UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA

OUTSTANDING WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

My wife is a wheelchair user. We have no kids. Knowing she cannot ride thrill rides and we don't have little ones that love theme parks, we don't fit the Universal demographic.

But recently, we visited Universal, to check out the wheelchair access. Our curiosity was piqued when we stumbled on Universal's online Rider's Guide.

It goes through each attraction -- from thrill ride to animal show -- with dozens of listings that address the concerns of wheelchair users, walker users, folks with visual, hearing and other impairments.

It even explains that in a 3-D theater, you can sit in a stationary seat if the sensory seat's movement would hurt you or make you uncomfortable. My wife, having joint issues from arthritis, was greatly served by this detailed information.

Universal hosted us for a day while we checked out the accessibility at Universal Studios (we did not have time to make it to Islands of Adventure, plus it was 100 degrees out and we had no energy for 2 parks in one day.)

Armed with the Rider's Guide, we could connect the dots between attractions that were safe, sound and fun for us. The very detailed and lengthy Rider's Guide (Islands of Adventure is included) should when an award for service to people with disabilities.

https://www.universalorlando.com/park-guide/universal-orlando-riders-guide.pdf

We wish the hotel industry could adopt such an explicit, detailed sharing of specifics...rather than simply stating a room is accessible and leaving the potential guest in the dark about hundreds of specifics that can be the difference between a comfortable trip and misery. 

We loved the Animal Actors and Horror Movie Makeup shows. Being Simpson's fans (who isn't), we loved getting a Lard Lad donut (or 2), checking out Moe's and getting snacks in the food court with Krusty Burger facade. The old New York back lot was a lot of fun too. 

We marveled that just about every restroom area also featured a family restroom. Good for parents with young children, they are great for me, because I can help my wife transfer from her wheelchair -- without the uncomfortable feeling of me barging into the women's or her intruding into the men's room.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Accessibility-Information.aspx 

That is our usual mode of spouse assisting spouse. Food areas were highly accessible, as were shops. Universal truly has accessibility figured out on all levels. I would highly recommend a visit -- even dining at CityWalk --with a family member with any range of disability.

 I also wish Universal's brilliant and user-friendly access guide could serve as a template to air carriers, air ports, public transit and all other hospitality providers. It is unmatched in high quality.