If you’ve got an upcoming trip to Universal Orlando Resort in Florida and you’re wondering just how accessible it is – you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together this article to give you all the information you need if you or someone in your party requires extra support while visiting this incredible resort.
Although planning a holiday is an exciting time, it can be more stressful if you or someone in your party has a disability. There’s a lot to think about, so let us put your mind at ease and answer your questions.
Read on to find out more about accessibility at Universal Orlando Resort.
Accessibility at Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort is able to provide accessibility and assistance throughout the park for guests with hearing or vision impairments, cognitive disabilities, and those using wheelchairs, prosthetics, oxygen tanks, or assistance dogs.
Here are some of the support and services available to guests with disabilities:
Mobility | Neurodivergent | Deaf or hearing loss | Blind or visual impairment |
Wheelchair and ECV rental | Quiet Room | Complimentary interpreting services in American Sign Language for select live-action shows | Large print and braille scripts for select live-action shows |
Most queues and attractions wheelchair accessible | Universal Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) | Queue monitors with open captions at select attractions | |
Shopping and dining venues wheelchair accessible | |||
Accessible viewing areas for stage shows and parades | Companion restrooms with manual flushers |
Guide for Rider Safety and Accessibility
To see a list of requirements and accommodations for all attractions, please see the Guide for Rider Safety and Accessibility, which includes information such as:
- Restrictions for riding attractions
- Requirements for riding attractions
- Ride elements that not everyone may be able to enjoy
- Height restrictions
- Restraint systems
The guide is also available in large print and braille formats for those with sight loss or visual impairment from the Guest Services Lobbies at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe.
Universal Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) / IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card (IAC)
The Universal Attraction Assistance Pass (AAP) is for guests who have difficulty with extended waits in a conventional attraction queue environment. Guests using a mobility device do not need to apply for a pass as the attraction queues are accessible.
This pass covers a guest with disabilities and up to five other people. Additional accommodation may be made if your party is larger, but this will need to be discussed with Guest Services.
How to get the Universal Attraction Assistance Pass
Guests should register at www.accessibilitycard.org up to 30 days in advance of visiting the park. Registration is an online application which requires you to upload the necessary documents.
You will need:
- Recent photograph
- Contact information of the cardholder and/or the parent or guardian
- Contact information and statement from medical provider/government entity/educational support professional
Once all requirements for the IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card are met, a Universal Orlando team member will contact the cardholder to discuss their request for an attraction queue accommodation.
When you arrive at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, or Universal Epic Universe, head to Guest Services to present your approved IAC and receive your attraction queue accommodation. Passes are valid for the length of your stay or for up to 14 consecutive days if you’re an annual pass holder.
At Universal Volcano Bay, you’ll use the Virtual Line experience.
Top tip: Your Attraction Assistance Pass needs to be shown at the entrance to each attraction, so keep it somewhere you can easily get to it. It fits inside the Universal lanyards, so it might be worth a trip to one of the shops to pick one up. And you’ll get a nice souvenir to remember your holiday, too!
Accessibility at Universal Orlando Resort Hotels
Accessible rooms are available at Universal Orlando Resort with the following options for guests with disabilities:
Mobility | Neurodivergent | Deaf or hearing loss | Blind or visual impairment |
36” wide entry doors | Pet-friendly rooms for assistance animals | Closed-caption TV | Pet-friendly rooms for assistance animals |
Accessible peepholes | Smoke detector with light | Room numbers in braille | |
48” high rails in closets | Pet-friendly rooms for assistance animals | ||
Toilet with grab rails | |||
Roll-in shower stall with adjustable shower head or combination shower/bath with adjustable shower head, bath seat, and handrail |
Hotel restaurants are wheelchair accessible.
Select hotels have pet-friendly rooms, so you will need to book one of these if travelling with an assistance animal.
How to book an accessible room: Give our team a call on 0800 223 0324 or use the Live Chat function on our website to discuss your needs.
Hotels with accessible rooms include:
- Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Support and services for neurodivergent guests
Theme parks usually feature fast rides, colourful characters, loud music, and energetic stage shows. This can be overstimulating for some guests and so Universal Orlando Resort has some accommodations in place to help.
Quiet Room
There are some Quiet Rooms available at Universal Orlando Resort. Inside, there are rubber floor tiles, an activity wall panel, lights that you can dim, and hiding tunnels. These rooms are designed to give guests a low-stimulation break from all the fun.
You don’t need to reserve the room, you just need to wait until it’s empty before using it. Universal Orlando Resort suggests you stick to 30 minutes in the room so that other guests can use it too.
Theme park | Quiet Room location |
Universal Studios Florida | Health Services – Production Central at the front of the park |
Universal Epic Universe | Family Care Centre – adjacent to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™️ - Ministry of Magic™️ |
Wheelchairs at Universal Orlando Resort
Park entrances and attraction queues are all accessible to guests using wheelchairs and mobility devices, but they cannot accommodate Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs). The only exception is Pteranodon Flyers in Universal Islands of Adventure.
The free shuttle transport service has a wheelchair lift and can take guests between the theme parks, on-site hotels, CityWalk, and Universal Volcano Bay. Wheelchairs and other mobility devices must fit on lifts and in the designated wheelchair spaces where the driver can fasten them in. Guests may need to transfer to seats on the shuttle.
All shopping and dining areas throughout the Universal Orlando Resort are wheelchair accessible.
Wheelchair rental
You can rent a wheelchair, Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV), or a Canopy ECV at the entrance to each Universal theme park.
Equipment | Rental cost* |
Wheelchair | $15 |
ECV | $75 |
Canopy ECV | $95 |
Does Universal Orlando Resort have electric wheelchairs?
Universal Orlando Resort offers Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) to rent. These are battery-operated mobility scooters rather than electric wheelchairs.
Wheelchair accessible rides at Universal Orlando Resort
All attractions are accessible to guests using manual wheelchairs, aside from Pteranodon Flyers at Universal Islands of Adventure. None of the rides or queues are suitable for Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) or motorised wheelchairs.
You should transfer into a manual wheelchair at each location, and attendants will be there to advise you if you’re unable to do this.
Each attraction has specific boarding requirements for guests using wheelchairs. For some of the rides, you can stay in your wheelchair, whereas for others, you will need to transfer to the ride vehicle either by yourself or with the help of someone else in your party.
Service animals at Universal Orlando Resort
Trained service animals are welcome at Universal Orlando Resort. Each attraction has specific entry and boarding requirements, and there are portable kennels at certain rides where you can leave your assistance dog. There are relief areas in select locations throughout the parks.
Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless this interferes with the service animal’s work or your disability prevents this. If this is the case, they must be able to be controlled through voice, signals, or in other effective ways.
Top tips for visiting Universal Orlando Resort with a disability
Summary – top tips for visiting Universal Orlando Resort with a disability
- Check menus online before you eat
- Bring noise-cancelling headphones
- Set a meeting place in case of separation
- Check out the rides on YouTube before your visit
- Get your tickets before you travel
1. Check menus online beforehand
Guests with autism can sometimes be choosy when it comes to food. There is plenty of choice in the restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort, so you should be able to find something suitable. The menus are all available online, so you can check them out before your visit. You’ll be able to order from the kid’s menu even as an adult, and you can let your server know of any dietary requirements.
2. Bring noise-cancelling headphones
If you or someone in your party finds noise over-stimulating, then it’s a good idea to add noise-cancelling headphones to your packing list for the parks. You can pop them on during loud music or for fireworks displays. Sensory items like squishy balls can also come in handy.
3. Set a meeting place
In case you get accidentally separated, it’s a good idea to set a meeting place so that you can reunite easily. Ensure that everyone in your party is aware of where the meeting place is and how to get there from different areas of the park.
4. Watch YouTube videos before your visit
Most of the rides at Universal Orlando Resort will have a video on YouTube from the rider’s point of view. This can help give people with autism an idea of what to expect when they get to the parks, making them feel less anxious.
5. Get your tickets in advance
Buying your Universal Orlando Resort tickets before you jet off on your jollies will eliminate the need to wait in another line. All of the tickets at AttractionTickets.com are gate-ready, so you can go straight in without having to visit the ticket office or exchange a voucher.
6. Schedule in a rest day
Exploring the parks can be tiring for anyone, and even more so if you have a disability. Be sure to schedule in some downtime to enjoy your hotel and give yourself a break.
Now that you’ve got all the information you need about accessibility at Universal Orlando Resort, it’s time to start planning your dream holiday. Check out our Universal Orlando Resort hotel and ticket packages for a convenient way to book your trip.
*Prices correct as of May 2025
