Universal now requiring documentation be sent to a third party for accessibility

[Jdavidm]

I’ll be attending opening night of Horror Nights in Hollywood tomorrow.

We got the frequent fear pass because we’re local and that means if I reach my limit before the end of the night, we can head out and try again another night instead of pushing through to the point that it would ruin the night altogether.

I’ll check in here the following day to share how the process goes but my general understanding is that we’ll be using the same accommodation as we do in the day time.

We’ll be arriving early during regular park hours and staying inside the park to avoid the crazy crowds out front before horror nights opens. If you’re capable of doing so (AP Holder, Early Entry) then I highly recommend it to avoid being overwhelmed first thing when the night starts. We usually hang out near Simpson’s restaurants until things kick off.

 

[keishashadow]

Confirmed with GS you cannot utilize paid EP
And the DAS together

You must choose between them at each attraction, one or the other at a time

Cannot stack them, ala presenting yourself at EP Line and expect to be escorted back immediately

In the case of gold, when you return at designated time (15 min off stated wait time), you then Are assigned s guide).

As for escorts; only at chucky house were they less than enthusiastic, as it appeared they were short handed.

Otherwise, even during a very busy night, wait times (for a guide to return from another escort); was never more than 5 minutes, generally less

Many thanks to U for offering this system, wasn’t sure what to expect as there was so much negativity on social media. IMO they hit it out of the park!

 

[Jdavidm]

Horror Nights Hollywood Update:

Last night went really well! I was nervous with it being opening night as there’s usually a bit of a learning curve but I was impressed with how smoothly the night went.

We picked up my assistance pass around 12PM and they said we would be able to use the same one during Horror Nights. We went early to avoid the queue for Guest Services during HHN so this was great news. The park was also way less busy during the daytime, probably since people didn’t want to pay admission for shorter hours.

Last year there were a lot of complaints about the length of the express lanes during Horror Nights and based off last night it seems like they took the feedback into account as we never waited more than 5 minutes from the express lanes. It’s possible we lucked out and they got a bit longer at certain points in the night.

However, a new update for this year: They added the express wait times on the house signs. If it said 10 minutes, it was usually a walk on. The only house with a wait listed longer than that for Express was The Last Of Us at 20 minutes. The queue was a long walk to the front but once we came to a full stop to wait it didn’t actually take more than 5 minutes.

If your accommodation involves collecting return times, they have certain locations you can grab those this year instead of having to make your way all the way to the house. I think the only two you go directly to the house entrance for a return time was Evil Dead and Monstruos since they’re easy to access. I can’t personally comment on the waits for collecting returns but when we walked past the Wizarding World area there were maybe 5 people waiting to collect a return for Chucky and Universal Monsters.

In summary: If you’re already approved for an accommodation at USH it will be the same one during Horror Nights and work exactly the same. No additional questioning will happen and if you’re in the park early, you’ll be utilizing the same paper pass versus picking up a new one for the event.

I hope this helps anyone planning to attend this year!

 

[MinnieMSue]

So I applied July 13 and shortly thereafter got the approved card. At some point a case number appeared on it. Idk when. I also got an email from universal asking when we were going and I have heard absolutely nothing. I am assuming the case number means nothing until I chat with universal but I am confused as to when that will happen. So many people have applied after me and gotten phone calls. I feel like they may not be calling me at all. Does everyone get a case number before universal calls? It is confusing to me. I’m not comfortable on the phone so I probably won’t call them. We got express passes which helps some and I can skip the things I can’t do but just feel like it is weird they are ignoring me or maybe I got lost in the chaos.

 

[ArielRae]

Here is a photo of the sign they have at Six Flags Great Adventure when I picked up DS’s disability pass if anyone was interested.

 

[mamaofsix]

Sorry if this has already been asked, but I didn't want to read 48 pages. How does it work to get the IAC for international visitors? For example, our doctor does not have a U.S. NPI ID #.

 

[lanejudy]

Sorry if this has already been asked, but I didn't want to read 48 pages. How does it work to get the IAC for international visitors? For example, our doctor does not have a U.S. NPI ID #.

Neither do school staff and they accept IEP documentation. So I would say make sure the healthcare provider’s full name, title and contact info (address, phone and email) are clearly noted.

 

[gottalovepluto]

My first travel day came and went, never got a call. Luckily I only ended up doing VB so didn’t need it. Now I’ve got my main trip still for next month (I gave them the Sept date in the email) to their other parks so I’ll have to give them a call or deal with them at GS. I’m tempted just to do it in person since you have to wait there anyway day of.

Does the whole party need to wait with you at GS when trying to get a Pass?

 

[HereForHagrids]

Does the whole party need to wait with you at GS when trying to get a Pass?

Yes. Though the AAP holder could probably wait off to the side and join the rest of the party when they get to the counter, if waiting in line is a problem.

Has anyone with a case number/UO phone call tried using the gold AAP at HHN yet? I've heard on FB that they're now telling people it no longer exists. I'm hoping this is just a mixup. I'm going this Friday so hopefully they're not denying people! I can't do any houses without the gold AAP and I'm going with a new friend so it would really ruin our night. Fingers crossed.

 

[gottalovepluto]

How weird is this- not 30 mins after I posted I got an apology email from Universal for failing to call about my trip a week ago and hoping my trip went well…

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes. Though the AAP holder could probably wait off to the side and join the rest of the party when they get to the counter, if waiting in line is a problem.

Has anyone with a case number/UO phone call tried using the gold AAP at HHN yet? I've heard on FB that they're now telling people it no longer exists. I'm hoping this is just a mixup. I'm going this Friday so hopefully they're not denying people! I can't do any houses without the gold AAP and I'm going with a new friend so it would really ruin our night. Fingers crossed.

I’ve seen posts on various social media were people who previously had a Universal AAP were told, ‘we’ve upgraded you to Gold AAP.’ I dont remember reading if it was in use for the haunted houses

 

[HereForHagrids]

I’ve seen posts on various social media were people who previously had a Universal AAP were told, ‘we’ve upgraded you to Gold AAP.’ I dont remember reading if it was in use for the haunted houses

Yes, I was approved for gold again in late July and I’ve seen people say they got approved for it too recently, but then I’ve seen people say they were told it doesn’t exist anymore. So confusing!

 

[HereForHagrids]

UPDATE: I called GS and spoke to a member of the accessibility team. She said they’re currently honoring existing guest accommodations but are no longer offering the gold aap for “new guests.” I’m worried it’s being phased out. It looks like fears of the over-assigning it might have been true.

 

[Evita_W]

DH just saw that there is a class action lawsuit being started over Six Flags handling Of disabilities in California since 2020, which is when they enacted this new system. Now of course just because they are getting the plaintiffs together and probably actually filing the lawsuit doesn't automatically mean they will win, but it they are starting with Six Flags, you can bet Universal will be next. It is also interesting that it is limited to California at this time, I do wonder if there might be additional protections in California law.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Still waiting on my Universal call. Little worried about these Gold AAP unavailability reports.

 

[keishashadow]

UPDATE: I called GS and spoke to a member of the accessibility team. She said they’re currently honoring existing guest accommodations but are no longer offering the gold aap for “new guests.” I’m worried it’s being phased out. It looks like fears of the over-assigning it might have been true.

Or, they are being more selective in awarding gold & trying to temper expectations

FYI various dates over 2 week trip, including HHN…

Viewed several ugly exchanges from (what appeared to be a ton of) Orange pass holders towards TMs, arguing that they were promised escort service

Security

Don’t even try it. If you have concerns whatever accommodation is not working for you, get thee self to GS and have a conversation

Last night was the first all houses were permitting ECVs to be driven to house exits. Then walk or WC thru

Be aware. Finding a manual WC outside the houses often was a bit of a wait

 

[Jdavidm]

I feel like Universal would prefer people not know about the different levels of accommodations as the majority of people will be given the regular AAP and that will work just fine for them.

They don’t want guests asking for a certain level of accommodation when they have the interview which is what will start happening (possibly already has) if word starts spreading about the different levels. You’ll also notice almost all theme park blogs ONLY mention the process for the regular AAP.

When my partner made the call on my behalf they offered a different accommodation than our usual one after he used real life examples of difficulties from our past visit to their park. They determined that this alternate accommodation would work better to meet my needs which require limiting the amount of time I spend in crowds (even outside of queues). I’m under the impression they only offered this different level of accommodation because we’d already tried with the regular AAP and on busier days I still struggled. But we never asked for a certain accommodation, they determined what would be best based off our answers to their questions.

Essentially, it would benefit Universal for people to think other accommodations (such as gold) don’t exist unless they determine someone truly seems to need it.

 

[NightGuardianAngel]

Many theme parks, to my knowledge, use IBCCES. This should be a requirement at all theme parks. When I was in college, I had to go through and register with the disability office and supply documentation to get accommodations in the classroom as well as testing accommodations too. It should be the same as far as having to register and submit documentation to the IBCCES.

 

[NightGuardianAngel]

Is this Universal Orlando AND Hollywood? Or just Orlando? I know the 2 parks have differing programs in this regard (at least, they implement it differently).

I am ALL for this. I wish Disney would get onboard as well. I have no problem providing documentation for enrollment into these programs.

Edit: Also applies to Universal Hollywood

I am too and I am on the Autism Spectrum and have Tourette’s. When I went to college, I had to register with the disability coordinator and provide documentation too in order to receive accommodations for testing and classroom accommodations. Also, to get the National Park Access Pass, you have to submit documentation as well too. It is basically the same thing requiring registration with the IBCCES (they specialize in health care also and are under HIPAA rules). The honor system is way too ripe for abuse. It really sickens me how some people brag about abusing the DAS system on social media and on Tiktok. People like this makes life much harder for those who truly need it and rely on it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Many theme parks, to my knowledge, use IBCCES. This should be a requirement at all theme parks. When I was in college, I had to go through and register with the disability office and supply documentation to get accommodations in the classroom as well as testing accommodations too. It should be the same as far as having to register and submit documentation to the IBCCES.

I wrote this on another board to your reply, but also adding it here.
From what I've been seeing on social media, IBCCES is giving the illusion of documentation/verification.
People have reported getting the accessibility card with nothing more than a copy of their handicapped parking permit, a single page of an IEP, a letter from a doctor that just said, "John Doe has a disability". One person got it with a letter from her workplace that said she could have food at her desk (but, not why or any other information). Another wrote she had graduated from college and was issued the card based on her accommodation when she started college for extra time on tests (only that information, nothing else).
People assume that 'Medical people' are looking at the application and determining that the person does have a disability. From everything I've seen, it appears there is a list/table of documents and if what is sent in is on the list, it's accepted.
The person applying check off the accommodations they are asking for, but it's very unlikely that is being verified in any way. They ask for the doctor or educators' phone number and email and the the doctor's physician number (people wrote that IBCCES provided them with a link to find it). In order for a doctor to even verify 'John Doe' is their patient, the patient would have to sign a release of information.

IBCCES is being 'sold' to parks as a marketing tool - if the park uses it, IBCCES provides some advertising and listing on disability travel resources.
It's not at all the same thing as verifying disability accommodations for education - the school is responsible to make sure people get accommodations they need to achieve. But, they also need to make sure that students who are not disabled don't get unfair advantages by passing themselves as having disabilities they font actually have