Universal's Islands of Adventure: Hogsmeade

Date of Visit: January 10, 2020

Hogsmeade was part of the main reason we went to Universal Orlando. We had planned to visit years ago on a WDW trip, but decided we weren't sure it was worthwhile since we aren't into thrill rides and there's little else to do. As this year's annual family trip included Dad for the first time and we again had the ability to go to other area attractions, we decided to finally just go and stop wondering if it was really worth it or not for us. Ultimately, not so sure it was, but it certainly was better we waited to go and did not go in 2012 when there was only Hogsmeade as this area was the worst part of our visit to Universal Orlando and it was the Harry Potter stuff that opened since then that we enjoyed, especially Hogwarts Express.

The one thing that was a good experience in Hogsmeade was the butterbeer cart, which was an easy way to get some to enjoy.

Mailing ourselves postcards from Hogsmeade was a fun souvenir, but not an easy process. Getting the stamps wasn't too difficult, but only because Mik decided to not go in the shop, which was hard to get into with people selecting wands and as often happens with stores didn't have much room for maneuvering. However, it wasn't as bad as Honeydukes, which really was barely navigable with no people and Mik got mad at me for not wanting to put up with the line myself to buy what he wanted for him (luckily we later found what he wanted over in Diagon Alley where the selection was limited, but had more open space and at the time also had no one else shopping).

Mik and I watched the Frog Choir while Dad was trying to figure out how to mail our postcards, which took awhile as they just said you mail it around the corner from the shop and we assumed that meant you drop it in a post box and not that you hand them to the cashier at what seems more like a souvenir stand than a place to mail something. I thought the Frog Choir was interesting, but Mik didn't.

Overall found Hogsmeade to be a rather unenjoyable due to everything being too compact. Of course, the main reason we had never gone before was that we knew all the rides required a transfer and weren't worth it for us as they're thrill rides. However, I really expected that we could at least enjoy Honeydukes. We did at least easily enjoy some butterbeer and it was a light crowd day, so it could've have been so much worse in terms of navigating through parts.

Destination Info:
Universal's Islands of Adventure
6000 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

Universal's Islands of Adventure: Caro-Seuss-el

Date of Visit: January 10, 2020

The Caro-Seuss-el not only has some very unique creatures to ride on, but the wheelchair accessible part is more than just a bench.

Mik usually enjoys carousels even though he just ends up by the stationary bench. The Caro-Seuss-el, though, makes the stationary bench it's own unique experience as it's own Seuss-themed vehicle.

The side opens and there is a ramp to roll into the vehicle. The two seats fold up allowing plenty of room for maneuvering to get in place making this the easiest ride we did in Seuss Landing.

One seat can be folded back down to ride with the wheelchair. Mik even ended up being the one that wanted to go again when they asked.

Destination Info:
Caro-Seuss-el
Universal's Islands of Adventure
6000 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

Universal's Islands of Adventure: Suess Landing

Date of Visit: January 10, 2020

While we visited Universal Orlando to experience the Wizarding World, our favorite area ended up being Suess Landing. Not only were there three rides Mik could go on without transferring, but there was fun things from different Dr. Seuss books to discover.

McElligot's Pool 

Horton Hatches the Egg

One favorite was The Street of the Lifted Lorax with the truffala trees.

Whale - If I Ran a Zoo

Best find was the photo opp where Mik could actually roll into the sidecar.

Destination Info:
Universal's Islands of Adventure
6000 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

Universal’s Islands of Adventures: The Cat in the Hat

Date of Visit: January 10, 2020

The Cat in the Hat ride was a fun journey through the story of the classic Dr. Suess book.

Dad and I enjoyed the quotes from the book that were on the walls in the queue. Mik did not because we read them aloud.

However, Mik did still enjoy the scenery of the queue.

As expected once at the front of the line we had to wait for the wheelchair vehicle to come around, but at least that meant the lead was there to load when it did. Getting Mik's wheelchair into the vehicle did end up requiring lifting it some as there is barely enough turning room to roll in and position to allow the tie downs to be placed and door closed. Definitely something Mik wouldn't do again, but it still fun to do once.

Destination Info:
The Cat in the Hat
Universal's Islands of Adventure
6000 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

Universal’s Islands of Adventures: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Date of Visit: January 10, 2020

As Dumbo is a favorite of mine (and would probably also be for Mik if it was accessible as he enjoys the Magic Carpets of Aladdin), it seemed fitting that our first ever ride at Universal was One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

The queue was easy, especially since there was no line. Discovering how they handle loading was a tad annoying, though, as when we got to the front we then waited as the ride went half full twice before the lead arrived for us to be able to load. I would hope that if this area ever is crowded they have a lead per ride and not the one that ended up being for multiple hence the wait for her at each we did.

Mik was excited that it was a red fish that was designed to slide out and have a ramp to roll onto.

The sliding in part was somewhat problematic. At first they had his chair seemingly too far back as his armrests bumped into the low part of the back of vehicle. Then they moved him too far forward and his knees were a problem. We were able to get it right eventually, though. (I think the first time would've worked fine if Dad had just listened to me and took off the armrests). I really did appreciate that they cared to keep trying to make it work because one reason Mik is always hesitant to do the Triceratops at Animal Kingdom because one time we tried they insisted he had to use a park wheelchair instead of letting us try to make it work without a transfer.

We also liked that we got to ride next to each other instead of behind him like on TriceraTop Spin or in front on Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Now seriously, though, why didn't they make Dumbos bigger or whatever needed to have a wheelchair accessible one when they expanded???

Mik was afraid to lean forward to be able to control the fish, but it was easy for me to reach and he enjoyed going up high and using his camera during the ride. Staying up the whole time also seemed to be one way of avoiding getting wet even though we didn't pay enough attention to really follow the song to stay dry.

Destination Info:
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Universal's Islands of Adventure
6000 Universal Blvd
Orlando, FL 32819

Best Western Richmond Hill

Date of Visit: January 8-9, 2020

As we booked the hotel that evening, we weren’t able get an accessible room, but as it was only to sleep before continuing on to Orlando first thing in the morning that didn’t matter to us.

We were actually quite impressed with the room. For one, it had good space to leave the wheelchair out of the way and for Mik to have space to be on the floor as he likes.

The room also had a ton of outlets. Mik especially enjoyed the little corner area near the bathroom. I appreciated there was outlets on the wall between desk and wall as the outlets on the lamp didn’t work with my laptop or iPad bricks.

There were also USB ports between the beds. The lap desk was also a nice in room amenity.

While the bathroom wasn’t accessible, for us the low toilet made it easier to help Mik, although I can see this as something many others disabled or not would dislike. It also was reasonably spacious.

Mik was at first disappointed with breakfast when Dad didn’t come back with a waffle, but he didn’t mind that when he found out they had pancake maker instead.

Destination Info:

Best Western Richmond Hill

4564 US Highway 17

Richmond Hill, GA 31324

Enchant: The Great Search at Nationals Park

Date of Visit: December 12, 2019

You'd think we'd know to go all the way to the left to enter Nationals Park considering we go to at least one game a year, but they didn't have the normal signage and they didn't send Mik that way until after checking Mik's bag and Dad's stuff and finding that Mik couldn't fit through the metal detector (most standard wheelchairs probably fit, but Mik's is just a bit too wide). In order to not have to check the stuff again, Mom and I stayed inside security and met them over there where there is room to go behind the security table to enter.

When we entered they did tell us where to go for the elevator for access to the maze, but they didn't say anything about VIP access. Good thing Dad had remembered the VIP part included food and I vaguely recalled that it was in the club. I don't know if the lack of direction was because we ended up coming in from the regular entry after Mik didn't fit through the metal detector for the VIP entry or what, but it is kind of odd there was limited signage to point you where to go and the only obvious thing was the maze. I guess if you don't do VIP then it is obvious to do the maze and then the way it exits brings you through the market and by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Mik's favorite part of the evening was definitely the buffet.

I loved the soft pretzels and honey mustard.

The best part was the churros and spiced chocolate fudge for dessert. Mik also enjoyed the cookies.

While we couldn't access the maze from the VIP access route as you have to take the steps down to the field, going out the door was a great place to view the maze as a whole.

Signage in general wasn't great for finding the different parts of the event, but it was clear for the maze including the ADA access, which is via an elevator and a hallway same as is used for access the field level seats.

Once out on the field, the lack of signage again was a problem. The ADA entrance ended up being near what turned out to be the exit. When we asked the guy at the exit if it was the entrance, he said you can enter this way and we had to specifically ask what's the normal way to enter to find out to keep going and it's right around the corner.

Entering from the exit really wouldn't matter as you just wander in the maze as you want, but you do need to go in the main entrance to get the postcard to scratch off the nine reindeer as you find them.

By each of the reindeer, there are tables with coins you can use to scratch off the reindeer. This includes low tables, which were probably designed with kids in mind, but also makes the coins accessible to use.

The main fun was finding the reindeer, but we also enjoyed the different lighted sculptures.

Mom pretended she was wearing this diamond.

There was also an area with a raised platform that we're not entirely sure the purpose was, but maybe it was lighting up to the beat of music. Both ends were ramped, although the one side was rather steep and, of course, that's the side we used...

The lighted tunnel was fun to walk under, but Mik did not like when we used the side exits to go towards some of the reindeer.

The side exits were still plenty tall enough for him to roll under and only Dad had to duck, but Mik felt like it was barely taller than him.

Why, yes, we did find them all!

Mik and Dad liked that the ADA access back to the elevator was very easy to find when you exit the maze.

Mik had been hesitant to go to, especially with the cold weather, but overall it was a very fun family outing to celebrate Christmas early together. It did end up being cold, but he really enjoyed the buffet inside where it was warm and we also warmed up by going in the Team Store before walking home.

Destination Info:
Enchant: The Great Search
Nationals Park
1500 S Capitol St SE
Washington, DC 20003