Universal Orlando Disability Accommodations: Your Complete Guide to the Attraction Assistance Pass

Updated 5/17/25

Long lines at a theme park are no fun, and everyone would love a get-out-of-line card (BTW - Universal has a paid one, Express Pass - read more here). But for some people, the sensory issues of standing in a line—often in a small space, surrounded by people—make the experience completely impossible. We get that; we have several neurodivergent family members who struggle with this. Universal Orlando has a system in place to help guests who find traditional queues exceedingly difficult. Let’s dive in.

Does Universal have disability accommodations for neurodivergent guests who struggle with waiting in line?

Yes, Universal Orlando has an Attraction Assistance Pass for those who struggle with a traditional queue such as those on the autism spectrum, severe anxiety, or PTSD. This Universal Studios program gives guests who need a little extra help with waits the flexibility to return at a reserved time instead of standing in line.

What if I am using a wheelchair or a ECV (Electric Conveyance Vehicles)?

The AAP is intended to support guests whose disabilities - often sensory or cognitive - make waiting in a standard queue difficult, rather than those with primarily mobility-related needs. Click here for our Limited Mobility at Universal Orlando guide.

What is an Attraction Assistance Pass?

It is a physical card that a guest is pre-qualified for that contains:

• Your name and the dates it’s valid

• Number of guests included on your pass

• A quick “alternate option” question (in case a ride has stairs)

• A barcode that’s scanned each time you use your AAP

• A simple grid where Cast Members jot down your return time for each ride

How does the Attraction Assistance Pass work?

Guests will present the card at the attraction they would like to access. The guest will be asigned a return window of the current stand-by wait time minus ten minutes. Until the return time the guest can wait in a quieter spot, so as not to be overwhelmed. When their return time rolls around, the guest and their party will be allowed to access the attraction via Express Pass lane. You won’t walk on instantly, but you’ll spend most of your wait virtually. You may only have one disability come back time scheduled at a time.

How does a guest receive an Attraction Assistance Pass?

Universal Orlando, like many other theme parks, works with an outside complany, IBCCES,to pre-register guests must register for the IBCCES Individual Accessibility Card. This can be done online up to 48 hours before arrival. Guests must be able to upload documentation from their doctor or therapist as well as a picture of the person needing the accommodations. Make sure you are requesting accommodations for things like needing breaks from standing in line and indicating a problem with crowds or enclosed spaces rather than not being able to STAND in line. Lines for attractions at Universal Orlando are ADA compliant, virtual queues are not considered a necessary accommodation at Universal for those of limited mobility. The accommodations requested need to reflect the guest’s inability to WAIT successfully in a line rather than a separate area using a virtual queue. When it is completed and reviewed, you will be emailed a PDF of the IAC.

Only IBCCESS can issue the IAC, it is not issued at the Universal Orlando Parks.

How do I register for the IAC online?

Guests register at www.acessibilitycard.org

What happens next?

A Disability Expert from Universal Orlando should call you to sent up your accommodations. We, however did not actually receive a phone call. A couple of days before our trip I called and chatted with someone at Universal Orlando. They told us we would be able to complete that step onsite at Guest Relations. We were also told that for Universal Hollywood you would be required to complete this step over the phone, it could not be done in person.

What happens after approval when you visit the parks for the first time?

The guest will need to go to Guest Services in the park on their first parkday with thier whole party. The person who hs pre-qualified will need to show theirIBCCES Accessibility Card in the IBCCES app at Guest Relations. A printed copy of the card will not be accepted. Guest Relations will then, ask a few questions about the struggles that come with the disability, and if they approve it, issue a physical card. Again, the physical card will be presented at attractions and the guest will receive a come back time of the current wait time minus ten minutes. They physically write the time on the card, it is not done in the app. The guest can return any time after the allotted time and will be funneled into the Express Pass line. If the wait is less than 10 minutes, guests will be directed down the Express Pass line immediately. Only one disability come back time can be scheduled at a time.

Where do I find guest services in the different parks?

There are several different guest service kiosks in all of the Universal Parks, but to pick up an Attraction Assistance Pass, guests must visit the main guest services at the front of the park. This can be done at Universal Studios Florida, Island of Adventure, Epic Universe or Volcano Bay, whichever is the first park visited on that particular trip.

Will have to reapply for each trip I take?

IBCCES IAC is good for one calendar year after approval. Within that 12 month period you will not need to reapply, however you will have to pick up a new Attraction Assistence Pass each seperate trip you take to the parks.

What happens if a guest does not manage to preregister for an IBCCES IAC?

The Universal Orlando website states that there is no way to receive an IAC without preregistering. I would advise you to go to Guest Services and talk to them directly for assistance.

How does Universal's Disability Pass compare to Disney's DAS?

We found it definitely found it lacking when compared to DAS.

Disney's Disability Access Service (DAS) is much easier to use in the parks, since it can be completely managed within the My Disney Experience app. The fact you have to dash all over the park at Universal to sign up for each individual attraction is time consuming and added a lot of extra walking into our day - and Universal already has a large landscape to transverse. Also we found the wait times once we were actually in the Express Pass line to be much longer than the Lightning Lanes at Disney. .

However, We strongly prefer the qualification process for the pass at Universal.

What accommodations are available for guests with other disabilities such are vision or hearing?

Universal Orlando’s website has information about the different accommodations that are available at Universal Studios Florida, Isle or Adventure, Epic Universe and Volcano Bay here.

As a family who had traveled all over the world with neuro-spicey members, we get what a struggle this can be. We've put together a series of posts on managing and planning disability travel that we hope you will find helpful.

Pixie Dust Hugs,

Bren Lyn, and Kim