David Lyons-Black

Business or pleasure?  This one is hard to tell.
Today a few of my colleagues and I embark on a five day tour of a seriously fun location.  Welcomed by the Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Centre, we are headed to California!
 
Work duties will include site visits to many Anaheim hotels and resorts.  I know, how is this work?  Well, while we are visiting some pretty amazing venues, assessing amenities, locations, staff, restaurants and service is a professional duty we undertake to ensure the best experiences for our current and future clients.  We would never want to send someone to a destination that is poor quality, ever.  Our hosts this trip will be:
Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove
Anaheim Marriott
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton
Hyatt Regency Orange County
Hilton Anaheim
Sheraton Park Hotel
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa
Anabella Hotel
 
Our schedule also includes some adventure and fun!.  I’m looking forward to exploring Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland and Surf City USA while fitting in a little retail therapy at The Outlets at Orange!  Gastronomic adventures will be had at many of the hotels however, we are in for a treat at Oggi’s Pizza & Brewhouse and Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.
 
The added value of the accessible travel guy
I’m never sure if destinations are happy to hear I’m on my way to visit.  A travel professional in general might send staff into a panic about being reviewed but a travel professional in a wheelchair may create an extra layer of “uh oh.”  My view is we are here to learn from each other and if I can provide valuable input regarding accessibility features at a destination then it is a win-win for them, their guests and my clients.  On this trip, we’ll be reviewing Disneyland’s accessible visit program.  If you haven’t heard, they have made changes based on the recent discovery that some guests “rent” people with disabilities to access the “benefits” of Disneyland’s program.  That is a whole other blog but what I will say is I look forward to helping the park continue serving guests with disabilities at a world class level.
 
So friends, check back in a few days!  I’ll be posting some more musings and photos from LALA land.
 
In travel,
David