Universal and Mobility issues

[Scaramouche]

WDW were fantastic when we went this year.. What services like GAC do Universal offer?

We want to do US IOA and WnW next year.. But I need to know if there is anything like GAC available?

Thanks

[coggie]

Originally Posted by Scaramouche

WDW were fantastic when we went this year.. What services like GAC do Universal offer?

We want to do US IOA and WnW next year.. But I need to know if there is anything like GAC available?

Thanks

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I'm sure you are aware that WDW no long do GAC...it's DAS which is a different system.

With DAS you get a time to go back to the attraction if the standby line is above a certain time. Universal operate a similar system to this,

[Scaramouche]

I wasn't aware, it was GAC when I went in August lol. Okay that's good at least there's something available!

[coggie]

Originally Posted by Scaramouche

I wasn't aware, it was GAC when I went in August lol. Okay that's good at least there's something available!

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The new DAS at Disney has had some teething problems but hopefully they will be sorted soon. Universals ran quite smoothly when we used it last year

[Scaramouche]

They've got around 500 days to sort it our holiday isn't booked yet so at least they have time to try and fix it!

[WickedPlans]

If you look in my siggie, there's a link to the systems that most of the parks run. (Including a link to the new DAS)
I'm pretty sure W&W have a system too, I remember someone posting about it. (It's linked in my thread)

[Guest]

The Universal system is very similar to DAS using a return time if the wait is over 30 mins. Just be aware that they have introduced very strict criteria for disabled guests using wheelchairs, even for the accessible rides. Our DS can only ride the carousel at IOA, nothing else.

[Scaramouche]

Thanks for the reply guys! Because of my mobility issues, do you think we would be okay not getting a FOTL pass for universal, and just replying on being given times to come back?

When the wait times aren't too long, or it's early in the morning (or i'm having a good day!) then I can queue for a while, other times I don't have a chance in standing for 30 minutes.

[jas72]

Hi Scaramouche,

We are kind of in the same boat, without explaining medical history on a public forum one member of our party would have their day curtailed due to arthritis if they had to wait in every queue. We used the GAC in 2012 easter and it was a god send it's really important to note that you are not skipping the queue it's like Disney's fast pass. You are given a time to come back at.

We were a party of 6 and occasionally some would wait while two went on the ride in the mean time (if the posted wait time was over 90 mins) occasionally at Universal the posted wait time was way longer than the actual time so while we were waiting 75 mins (90-15 mins for express queue) the actual wait time for able guests was closer to 55 mins so having the GAC meant you were waiting LONGER in some cases to ride than able riders.

Of course we also had the friendly staff who despite the wait times being over 30 mins waved you through. All in all we found it a totally fair system which allowed people who were not able to stand for 90 mins to still enjoy the parks. We did have a doctor's note but they didn't read it.

Just wanted to add if the park is jammed and all rides are 90+ minutes this means you'll get to do perhaps 2 rides every 4 hours (including travelling rests etc.) So if you stayed all day this means 4 rides max. A FOTL pass is way better and if you can afford to get one I wouldn't hesitate.

[WickedPlans]

Originally Posted by jas72

Just wanted to add if the park is jammed and all rides are 90+ minutes this means you'll get to do perhaps 2 rides every 4 hours (including travelling rests etc.) So if you stayed all day this means 4 rides max. A FOTL pass is way better and if you can afford to get one I wouldn't hesitate.

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Even having been there at Easter when it was packed, we managed a lot more than that. There's never 90+ minute waits for every ride/show.
There are clear advantages to the FOTL pass, but if you can manage the DAS at Disney, then Universal will be no problem.