Universal Studios Questions

[Wendydagny]

We are very familiar with the disability policies at Disney, but we are considering adding a single day at Universal (both parks) on our trip in March. We have only been to Universal once, and that was one day on dd's wish trip. She was not tall enough to ride anything except the dr. seuss rides, and we obviously had a different type of pass.

So questions:

1) How does the disability pass work at Universal? Where do we get it?

2) DD is attached to a pump infusing fluids that is carried in a backpack on her wheelchair for the majority of the day. At Disney she either stays in her chair, or if we transfer her to a ride, we bring her backpack on the ride with us. I know from reports of others that Sea World does not allow this at all, but I've heard nothing re Universal's policy here. She is not able to ride the big roller coasters or anything. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!

 

[Bearshouse]

Universal has a HUGS policy. Meaning that the person must have full head control, be able to sit upright unassisted, grasp whatever is required on the ride for the entire ride and be able to take a step. We went in 2010 before this HUGS policy, he rode spiderman, all the dr suess rides, storms ride and few other little things. When we went in June 2014 after the policy was instated. He was only able to to sit in the wheelchair section of the minion ride, and everything else we were told he couldn't do. Including rides that stated you could stay in your wheelchair. The person must still be able to do HUGS every time, every ride, the entire ride. They stated at every ride that they are more intense then Disney's. I would highly doubt she could remain hooked up to her feeding pump at Universal.

Disney is totally magical for us. My son is total care and unable to sit, stand or walk unassisted. But we transfer him to any ride that his dad or I can sit next to him on. He loves Mission Space: Orange, the seven dwarf's mine ride, Big Thunder mountain.

Hope this helps.

 

[Wendydagny]

You are kidding me?!? How do they even determine that they meet these HUGS requirements? And how is requiring a step ADA friendly? I'd also be concerned they might try to deny my dd on obvious health issues if they are being that strict.

Our children are probably fairly similar, and dd loves thrill rides. We even took her on Everest last trip and she was ecstatic. I just load all her stuff up onto the floor of the ride car (she also has a foley and some other drainage bags).

This is really disappointing to hear. I just wanted to take her to see Barney, but I truly can't justify spending that much money if she can't do anything else.

 

[Bearshouse]

We told Universal that we would just enjoy all that Disney had to offer and skip them. It sucks because of DD11 is starting to read Harry Potter and our DS loved the few things he rode on our first trip. But for the money we too can't justify it. We tell Disney everytime we go that we can't thank them enough for providing an atmosphere that makes us get to be a family without limits for a week. You could always call the customer service at Universal and ask if they have changed it but if they say anything about HUGS then I would doubt it.

DS loves tower or terror and Everest too.

His physical health and stamnia are declining so we will enjoy as much as we can as often as we can. Then we will slow down and take in a show or two. Until then we will be at park open until the street sweepers come out. Until then we will be racing from one ride to the next and only stopping to eat and the necessary pit stops at first aid.

 

[joanchris]

Funny you asked this Wendy, I was researching this same thing this morning, for a trip for C's 21st bday in September. I determined that there wasn't enough there to take time away from Disney. Same with Seaworld. If we could get discounted prices given the severe limitations of what C could do I'd consider it, but paying full price and being allowed/able to do maybe 25% of what's there (IF that) isn't a place that will get my money.

 

[Wendydagny]

Funny you asked this Wendy, I was researching this same thing this morning, for a trip for C's 21st bday in September. I determined that there wasn't enough there to take time away from Disney. Same with Seaworld. If we could get discounted prices given the severe limitations of what C could do I'd consider it, but paying full price and being allowed/able to do maybe 25% of what's there (IF that) isn't a place that will get my money.

Yeah I'm sad about it but this is what I'm thinking too, especially since days at Disney are "free" for us since we have annual passes. And n does not know she's missing anything by not going to universal.

I find it so insane the difference in accessibility between the parks. Disney goes so far to support us giving n the experiences she has had there. Every time I take too long loading and unloading her, the CMs are nothing but gracious and supportive, most times commenting on how great it is to see her having a wonderful time despite her challenges.

I hope c has an awesome birthday trip! Glad that she is doing so well!

 

[ButterflyEffect]

My dd also rode the minion ride in the static seating area. The only other ride that she was able to ride was the carousel, it has a ramp they deploy and her wheelchair was loaded on (funny enough I understand Disney's isn't accessible). We were told the same as pp, she must be able to support herself and grasp the bar and had to transfer to their wheelchair. To be fair, many of the rides are MUCH more intense and we wouldn't consider putting her on any of those. But we thought she would be able to get on some kiddy rides. We did enjoy the shows and it was amazing for my son and us adults, but it definitely was not somewhere that my dd was able to do much.