Visiting Universal Orlando Parks With Disabled Child

[rodsdoll97]

Anyone have experience with this? My daughter is 7 years old and is severely autistic. She is unable to walk or talk, but enjoys interaction and does tolerate and enjoy rides. The only thing is she typically doesn't tolerate waiting in long, crowded lines well. I'm afraid we may have been spoiled just a bit two years ago at Magic Kingdom. When they saw our party approach a ride with her in her wheelchair, we (and I'm talking about our whole party of 7) were immediately escorted to a back door at pretty much every ride. Does Universal operate the same way, or will we find ourselves in line waiting for hours?

 

[ZambeziZelda]

When you arrive, speak with Guest Services on your way in. It sounds like you would qualify for a Guest Assistance Pass, which grants you unlimited access to the Express Lines.

 

[JazzHands]

Yes, go into Guest Services, ask for a Guest Assistance pass, as well as Family Room Pass. This will allow you to go with your child to a waiting room, while a member of your party goes through the Express Line, when they reach the loading area, you can all join together for the ride. Also, if there are rides your child does not do, that the parents/rest of the family want to do, take advantage of the child swap.

 

[rodsdoll97]

Child Swap?

Thanks for the helpful replies! Just one more question. What is child swap?

 

[JazzHands]

Child swap is used when parents have young children/or otherwise unable to ride children. It means that one parent can stay behind with the child in a waiting lounge while the other parent/family members ride, when they disembark, they go to stay with the child while the other parent gets a turn.

 

[rodsdoll97]

Guest Services

Thanks, Jazz Hands, for your replies. You have been extremely helpful. As you can probably tell, I'm very inexperienced with the theme park scene! :shrug:

 

[JazzHands]

This is an extremely helpful board. I'm the step-mother of an autistic child, so I know the challenges. I hope your family has a great time.

 

[phamton]

Universal has GAP (Guest Assistance Passes). You do not need a doctor's note ---just be able to tell them what assistance you need at Guest Services.

Both parks are ADA compliant and, as such, are wheelchair accessible.

There are several types of GAP offered:

Stroller as a wheelchair (you can take your stroller right through the line without transferring to a wheelchair)

Show GAP (Special seating at shows--usually right up front for visually or hearing impaired)

Stairs GAP (for those rides that have stairs in the queue, you can use the elevator)

Familyroom GAP (where you wait in an airconditioned room with a few other family members while the rest of your family goes through the queue--then you join them at the front of the line)

Express GAP which is essentially like a fast pass at Disney all day (6 people maximum)

VIP Gap (back door access--mostly for Make a Wish Kids or Give Kids the World)