US Gac?

[DaisyD]

We usually get a GAC to help my mom in the lines at WDW. We are taking one day out of our upcoming Disney trip to go to US/IoA to check out Harry Potter. Does US also have a type of GAC we can use for her? She has a hard time standing too long and the sun gets to her. She is looking forward to HP. Ty for any info you can give me!

 

[MareSINY]

You asked the very question I came here to ask.

I'm a Disney regular and know the ins and outs of WDW, but I haven't been to Universal since Jaws was the big deal there. My family is planning a trip in November and we're going to spend one day at IoA. We get a GAC for my niece who is 4 and has autism, she has high anxiety and doesn't like being in situations she's not familiar with. We had a GAC for her 2 years ago and it worked well for her, we're hoping to get it again this year and use it if necessary (she's come a long way in 2 years and we're not sure how necessary it will be.) I'm trying to figure out if Universal does something similar for families with disabilities.

 

[of2dbeach]

yes they have one i think i got it when I got the tickets. Also you get a discount at universal and sea world if Special needs but you have to ask them about it. no docs note needed. just as a side note we were there with daughter who is very sensative to noise and we got to walk up yes UP the staircase inside harry potter because she couldnt go on the ride. What we didnt know is that the pics talked so now we have to try it again! we were there the second day it opened. they treated us very well and she even got to see some behind the scenes things. She also has a heart condition so she couldnt ride some of the rides but still had alot of fun! if you have a handicapped pass you can park closer in the parking lot also

 

[Selket]

US/IOA has a card that is somewhat similar to a GAC at WDW but for some attractions the employee writes a return time on your card - and you come back and experience the attraction then.

We toured those parks last year with someone who had that card and this is how it worked for her.

However we were also staying on-site at one of their hotels which gave us free unlimited use of their "express" lines. You might consider staying one night at their hotels and you'd get 2 days of unlimited express with all your tickets.

The HP attraction did not have an "express" line last year - and I think it still does not. They take you in a "back way" - and you miss the que which is really cool.

Perhaps she would go in a wheelchair?

 

[DisMomAmy]

We are hoping to check out Universal and/or IOA next April but I have the same concern about accommodations. Both of my boys have autism & use a GAC at Disney. I'm reading a lot of mixed information about express passes, fastpass type passes (with return times) and family waiting areas.

I really only want to go if we can get passes similar to the GAC. I'd love to hear about more people's experiences. Thanks for sharing!

 

[SueM in MN]

There is information about US/IoA version of the Guest Assistance Card in post #9 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
It is not really a pass (as in, avoid waiting and get you into the attraction as soon as you present it).
There have been threads that indicated US/IoA has not always allowed Guest Assistance Cards to be used in the Harry Potter area, depending on how busy it is. From things people have written of their experiences, I would expect situations like Selket mentioned for some attractions; you show the card to the staff at the attraction and they write out a card with a return time.

If you mother’s main problem involves walking, I would suggest getting a wheelchair or ECV for her to be able to limit the amount of walking she does.

 

[Selket]

We are hoping to check out Universal and/or IOA next April but I have the same concern about accommodations. Both of my boys have autism & use a GAC at Disney. I'm reading a lot of mixed information about express passes, fastpass type passes (with return times) and family waiting areas.

Your post also made me remember that we did see a "family waiting area" in some of the attractions but only used it once (as we were touring US/IOA with someone else who had the assistance card but mobility issues). Seems like that area was used as staging for those in wheelchairs or mobility problems (and perhaps even baby swap?).

We were there in the summer and in the summer we usually get a GAC for Disney but I decided to stay at one of their onsite hotels to get the express pass that comes with that. Their hotels are expensive but on the bright side you know what you are getting and there is no hassle with it. One night of hotel gets you 2 days of express pass.

If we go next year to US/IOA I plan to stay one night at one of their hotels and pack one of our cases just for that - and leave the rest with the bell people or in the car.

 

[phamton]

The GAP has changed in the last year. There is still a regular GAP which is like an express pass and is usually reserved for autism. There is also a Gold GAP that backdoors you into the ride which is usually reserved for MAW of GKTW. The other GAP, which is given to most people, gives you a card that you take to the ride. If the wait is longer than 15 minutes, they will give you a return time for the ride. When you return, you can go straight through the express line. That way you don't have to wait in the heat.

 

[SueM in MN]

The GAP has changed in the last year. There is still a regular GAP which is like an express pass and is usually reserved for autism. There is also a Gold GAP that backdoors you into the ride which is usually reserved for MAW of GKTW. The other GAP, which is given to most people, gives you a card that you take to the ride. If the wait is longer than 15 minutes, they will give you a return time for the ride. When you return, you can go straight through the express line. That way you don't have to wait in the heat.

Thank you, phantom.
I was hoping you would chime in.

 

[skjuls]

I'm glad to hear that here GAP at US/IOA has changed.

When we went two years ago, they only gave us a GAP for us to wait in the family room which didn't address my autistic son's needs at all. I would have loved the GAP where you were given a time to come back. They do this at Busch Gardens and Sea World. If the wait is really short, they'll just put you on.

Plus, since it was only me, my son and my sister, there was no way for anybody to notify my party waiting in the family room on certain rides.

I've found customer service at US lacking as I remember being told one time there was no baby swap on the Mummy ride and then the following year, found out that I was lied to. I waited for 30 minutes outside.

 

[cuches]

Were do you get the UO/IoA GAP card. I know at MK I would go to City Hall and get one. I am staying on site at HRH in October so I get the express pass but I know WWoHP does not have express lanes. How does the GAP work there?

Tina

 

[DaisyD]

I'd like to know too where to get the Gac in US. We will be going to IoA. Thanks!

 

[phamton]

Go through the turnstiles at either Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios. Look to your far right at both parks. You will see a building that says Guest Services. You get them there.

 

[KeroKero]

Is getting a GAP at US/IOA as cut and dry as it is at WDW?

My husband broke his ankle and had to have surgery (7 pins in his ankle), he got is cast off last week, and we leave in 11 days. While his walking and standing for longer periods of time is improving, he will need to be in a wheelchair most of the time. Will US/IOA have a heart about this or give us a hard time when requesting a GAP?

 

[phamton]

The rides are ADA complaint so the wheelchairs go through the regular line. If the line has stairs, there is an elevator for wheelchairs and for those who can't navigate the stairs. This is the same policy at Disney on all rides that are ADA complaint. No GAC or GAP or required for wheelchairs if the line is set up to accommodate wheelchairs.

If the problem is stamina in line, then you can get a GAP that gives a return time for each ride. I may be mistaken but I don't believe that either Disney or Universal gives you a skip-the-line pass for simply being in a wheelchair. Sometimes there is a different entrance for wheelchairs but seldom is the wait shorter unless there are health problems also involved.

 

[livndisney]

The rides are ADA complaint so the wheelchairs go through the regular line. If the line has stairs, there is an elevator for wheelchairs and for those who can't navigate the stairs. This is the same policy at Disney on all rides that are ADA complaint. No GAC or GAP or required for wheelchairs if the line is set up to accommodate wheelchairs.

If the problem is stamina in line, then you can get a GAP that gives a return time for each ride. I may be mistaken but I don't believe that either Disney or Universal gives you a skip-the-line pass for simply being in a wheelchair. Sometimes there is a different entrance for wheelchairs but seldom is the wait shorter unless there are health problems also involved.

You are correct, the only FOTL at WDW is MAW kids on Wish trips. Disney's answer to mobility/stamina is to rent a wheelchair/ecv. Most lines at WDW can accomodate a wheelchair/ecv.

 

[KeroKero]

Thanks phamton & livndisney for the clarification. Wasn't looking for a way to get to the front of the attraction faster (I quite waiting in lines and admiring what's been done to the queue), just don't want my DH to be standing for longer periods of time than necessary.

 

[phamton]

KeroKero, you should be fine then as the wheelchairs can go through all the queues at both Universal and Islands of Adventure. You won't need a GAP to take the wheelchair through the lines. I hope you have a wonderful trip and your husband recovers quickly from his surgery.

 

[disneymarie]

We usually get a GAC to help my mom in the lines at WDW. We are taking one day out of our upcoming Disney trip to go to US/IoA to check out Harry Potter. Does US also have a type of GAC we can use for her? She has a hard time standing too long and the sun gets to her. She is looking forward to HP. Ty for any info you can give me!

When I was there in 06 is was very difficult for me. My adult daughter was in a wheel chair and I have disabilities along with asthma. The pushing and standing in extremly long line in the heat took a toll on me and I ended up in the med center. The most accomadation I was given If i wanted to come back the next day they would give me a fast pass . I was ablea few rides be able to take her to the rear staging area, then she was left alone while I went through the long queues in the heat. Another asthma attack.

I ended up renting an ECV and going to Disney the rest of our trip. The lines were just too ridiculous in the 98* heat. This was late Sept so I did not expect the humidity and heat.
I just think it is a lot easier at Disney where the waiting areas are shaded and cool. I could not do it at Universal/Islands more so IOA.
There was one ride, a train type that goes through the eating area with the Cat and Hat theme. At the enterance the attendent asked if my daughter could get into the car by herself, then sent us along the main queue.

There was an up hill walk pushing the weight the entire way. I did not want my daughter to see how spent I was when we were half way up. But I had to ask someone to help me. I was in tears of frustration that I was not stronger or healthier. In a full blown asthma attack they "take me down an elevator".

I am not ever going there unless it is 20* cooler. I know to make sure that there is a EVC too.

 

[ppony]

Thanks for posting this question and the replies! I deliberately didn't go to IOA last year w/ my DH and DS#1 because my youngest son is autistic and I didn't think they had anything like the GAC. I'm glad that I'll be able to go next time. The GAC at WDW is a God-send!