This is the Most Accessible Theme Park I’ve Ever Seen

I’ve been to a lot of theme parks in my day, and as a wheelchair user, I’ve become more and more picky about what I think makes a theme park enjoyable.

From ramps that are way too steep, rides I can’t get on, and queues that make me wish I could leave, I’ve experienced the worst. I never thought a theme park could meet all of my standards, but I think I found the one that changes everything.

I’m not being dramatic when I say that experiencing Epic Universe changed my life. There were numerous accessibility features integrated into the design, as well as options to access every ride. This theme park should set the standard that other theme parks aspire to.

With the Americans with Disabilities Act being passed in 1990, any theme park built before 1990 is hit or miss in terms of accessibility. As much as I love Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, since accessibility wasn’t initially considered and something added later, it’s not as seamless as Epic Universe.

Now, what takes Epic Universe to the next level? Quite a few factors! My absolute favorite is that four out of the ten attractions have Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs). These are rides where I can stay in my manual wheelchair without needing to transfer. I roll right up and they strap me in!

WAVs are essential since not everyone can easily slide over into the ride vehicle. At other theme parks like Hollywood Studios, there’s only one ride they can stay on, which is Toy Story Mania. I once had a Cast Member tell me that some people only ride Toy Story Mania the entire day since it’s the only ride they can comfortably ride.

Other Epic Universe rides where I couldn’t stay in my wheelchair had other options to help me on. Some had small doors that opened on the side, allowing me to slide from my wheelchair into the vehicle, and some even had a device called a lateral transfer device.

For this, I transferred from my chair onto a seat with wheels that move up and down and side to side. Some attractions, like Stardust Racers, have seats that are really high up, and I usually struggle to transfer from my chair to such a high ride seat. This device allows me to get higher to slide into the seat.

On Stardust Racers, I could even ride on BOTH tracks of the roller coaster. Most accessible vehicles only have one seat option, so being able to ride on both sides was an incredible experience.

Another reason Epic Universe or Universal Orlando is close to my heart is because of their Attractions Assistance Pass. This pass is equivalent to Disney World’s Disability Access Service (DAS), which underwent some changes a year ago that unfortunately excluded more disabled guests.

Universal’s Attraction Access Pass is available through a third-party provider, where you submit a doctor’s note and select the individual accommodations you require. When I filled out my form, I was able to add options like:

• • Wheelchair access or options required
  • May need to leave areas/lines quickly
  • Difficulty with gripping, grasping, and bracing. May need additional support
  • May need frequent access to restrooms

There were numerous options from which you could individually select your needs. With the card, I was able to utilize their resources, such as alternative ride entrances, waiting for rides outside of the queue spaces, and anything else I needed during the day.

When I’m at the theme parks, I’m usually alone, so it’s nice to know there are options available when I need help.

Well, now I want to get another ticket to Epic Universe and go again! This theme park exceeded all of my expectations, and hopefully, this new standard will help future theme parks set a new benchmark. Keep following AllEars for more!

I’M A WHEELCHAIR USER AND HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUPER NINTENDO WORLD AT EPIC UNIVERSE

What’s the best theme park you’ve ever been to? Tell us in the comments!

Post a Comment