Would I be eligible for a pass as I have chrons disease. Quite often with this condition I need to go to the restrooms with little or no warning and would loose a space in the queue and get separated from the rest of my family

Our 13-year-old daughter has rheumatoid arthritis pretty much everywhere and was denied an AAP pass today and was told to rent a wheelchair...really? Unbelievable. She went with her school's band group, so I called Guest Services from South Carolina and they told me it is up to their own "discretion" as to who they give passes to. They would not even let me speak to a supervisor. Mind you, I emailed AHEAD of time to find out their policy, as I could not locate anything on their website. They emailed me back saying they had “various types of assistance passes available and please visit Guest Services upon arrival so that we may arrange to meet your individual requirements.” And to think, she will be at the park for THREE DAYS! So disappointed in Universal Studios Orlando!

My family and I just went to Universal this week with our 12 year old daughter in her wheelchair. She is totally disabled--she cannot sit or even hold her head up on her own. She was not able to ride any ride by staying in her wheelchair, except the Carousel. She was refused entry at all other rides that stated you could remain in your wheelchair, including ET, The Cat in the Hat and Men in Black. We were told only a standard wheelchair would fit on the wheelchair accessible cars on those rides. Her wheelchair has tie downs and has never been a problem on any rides at Disney (where she has been several times in this chair). We even went on a VIP Tour and our tour guide couldn't even get her on those rides. It seems like false advertising for Universal to state you can remain in your wheelchair when you cannot.

I was not issued an AAP after my first request (I was told rather condescendingly that because ramps were provided, my manual wheelchair usage, chronic fatigue and pain, and joint issues were not a problem). Since I already had trouble keeping up with my party and navigating the crowds just to get through the entry, I went immediately to the next GS area, in tears, asking if we could have a refund for our tickets. That agent gave me an accessibiltiy pass, but when the manager came over to hear my complaint about the first agent's poor judgment, he repeated the claim that I shouldn't have been eligible for the pass, and they were providing it one-time only as a courtesy. He seemed to think that because Universal provided ramps, everything was totally equal now.

So, as a heads-up to anyone with any disabilities, incredibly obvious or invisible, Universal is no longer an accommodating place to go.

hi, what about if the visitor is from another country (italy) and had a surgery in the last 2 months?

I will have italian certificate.. it's ok to get the AAP?

Hello, we are a party of 4 adults and 2 children. One of our party has had both knees replaced. Unfortunately the operations weren't a success. He can walk but only short distances and for this we have hired a mobility scooter (we are over sea's visitors, so bring our own isn't really an option). Standing in queues for long periods will cause a great amount of swelling and pain. Would we as a group qualify for this?

I have Ulcerative Colitis. I look healthy however, my guts hate me!!

I am able to walk, however standing in line for long periods of time, the urgency, fatigue and pain in my joints. It prevents me from standing in one place for to long. Thinking about getting a motorized cart, but feel I am too young for it. I am going to try and get the AAP however could I be a candidate for the GAP?

Hi,

My husband is a paraplegic and therefore wheelchair bound. We have 4 kids and we're planning to visit December 2017. I had assumed that AAP only applies to rides that my husband wishes or is able to go on and so any other time des, we would have to queue as normal. Is my understanding correct? Thanks

Hi,

Planned trip in August 17, type 1 diabetic and insulin pump user. I'm totally unsure how to manage going on all the rides risking the fact that either the pump falls off at high velocity or is put in a locker out of reach for a period of more then 30 minutes causing high blood sugars and missed basals. In 30 years I've never pulled the disability card because I don't truly believe I am disabled, however the need to be without anything for many of the rides not only terrifies me but perplexes me! I would really appreciate anyone's thoughts and advice as I feel a hindrance to my family and having saved up for the last three years the last thing I want to purchase is express passes.

I am being treat ed do for cancer, would I be able to get an AAP? We just got the California Neighbor pass..

I love that this option is available for those that need it, but it really irritates me to see it abused. Halloween Horror Nights is the prime example, so many cards used and no obvious reason for it. I completely understand some needs are not outwardly noticeable, but with the increased numbers I see at Halloween compared to a day visit to the park, I suspect some abuse is happening.

I just called Guest Services and told that there are no accommodations given to people with disabilities at night for HHN. This seems unacceptable to me. I just don't understand who Universal can say that you can obtain AAP and GAP during the day, but those same people do not need assistance maneuvering the lines at night. Not that it matters to Universal, but not sure if I want to put my husband through this tomorrow night.

We went to universal studios Hollywood today. It was awesome. According to this post, you needed to speak with the supervisor and give explanation to upgrade from AAP to GAP. So. My son is 8 years old with Autism and ADHD. We walked into guest relations and I automatically asked for the GAP pass. I started telling the receptionist about why my son should get the GAP. By the time I got two sentences out, he said not a problem and handed me the GAP pass. He was really nice and helpful. We were in and out in 5 minutes. We arrived at 11am and left at 4pm. We were able to enjoy all of the main attractions even the walking dead walkthrough. The only ones that weren't allowed were the waterworld attraction, special effects show, and universal animal actors. We definitely will be coming back. There was no wait we went with the VIP and front of line access folks. I can say it was way better than Disney world. We had to stand in line at guest services for 20 minutes, get a picture taken, and explain his disability. Only to find out we still had to wait and was given return times.

Universal Studios Hollywood Question

Hi,

We are visiting Universal Hollywood in October. We have never been there before always have gone to the big "D" park when in California. We haven't been to California in 3 years but I am disabled and I cannot stand for long periods of time in the same space or get jostled. I have always gotten a pass similar to the AAP pass at the other park. I was wondering if I should bring that 3 year old pass with me to guest relations or would that be offensive? I have a disease similar to muscular dystrophy involving the nerves in my legs. I walk with a cane, I'm just not ready to commit to a wheelchair until my legs give out on me.???? hopefully that's down the road a ways yet!

Thanks for your help in advance.

Hi, my wife and I are disables as is our daughter, we can walk very short distance from our chairs but our daughter has autism, and other needs. What information would we need to bribg to confirm our disabilities and needs. We are coming in june next year is this a busy time or fairly ok

Thank you so much! This was extremely helpful! We are visiting in July and have a guest who will be in a wheelchair and unable to tolerate the long lines in the heat. We looked at your Things to Do feature and downloaded the Universal Studios rider Guide for guests with disabilities http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/site-content/uploads/2011/10/Riders_Guide_July-2016.pdf We got a lot of info! I skimmed but didn't see anything about an AAP or GAP pass in the pamphlet so I'm definitely going to follow up by calling. Thank you for providing info on such a necessary topic!

Hi, we are a party of 14 visiting universal in august. One of our party is registered blind. Can you please confirm if all of our party would be included in the pass or is 14 too many !!

Thank you for advice in advance.

Hi my 14 yr old daughter has nystagmus she is partially sighted I have a letter from her teacher and letter from disability to state her condition will we be able to get a Pass

Hi, I am going to Hollywood in July with my partner and planning on going to universal studios and was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on how to go about it as I am legally blind, I still have some vision but it is greatly effected by the sun as I am extremely light sensitive which makes me almost completely blind in sunlight and I'm wondering what I should do and who I should contact before our visit, we can't afford an express pass as we can barely afford the tickets as is as we are both students. Thank you for any advice in advance!

Hi my daughter is type 1 diabetic. A long wait in hot sun could affect her diabetes and cause her to go "hypo" especially having to deposit our food and drink stash in a locker out of reach. Would she be kiable for an AAP or GAP? it would alleviate the worry of watching her for signs of hypo. We will have a doctors letter with us as proof and insulin injections etc.

Thanks R

Hi Michelle,

I'm taking my parents and 15 year old daughter in July. I know it's crowded and hot but it's the only time I can get off from work. My father is 70, has a bad hip which causes pain when walking, however what is worse than that pain is he has COPD so he can't walk long distances or walk up stairs. I know a wheelchair will help, but because of the heat it makes breathing even harder. I have a note from his doctor stating he can't be in the heat for prolonged periods and cannot walk long distances. With this note provided, will it be hard to obtain a AAP or will they just tell us to get a wheelchair. I cannot afford fast pass for all 5 of us.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Hi, this has been a useful post!

We are a party of 9 (2 families) and my 4 year old son is autistic. I have already emailed the parks we are visiting and understand about the additional pass to help bypass the lenghty queues but ater reading your posts I understand they would only issue the pass for upto 6 people! This is obviously going to cause us issues as my son will really struggle to queue for the under 30 minutes and if we use the pass, we will be parted from our group! DO you know if they would help us with this?

I am currently recovering from a ankle fusion and have a letter from my consultant to say I cannot stand for long periods of time,could I qualify for the AAP?

I have a leg issue with a blood clot bad circulation wondering if I qualify for the aap pass

Hi, I am recovering spine surgery patient from the philippines, and i have a persons with disability card holder, cause due to my neck surgery, i cannot walk for long periods and cannot carry heavy things. Will presenting my disability card help in getting an AAP?

Hi, my daughter has a very rare syndrome and her mobility is very restricted. She is wheelchair bound as she is unable to walk far and unable to stand for long periods due to pain. We would have in our possession at letter from her consultant detailing her disability as we need it in case she is admitted to hospital. Would we qualify for a AAP card?

Shona

I have a boot on my foot and have a doctor's note stating I have a medical order to wear it for a torn planter fascia. Will I be eligible for an AAP card?

My son is bi-poplar. Can I use these passes for this disability?

My daughter has spinabifida. She is able to walk but may tire and overheats very easily due to her medications. We are planning a trip in August. Normally I would never choose Florida in August because of her intolerance to heat, but we are joining a family reunion. Are most of the lines inside or do you think we would benefit from using the AAP? We haven't vacationed in 10 years and I want her to have a great time and not get sick. Thank you!

why is the GAP so hard to get? We visited universal in 2013 and the AAP did not work for our autistic son at all. Admittedly we visited at peak time of year in July so wait times were around 60 to 90 minutes. It was very frustrating we spent most of the days there wandering around waiting for our ride time. This freaked my son out totally as it was hot busy and a major change to his holiday routine. He likes to do the rides in order and this was not possible. We were not even aware that they did a GAP and we could not afford to buy the universal express pass. We are visiting in April 2016 after Easter so hoping queues will be much shorter.

This is very helpful! It's great to see the parks helping all their guests have a fun, safe and easy time.