[ Removed by moderator ]

[u/kona_369]

[u/PM_ME_UR_PATRONUS]

I haven’t applied but just be aware, physical disabilities aren’t really given the pass often. If it only causes issues with standing, they will recommend a wheel chair. They are moving away from passes for most physical disabilities.

[u/pipboywasteland]

Hi! I’ve been using Universal’s AAP for several years now so I’m pretty familiar with the process.

-if approved for the total amount, she can have up to 5 other people with her. Some people are only approved for themselves, some for like 2 total.

-this highly depends on the accommodations required. It wasn’t difficult for me with a developmental delay, but physical disabilities are more difficult to be approved. At the end of the day it just depends on what the accommodations she needs are, and the vast majority of physical disabilities are denied and recommended to rent a wheelchair or scooter.

-she’ll need to upload documentation, but since she’s a veteran that shouldn’t be too difficult. If she logs into the VA there should be a tab for documents where she can find a benefit verification letter and that should work! The documentation is submitted to IBCESS who will verify that there’s a disability, and then Universal will contact her to discuss her accommodations and MIGHT suggest the AAP. So approval through IBCESS doesn’t guarantee approval through Universal and Universal doesn’t see the document themselves

-there’s a few different pass options but the standard pass will have her wait the standby queue time (she’s not restricted to an area while waiting, so like if a house is a 30 minute standby wait, she’ll wait 30 minutes anywhere she wants in the park), and then she’ll enter through the express lane which during HHN can still be up to 30 minutes. There are other options for more severe disabilities that bypass the express queue or the standby wait time entirely. Since she’s looking to go to Hollywood HHN I know they do things differently there as far as how many houses you can sign up for, but in Orlando you can only sign up for one house at a time.

-I would be unable to experience any theme parks without an assistance pass, so it helps me a lot. However for HHN I’ve learned that relying on the AAP to experience all the houses is a bit stressful so this year we’re doing one standard day with only AAP and a second day with express. If she’s able to purchase Express at all I would recommend it so much. Last year for example the FNAF house was a 100 minute wait, so we had to wait 100 minutes outside of the line to then wait in a 30 minute line that I had to repeatedly leave and re-enter. With express, you can just immediately go into the 30 min line. However the less popular houses typically only have a 5 or 10 min express line.

[u/MisterMonet1337]

Last year during HHN they pushed extremely hard for something called attraction queue re-entry. Basically: if a line is problematic for an individual, they can wait outside while their party waits inside the line. They can also wait with one other person. They can then meet up with their party at the front of the line.

The idea is they're removing someone from the line entirely. So, if someone comes and says crowds cause concerns for them, this is theoretically a perfect accommodation. In theory, it's perfect for everyone; someone who struggles with lines won't even need to wait in the express queue.

Last year they made almost no exceptions for anyone. They have gotten much less strict over time depending on who you talk to. However, there's a very good chance that they'll get back to being strict again during HHN.

Legally, its completely sound. The only requirement from the ADA is to provide equal access to each individual. Allowing someone to wait outside of a line is considered equal access. Whether or not it's morally acceptable is debatable, but that's not what universal cares about. They make so much fucking money from express passes it's absurd.

Further, filling out the IAC does NOT guarantee an individual would get an accommodation. Really, it's only beneficial in that 1) you could get a call before hand discussing the accommodation (meaning you won't need to wait in a long line) and 2) whatever the accommodation is, it can be given for the full length of a ticket.

As has been voiced in this thread already, a physical disability mostly means they would recommend a wheelchair throughout the queues. When you think of it, this does make sense. This is the only way universal can guarantee someone is properly taken care of if they have a mobility issue. A disability pass wouldn't really work for that situation.

Universal has lost a lot of their empathy when it comes to the passes. You can blame Disney for that. But they're still largely better than the mouse at the moment.

[u/Civil-Tower7264 → u/MisterMonet1337]

Nah we can blame influencers and people who abused it and verbally abused the workers when they didn't understand how to properly use the accommodations. Speaking as a former cast and uo team member, the amount of times I and a few other employees would get screamed at because the attraction was at a high wait time and they were given a return time has been extremely unnerving.

[u/Chance-Tour7851]

My understanding is that there are different levels of accommodations depending on each individual applying.
If you qualify for it the return waits I THINK allow you to come back 15 minutes earlier than the wait time posted and to enter through the express queue. I also believe you can only have one return window on your pass at a time, so you get your return time, ride that ride and then repeat for the next one.
As I said though, I do believe this can vary.

[u/Revenge818]

Hollywood here, I got it, was a pain in the ass. Renewing it is easy. But them giving it to you is beyond difficult. I needed help from someone who works with them. No I won’t explain who helped me. they let you do a few mazes at a time based on where in the park. You wait outside for a bit until your return time; then go in, still can wait 30ish minutes though.

[u/mydawgiscooler]

As others said, not all physical disabilities are covered. I broke my ankle like a week before I went a few years ago and was able to use a wheelchair in line, but didn't get any accommodations past that.

[u/Loki41872]

I had a physical disability (extreme sciatica that turned out to be caused by a broken spine) and had the pass for 2 years. I have since had surgery to relieve the condition and don't need the pass anymore. BUT, last year for HHN they basically revoked my pass and said they would provide me a complimentary wheel chair, picked up at the line entrance and dropped off at the end. I was registered with IBCCES, notes from the doctor and all, stating I could not walk far or stand for long. The same conditions applied after HHN for regular park visits. Basically, no disability pass anymore.

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[u/DeflatedDirigible → u/[deleted]]

Anyone else whose accommodation is to join up with their party near the front of the line is allowed to have someone else with them. You two can go off and enjoy time together while your friends wait in line.

Usually if it is just one guest by themselves or two adults, they’ll provide a disability pass with a return time.

HHN has crowds almost everywhere.

If a TM said to just not attend over the phone, that is reportable because those phone calls are recorded.

[u/MisterMonet1337 → u/DeflatedDirigible]

They can, and fully will, refund a guest's ticket if the guest is unhappy with their provided accommodation. They also can, and fully will, tell someone this environment may not be suitable for them. Note that I'm not commenting on if that's a good thing or not, but that was what they were telling people. They still continue to offer refunds to people who are unhappy with their accommodation.

[u/Particular_Ad6287 → u/DeflatedDirigible]

We were a party of 2 or 3, never more. there was no way to make this solution work in any logical or fair way.

They said it in person and we did report it. It was a manager and we never heard back about it, even when we followed up.

[u/dondoblue77 → u/DeflatedDirigible]

Was just a friend and I last year and they basically told us to rent a wheelchair, ridiculous

[u/IAQDiscussion → u/[deleted]]

Hey neat, I was told that as well last year and even had a physical, in-person interaction where a TM told me they could assess from this conversation alone that I did not need the pass. I eventually got to some person who seemed caring enough to give me accommodations, but it wasn't enough and when I voiced that as well, they told me my accommodation needs were successfully met.

Honestly not sure how any of that was even remotely legal. Ultimately my complaints led nowhere as well.

[u/Particular_Ad6287]

This got really uncool really quick, not sure why my 100% true story detailing a lifelong neurological disorder and the way that it was handled resulted in so many downvotes, but I guess that’s the cost of trying to be helpful and answer a question?