GAC at Universal?

[3kidsmommy]

We are also planning on visiting Universal during our trip in April. Is there a GAC there? If so, were do you get it? It is imperative that we have alternate waiting areas with my son because normal que lines cause huge tantrums that are horrid. He just can't stand being in a small space with tons of people. We don't mind the wait, but just need to do it elsewhere. Any help is appreciated, as usual.. Thanks!

 

[JenJen]

When we went they gave us a pass to wait the time of the line in a air conditioned room. It was really nice.
JenJen

 

[SueM in MN]

They do have a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) at Universal.
You go to Guest Services and explain your son's needs to the people there. A lot of people who have children with autism or similar disabilities have posted they had good experiences with Guest Assistance Cards at Universal.

Some people who have wheelchair/ecvs and other needs have not had such good experiences. People (including us) have been told that all the lines are wheelchair accessible and that Universal does not need to provide more than that. Our last trip to Universal was quite a few years ago, but we did not have an especially good experience.

 

[3kidsmommy]

They do have a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) at Universal.
You go to Guest Services and explain your son's needs to the people there. A lot of people who have children with autism or similar disabilities have posted they had good experiences with Guest Assistance Cards at Universal.

Some people who have wheelchair/ecvs and other needs have not had such good experiences. People (including us) have been told that all the lines are wheelchair accessible and that Universal does not need to provide more than that. Our last trip to Universal was quite a few years ago, but we did not have an especially good experience.

Oh, geesh, Sue..this scares me...although Chandler does have autism, he also uses a wheelchair. I sure hope we aren't just throwing our money away. It is impossible for any of us to enjoy being anywhere with him if he starts to melt down. And there is nothing I can do about it once it has started. Sure hope maybe Universal has gotten smarter over the years. Thanks for the information!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I was just at IOA a few weeks ago and definitely not impressed with their accessibility.

First of all, even from disabled parking it was a long hike to the point where a wheelchair could be rented. If you wanted to rent an ECV you actually had to go all the way through City Walk to get into either park.

I had my own ECV with me. All the rides I went on I had to leave the ECV outside the general entrance. Some of them had a loaner wheelchair available and others did not. Spiderman was the only one I went on that I was directed to an alternate entrance.

Hulk is inaccessible for a person in a manual wheelchair unless being pushed, it makes the TTC monorail station ramps seem short and shallow.

 

[riu girl]

What is the general attitude from the Universals cms towards GAC users? I was worried about Disney since DD has invisible issues but the cms were incredibly wonderful. So amazing in fact we are planning a "surprise" trip for this January.

We are considering a big Univeral/Seaworld/Bahamas trip for two years from now but honestly, I wonder if we should just stick with Disney for now.

Suzy V.

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't think someone with autism has to worry - there have been universally positive posts from people who got/used GACs at Universal for autism (at least what was posted on this board. I don't think that having a wheelchair would probably make much difference if autism is involved. Even though with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), diagnosis should not really matter, needs do; sometimes a particular diagnosis does make a difference.

I am at work, so I don't have all my links/favorites here, but Universal does have a very good Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. If no one else posts a link before I get home, I'll post one this evening.
The last time we were there was many years ago. All their lines are supposedly wheelchair accessible, but as Cheshire Figment noted, many are not ecv accessible. The other thing we found was that most rides require a transfer - when DD was little, that was OK, but she's 5ft tall and 85 pounds, so we prefer to keep her in the wheelchair as much as possible.

 

[3kidsmommy]

I can imagine that moving her now would be hard...even Chandler's 46 lb body feels so heavy at times to me. Fortunatley, through much PT he can walk himself, just not for long periods, so he can usually move himself from Point A to Point B. I will be looking for the link--thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's the link for Universal:
http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website/disability.html

 

[kaytieeldr]

I was just at IOA a few weeks ago and definitely not impressed with their accessibility.

First of all, even from disabled parking it was a long hike to the point where a wheelchair could be rented. If you wanted to rent an ECV you actually had to go all the way through City Walk to get into either park.

I had my own ECV with me. All the rides I went on I had to leave the ECV outside the general entrance. Some of them had a loaner wheelchair available and others did not. Spiderman was the only one I went on that I was directed to an alternate entrance.

Hulk is inaccessible for a person in a manual wheelchair unless being pushed, it makes the TTC monorail station ramps seem short and shallow.

Gee, Cheshire - I wish I'd known you were going to IOA. My experiences have been quite different from yours. Although I admit, the last time I was there was in January - things could easily have changed.

Please understand, I am NOT disputing anything that you experienced!

I do agree, parking is a distance from The Hub. I've been fortunate that when I've driven to USF (and rented an ECV there) the parking attendant opens up the closest available space for me, one that's usually blocked off with a cone. It's NOT that he recognizes me, I guess it's just that I'm alone and have an HP placard hanging from the mirror by the time I get into the garage - as directed by Universal.

Anyway, while it's a relatively long walk to the Hub - but shorter than from HP parking at the TTC to the monorail - there are the moving sidewalks. That helps. Also, IF somebody from your park of choice is available, when you get to wheelchair rental at the Hub, they will drive an ECV up there for you! Another bonus Universal offers that Disney doesn't - you can reserve ECVs (and most likely wheelchairs) - in advance; and you can take them from park to park, although you DO need to be escorted by an employee.

I've pretty much always been able to take the ECV up to the attraction, through an alternate entrance if necessary (aka the exit), although sometimes I do have to be "firm" with the employees. And here's where I really wish I knew you were going - there's an elevator at The Incredible Hulk. If it was out of service, it's IOA's responsibility to make the attraction accessible to you, but frankly Super Hero Island is where I have the most trouble. Oh, and in Universal, when I go around to the wheelchair entrance for Jaws, often nobody sees me and I can't get anyone's attention - so I go back to the greeter and get the matter resolved


Anyway, if you go again, post here first - I'll tell you everything I remember (and then some!)

 

[Sue & Co.]

sadly my experience of US/IoA has been negative. They insist that all lines are accessibly and they are IF you are good at negotiating incredibly tight turns and steep slopes!

My biggest problem is them not having the wheelchair waiting for me when I get off the ride, twice last trip I had to walk a considerable distance to get it back with indifference and no help from employees. Luckily I can walk short distances but it would have been a nightmare for DH and DS if I couldn;t.

Sue

 

[JudithM]

I am sorry to read guests at Universal Orlando have not had a good experience. At Universal Hollywood in August 2004 I couldn't have found the employees more helpful & I was walking (unexpected visit, no ECV). We were even directed to park right up front. Comments like the ones here make me think twice about going to Universal Orlando.

 

[riu girl]

In DDs situation (ASD) , what type of GAC would probably be granted:
1. Express guest assistance pass (which I think is like the card for guests who are staying at the hotel, like going through a fast pass line)
or the
2. Family waiting room GAP (where the wait times are the same as the standby queue but you just wait in a small air conditioned room somewhere off to the side of the queue)??

Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[phamton]

In DDs situation (ASD) , what type of GAC would probably be granted:
1. Express guest assistance pass (which I think is like the card for guests who are staying at the hotel, like going through a fast pass line)
or the

If your child has autism, you will get an express GAP.

 

[michelle9343]

We had a very negative experience at Universal. I was with two special need childern, 1 autistic and my DD who is multiply diabled and uses a WC. I really had to fight for the GAC and at every attraction we were treated rudly and also when coming off ET her chair was really far away. Dad had to carry her a long way. I was told by two workers that all lines are accessible and that I could pay to use their fast pass system. Neddless to say we haven't been back.

 

[3kidsmommy]

We had a very negative experience at Universal. I was with two special need childern, 1 autistic and my DD who is multiply diabled and uses a WC. I really had to fight for the GAC and at every attraction we were treated rudly and also when coming off ET her chair was really far away. Dad had to carry her a long way. I was told by two workers that all lines are accessible and that I could pay to use their fast pass system. Neddless to say we haven't been back.

When were you there? That would have really made me more than mad. I sure hope we have no troubles...

 

[riu girl]

michelle,
I'm so sorry to hear about the troubles you had. That is why I don't want to go anywhere but disney...but DH wants the kids to see other places also.

May I ask what type of GAP you received at Universal? I am hoping to get the express GAP which allows you at Universal to enter lines that are similar in length (I assume) to fast pass lines at Disney. I think these are the same lines as the people who stay at the Universal hotels stay at. i would prefer to simply stay at universal and receive the express pass but the price is $300US plus tax a night so not likely.

fyi, we had a GAC like card at Busch gardens last month and it worked out well for us. The staff at Busch was as understanding/kind as the cms at Disney. In fact, we loved Busch gardens as much as Disney.

I hope Universal works out for us. I almost want to stick with Disney or Busch but DH won't hear of it. I think I will take the Busch and Disney GAC with us and show them to guest relations and ask for something similar.

 

[LMC]

What about kids with autistic tendencies? I know it's not full blown autism but they still have some of the issues with crowding, etc. And does Universal require medical documentation. Not that I mind, in fact, I wouldn't mind showing our medical doc's I think that would help cut down abuse cases.

If your child has autism, you will get an express GAP.

 

[phamton]

Universal can not and will not look at medical records as that is private information. Just let them know your child has autism---no need to go into all the details of how bad the autism is.

Just so you know, they often ask to see the child, not to determine if they do have autism but to determine if the child is indeed with you. Often people get GAPs and didn't even bring their child. So don't be offended if they ask to see your child.