D23 Member Preview: Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume Exhibit at South Carolina State Museum

Date of Visit: April 30, 2025

I am always checking the D23 events, but it rarely works out to be something we can go to since they are not anywhere near us. Thus, I was pretty excited to see an event that not only worked out at a time we had no other plans, but was also only three hours away.

We “checked in” (post about that adventure to come later…) at our hotel across the street and walked over to the museum getting there around 3:45pm. While the D23 Member Preview of the “Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume” exhibit at the South Carolina State Museum event started at 4pm, they were already allowing people to check in and handing out the credentials, so we could go in and enjoy the museum before the after hours exhibit preview.

We were able to explore most of the museum in the time we had before the preview at 5:30pm (another separate post to come for the museum), although we definitely did it quick and would have spent much longer reading more of the signs and such if it had been a normal museum visit.

The first part of the exhibit is focused on Cinderella costumes. The different Cinderella costumes included ones from the 2015 movie, Into the Woods, Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and the Once Upon a Time TV show. There is also a room off of this area showing a short film, which we skipped at first and stopped in to watch before exiting the exhibit.

After the Cinderella area, you enter the main part of the exhibit, which is broken into Heroes on one side and Villains on the other. It was a really nice layout with a pathway of figures on each side leading to the Space Between before breaking off with more Villains to one side and more Heroes to the other.

My favorite in the pathway area was Scott Calvin (Santa Claus from The Santa Clause 3).

Mik’s favorite was Nizam from Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

He also really liked Jafar from Aladdin (2019).

At the end of the pathway, we when to the left to the Villains area. In this area, my favorite was the Sanderson Sisters costumes from Hocus Pocus 2.

The Into the Woods characters being posed as a scene was also interesting.

As we exited the Villains area and headed over to the Heroes, we checked out the costumes in the Space Between, which included characters that were sometimes villains and sometimes heroes. Mik’s favorite here was Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates Of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.

Over on the Heroes side was a somewhat interesting interactive Magic Mirror. For this, you stand on a spot and a costume appears “on” you in the mirror. It sort of worked, but was hard to really see yourself and more was just seeing the various costumes illuminated on the mirror. Certainly did not line up right for Mik sitting, but was not much better for those standing (or at least not if short like me).

My favorite on the Heroes side was Ben Gates from National Treasure. Mik wasn’t impressed as it was just plain street clothes. He would have preferred it to be the costume when Ben Gates was dressed up and stole the Declaration of Independence.

We both liked the scene pose for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice costumes scene.

Of course, I also liked the Mary Poppins Returns costumes.

The most impressive part of the whole is probably the Beast and Gaston.

The sketches on the wall showing the costume design from the original Mary Poppins (and some other movies) was also interesting.

After the exhibit, we had to wait for the presentation at 7pm in the theater. The presentation gave a good overview of the exhibit and the Walt Disney Achrives costume collection and preservation in general. It kind of would have been nice if this had been before the exhibit preview, though, as they talked about things to check out on the detail of some of the costumes that would have been nice to know before hand. We could have gone beak to the exhibit after the presentation if we had wanted, but instead we went down to the reception because we were were hungry and thirsty and Mik was done after having to wait so long between being done seeing the exhibit and the presentation already.

As we headed down to the reception, Mik loved that the elevator doors featured the exhibit poster, which we reminds me I keep saving elevator photos in a folder to do a series of posts on our favorite elevator finds. Maybe this year I'll actually start posting about the elevators.

Overall we enjoyed our visit to the South Carolina State Museum and the “Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume” exhibit. It was fun to see some favorite character costumes up close, learn more about the costume design, and see the details that you otherwise would not see.

Destination Info:

“Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume” at South Carolina State Museum

301 Gervais Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Conway Riverwalk and Bonfire A Smokin' Taqueria

Date of Visit: January 3, 2025

We parked at the marina at the south end of the Conway Riverwalk to take a family walk. There are two handicap spots at the far end of the parking lot near the marina building.

The sidewalk at this end of the parking lot is a little uneven, but it is clearly a known issue as it was painted to highlight the trip hazards. The odd thing is that it there isn’t any handicap parking at the other end of the parking lot near the entrance to riverfront park, especially since the restrooms and even the playground there were at least partially accessible.

The Mayor Gregory K. Martin Riverfront Park has a short loop trail out along the Waccamaw River. The trail is mostly a very wide well paved sidewalk.

There is also a boardwalk part right along the river on one side. Mik found it to be a rather smooth boardwalk and not all that bumpy as boardwalks can sometimes be.

The holiday River Lights decor were still up in the Riverfront Park. Throughout the park are deer statues (some with Santa hats). There is also a Christmas tree you can walk through or around.

From the Riverfront Park we followed the Conway Riverwalk towards the main entrance by the train tracks. We planned to continue to the north end, but did not get much further before we found it closed off.

Where it was closed off was right by Bonfire A Smokin’ Taqueria. As Mik only came along because Dad said we would be getting food and it looked intriguing, we ended up going up bumping the wheelchair up the stairs from the Riverwalk to have an early dinner at Bonfire. The restaurant itself does have ramp access to the back and front entrance.

Mik was excited to find the tables very easy to roll up to, which has been a big issue for him at the last couple restaurants he has tried in the Myrtle Beach area. We all enjoyed the generous portions at Bonfire and had leftovers we took home including a to go s’mores pie Mik got to eat later. For appetizers, we got fried pickles and potato skins. Mik had the Smokehouse Burrito with tater tots and onion rings as his sides. I had the Veggie Quesadilla with tater tots. Mom had a Street Corn Taco. Dad had the Nacho Pie appetizer with grilled portobello and zucchini as his meal.

After eating, we went out the front door and through the parking lot to get back on the riverwalk without going down the stairs to the boardwalk. On the way back to the car, Mik was up for taking some photos, which he did not want to do before eating.

Before heading back to the car, we walk the Riverfront Park to the Christmas tree again to take some photos as it was starting to get dark enough to at least somewhat enjoy the River Lights.

Overall the Conway Riverwalk was an enjoyable family outing. I can see us going again sometime and even just to go eat at Bonfire. Seeing the River Lights after dark would also be nice, but Mik says not if it was too cold like it would have been once the sun went down today.

Destination Info:

Conway Riverwalk

Conway, SC

Bonfire A Smokin' Taqueria

951 2nd Ave.

Conway, SC29526

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

• 2011
• 2015

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

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

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:

Best Western Plus Bessemer Hotel & Suites

5041 Academy Ln

Bessemer, AL 35022

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:

SureStay Plus by Best Western Edmond

2700 E 2nd St

Edmond, OK 73034

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