New disability pass requirements at Universal theme parks
Guests with special needs that prevent them from waiting in a conventional attraction queue can take advantage of a new accessibility pass at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.
Starting today, guests requesting attraction queue accommodations must obtain an Individual Accessibility Card (IAC) from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) by registering online 48 hours before they visit the Florida and California theme parks.
During the IAC registration, guests must upload documentation, including contact information and a statement from a medical provider, government entity, or educational support professional related to their requested accommodations. Once all requirements for an IAC are met, a Universal Team Member will contact the cardholder to discuss their request for an attraction queue accommodation.
Only IBCCES can issue the IAC, not Universal Orlando Resort or Universal Studios Hollywood. The IAC does not guarantee entry to an attraction, and any special accommodations or benefits provided are at the sole discretion of that attraction.
The IAC card is good for one year following the registration date and can be updated/renewed as often as needed.
In addition to Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, other theme parks that currently accept the IBCCES IAC include Sesame Place in Philadelphia and Six Flags parks throughout the U.S. Click here for the complete list.
For more information about the new pass for disabilities and special needs, click here for Universal Orlando, and here for Universal Studios Hollywood.
Disney and universal both are to expensive for any one to be able to go in this inflation.
This states in July 24th
As a physically disabled individual I am not happy with this new policy. On my last visit to universal Orlando I tried to obtain a disability pass and was told that the only “accommodation “ they would give me was a wheelchair and that in order to get the Disability pass I need a mental disability, like ADD or ADHD. I was not happy with my last visit.
As a disabled person, this is great! I have seen people take advantage of disability accommodations at Disney parks and having to verify is a good solution. Yes, it’s an extra step for us, but if it keeps people just wanting to skip a line from making it difficult on all of us who paid to get in the park, I’m good.
Kristen I agree, but be careful with Sea World Orlando. I have the card and was told I had to wait in the Guest Services line for additional things (they give you a piece of paper letting you know what you are allowed to ride). The line is for everything and not disability friendly. After 30 minutes and not even being halfway done, I was suffering so I went and found a manager and told her that I cannot stand in line long or be in sun and asked if they had a disabled line. She was very rude and said no. I kindly suggested that maybe they could add one and have the person be at the end and if no one was in that line they could help with overflow from the regular line. I ended up being in that line for over an hour, which at that point my spoons were all spent. We were only able to stay another hour and a half, but I was suffering! I had to go the next weekend with out of state family and I told a manager what happened and that they need a separate disabled line and he actually said to me, “I’ll TALK TO THEM AND MAYBE THEY CAN LOWER THE COUNTERS!” Um what.
Maybe it will keep their guest relations agents from being so rude to guests. Just because a disability isn’t visible doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And just because you’ve never heard of it doesn’t mean it’s made up. #eds #dysautonomia
Absolutely! I was at Universal last week with my son who is type 1 diabetic and we were denied the pass because the agent thought we would be just fine. Maybe! But there is NO prediction, guarantee or preparation that will make that so. All I wanted was the flexibility to wait NOT IN THE LINE so we could deal appropriately. I was told it is up to the guest relations agent and some may allow and others may not! A little arbitrary for an invisible yet recognized and legally protected disability. What a disappointment.
Wanting an accommodation “just in case” is not the same as actually needing an accommodation in order to enjoy the attractions. Legally protected disability or not, one is entitled to an accommodation that they don’t need.
File with Ada. That’s against the law. Diabetes is a recognized disability.
It won’t because they’ll still ask you the same questions to try & get you to disclose more than you should both at Guest Services (when picking up the actual assistance pass) as well as on the phone after applying for this. Trust me I know because of what they asked when calling me yesterday. Something that SHOULD make it a “no questions asked” experience because they’ve already been asked & confirmed by a Doctor has been turned into no we’ll still ask you everything to make you feel like crap so you don’t want one once you get here.
I am glad there has to be documentation vs those who identify as disabled but are not in reality. This is a good program for truly disabled people!
They already charge too much. Why are they now making it even harder for us with disabilities to be able to simply enjoy our visit to the park?
This is such a joke.. what happened to being able to have access to necessary accommodations without jumping thru hoops. This is insane that they are making people go thru the stress to have to go thru all this work to get the pass just to be asked a bunch more personal questions so they can deny accommodations. It should not be this hard to have a ride accessibility pass, we used to be able to call by phone and pick it up at guest services now you have to give them your personal info and documentations.
Agreed. This is illegal. ILLEGAL. A public entity or private business may not ask about the nature or extent of an individual’s disability.
I am an HR manager with a disability and I can’t believe they are asking for documentation for a disability. That goes against hippa and other Ada requirements. But, I have to say I do like the fact that there are “hoops” you have to jump through. I love how Disney has there’s set up. It’s a zoom call and I am set! I love talking to an actual person.
My granddaughter is 18 and legally blind. Whereas I think this is a good idea in general to keep people without problems from taking advantage, I have some comments on the form and information required. The biggest problem for my granddaughter is how inaccessible this is for a nearly blind person – not to mention if someone is completely blind. It appears that blind people are in no way considered. Luckily the customer service rep got her started. (Your web applications leave a lot to be desired overall.) Today she finished the application. I think that some of the information required violates HIPPA. I would think the doctor and email should have been enough. Another complaint I have is that neither she nor I received any information about this ahead of time. Not even an email.
Except no one has researched this company. It’s extremely hard to find information, but this “company” has a third-party clause and they use your information, including medical to sell to other parties. Which you sign away to on their website. The company keeping and storing your information is a retail merchant company and not a health database which actually tries to protect patient confidentiality.
If you or your child truly has a disability (or multiple disabilities) I don’t think you would mind this process at all. I submitted paperwork for my daughter with a doctor’s note and was approved within 24 hours. She does have a COMPLEX medical situation but it was easy for us. And I don’t mind sharing her diagnoses with any parks we are visiting because it is also for her safety not just a skip the line pass!