Washington DC - A Trip Report - Mickey and the Cherry Blossoms About This Page:

[crystalloubear]

Who - Crystal (32), Nana (54), Tony (4 1/2), Jeanette (1)
When - April 13-15
Where - Washington DC

We left home in PA at 10 AM and drove to Washington DC. It was not looking pretty - 10 minutes from home and already stuck in traffic. Luckily, it was only painting highway lines and we got under way. We didn't hit anything else in the way of bad traffic. Of course, we stopped a bunch of times. DS decided to pick his nose unitl it bled and we had to stop near Philly at a McDOnald's and get his nosebleed to stop. A Happy Meal made everything better for him. Get back on the road and drive another hour and stop for our lunch. We ate lunch the Iron Skillet truck stop on I-95. Gotta love truck stop food. Back on the road, all set to drive the rest of the way. 20 minutes later, Jeanette throws up on herself. NICE - stop and clean her up. Are we ever going to get there???
We finally get there with no other incidents. We even found the hotel without getting lost. We pulled up to the Mandarin Oriental Washington DC and the bellman took our bags, valet took the car, and we checked in. All I can say about this hotel is WOW!! Beautiful. It was only built a few years ago and is 2 blocks from the Smithsonian

overlooking the Tidal Basin. Our room was gorgeous. I don't think I have ever seen so much silk in one place. The bedspread, wallpaper, shades, decorations. The bathroom was gorgeous. All marble with a huge glass shower, an enormous tub, and a phone just in case you need to make a call. The room itself had 2 queen size beds, a sitting chair and ottoman, desk with 2 chairs, minibar, a clothes valet, and a TV system (flat screen with surrond sound speakers and a DVD player). I think it was probably the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at and that is saying alot!!
After getting situated, we decided to head out for dinner. We loaded the kids up in the stroller and took off. We stopped in the lobby and asked the concierge for a nice place nearby with the kids for dinner. SHe suggested the M&S Grill, called ahead for reservations for us, and gave us directions. Just a short walk she said. We walked 2 blocks to the Smithsonian,

across the National Mall,
another 5 blocks, turn left 1 block and there it was. Not short in my book, but it was worth it. The M&S Grill was an upscale place with a large menu and an even larger wine menu. I got a diet coke, Cheasapeak Crab Soup and Filet Mignon with asparagus, carrots and roasted potatoes. It was supper yummy!! They had a kids menu, but we were the only ones in there with kids. Tony and Jeanette are pretty good at restaurants so all went well. As long as they have food, they are happy!
After dinner, we realized we couldn't be but a block from where the 75 Years of MIckey exhibit was. Why wait - lets go see them now. For anyone that doesn't know about the display, there are 75 Mickey statues made from the same mold then decorated different by all kinds of celebrities, artists, and just some regular people. We had a lot of fun taking pictures and looking at all the Mickey's.


FrontEAR Tales by Fess Parker


Fruits of the Mouse by Andreas Deja


Music Royalty by Sir Elton John


Lobsta Mickey by Breanna Rowlette


Reflections on Mickey by Disneyland Resort Entertainment Dept.


Wild for Mikcey by Star Jones


Patchwork Pal by Thomas Knechtel


This one wasn't marked with a name


Flying Colors #3 by David Willardson


Wonderful World of Mickey by Kathryn E. Morgan

I'll post some more pictures of the Mickey's in another post.

We strolled back to the hotel just in time for to view the sun setting as we passed thru the National Mall and

looking at the Washington Monument. Breathtaking.
When, we got back to the hotel, Tony had to try out the large tub then we all crashed after a very, very long day.

[lauren-roxy]

Sounds like a rocky start, but with kids that can happen!! It sounds like you had a grat time after that though and the statues are so cute. I was hoping you were going to write a report!! The hotel sounds goreous!! Glad you had a great time, except for the nosebleed and puke!!!!

[chezp]

I'm glad you made it to DC - I was wondering if you would at one point. THe Mandarin Oriental sounds awesome - was it in a good location? Did you manage to get a good deal on it? I ask, as I'm looking for somewhere to stay when we go to DC and it sounds like the sort of place DH would love, but I don't want to pay a fortune for it...

The photos of the Mickeys are so and I love that shot of the sun setting over the Washington monument. I'm looking forward to reading more...

[Tara O'Hara]

Wow, Crystal!! After a rough start, you guys sure did alot!! Your dinner sounds delish and the Mickey's are awesome!! Your hotel sounds very posh!

[crystalloubear]

[ QUOTE ]
- was it in a good location? Did you manage to get a good deal on it?

[/ QUOTE ]
The location was awesome!! Overlooking the Tidal Basin, you could see the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument out our window.
As far as price, it is quite expensive. It is a 6 star hotel - I don't know what kind of deals they may offer but rooms at regular prices start at $350 and go up from there. There are definately better places to look if cost is a concern. Nearby there was the Loews L'Enfant - not cheap by any means but definately more reasonable. It looked very nice and was right on top of a Metro subway station and only a few blocks from the Smithsonian and National Mall.

[crystalloubear]

Here are some more of the Mickey's


Mickey's Shadow by Trey Hoyumpa


Viva Mickey by Luis Armand Garcia for George Lopez


Crazy Style Mickey by Mear One


All the World's His Stage by Susan Lucci


Big Cheese Mickey by Jeff Spohn


Extended Play by Wayne Brady


MouseskatEAR by Tony Hawk


Mickey in Yellow by Rosie O'Donnell


Field Mouse by Brian Matson


Mickey Celebrated Our Freedom


Mickey Reigns by Anita Hurst


Memories by Dennis Larkin


You Can Do It by Elva Salinas


Back to School by Al Konetzni

Still More Mickey's to come!!!!!!

[crystalloubear]

Even more Mickey's


Family Tree by Jeff Conine


Mickey on the mOve by Malcolm Stone


Beleive in Your Dreams by Kevin Garnett


Tune In by Anthony Rietta


Super Fan Mickey by Regis Philbin


Mousetaccioli by Doris Roberts


Mambo Mickey by Andy Garcia


Funny Bones by James Gandolfini


Jet Setter by John Travolta


Big City Mouse by Kelly Ripa


Home Run Hero by Ben Affleck


Dunk Mouse by Shaquille O'Neal


Circle Vision by Luis Fernandez


Left - Ready for Action Christy Carlson Romano
Center - Mickey's Dream by Peter Ellenshaw and Harrison Ellenshaw
Right - IceskatEAR by Paul Wylie


ESPN 25th Anniversary Mickey by Chris Berman and Dick Vitale

Still More Mickey's to come plus Touring DC Day 2.

[DebbieG]

Very Crystal! Glad to see your trip report - I've been looking for it.

I tried to figure out a way to get to DC this month, but with DS involved in hockey and baseball, it's just an impossibility. I'll have to experience it through your report. Thanks for sharing!

Debbie

[lauren-roxy]

Thanks for more photos of the Mickeys, they are just too cute!!! Can't wait to read more!!!!

[loobyoxlip]

Crystal! I am loving all those pictures - thank you SO much for posting them. So far I love them all except for Rosie O'donnell's

[JoanW]

I'm so sorry I was too sick to come down! Maybe next time. I think you may have seen some Cherry Blossoms too.

[GoofyMom]

[ QUOTE ]
Crystal! I am loving all those pictures - thank you SO much for posting them. So far I love them all except for Rosie O'donnell's

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking the same thing about all the Mickeys!

[MAria R]

Thanks for posting all those Mickey's. They were cool but I have to agree with Tina what is up with the Rosie O'Donnell one?
Oh, and the nose picking thing was so funny. I have the same problem with my son. Why do they do that?

[Cam22]

This was a fun look at Mickey! Wish I could have seen them all first-hand but thanks for sharing!

[ariel14]

Great report! Can't wait to read more!!
Dh and I stayed at the Mandarin for a wknd away from the kids! It is gorgeous!!

Cindy