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

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