Universal Orlando Resort is testing a digital version of their Attractions Assistance Pass, which allows guests needing certain accommodations to receive a return time for an attraction instead of physically waiting in line.
Universal Orlando Digital Attractions Assistance Pass
The sign up process is still the same, as outlined on the Universal Orlando Resort website. Guests may request an attraction queue accommodation by registering for an IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card (IAC) at AccessibilityCard.org within 30 days of their visit and at least 48 hours before arrival. After receiving an approved IAC, a Universal Destinations & Experiences Guest Accessibility Team Member will contact the guest to discuss accommodations.
The IAC is not necessarily required but can help streamline the process. Having an IAC also does not guarantee Universal will grant the guest attraction accommodations.
Until now, guests pre-approved for accommodations or seeking day-of accommodations would still have to visit guest services on the first day of their visit to pick up a physical Attractions Assistance Pass (AAP). This pass would have the guest’s name, valid dates, number of guests in the party, a grid for return times, and a barcode.
To use the AAP, guests would have to visit the attraction they wanted to ride, find the Team Member distributing return times, and have them write the attraction name and return time on the card. Any time after the return time, guests would once again approach a Team Member, who would check their card and then welcome them to the Express Pass queue.
Now, guests won’t need to visit each individual attraction to receive a return time. Much like the Disney DAS pass, guests can request a digital return time through the Universal Orlando Resort app. A guest services team member will help guests link their AAP to the app, either ahead of time when they contact guests about the IAC or in-person at the park.
Though guests can request return times without visiting an attraction, they must be inside a park and can only request times for attractions in that same park. For example, you can only request a return time for E.T. Adventure if you are inside Universal Studios Florida, not if you are inside Universal Islands of Adventure.
Here are the steps as described on the Universal Orlando Resort website:
Select an Attraction: After entering the park the attraction is in, you can select it from the list of attractions in the Eligible Attractions tab. Once selected, you will be taken to the attraction details page where you will be able to get a return time by selecting the Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) button.Review Your AAP Companion Party: Confirm who in your companion party will be experiencing the attraction with you.Receive Your Return Time: A return time will be provided based on the attraction’s current posted wait time.Arrive at the Attraction and See an Attraction Attendant: Once it is your return time, you can head over to the attraction and an Attractions Attendant will validate your return time. The AAP Holder must be present and experience the attraction for any one in your AAP party to enter the attraction using the return time.
The digital update began testing on Thursday, December 4.
Guests who do not wish to use the app may still get a physical AAP pass. The physical pass may also be used at various times during testing as Universal tweaks the system. Universal states in their FAQ, “The Attractions Assistance Pass digital return time program is currently in technical rehearsal, and some elements may not be available during this time.”
An IAC is valid for one year and an AAP is valid for the length of your ticket validity, up to one year.
Universal states the AAP is designed for “Guests whose disability prevents them from waiting for extended periods in an attraction queue environment”. Guests can learn more by contacting the Universal Destinations & Experiences Guest Accessibility team at (407) 817-8349.
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