We found Universal more accommodating

[lovethattink]

We have AP for all the central FL parks. We had stopped going to Universal/IOA because even with their disability card it was too difficult. For the same reasons we avoid Sea World, Busch Gardens, and Animal Kingdom, except on cooler days in winter. DS can't regulate his body temp among a myriad of other things.

Last night we stepped out on the dark side after dinner at city walk. I took ds' old card with us to guest services. I asked about first aid and getting ice to keep the ice packs for his cooling vest frozen. (They freeze at 58 degrees through a chemical reaction) I mentioned how difficult it is to find places to stay cool between rides and how we don't come there often because of that.

He explained about a last resort available when the card isn't helping. We tried it last night. Rode 2 different attractions before going home.

DS had a great time. Didn't overheat. The only difficult part was the trek to and from the parking garage. He squirted himself with his mister the entire time.

The only drawback is that we have to visit Guest Services each time we go. It's only good for 1 day at a time. It took some time to set it up for him because a reference number will be used each time.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Glad your family found a way to make things work

Just out of curiosity what do you mean by last resort? Do they have something other than the Disability card now? Last year things did not work out for me so I just sort of wrote them off going forward but maybe they made improvements-I heard about the Hogwarts Express that should be connecting things to make getting around easier

 

[lovethattink]

Glad your family found a way to make things work

Just out of curiosity what do you mean by last resort? Do they have something other than the Disability card now? Last year things did not work out for me so I just sort of wrote them off going forward but maybe they made improvements-I heard about the Hogwarts Express that should be connecting things to make getting around easier

Thanks.

We were ready to cancel our AP. It had been over a year since we went. It had been suggested we talk to guest services and explain why the card wasn't working. So last night after eating at City Walk I stopped by GS and explained. The person who helped us said there was one other thing we could try. It doesn't work for any of the Harry Potter stuff. Though my son is scared to death of the looks of HP and won't go anywhere near that side of the parks. There are a few other exceptions too. He can't ride the big coasters either. Actually, he can't ride most of the rides and the outdoor attractions are too hot.

We went back today after school. When we got in the express line for Minion Mayhem, a cm (I forget what they are called at Universal) asked us to get out of line and follow him. He took us to a side entrance instead. He asked another "cm" to let us inside and told her it was medical. So something must have shown when they scanned the cards? He told us this would get him out of the heat. We were surprised.

Before the parade today, we had stopped and were talking to cm asking for directions. The one asked ds who he wanted to see in the parade. Then told us where to stand. She gave us a name of a "cm" to ask for when we got down there. We found him and he placed us in the shade by the characters ds was looking for!

I'm very impressed with Universal and IOA.

 

[disney david]

Thanks.

We were ready to cancel our AP. It had been over a year since we went. It had been suggested we talk to guest services and explain why the card wasn't working. So last night after eating at City Walk I stopped by GS and explained. The person who helped us said there was one other thing we could try. It doesn't work for any of the Harry Potter stuff. Though my son is scared to death of the looks of HP and won't go anywhere near that side of the parks. There are a few other exceptions too. He can't ride the big coasters either. Actually, he can't ride most of the rides and the outdoor attractions are too hot.

We went back today after school. When we got in the express line for Minion Mayhem, a cm (I forget what they are called at Universal) asked us to get out of line and follow him. He took us to a side entrance instead. He asked another "cm" to let us inside and told her it was medical. So something must have shown when they scanned the cards? He told us this would get him out of the heat. We were surprised.

Before the parade today, we had stopped and were talking to cm asking for directions. The one asked ds who he wanted to see in the parade. Then told us where to stand. She gave us a name of a "cm" to ask for when we got down there. We found him and he placed us in the shade by the characters ds was looking for!

I'm very impressed with Universal and IOA.

Their employees are called team members or tm for short

 

[lovethattink]

Their employees are called team members or tm for short

Thank you.

 

[disney david]

Thank you.

Your welcome also very happy to hear your son had a great time and was able to do stuff at universal.

 

[LuvOrlando]

That's impressive Lovethattink. Its a plus they are not forcing everyone into the same cookie-cutter mold & just wonderful they were able to accommodate your son in that way.

 

[lovethattink]

Tour welcome also very happy to hear your son had a great time and was able to do stuff at universal.

Thanks. Yes. The last time we were there in spring 2013, he went on 2 attractions in 2 hours before he was too exhausted and had to go home because of how much time he spent outside in the express line.

Yesterday was 3 characters and 3 attraction (Minion Mayhem, Men in Black and ET), parade and quick service meal all from 4 pm to 8. We waited 10 minutes or so for Gru, but he was asked to go to the exit to see Megaton and to return 10 minutes later to the exit to see Bumblebee. We only had to hang out in one store and that was waiting for Bumblebee to come out.

We've been going to a lot of FSF at Dhs and been spending lots of time sitting between planned parts of the day at the backlot express, one man's dream, writer's stop, First Aid, which are pretty boring for him.

Because of how little we were outdoor at Universal, his 2 sets of ice packs for his cooling vest lasted 2 hours each. We didn't have to make any first aid trips or stop anywhere else for ice.

That's impressive Lovethattink. Its a plus they are not forcing everyone into the same cookie-cutter mold & just wonderful they were able to accommodate your son in that way.

Right. Not everyone is the cookie cutter mold. I've emailed and talked to some really great people at guest services at Disney. However, they've forwarded and apologized that they can't help. Saying they are aware that other guests are writing about some the same issues and they've been forwarded to the appropriate people.

 

[disney david]

Thanks. Yes. The last time we were there in spring 2013, he went on 2 attractions in 2 hours before he was too exhausted and had to go home because of how much time he spent outside in the express line.

Yesterday was 3 characters and 3 attraction (Minion Mayhem, Men in Black and ET), parade and quick service meal all from 4 pm to 8. We waited 10 minutes or so for Gru, but he was asked to go to the exit to see Megaton and to return 10 minutes later to the exit to see Bumblebee. We only had to hang out in one store and that was waiting for Bumblebee to come out.

We've been going to a lot of FSF at Dhs and been spending lots of time sitting between planned parts of the day at the backlot express, one man's dream, writer's stop, First Aid, which are pretty boring for him.

Because of how little we were outdoor at Universal, his 2 sets of ice packs for his cooling vest lasted 2 hours each. We didn't have to make any first aid trips or stop anywhere else for ice.

Right. Not everyone is the cookie cutter mold. I've emailed and talked to some really great people at guest services at Disney. However, they've forwarded and apologized that they can't help. Saying they are aware that other guests are writing about some the same issues and they've been forwarded to the appropriate people.

Dhs is a smaller park with less attractions so it is less to do they are going to put Star Wars in and maybe cars land in. Disney is much more disabled friendly then universal if you take out everyone hate toward the das. If you plan the day you can do a lot at Disney just like you did at universal it just Dhs is a harder park as their is less attractions and character meets indoors. It is in my opinion a half day park. Once they build Star Wars and cars land maybe that help. But you can't compare what Disney dose for guest with disabilities and universal dose taking away the das of course because every hate that and now think Disney hate guest with disabilities not saying you do.

In mk their building more areas in the hub to see the parade and walk to ease crowds so hopefully they add more shade. They are theming their over flow exit and working on the side walks buy the Tony's restaurant to make them flat and even with the road. They add more seats indoors at Epcot to cool off behind club cool and the character meet and greet. So while it great that you found universal to be great I glad your son had a blast and was able to do a lot just don't want you to write off Disney yet.

 

[lovethattink]

Dhs is a smaller park with less attractions so it is less to do they are going to put Star Wars in and maybe cars land in. Disney is much more disabled friendly then universal if you take out everyone hate toward the das. If you plan the day you can do a lot at Disney just like you did at universal it just Dhs is a harder park as their is less attractions and character meets indoors. It is in my opinion a half day park. Once they build Star Wars and cars land maybe that help. But you can't compare what Disney dose for guest with disabilities and universal dose taking away the das of course because every hate that and now think Disney hate guest with disabilities not saying you do.

In mk their building more areas in the hub to see the parade and walk to ease crowds so hopefully they add more shade. They are theming their over flow exit and working on the side walks buy the Tony's restaurant to make them flat and even with the road. They add more seats indoors at Epcot to cool off behind club cool and the character meet and greet. So while it great that you found universal to be great I glad your son had a blast and was able to do a lot just don't want you to write off Disney yet.

No chance of writing off Disney! We go once or twice a week during the summer and once a week throughout the school year. But I am adding back in Universal and IOA.

We are use to the DAS, but it was a tough transition. For SWW they had always given him a green light stamp on his GAC, but during the rest of the year he had alternate entrance. So that was a pretty big change. It takes a little extra effort on our part to make sure we have stuff in the bag to entertain him while we wait for return times.

During summer at Disney, I pick the 3 FP+ as attractions that are long and air conditioning. His DAS is also used for air conditioned attractions. Before we go to a FP+ we get a return time for the DAS.

He loves the parade for FSF, so we hang out at the Backlot Express and pop out 5 or 10 minutes before parade time. We've got it down to a science. I've figured out little ways like that to stay cool. Because even waiting 30 minutes in the shade has been too much for him to wait for the parade.

But microplanning is not for us. I'm glad the DAS has the flexibility of a late return because we barely make it back in the time window and we've let more FP+ fly out the window because it didn't work. Though I usually try to change the time, but sometimes it's just not possible. Except for the Mine Train and A&E meet, we usually just pick our FP+ on the way to the park.

Yes, I'll be interested to see how the hub looks once it's finished. Hopefully shade will be added in.

 

[disney david]

No chance of writing off Disney! We go once or twice a week during the summer and once a week throughout the school year. But I am adding back in Universal and IOA.

We are use to the DAS, but it was a tough transition. For SWW they had always given him a green light stamp on his GAC, but during the rest of the year he had alternate entrance. So that was a pretty big change. It takes a little extra effort on our part to make sure we have stuff in the bag to entertain him while we wait for return times.

During summer at Disney, I pick the 3 FP+ as attractions that are long and air conditioning. His DAS is also used for air conditioned attractions. Before we go to a FP+ we get a return time for the DAS.

He loves the parade for FSF, so we hang out at the Backlot Express and pop out 5 or 10 minutes before parade time. We've got it down to a science. I've figured out little ways like that to stay cool. Because even waiting 30 minutes in the shade has been too much for him to wait for the parade.

But microplanning is not for us. I'm glad the DAS has the flexibility of a late return because we barely make it back in the time window and we've let more FP+ fly out the window because it didn't work. Though I usually try to change the time, but sometimes it's just not possible. Except for the Mine Train and A&E meet, we usually just pick our FP+ on the way to the park.

Yes, I'll be interested to see how the hub looks once it's finished. Hopefully shade will be added in.

Yeah me to their working hard on it so I hope they don't just do it as open space. And when they do the over flow exit it help when busy and it be nice when it themed but it also nice to see back stage. I like the seating they put in Epcot as that where I go to get out of the sun and use the bath room and check email. Now have a seat and table to look out and people watch will be nice if their a seat left it might be busy as they couldn't fit that many in their.

Now they add park hopping with fast pass plus they will be adding more soon so I think they will be making it easier to make changes. Or to make same day just like they did with adrs their finding guest like to change their plans the same day.

I may visit universal in dec to see it after all they built not a universal fan but am interested in theme parks.

 

[lovethattink]

Yeah me to their working hard on it so I hope they don't just do it as open space. And when they do the over flow exit it help when busy and it be nice when it themed but it also nice to see back stage. I like the seating they put in Epcot as that where I go to get out of the sun and use the bath room and check email. Now have a seat and table to look out and people watch will be nice if their a seat left it might be busy as they couldn't fit that many in their.

Now they add park hopping with fast pass plus they will be adding more soon so I think they will be making it easier to make changes. Or to make same day just like they did with adrs their finding guest like to change their plans the same day.

I may visit universal in dec to see it after all they built not a universal fan but am interested in theme parks.

We'll have to check out the seating there in Epcot. We haven't been to that park since the F&G Festival. We use that restroom area too.

I can probably count on 1 hand the number of times we've hopped over the years. We just don't like hopping.

My son is afraid of so many of the attractions at Universal. He won't even walk near the HP stuff. The Barnstormer and Mine Train are the fasted coasters he can handle, so coasters are definitely out of the mix at Universal. He is also afraid of the Monster themed restaurant. Disney is much more family friendly in that aspect. Men in Black was too intense for him. Even though he got high score, he said he doesn't want to go on that ever again.

Neither IOA or Universal felt crowded to us. But then we weren't back in the new stuff at all.

 

[disney david]

We'll have to check out the seating there in Epcot. We haven't been to that park since the F&G Festival. We use that restroom area too.

I can probably count on 1 hand the number of times we've hopped over the years. We just don't like hopping.

My son is afraid of so many of the attractions at Universal. He won't even walk near the HP stuff. The Barnstormer and Mine Train are the fasted coasters he can handle, so coasters are definitely out of the mix at Universal. He is also afraid of the Monster themed restaurant. Disney is much more family friendly in that aspect. Men in Black was too intense for him. Even though he got high score, he said he doesn't want to go on that ever again.

Neither IOA or Universal felt crowded to us. But then we weren't back in the new stuff at all.

I don't like thrill rides or roller coasters so if I go to universal it be to shop and see the themed lands. What they did with hp.

To be fair I don't go on any thrill rides it roller coasters at Disney. Well once did Everest thought I was going to pass out and then did splash and wanted to get out after first little drop.