Friday, October 11, 2024

Lincoln Memorial: Temporary Ramp replaces Elevator

Date of Visit: October 6, 2024

I would not normally make a post when we visited without Mik, but one of the reasons he did not visit the Lincoln Memorial with us this day was that we saw the alert on the website saying elevator was out and it did not mention there was still a way to go up to the top. We were not surprised that the elevator was not operating as Dad had mentioned there was renovations going on, but it was odd that the website says nothing about the renovations and instead says the elevator is out since December due to an electrical issue.

When we got to the Lincoln Memorial, we discovered that they had a temporary on the south side that takes you up to the top.

It certainly is not ideal for those with some mobility issues as it is a lot of back and forth, but for us it was helpful as even though we did not have Mik, we did have a stroller this visit. The ramp is also well done with it being ADA slope with resting spots and even benches at each turn. It is kind of an eyesore, but personally I would be all for it becoming permanent so you can have the choice of avoiding the wait for the elevator.

Previous Visit Posts

Destination Info:
Lincoln Memorial National Memorial
Lincoln Memorial Circle
Washington, DC 20037

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Washington Monument: Improved Experience w/ Periscope


Date of Visit: October 5, 2024

This particular trip to D.C. is partially focused on doing D.C. things with family that this is their first D.C. trip. Going to the top of Washington Monument was what I choose as our first thing to do. Mik remembered our visit in 2014 and not being able to see anything, so he originally was not going to go with.

Rereading about the process back in 2014 versus today's experience, we discovered that it has not changed much overall, but it has changed in a few key ways that really makes it much better experience. First off, you go through the security building the same as everyone else instead of the exit, which was how it worked previously. More importantly at the end you just go out the exit same as everyone else and not the odd locked gate experience we had on our 2014 visit.


Most important discovery was that they do in fact still have the periscope (or assistive device as Dad insists on calling it and it is probably officially called). Not sure if they would have offered it to us if we had not asked as in 2014 it wasn't and we thought they stopped offering it, but the first time we visited in 2006, they did offer it to Mik without us knowing about it. I feel like they would not have offered it, though, as it was after we were all looking out the window that I reminded Dad to see if they had one. As soon as Dad asked the ranger if they had an assistive device for someone in a wheelchair to use, the ranger knew exactly what we wanted, though, so they are at least trained to provide when asked.


Overall Mik still felt it was not worth going to the top of the Washington Monument again as even with the periscope he might as well have just seen pictures of the view. However, he does think the museum level and seeing the special stones as you go down are still a worthwhile experience at least once, especially now that the entrance and exit is same for everyone.

Destination Info:
Washington Monument
2 15th St. NW
Washington, DC

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Best Western Plus Bessemer Hotel & Suites

Date of Visit: June 30-July 1, 2024

As usual there was no accessible room to book at last minute, but we choose this Best Western over one on the other side of Birmingham that night because there was a 2 Queen room described as Larger Room, which was only $5 more than the regular 2 Queen room. I think it was also cheaper than the other Best Western we considered.

The room was a good layout with the mini fridge and microwave in open areas under the TV.

Mik liked the large floor space area by the window, although, he the air conditioner being there blowing not so much.

The breakfast here was great with a lot of variety. The only thing missing was oatmeal, but when Dad asked if they had some she said she could make some. It was a little annoying that her making it meant she was making a big pot of it and that we had to wait 15-20 minutes. We almost left without waiting for it, but Dad felt bad that we had asked if we then did not wait. Mik ended up enjoying the oatmeal with some Reese's pieces mix ins.

Overall we really enjoyed this Best Western. It was hard not to after the bad experience in Oklahoma the previous night, but really this one did have great friendly service. They also offer their beverages 24/7 instead of just at breakfast including cold water bottles from the front desk. The rooms aren't anything special, but they are decent and the service and price sure made it a great stay.

Destination Info:

5041 Academy Ln
Bessemer, AL 35022

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

SureStay Plus by Best Western Edmond

Date of Visit: June 29-30, 2024

As often is the case when we book a room the same day when on a road trip, we were not able to get an accessible room. Usually this is not a big deal, but at the SureStay Plus by Best Western Edmond this turned out to be a big deal. We had booked a 2 Queen Suite as it was only $9 more than a 2 Queen room and the extra space for Mik to have floor area seemed worth it. After checking in, though, we asked where the elevator was and they looked at us like we were crazy asking for such a thing.

Not having an elevator is something I do consider when booking Best Westerns, but as this was a hotel with inside entry to rooms it did not even cross my mind that access would be an issue. When we told them that a 2nd floor room was not going to work, they said they only had 2 Queen rooms on the 1st floor. That was fine with us, but we wanted to pay the lower price for it. This took a lot of back and forth for them to get them to do and then figure out how to do it.

The room was adequate in size in the end. The upkeep, though, was horrible, but not surprising considering it was one of the cheaper places we stayed on the trip (interestingly the cheapest was the next night in Alabama and it was actually the best, though).

First, off putting thing about the room was that the outlet plate was just laying on the floor. Really makes you wonder on the housekeeping if they could not have even bothered to pick that up off the floor.

Most annoying, though, was the fridge was so iced up that it did not close.

Breakfast was also disappointing with very limited options and what they had was mostly the worst quality ever (eggs they heated up and we saw being poured out of a bag).

Destination Info:

2700 E 2nd St
Edmond, OK 73034

Monday, August 12, 2024

Best Western Arizonian Inn: 2 Queen, Roll In Shower

Date of Visit: June 28-29, 2024

The Best Western Arizonian Inn was one of the rare times we booked a room many months in advance for a road trip stop. We originally had planned to visit the Petrified Forest National Park, so knew this would be the ideal stopping point for our first night from LA back east. Mik was ready to just be home, though, and since it was his birthday trip the next morning we just hit the road towards the only other stop he wanted before home (Pops again) and skipped the national park.


The room was reasonably spacious with 2 queen beds.


The desk chair with no desk was kind of odd, but at least better than no chair maybe?


Overall the room was rather minimal with there just being a low open shelving unit rather than a dresser under the TV. It would have at least made sense if they had then put the microwave down there, but I guess overall it at least made it open space for easier maneuvering around.


The bathroom had a roll under sink and low closet area.


The toilet was next to the roll in shower.


There was a moveable shower chair in the shower. I also liked that it had a decent place to put toiletries.


While I like when there is a handheld and a mounted one to allow for both standing and sitting guests in same room to shower more comfortably, the handheld one was also mounted up high, which makes no sense.

Overall this was a decent Best Western. The parking was kind of tight in the back where the room was, but that seemed to be partially due to them having work vehicles as part of some outside renovations going on. The breakfast selection was good, but the inside area seating had the tables and chairs too close together and we had to use an outside table (at least it is a dry summer heat...).

Destination Info:
Best Western Arizonian Inn
2508 Navajo Blvd
Holbrook, AZ 86025

Saturday, August 10, 2024

Disneyland: Blue Bayou Restaurant

Date of Visit: June 27. 2024

We have rarely done any table dining at Disneyland, but I have always thought Blue Bayou would be an interesting atmosphere to dine in. Dad says he remembers dining here before, which we think was probably when we visited for my 10th birthday (Mik's first Disneyland trip) and thus why Mik and I don't remember ever dining at Blue Bayou.

The whole checking in and waiting for a table experience is awkward. There is an indoor waiting area, but they told us to wait by the exit of Pirates because that's the way we would have to go in with the wheelchair. Then they clearly have the wheelchair on the reservation, but they call you from the front of the inside waiting area and it was hard to get their attention that we were waiting for them outside to take us in because of the wheelchair. Then you got to go against the exit traffic to get to where you can enter Blue Bayou through a side door, which was not that big a deal as they did end up stopping the exit traffic. Not being the main entrance meant when exiting using it to get out kind of difficult as right inside the tables are not far from it and we had to wait for a waiter to be done serving a table to be able to get out.

While we did not end up with a table near the water to be able to tell you were by the Pirates ride, we found the overall atmosphere a good New Orleans feeling theme.

As a starter, we ordered the Rosemary & Sea Salt Brioche, which was delicious.

Mik had a Hurricane drink. I enjoyed the seasonal julep, which I think was watermelon or some combination of flavors that included watermelon.

Mik had Creole Roasted Chicken.

I had the Pistachio Lemon Basil Pesto.

For dessert, Mik had the Chocolate Basque Cheesecake, which he liked, but he said it seemed more like a pie than a cheesecake.

Destination Info:
Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland
1313 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802

Friday, August 9, 2024

Disneyland: Star View Station DVC Member Lounge

Date of Visit: June 27, 2024

We had time to kill before our dinner reservation at Blue Bayou, but not really enough time to do anything, so we decided to go to the DVC Member Lounge in Tomorrowland for about 30 minutes. It is a little confusing going to it as it was also the pathway was also towards a character photo experience (Disney Visa?), but there were cast members there that told you where to go if you told them you were going to the DVC Lounge.


Similar to the Epcot Lounge, the DVC Member Lounge at Disneyland is up a set of stairs. There is an elevator option. Nothing special, though (really bummed Indiana Jones is now too rough of a ride for Mik because that elevator "warning walls will move" was always a favorite part of our trips when he was a kid). The area before the elevator (and stairs to lounge) is interesting with some Star Wars exhibits.


Once upstairs the entrance to the lounge area is down an interesting path that shows various DVC resorts in a space travel poster style.


In the lounge we enjoyed drinks from the Coca Cola Freestyle and lattes from the coffee machine. The tables are rather annoying, though, as they are all either really low or high. Still a good place to stay cool and kill some time, though.

Destination Info:
Star View Station - A Member Lounge at Disneyland
1313 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel: Palm Breeze Bar

Date of Visit: June 26, 2024

One of the afternoons at the hotel Dad convinced Mik to try out the Palm Breeze Bar and we all ended up going for an early dinner. Dad used the Disneyland app to join waitlist for table, which we found rather useless as it never told us a table was ready and we just decided to wander down there and checkin and were then shortly seated. Not sure if the app just never told us a table was ready because it was not working corectly (have often found the Disney sites and apps glitchy...) or if it was because it was waiting to give us an actual table that Mik could roll up to (we had selected we had a wheelchair in party), but then when we just showed up they decided to at least ask us if the low table was okay and seated us when we were okay with it.

The table was low and somewhat awkward for Mik, but since it was just for drinks and mainly finger food appetizers it worked out. 

For food we ordered, Cheese Fry Poutine, Avocado & Lime Hummus Dip, and Beignets. The small size of the table was somewhat an issue for all the beignets ended up hazardously on the edge.

We enjoyed all the food and for the prices it was pretty generous amounts. In particular, thought the beignets would have been just one of each flavor.

The good food and service experience at the Palm Breeze Bar was the one real enjoyable part of our stay at The Villas as Disneyland Hotel. Of course, it would have been better if the table was higher and square for more surface area, but they do have some seating like that and maybe would have been an option if there are actual time reservations or we had been willing to wait longer (an hour, though, for a pool bar was long enough...even with it having good food and drinks).

Destination Info:

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel - Palm Breeze Bar
1150 Magic Way
Anaheim, CA 92802

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Disney’s California Adventure: Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

Mik in wheelchair on Web Slingers

Date of Visit: June 26, 2024

Dad and I went on Web Slingers back in 2021. As someone that is not at all into Spider-Man or superhero in general, I thought it was fun in that it was a game similar to why Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and Toy Story Midway Mania are favorite rides. Since then, I had been trying to convince Mik he should try out Web Slingers next time we visited Disney’s California Adventure. Despite him actually being interested in Spider-Man things usually, he was not interested in the ride, but I finally convinced him because it is a ride he could stay in his wheelchair.

When we got in line for Web Slingers the wait time was about 45 minutes. Mik was quickly annoyed with the wait because as seems to be the case more so at Disneyland than Disney World, the line is outside and mostly in the sun with minimal shade and it was one of the hotter days. They do have some fans at parts that helps some, but really what made it long was that the line moved slow and it quickly became clear it would be longer than 45 minutes. As we were getting close to where you enter the building for the pre-ride “show,” the ride officially went down. We decided to stick it out because we were almost there, finally in the shade, and, well, there is not much other choice with the wheelchair unless they actually empty the line. It was down for only about 15-20 minutes and then another 20 minutes or so and we were loading into the accessible vehicle.

Wheelchair on ramp in queue

When you first enter the building, a group is put in a room and there is a pre-show introducing you to the Open House premise and mission. After you exit this, there is a ramped queue to the boarding area. This was slightly annoying as a stop and go line on a ramp area is not fun, but it is not long usually except the ride did again go down momentarily while we were here.

As we approached the boarding area, a Cast Member asked if Mik could transfer and when told no, they led us over to the separate boarding area where the accessible vehicle was waiting to be loaded. Two can ride on the bench next to the wheelchair. The other side of the vehicle I think sits three, which is loaded first as the door to it ends up blocked by the wheelchair. Mom and Dad rode on that side and I rode next to Mik.

Wheelchair with front tie down on Web Slingers

The wheelchair is secured using the tie down straps like on buses and similar to Toy Story Mania with only one being used in the front. I can’t recall if they just used a wedge for the back or if there were also tie downs from the back. The ride is rather smooth, though, and even with Mik actively slinging webs with his arms he had no complaints about feeling any tippy movement in his chair.

Mik and My Web Slinger Team Score

Mik enjoyed the concept of slinging webs, although he was a little frustrated that it was hard to sling them at the various targets accurately. It was not just him, though, as I felt the same, but for me I think it was more that the ride glasses on top of my glasses just do not work well. We did beat Mom and Dad, though.

Mom and Dad Web Slinger Team Score

Overall Mik did enjoy riding Web Slingers. As no one was waiting for the wheelchair vehicle when we were done, we were asked if we wanted to ride again, but Mik was tired out after one go around. He said he would probably not ride it again, but only because the line was torture and he would not trust the wait time to be accurate. Even if the wait time was accurate the way the line moves so slowly does make it feel even longer and I do not know if that is just how it always is because of the pre-ride “show” style of line makes it not a continuously moving line or if it was so slow because the ride was having issues.

Destination Info:

Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
Disney California Adventure
1313 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802

Monday, July 8, 2024

Disneyland Monorail

Mik riding Monorail

Date of Visit: June 26, 2024

The last time we rode the Disneyland Monorail was probably before Downtown Disney when we stayed the Disneyland Hotel for my birthday in 1997 (Mik’s 1st Disneyland trip). This trip Dad and I used it a few times to save some walking distance, but Mik only used it one time when Dad went back to get Mom and him to join us at Disneyland for the day.

Elevator between stairs

To get up to the Monorail from the Downtown Disney station, there is an elevator between the boarding and unloading stairs.

Wheelchair boarding area

In the boarding area, there is a zone for wheelchairs to line up. When Mom, Dad, and Mik came over in the late morning they did not have to wait, but one evening when Dad and I went over we noticed the wheelchair/ECV line was very long. We are used to Disney World where the wheelchairs and ECVs can be loaded in several different cars and they just have to move the ramp to them for loading/unloading. Disneyland’s configuration seems to have only one place, which can fit two chairs, but only one ECV leading to it easily becoming a very long long of wheelchairs/ECVs.

wedge behind wheels

They do put a wedge behind the back wheel, but since there are no tie downs for the front it really doesn’t help. The route to Disneyland is very curvy and this leads to a lot of chair movement. Mik did not freak out like his has been known to do, but Dad did notice the casters did come off the ground at least once. Mik also said the movement made him nauseous.

Mik on Monorail

Overall we found the Monorail not really worthwhile at Disneyland. Dad and I did find it useful to spend a little less time on our feet. It did not really save any time in getting to the park other than walking to the park other than maybe the ticket line took longer and it does put you in Tomorrowland. Even if it was a time saver, Mik will never go on the Disneyland Monorail again because it was too much of a thrill ride in the wheelchair.

Destination Info:

Disneyland Monorail
1313 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802

Friday, July 5, 2024

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel: Accessible Studio w/ Tub

The DVC Tower at Disneyland Hotel

Date of Visit: June 24-28, 2024

When I told Mik about the new DVC at Disneyland, he was interested in trying it out and doing Disneyland as part of his 30th birthday trip, but if I was not able to get a reservation when the booking window opened, he was also good with not going to at all. I ended up being able to get an Accessible Studio w/ Tub. Glad I had not gone with a one-bedroom because I later learned you pay the taxes here like at Aulani and it certainly would not have been worth using points and still owing the one-bedroom tax amount at checkout when there are many just as close hotels we have had good experiences at when visiting Disneyland.

From the start the stay was non-magical. First off the check in process is chaotic and not clear. When we drove up to the building, they basically expected us to unload in front and use bell services, which we never do at DVC. After we explained we wanted to just go in and check in, we were directed to go around to where there are some spots for check in. There were no accessible spots available, though, as the row of them here seems to be not just for check in and can be used for your whole stay. Later when Dad parked the car he found there were none in self-parking available and in the parking garage there are not even any accessible spots.

Check in inside was slow because apparently they expect you to use online check in, go straight to your room, checkout online, and basically never interact with the front desk. Well, I have found the Disney apps to be glitchy, not user friendly, and my account in particular has long been messed up because it merged with Mom’s DVC and mine for other Disney making my experience even worse than most. I could not even check in online using the app. I did eventually get it to work on the browser, but I do not trust the digital key working and I certainly was not going to log the others into my account for them to have a digital key or trust Mom could reliably figure it out on her own. Thus, we checked in to get real key cards. Later we learned we could add everybody’s tickets to each person’s account and app and maybe that would have worked if we linked the reservation for the digital key for the others, but mine never showed digital key as available to use so did not even try. The front desk staff at check in at least was friendly and as expected. It just was having only 2 cast members at main check in time made for a slow check in.

What really got us hating the Villas at Disneyland Hotel was bell services. First, we were surprised that they did not have carts you could use yourself because we have never stayed at a DVC or Hilton timeshare that we could not do that and even all the Best Westerns we had stayed at in the week and a half leading up to this stay had carts you could use. We travel with two large storage containers and a cooler, so taking it all to our room was not exactly an option. Thus, we used bell services. We knew they probably expected a tip, but we were not expected to have to use them and had no cash. I expected the awkward pause at the end with them waiting for a tip, but the guy refused to leave without a tip and when we told him we had no cash he still refused to leave because they take Venmo. I do not use that and even if I had cash at this point I no longer even wanted to tip at all because of their attitude, especially his. At this point, Mik came out of the bathroom and told us to take the cash in his wallet and we finally got him to leave with Mik’s 5 $1 bills (Mom being Mom, then realized she had a $5 bill and paid Mik back…).

Now we were only an hour or two into our stay and done with the Villas at Disneyland Hotel. The rest of the stay really was okay to good and if the start had not been so horrible, it might have actually have been a place we would consider staying again when visiting Disneyland.

The next big issue we ran into was the room was hot. At first I thought it was just that the settings were off until we entered the room. It was set at auto and 65 when we first came in and was 75, but overnight it only ended up cooling to 71. It certainly did not feel like 71, though, as we are used to keeping our house at 77 and lower than that in a place that does not have the same humidity is cold to us. We found if we put the fan on high it felt mostly comfortable. However, anytime you touched the thermostat, it reverted back to auto and then it got uncomfortable again because Mom is known to mess with the thermostat whenever she is hot or cold. One evening we came back and it was actually off (she says she did not touch it, but more than likely she did) and again it took until morning for it to be almost comfortable in the room.

Accessible tub

The last major issue we had was there was no hot water in the shower. Having just come from a hotel that only just barely got comfortable warm, not even getting to that was extremely disappointing. The shower felt even colder because of the style of shower head that made it is so you had to keep ending up out of the water stream to get the toiletries and lather up. For once Mik was glad we did not have a roll in shower! However, a roll in shower could not have been as bad as this tub that had too short of a shower curtain resulting in way more water in the bathroom than the roll in showers we have experienced lately.

barn door for bathroom

Besides the shower, the bathroom was good. We liked that it had a barn door (and that it did not have a bottom track to potentially get messed up and trap you like the Hampton Inn we had just been at).

toilet and grab bars

The bars worked for Mik to be able to get on and off toilet himself.

mirror with fairy godmother lights

The fairy characters lights in the mirror were fun and we found them to be bright enough that we only needed the main lights in bathroom when using shower.

big lotion bottle

We appreciated that they have a large refillable for the lotion compared to most places still seeming to do just a small bottle of lotion when they have the wall mounted other toiletries.

TV and kitchenette area

The one big positive of this place was the TV. Mik liked that he could connect his iPad and stream to itThe kitchenette area is under the TV, which made this feel very much like staying in a hotel room versus a studio. While it did allow for more “counter space” than the typical studio, it was more inconvenient that you could not leave stuff on it much because then it blocked the television. It also meant that instead of having a dresser for clothes you only had cabinets for your food (or you could have used them for clothes, but then no where for the food, which I guess if we had not been on part of a larger road trip we would not have had as much to food store as we do eat at the parks especially for a Disneyland trip). We did like that it had three power outlets as well as USB and USB-C ports for charging, though.

mini fridge

The fridge was small with no freezer, which was kind of expected, but also part of what makes the studios feel like a hotel instead of a studio and being “home” like DVC is supposedly trying to be with the whole Welcome Home thing. Really do not much care about having a freezer, but really was one of the smallest fridges we had during our three week trip that also involved staying at ~10 different Best Westerns and a Hampton Inn.

Keurig

The Keurig was nice compared to a coffee pot as it allowed us to easily do decaf and regular. It still feels so wasteful and a step back when the toiletries have gone away from single use, but we now travel with reusable k-cups and ground coffee so we do not request and use more than initially stocked.

sofa

The sofa is a Murphy bed. The ottoman in front of it was nice in that it opened up to be storage, but we moved it to be by the window and just kept the bed down the whole time so did not actually use it.

sofa bed down

Once the bed was down, there was a light, 2 outlets, and 2 USB ports.

light up headboard

The bed side “tables” also had power outlets, but not USB ports. The bed also had a light up headboard. The way they had black panels covering part of it made it looked messed up and poorly done to me.

view out window

When we first got our room assignment as 1st floor, I was disappointed because I never even thought that was a possibility. It did not end up being bad, but it did odd being at the end of the hall that also had the fitness center, the model rooms they were showing, and that led out to the grill area (only even realized that was there because it was viewed from our room window). Not having to deal with elevators was nice, though, and did help it not take quite so long for us to make the four trips to get our stuff to truck at check out.

bench between window and closet

Between the closet and the window there was a bench. This worked out to be a good place to put mine and Mik’s suitcases and just not unpack them.

thick carpet

Mik liked that the only carpet in the room was the rug under the bed. The carpet in the hall from the lobby to the room, though, was annoyingly thick. This was especially a problem when we were trying to be more efficient to get everything to the truck at checkout and I could not pull a suitcase and push Mik with the other hand like I usually can because I needed two hands to push him on the thick carpet.

Overall I guess it was worth using our points to stay here as we have not been using them for anything other than our annual family trip and I had them to use, but certainly not somewhere we would ever stay again as for not much more than the room taxes we still had to pay we could have had a better stay experience with breakfast included at a nearby hotel as we have mostly done for Disneyland trips. Also, would even use DVC points for a hotel room at Pixar Place over the Villas at Disneyland as at least you know you are getting a hotel room and are closer to the parks (stayed there once with Mik using DVC points when it was Paradise Pier and we enjoyed it). 

Destination Info:

1150 Magic Way
Anaheim, CA 92802