The holidays are one of the best times to experience the theme parks. They are also one of the busiest times to visit. A Christmas theme park visit requires plenty of advanced planning to ensure you get the most out of your day. If you or a family member have a disability, planning your day is especially important. All the Orlando theme parks are accessible but depending on your needs, you may want to know more about wheelchair rentals, ride requirements, or if there are any quiet areas. Let’s take a look at some of the theme park planning resources available for guests with disabilities.
Accessibility during Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort™
The holiday season begins on November 16 at Universal Orlando Resort, and continues on until January 5. During this time, you’ll be treated to exclusive holiday events such as The Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular, a live adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss Christmas story, and Universal’s Holiday parade featuring Macy’s. In Hogsmeade™ and Diagon Alley™, you’ll find enchanting holiday décor as well as carolers and special holiday menus.
As you map out your holiday trip to Universal Orlando Resort, you’ll find the accessibility section of their website is especially helpful. Wheelchair rentals and complimentary American Sign Language interpretation for select shows are just a few of the accessibility services they offer. You can also download the Guide for Rider Safety and Accessibility. This guide includes all the requirements and advisories for each attraction so you can decide which Universal Orlando rides work best for you.
If you or your family member has a cognitive disability, such as autism, you’ll also want to review Universal’s Guide for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities. This handy guide, which can be downloaded on Universal’s website, includes information such as:
- What to bring to the parks
- A list of quiet areas
- What to expect at each attraction
Accessibility at SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
Over at SeaWorld, the holiday fun starts November 23 until December 31. Santa will be there too, so you can snap a photo and share your Christmas wish list. You can also meet Rudolph, Clarice, Bumble, and Yukon Cornelius from the television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Other holiday programing includes a live nativity, an ice skating spectacular, a holiday themed Clyde and Seymour comedy show, and exclusive holiday treats at the Christmas Market.
You can also ride all of your favorite SeaWorld rides during the holiday season, as well as visit animal habitats and enjoy safe and equal access to rides with SeaWorld’s Ride Accessibility Program (RAP). Here you can find more information about the RAP in SeaWorld’s accessibility guide, as well as information on wheelchair rental, sign language interpretation, and other important topics.
In addition to the Ride Accessibility Program, SeaWorld is also a Certified Autism Center. This is great news for anyone visiting who is on the autism spectrum or has other cognitive disabilities. The certification is provided by IBCCES and includes extensive training for at least 80% of SeaWorld staff members on topics such as autism, communication skills, and social awareness. If you have questions about accessibility at any of SeaWorld’s holiday events, you can feel confident asking staff members for help.
In addition to having highly trained staff, SeaWorld also offers:
- Quiet rooms and low sensory areas
- Noise cancelling headphones
- An IBCCES Sensory Guide™ for planning your trip to SeaWorld
An Accessible Hotel near I-Drive
Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando is committed to providing exceptional service for all our guests. Our current accessibility offerings include accessible guestrooms, public spaces, and swimming pools. As a guest of Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando, you can reserve free and accessible scheduled shuttles that will take you to the Orlando theme parks mentioned in this blog. To book your stay, call us at 407-996-8585 or click on the orange button at the top of the page.
