Disability Passes at Theme Parks

[bluebirds]

Hope somebody can help with my query.
Our eldest son who will be 9 when we go to Florida is Autistic. He is thrill seeker at theme parks He is lining up already what rides he will be able to go on. It gives him a big buzz at any theme park. When we went to Disneyland Paris because of his autism he was entitled to a disability pass. Does Disney, Universal and Sealife have the same facility?
[catinhat][catinhat]

[Nostromo]

I don't know the answer personally, but if he was entitled to a Disability Pass at Euro-Disney, then it is likely (but by no means certain) that he might be eligible to one at WDW also. It may depend on what sort of documentation you have for his condition. Also, Universal and the other non-disney parks may have different policies on this matter.

My suggestion is that you play it safe and phone or e-mail the parks in question and check individually. It will be less of an arduous task than might appear on the surface. Disney Customer services should be able to give you info that covers everything Disney, while Universal's one will help you with IoA (which has the big rides likely to of interest to your son) and so on.

[carolmc]

I have sent you a link to "Disability Services" at Disney....it has a contact section where you can ask directly questions regarding your son.
Hope this helps.

[caroline]

My friends son is autistic and for the first time this year they got a letter from the autistic society (I think, I will double check this when she's back from the school run) presented at guest services and were issued with a form of some kind which they presented to the cast member at each ride, they were then either shown through the fast pass entrance or sent into the exit, so they didn't have to queue for so long (this is what their son finds particularly difficult - being in a confined space with a lot of people for an extended period of time)

They used the same for Universal and Disney.

[bluebirds]

Thanks Carol Mc i have read the link and will find the information helpful. I am going to pass the details to the friend i am going with. They too have an Autistic son who will be travelling with us. My thrill seeking son has planned
all his rides. He is not the least worried. Same can't be said for good ole mum. He has shot up since Disneyland Paris and will be able to go some big rides!!! He wants to beat 10 gos on big thunder mountain in one day.

[daxon]

As an occasional wheelchair user (needed when I would have to stand for longer than 15 minutes or so) I found guest services at Disney more than helpful this year. I took some documentation from my GP & my own wheelchair. I was issued with a special card which details for the staff that I can wait in line but obviously cannot go up stairs so sometimes I went via the exit other times no special arrangements were necessary. The other 5 members of the family were issued with wrist bands so that they could accompany me - made for a great day out! I saw other passes which would mean that the guest by-passed queues altogether but this depends on the disability.

[big momma]

My mother inlaw uses a wheelchair and we were shown straight on to rides via the fast track/ disabled entrances at Universal Studios, Islands of adventure, cant remember Sea World. We also were given priority parking, but we were not given a disability pass. With autism being a somewhat invisible disability (to park workers)there may be (and should be)a system set up to help you with a pass, but thats just guessing!I agree- phone the parks before you go, explaining your problems and I am sure they will be able to help you.

[semerton]

I took my Son in March If you have a Disability parking permit here you can use it in the USA you still have to pay but you get to park closer which helps also if you go to the Guest relations desk just inside the park and say you have a disability they will give you a pass to use the disabled line they are very good
Sylvia

[Herbie]

Our 11 year old son uses a wheel chair in the parks but we have never been made aware of a disability pass. It tends to be different for each ride / attraction. Some will allow you to go to the front of a queue via a side entrance while for other rides you will join the regular queue with the wheel chair. We have found that all Disney / Seaworld park staff are helpful with wheel chair users.