How Disability Access Services Work At Disney And Universal For Kids With Autism

Planning Theme Park Trips With a Child on the Autism Spectrum

For Spring Break this year, my wife and I decided to take our kids to Orlando. Our son had recently finished reading the entire Harry Potter series (including one book on a single five-hour flight), so we planned two days at Universal Studios, one day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to enjoy the Star Wars attractions, and a final day at the Kennedy Space Center.

Our daughter is autistic, and we were apprehensive about how she’d handle long lines and crowded environments. Then a friend told us about the Disability Access Services (DAS) that both Disney and Universal offer. If you have a child on the spectrum, these programs are absolute game-changers. Here’s what we learned and how the systems work.

What Is Disability Access Service (DAS)?

Disability Access Services (DAS) are programs that help guests with disabilities who have difficulty waiting in conventional queues. While DAS is widely associated with autism, it can be used for a range of disabilities and is designed to create a more inclusive theme park experience.

How Disability Access Works at Universal Orlando

Universal Studios partners with IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards), which manages the IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC). This card helps streamline access not only to Universal but also to many other parks and attractions across the country.

Universal’s IBCCES Accessibility Card: How to Apply

To apply, visit https://www.accessibilitycard.org. The application process is straightforward. You’ll need a photo of the applicant and documentation from a doctor verifying the disability. The IAC is not limited to autism—it applies to a variety of physical and cognitive conditions that require accommodations.

Once your card is approved, you’ll need to contact Universal to coordinate services. Although the website mentioned someone would reach out to us, no one did—so I proactively called the number listed. They were very helpful and directed us to stop by Guest Services (just outside the Universal Orlando entrance) to receive our Attraction Assistance Pass.

Step-By-Step: Using Your Attraction Assistance Pass at Universal

The system is easy to use:

• Present the pass at the attraction entrance.
• If the wait is under 30 minutes, you’re granted immediate entry through the Express Lane.
• If the wait exceeds 30 minutes, you’ll receive a return time noted on your pass.
• Return at or after the time listed to enter via the Express Lane.

This doesn’t eliminate waiting altogether but reduces the sensory strain of standing in a static queue. You can hold only one return time at a time, but once your ride is complete, any member of your party can get the next return time for your next ride.

How Disney Handles Disability Access Services (DAS)

Disney has its own process for DAS. To begin, visit their official DAS registration page. You must be within 60 days of your park visit and already have purchased tickets.

The application includes a video call with a Disney cast member. The guest requesting DAS must be present. This was a bit tricky for us, as our daughter doesn’t handle unfamiliar faces well, but we managed to coax her into sitting with me. After a 30-minute call, we were approved and DAS was linked to our tickets.

Registering for DAS at Disney: The Video Call Process

Expect the video call to take 20–30 minutes. Be prepared to explain the nature of your child’s condition and how traditional lines present a challenge. While Disney does not require medical documentation, your request should be specific and clear.

Once approved, DAS is integrated into your My Disney Experience app for use during your visit.

Using DAS in the Disney App: Lightning Lane Tips

Disney’s DAS works directly through their app. On the day of your visit, the DAS option will appear once you’ve entered the park. You can use it to:

• Choose a ride and receive a return time in the app.
• Enter through the Lightning Lane, with the DAS holder scanning in first.
• Book your next ride 10 minutes after entering the current one.

This system offers more flexibility than Universal’s paper-based method. For example, you can request a return time for a ride across the park without having to go there physically.

That said, Universal does offer one unique perk: immediate access to rides with waits under 30 minutes, something Disney doesn’t offer.

Comparing Disney and Universal’s DAS Programs

Final Thoughts: DAS Was a Game-Changer for Our Family

Both Disney and Universal offer additional accommodations depending on individual needs, but for our family, just avoiding long queues made all the difference. The experience wasn’t without challenges—traveling with an autistic child rarely is—but we were able to avoid meltdowns and enjoy the parks more fully thanks to DAS.

These programs don’t offer front-of-the-line privileges—they offer dignity, flexibility, and inclusion for families who need it.

CONCLUSION

If you’re planning a theme park visit with a child who has special needs, I strongly encourage you to explore Disability Access Services. DAS at Disney and Universal helped our daughter have fun—and helped us relax a little, too. They really are game changers.

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