Universal Orlando’s Attraction Assistance Pass – What You Need To Know

Universal Orlando Resort offers the Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) for those who need it to enhance their theme park experience.

For some people, a trip to Universal Orlando Resort or any theme park comes with added stressors. Universal Orlando Resort’s Attractions Assistance Pass helps create a positive theme park experience for all guests. This resource will help explain this pass and how it works within the Universal Orlando theme parks.

Readers should be aware that many changes have occurred in the last year or so regarding who qualifies and how to be eligible for the Universal Attraction Assistance Pass. In recent years, the abuse of the Disability Access Pass at Walt Disney World and the Attraction Assistance Pass at Universal Orlando Resort led to some changes. This article does not intend to state whether those changes are positive or negative. It wants to inform the reader so that they can follow the best procedure for those who need this service. For those needing the Attraction Assistance Pass, theme park visits should be smooth.

Who is the Universal Attraction Assistance Pass for?

According to Universal Orlando, the theme park resort “…has developed an Attraction Assistance Pass for Guests whose disability prevents them from waiting for extended periods in a conventional attraction queue environment. The Attractions Assistance Pass is an accommodation designed to provide equal access to theme park attractions and is not to bypass other guests waiting in the attraction queue.”

The idea is simple. Guests who cannot wait in longer attraction queues due to disabilities, whether visible or not, may apply for the Attractions Assistance Pass. To an extent, this allows the theme park playing field to be leveled for all guests. The Attraction Assistance Pass at Universal Orlando Resort helps those with cognitive differences or health conditions that make standing among crowds in attraction queues for an extended amount of time unrealistic.

Guests who have certain physical limitations, no matter the reason, may not qualify for an Attraction Assistance Pass. Regarding those with physical limitations, Universal Orlando Resort states that “Guests who only need to use their mobility device do not need to apply for the IAC as our attraction queues and park entrances are accessible.” Thus, those in wheelchairs or electric scooters may not qualify for the Attraction Assistance Pass. The queues for almost all rides at Universal Orlando Resort contain a wheelchair-accessible entrance. This means they will not need the Attraction Assistance Pass during the theme park day.

What is the Universal Individual Accessibility Card (IAC)?

As the Universal Orlando Resort website mentioned, an IAC exists. What is that? People can apply for the Individual Accessibility Card. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards created the digital IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC) for individuals who need to request accommodation or assistance at participating amusement parks and attractions. This service is free to those who need it.

As the IBCCES website states, “The IAC is for anyone who is requesting accommodations – including but not limited to individuals who are autistic, use a wheelchair, are blind/low vision, deaf/hard of hearing, have mobility support needs, are accompanied by a service animal, have sensory sensitivities, cognitive disabilities, or have other needs and concerns.”

Universal Orlando Resort Guide for Rider Safety and Accessibility

To help guests with planning their visit to the Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks, a guide for rider safety and accessibility was created. This can be found on the Universal Orlando Resort website.

Universal offers the Universal Orlando Resort Guide for Rider Safety and Accessibility so that all guests can become familiar with attraction restrictions and requirements. This guide indicates what is needed to ride each attraction. It also points out ride elements that not all guests can enjoy. For example, this guide advises people who might experience motion sickness about potential pitfalls. The guide does more than advise those with disabilities. It covers all information for those with disabilities. However, it also contains information about height restrictions, restraint systems, and other subjects that theme park guests may need to know. We suggest consulting this resource if you have questions regarding attractions at Universal Orlando Resort. Things do change as systems improve. Thus, we recommend checking this guide for information if you are concerned about anyone in your group’s ability to experience an attraction.

Before We Move On…

Like many theme park operations, Universal Orlando Resort has been tweaking its passes to accommodate those who cannot wait in an extended attraction queue. We suggest that those with reasons to be accommodated to enjoy Universal Orlando’s rides apply for the IAC well before they visit Universal Orlando Resort. This will speed up the process of gaining the Attraction Assistance Pass. Nevertheless, having an IAC does not guarantee eligibility for the Attraction Assistance Pass.

Changes to the Attraction Assistance Pass Process at Universal Orlando Resort

In the recent year or so, the process of gaining an Attraction Assistance Pass at Universal Orlando Resort has changed. For example, once guests gain an IAC from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, they should schedule an appointment with a Universal Orlando Resort team member.

This happens after guests apply for the Attraction Assistance Pass and have an IAC. At that point, a Universal Orlando Team Member will contact the cardholder regarding their request for unique accommodation while waiting in attraction queues. The process is relatively simple from that point on. In most cases, guests must only meet with a team member once, no matter how often they visit Universal Orlando. Of course, this assumes the system does not change again.

Is a Doctor’s Note Needed to Request an Attraction Assistance Pass at Universal Orlando Resort?

When applying for the IAC, guests must provide documentation showing their needs for accommodation at theme parks and other places. This happens during the registration process.  Universal Orlando Resort will not need or ask for your medical records. So, you will not need to show up with a medical note when you arrive at Universal Orlando Resort. Also, this will not help once you reach the theme parks.

How Does the Attraction Assistance Pass Work at Universal Orlando Resort?

Once granted the Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP), you will be given a card. If you are familiar with the Disability Access Service at Walt Disney World, you will notice a significant difference. Universal Orlando Resort uses a paper card system, whereas Walt Disney World uses an internet-based system.

The Universal Orlando Resort Attraction Assistance Pass card contains a bar code for scanning at the rides. It folds nicely into a lanyard pocket. You will need this card as you enter the queues of attractions, so having a lanyard with a pouch would be very helpful. Universal Orlando Resort sells many varieties of lanyards. Guests should keep their Attraction Assistance Pass readily available. They will need to show it to the team member(s) at the entrance of each attraction.

However, if the Attraction Assistance Pass is for a small child who uses a stroller, guests should request documentation from the team members at guest services. This will allow guests to take their stroller into the queues wherever they are accessible to wheelchairs.

The Attraction Assistance Pass does not magically grant guests immediate entry to attractions. This might happen in some cases. Still, this is unlikely. Instead, it functions as a return-time pass. Guests with this pass will check in at attractions. This system does not eliminate waits. It allows those unable to wait in a traditional queue to wait elsewhere, where they can sit down or relax based on their reason for the Attraction Assistance Pass.

Posted Wait Time Factor

If an attraction’s posted wait time is below 30 minutes, guests with an Attraction Assistance Pass will be directed toward an alternative queue. This usually means the Express Pass one. However, it might be the ride’s exit or another alternate route to the attraction.

If the posted attraction wait time is 30 minutes or more, guests with an Attraction Assistance Pass will receive a return time. The team member will write the designated return time to that attraction on the reverse side of the pass.

Once it is time to return, guests present their Attraction Assistance Pass to the team member at the ride. After doing so, they will be directed to the alternative queue entrance.

Guests with an Attraction Assistance Pass can bring a small group of friends and family with them on each ride. This procedure does change. As a result, please check with Universal Orlando Resort team members for specifics during your visit. However, anyone in the family can ride with the person with an Attraction Assistance Pass. The number of friends will usually be limited to five or fewer.

After experiencing the attraction, guests may use your Attraction Assistance Pass to obtain a return time at another ride. Guests may only have one return time via the Attractions Assistance Pass at a time. If guests attempt to acquire a return time while they already have one, the previous one will be canceled.

Length of Stay and Renewal

The Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) will be issued for eligible guests for the length of their stay based on their ticket media or on-site hotel stay. Those with annual passes or similar ticket media must renew their AAP regularly. This is usually for two weeks before the need for renewal. The renewal process is simple. Guests visit one of the designated guest services areas to renew their AAP.

Once you have spoken with a Universal Orlando Resort team member and are initially approved for the Attraction Assistance Pass, the renewal process will be straightforward. The guest service location outside and within the theme park can quickly process your renewal.

How Does Express Pass Work with Attractions Assistance Pass?

Suppose guests have purchased Universal Orlando Express Passes for the day or receive them as a part of their stay at some of the upscale Universal Orlando Resort hotels. In that case, these can be used in concert with the Attraction Assistance Pass. With Express Pass, guests enter the shorter queue whenever they desire. This contrasts with the Attraction Assistance Pass, which involves a return time for busy attractions.

However, an Express Pass queue is not available at a small number of Universal Orlando attractions. In those cases, guests with an Attraction Assistance Pass will use the procedure outlined previously. This can be very useful for the highly popular ride, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventures at Universal Islands of Adventure. That ride almost always has a posted wait of over 30 minutes.

Locker Use with Attraction Assistance Pass

Some Universal Orlando rides require guests to place items, including phones, in free ride lockers and go through metal detectors. The Attraction Assistance Pass barcode will open these lockers. It would be best to take your AAP on the ride to reopen your locker afterward. Once again, a lanyard with a pouch comes in handy during your day at Universal Orlando Resort. Be sure to tuck your lanyard inside your shirt or top when riding attractions to keep everything safe. For example, it would be unfortunate if your passes were to fly away on Jurassic World Velocicoaster. Some of us know this experience far too well!

Epic Universe Attraction Assistance Pass

Attraction Assistance Passes only work at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Volcano Bay, the resort’s water park, uses a virtual Line system for all guests, so the AAP serves no purpose there. Though information has not been released officially, we expect the AAP to work as usual at Universal Epic Universe theme park when it opens in May 2024.

Since Universal Epic Universe is a brand-new theme park, the accommodations for disabilities of any type should be excellent. We expect that fewer adjustments will need to be made for guests who qualify for the Attraction Assistance Pass when that theme park opens. In addition, guests in wheelchairs or other mobility vehicles should have a far simpler time navigating Universal Epic Universe than the two current theme parks at Universal Orlando Resort.

Of course, the crowds will be intense at Universal Epic Universe theme park with the excitement for this brand-new Orlando option. Nevertheless, guests eligible for the Attraction Assistance Pass should be able to enjoy their visits to the five magical lands of Universal Epic Universe theme park.

Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Resort Vacation?

With Universal Epic Universe opening in May 2025, excitement grows for the brand new theme park with Super Nintendo, Wizarding World, How to Train Your Dragon, and Classic Monsters area. The travel experts at Universal Family Vacations can help make that vacation magical for your group. Their services are fee-free. They have plenty of skill in navigating potential issues before and during your Universal Orlando Resort vacation.  The travel experts will be in your corner problem-solving so you can enjoy your holiday. Those interested may get a free quote today. Happy vacation planning!