Hello Scooter: Universal at Thanksgiving with my parents

[kbelle8995]

Hi There,

I guest my trip with my parents to Universal went well. My mother is talking about a Christmas trip for next year. Will have details in the following post.

My Dad has some mobility issues but is very independent. My mother does not but likes a slow place. Also my sister who wants to take a more out and about pace. And me somewhere in between.

 

[kbelle8995]

Cabana Bay was our resort for this trip. Dad and Mom love this resort.

Dad got in the lazy river twice and would have gone more if possible but time was against him.

On Black Friday the resort had a tree lighting event, They had Skater in the lobby. Which my mom quite enjoyed and because she is always curious touched the floor that they were skating on and informed me that it was not in fact NOT ice. She also loved the full service Starbucks and that I got a discount.

Both loved Bayliner diner and we ate there many times. They like that you can order just grits at a reasonable price. And also the layout of the suite with the two Televisions. Although my Dad has a natural knack for changing both television channels at the same time. Driving the rest of us nuts.

 

[kbelle8995]

The First couple days of our trip we did not do any parks. We Did Ice at the Gaylord Palms at my Mom's request. She really enjoyed it. We took scarves and gloves and we were glad we did. The Theme was the polar Express, not a story any of us are familiar with.

For those of you reading, keep that word in mine FAMILIAR. It will come in handy later. On a side note, the hotel was really nicely decorated. So much so my Mom would like to go again and spend more time looking at the hotel. I enjoyed the Gator Grotto, No Gators but many Turtles. We went back To CBBR and spent the afternoon swimming in the pool and went to Disney Springs for Dinner. Due to my Dad's issues with moving around. We hired a scooter from a local company but wouldn't get it until Friday. This was our mistake and one we have learned from.

 

[kbelle8995]

Alright, Now for our Universal Days.

Black Friday- It was really crowded but we got a late start. We had reserved a scooter after we had tried walking at Ice and Disney springs with my Dad. We had to wait until the scooter place was open so we could find out when it would be brought to the resort. It wouldn't be there until one. But we could manage. We went to the park and rented a wheelchair until we got the scooter. The team member was extremely nice and chatted with my Mom and sister while they got the wheelchair rental squared away. I have to say that team members helped many situations those two days that we had. They were wonderful. Had to say that the rental wheelchairs are easy to move and it worked. We went back to the Studios area and headed straight back to Diagon alley. We went to the restroom. and then went to see Celestina Warbeck. While my parents were situated, I went over and got a pumpkin juice. I brought it back to share. BIG HIT. Both loved the tasted of it. We also got ice cream also a hit.

After Celestina my Dad wanted more food, So we went to the Leaky Cauldron. We loved it but my folks were antsy. I had brought my interactive wand so I did some spells which my Dad specfically enjoyed. Everytime I managed to do something, I could hear him laughing behind me. We got on the train and headed to Islands of Adventure. My sister went back to get the scooter. We went to Suess Landing. Another big hit. I took them to the Cat in the Hat ride which they enjoyed. We almost had a fist fight behind us. Two groups were having an argument behind of us. I was just thinking at that point Time to LEAVE. My parents are more familiar with Dr. Suess than Harry Potter. We grew up with Suess. We had the books. My Mom really enjoyed this area and couldn't stop talking about it. We went back to Hogsmeade and got some butterbeer. We headed out to the park to meet my sister and the scooter. We were done for that day.

We sent back to Cabana Bay.

 

[kbelle8995]

Just a side note: Last year I bought and Loungefly backpack of the Orange Bird. It was cute. It was extemely useful. It fit into the smaller lockers at Universal and it was great for carrying extra stuff that I picked up on the day trips. They actually had Harry Potter Loungefly at Cabana Bay.

 

[kbelle8995]

My parents were tired so they spent the rest of the day at the hotel. My sister and I went to Hogsmeade and saw the castle show. Which was wonderful. We also did some shopping at both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. We also got some strategies for the next day.

 

[kbelle8995]

2nd Day.

My plan was to get my parents up early, get them to park and Suess Landing. In order to just soak in the Christmas. We were there at 8 but IOA didn't open until nine. So we headed to the Studios. It was less crowded than it was on Friday. My Dad had the scooter which he had "played" with the day before. We skipped breakfast at the hotel. So we headed to the Leaky Cauldron as soon as he voiced his complaint. My sister was bound and determined to get on some ride. We went on Jimmy Fallon, ET, MIB, Gringotts. The only ride that raised my parents ire was MIB due to the spins. A little too much for them. It didn't surprise me. We had a great TM on MIB. He was wonderful and really had fun with getting us into the ride. He seemed to be having fun with it. So my folks liked this part greatly.

My mother then voiced that she wanted to get on the Trolley ride at Suess landings. So we went over there and experienced the longest line of all day. We should have looked for the line number. With many of the ride Dad had to transfer to a regular wheelchair. And in this one we (and I mean I) had to push the wheelchair up hill. This was a workout. And I had two backseat drivers and a front seat drive who was worried that I would run into the people. NO I was WORRIED about rolling backwards as gravity commands it. I was holding the wheelchair with my whole body. My hands were sweating. And apparently my face was flushed. I just wanted to get that to the top of the hill. There was a elevator but they were only allowing certain people use it. There were other people pushing a wheelchair up this hill. Luckily when we got to the top, There was a lovely TM who chatted on with my Dad (not usually someone who wants to chat). At the end, I got a Christmas cupcake that was quite good and I didn't have to pay for.

We headed towards the exit. My mother wanted to visit the Xmas shop. So she and I did on our way out. We slowly looked over all the merch while my Dad and sister sat outside soaking up the sun.

We then went to Margaritaville. It did not go well. The food was okay, the restaurant was a bit loud. And they forgot my Dad's order. On the plus side they didn't charge us for Dad's meal. Mom and I wanted to head back to the hotel and have a simple lunch but that didn't happen. My sister and I used to love Margaritaville but the last times we have gone, it wasn't very good. So I've crossed that restaurant off my list. We then headed back to the hotel for a rest intending to return for the Mannheim Steamroller concert that night.

 

[schumigirl]

Finally catching up with your report........

Oh my goodness......that’s a real mix of folks on a trip to keep happy!! Sounds like you did ok though with plans.....love the image of your dad and the two tv’s.

Sounds quite a push with the chair up to the trolley train, wonder why the elevator wasn’t being fully utilised.

Shame about Margaritaville. We avoided it for several years, but it’s back on our list now as we’ve had several good experiences there last two years, but I can understand why you’re crossing it off the list......we do that too.

Enjoyed reading so far.......

 

[kbelle8995]

Finally catching up with your report........

Oh my goodness......that’s a real mix of folks on a trip to keep happy!! Sounds like you did ok though with plans.....love the image of your dad and the two tv’s.

Sounds quite a push with the chair up to the trolley train, wonder why the elevator wasn’t being fully utilised.

Shame about Margaritaville. We avoided it for several years, but it’s back on our list now as we’ve had several good experiences there last two years, but I can understand why you’re crossing it off the list......we do that too.

Enjoyed reading so far.......

Thank you. Hopefully I'm not making the rest of my family sound too bad. My Dad was having problems and having pain especially in his hip. The Scooter, Motrin and daily trips to the Spa really helped. My sister is the planner and she did a really good job. I don't like planning so I can't complain too much.

 

[schumigirl]

Thank you. Hopefully I'm not making the rest of my family sound too bad. My Dad was having problems and having pain especially in his hip. The Scooter, Motrin and daily trips to the Spa really helped. My sister is the planner and she did a really good job. I don't like planning so I can't complain too much.

Oh gosh no, they sound amazing!!! It can’t have been easy for your dad, being in pain is hard. But sounds like everyone had fun!

I‘m enjoying reading about your time there.......

 

[kbelle8995]

We went and had a good meal at Jake's at Royal Pacific that night. It was nice and quiet. Then we took my Dad to the hotel. He decided that he had enough so he just wanted to rest at the hotel and enjoy the television. So we took Mom to the Mannheim Steamroller concert. We had never experienced this and we were not sure what to expect. We saw Foreigner during Mardi Gras and it was a two and half concert. During which we stood the entire time. Luckily it was only an hour and everyone sat on the grass. It was a wonderful concert and they did sections of the Grinchmas show at the end. It was really good. We then went to Islands watched the Castle show one more time and picked up Pumpkin juice for Dad to enjoy. And then went back to the hotel.

My mother in particular want to see that whole show now. This was unfortunately our last night. We just ran out of time to see it. My mother said that she would like to buy a day ticket and just stay in Suess Landings and just see the whole thing.

 

[kbelle8995]

We went home to next day. It was long ride and the traffic was ridiculous. We took a lot of back roads and avoided the majority of the mess.

The cats and dog did fine but were happy to see it and it was a fun trip.

 

[schumigirl]

I love your mum loved Seuss so much.....it is the cutest of places and sometimes overlooked by adults.......

Your trip did sound like you all had a good time and did a lot. And glad you made it home safe despite traffic.....never fun!

Thanks for posting......enjoyed it......and hope your dad is doing better with the hip pain.

 

[kbelle8995]

I love your mum loved Seuss so much.....it is the cutest of places and sometimes overlooked by adults.......

Your trip did sound like you all had a good time and did a lot. And glad you made it home safe despite traffic.....never fun!

Thanks for posting......enjoyed it......and hope your dad is doing better with the hip pain.

Thanks he doing okay. It was a lot more walking than he usually does. He did really enjoy the scooter and we will not do Orlando again without one. My mother is a book person, loves reading and has good memories of reading Dr. Suess to us when we were kids.

Dad just ended up loving the pumpkin juice so I guess I will be gifting him this whenever I go over to Harry Potter area. Dad just more familiar with Disney and he loves Fort Wilderness with a passion so... He did enjoy the Cat in the Hat as well as Jimmy Fallon

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Thanks he doing okay. It was a lot more walking than he usually does. He did really enjoy the scooter and we will not do Orlando again without one. My mother is a book person, loves reading and has good memories of reading Dr. Suess to us when we were kids.

My kids are only teenagers and a preteen, but my memories of reading Dr. Seuss to them is why I love the area too. I'm glad your mom enjoyed it and that you had a good time at the concert. I'm going to have to try the pumpkin juice.

 

[kbelle8995]

My kids are only teenagers and a preteen, but my memories of reading Dr. Seuss to them is why I love the area too. I'm glad your mom enjoyed it and that you had a good time at the concert. I'm going to have to try the pumpkin juice.

It is worth trying. If you like apple juice or anything fruity it might be up your alley. I love it but it is not to everyone taste. My Dad drank half of mine while I was getting something for them. And then ordered it everywhere in the Harry Potter section. They also tried Butterbeer and my Hog's head Brew. They both stated they liked Pumpkin juice the best. The Hog's Head Brew is actual alcoholic beer. I'm rather glad they didn't like it. I drank it on the way out of the park and got a slight buzz from it.

 

[macraven]

What a nice trip report !

I so enjoy seeing the parks through other readers eyes.