boogy!

why don't you go to guest services and request the GAC/guest assistance card for the stairs.
this card would be issued by the TM based on your needs for the family.
Since stairs can be an issue, you could use the elevator for the Trolley Ride, or any other ride that requires climbing up.

i've used the elevators before on past trips.