Grinchmas at Universal Orlando: history and special needs information
One holiday tradition for my family is our annual trip to enjoy the sights and sounds of Grinchmas in Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure. It just … Read more
Remembering September 11th and its impact on Orlando’s theme parks
Security at Universal Orlando’s main entrance. Today is the 14th anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day that many of us remember with great sadness. … Read more
Top 3 theme park pet peeves
Ever wonder if you’re the only one upset by the rude behaviors of others when you visit a theme park? It seems “Zombie Chris” thought … Read more
Universal’s 25th Anniversary: Pictorial History
The first time we visited Universal Studios Florida was in 1992. Our daughter was 10 and so little for her age but she was tall … Read more
SNAU: moving walkways, Orlando Eye, and Universal discounts for disabled guests
Welcome to the May 2015 edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers from our readers and tips to help those … Read more
Comparing disability policies at Universal, Disney, and Busch Gardens
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
SNAU: Parade viewing, Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream, and special RVs for disabled riders
Benches at the parade viewing area for guests with disabilities Last fall I wrote about how Universal might help to make Halloween Horror Nights more … Read more
SNAU: Touring Universal with autistic family members
Our goal here at Orlando Informer is to offer all guests tips and tools for touring Universal Orlando, and being able to help special needs … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Wheelchair access, companion restrooms, and special requests for Diagon Alley
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Diagon Alley attraction requirements, expectant mothers rider’s chart, Team Members continue to impress us
Welcome to our latest edition of Special Needs Are Universal, a now-monthly column that will highlight the questions received and answered on the OI Community … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Maneuvering a wheelchair through the parks, finding elevator access & companion bathrooms
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Guest’s visit ruined by poor planning – how it could have easily been prevented
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Traveling with two disabled children – how to best prepare for Universal Orlando?
Welcome to Special Needs Are Universal, a column devoted to helping those with disabilities or who have disabled family or friends. There are many sites … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Are the “horror stories” about disabled families visiting Universal Orlando true?
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Special needs are Universal: A review of how we can help disabled families, visiting the parks with cystic fibrosis, First Aid locations
Welcome to the first edition of Special Needs Are Universal for 2014. To start out the year, I’d like to remind our readers that Orlando … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Autism & food allergy concerns for first-time Universal Orlando guests, Disney contact information for disability issues
In this edition of Special Needs Are Universal, I would like to share a couple of the newest questions and comments I’ve received from readers. … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Disabled parking permits for Int’l visitors, new USF companion restrooms, changes to Universal’s attraction assistance policy
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS): First-hand experience & in-depth analysis of the new system
As promised, my family and I were at Epcot when the new Disability Access Service (DAS) card rolled out Wednesday, October 9. Over the last … Read more
Disability Access Service (DAS) to replace Guest Assistance Card (GAC) at Walt Disney World
Welcome to the newest edition of Special Needs Are Universal, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their visit to Orlando’s theme … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Prepare for Halloween Horror Nights, important AAP & GAP news
Welcome to the newest edition of Special Needs Are Universal, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their visit to Orlando’s theme … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Visiting the parks with walking aids, canes, casts or braces
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Flight of the hat… or, how Universal’s Lost and Found returned a cherished item
Ever wonder what happens when you lose something at Universal Orlando? As I mentioned in a previous post, my daughter’s hat recently took its own … Read more
Special needs are Universal: My sister wears a prosthetic leg – even with Express Passes, should we get an Attraction Assistance Pass?
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
You’re never too old for Universal Orlando’s theme parks!
My husband and I are in our early and late 60s, and we are retired. Our favorite form of entertainment is spending time at theme … Read more
Special needs are Universal: I have serious concerns about dad, but he really wants to go to Walt Disney World “one last time with the grandkids”
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Is the Attraction Assistance Pass necessary if I have Universal Express Passes?
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
The Great American Theme Park Adventure: TODAY Show broadcasts live from Universal
On Tuesday, May 14, Universal Orlando sent out a “casting call” of sorts: NBC’s TODAY Show would broadcasting live from the Universal on Thursday, May … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Handicapped parking at Walt Disney World
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Handicapped parking at Universal Orlando
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Universal Orlando – a special place with extraordinary people
My husband and I have so many stories of Universal team members who have just thrilled us with their hospitality and care while visiting Universal … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Privileges for broken bones, more thoughts on guests requesting Assistance Passes
Welcome to the next edition of our Special Needs Are Universal column, featuring questions and answers to help those with disabilities plan their day at … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Guests with food allergies visiting Universal Orlando
Welcome to our next Special Needs Are Universal article. The purpose of this OI Blog series is to answer your theme park disability questions and … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Visiting Universal Orlando & Walt Disney World with hidden disabilities
This is our fourth Special Needs Are Universal article. The purpose of this OI Blog series is to answer your theme park disability questions and … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Visiting Universal Orlando with prosthetics
This is our third Special Needs Are Universal article. The purpose of this OI Blog series is to answer your theme park disability questions and … Read more
Special needs are Universal: Visiting Disney World with two Autistic boys – can we still use the accelerated entrances even if the boys aren’t riding?
This is our second Special Needs Are Universal article, which we have designed to answer your questions and address your concerns about theme park disability … Read more
Public Service Announcement: This is how you walk through a crowded theme park
As a theme park family, we have been to both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World during some of the busiest times of the year. … Read more
Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights offers a final toast of holiday cheer through January 6
It was three days before Christmas and I still had baking to do, gift making and wrapping to finish, and the lights on the front … Read more
Through the eyes of a little princess: A child’s first visit to the New Fantasyland
We recently had the opportunity to visit New Fantasyland in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Considering our granddaughter Lily has been a fan of Belle of Beauty … Read more
20 years of changes at Universal Orlando: A pictorial history – part three
Editor’s note: This is part three of debi’s pictorial history series. If you haven’t already, you can view part one or part two before reading … Read more
20 years of changes at Universal Orlando: A pictorial history – part two
Editor’s note: This is part two of debi’s pictorial history series. If you haven’t already, you can view part one first. As I continue my … Read more
20 years of changes at Universal Orlando: A pictorial history – part one
The first time we visited Universal Studios Florida was in 1992. Our daughter was 10 and so little for her age but she was tall … Read more