So in an effort to start checking things off our yearly bucket list Darin and I decided to go to The Reagan Library yesterday. I had to go out to Simi Valley anyways and get some blood-work done and get my car registered in my name so I felt that it was a good opportunity for us to go and be touristy. Considering in the 20 years I lived in that valley I had only been their one time and Darin had never been. I went online to find out how much the tickets were going to be and to see if there were going to be any special events going on this weekend. (being that it is V-day weekend and we just celebrated the Former President's 100th birthday) Nothing of pertinence showed up on the site so I thought we were good to go.
We went and ran my errands and took a lunch break at the local mall. It was a beautiful day and it was perfect weather outside. It couldn't have been a better day to go. Apparently everyone else thought the same thing. You see to get to the library (which is situated on a large hill on the backside of the valley) you have to drive up this windy street which is lined, in ascending order, with large banners of every President. Its a very pretty street, but when I saw that people had started to park on it nearly to the bottom of the hill I knew that it wasn't going to be pretty at the top. Luckily we found a spot near the top of the hill and just parked there. (good thing we did because there was a lot full sign at the top) We hiked the rest of the way up to the entrance and turned the corner. We both nearly stopped dead in our tracks because of the line! It was almost as bad as Space Mountain on a Saturday with no Fast Pass! I mean screaming kids, pushy adults, and Docents trying to sell memberships. Needless to say our stay in line was quite aggravating. We finally got to the end of the line and they asked "Did somebody explain to you when you need to come back?" What?!?! We both looked at each other like are you serious? Because they were so busy, this had been the first weekend after their grand opening of an entirely new exhibit and construction, once you bought your entry ticket you received a pass telling you when to return to be able to enter the museum! Ugh, we had to wait to wait?!? Poorly planned I swear. It was only a 15 minute wait so we used the restroom and went outside to view the Berlin Wall and take some photos. After over an hour we were finally inside we were able to see all the new exhibits and wander around a bit, however I must tell you that the people that were the most rude weren't the younger generation with their kids, it was the 60+ crowd. They were pushy and condescending and kept cutting in front of me. I was appalled! I have always respected the elderly and always let them go first, but to blatantly disrespect me made me very upset. Darin and I decided that we would just see the stuff that really interested us and come back when it was less busy to really experience the rest of the museum.
We decided to hurry and go see Air Force One. Well we hurried, again to just wait. 30 minute line to walk onto the plane and we couldn't take any pictures! :-( But they sure wanted us to buy a picture. Souvenir photos of you standing on the staircase and waiving! $15 for a 5x7. Darin and I passed at that opportunity, enjoyed the plane and wandered around a bit more. They had a mock up of the oval office when Reagan was our President which was very interesting. Several cars and military aircraft's. Also a full scale (1" to 1 foot) model of the entire White House. We bought some Jelly Belly's (the President's favorite candy) and paid our respects to his memorial.
I think that it would have been a far more enjoyable experience had it not been so busy. The docent at Air Force One said, "Its just like Disneyland right?" to which I replied "no not really." I usually expect crowds at Disneyland, not at a museum! We will go back and enjoy it again when everything calms down again. I highly recommend it for people who want to learn more about Ronald Reagan, or for just an afternoon of history and beautiful scenery! Anyways have a look at our photos from the day. We got some cool shots!
We went and ran my errands and took a lunch break at the local mall. It was a beautiful day and it was perfect weather outside. It couldn't have been a better day to go. Apparently everyone else thought the same thing. You see to get to the library (which is situated on a large hill on the backside of the valley) you have to drive up this windy street which is lined, in ascending order, with large banners of every President. Its a very pretty street, but when I saw that people had started to park on it nearly to the bottom of the hill I knew that it wasn't going to be pretty at the top. Luckily we found a spot near the top of the hill and just parked there. (good thing we did because there was a lot full sign at the top) We hiked the rest of the way up to the entrance and turned the corner. We both nearly stopped dead in our tracks because of the line! It was almost as bad as Space Mountain on a Saturday with no Fast Pass! I mean screaming kids, pushy adults, and Docents trying to sell memberships. Needless to say our stay in line was quite aggravating. We finally got to the end of the line and they asked "Did somebody explain to you when you need to come back?" What?!?! We both looked at each other like are you serious? Because they were so busy, this had been the first weekend after their grand opening of an entirely new exhibit and construction, once you bought your entry ticket you received a pass telling you when to return to be able to enter the museum! Ugh, we had to wait to wait?!? Poorly planned I swear. It was only a 15 minute wait so we used the restroom and went outside to view the Berlin Wall and take some photos. After over an hour we were finally inside we were able to see all the new exhibits and wander around a bit, however I must tell you that the people that were the most rude weren't the younger generation with their kids, it was the 60+ crowd. They were pushy and condescending and kept cutting in front of me. I was appalled! I have always respected the elderly and always let them go first, but to blatantly disrespect me made me very upset. Darin and I decided that we would just see the stuff that really interested us and come back when it was less busy to really experience the rest of the museum.
We decided to hurry and go see Air Force One. Well we hurried, again to just wait. 30 minute line to walk onto the plane and we couldn't take any pictures! :-( But they sure wanted us to buy a picture. Souvenir photos of you standing on the staircase and waiving! $15 for a 5x7. Darin and I passed at that opportunity, enjoyed the plane and wandered around a bit more. They had a mock up of the oval office when Reagan was our President which was very interesting. Several cars and military aircraft's. Also a full scale (1" to 1 foot) model of the entire White House. We bought some Jelly Belly's (the President's favorite candy) and paid our respects to his memorial.
I think that it would have been a far more enjoyable experience had it not been so busy. The docent at Air Force One said, "Its just like Disneyland right?" to which I replied "no not really." I usually expect crowds at Disneyland, not at a museum! We will go back and enjoy it again when everything calms down again. I highly recommend it for people who want to learn more about Ronald Reagan, or for just an afternoon of history and beautiful scenery! Anyways have a look at our photos from the day. We got some cool shots!
No comments:
Post a Comment