Comments on: Special needs are Universal: Guest’s visit ruined by poor planning – how it could have easily been prevented

By: Chris Lodge

Chris Lodge — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 21:17:46 +0000

Very good article

By: iamdollie

iamdollie — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:03:29 +0000

Please don’t assume that the person on that scooter is able bodied. They may have a condition where walking and standing causes extreme pain or have a heart or breathing problem. Many people visit Universal but don’t ride – they go for the shows and entertainment. This is a mistake that so many people make without knowing the whole story.

By: Elizabeth Hargett

Elizabeth Hargett — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:02:20 +0000

I remember a trip we took about 15 years ago we took with my disabled mother. We had a been given a hard time with our large group which we said could be accommodated and ended up fighting for about 2k worth of tickets (which we won and why we love American Express). In retrospect the reason the whole incident started was because about 10 ride operators weren’t doing their job and then it blew up in the wrong persons face. It’s crucial to train employees properly that’s such bad PR. And I feel for families who travel with a disabled person. I also think that theme park guest services could do better at helping families when they enter the park. No person is going to completely know park guidelines going in.

By: Kelly Louise Hill

Kelly Louise Hill — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:43:39 +0000

Thanks John, I’ve been going to universal for over a period of 16yrs & never had any issues so was just extremely disappointed! Thanks again for the info 🙂

By: John Sebastian La Valle

John Sebastian La Valle — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:21:56 +0000

I wish the TMs had explained things to you better and that they also made attempts to get you properly accommodated on rides that were safe for you. But as with any job, not everybody follows through on procedures or what could be considered common sense/decency

By: John Sebastian La Valle

John Sebastian La Valle — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:18:13 +0000

Kelly, those who let you on before didn’t do their jobs there were no changes. They shouldn’t had let you on. Here’s an example of why you just be able to fully grip the ride’s safety mechanism: http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7682GU20110709?irpc=932

By: Kelly Louise Hill

Kelly Louise Hill — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:14:55 +0000

I’ve been to universal many times, I have no fingers & been on all the rides, my last visit in oct last year I was denied all access to rides I been on many times before & was told this was due to recent health & safety changes. I hadn’t read the to see if they had made any changes so I guess that was my fault but never the less this was very disappointing to be turned away from all the rides I have been on many many times & paid full price for a ticket only to experience the restaurants & shows, doubt I will visit universal again on my next visit to Orlando so it pays to check updates on websites.

By: Stina Moran

Stina Moran — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:12:37 +0000

I have witnessed able bodied people rent scooters so they don’t have to walk through the parks. So I don’t think that is a good idea.

By: Ann Ashenfelder Littell

Ann Ashenfelder Littell — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:09:35 +0000

When I visited Universal last March, I was in an ECV and another family member was in a manual wheelchair. I also have 2 children with special needs.
So, I DID MY HOMEWORK before the trip. I knew exactly what to expect. I knew how to get an assistance pass for the places we would need it. We opted to stay onsite to get the Express Passes. I knew that I would need to transfer to a manual wheelchair to go through the lines.
I was prepared for all of that, and the whole family had an amazing time.

By: Sarah Hughes

Sarah Hughes — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:09:32 +0000

Thanks for such an informative post!

By: OrlandoInformer.com

OrlandoInformer.com — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 18:01:10 +0000

Along a similar line, we’ve got several questions recently about how to best maneuver wheelchairs throughout the parks at Universal Orlando. Please know that we’ll be addressing this topic in our next SNAU blog post!