A Note from Leap: As of July 24, 2023, Universal has a new system for registering people with non-physical disabilities. You can register for the free IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC) online at AccessibilityCard.org. Or you can register via the free IBCCES Accessibility Card mobile app. You can find the app in the Apple and Google Play stores. This is the same system that Six Flags uses, and the registration is good for one year at various theme parks that use the IAC. You can register up to 48 hours before your trip and talk to a team member about your accommodations before you arrive. If you use a wheelchair for mobility, you do not need to register, as the queues are accessible.
If you have used the Universal Studios Hollywood Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) in the past, note that, as of July 24, 2023, Universal has changed its accommodations request process for guests with disabilities and illnesses that are not related to mobility. With the new process, guests whose disabilities prevent them from waiting in a standard queue must obtain an International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) Individual Accessibility Card (IAC) at least 48 hours prior to visiting the park.
Obviously, this is a big change from setting it up in the park, and that means you'll need to do some advance planning before you arrive. But we frogs are here to walk you through it and help you. Hopfully, this streamlines your process and eliminates any anxiety about acquiring services in the park because now it's all handled before you go. Plus, once you get the IAC, it's good for a year. Here's what you need to know.
How to Register
You can register for the free IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC) online at AccessibilityCard.org or via the free IBCCES Accessibility Card mobile app. You can find the app in the Apple and Google Play stores. Guests must be at least 18 to request an IAC card for themselves, and guests under 18 will need to have a parent or legal guardian register for them.
When Should I Register?
Register for your IAC at least 48 hours prior to your planned visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. You will be required to present your IAC to the Guest Services team during your visit. During the Halloween Horror Nights season, be sure to register in advance if you hope to use the AAP during that event.
What If I Don't Register in Time for My Visit?
If you are unable to register in advance, you may contact Universal Studios Hollywood’s Guest Relations team or visit any Guest Relations location at the theme park for additional information. You can find Guest Relations just inside the park entrance, to the right after you enter the park.
What Information Do I Need for IAC Registration?
The IAC requires the following information to register the person needing an attraction queue accommodation:
- Recent photo of the cardholder for identification purposes
- Contact information for the cardholder or the parent/guardian/support person of the cardholder
- Contact information and statement from a medical provider, government entity or educational support professional related to accommodations requested. (Something showing your diagnosis is fine, and this does not need to be recent.
After registering, you do need to talk to Universal on the phone before your visit. If Universal does not call you, then call Universal to discuss your accommodations. Check your email. If they cannot get in touch with you, they they may email you the case number and phone number to call. The team member may discuss your options with you.
Here are the steps:
- Complete the registration.
- Print or store your IAC card digitally.
- Talk to Universal on the phone and get a case number.
- Upon entering the park, take the IAC and case number to Guest Relations to receive the available accommodations.
Does Registering for the IAC Guarantee Specific Accommodations?
The IAC does not guarantee specific accommodations for attraction queues at Universal Studios Hollywood. Once you meet the requirements for an IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card, a Universal Studios Hollywood team member will contact you or the cardholder to discuss the request for an attraction queue accommodation prior to their park visit. If you do not get the call, be sure to call Universal yourself at 407-817-8349. (Guests in the United Kingdom can call 800-756-3351.) The team member will determine how Universal can accommodate your needs. You will still visit Guest Relations when you arrive to show your card and pick up the AAP card.
How Often Do I Need to Register for IAC?
The IAC is valid for one year. You must apply annually for a new card. The convenient part is that you can use the IAC at other properties that participate in the IBCCES IAC program, such as Universal Orlando or the Six Flags theme parks. If you are a frequent visitor to theme parks or an annual pass member, the IAC will save you time.
Do I Get a Physical Card?
The card is available for digital download, but you can print it. If you lose the printed card, just log into your IAC registration to reprint or download the card at any time.
What If I Have Questions About the IAC?
Call 877-717-6543 to speak with someone from IBCCES.
Overview of Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood with Disabilities
Thanks to some special accommodations and an emphasis on inclusion, your entire family can enjoy a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. As we learn more about traveling with a family member with a disability, we’re uncovering some of the best ways to enjoy this delightful park and to ensure that the whole family has a frogtastic time.
Up until the new IAC changes, we have discussed the Universal Studios Hollywood Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP), including how the AAP works in Super Nintendo World and for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge in the post below. The AAP card is still in use. As all the changes take place, our frog squad will be getting up to speed on how this new IBECCES Individual Accessibility Card (IAC) works in the park. The following information is about AAP works once in the park.
We frogs get a lot of questions about how Universal Studios Hollywood helps guests who might need special accommodations, especially now that Super Nintendo World is open. What we found is that there is a lot of information about using wheelchairs, bringing oxygen tanks, securing casts or a prosthesis, service animals and services for people with disabilities that affect vision and hearing.
However, there is not a lot of information about other disabilities. It's harder to research accommodations for autism, cognitive disabilities, sensory integration issues, neurological disorders, and people who have invisible medical issues. One common accommodation is the Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP). This pass has replaced the former Guest Assistance Pass (GAP) from a few years ago, but the process is similar. If you use a wheelchair, hop over to our post on using a wheelchair at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Universal Studios Hollywood Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) for Invisible Disabilities
Once you receive the new IAC and talk to a team member on the phone, you'll pick up a paper AAP card at Guest Relations when you arrive in the park. The AAP still works pretty much the same with some small changes. The old form had space for a party of 4, but now people approved for IBCCES can bring up to 5 guests for a total of 6 in the party. Be sure to hop back for more updates over the next few weeks and months.
Our friend falls into the category of disabilities that aren't visible to others. We've hopped along with him on his trips to Universal Studios Hollywood to learn about the process of acquiring and using the AAP card. He has no mobility issues, but he has some nonphysical and cognitive disabilities, plus he does not sweat. You might think that is a good thing, but it means he has to be careful that he does not overheat and pass out. Plus, he can get overstimulated in crowded settings.
The AAP helps him stay cool and relaxed, but we learned that it's best to follow some tips and strategies when using it. He carries a spray bottle with him. He also gets a good soaking on Jurassic World — The Ride to keep him cool in the Lower Lot on a hot summer day. For the most part, the AAP helps meet his emotional and physical needs so he can have a toadally great time.
Universal Studios Hollywood Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) for Autism and Sensory Conditions
Our own froggy niece needs some extra help when navigating the park and is even at an increased risk of wandering away or eloping from our group. She has autism, and we’ve found that the AAP is also incredibly helpful when it comes to navigating the park with this increasingly common condition.
We’ve found that waiting in line seems perfectly fine to the rest of us, but it can be overwhelming for this sweet froglet, so the AAP helps us find a safer, more appropriate option for her and the entire frog family.
FAQs on the Universal Studios Hollywood Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP)
What Is an AAP Card and How Does It Work?
The AAP card is a special card that helps guests who find it difficult to wait in a standard queue. People with disabilities and health problems can use the card to get return times at a ride. They can wait outside the queue and return when it's time to come back. If you use a wheelchair, hop over for more tips and specific information about using a wheelchair at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The AAP is a paper card with the date, the guest's name and the number of guests in the party on the front. It also has a barcode for scanning. The back side has some lines for receiving return times, when necessary. Keep the card with you and present it to the attendant at the ride entrance or the Universal Express line for each ride. The attendant will note your arrival time, the ride's current wait time and the return time to come back and ride.
Your total wait is about equivalent to the current wait time, however, you may notice that the time to return on the card may indicate a shorter wait than the actual wait time. Once you enter the alternate queue, you may have a short wait before loading. The team member takes that into consideration when calculating your return time. You can hold only one active return time at a time.
When you arrive to ride the attraction, the attendant will cross off the return time so you may collect a new one after you exit the ride. They will scan your card and note the size of your party. Generally, if the line is less than 30 minutes, the attendant will scan the card and send you to the appropriate queue without having you come back. At Mario Kart, you'll head straight to the alternate queue during Early Access and the first half hour of park opening. After that, the team members will likely assign a return time.
You can also use the card to access seated shows, such as WaterWorld. You will be directed to a different waiting area and may enter early to choose the right seating to best meet your party's needs.
Universal Studios Hollywood Attraction Assistance Pass Queue
The card is not intended to provide immediate access or Express access to the ride or to skip the wait. Instead, it allows you to wait in a separate area of your choice and then access the correct line based on your needs. Depending on the wait time for that ride, the attendant may direct you to the appropriate queue right away or provide a return time to come back.
If the posted wait time is under 30 minutes (or if the attendant feels that the ride can easily accommodate your party immediately), you'll be sent to the appropriate queue. If the posted wait time is 30 minutes or more, you will likely get a reserved time to come back to the Universal Express entrance. (The actual number of minutes is subject to change.) The team member will note the name of the ride, arrival time, current wait time and the return time on the card.
What Should I Do While I Wait for My Turn to Ride?
You can do other things in the park while you wait for your return time. That may include going on another ride with a shorter wait, seeing a show or getting something to eat. You may want to find a quiet or shady spot to rest and get some needed downtime. The Family Center near Water World offers quiet rooms for people with autism spectrum disorder. People who overheat easily, have sensory issues or have physical challenges may need more rest than the rest of your party.
If you are late for your return time, no sweat. They will still let you in. The time is good until you use it or end of day.
Meeting characters is a great activity to do while you wait for your ride return time. You can also play games or challenges in Super Nintendo World in the Lower Lot or carnival games (for a fee) in the Upper Lot.
How and Where Do I Get an AAP?
Upon entering the front gates, make an immediate right into Guest Relations. If you are there for Early Access, Guest Relations is open for you. Bring the guest who needs accommodations with you. Bring your IAC card or access a digital copy. You'll let them know your party size. Hold onto that card all day.
How Many Party Members Can Use the AAP with the Pass Holder?
When you get the pass, a team member will ask you how many people are in your party and note that number on the card. The new rules allow the pass holder and up to five guests (for a total of six) to use the pass to enter the ride. Universal suggests if you have a larger party that the other party members wait in the regular line. You could purchase Universal Express for the extra family members to keep the party together. If you have questions about this, talk to the team members at Guest Relations.
Don’t froget that even if you are using the AAP, you can also take advantage of other ways to maximize your time in the park. Many rides offer child switch if your person with disabilites (or another child in the group) is not able to join the rest of the group on a ride. Members of your party who don’t mind being split up (or exceed the number of guests allowed on the AAP) can use Single Rider lines. (Single Rider is subject to availability, but it's a great free option to shorten the wait.) Other party members could also purchase Universal Express tickets. Those do cost more money, but they can keep the party together.
Do All People with Disabilities Need an AAP?
You do not need the AAP or to go through the IBCCES process if you are using an ECV or wheelchair for mobility. There are already ADA-compliant entrances and ride accommodations in place for you. If you have a service dog, you do not need the AAP unless you also require the special assistance outlined above. If you have additional health conditions or disabilities that require more accommodation than just a wheelchair, you can apply through the IBCCES process.
The AAP is for special circumstances that are not necessarily covered under other accommodations. The AAP assists all guests who have difficulty waiting in a standard queue. If you have a situation in which you cannot stand or walk for long periods of time, Universal team members may suggest renting a wheelchair.
Universal Studios rents out wheelchairs for $25 per day and electric convenience vehicles (ECVs) for $75 per day. There is a $25 refundable deposit for wheelchairs. Keep in mind that wheelchairs and ECVs often sell out, so if you think you will want one, you should reserve it early in the day.
The Studio Tour allows most wheelchairs but not electric convenience vehicles. There are wheelchairs you can use to transfer. There are designated accessible viewing areas for seated shows, but you’ll have to transfer out of the chair for rides. Employees are not trained to help lift and carry, so people who require assistance need to bring a companion to assist them.
Universal Studios Hollywood has a number of accommodations in place to help people with vision and hearing disabilities. The park offers safety information and shows dialogue in Braille and large print for guests with vision problems. There are several accommodations for deaf guests and guests who are hard of hearing. These include headsets, assisted listening devices and show scripts. You can even reserve free sign language interpreters one week in advance. Find out more about how to manage Universal Studios Hollywood with disabilities.
Are There Any Additional Services or Tips That May Help?
There are a few tools you can use to make your day easier. Child Switch and Single Rider lines are some services your party can use if you need them. Early Access is an add-on ticket that we think is toadally worth it.
We knew on a recent journey that completing challenges with a Power-Up Band in Super Nintendo World was a priority for Adam. But we are also aware that all those lines can get long and are out in the sun. The AAP does not work for those lines. So we planned ahead and bought Early Access in addition to using the Attraction Assistance Pass for Mario Kart. That way Adam could take advantage of short lines in the cool early morning and get out of Super Nintendo World before the crowds came in. Early Access is a tool you might also want to look into if you find navigating crowds difficult with members of your party.
Chances are, you may need to make some other accommodations of your own to support the person in your group. That may be using noise-canceling headphones or watching ride videos on our YouTube channel so you know what to expect. Many people with autism like to know what to expect when faced with a new situation. Download the Universal Studios Hollywood app and set it up. You can even input payment information in case you want to mobile order in the park for select restaurants. You'll also want to look at restaurant menus in the app in advance. The Super Nintendo World map (in the app and with the Power-Up Band purchase) may help you know where to go once you enter the Mushroom Kingdom.
Get an early start. We suggest arriving 45 minutes before Early Access starts. Gates open 30 minutes before Early Access. You have time to hop into Guest Relations, once you enter the park, to pick up the AAP. Then you still have time to pick out a Power-Up Band (stores are open in the Upper and Lower Lots). You can set up before playing all of the challenges and riding Mario Kart. You can usually accomplish all this, punch some blocks and explore the uncrowded land before the park even opens.
But once the park officially opens, Super Nintendo World fills up pretty quickly. That's a great time to head to the other Lower Lot attractions, which all have very short wait times in the first hour of the park opening. You can quickly board each ride, then meet some dinosaurs and Transformers. Then it's time to visit the Upper Lot and Studio Tour! Before heading up, you may want to collect a return time for Mario Kart, and then dine at Toadstool Cafe (be sure the join the wait list at this link when you arrive in the morning). If you have someone with disabilities in your party, this plan gets your day off to a great start.
Are There Any Tips for Using the Attraction Assistance Pass in the Lower Lot?
We found the Lower Lot can be the most difficult area of the park when using the AAP, especially in the afternoon. We especially found this challenging when we visited with a friend who rented an ECV for the day. Try to knock out the Lower Lot before the lines (and heat) build up. It takes about 10 minutes each way to use the four escalators to access the Lower Lot. So ideally you want to maximize time by visiting the Lower Lot only once. It takes even longer to use the alternative wheelchair transport for people who cannot use the escalators.
There is not a lot to do outside the rides and Super Nintendo World in the Lower Lot compared to the Upper Lot. When the lines and return times are long, that means a lot of waiting around for each ride. With heat-sensitive guests, that can be challenging on a hot, busy day. Wait times are usually over an hour in the afternoon but are much shorter in the morning. For kids or adults with autism, visit early in the day or in the last two hours of park opening.
Our suggestion is to knock these rides out first in the morning. Purchase Early Access if you can. Complete the challenges and ride Mario Kart. Collect a Mario Kart return time for later. Then hit the other three Lower Lot rides in the first hour of park opening, while lines are short. Go back to ride Mario Kart again during your return time, and possibly eat at Toadstool Cafe (which has information you'll want to read up on in our Super Nintendo World food post). Then head up to the Upper Lot.
Here are a few tips to make your Lower Lot experience go more smoothly with AAP:
- Visit the Lower Lot as soon as it opens in the morning for the shortest wait times.
- When wait times are under 30 minutes, you can join an alternative queue without a long wait time. When wait times are longer, you can get a return time. So if you see wait times are 5 to 30 minutes, collect a return time for the longest wait time and head straight to the 25-minute and 5-minute rides. By the time you exit those rides, it will be time to ride the ride with a return time.
- Send a runner to collect the return time. No need to drag the whole party there.
- Plan to eat a meal during one of your wait times. Jurassic Cafe has some tasty themed food and indoor or shady places to sit.
- Plan a meal at Toadstool Cafe during a wait time. You'll want to reserve early before you even get to the park. Here's the link to join the waitlist. Even with a time to return to the restaurant, the wait to order can get long and the wait for food to come out can take awhile. Bring something to entertain the tadpoles while you wait. Dine in the morning for a shorter wait and quicker experience.
- Acquire a return time for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge before dining in Toadstool Cafe. You'll be ready to ride after your meal.
- Visit dinosaurs and Transformers while you wait.
- Entertain young children at the redesigned Dino Play area.
- Consider the Single Rider line for one of the experiences. (As long as your party is tall enough and capable of riding single.) All four Lower Lot rides (including Mario Kart) offer Single Rider lines. Some Single Rider lines require the ability to walk up or down steps (such as Transformers: The Ride-3D and Mario Kart, so talk to a team member if you need a ramp or elevator).
- Use Child Switch if you have young children who are not tall enough to ride.
Does AAP Get Me into Super Nintendo World?
Most of the time, all guests can just walk right in to Super Nintendo World. At peak times, the land can reach capacity and virtual line may form. The land is so popular that we created a whole post on how to access Super Nintendo World. The popular living video game land is also located in the Lower Lot. You can walk right in through the Warp Pipe (I know, cool, right?). We recommend making a same-day Toadstool Cafe reservation to get in. The small area of the land can become very crowded and overwhelming even to neurotypical people.
If Super Nintendo World is important to you, we highly recommend planning a few weeks ahead of time and purchasing Early Access. That allows you to enter the land one hour before the park opens. It will be the least crowded and least overwhelming time of day. And it's the coolest and best time of day for people with disabilities. The lines for the challenges will be the shortest then. Focus on those during that time if you are getting a Power-Up Band.
Universal Express, Unlimited Express and the VIP Experience also skip the line for Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge. And that brings us to how to access the ride.
How Do I Access Mario Kart?
Once you are in the land, you can take your AAP to Mario Kart to get a return time (or be directed to an alternate queue). If you have a long wait, you can leave the land and come back. If eating at Toadstool Cafe is on your must-do list, grab a same-day reservation ASAP. The reservations fill up quickly. Here is the link to the menu and reservation. We also have a post on Super Nintendo World food. It can take a while to eat here, so dine while you wait to ride Mario Kart.
The standby queue and the alternate queue have a lot of steps. If you require an elevator, let the team member know and you'll be directed straight to the elevator(s).
Can I Use the Attraction Assistance Pass to Play Games and Challenges in Super Nintendo World?
No. You can use the AAP to get a return time for the Mario Kart ride but not the challenges. So, you'll want to play when lines are short. If doing them is a priority for your family, we highly recommend adding on Early Access to play them before the park opens with low capacity.
For Early Access, be at the park gates 35 minutes before Early Access starts. Gates open 30 minutes early. You can stop and pick up the AAP at Guest Relations, then head to the Lower Lot. Play all the games before riding Mario Kart. If arriving early is not possible, try the end of the night, when wait times drop.
What About Using the Attraction Assistance Pass in the Upper Lot or for the Studio Tour?
Compared to the Lower Lot, the Studio Tour and Upper Lot attractions are toadally easier to manage with the AAP. The Studio Tour is accessible via elevator for guests who cannot use the escalator. We were directed immediately to the correct queue at the Studio Tour. We also headed to appropriate Upper Lot rides and show queues. With shows, characters and other activities, you'll find a lot more to do while waiting for return times. The AAP card can also assist you in accessing a wand pairing demonstration at Ollivanders in the Wizarding World.
Planning ahead allows you to maximize your time and use the AAP for longer waits. We received a return time for The Simpsons Ride, which tends to have a longer line. Then we headed for the Studio Tour. By the time we exited the tour, it was time to ride The Simpsons Ride. We received a return time for The Secret Life of Pets before heading to WaterWorld. After the show, it was time to ride. Every time we've used AAP to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, we've been sent straight to the alternate queue without needing to collect a return.
Can I Use the AAP During Halloween Horror Nights?
Yes. You can acquire and use the AAP at Halloween Horror Nights. You still need to sigh up online in advance. There may be some alternative transportation available for people with physical disabilities if the mazes are a long walk over varying terrain as well. Arrive early to pick up the AAP because lines can grow long to acquire the pass itself.
Depending on the haunted house locations, you might have different procedures for acquiring the return times. Ask questions about how to use the AAP when you receive it. Guest Relations gave us a slip of paper that told us where to go to acquire return times for each house. There are two centrally located kiosks. One in the Upper Lot is just just outside the Wizarding World entrance. There you can collect two return times at once for the two houses that are past the Wizarding World.
There is a kiosk in the Lower Lot in front of Jurassic World. You could collect returns times for all four Lower Lot houses at once. They gave us a card with a time on it for each house, plus we presented the AAP card at each house. For some of the other houses in the Upper Lot, we simply presented the AAP card for scanning and walked into the appropriate queue (as the line was short enough to go in). If the line were longer (over 30 minutes) we would collect a return time at entrance of each house.
We had the After 2 p.m. Day/Night Combo ticket with Early Access to the houses. (Highly recommend BTW.) During Early Access, we did not need to collect return times for the houses. We just presented the AAP card.
Are Wheelchairs Allowed in Houses at Halloween Horror Nights?
We actually get asked about wheelchairs in Horror Nights houses a lot. Yes. You can take your wheelchair or ECV into the houses. You also have the option to park them outside the house if you like. There are different locations that offer alternate transport between the Upper Lot and Lower Lot. You can also use alternate transport to the two houses past the Wizarding World.
Is There Anything Else You Should Know?
Just as with other situations, research which attractions may be safe and interesting for your family member with disabilities. You can pick up a Guide for Rider Safety at Guest Relations or view it in advance. The pamphlet can help guests avoid smoke and fog or certain lighting. You can also read about which rides accommodate a service animal. Find out which attractions are best for guests who have a fear of heights or small spaces.
If you know your loved one has a favorite character or type of experience, start the day right by heading right to that attraction. In some cases, an acceptable and fun first experience will help your ASD or sensory kid accept other rides later in the day.
Set yourselves up for success by knowing the limitations of your guest with disabilities. Take frequent breaks, bring spray bottles to keep cool and stay hydrated. Make good decisions about what kind of attractions your friend or family member can enjoy and even handle. You can now look at restaurant menus in advance in the Universal Studios Hollywood app. Identifying familiar foods and where to find them can help lower mealtime anxiety. Set up your Universal Studios Hollywood app so you can use mobile order to skip the lines.
Pack a small bag or backpack full of items you know your child enjoys and finds soothing. But leave any item that cannot be replaced if lost at home. Even if you do not normally use a stroller, consider renting one designed for older kids with wheelchair needs. Not only do these roomy vehicles hold all your gear, but most have hoods that can shelter the entire seating space, creating a safe sensory zone wherever you go.
If you bring a service animal with you, you can locate service animal relief stations in the Universal Studios app. There is one in the Lower Lot (across from Jurassic World) and Upper Lot (near first aid). There is also one outside security near disabled parking.
Know what your kids can handle. On a recent visit, we saw a child about 7 years old who was terrified for his life on the one-hour Studio Tour. He believed that King Kong, the dinosaurs and Jaws were real and going to get him. Every situation we encountered felt like a real danger and threat to him, including one particular “Psycho” we encountered. This child spent the majority of the Studio Tour on the floor screaming and crying. He put his hands over his ears and was shaking in terrible fear. That is not fun for anybody.
Hollywood is so realistic! If your child cannot distinguish between what is pretend and real and might have this kind of reaction, then avoid putting them in this situation. Make good decisions about what attractions to take them on. There are a lot of loud noises and flashing lights in many Universal attractions. If your child’s sensory system cannot handle this kind of stimulation, then you’ll need to make your own accommodations to keep your child happy and healthy. If that means playing in a fountain for an hour, then go with the flow and embrace a special kind of fun. Team up with another caregiver or family member and use Child Switch programs. That will help you all have a toadally safe and fun time at the park.
We hope this information about the Universal Studios Hollywood Attraction Assistance Pass helps you as you plan your visit. Have questions or want to share your experience using AAP? Drop us a line in the comments below.
Related: Using a Wheelchair at Universal Studios Hollywood
Related: How to Manage Universal Studios Hollywood with Disabilities
Keep hopping!
