Advice for taking Senior Mom to see Harry Potter exhibit.

[bamaotgirl]

Taking my mom who has Parkinson's to see Harry Potter at Universal and Islands. She loves the books/movies. She is starting to decline health Wise so I thought this would be the time. I haven't been to the parks in over 20 years, and she will probably last about 2 hours in the park before she gets too tired. I am trying to figure out parking/wheelchair. She does have handicap parking, so we can park close, and I assume there is a shuttle. I know they have electric scooters, but she has not used one and think it would be to overwhelming. I was told by a friend to go to Universal first and then go to Islands of Adventure using the train. I am worried about the crowds. We are going in October, but it is what it is. Any advice for those who have gone with a wheelchair user, or services available to use. Can she wait in line with the wheelchair? She is not riding any fast rides, but would want to see the area, and any shows, or any ride that moves slow. Thanks in advance.

 

[Skippyboo]

I would recommend the Diagon Alley section at Studios side. There is more room than Hogmeade at IoA. Each section has a couple of shows to watch. None of the rides are slow moving. You may be able to just go through the queue of Forbidden Journey aka Hogwarts Castle but I can’t vouch if the queue is fully wheel chair accessible since there are some stairs.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

There is no shuttle from the parking garage. It's a fair walk through security then CityWalk to get to the parks, and both Wizarding Worlds are in the back of their respective parks. The Hogwarts Express train is slow & fully accessible.

Pretty sure the other ride queues are wheelchair accessible with alternatives to the stairs. For Gringotts, you could enter just as far as the bank lobby, it's literally the very beginning of the queue and is the showstopper - I wouldn't personally bother with the queue beyond that.

 

[mom2rtk]

Watch the early entry schedule. If it's early entry at IoA, then rope drop US for Diagon Alley. Most people do IoA to do Hagrid's. We had a lovely morning in Diagon Alley at rope drop one day.

Pick off peak times and eat at both the Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks.

Definitely see the shows. Our favorite was the Beedle the Bard puppet show. Get there early and have her sit up close in her wheelchair.

There's a lot of magic even if she doesn't want to do the big rides.

Have you considered getting a wand and doing some spells?

 

[kbelle8995]

The only ride that is calm is the train. (you need a ticket that let's you park hop) It's great. I would go to Diagon Alley too. You have Celestina Warbeck and her banshees as well as The tales of Beedle the Bard. It's a fun area to watch and explore

 

[mom2rtk]

The only ride that is calm is the train. (you need a ticket that let's you park hop) It's great. I would go to Diagon Alley too. You have Celestina Warbeck and her banshees as well as The tales of Beedle the Bard. It's a fun area to watch and explore

She could also probably do Flight of the Hippogriff. That's not intense but offers some great views of the castle and park.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Is this a one day trip or a multi-day trip? Even if the only ride you are doing is the Hogwarts Express (which is the only tame ride that isn't fast or a coaster), I do not think you could do both parks in two hours. However, if all you are doing is soaking in the ambiance (looking around, watching the shows,) I think you could do each park in two hours, but it would need to be two separate days. 2 hours for Diagon Alley on one day and 2 hours in Hogsmeade another day.

Each park has two shows that are in the same spot. You can watch one show, stick around for a bit after the show, and then watch the next show. This is true at each park. I would recommend the Castle Tour of Forbidden Journey. You go through the full queue (which is amazing-it takes you through different parts of Hogwarts), and then just before it's time to ride, tell the Team Member you do not want to ride and they will direct you to a different exit.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would recommend the Castle Tour of Forbidden Journey. You go through the full queue (which is amazing-it takes you through different parts of Hogwarts), and then just before it's time to ride, tell the Team Member you do not want to ride and they will direct you to a different exit.

Absolutely! Definitely worth going through the queue. Also worth going part way through the line at Gringott's.

 

[kbelle8995]

She could also probably do Flight of the Hippogriff. That's not intense but offers some great views of the castle and park.

That is true. It basically a kid's coaster (my first coaster starter kit) I wasn't sure about if even that is on the table.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You might consider doing a long, leisurely sit down meal at one of the HP restaurants in order to rest up. IE 2hrs one park, train, rest for an hour or two (the back patio of 3 Broomsticks is nice), 2 hrs exploring the other park. If the line is short enough, the Hogwarts Express is different each direction.

 

[mom2rtk]

You might consider doing a long, leisurely sit down meal at one of the HP restaurants in order to rest up. IE 2hrs one park, train, rest for an hour or two (the back patio of 3 Broomsticks is nice), 2 hrs exploring the other park. If the line is short enough, the Hogwarts Express is different each direction.

Sort of what I used to do with my kids at Disney. When they got tired in the late afternoon, we'd do a couple of indoor sit down attractions or take a couple spins around the park on the train.

 

[barb969]

You will need a 2 park ticket if you want to ride the Hogwarts train. It a nice calm ride and it is different in each direction and wheel chair accessible. I don’t know if she can stay in the chair during the ride. She might have to walk a few feet.

 

[only hope]

I strongly recommend borrowing, renting, or buying a second hand wheelchair meant for pushing. The ones Universal has are sling chairs that are very uncomfortable for both the user and the pusher. The pushbars are too low, there’s a gap between the back and the sling bottom, and little shock absorption.

Or, if your mother needs a wheelchair to complete ADL’s, then insurance would cover and she could get a fitting to see what is best for her.

 

[barb969]

I use a cooling towel which really helps. There are cooling hats which do the same thing. You activate it with water. The towels remain effective for a couple hours before needing water again. Search for cooling hats on Amazon.
Also whatever hat you use make sure it is light colored.

 

[wdwfan51]

You will need a 2 park ticket if you want to ride the Hogwarts train. It a nice calm ride and it is different in each direction and wheel chair accessible. I don’t know if she can stay in the chair during the ride. She might have to walk a few feet.

I needed a wheelchair for one of our visits when we rode the train. They have an elevator to get you up to the train tracks. Once I was ready to board I had to get out of the chair and walk a few steps into the train car. They stowed the wheelchair nearby in the train and then I had to walk again to retrieve the chair. It wasn’t a long walk. I’m not sure how they would handle it if you couldn’t walk a few steps.

 

[wdwfan51]

Can you bring a wheelchair with you? If not can she walk a bit? You will need to get from your car to the security area of CityWalk to rent a wheelchair. If she can’t walk that far maybe have her stay with the car and you go rent the wheelchair and then go back to the car to get her. Depending on her condition this day this may not be feasible m, so bringing your own may be the best bet. Universal is pretty good with wheelchairs. The outdoor shows will be no problem at all. The indoor shows all have a handicapped area. Stay away from any area that are very crowded. People tend to forget to watch out for wheelchairs. I had a young boy basically fall into my lap because he wasn’t watching where he was going and fell into me.
She will probably enjoy the HP restaurants, their theming is great. The Hogwarts express may delight her as well, remember it is different in each direction so if it’s not busy ride both ways.
Don’t forget to get her a Butterbeer and engage with the shrunken head on the Knights bus. Enjoy your visit.

 

[georgina]

I wanted to add how sweet it is for you to want to take her for the experience. Agree completely with the suggestions to do the castle walk through at Forbidden Journey. I always stop to listen to the talking portraits, Dumbledore talking in his office (the entrance is just past the griffon statue) and the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom where Harry, Ron, and Hermonie appear to speak. It is heaven for Potter fans. And at least walk into the bank at the Gringotts ride, even if not riding. The theming of the HP sections is really good, walk into knockturn alley in Diagon Alley too

 

[zavandor]

Definitely go to Olivander! And better to do it in his shop in Diagon Alley. If you go first thing in the morning and you are in a small group your mother may be selected (not spoiling anything), but it's a lot of fun nevertheless. I would recommend to buy an interactive wand and try a few of the spells around. It's fun not only for the spells themselves, but also because this way you go around exploring and appreciating all the theming, shop windows and so on.
In Diagon alley you can change some money in Wizard money (you can actually use it in the shops or keep it as a souvenir), there is a goblin cashier you can talk to.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Look into this, when disabled people get assistance it is a life saver https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/accessibility-information

There are disabled people who do blogs that will help you decide ahead of time.

Best tip for anyone with any sort of autoimmune issue is go on a cool dry day and October will help with that, smart thinking. Try well rested and well hydrated a day or two before the trip, I'll generally slide a few Powerade and super healthy meals in leading up to my event. I pack days ahead so there is no exertion or anything draining happening too close. Slow and steady wins the race, don't push and the body won't push back in protest.

Last time we went I really liked Moaning Myrtle in the woman's bathroom, it was a sweet touch. A little rest for Cold Butterbeer at Three Broomsticks was very nice. It was cool there were seats and it was nice to see. I liked Olivanders but it was a long wait for a look around a cramped space I would skip if I was conserving myself, look online. I would make reservations for dining and snacks so you can get her out of the sun if it turns out to be a bad day for her, I found that telling a server about a disability helps when seeking a break.

We always loved it but to be honest Universal is brutal for disabled people, I have not been back in ages because of it. I suspect the layout is designed to exhaust healthy cranky guests so they collapse into seating and eat on site in that massive space before leaving, I never measured steps to just get from any entryway to the entrance then to the first ride but it is a lot. For a while there were people that could be hired to ride you around but I think they are gone which is sad because I really thought that was a turning point but last time I looked it is no longer true. I really wish these parks would be more welcoming to people who live with physical issues but until the world changes I suppose we do the best we can.

 

[keishashadow]

a cool dry day and October

Orlando has those? Lol

We visit in October nearly every year. We also do July faithfully.

Cool & dry is exact opposite of the humid, swampy weather we have grown to expect in September or October. As long as no hurricane, we make do