DC Area Dis'ers

[Christine]

I personally think all the hype is way overblown. I think, yes, it will be fairly bad in town--much like any other big thing they have. I think shutting down the Virginia bridge access has effectively discouraged a few hundred thousand locals from even attempting it. I think suburbia will be normal and that Tyson's Corner will be incredibly crowded!

 

[agnes!]

If I worked in DC, I'd be taking that day off for sure. What a mess that place will be. For starters...all bridges from VA to DC are closed. Good luck!!

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/DC-MD-VA-Release-Inauguration-Transportation-Plans.html

I've posted about the bridge-closings elsewhere on the DIS, but I'll repeat what I've seen/heard about getting around the DC area on Inauguration Day.

*-The Potomac Rover Bridges that are between DC & Virginia will be closed to INCOMING traffic. They will be OPEN to buses and OUTGOING vehicles.

*These same bridges will be open to *pedestrian* traffic where feasible.

*These bridges are as follows(in order from East to West):
1)14th St. Bridge Complex...first bridge-group North of Reagan/National Airport("middle" of Mall)...I-395 & US ROUTE 1
2)Memorial Bridge...runs between Arlington National Cemetery and Lincoln Memorial (West end of the Mall)
3)"TR" Bridge [Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge]...runs between Rosslyn and Kennedy Center...I-66 & US ROUTE 50
4)Key Bridge [Francis Scott Key Bridge]...runs between Rosslyn & Georgetown (west perimeter of DC proper, NO METRO in Geo'town)...US ROUTE 29

Some other tidbits:
*Do NOT count on getting parking at Metro lots. Btw, the parking is opening at 3AM Tuesday morning.
*George Washington Parkway ALREADY has Crowd-control fences installed in the median North of Alexandria. You will NOT be able to park on any frontage roads or west of the Parkway and walk directly across the Parkway, you WILL have to cross at the crosswalk.
*Pick one or the other to go to...the Swearing-In OR the Parade. You will NOT be able to attend both, the crush of people will be too great, movement between the two areas will be impossible.
*Bring cash. If you buy food/snacks/souvenirs, many vendors will probably not have cc machines. ATMs WILL run out of money. Bring small bills, exact change.
*Bring new $1, $5, $10 bills for the Metro-card machines (If you haven't bought needed card/s ahead of time.) The Metro-card machines are notoriously finicky.

Good luck,
agnes!

 

[DancingBear]

Not going on Sunday but we'll have out-of-town guests and are going downtown on Tuesday, probably just to hang out on the Mall during the swearing-in. Stuff like this is why it's fun to live in the DC area.

Supplemental to what agnes! said:

--If you do get a Metro parking lot, they are only taking cash ($4) that day, no credit cards or SmartCards.

--Most of the Metro farecard machines take credit cards

 

[Todd&Copper]

I personally think all the hype is way overblown. I think, yes, it will be fairly bad in town--much like any other big thing they have. I think shutting down the Virginia bridge access has effectively discouraged a few hundred thousand locals from even attempting it. I think suburbia will be normal and that Tyson's Corner will be incredibly crowded!

I think a lot of people will be coming in the Sat or Sun before Inauguration and will be looking for things to do before Tuesday. Annapolis offers some sightseeing and whatnot [and if people are willing to brave the cold on Tuesday, they're willing to brave the cold over the weekend, too, I am sure], so I think it will be more crowded than usual here. The local Safeway or Kmart may not be packed, but I bet Route 50 will be no picnic.

 

[singingpixie]

I really strongly considered going, but due to a variety of factors (weather, crowds, low porta-potty to people ratio, and the fact that I just got a chance to see the President-Elect speak last week at work) I've decided to throw a Inauguration-Watch-Pajama-Brunch party instead. Should be much more pleasant and a better view.

 

[wvjules]

I just read on 100.3's website that the concert is only 90 minutes total and each performer is only singing one song. Hardly worth it, IMO. I would love to see James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, U2, etc. but I want more than one song each.

http://www.idigbig.com/cc-common/mainheadlines3.html?feed=104703&article=4844423

 

[disneybound2010]

I live about 1 1/2 hours outside of DC and in no way, shape or form do I even want to think about trying to get into the city this weekend! I have trouble finding parking at Shady Grove on a normal day so I can't even begin to picture what it is going to be like leading up to Tuesday, let alone what the actual mess inside the metro will be...No thank you!

 

[justhat]

I live inside the city, and if I didn't have kids I would go. But no way can I stand out there in the cold forever and try to find a potty for my 2yo with a moment's notice.

 

[singingpixie]

I find it kind of amusing that so many people from all over are coming into the area for this, but those of us who live here are kind of like "no way, no how." Could it be that we realize how tough it is to get parking at the metro, find a bathroom or food on the mall, etc. is on your average day? Or maybe we're all just cynical. I dunno, I'd really like to be there, but the chances of being able to see anything are slim to none.

 

[lvanleer]

*-The Potomac Rover Bridges that are between DC & Virginia will be closed to INCOMING traffic. They will be OPEN to buses and OUTGOING vehicles.

That's incorrect....from what I've heard and read on the web the bridges are completely inaccessible for incoming/outgoing traffic....only buses, authorized vehicles and pedestrians...besides how could the bridges be open to outgoing vehicles when the roads leading to the bridges are completely shutdown.....In addition my understanding from the WMATA website is that the Metro parking lots open up at 3:30 am not 3 am.

 

[DancingBear]

I find it kind of amusing that so many people from all over are coming into the area for this, but those of us who live here are kind of like "no way, no how." Could it be that we realize how tough it is to get parking at the metro, find a bathroom or food on the mall, etc. is on your average day? Or maybe we're all just cynical. I dunno, I'd really like to be there, but the chances of being able to see anything are slim to none.

Well, I live here and have an idea of the issues, but I'm going. I don't expect to be able to really see anything (although I guess if I really wanted to arrive early and save decent seats along the parade route I could), but I'm looking forward to the vibe. It's part of why I like living here.

It'll be interesting to see how it really plays out. For example, as to the bathroom issue, I think about the half-million or so that are at the Independence Day fireworks, and, perhaps it's just wishful thinking, but there's a part of me that thinks (1) they've done their best to discourage folks from coming, (2) they've put a lot of effort into the planning, so perhaps they'll have more port-a-potties around than, say, they do for the fireworks, (3) some of the X million that are coming will stay home in mid-day and just come in later for the balls, which will spread the crowds out, and (4) the Smithsonian buildings and some other buildings will be available that aren't usually open for the fireworks. So maybe it won't be so awful after all.

 

[Quiksilvr]

I find it kind of amusing that so many people from all over are coming into the area for this, but those of us who live here are kind of like "no way, no how." Could it be that we realize how tough it is to get parking at the metro, find a bathroom or food on the mall, etc. is on your average day? Or maybe we're all just cynical. I dunno, I'd really like to be there, but the chances of being able to see anything are slim to none.

Yeah, I think it's funny too. I actually live almost as close to the actual spot of the swearing-in as one possibly can (I live in Capitol Hill just a couple of blocks away) and I am battening the hatches and hiding out in my house until it's all over.

I think the residents understand just how difficult it's going to be to make this a remotely enjoyable experience. Living downtown is hard enough; inject a couple million people into a small part of the city and doing anything is downright impossible.

 

[DancingBear]

Yeah, I think it's funny too. I actually live almost as close to the actual spot of the swearing-in as one possibly can (I live in Capitol Hill just a couple of blocks away) and I am battening the hatches and hiding out in my house until it's all over.

You can easily walk over (and walk back if you just can't stand it) and you're not even going to check it out?

Can I get your address and use your bathroom?

 

[acejka]

Nope... I didn't vote for him, but even if my party would have won, I still wouldn't go, I don't like huge crowds and its just way too cold out...

My best friend is a big supporter of the democratic party and she has been picked as a volunteer to work at the events! I'm super excited for her but I still think she's a nut because its going to be so cold! I can't wait to hear about her experiences with it though.