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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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

Disneyland 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.

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

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.

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.

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