Universal Orlando Disability Pass Guide

The Universal Orlando disability pass is just one of many accommodations Universal provides for guests with disabilities. Universal Orlando attempts to make the theme park as accessible as possible so all guests can enjoy themselves. Guests can speak to a team member at guest services in Universal Orlando about their needs to see if they qualify.

Recently Universal has made steps towards changing their disability pass program which has resulted in guests being required to provide documentation to verify any disability requests. Keep reading for the full overview of how the Universal Orlando disability pass works at Universal, how to apply, and the new requirements plus a full overview of all the accommodations at Universal.

Universal Orlando Disability Pass

The Attractions Assistance Pass at Universal Orlando is similar to how the Disney Disability Access Service system works. Guests with disabilities that qualify receive return times for attractions that are equal to the current standby wait time. Once it is time to return to the attraction, the guest and their group can access the Express Pass queue. For guests that struggle with waiting in conventional lines, the Attractions Assistance Pass allows guests to wait in a different area whether they enjoy another area of the park or sit down to rest until it’s time to experience the ride.

NEW Documentation Now Required

Universal Orlando just recently began requiring guests requesting any attraction queue accommodation to obtain a IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card (IAC) by registering at www.accessibilitycard.org prior to their visit to the park. The IAC registration consists of an online application that includes uploading the necessary documentation.

Previously, guests requesting approval for the Attractions Assistance Pass went to guest services with no documentation and had a conversation about their needs with a team member.

Now that this rule is in place guests will need to obtain the Individual Accessibility Card in advance of their visit, at least 48 hours prior to their arrival at the park. Universal Orlando does not issue these and they are only done via the accessibilitycard.org website. Once a guest meets all the requirements for the card, Universal Orlando will contact the cardholder to discuss their request for accommodations prior to their visit.

Here is what we have learned so far since these new changes were made at Universal Orlando:

• The proof required when registering for an IAC is contact information and a statement from a medical provider, government entity, or educational support professional related to the accommodations requested.
• This card cannot be granted by Universal Orlando and team members will not look at any documentation. The IAC process is essentially a way of using a third party to verify medical documentation.
• Guests will still need to have the same conversation with a team member when they arrive about accommodations needed.
• Receiving an IAC card does not guarantee approval for the Attractions Assistance Pass. This is still up to the discretion of the team member at Universal Orlando.
• The IAC card is valid for one year and will need to be renewed after a year.
• The IAC card is free.

While this may seem like a hassle, the process is pretty seamless and most guests with disabilities may already have easy access to documentation.

Universal Orlando Discount Tickets

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You’ll want to consider the Park-To-Park tickets because they are the only way you are able to experience the Hogwarts Express. Also, with a Park-To-Park ticket, you’ll be able to avoid starting the day in the park with the biggest crowd prediction and then switch over to experience more across both parks.

If you are a member of an organization that may qualify for discount tickets or are interested in the Annual Pass option, you should read our guide to discount Universal Studios Orlando ticket options.

How to Use Universal Orlando Disability Pass

Guests that qualify for the Univeral Orlando disability pass will receive a placard with the date, the guest’s name, the number of people in the party, and a barcode. Guests simply take the pass to each attraction you wish to experience and talk to the team member in front of the entrance. If the line is less than 30 minutes, guests can enter the Express Pass queue. If the line is longer than 30 minutes, the guest will be given a return time that is equal to the wait time of the ride. Once it is time to ride, guests return and access the ride through the Express Pass queue.

The pass may only be used one attraction at a time. Unfortunately, attending peak season can find guests using the AAP spending a lot of time waiting due to the crowds. An alternate suggestion is to also purchase the Universal Express Pass which allows guests instant access to the Express Line for attractions.

Some of the Universal Orlando hotels offer the Universal Express option in the hotel package.  If you’re staying at Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort, take advantage of the Universal Express. In addition to this hotel trio, Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort offer early morning entrance.  Guests can enter the park at 30 minutes prior to opening. This is another great way for guests with disabilities to navigate the queues.

Universal Orlando Mobility Disabilities

Wheelchairs are welcome in all locations with a few exceptions. Stage shows and parades have special locations for accessible viewing. All queues are accessible for manual wheelchairs with the exception of Pteradon Flyers at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park.

And lastly, other than Hogwarts in Universal Studios Florida, not all attractions or ride queues can accommodate ECVs or motorized wheelchairs. In this case, the guest must transfer to a manual wheelchair or make arrangements with the ride operator.

Universal Orlando’s resort shuttles are equipped with a wheelchair lift to transport Guests to/from our on-site hotels, CityWalk and Volcano Bay.

Guests with Hearing Disabilities

Guests who may be hard of hearing will find several support options at Universal Studios Orlando.

Devices

Guest relations at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park offer Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at no charge.

Closed Caption

Several of the attraction queues have monitors with open captions. For more information, check the Rider Safety and Accessibility Guide.

ASL

Live shows at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure have American Sign Language interpreters available for show times. Guests can contact the resort at signlanguageservices@universalorlando.com or check the show times page for a current schedule. In addition, any personal requests for an ASL interpreter can be made at least one week prior to visiting the resort. Email the resort for more information.

Guests with Visual Disabilities 

Large Print/Braille

For guests who may be visually impaired, guest relations have large print and Braille dialogue for live-actions shows as well as s copy of the Rider Safety and Accessibility Guide. Certain locations also offer large print and Braille scripts for loan:

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

• If I Ran The Zoo

Universal Studios Florida

• Animal Actors On Location!
• The Blue Brothers Show
• The Bourne Stuntacular
• Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-up Show

Canes

If you have a white cane, many attractions can accommodate you or have a storage location for the cane while you’re on the ride. Some attractions just require the cane to be folded down while others require an attendant to hold the cane including:

Universal Studios Florida

• E.T. Adventure
• Fievel’s Playland Water Slide
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott’s
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
• Revenge of the Mummy
• Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

• Caro-Seuss-el
•  Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
•  Flight of the Hippogriff
•  Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
•  The Incredible Hulk Coaster
•  Pteranodon Flyers
•  Skull Island:  Reign of Kong

Universal Orlando Service Animals

As on the west coast, both service dogs and service miniature horses are welcome at Universal Studios Orlando Resort. Animals are allowed into the retail, restaurant, and show locations but must be on a leash/harness and remain under control. Kennels are available for pets if needed and there are designated service areas for the animals throughout the resort. Although each attraction has its own boarding requirement in determining the animal’s safety, guests can experience the following attractions with their service animals:

Universal Studios Florida

• Animal Actors on Location!
•  A Day in the Park With Barney
•  The Blues Brothers Show
•  Curious George Goes to Town
•  Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
•  E.T. Adventure
•  Fast & Furious- Supercharged
•  FEAR FACTOR LIVE
•  Fievel’s Playland
•  The Hogwarts Express- King’s Cross Station
•  Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
•  Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
•  Shrek 4-D
• The Simpsons Ride
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride- 3D
•  Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-up Show

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
•  Camp Jurassic
•  Caro-Seuss-el
•  The Cat in the Hat
•  The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
•  The Hogwarts Express- Hogsmeade Station
•  Jurassic Park Discovery Center
•  Me Ship, The Olive
•  One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
•  Poseidon’s Fury
•  Skull Island: Reign of Kong
•  Storm Force Accelatron

Guests with Oxygen Tanks

Oxygen tanks and similar devices are permitted on specific attractions as long as they are secured including:

Universal Studios Florida

• A Day in the Park with Barney
• Animal Actors on Location
• Curious George Goes to Town
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• FEAR FACTOR LIVE
• Fievel’s Playland (except the water slide)
• Hogwarts Express- King’s Cross Station
• Ollivanders
• Shrek 4-D
• Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-up Show

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

• Camp Jurassic (minus Pteranodon Flyers)
• Hogwarts Express- Hogsmeade Station
• If I Ran the Zoo
• Jurassic Park Discovery Center
• Me Ship, The Olive
• Toon Amphitheatre

Guests with Casts/Prosthetic Limbs

Guests with arm/leg casts or walking boots are allowed on all attractions within the resort with the exception of the Incredible Hulk Coaster. Aside from that, on any other ride, the cast must fit comfortably within the vehicle without any interference.

If visiting Universal Studios Orlando Resort with prostheses, a full experience is welcomed except prosthetic limbs must be removed before boarding Pteradon Flyers in Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Orlando’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket. All other attractions require prostheses to be secured properly to prevent any safety hazards.

Plan Your Vacation!

At Mickey Visit, we have been creating resources to help Universal and Disney visitors for many years. Our staff of writers continues to produce timely and helpful information for your Disney vacation. If you have not, consider signing up for our free newsletter. Also, we placed some more resources below to help you with your Disney planning. Happy planning!

• Ultimate Guide to Universal Orlando 
• Universal Studios Orlando On-site Hotels
• Navigating Universal Studios Hollywood 
• Universal Studios Hollywood Cheap Tickets
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Theme Parks