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

U.S. Botanic Garden: Seasons Greenings 2019 - America's Gardens

Date of Visit: December 4, 2019

In honor of the US Botanic Garden's upcoming 200th anniversary, this year's Season's Greenings theme is America's Gardens. This year turned out to be probably our least favorite we've seen, but we were happy the Christmas tree is back in the West Gallery and impressed with the Biltmore Estate display there.

We found the different buildings representing gardens and conservatories around the country interesting, but for some reason it didn't seem as if there was as much to look at as usual.

The miniature representing the World's Largest Concrete Gnome in the Reime Gardens in Ames, Iowa was one of the more interesting models.

My favorite was the Carillon from Evening Island, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, Illinois.

We also liked the Bartholdi Fountain (US Botanic Garden) model.

Mik could go in this year's tunnel. He didn't want to, but I made him and it was one of the coolest displays with a moon landing model.

Another of our favorites was the Singing Tower (Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida).

After two years of there being no tree, it was nice to see the tree in the West Gallery back.

The Biltmore Estate model in the West Gallery was the highlight this year.

Of course, we had to get the traditional photo of Mik in front of the Capitol in the Conservatory.

While the theme was our least favorite of the six we've seen, we still enjoyed our annual tradition visiting the Season's Greening exhibit. In particular, we found the Conservatory to feel more festive and brighter this year with the way poinsettias and white light trees were used.

Destination Info:
United States Botanic Garden
100 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20001

Disney Wonder: Concierge Lounge

Date of Visit: November 8-22, 2019

I don't think we would ever considered sailing Concierge if it hadn't been the only option for an accessible stateroom when we booked. While we weren't a fan of the one bedroom stateroom aspect, the Concierge Lounge did make the extra cost worthwhile. It was especially nice for the Panama Canal cruise.

My favorite part of Concierge was being able to not only get free lattes, but I could almost always get one early in the morning (i.e. 4am or 5am). I would usually enjoy my first sitting up in the Concierge sundeck area.

There were some morning the machine needed cleaning (i.e. the milk unfrozen) and I couldn't until 6am (one morning at 6:30am, Dad actually did it because it still hadn't been fixed and he had seen them do it).

The coffee area always had one sugar free syrup (vanilla at the beginning of our cruise and caramel later), one regular sugar syrup (hazelnut), and agave syrup. There was also some different sugars for tea and usually also a cinnamon shaker.

While I didn't use them at all, I thought it was cool that the sugar cubes were Mickey head shaped.

Mik enjoyed the hot chocolate and having "Captain's Coffee" with Mom in the lounge on Sunday morning when in Cabo San Lucas.

While we still mostly got breakfast from Cabanas, we enjoyed being able to get some things before Cabanas was open (usually the stuff was out by 6am). In particular, Mik loved the Mickey cinnamon rolls. He also liked the little donuts, which rotated between different flavors including jelly filled and chocolate filled.

The lunch dessert offerings were my favorite as I fell in love with the chocolate covered Nutella Oreos. They also usually had some sort of pie in a cup.

I also really enjoyed that most of the day there were usually mandarin oranges as well as bananas.

My other favorite treat from the lounge was the fruit skewers.

Being able to grab drinks from the fridge in the lounge was another of our favorite perks. Mik, in particular, found it easier to have mini cans stocked in the room compared to usually having to ask us to go fill him a cup many times a day. As Dad and I rarely drink soda, we really enjoyed having sparkling water as an option. Unfortunately, they ran out of sparkling water and there wasn't any for the last three days of the cruise.

Mom and Mik's favorite thing was Happy Hour with free drinks in the evening. They would almost always get a drink to take to dinner. Mik especially enjoyed getting the drinks of the day.

Having access to the Concierge Lounge was something that we really enjoyed on the Panama Canal day, especially when it rained.

We also really loved the Concierge benefit of showing our Key to the World card to get free popcorn whenever we went to the Walt Disney Theatre or passed by the Buena Vista Theater when the popcorn cart was open.