The Guide to the Universal Studios Disability Pass

Amusement parks are lively and exciting places. The lights, sounds, rides and unique experiences make for a dream vacation for many families. But for those traveling with individuals who have cognitive differences or certain health conditions, the loud, bright and unpredictable atmosphere can create a significant amount of stress and tension.

Universal Studios has taken the needs of these guests into consideration by offering a Universal disability pass so families and groups of all kinds and abilities can enjoy a day at the parks.

Here’s what the Universal Attractions Assistance Pass is (colloquially known as the Universal disability pass) and how it works so you can plan a successful trip to Universal Studios Orlando or Hollywood.

The Universal Attractions Assistance Pass offers visitors who may not be able to access rides via traditional means — like waiting in long lines — a more practical way to enjoy rides and attractions.

Those who have a pass will hand it to the attendant at the entrance to the queue of a ride. The attendant will write down a scheduled time to return. When the visitor comes back at the appointed time, they can enter the ride immediately.

The scheduled return time will be comparable to the current wait time for in-line visitors, but this system allows pass holders to leave and wander around the park, find some shade or do whatever they need to be comfortable. Then, they can return to the ride or attraction for their scheduled experience.

The pass offers more freedom and flexibility so those who might struggle with overstimulation or the confinement of standing in line for hours can avoid triggering or uncomfortable situations.

This pass is available whether customers are headed to Universal Studios Orlando in Florida or Universal Studios Hollywood in California.

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The Universal Attractions Assistance Pass is intended for those with cognitive differences or health conditions that make standing among crowds in lines for long periods of time uncomfortable, unrealistic or dangerous.

If you’re trying to decide whether someone in your group qualifies for the pass, know that if a friend or family member is in a wheelchair, that alone may not be enough to secure one.

That’s because most rides and attractions at the park in Orlando (except for Pteranodon Flyers at Universal’s Islands of Adventure) feature wheelchair-accessible queues, so a special pass isn’t required.

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Universal has partnered with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to help those with a disability register for pass, also known as an Individual Accessibility Card (IAC). The card is free and designed for individuals who need to request accommodations or assistance at participating amusement parks and attractions.

You will need an account with IBCCES to apply (more on this in the next section), and when you register matters — the timeline differs for each park.

• If you’d like the Universal Studios Orlando disability pass, you’ll need to register for an IBCCES IAC within 30 days of your planned visit to the park.

• If you’re visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, you must register at least 48 hours before your visit.

Once all IAC requirements are met, a Universal Studios team member will contact you.

Regardless of which park you're visiting, application requirements include:

• A recent photo.

• Information about the cardholder's cognitive disorders or disabilities, plus helpful accommodations.

• Contact information for a parent/guardian/caregiver as well as the health care provider (such as doctor, therapist or counselor).

• A statement from your health care provider.

These components can be uploaded to your application after creating your IBCCES account.

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Can you get a Universal disability pass for anxiety, for example? The answer to that will be decided by IBCCES and the documentation that you upload.

There is no definitive list of conditions used to identify who can get a pass, so you’ll need to speak with guest services about your or your family member’s specific situation to determine eligibility.

To get a Universal disability pass, you’ll need to register for an IBCCES account either on its website or app.

Once you’ve created an account, you’ll need to fill out your information. The process includes uploading a photo of yourself and providing contact information and supporting documentation, as outlined above.

You can also specify for which theme parks you’d like your pass to be valid, which can help cut down on repetitive paperwork.

Once you have an IAC card, you can use it at a variety of amusement parks around the U.S., including several Six Flags parks. Unfortunately, it is not applicable for Walt Disney Resort parks, which has its own Disability Access Service (DAS) program.

» Learn more: Universal Studios vs. Islands of Adventure

If you’re visiting a Universal Studios park but don’t want to apply for the IBCCES accessibility card, there are other options available to you.

Universal Express Pass

The simplest is to purchase a Universal Express Pass, which is available at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Orlando.

A Universal Express Pass allows visitors to bypass the standard queue at Universal’s theme parks. Depending on which version you purchase, the pass can be valid one time per ride or an unlimited number of times.

The cost for a Universal Express Pass varies based on which park you’re visiting, how busy it is, the type of pass you buy and when you’re traveling.

At Universal Orlando, the standard Universal Express Pass starts at $79.99 for one day, while the Universal Express Unlimited Pass starts at $109.99 per day.

At Universal Studios Hollywood, you can buy a one-day ticket with an Express Pass starting at $209.

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Other on-site resources

Whether or not you request an Attractions Assistance Pass at Universal Studios, both parks offer several safe spaces for individuals or families traveling with children who need special assistance.

A Quiet Room is at Health Services at the front of the park in Orlando and in The Family Center in Hollywood. The rooms vary depending on the location, but they may be outfitted with an activity wall panel, sensory toys, dimmable lights, weighted blankets and rubber floor tiles. They’re available to use by one family at a time for up to 30 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additionally, there are family restrooms located within the parks, which offer additional privacy and space for those who need it.

Secure tickets online in advance

Additionally, tickets to both parks can be purchased online so you don’t have to wait in line at the entrance booth when you arrive.

» Learn more: How to purchase theme park tickets with points

Each park's website provides general guidelines about the accommodations it makes for specific accessibility concerns.

• For guests using manual wheelchairs and other electronic conveyance vehicles (ECVs): Most areas, including shops, restaurants, bathrooms, and queues for many rides, are accessible via ramps. For some rides, people might need to transfer from their wheelchair to a standard theme park wheelchair provided by the park staff. Due to safety limitations, many rides at either park are not accessible for ECVs.

• For guests with cognitive disabilities. Visitors can take sensory breaks at the parks in the aforementioned Quiet Rooms.

• For guests with prostheses. People with properly secured prosthetic arms and hands should be able to enjoy most rides and attractions at the parks. Certain rides might require the removal of prosthetic limbs for safety reasons.

• For guests with oxygen tanks/devices. Accommodations vary per ride, but oxygen tanks may be allowed if they do not interfere with the ride restraint.

• For guests with hearing disabilities. Both parks offer Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) free of charge. Some shows and attractions offer closed captioning. Sign language interpreters might be available; for instance, Universal Studios Hollywood requires a one-week advance notice.

• For guests with vision disabilities. Those with vision disabilities have access to assistive technologies like audio descriptions and braille show scripts. Both parks welcome trained service animals.

Get more details on each park's website: Universal Orlando or Universal Studios Hollywood.

So, if you’re asking, “Does Universal have a disability pass?” the answer is yes.

If you’re traveling to Universal Studios and would like to register for a disability pass, the process has changed. Now, those who require access to accommodations at Universal Studios, both in Florida and California, must complete an online application.

The Universal Attractions Assistance Pass can be a useful tool if you or someone in your group has a cognitive disability or another condition that makes waiting in line difficult. And when paired with an Express Pass, it can help your group enjoy a memorable visit.

(Top photo courtesy of Universal Studios Orlando Resort)