Accessibility in parks & attractions
Orlando Parks Welcomes Us!
If we came to Orlando, it was simply for its attractions and shows. Fortunately, the parks’ accessibility is designed to welcome us as VIP visitors.
From special attention and priority access to attractions, wheelchair-accessible access, and cutting-edge technology available for people with hearing or visual impairments.
Obviously, not all attractions are accessible, but the vast majority are. Those in wheelchairs will find it most difficult. Everyone else can enjoy almost all the attractions and shows.
Preferential Access to Attractions and Shows
All theme parks from all companies (Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, etc.) offer this special service.
This “pass” allows us to skip the normal lines at the attractions (NOT direct entry*).
This pass must be requested following the instructions of each park/company.
Due to abuse of this system, in some cases they have become stricter, and issuance of this pass is NOT GUARANTEED. It will depend on the type of disability and other factors that will be taken into account.
Here you can read the operation and requirements of each park:
Do you enter directly without waiting?
NO,We will have to wait the time indicated by the wait time clocks (Wait Time).
The convenience and advantage is that we do not need to physically queue and we can wait calmly and relaxed while walking or even queuing normally at another attraction with less waiting time.
Can my family members enter with me?
YES,All accompanying members of your family group enter the attraction with you. The maximum allowed is 6 family members/companions..
IMPORTANT: The person holding the pass MUST ALWAYS enter the attraction; the rest of the family group cannot enter without them.
Is this service compatible with other systems?
YES, At Disney, with Lightning Lane and the Disability Access System (DAS), you'll be able to accommodate your ride much more easily. At Universal, with the Express Pass and Quick Queue at SeaWorld/Busch Garden, you can repeat favorite attractions.
Visitors with motor disabilities
Orlando's parks have an incredible number of attractions, shows, and performances. Fortunately, many of them are accessible in different ways, depending on the visitor's mobility.
If a visitor can walk short distances or get out of their wheelchair to transfer to a cart/vehicle, then there are virtually no limits to their ability to enjoy everything the parks have to offer.
SHOWS and PERFORMANCES:
All offer preferential seating and easy access for wheelchairs, wheelchairs, or scooters. Seats are, of course, available for accompanying family and friends.
These seats are limited and are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis.
For this reason, especially if you are traveling during the mid- to high-season, it is highly recommended to arrive a few minutes early to each theater or area where the performance is taking place.
Attraction directly accessible by wheelchair / ECV
Accessible attraction with transfer from chair to car.
Rent a scooter /ECV (Electronic COnvenience Vehicle)
Renting these vehicles in Orlando is very easy and affordable.
They’re ideal not only for people with reduced mobility, but also for seniors and even as a support vehicle if you’re traveling with many small children and bags.
In most parks, they can be rented at the entrance. They can be picked up and returned on the same day (they can’t be taken to your hotel, even if you’re staying at an in-park hotel).
These ECVs/scooters are picked up and returned on the same day, upon leaving the park (they cannot be taken to the hotel, even if you are staying at a hotel in the park). In the parks, the cost is approximately USD 60 per day.
If your stay is longer, there are several companies that rent these vehicles, delivering them to and from your hotel, and they are considerably more affordable.
There are even portable vehicles that can be easily disassembled and fit in the trunk of a medium-sized car, eliminating the need to rent a minivan.
Visitors with Visual Impairment
Orlando parks also offer various services for people with visual impairments so they can fully enjoy the attractions and special settings.
Guides with attraction dialogues in Braille are available at Universal Orlando and Disney World parks. Requests are available at Guest Service.
Disney World parks are taking advantage of technology with their portable accessible assistance system (Disney ACCESS).
With the Audio Description option, this device not only describes the attractions but also the surroundings throughout the park.
It also functions as a hearing aid by amplifying the audio (Handheld Captioning – Assistive Listening).
Visitors with hearing impairments
In most parks, we'll find various services, either directly at each attraction or via portable equipment, that will help us enjoy the different attractions and shows.
On-Screen Captions
Depending on the attraction, different technologies are available. The most commonly used are Video Captioning, Close Captioning, or Reflection Captioning.
In any case, it is important to inform park staff so they can assign you preferential seats where you can take advantage of these captions.
n en asientos preferenciales en donde puedan aprovechar estos subtítulos.
Sign Language
Many of the shows, especially at Universal and SeaWorld parks, have interpreters who will translate the dialogues.
IMPORTANT American Sign Language (ASL) is used in the United States. If you live in a country other than the USA and Canada, you will need to learn this specific sign language.
At Disney World, the Disney ACCESS system also provides closed captioning for attractions and shows. This equipment is automatically connected upon entering an attraction.
The equipment is provided free of charge. Only a security deposit is required.
List of attractions accessible for hearing and vision
Visitors with sensory disorders
This is perhaps where we should pay the most attention and care when planning our visit to the parks.
Depending on the disorder the visitor suffers from, we will determine what we should avoid so that they experience stress, anxiety, or become terrified of an attraction or show.
Each case is completely different, and the family knows us best and will know where not to ride or what might affect or sensitize us the most.
To help you plan and choose your rides, we’ve attached detailed guides for the main parks, showing the elements that can be most disturbing to visitors. These include smells, movements, lights, types of seat belts, and, finally, the duration of each ride.
