Modern Buddy

My 2009 2T was exiled to my parents driveway for over a year while we moved, did home renovations, etc. I've recently been trying to get her back to life but quickly realized that the seat appears to be stuck down preventing access to fuel, oil, and cowl manipulation. I have confirmed that its unlocked (clockwise) but the lock button doesn't seem to engage fully and there is zero play with the seat spike even after WD40 and a rubber mallet.

Other ideas for getting the seat up?

Push down hard on the end of the seat, and smack the button with the palm of your hand. Or, if you are lucky, you might be able to nudge the seat forward or backwards on its mounting bracket, and realign that release latch.