~California Dreamin - Photographic Report~Index on post #1~Completed 8/17/07~

[tiggerwannabe]

Cast of Characters:

Me-Tiggerwannabe (Colleen), forever 18yo Mother of two.

DD-Fletchermem0rial (Brittany) here on the DIS, actually 18yo,
skateboarder wannabe.

Rose-My best friend (by default-our sons and daughters grew up together
and are each best friends with each other.) Traveler extraordinaire,
facilitator of said journey.

Stefanie-18yo DD to Rose, Best Friend to my DD. College student,
bartender wannabe. (She recently took classes on how to be one and is totally into it for the money.)

Day 0, D-Day, where it all begins...
Day 1, San Francisco - Page 1 post #10, 11 and 13...
Day 2, Alcatraz - Page 2 post #23...
Day 2.5, Do you know the way to San Jose - Page 3 post #31...
Day 3, San Jose to Anaheim via the Pacific Coast Highway - Page 3 post #44 and 45
Day 4, Disneyland! Finally! - Page 4 post #59
Day 4.25, more Disneyland - Page 5 post #68 and 70
Day 4.5, Buzz Lightyear and beyond! - Page 6 post #86
Day 4.75, A Parade and sneak peak at DCA - Page 7 post #95 and 96
Day 5, Disney's California Adventure - Page 7 post #105 and Page 8 post #106
Day 5.5, more California Adventure and back to Disneyland - Page 8 post #108
Day 5.75, Disneyland and my pal Mickey - Page 9 post #121
Day 6, Hollywood - Page 10 post #136
Day 6.5, Santa Monica Pier - Page 10 post #140
Day 7, Universal Studios Hollywood - Page 10 post #148
More touring in Universal Studios - Page 11 post #164 & 165
We finally finish the Backlot Tour - Page 12 post #166 & 168
Day 7.5 Universal Horrors & the Lower Lot - Page 12 post #169 & 170
Day 7.75 The end of our day at Universal - Page 14 post #198, 199 & 202
Day 8 Last stop, San Diego - Page 14 post 210
Day 9 Sea World, show by show - Page 15 post 211
Day 9.1 Sea Lions and Sharks - Page 15 post 213
Day 9.9 All of Sea World - Page 15 post 221, 222, 223, 224 and 225
Day 10 San Diego Zoo - Page 16 post 234, 235, 240
Cont'd on Page 17 post 242, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 248
Day 11 The Trip Home and Wrap up Page 17 post 249~

Chapter 1~

Penny Lane watching me pack…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0001.jpg

My new camera backpack…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0004.jpg

My carry ons…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0006.jpg

My checked bags…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0007.jpg

Brittany relaxing, we were at the airport by 4:30 in the am…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0009.jpg

Watching the sun rise, waiting to board…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0011.jpg

Nan picked us up at San Jose's airport. When we got to her house, we picked this up and went to lunch in style…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0014.jpg

Lunch was just for us Ladies, Nan took us to El Gato to eat. After lunch, we went back to Nan's got the van to pick up the kids from school. We surprised Wilson first…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0015.jpg

And then we found and surprised Molly…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0016.jpg


The kids got to set the table…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0018.jpg

Nan and Paul cooked us a BBQ dinner before the movie…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0019.jpg

Nan, the Happy Homemaker…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0020.jpg

Brittany likes to make faces at the camera…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0021.jpg

Dinner’s just about ready…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0022.jpg

Molly and Wilson dressed and ready to go…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0023.jpg

Next up…we finally see some Pirates!

[tiggerwannabe]

Molly and Wilson met a few of their friends at the theatre for the premier of pirates...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0026.jpg

Here's the pegleg pirate...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0028.jpg

and a scarrrrred pirate...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0029.jpg

The kids all gathered for a group shot...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0030.jpg

Captain Jack arrives!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0032.jpg

He made nice with Miss Molly...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0033.jpg

and asked Wil if he be dead...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0034.jpg

Nan came prepared...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0035.jpg

We keep calling it the dessert tart thing...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0036.jpg

Someone down front looked really interested in what Nan was serving...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0038.jpg

Our Jack did juggling tricks...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0040.jpg

He was actually pretty good...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0041.jpg

Wilson scared the bejeezus out of Jack...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0042.jpg

We all watched at World's end and rather enjoyed it tho it was loooong~

After the movie, Paul took DD and me from San Jose to San Francisco and picked Rose and Stefanie up at the San Francisco airport on the way.

Next chapter...Gray Days in San Francisco...

[blondeheroine]

HEY! I forgot about your California trip!

I went to see PotC in a lame theatre with NO pirates. I'm jealous!

And I have that same Pirate Princess shirt!

[bstsuda]

hey i have that Pirate Princess shirt too.....but i have a better one with the BEST photo of Capt Jack....people have tried to 'rip' it off me - they like it soooo much!!!!

GREAT photos so far Colleen - patiently awaiting the rest....but it's 3:30 here & i needed a break from 'work' so thought i'd check out the newest posts! Glad i did!!!!

[Dalpal]

GREAT PICS Colleen!:thumbsup2

MORE...:yay: MORE!:3dglasses

[PrincessaC]

Great pics :thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

Thanx Guys! I am very happy you like them so far...

I am in the process of resizing my San Francisco shots before I can post them. I realized after uploading about 200 that they were gonna be too big for the DISboards.

I leave work soon and hope to have the next set up before the end of tonight...stay tuned~

[Aisling]

I'm so happy to see your pictures! Not to put pressure on you, but OMG I can hardly wait for more. I have so many comments, I don't even know where to begin. Let's just say I'm lovin it.:cheer2:

[nebo]

Hey coleen, Wow, what a cool, different approach to a trip story. Kind of in reverse. The whole story is told by pictures. To me , this is kinda like Seinfeld episode, but then again, my whole life feels that way. Keep um comin.:banana:

[tiggerwannabe]

We wake up to a bit of a grey day...the fog lifts above the cityscape...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0044.jpg

This guy totally freaked Stef out last night when she saw him out of our window...til she realized he was a statue :lmao:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0046.jpg

This is Rose...she was happy to finally be in California...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0049.jpg

She said after I took this one it felt like old times...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0050.jpg

First on the agenda...to Ride a Cable Car...
The operators had to turn it around first...they really do do this by hand...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0051.jpg

The ride was pretty cool...Stef's extreme close up first...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0052.jpg

The girls really haven't been anywhere together in a long time...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0053.jpg

Thank goodness the cable car got us up *this* hill...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0055.jpg

We got off the ride in Chinatown...Britt's turn for the extreme close up...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0057.jpg

I was told by a coworker that the Coit tower (pictured below) had the best view of the city...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0059.jpg

He didn't tell me we'd have to walk up *this* to get there...:faint:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0061.jpg

[tiggerwannabe]

Here's a view of the same street from high above in the tower...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0067.jpg

Here is Alcatraz, the Golden Gate couldn't be seen at all because of the fog...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0068.jpg

This is the Bay Bridge, just opposite of the Golden Gate...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0070.jpg

We left the tower from the opposite side and found this really awesome fountain/sculpture...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0075.jpg

The fountain seems to take up an entire city block...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0078.jpg

One picture of Stefanie...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0080.jpg

One of the girls....

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0081.jpg

and one picture of Brittany later, it was time to head to the Pier...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0083.jpg

One last look back at the tower...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0086.jpg

This one's for all you Star Wars Fans~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0087.jpg

We found it on our way to Pier 39...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0088.jpg

The pier has lotsa cool shops and an aquarium and plenty of places to eat~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0090.jpg

Brittany wanted me to buy this poster, I took a picture of it instead...
(it's from A Clockwork Orange-the Movie for those who do not know)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0091.jpg

We already get to see some sea lions...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0092.jpg

They were loud and stinky but totally cute...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0093.jpg

Here's a little mini lighthouse and a navy ship in the background...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0097.jpg

This area of Pier 39 is actually a mammal rescue center...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0100.jpg

This little guy was chillaxin in the water...time to get us some lunch

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0103.jpg

Brittany really liked the six pack condiment holders...and again she makes a face...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0104.jpg

Stefanie had a headache...she only looks slightly grumpy here...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0105.jpg

I couldn't take my cup with me, so I had to get this shot...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0106.jpg

Lunch was pretty good today...but I think we've had enough...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0107.jpg

We have a date to go to a Giants game. We meet Nan and family around six.

Next up...they really like Barry here, Barry Bonds of course that is...

[nsalz]

Excellent idea..TR by pictures. Lovin' it!

[tiggerwannabe]

We sat quite close to Mr Bonds...could even see his bling...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0108.jpg

Backside...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0114.jpg

Frontside....

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0115.jpg

Some pictures...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0117.jpg

and some stats...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0119.jpg

It was really really cold that night...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/StefandNansPics/IMG_0348.jpg

So cold Nan and Paul bought Molly a jacket...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/StefandNansPics/IMG_0349.jpg

Can you find me under all my hair...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/StefandNansPics/IMG_0350.jpg

How about these three under their coats...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/StefandNansPics/IMG_0355.jpg

The family looked adorable too, I really love this shot~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/StefandNansPics/IMG_0356.jpg

Next up: Tomorrow, we go to Alcatraz

[Cruisin]

:thumbsup2

[Aisling]

Tig, I hope YOU'RE in more pictures!!
It really makes me wish I was there.

[oh_sachi]

Subscribing!
I miss living in Cali and being able to go to San Fran over long weekends...

[DISUNC]

:love: The pics!:banana: :yay: :woohoo: :3dglasses


1) I WANT THAT CAR!
2) WHAT WAS NAN EATING???? Did she buy it in the movie theatre? Did she bring it from home? Is this a "california thing":confused3 :confused3 :confused3
3) I forgot all about the seals:upsidedow ....(did you see Seal Island in SF?) Pier 39 had a great Magnet store....use to get lots of cool Fridge magnets there...Is it still there?

[CustardTart]

We went to lunch in style…

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0014.jpg


Absolutely beeootiful car... :love: :love: :love:

[tiggerwannabe]

Tig, I hope YOU'RE in more pictures!!
It really makes me wish I was there.

I am in all these pictures Aisling...

Ansel Adams once said, "There are at least two people in every photograph; the one who took the picture and the person looking at it."

I wish you were there too~

[tiggerwannabe]

:love: The pics!:banana: :yay: :woohoo: :3dglasses


1) I WANT THAT CAR!
2) WHAT WAS NAN EATING???? Did she buy it in the movie theatre? Did she bring it from home? Is this a "california thing":confused3 :confused3 :confused3
3) I forgot all about the seals:upsidedow ....(did you see Seal Island in SF?) Pier 39 had a great Magnet store....use to get lots of cool Fridge magnets there...Is it still there?

1) That car is their baby, she only comes out about once a year.
2) We went to the grocery store before dinner and the movie and bought that in the bakery. It's a fruit tart. I don't think it's a "california thing."
3) We only saw the seals at the pier and as you will see later, along the pacific coast highway. Yes, the magnet store is still there, it's alot like the one in downtown Disney.

Welcome ohsachi!

It is a beautiful area, I am very glad to have had the opportunity to visit.

Yes, Karen...

She is beautiful. It's a 1955 Porche.

:yay: It's nice to see so many of you joining me on my journey...
I will be back later today with more for you all :yay:

[blue_river]

This is great!!!!

I love picture reports :thumbsup2

What wonderful memories for the girls :goodvibes
- and for the mothers ;)


Waiting for more pictures :yay:

[tiggerwannabe]

This is great!!!!

I love picture reports :thumbsup2

What wonderful memories for the girls :goodvibes
- and for the mothers ;)


Waiting for more pictures :yay:

:yay: :banana: :cool1: :banana: :yay:

Next chapter coming right up...

Yes, the girls had a great time and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to take them~

Rose is already calling me about our next trip :faint:

We have a DISmeet in July, Rose and I will be near Hershey for the whole weekend.

We have a couples weekend planned for Williamsburg this summer for she and I and our hubbys.

We go to NC together every year, this one is scheduled for the end of August, beginning of September. The whole family gets to go to NC, including our dogs~

and last but not least, for this year anyway, we are going to Orlando in December-for that trip I will most likely take my son and husband and leave DD at home this time. She feels it was a fair trade with her being the only one who went to California with me.

...ok, I'm done yammering...time to post some pics...

[tiggerwannabe]

Our second day in San Francisco was just as grey and a little more chilly than the first...The National Park service runs a ferry to Alcatraz. The dock is only a couple blocks from where we stayed and a little further than Pier 39...We prepurchased tickets from Harbor Cruises for the 9am ferry, only $43 for two people, round trip.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0123.jpg

The first stop is at what was employee/prison guard housing. This building started as a fortress and eventually was used as housing for those who worked on the island.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0124.jpg

The stairway seen here was closed to visitors. Alot of the prison property is fenced off either because of nesting birds (they attack if you get too close) or deterioration due to the age of the prison.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0125.jpg

Rose is under the blue hood you see here, DD was patiently waiting for the park ranger to finish his speech before we could go tour the prison.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0126.jpg

This is a guard tower, the first one we go by on our way up to the prison...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0128.jpg

This is the last checkpoint before you enter the grounds...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0129.jpg

This used to be an officers club before it was destroyed by a fire...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0132.jpg

Here is the inside of what's left of the building.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0133.jpg

This is the watertower that supplied the whole island.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0135.jpg

This is the warehouse/storehouse the prison used to house its supplies...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0137.jpg

I believe this was another common house used daily by the officers...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0139.jpg

Here's another stairwell closed off cause of birds...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0138.jpg

This guy was standing guard over the nest on the stairs~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0141.jpg

This is the powerhouse, the generators for the prison were housed inside here...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0143.jpg

This area was blocked off because of deterioration of the site...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0144.jpg


Next up: We go inside, don't worry, we get out ;)

[tiggerwannabe]

First stop for prisoners is the showers...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0145.jpg

they picked up what they needed in this first room before heading into the water...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0146.jpg

Communal living is no joke in prison, this is their one huge shower stall...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0147.jpg

After a shower, this is the way up to the cells...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0148.jpg

There are 3 main areas of cells in Alcatraz. Section A was rarely used, section B was for the general population, section C was for the ill and those who couldn't behave.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0149.jpg

The spiral staircase was for guards to access the different tiers in their section...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0151.jpg

This was the first cell we found to replicate the infamous breakout in 1962...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0155.jpg

This told us all the details and even shows the path they took.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0158.jpg

There were three that actually got out that day, these show us where they were housed, in relation to the third who was down the row a little by himself.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0159.jpg

For those who've seen the movie, this is behind the cells and how the escapees got out of the building. (They climbed the pipes behind the wall to get to the roof.)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0160.jpg

We found some cells that were open and the girls felt like hamming it up..Here's Stef behind bars...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0163.jpg

and here is Britt...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0164.jpg

Britt, I guess, really had to go...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0166.jpg

This is them using the visitor windows...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0168.jpg

Next was the control room...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0170.jpg

this guy was hanging out just outside of the control room.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0171.jpg

We stepped outside and could see the city of San Francisco...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0176.jpg

This is the lighthouse on the city side of the island.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0177.jpg

Here's one more look at the general cell area...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0180.jpg

and the view of the cutoff used to access the cells.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0182.jpg

One more set of shots and we too are ready to escape from Alcatraz~

[MrOakie]

Great pictures :thumbsup2 I was born in Oakland, and just absolutely love SF. Haven't been back to SF since we moved to Louisiana 5 years ago. I have a sister that still lives in SF, and we may get to go back to visit her in the (hopefully) not so distant future.

Love the report so far. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

[Spartangirl]

Loving your report so far! :thumbsup2 We leave for CA in a few weeks and Alcatraz is our first stop!

[tiggerwannabe]

Gettin down to the nitty gritty...

This I guess is a very old version of metal detector...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0183.jpg

The Cafeteria...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0185.jpg

The Kitchen area - to the left...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0187.jpg

The Kitchen area - to the right...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0188.jpg

The totally huge door that leads into the cafeteria...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0190.jpg

The Guard's Desk...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0191.jpg

The escapees...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0192.jpg

The exercise yard...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0193.jpg

The stairway back into the prison...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0198.jpg

Isolation Cell from the outside...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0203.jpg

Isolation cell from the inside...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0205.jpg

The view of the cell block from inside the library...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0209.jpg

Leaving the island...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0211.jpg

The only view we got of the Golden Gate Bridge...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0212.jpg

The view of the City...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0213.jpg

Britt's scrunchy face...again...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0214.jpg

Our cruise ship ;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0216.jpg


After Alcatraz we went back to the hotel, Rose went back to San Francisco International to pick up a rental car, the girls went to the wax museum while I waited at the hotel and babysat our luggage...I can post Stefanie's pics fro mthe wax museum if y'all like. We moved back to San Jose and stayed at the Pruneyard this evening. Nan was supposed to go see Pirates again with us but it wound up being only Rose, Stef, Brittany and Me.

[bstsuda]

It's really great to see all these photos and experience your trip to our beautiful state through "YOUR" eyes.....of course there's so much taken for granted once you've lived here for SOOOO long that it takes viewing someone elses photos to bring back the realizatio! And so much of your trip we don't really go to anymore either unless we have out of state or out of town visitors....thanks again...sure enjoying it all!!

[Aisling]

Ansel Adams once said, "There are at least two people in every photograph; the one who took the picture and the person looking at it."
I'd never heard this quote by Ansel Adams, but from it I can see how you truly are a photographer in heart and soul. Some of the photos are stunning. Wonderful job, my friend.:thumbsup2
One that made me laugh was the one with Brittany and Stefanie through the visitors glass, with their hands touching through the glass.:rotfl: They looked like they were gettin jiggy wit Alcatraz.

[tiggerwannabe]

I really enjoyed California Brenda...I know the girls did too...

there was just soooo much going on at once going back thru these pictures helps me relive it all over again, a little bit at a time :)

Yeah Aisling, they are a couple of hams when they spend any time together...

They've always been great friends, there is actually a third in this group named Courtney that I totally wish could have come with us. Courtney, Stefanie and Brittany literally all grew up together. Coming home on the plane I noticed how the girls became close friends all over again~

[tiggerwannabe]

We left San Francisco about 3 o'clock in the afternoon...

the clouds were literally rolling off the hillside, it looked soooo cool!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0222.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0223.jpg

We checked in to the Pruneyard about an hour later, it was *really* nice for the price we paid. (It was about half the cost per day as the one in San Francisco.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0224.jpg

Granite countertops in the bathroom, a stand up shower, a fridge, a microwave and an extra sink in the room...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0228.jpg

We got a second floor room with a nice view of the fountain out front...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/POTC%20and%20San%20Jose/DSC_0230.jpg

Rose and Stef and me went down and enjoyed the hot tub...Brittany stayed in the room and tried to sleep for about an hour.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/StefandNansPics/P1010050.jpg

The Pruneyard had a beautiful mural on the courtyard wall, just had to bring home a photo to share...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/StefandNansPics/P1010051.jpg

As I said earlier, we took Rose and Stefanie to the Pruneyard cinema to see Pirates of the Caribbean. I totally enjoyed seeing it again, those two were totally lost after it was over. We stopped at a brewery right behind the hotel for a quick dinner. The food was ok, the beer was better~

Tomorrow, we drive the Pacific Coast on our way to Disneyland. Nan and her family are flying to Anaheim. They landed around 11 and spent the day at the park. We left the hotel around 9 or 10 that morning, the Pacific Coast is gorgeous! (but Lord help you if you get queezy) After 8 hours on the highway we were totally ready to be outta there.

The traffic through LA was a bit hairy, as expected. We found the exit to Disneyland rather easily but figuring out which of the two dozen Best Westerns in the area was ours was a challenge and a half.

Check in was fairly easy, Rose was impressed by the rates they charge. Our room was on the front of the hotel, top floor, facing Disneyland itself :goodvibes:

til then my friends...hasta Manana~:wave:

[bstsuda]

[QUOTE=tiggerwannabe;19080426]I really enjoyed California Brenda...I know the girls did too...

there was just soooo much going on at once going back thru these pictures helps me relive it all over again, a little bit at a time :)

[b]QUOTE]

photos can definitely DO THAT...another reason i'm so adamant about putting my photos AND all the stories behind them in our albums....when i miss the Magic or my family (as they ALL live in Iowa)....i have albums and albums of 'treasured together times'

[bstsuda]

[QUOTE=tiggerwannabe;19080426]I really enjoyed California Brenda...I know the girls did too...

there was just soooo much going on at once going back thru these pictures helps me relive it all over again, a little bit at a time :)

[b]QUOTE]

photos can definitely DO THAT...another reason i'm so adamant about putting my photos AND all the stories behind them in our albums....when i miss the Magic or my family (as they ALL live in Iowa)....i have albums and albums of 'treasured together times'

[tiggerwannabe]

I have a plan...

When this report is all finished, I'm gonna switch it over to printable mode and print everything for my first scrapbook. I figure this way I have the photos and the captions all ready to paste...right?

I just finished loading up all the Disneyland and California Adventure pictures! :woohoo:

They are all finally in my photobucket, I can post them to my trip report tomorrow~I am so proud of the Disney park photos! I am actually in some since Nan isn't shy about using my camera :hug:

[bstsuda]

Oh my gosh...if you took PCH from Santa Cruz all the way down you DID go right by my office.....DARN it ALL....well i hope we'll meet up in NYC!!!

[tiggerwannabe]

Oh we will ::yes::

I can use the excuse of my birthday and maybe get hubby to spend the night up there with me :ssst: YOu said Sept 19th right?

I videotaped most of the trip down the coast...

As soon as I figure out how (ahem...Chad...hint hint) I will post it on youtube for all to see~

We stopped in Monterey and a view Vista spots off the road. The view is gorgeous the whole ride down...the girls, esp Stefanie, hated it :headache: she kept mumbling in the back, "we really shoulda flew."

I determined if I ever go back to the coast I am gonna do it from a hotel right there on the cliffs.

[Lauralee131]

Awesome pictures so far!! See...this is why I love you!! A great photographic trip report...:love:

I'm heading out of town for the weekend, but look forward to seeing more when I get back!!

[tiggerbell]

I'm only through the end of page 1 but I'm loving it! :thumbsup2

We're in the process of arguing California vs. Florida for 2008... I'm torn! :scared:

[bstsuda]

Oh we will ::yes::

I can use the excuse of my birthday and maybe get hubby to spend the night up there with me :ssst: YOu said Sept 19th right?

I videotaped most of the trip down the coast...

As soon as I figure out how (ahem...Chad...hint hint) I will post it on youtube for all to see~

We stopped in Monterey and a view Vista spots off the road. The view is gorgeous the whole ride down...the girls, esp Stefanie, hated it :headache: she kept mumbling in the back, "we really shoulda flew."

I determined if I ever go back to the coast I am gonna do it from a hotel right there on the cliffs.

Yes we get in on the 19th about 5ish...plan on just doing the sightseeing stuff thurs & friday....then hopefully we'll choose a Broadway play or musical for Sat & we have the Yankees on Sunday...so....what day is your BD??? Maybe we can plan to all have dinner somewhere friday night???

[bstsuda]

Did you happen to stop in Carmel and check out the "white sand beaches"? Carmel is an awesome little town - BIG BIG $$$$ to live & shop there...but SOOOOO cute!!!! I love that town & really enjoy having our 'weekend crops' there - which is twice a year....even the girls would have loved Carmel~but that drive really is a long one....thank God it is a gorgeous one!!

[tiggerwannabe]

Awesome pictures so far!! See...this is why I love you!! A great photographic trip report...:love:

I'm heading out of town for the weekend, but look forward to seeing more when I get back!!

:hug: Awww, thank you...and have a great time!

I will definitely have more by the time you return~

I'm only through the end of page 1 but I'm loving it!

We're in the process of arguing California vs. Florida for 2008... I'm torn!

Thank you Jaime!

You think you are torn now?

Wait til you see the Disney stuff :hippie:

:wizard:

Yes we get in on the 19th about 5ish...plan on just doing the sightseeing stuff thurs & friday....then hopefully we'll choose a Broadway play or musical for Sat & we have the Yankees on Sunday...so....what day is your BD??? Maybe we can plan to all have dinner somewhere friday night???

My birthday is the Sunday before but I can totally get away with celebrating the weekend after...it *is* a celebration month right?

I was thinking John and I would come up Friday night, not sure what time tho and possibly getting tickets to a show saturday? Or even tickets to the ball game on sunday :scratchin John would totally love that...as my New Yorkers friends would say, we'll tawlk :thumbsup2

Did you happen to stop in Carmel and check out the "white sand beaches"? Carmel is an awesome little town - BIG BIG $$$$ to live & shop there...but SOOOOO cute!!!! I love that town & really enjoy having our 'weekend crops' there - which is twice a year....even the girls would have loved Carmel~but that drive really is a long one....thank God it is a gorgeous one!!

We had just stopped in Monterey at the wharf, saw the signs to go to Carmel, and decided it was too soon to stop again :confused3 I am kinda glad we didn't stop again so soon cause that ride down the coast, as I was forwarned, was looooooong. If we stopped everywhere we wanted we would've taken 3 days to get down the coast ;) :sunny:

[PrincessaC]

:thumbsup2 loving all the pics

[tiggerwannabe]

:thumbsup2 loving all the pics

Thank you Cally!

Next up...the beautiful Pacific Coast...

[tiggerwannabe]

For this chapter...I will let the pictures speak for themselves...

It was a lovely, curvey ride all along the coast. The scenery is fabulous, the gas is expensive ($4.16 a gallon :eek: ) but the water is cheap (Only $2 for a really big bottle)

:sunny:

We started our journey on 101 and didn't really hit the coastal route 1 before we were in Monterey. We left route 1 again for 101 around Santa Barbara. We knew we were back near civilization cause that's when the traffic hit~

...now, on with the show...



http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0231.jpg


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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0252.jpg

[tiggerwannabe]

The Pacific Coast - Part deux...


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0253.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0254.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0255.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0256.jpg

Sea Lions are an unusual site for us Jersey folks...these guys are totally cool to watch...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0257.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0258.jpg

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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0264.jpg

Kite Surfers! (too bad the ground was too high up for us to see the people, the kites were a really neat site tho)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0265.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0266.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0267.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/Pacific%20Coast%20Hwy/DSC_0269.jpg

Next chapter, Disneyland!!!!!!!!

[tiggerbell]

Gorgeous!!! :hug:

[Spartangirl]

The Pacific Coast looks absolutely beautiful! I'm looking forward to seeing your Disneyland pics...:goodvibes

[Dalpal]

Colleen!...From one photog to another :thumbsup2
You done good girl!:teeth:...

I think I would like to go sometime just to do the PCH for a week...and take my time...
I would soo not want to get back in the car...evey place I see in your pics....Id like to stop and play there for awhile....:yay:

It all looks sooooo lovely!:3dglasses

[bstsuda]

Awesome Colleen....i hate to say - but can't remember the last time i took any photos of our own coast line....hummmmm - i'm guessing it would have been '99 when DD graduated HS & we rented a condo at Pajaro Dunes for the party (& most of my family got to stay at the beach condo for the time they were here)...that is SO SAD - isn't it? but i'm still loving your pics!!! really anxious for the DL ones....

[blondeheroine]

Holy cow! These photos are beautiful. They make me want to MOVE there.

I'm going to San Fran in September with one of my best friends so this is so much fun!

And the sea lions would be unusual for me, too. I think I've seen them in the zoo though! LOL

[DISUNC]

[Britt, I guess, really had to go...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/1st%20day%20and%20san%20francisco/DSC_0166.jpg

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[DISUNC]

Did they explain the "True" story of the Birdman of alcatraz? What Al Capone was really like? The food that was served to the prisinors???

[DISUNC]

When this report is all finished

Wanna have a TR race?:lmao:

[tiggerwannabe]

Thank you all for the great comments :worship:

I made a slideshow of part 1 for my MySpace friends, I will be cheating tonight since I am on my way out and will share my slideshow with you~

I will post these same pics in the normal format tomorrow but for those looking for a taste of what's to come, here is your preview...click on the picture below~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/th_DSC_0414.jpg (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/?action=view&current=1181350845.pbw)

[tiggerwannabe]

Did they explain the "True" story of the Birdman of alcatraz? What Al Capone was really like? The food that was served to the prisinors???

Yes they did. I have the stories from the National Park's website and a picture of the menu. I'll share tomorrow, I'm supposed to be over my sister's house right now :ssst:

[tiggerwannabe]

Wanna have a TR race?:lmao:

I already win!

:duck:

:lmao:

:hippie:

[PrincessaC]

Beautiful!!!! Colleen, thanks for sharing:) Gonna go check out the slide show! :goodvibes

[DISUNC]

THAT DRIVE!:cloud9:
THAT VIEW!:cloud9:

[tiggerwannabe]

Disneyland was literally right across the street from us...this is the walk in/tram and bus entrance to the parks...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0414.jpg

This was the view from our window...that's Tower of Terror in the distance

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0415.jpg

Our first obligatory picture of the day...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0270.jpg

Can we get a close up of that please?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0273.jpg

I could feel the magic as we entered...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0456.jpg

the path to Main Street Disneyland.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0276.jpg

Walt's office was upstairs, they still keep the light on for him...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0277.jpg

My goodness that castle is small...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0278.jpg

Here is my first view of Walt, Mickey and the Castle.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0279.jpg

Our second obligatory shot of the day...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0280.jpg

and a close up of that one as well...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0281.jpg

Where do you think we should go next...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0284.jpg

Iiiiii dunno, how about you...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0285.jpg

Pirates is only a five minute wait...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0286.jpg

We'll send Paul for fastpasses to splash after this...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0287.jpg

The wait was five minutes, just look I have proof!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0289.jpg

The outside is differnt, the inside is too...Pirates in Cali is longer, it's true!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0290.jpg

This is a fountain outside of the ride, I thought it was cool how about you?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0291.jpg

Disneyland has a pirate ship where Disneyworld has a ferry...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0292.jpg

We passed it up for the haunted house...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0294.jpg

Which is where we went next.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0295.jpg

Here's a close up of the outside...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0296.jpg

and me and DD

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0299.jpg

She really does love me...just look and you'll see!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0300.jpg

[blondeheroine]

Oh I'm so jealous!

I love that they keep the light on for Walt. :goodvibes

[tiggerwannabe]

Oh I'm so jealous!

I love that they keep the light on for Walt. :goodvibes

Please, don't ever be jealous :hug:

You've been there before haven't you?

I haven't been in California since I was three and this trip went by waaaay too fast. I *will* plan another one but this time with longer stops. We averaged 2.5 days in each of our 5 different hotels :faint:

[Dalpal]

Hey Colleen...Im lost :confused3 ...Where is your slidshow?....:3dglasses :upsidedow

[tiggerwannabe]

[b]...click on the picture below~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/th_DSC_0414.jpg (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/?action=view&current=1181350845.pbw)

If you click on the picture it starts up the slideshow, those same pictures are what I posted last night. My last post has more pics in it than the slideshow does tho...that was just a teaser...

[Dalpal]

If you click on the picture it starts up the slideshow, those same pictures are what I posted last night. My last post has more pics in it than the slideshow does tho...that was just a teaser...


Thanks

[grimgrinnin]

Yay Tigg! Great pics! So sorry we missed the trip.

How'd you like the Best Western? Looks like you had a good view.


grim pirate:

[tiggerwannabe]

Yay Tigg! Great pics! So sorry we missed the trip.

How'd you like the Best Western? Looks like you had a good view.


grim pirate:

Thanx Grim! and Hello~

We missed you guys, all of you
:grouphug: :dance3:
pirate: princess: princess:
princess: :groom: :groom:
we still have NYears ;)

The Best Western location was AWESOME! I thanked you a few times as we walked over to the parks ::yes:: It only took a minute to sink in, "Disneyland view?" :wizard:

Nan's luck was exactly the opposite, the hotel put them in the room as far back as they go. Nan, of course, fixed that right away. They wound up with a room closer to the front (but still on the side) on the second floor.

Rose was very impressed when she saw the rate we paid. Our total for two days was 20% of what a Disney room would've cost us. I'm not knocking Disney hotels, they absolutely have their perks, but for someone on a budget the Best Western suits us just fine :)

[JadeDarkstar]

wow looks like you had a relly good trip. I lvoe all the pics.

[tiggerwannabe]

Check out Stef's face...that's the weirdest face I've seen made yet ;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0301.jpg

Molly and Wilson, of course, gave one right back :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0303.jpg

We visited with 999 grim grinning ghosts then set sail around pirate's lair...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0304.jpg

Here's Nan and Paul...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0305.jpg

then Paul took one of us three...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0307.jpg

Stef's turn to make faces...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0309.jpg

avast...Jack was on the island!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0311.jpg

being chased up a pole!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0312.jpg

Jack is a cutie, he even spoke to us as we sailed by...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0313.jpg

we all enjoyed a casual sail around the island...the music they play is soothing as well...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0314.jpg

DL's island tour is also the same, only different.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0315.jpg

This is their treehouse, it's under refurbish right now. They changed their Swiss Family motif to a home for Tarzan.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0316.jpg

Next was the jungle cruise, we did Pooh and Splash in there too.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0317.jpg

Our tour guide was awesome...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0319.jpg

Most of her jokes were new...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0320.jpg

thank goodness for that cause the ride is the same.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0321.jpg

Brittany's turn to make a face...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0322.jpg

Molly and Wilson again :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0323.jpg

Jungle Cruise's headsalesman made a killing that day :lmao:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0325.jpg

What's the next fastpass and tell me which way~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0326.jpg

I think we then rode Indy, I can't remember exactly for sure. Nan was impressed, we hit 10 rides before noon. Lunch is up next...I'll be back really soon~

[Dalpal]

Im still enjoying your pics!:thumbsup2

and you got to talk to Jack?.....:woohoo: :yay: ;)

What did you like better then at WDW and what did you like better at WDW...
I need comparisons!...:)

Just wondering...:thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

We stopped and had lunch, Nan'll have to remind me of where. It was very victorian, reminded me a bit of the Crystal Palace but without the buffet. This one was cafeteria style, Britt and me both had fettucini Alfredo, she picked out the chicken I ate the whole thing.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0329.jpg

Rose doesn't do thrill rides and Wilson is too small, the girls and I did Space Mountain. I had heard it was changed and was not disappointed at all.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0331.jpg

There's an Xwing fighter in that window there!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0332.jpg

This is the loading area, it's totally different from ours. The ride was incredible, it's like a Rockin Roller Coaster and Space Mountain meld~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0336.jpg

We walked by the seagulls. they say mine, mine, mine...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0338.jpg

We had hoped to ride Nemo, it was not meant to happen this time.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0339.jpg

We rode it's a Small World, another ride that's different yet the same.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0341.jpg

Matterhorn was a different experience for me, it's the first ride of its kinda but awfully bumpy you see.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0344.jpg

Here is their Castle from the backside...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0345.jpg

Nan and Britt tried to act suprised...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0346.jpg

Nan took a picture of DD and me...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0350.jpg

This whole area is pretty...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0351.jpg

Snow White's wishing well is nearby.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0352.jpg

This guy was huge and very pretty.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0358.jpg

We went to Blue Bayou, just the three of us alone. No one else was hungry yet...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0360.jpg

They really should have come. In the background that is Blue, is where the Pirate's ride goes right by you. Gee :scratchin maybe that's why it's called "Blue Ba-you?" :lmao:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0361.jpg

Britt and me got the Pirate Ship...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0362.jpg

Nan had Key Lime

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0365.jpg

The sail was made of sugar, can you see the detail?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0366.jpg

Up next in this saga, we finish our day...we split up when we needed to, things go smoother that way.

[tiggerwannabe]

Im still enjoying your pics!:thumbsup2

and you got to talk to Jack?.....:woohoo: :yay: ;)

What did you like better then at WDW and what did you like better at WDW...
I need comparisons!...:)

Just wondering...:thumbsup2

Their Space Mountain was better, the outside of their Small World was nicer being out in the open and filled with topiaries all around, the inside I felt was the same.

Their Indy is awesome, their Parade was too short. Their Splash was like ours their Pooh ride was not. I thought DL's Pooh was kinda short but the car you ride in was better.

Buzz Lightyear was almost exactly like ours, except their guns are not attached to the "car." Another cool option was emailing our ride photos after you get off of Buzz. I'll post all mine later, I sent myself five. The first time thru I only sent myself mine, the second time thru-yes, we rode it twice-I sent myself four.

For long trips, I totally vote WDW over DL. For a visit of two to four days I'd do Disneyland again but no more.

[bstsuda]

hummmm....i might have to try Blue Bayou for dessert.....that all looked great....don't even want to know how many points in any of those...i've had lunch there a couple of times....& never thought of just going for dessert....usually need to make a stop at their bakery....the candy store...or the carnation ice cream parlor:rotfl2:

[tiggerwannabe]

hummmm....i might have to try Blue Bayou for dessert.....that all looked great....don't even want to know how many points in any of those...i've had lunch there a couple of times....& never thought of just going for dessert....usually need to make a stop at their bakery....the candy store...or the carnation ice cream parlor:rotfl2:

I had already made reservations at Blue Bayou when I went and looked at the menu, it seemed awfully expensive and not very vegetarian friendly (for DD.)

Someone here on the DIS had given me the idea to go for dessert, I went over to WDWIG and checked out the menu and was hooked when I saw the pirate ship dessert.

It was a cookie pie, warm inside topped with vanilla ice cream...it was goooood~ The menus are souvenirs, they have the Pirate's of the Caribbean logo on the back. We also picked up the movie posters the restaurant was giving out at the door. DD really loved the atmosphere, being inside the pirate ride was an incredible experience. I recommend it wholeheartedly!

[KatGarcia]

AWESOME PICS! I really enjoyed the report so far. I'm so excited to see DL for the first time next week and seeing great shots like yours just makes me all the more excited!

[bstsuda]

I had already made reservations at Blue Bayou when I went and looked at the menu, it seemed awfully expensive and not very vegetarian friendly (for DD.)

Someone here on the DIS had given me the idea to go for dessert, I went over to WDWIG and checked out the menu and was hooked when I saw the pirate ship dessert.

It was a cookie pie, warm inside topped with vanilla ice cream...it was goooood~ The menus are souvenirs, they have the Pirate's of the Caribbean logo on the back. We also picked up the movie posters the restaurant was giving out at the door. DD really loved the atmosphere, being inside the pirate ride was an incredible experience. I recommend it wholeheartedly!

Sounds really really yummy....and you definitely can't beat the atmosphere for sure....i have a hard time finding something there as i don't eat any seafood...and very little red meat....i typically will have lunch at the restaurant near Space Mtn (space port pizza or something to that effect....they have a GREAT salad i love)!!!! Club 33 is really awesome too....i have a couple of connections....but it is REALLY expensive - so don't go there very often but took DD there last summer as a surprise...she had been once at age 8 or so...then she missed out when we there for my 40th...she flew in later that day....well - i'm rambling....

btw - which BW hotel where you at in DL?

[PaulDavid's mom]

Colleen! Love it! Love it! Love it!
Your pictures are amazing. It's interesting to see the differences between DW and DL.
I'm on a countdown to our DW trip. Only 335 days to go!
I can't wait to read more.

[Tanya90210]

I am really loving your trip report! You are a fabulous photograper... Can't wait to see the next set...

[blondeheroine]

Please, don't ever be jealous :hug:

You're supposed to "Na! Na!" :p

I've been to LA, but never to DL. Can you believe that? I was with people who weren't all Disney-fied like myself. :p

[blondeheroine]

They really should have come. In the background that is Blue, is where the Pirate's ride goes right by you. Gee :scratchin maybe that's why it's called "Blue Ba-you?" :lmao:

Oh no you didn't. LOL! :lmao:

Do you have to sit right up on each other on the Matterhorn? One of those sit in between the legs of the person behind you? That kinda thing drives me crazy.

Okay, you spoke of food. Now I'm hungry. :p

[KimAshton]

Just read the whole TR so far it looks like you and everyone had a blast. :)

[RHONDALEE]

:wave2: Hi Tiggerwannabe

I'm really enjoying your picture trip report on DisneyLand. I was there 2 years ago this month (with my now xbf). We loved Indiana Jones. We rode it 12 times in the 3 days we were there. They didn't have Buzz yet and Space Mountain was being re-done.

Can't wait for the next installment.


Rhonda (aka Tiggerbells sister)

[bstsuda]

isn't the Indy ride the absolute BOMB???? it's my Favorite DL ride.....i was SOOOO sad to see that WDW didn't have an Indy ride...but then we don't have a MT Everest ride either and that is a pretty darn exciting ride too!!!

[tiggerwannabe]

AWESOME PICS! I really enjoyed the report so far. I'm so excited to see DL for the first time next week and seeing great shots like yours just makes me all the more excited!

I am very glad you are enjoying them, I hope to get the rest of Day 1 up today...Have a Great Trip Kat!

...

btw - which BW hotel where you at in DL?

Best Western Park Plaza Inn and Suites, I can get you more specific info if you need it, just ask.

I like the idea of checking out Club 33, maybe the next time I come out you and I can hook something up together :scratchin


Colleen! Love it! Love it! Love it!
Your pictures are amazing. It's interesting to see the differences between DW and DL.
I'm on a countdown to our DW trip. Only 335 days to go!
I can't wait to read more.

Hi Kelly! Glad you found me, thank you for the compliments :blush: I am grateful I have a boss who lets me "borrow" his Nikon D50 every time I go away :)

I am really loving your trip report! You are a fabulous photograper... Can't wait to see the next set...

Thank you Tanya! I am really happy to see so many DISers enjoying them~

Oh no you didn't. LOL!

Do you have to sit right up on each other on the Matterhorn? One of those sit in between the legs of the person behind you? That kinda thing drives me crazy.

Okay, you spoke of food. Now I'm hungry.

You're supposed to "Na! Na!"

I've been to LA, but never to DL. Can you believe that? I was with people who weren't all Disney-fied like myself.


Oh yes I did! :lmao: It was right there, I had to ;)

You do but you don't...we saw as they were loading for the Matterhorn that we had a choice to be in each other's laps or not, we chose not.

I can believe it...There was no way Rose was getting me to Cali and *not* going to DL! I almost didn't go to LA...we were so tired by that part of the trip I tried to back out of our LA day but DD didn't want to go to the city without me, so for her-I went. I knew I would've regretted not going so I sucked it up and enjoyed the day with everyone~

Just read the whole TR so far it looks like you and everyone had a blast.

Why thank you Kim, we did...we had teeny little sqaubbles which I blame having 4 women in one room together for 11 days...it was all good :goodvibes:

Hi Tiggerwannabe

I'm really enjoying your picture trip report on DisneyLand. I was there 2 years ago this month (with my now xbf). We loved Indiana Jones. We rode it 12 times in the 3 days we were there. They didn't have Buzz yet and Space Mountain was being re-done.

Can't wait for the next installment.


Rhonda (aka Tiggerbells sister)

Hi Rhondalee! and Welcome!

We only had two days to do both parks, Buzz was the only ride we did twice and we have missing fastpass takers to blame for that :ssst: They didn't have anyone taking fastpasses the first time around so as soon as it was over we zipped back around in line and did it again :thumbsup2

isn't the Indy ride the absolute BOMB???? it's my Favorite DL ride.....i was SOOOO sad to see that WDW didn't have an Indy ride...but then we don't have a MT Everest ride either and that is a pretty darn exciting ride too!!!

Indy was AWESOME! I think your Space Mountain was at the top of my list~

Can you believe I still haven't ridden Everest? DD did on her senior trip and Rose did that same week (her and her hubby went by themselves last March.) We go back in December and I am absolutely going to ride it when we get there~

We have something similar to Indy, Dinosaur in AK. It's only similar because of it being a jeep ride. The theming of Indy is alot more like the Mummy ride at Universal.

Did I tell you we pulled the rope that says don't pull? We hit the first two pulls and heard the clanking and the hollering, somebody else got the third pull in and we totally heard the guy falling :)

[bstsuda]

found the BW hotel...thanks for the name...there are so many BW's in that area - always like to have recommendations...don't think i've ever stayed at one hotel twice :confused3

Yes I LOVE the dinosaur ride at AK!!! and you absolutely MUST do everest your next trip....it is incredible. DS & I were fortunate to have the front seat our 1st ride - don't want to give anything away but if you ever get that 1st seat - be sure to have some kind of camera ready - make sure you have a great grip on it ....but you NEED a camera....mine had just run out of battery - UGGGHHHHH - and i didn't even think about using my cell camera until we rode the 2nd time - but of course didn't get the front.

AND you bet - if (not If - WHEN) you come out again - we'll definitely do Club 33....

[tiggerwannabe]

I've read about Everest and know what you mean ::yes::

It was nice having Nan and Paul at DL with us, they made sure to ask fro the front when we needed to, they really made the experience extra special for us :goodvibes:

It's definitely "WHEN" we come out next :thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

First up are our Free ride photos from Buzz!

My first ride thru was pitiful, we used our fastpasses again to try to outdo the first run...(there was no fastpass taker to take them so we still had fastpasses in our hand :ssst: )

Nan and Me...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/buzzlightyear_k4_2007148134305_eng1.jpg

Britt and Rose...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/buzzlightyear_k3_2007148141129_eng3.jpg

Stef and Nan...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/buzzlightyear_k3_2007148141203_eng4.jpg

Wilson and Me. Look, I did way better the second time!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/buzzlightyear_k3_2007148141043_eng2.jpg

Nan and Britt and me went to the Gallery after Blue Bayou. It's upstairs and is clearly marked. The first set are all renditions of rides, anybody wanna name all five?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0368.jpg

Brittany and me love many things, my pocketbook cannot afford all of them. I take home pictures as my souvenirs. These are a whole set of what we would buy~

Mickey and Walt looking down Main Street.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0371.jpg

Pirate Mickey himself~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0372.jpg

Boo and Sully...isn't that gorgeous?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0373.jpg

Nemo and "Squirt?" what *is* that turtles name?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0374.jpg

Mr Toad's Wild Ride! This closed in Orlando before I could ride.

Backstory: It was open the first trip I took with my kids. Brittany was five. She was ascared. She and I did a few things alone. We saw Beauty and the Beast while they rode Tower of Terror. We rode Buzz Lightyear while they saw Alien. What else? :scratchin...oh yeah...she rode the Haunted Mansion with her hands over her eyes. Mr Toad's was out of the question, we heard it was scary.

BS over.

O.M.G. It was a great thing that I didn't take Brittany in there. It is scary. It doesn't look it, but it is.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0375.jpg

Mr Toad :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0376.jpg

The girls with Mr Toad

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/StefandNansPics/P1010078.jpg

Rose and Nan rode this one together...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0377.jpg

This was at the end of Pinocchio, the Blue Fairy is cool.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0380.jpg

I was over in Nan and Stef's photobucket page, there's alotta pics over there! Check it out when you all have some time. I'll be back with more Disney for you shortly...TTFN~

http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/StefandNansPics/?start=all

colleen.

[blondeheroine]

I miss Mr. Toad's! It scared the crap out of me as a kid. When someone says, "Disney's just for kids", I like cite the fact that Walt sent us straight to hell in that one. Literally! LOL!

Did they have two different courses you could take like the one in Orlando did?

[tiggerwannabe]

I miss Mr. Toad's! It scared the crap out of me as a kid. When someone says, "Disney's just for kids", I like cite the fact that Walt sent us straight to hell in that one. Literally! LOL!

Did they have two different courses you could take like the one in Orlando did?

Anyone who knows the story of how Walt came up with the idea knows that he wanted a place for the parents to have fun along with the kids.

Some people liked to be scared; when Brittany was five she didn't want to take a ride to hell. I wasn't as park savvy as I am today and had no idea Mr Toad's was going away. The comment at the time was "next time." That was in 1993, I have waited literally 14 years to ride Mr Toads! So I did . :)

and so did she...and she loved it. :upsidedow

and no, :confused3 there was only one track that I noticed.

[blondeheroine]

Anyone who knows the story of how Walt came up with the idea knows that he wanted a place for the parents to have fun along with the kids.

I know. Yet, I found myself in a thread currently debating that very issue. Seriously, some chick posted this EXACT line:

"Disney is for kids, Walt would have wanted it that way."

Oh yes. It's true. :scared1:

I had wondered about the two tracks. In WDW, they had two different paths. If I remember correctly, there were two queues, but someone might want to correct me on that. When you got into Toad Hall, you went one way or another. I don't know if it was dependent on which queue you were in (if there were in fact two queues) or if it was simply random.

[tiggerwannabe]

Check out my page if you have a minute...

I used a new remix new from Photobucket and posted them as movies on my MySpace~

(They are on the right hand side of the page)

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=11672011

You may want to hit pause on the default player, all the movies have their own music.

[blondeheroine]

Check out my page if you have a minute...

I used a new remix new from Photobucket and posted them as movies on my MySpace~

(They are on the right hand side of the page)

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=11672011

You may want to hit pause on the default player, all the movies have their own music.

ooooh. I like the last two! Love the music. The mood on the last one is very fitting.

[tiggerwannabe]

I am silly enough to ask you...

What don't you like about the first one?

[blondeheroine]

I am silly enough to ask you...

What don't you like about the first one?

LOL! I do! But I loved the feel of the other two. The first one was jazzy and upbeat. Second one I mean.

The third one was just all about the mood. They're all great, but the music and feel for the last ones are just simply my favorite. :p

I think the first one the music definitely matches the photography. Very serene with the ocean views. It matches very well.

I like the Alcatraz one because - for some reason - it reminds me of a sad drama movie. Dare I say it? A prison movie with a bittersweet ending. It's the music.

[tiggerwannabe]

:teeth:

Thank you Kelly, I knew you could explain your thoughts well and be totally honest...I appreciate that about you.

I am back on to throw up the rest of the day's pictures...soon to follow~

[tiggerwannabe]

We were about 3 rows back to watch the parade, we always let the little ones get in front of us~the floats were really elaborate, too bad the parade was a bit short...jmho...;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0382.jpg

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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0397.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0398.jpg

Britt and me headed over to DCA to see if I could get a good a good sunset shot, the sun was setting just beyond the hotels, no good view of the sunset today-so we went and rode TOT instead :woohoo:

We stopped to visit with a friendly little Rabbit before we walked out of Disneyland...looks like he is in love~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0399.jpg


...coming up, DCA and DTD...

[tiggerwannabe]

This was my only sunset shot I was able to get at Disney...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0400.jpg

DCA was closing at 8 so we headed to Tower of Terror. I have to admit, I really liked this ride. TOT is DDs favorite at WDW's MGM. The preshow is similar, the ride really isn't, they twisted a few of the the things that happen right before the fall. It's totally cool.

My favorite was as you are falling and they open the elevator doors, I looked out over to the sunset on the California Coast :sunny:

The view was in.cre.di.ble!

I didn't buy any of the ride photos but I did do this with one...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0402.jpg

The sun was setting on the set of Hollywood...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0403.jpg

Mickey was outside of Monster's...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0404.jpg

This was the scene just inside the park...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0405.jpg

this was the scene just outside...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0406.jpg

Brittany really liked the trees at Downtown Disney,
I didn't have my tripod with me...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0407.jpg

please forgive the blurriness of these...
I posted them so you get the feel.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0408.jpg

This was a drummer/street performer,
I really wish he had come out more clear.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0409.jpg

We walked back by DCA from Downtown back to the hotel...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0410.jpg

The inlays of the sidewalk were also real cool, this was Britt and my fav.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0412.jpg

One last look outside our room window, and off to bed we go.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0413.jpg


Tomorrow, we start our day at DCA and I finally get my photo with Mickey~

[burly]

oh yes PHOTOS, love the pics. sounds like a fun trip. :)

[blondeheroine]

Gorgeous pics. Do you normally take a tripod? I've been wondering about that for my photos and videos. If you ever watch my Hallowishes video, you'll see why. But part of that was because RUDE people kept walking in front of me. UGH. When they say, "Remain where you are because it's as dark as the bat's cave," that's exactly what they mean!

[lexmelinda]

Hi, Colleen! :wave2:

Your family is adorable and your pictures are gorgeous.

Subscribing so I can come back later and dream. I've always wanted to go to SF.

popcorn::

[LITTLEKID58]

Love your pics............TFS

[tiggerwannabe]

oh yes PHOTOS, love the pics. sounds like a fun trip.

Thank you, it was alotta fun~

Gorgeous pics. Do you normally take a tripod? I've been wondering about that for my photos and videos. If you ever watch my Hallowishes video, you'll see why. But part of that was because RUDE people kept walking in front of me. UGH. When they say, "Remain where you are because it's as dark as the bat's cave," that's exactly what they mean!

I took the tripod to Cali, but left it in the room :upsidedow

I tend to use the zoom and an upward angle to eliminate the heads in the shot, it's kinda funny to watch people duck when they're not even in the way of my picture :lmao: :rolleyes1

Hi, Colleen!

Your family is adorable and your pictures are gorgeous.

Subscribing so I can come back later and dream. I've always wanted to go to SF

Thank you! My family is a bunch of hams, but I like them that way :goodvibes: I am totally into fun times and so are they~

We've got lots to go...one more day at DCA, a day in Hollywood and Santa Monica, a day at Sea World in San Diego and a day at the San Diego Zoo.

stay tuned for lots more!

Love your pics............TFS

Thank you! I am totally about sharing!

[Tanya90210]

The shot of the sunset with the boardwalk area of DCA is just sooo beautiful!!!

[PrincessaC]

Patiently waiting for more :hyper:

[Spartangirl]

Your pics are wonderful! It looks like you and your family had a wonderful time on your vacation! I'm looking forward to the rest...:goodvibes

[tiggerwannabe]

DCA doesn't open til 10 so we were able to take our time getting started today...

we started to the left so Muppets was first...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0416.jpg

Does DCA *have* a key under the mat to look for? I have thought about looking a million times in Orlando and still cannot figure out where I am supposed to be looking :confused3

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0417.jpg

I am totally nostalgic about the Muppets, my friend Nan's daughter kept calling them Muffits...so cute...:upsidedow

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0418.jpg

Monster's was next...this was too funny, the line moved so fast I had to take a picture just to get to read it~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0420.jpg

We ran into Nan and Paul and Molly and Wilson on our way to TOT...Nan and Paul had no intentions of riding this twice so we took their kids on with us.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0421.jpg

The line again was super short, we were on in no time...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0422.jpg

DCA's TOT is very similar to the one in Orlando except it seemed a bit cleaner Maybe it's cause ours is older...;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0423.jpg

After TOT we went into the Magic of Animation, we intended to hit turtle talk...it was a fifiteen minute wait, so we moved on.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0424.jpg

The Gallery store just outside of Animation was another pocketbook emptying type shop...so I took a picture of everything DD wanted just so she could take them home :3dglasses

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0425.jpg

The skull in the reflection was totally awesome and Dumbo is the first Disney movie I can remember seeing in the theatre, he is just soooo cute!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0426.jpg

The animator's desk was neat to see too...don't you just love the effect of the paper flying around it~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0427.jpg

Ariel, I just found out, is one of DD's favs...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0428.jpg

and Alice apparantly too~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0429.jpg

This was so cute, I had to have one for myself...(a picture of course)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0430.jpg

Britt liked the cat...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0431.jpg

and I wish I could've had this whole display...
that was enough shopping for now~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0433.jpg


Grizzly River Run and Soarin are coming up next...

[tiggerwannabe]

Grizzly River Run is DCA's rapids ride, Rose cheated and went in and bought a rain poncho...it's ok, she's our watermagnet and proved to be so on this ride. Brittany and me stayed pretty dry, Rose woulda been soaked and Stefanie got hit a little (of course she was next to her mom.)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0434.jpg

We found Brother Bear next and Stef had to have this one...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0435.jpg

The expression on these two is priceless...hence the close-up~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0440.jpg

There's a "challenge trail" set up for the little ones,

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0437.jpg

Stef was gonna go in but chickened out and said she was too big to try it...yeah, ok. :rolleyes:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0438.jpg

Molly and Wilson were on their third day at Disney, Mom looks like she's had enough~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0439.jpg

Rose and Paul and Stefani, Brittany and Me all did soarin next...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0442.jpg

I tried to get a pic of "Puddy" and caught the screen just as it was changing~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0443.jpg

This was as close as we got to Napa this trip, after the pic Nan asked Rose how her trip to the Valley was :rotfl2: We thought it was funny, Rose took a minute to understand what we meant :rolleyes1

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0444.jpg

Lunch was now on our minds, the Wharf area has a decent selection so we headed over there...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0446.jpg

I was happy with it; Brittany and me had Mexican, Rose found burgers for her and Stef ...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0447.jpg

and Nan showed me where the Beer stand was, I had me some Red Trolley, Yum!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0448.jpg

next up...we finish DCA and head back into Disneyland...

[bstsuda]

Definitely some more awesome photos!!!! I've always taken so many photos each time we're there but you have photos of things i never would have taken....see how we all take things for granted....like all those things will be there forever....look forward to more!!!!

[tiggerwannabe]

Right after lunch, yes right after eating Mexican food, we went on Screamin...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0445.jpg

The ride was AWESOME! I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good roller coaster..and yes, it goes upsidedown :upsidedow

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0451.jpg

The girls played some of the arcade games on the pier next, Brittany came home with a Super Bart.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0452.jpg

They rode the swings next, Rose and I bowed outta that one and sat in the sun for a minute...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0453.jpg

This was a sculpture towards the front of DCA-I absolutely had to have this shot...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0454.jpg

A little backstory here, hubby and I went to see Nemo in the theatre alone. We were gonna take my niece, then she got chicken pox. The funny part was when this scene came up, John and I were in the second row from the screen. Bruce literally scared hubby right outta his seat!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0455.jpg

I found another Dumbo and brought this one home with me too...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0457.jpg

We never got to do Roger Rabbit the first day...so we headed over there first. Roger was a 35 minute wait but for all the luck we'd had both days we were willing to wait in line...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0458.jpg

We all had fun in the queue...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0460.jpg

we were a bit tired too...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0462.jpg

I lvoe it when they get Hammy...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0464.jpg

Britt liked this one which was outside...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0472.jpg

Mickey and Minnie's House...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0473.jpg

Toontown itself...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0475.jpg

...coming up next, we end our trip to Disneyland and I *finally* get to see Mickey!

[tiggerwannabe]

Definitely some more awesome photos!!!! I've always taken so many photos each time we're there but you have photos of things i never would have taken....see how we all take things for granted....like all those things will be there forever....look forward to more!!!!

I hear ya Brenda...

I think I do that with our trips to Florida...I forget to pick up my camera for the little things and totally regret it when I get home:confused3

Thank you again for the compliments, they mean alot to me, really...

[PrincessaC]

:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2


I like when they get all hammy for the pics too :)

[Tanya90210]

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0428.jpg


I love that statue... Ariel using her dinglehopper.... My daughter would go gaga for that one

[Dalpal]

Colleen,
The pics, of DL make me want to go!.:thumbsup2 ....Very nice!....;)

I just love Dumbo...The part where hes taking a bath is my fave....AND I also love the part where she is rocking him through the bars of the train car......BAaaaby, Minnne Dry your EYES!, Baabyyy mine dont you cry!....JUst gets me even to this day!...I know Im a sap...LOL

Keep em comin!:3dglasses

[blondeheroine]

They have swings!!!!!

We used to have a swing ride at Opryland, a local theme park that used to be in Nashville. They tore down Opryland and put a mall (it's a really cool mall and it has a Rainforest Cafe, but no swings!). I miss those swings so much! I WANNA GO ON THE SWINGS.

Oddly enough, we had a water ride there called "Grizzly River Rampage" that was a lot like the one pictured and even had bears! I think I know where they took Opryland! :rotfl:

[JadeDarkstar]

ok now my fionce is trying to talk me in to sticking to going to dl in nov in stead of to wdw in jan...becouse of indiana jones ride..and the submiren, and cheaper airline..and your pics arent helping me lol im like humm those are relly prety and stuff

[tiggerwannabe]

:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2


I like when they get all hammy for the pics too :)

My sister's kids and mine, swore 2 trips ago to Florida, that every time I snap a picture of them they were supposed to ham it up. That trip has the best pictures of my family ever taken. They did it to me alot again our last trip to the beach together, I love them for their humor~

I love that statue... Ariel using her dinglehopper.... My daughter would go gaga for that one

Brittany went gaga for it so I came up behind her and gave her a photo. She has always been a Disney child just never specified a favorite Princess before.

The pics, of DL make me want to go!. ....Very nice!....

I just love Dumbo...The part where hes taking a bath is my fave....AND I also love the part where she is rocking him through the bars of the train car......BAaaaby, Minnne Dry your EYES!, Baabyyy mine dont you cry!....JUst gets me even to this day!...I know Im a sap...LOL

Keep em comin!

Go woman! Go!

I am a total sap for Dumbo~He's so cute and the story is so strong.

They have swings!!!!!

We used to have a swing ride at Opryland, a local theme park that used to be in Nashville. They tore down Opryland and put a mall (it's a really cool mall and it has a Rainforest Cafe, but no swings!). I miss those swings so much! I WANNA GO ON THE SWINGS.

Oddly enough, we had a water ride there called "Grizzly River Rampage" that was a lot like the one pictured and even had bears! I think I know where they took Opryland!

Yes, they have swings.

Til we came upon it I had no idea what it was. I thought it was a spinny ride. I've seen many pictures of the "orange" and had no idea what was inside~

Great Adventure has swings, and so does Hershey Park I believe...You should find you some swings...

:ssst: I have your Jack video playing in the background...they totally played up to your camera~pirate:

ok now my fionce is trying to talk me in to sticking to going to dl in nov in stead of to wdw in jan...becouse of indiana jones ride..and the submiren, and cheaper airline..and your pics arent helping me lol im like humm those are relly prety and stuff

I *wish* I could see DL's Haunted Mansion at Christmas!

I am sure you two will find a compromise,

remember you can go to WDW next holiday!

[JadeDarkstar]

well i think we may be going to dl instead wdw this nov...it looking a lot cheaper and more money to spoend suviners and disney shirts and crocs or shoes and stuff..hes bribing me

[tiggerwannabe]

This is my most recent Family Portrait...


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/OuterBanX06/The%20Album/DSC_0440cropped.jpg

(l-r; DS, DD, DH, DSsGF, DSis, DNiece, Me, DNeph, DNeph and DBIL)

[tiggerwannabe]

well i think we may be going to dl instead wdw this nov...it looking a lot cheaper and more money to spoend suviners and disney shirts and crocs or shoes and stuff..hes bribing me

Sounds like a deal I'd take :)

You guys will have a great time! Don't forget about the Best Western Park Plaza! The price is great, the location is awesome and it comes with Pancakes or a Continental Breakfast at Captain Kidd's next door. You and DF could get could get strawberry or plain pancakes and your DS could get Mickey pancakes. The second day DD and me stayed downstairs for pancakes and I splurged for a hash brown and juice.

[JadeDarkstar]

is that inside thepark? we also haveing dinning plan at dl..
we dont have car so we are staying on site.. (dl hotel i think thats the one we will stay at

[tiggerwannabe]

The dining plan comes with the room...we stayed offsite but still walked.

The Disney hotels were on the opposite corner of the park from where I stayed.

[tiggerwannabe]

We went to Minnie's house first, the backyard led us right to Mickey's...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0465.jpg

This is his foyer, dog gate, stuffed closet and all...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0466.jpg

Mickey has a bottle encased model from Steambaot Willie on his mantle...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0467.jpg

and this picture inside of his hutch...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0468.jpg

Brittany wanted to see what Mickey was drinking...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0469.jpg

The den had the most comfy chair...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0470.jpg

Brittany tried to get me to leave, I said I wanna see Mickey, she said this doesn't lead up to him I said I wanna see Mickey!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0471.jpg

We just got our photopass shot in the priority mail today, I had them wite on the front of the shot, Where Dreams Come True. Disneyland. It's the only photopass card that I used, Lord knows I passed by so many. I only got one shot in my camera with him, with them I now have so many~ :hippie:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0474.jpg

[JadeDarkstar]

umm ours is gona be with out the room couse dvc thingy.. and grate pics.
would you maybe have a place to see a list of dinner shows and what not ? (im now trying to get excited about dl)

[tiggerwannabe]

We didn't do any shows...

We tried to do Aladdin but it wasn't running at all.

[tiggerwannabe]

umm ours is gona be with out the room couse dvc thingy.. and grate pics.
would you maybe have a place to see a list of dinner shows and what not ? (im now trying to get excited about dl)

Try WDWIG.com and Mousesavers.com, those are two of my favorite information sites besides the DIS. I also go to the book store and get myself the Birnbaum's Official Guides for whatever park I am headed to. They have books on DCL, DL and WDW~

[blondeheroine]

I have your Jack video playing in the background...they totally played up to your camera~pirate:

Mac is a doll! His brother actually responded to that video. You can see his post there somewhere and then the post of a girl who is apparently a REALLY BIG fan. It was kinda funny. You'll see it when you start reading it. It's cute.

I love that show. Love, love, love it.

[burly]

:worship: oh i just can't say enough about your pics. brings back memories of going with my sister 2 years ago.:hug: :jumping2: it was so much fun. thank you for the memories.:thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

Kelly, I didn't have time to check out the commentary...

but I will be back to your page when I do :)

Burly, I am always happy to make others happy :goodvibes:

I am totally stoked that you enjoyed the show...

I have more episodes coming up, just no more Disney :(

We still have Universal Studios in Hollywood, Hollywood itself, Santa Monica Pier, San Diego Sea World and San Diego Zoo to go!

Stay tuned people!

bbl....

[blue_river]

I just wanted to let you know that I've been enjoying your picture trip report. I'm only up to the coastal pics and the seals! I love all the pictures of the seals - going to show them to my DD's this evening. :3dglasses

Hope to catch up with the rest soon. (As you know it takes forever for me to load the pages - ugh)

Great TR Colleen!! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

I just wanted to let you know that I've been enjoying your picture trip report. I'm only up to the coastal pics and the seals! I love all the pictures of the seals - going to show them to my DD's this evening. :3dglasses

Hope to catch up with the rest soon. (As you know it takes forever for me to load the pages - ugh)

Great TR Colleen!! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

Thank you Blue!

I am slowing the pace down a hair cause I have had a few tell me they were pretty far behind...up til now, I've been keeping it up for all of those who keep saying, "more! more!"

popcorn:: :surfweb: :thumbsup2

[Aisling]

Brittany is so cute sitting in Mickey's chair. It's cool that she gets into it like her mama.:thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

Brittany is so cute sitting in Mickey's chair. It's cool that she gets into it like her mama.:thumbsup2

:thumbsup2 I thought so too!

Nobody in my family gets into the planning like I do, Brittany is closest cause she'll actually help a little...EVERYBODY in my family likes being there, they all truly enjoy the Magic of Disney~I am blessed that way~

:hippie:

[JadeDarkstar]

i cant wait till we go in nov. (i need to find a way to get the park shows scedual and stuff at DL.
Becouse im gona make plans around everything and see what time to make dinner resvations

[trinibjill]

Love the pictures.
Alcatraz reminded me of work
looking forward to San Diego & the Zoo

[Lauralee131]

I'm here! :yay: I'm here!!:yay:

I don't know where in the world I've been, but I'm back baby!!!

I'm LOVING all the pictures and glad to be finally caught up!!! You're making me want to go to Cali more and more...I'm going to have to plan a trip...:rolleyes1

[tiggerwannabe]

Welcome back Lauralee!

I'm lovin your new avatar...tres cool!

[tiggerwannabe]

Today was our awakening...Disney time is over...we have to move on....

Here is our new digs. We moved to a one bedroom timeshare about a mile away from DL for the next two days...Britt and me got the couch

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0476.jpg

Our first stop was the CBS studios...we left the room at 7:30 and didn't get to LA until almost 9. So much for being early We got our standby passes and got in line. The studio folks started gathering us all about 10 and warned us we all may not get in. There was about 150 people waiting to get in, they let in 100, we were in the last 50

When we realized we weren't ever going to get to see Bob I pulled out the free tv tickets I got for us to go see David Spade's new comedy news show at 6:30 this same night. They were upset we weren't gonig to get into the Price is Right but consoled that I had an alternative for us.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0478.jpg


On to Hollywood!

By the time we got out of the studio parking garage and over to Hollywood & Vine & Sunset area it was lunch time. Rose had bought a map and we headed out to find Mel's Diner. Mel's is the diner used to make the movie American Graffitti.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0481.jpg

There were some cool pics from the filming of the movie...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0483.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0484.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0485.jpg

The diner is very retro, the food was pretty good, the server we had was very sweet and very helpful. Before we left she gave us directions on how to get to Santa Monica Pier. She also said it was only about a half hour ride. Yeah Right!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0486.jpg

This is Rose outside of Mel's, next door actually, doing her Marilyn impression...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0487.jpg

We went by the Kodak theatre, home of the Oscars~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0488.jpg

and checked out the walk of fame...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0489.jpg

Here's a look down Hollywood Boulevard...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0490.jpg

and here's Grauman's Chinese theatre~
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0491.jpg

There were lots of interesting characters hanging out front of the theatre...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0495.jpg

Here's a peek at the front door...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0496.jpg

and a few of mine and Brittany's favorite actors~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0497.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0499.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0500.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0501.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0503.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0504.jpg

Another character sighting...this guy had to be hot in that mask~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0505.jpg

The El Capitan theatre...had to get the shot with the Pirates now showing, the Disney store across the street is very small and is actually a restaurant with a few trinkets inside to sell...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0506.jpg

I took this shot cause the elephant up top looked really cool. I just noticed I got a Disney advo on the board below as well~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0507.jpg

This guy was taking surveys for Ford, we got free Monster drinks outta the deal so it was worth the few minutes of our time for a free beverage.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0508.jpg

My favorite star of all time, besides Mickey~I had to take this one upside down to eliminate the glare from the sun washing out the shot.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0511.jpg


...next up, we hit Santa Monica and drive thru Beverly Hills before ending our day in LA...

[JadeDarkstar]

wow thats cool i like the walt disney star, and some the others, and oceans 13 guys are so hot. my dh dosnet get why i like them.

im sorry you didnt get to see bob barker i like price is right and it wont be the same and if rosei takes over (barf) i dont think ill be abrl to watch it.

(bob barker is actely my ex husbend (artimiss father) grampa,cousion or something. they were telling stories when i was there of when his grampa was kid and at a family ruinuioon lol (i think thats just cool that my son is sorta related..lol)

[tiggerwannabe]

wow thats cool i like the walt disney star, and some the others, and oceans 13 guys are so hot. my dh dosnet get why i like them.

im sorry you didnt get to see bob barker i like price is right and it wont be the same and if rosei takes over (barf) i dont think ill be abrl to watch it.

(bob barker is actely my ex husbend (artimiss father) grampa,cousion or something. they were telling stories when i was there of when his grampa was kid and at a family ruinuioon lol (i think thats just cool that my son is sorta related..lol)


You are too funny :thumbsup2

I hope they don't use Rosie.

The girls really wanted to see him but none of us were willing to get up at 4am...their only consolation was each of them got a Price is Right Tshirt before we left.

That's cool that your rt has a connection to someone famous~

[JadeDarkstar]

4am..wow thats early i dont know if i coulda been up that early even for bob barker.. hehe ya its cool i know nothing will ever come of it but still a storie that was going around at his grampas funiral (grate grampa actely) i just thought it was cool even tho my ex relly didnt care about price is right. i did befor i even knew. It was a good morrning show to wake up to and on right after the news and befor judge shows so it was perfect.

[tiggerwannabe]

Our tour of Hollywood was nice...but hot...we still had five hours to kill before the Spade show so we took our waitresses advice and headed to Santa Monica

This was about all we saw of Beverly Hills...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0513.jpg

Santa Monica was busy but pretty...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0514.jpg

We found Hotel California!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0515.jpg

An hour after leaving Hollywood, we finally hit the pier~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0516.jpg

It was a little too hazy for a good picture...but Jersey aint got mountains like this at the beach!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0517.jpg

Even with the highway right there, it's still pretty~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0518.jpg

The pier was actually larger than I expected...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0519.jpg

Bubba Gump is huge in California...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0522.jpg

This is supposed to be the bench from the movie...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0523.jpg

Stef put the shoes on first...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0524.jpg

then Miss Britt...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0525.jpg

Here's Brittany checking in with her friend Alyssa back home~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0526.jpg

Rose, enjoying the beautiful view~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0527.jpg

Stef went in to the arcade so I popped another shot of my Brittany~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0528.jpg

More shots of the beach~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0529.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0530.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0532.jpg

A little more of the pier~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0531.jpg

After all this, we drove back into Hollywood to go to Spade's show. It took an hour and a half to get back! 30 minutes my eyeball!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0533.jpg

Most people I've talked to about it, don't even realize David Spade has a show...it was good, he's pretty funny, Price is Right woulda been better~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0534.jpg

We end another day in California after a long day of touring we head back to Anaheim. It was a full moon and traffic was light, we made it back in no time...we know the route between LA and Anaheim pretty good now~

...next up...Universal Studios! One more Day in Hollywood!

[burly]

when my sister and i visited Cali, we missed all the hollywood stuff. Butt we did point out the sign.:rotfl2: Thank you for all the pics. They are teriffic. :thumbsup2 Looks like you gals had a great time.:woohoo:

[Tanya90210]

great pics..... We never got to Santa Monica Pier when we went.... will have to do that next time .. .looks awesome

[bstsuda]

wow girl....you were all over that city!!!! more awesome photos

[Spartangirl]

Sorry that you weren't able to make it to the Price is Right taping. When we visited LA a couple of years ago, we weren't able to get in either. At least you were able to see the David Spade Show, even if it wasn't quite the same. ;) My DH and I ran into David Spade in Vegas last year...he was much shorter in person than I would have imagined...:lmao:

Your pics are great, as always! :thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

when my sister and i visited Cali, we missed all the hollywood stuff. Butt we did point out the sign.:rotfl2: Thank you for all the pics. They are teriffic. :thumbsup2 Looks like you gals had a great time.:woohoo:

We could barely see the sign it was so hazy during our visit there...you can sorta see it in the second to last shot~

We cheated, the next day we got a group shot in front of Universal's Hollywood sign "backdrop." :ssst:

Thank you for the compliment, it means alot to me...and yes, for the most part we really did have a good trip.

great pics..... We never got to Santa Monica Pier when we went.... will have to do that next time .. .looks awesome

During pre-planning a friend of mine told me it could be done on our Hollywood day, the waitress confirmed that for us by telling us how to get there...too bad her drive time was a bit off~We almost missed the Spade show! We made it back with literally minutes to spare.

Next time I'd like to actually stay in Santa Monica for a spell, it is very pretty there.

wow girl....you were all over that city!!!! more awesome photos

yes we were :)

and :worship: Thank you again~

Sorry that you weren't able to make it to the Price is Right taping. When we visited LA a couple of years ago, we weren't able to get in either. At least you were able to see the David Spade Show, even if it wasn't quite the same. ;) My DH and I ran into David Spade in Vegas last year...he was much shorter in person than I would have imagined...:lmao:

Your pics are great, as always! :thumbsup2

He is a little guy isn't he?

I kind of expected that, I've been watching him since his days on SNL.

and thank YOU for the kudos...I love being a photographer and thrive on all the comments and compliments~

Thank you All!!!

...I still have three more sets to show you all - Universal Studios, Sea World in San Diego and the San Diego Zoo - and then alas my trip will be done...

I'll be back~

[blue_river]

Still enjoying the pics Colleen! :woohoo:

I can't wait for the ones from Sea World :thumbsup2

[Dalpal]

I really like this one:thumbsup2

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0532.jpg

[tiggerwannabe]

The next day, we are up again bright and early, and headed back to LA. It's Universal Studios Time!

We park in their parking garage and head thru Citywalk to get to the park~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0535.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0536.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0537.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0538.jpg

It was suggested to me that we hit the Backlot Tour first, it's very popular and very long, hence the lines can get very long...

This is the view of the backlot from where we loaded onto the tram for the tour~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0539.jpg

We pass by the bungalows first, this is the one that Hitchcock used to tape his shows from. His face is still on the door~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0540.jpg

If you look in the distance, that looks like the church steeple from sixth sense, the real church is in old town Philadelphia~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0541.jpg

The studio says they dress up and dress down all of these streets as needed. The art department makes each set just different enough that you cannot recognize the set from one movie to the next.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0542.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0543.jpg

These next two I recognized from Back to the Future. The area's been redressed for Ghost Whisperer (I think.)

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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0545.jpg

The tour continued inside of one of the studio sets, they told us it was a "live" set...guess who tried to rock us off the rail?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0546.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0548.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0549.jpg

It's cool to peek inside of some of the studios~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0550.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0551.jpg

There are some movie vehicles in the lot as well, the Deathmobile was one of my favorites~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0552.jpg

Next up was a demo with some of the fast and furious cars..

first was a bullet shot test~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0554.jpg

then the flames~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0555.jpg

then the explosions with the flying cars~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0556.jpg

after the cars fly at you...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0557.jpg

they come over to the tram and take a bow~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0558.jpg


...next up, more universal...

[Spartangirl]

Ohhhh, I love the Backlot Tour. Last time we visited, they were setting up an area to film some of the scenes from "Pirates of the Caribbean," or at least that is what we were told! :) Looking forward to more...

[Lauralee131]

Wow - I am LOVING all of your pictures Colleen!!

David Spade has a show??? :confused:

:lmao:

Too bad you missed out on TPIR...would have been cool to say you saw Bob right before he retired. And to hear him remind you - in person - to spay or neuter your pet would be cool!:rotfl2:

[PrincessaC]

:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

The whole backlot tour is interactive~

I recommend you be aware at EVERY turn...
I almost got a soaked camera when this happened!

I looked right...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0560.jpg

then I looked left....

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0561.jpg

O.M.G.!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0562.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0563.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0564.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0565.jpg

[JadeDarkstar]

oh wow look out *covers face*

[tiggerwannabe]

We move on to some of the other areas that have been redressed many times over...some of this was used for POTC, and King Kong and what was the Caesar movie with Juaquin Phoenix :scratchin...

there was a movie where the kids lived in the prop warehouse too...Lord help me if I could remember half the names of the movies our tour covered~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0566.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0567.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0568.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0569.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0570.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0571.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0572.jpg

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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0574.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0576.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0577.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0578.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0579.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0580.jpg

....more interactive stuff coming up next....

[tiggerwannabe]

oh wow look out *covers face*

:scared: :lmao: :thumbsup2

[Tanya90210]

That looks awesome!!! I would have been freaking out seeing all that rushing water headed my way!!

[PrincessaC]

Cool!! Love looking at all those buildings

[Aisling]

The tour continued inside of one of the studio sets, they told us it was a "live" set...guess who tried to rock us off the rail?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0546.jpg


King Kong scares me to death. I hated the ride at Universal Orlando. It was so creepy to see that giant thing move and look right at me! Frankenstein scares the beejeesus out of me, but that's another story).

Luv the pics.

[blue_river]

[center][size=3][b]The whole backlot tour is interactive~

I recommend you be aware at EVERY turn...
I almost got a soaked camera when this happened!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0563.jpg


That is so cooool! :thumbsup2

You really captured some great shots on your trip :yay:

[tiggerwannabe]

Thank you guys!

Now that Blue is posted I know everybody is all caught up right?

:duck: LYMI Blue! :hug:

I have lots more where those came from...stay tuned for more...

[tiggerwannabe]

King Kong scares me to death. I hated the ride at Universal Orlando. It was so creepy to see that giant thing move and look right at me! Frankenstein scares the beejeesus out of me, but that's another story).

Luv the pics.

King Kong used to be my favorite ride at US in Orlando...

I think the reality of the New York feel in that ride probably scares you more than KK did ;)

The year FL shut down their King Kong ride my friend Rose and her hubby Ed and my hubby John and me all did the US Halloween Horror Nights. They make the whole park one big haunted house...it's REALLY cool! We got to WALK thru KK! If you think seeing him eye to eye is daunting, you should try standing at his feet and looking up at him!

[blue_river]

Now that Blue is posted I know everybody is all caught up right?

HEY!!! :mad:



:duck: LYMI Blue! :hug:

Okay then :hug:

Actually, I'd like to thank you for slowing down with the chapters. I find it too hard to keep up with the quick reports :rolleyes:

I have lots more where those came from...stay tuned for more...

Good stuff :cheer2: :yay: :woohoo:

Staying tuned :3dglasses

[tiggerwannabe]

:teeth:

[tiggerwannabe]

The tour is now taking us inside another "Hot Set"

in layman's terms that means working or active...

anybody who has been to Universal in Florida recognize this scene?

We did too...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0581.jpg

for those who didn't, this is the subway scene in Earthquake...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0582.jpg

it's ALOT like the FL one except we are in a real tram instead of taking the subway car...and there is no preshow in this one, I guess cause it's all show :confused3


Lookout! More water!!!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0583.jpg

Next up, Amity Island...Looks like someone caught a purty big shark recently...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0584.jpg

There's a diver in the water, the tram driver says he's looking for the person missing off that police boat...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0585.jpg

Oh No! The water's churning an awful lot around that diver!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0586-1.jpg

there's blood coming up outta the water!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0586.jpg

there's something under there reaking havoc on everything!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0587.jpg

aaaaaaaand here he comes now!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0588.jpg

I was so worried being in the back of the tram that I'd miss the money shot... I was worng!

This shark can stay above water the whole length of our vehicle...


I got the Money Shot!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0589.jpg


As we leave Amity Island, having survived King Kong, a Flood, dueling hot rods an earthquake and a shark...we head into none other than....


Wysteria Lane....

[tiggerwannabe]

The tram driver tells us that all of these are facades except for Edie's house.

Take a ride with me down Wisteria Lane...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0590.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0594.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0595.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0596.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0597.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0598.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0599.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0600.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0601.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0602.jpg

...can you believe we've done all of this so far and the tour is still not quite over...

[tiggerwannabe]

After Desperate Housewives we visit Whoville...

these houses were carved out of styrofoam, pretty cool~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0603.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0604.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0605.jpg

Then we turn the corner and are suddenly looking upon the Bates Motel!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0606.jpg

Universal in Orlando used to have the house near the ET ride but took it out when they built Islands of Adventure...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0607.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0608.jpg

[Tanya90210]

thos pictures are awesome!!! we will have to do that on our next trip!!!

[tiggerwannabe]

This set is for a disaster movie...if anyone knows which one please tell me cause I, for the life of me, can't remember what one the guide said it was :confused3


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0609.jpg

I totally had to get a shot of the legs hanging out of the window, if it weren't such a gory set up, this would be hilarious...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0611.jpg

the details of this crash are remarkable!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0612.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0613.jpg

I remembered this cabin from a John Candy, Dan Akroyd movie...according to the tour guide this cabin has been used in tons of movies.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0614.jpg

The next two pictures are of a set in the making...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0615.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0616.jpg

We went thru a cave used in the Mummy movies with Brendon Frazier, I have no idea why I didn't take any pictures of it~It's really cool and almost surreal, nothing like the Mummy experience in Orlando.

My Brittany is really into Marley music right now and remarked at the street on the tour named after him. This shot's for her~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0617.jpg

The weather during our trip was so hazy that we never got a good view of the Hollywood sign...so thru the magic of Universal Studios Hollywood, we still got a great group shot right in front of it!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0618.jpg


...we are finally finished the tour and off to see the rest of the park...

Universal Hollywood is small by Florida's standards, with the exception of the backlot tour. It's a really cool park, if you plan it right and don't have any lines (we experienced none) it can absolutely be done in one day.

[tiggerwannabe]

After the tour we spotted Sponge Bob!

We gotta have a picture with Sponge Bob!


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0619.jpg

and then we found Donkey running his very own waffle stand. Brittany wasn't so eager to get in this one..

my camera was acting stupid and took so long to take the shot that Donkey remarked at me that his cheeks were hurtin from having to hold the smile, he said something like "whatta you got, a squirrel in there chiseling out that picture?"

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0620.jpg

The Hollywood House of Horrors was just opening up for the next tour, the girls and Rose are rediculously into horror flicks...so in we go!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0621.jpg

Some of the displays in the front were really interesting...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0624.jpg

the pictures were awesome!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0625.jpg

There were bits and pieces all over from different movies~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0626.jpg

Some of the faces here are Alfred Hitchcock, Brendan Frazier, Lon Chaney and even Bruce Campbell

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0627.jpg

the voodoo for dummies book was too funny!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0628.jpg

All the interesting stuff is up front, the rest of this is simply-

A Haunted House!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0629.jpg

I took these without any flash,

I was impressed with how clear the second pic came out.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0630.jpg

the girls really had a good time in there,

this guy at the end was Bonus!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0631.jpg

[tiggerwannabe]

We wandered around a little and decided it was time to hit the big rides!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0632.jpg

these were some of our favorite cars...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0633.jpg

there are alot of cardboard characters around the studios you can take your pictures with. This was the only cardboard guy I got a shot of~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0634.jpg

you have to take like four flights of escalators to get down to the lower lot...here's the view from about halfway down~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0635.jpg

Jurassic Park was first on our list...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0636.jpg

then we headed in to ride the Mummy.

Both rides are very similar to the Florida ones, and yet totally different~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0637.jpg

This Lady is our Idol!

The girls Love Lucy, my Brittany even has a poster of Lucy in her room!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0638.jpg

I still have lots to share...there's more Universal coming up, the horror makeup show, Backdraft, Waterworld and some amazing animals. We head out of Universal, shopping all the way thru Citywalk and bid our last adieu to LA...

[PrincessFan0809]

I am loving your trip report! :goodvibes By the way, I think that movie set with the airplane crash is War of the Worlds, but I could be wrong.

[tiggerwannabe]

I am loving your trip report! :goodvibes By the way, I think that movie set with the airplane crash is War of the Worlds, but I could be wrong.

Thank you!

and thank you~I knew it was a huge movie~

I am 98% sure you are correct.

[JadeDarkstar]

yep war of the worlds thats the one i was gona say

[bstsuda]

WOW!!! very cool photos....haven't been to Universal since we went in FL in 11/04 - guess my next trip down to LA deserves a 'stop' - they have really changed the backlot tour ALOT..but then again so much is the same as well....so they're just added to it!!!

[Tanya90210]

That backlot tour looks fantastic..

The house of horrors was set up as a Van Helsing haunted house when we were there in October of 04


Tanya

[burly]

Still hanging with you and loving the photo trip report. keep them coming. :)

[tiggerwannabe]

I am happy to see so many of you enjoying my trippie :goodvibes:

I'll be back with LOTS more, RL is intervening this week tho, the next update will probably be over the weekend.

Work has been busy; I am the merchandiser for three stores in NJ and am in the process of re-merchandising a renovated skate park for its reopening on Friday. busy busy busy...I'm always here, lurking-and enjoying ALL the replies-keep em coming!

~TWB~

[blue_river]

I am happy to see so many of you enjoying my trippie :goodvibes:

I'll be back with LOTS more, RL is intervening this week tho, the next update will probably be over the weekend.

Work has been busy; I am the merchandiser for three stores in NJ and am in the process of re-merchandising a renovated skate park for its reopening on Friday. busy busy busy...I'm always here, lurking-and enjoying ALL the replies-keep em coming!

~TWB~

YES - TAKE A BREAK - will ya!

I load the page, 7 or 8 pictures show up and then I get the red X's so I have to refresh. This goes on and on until all of the pictures finally load :headache:

So far, I've seen whoville and bates motel and I'm still missing the previous page.

I'm loving what I've seen to date :thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

YES - TAKE A BREAK - will ya!

I load the page, 7 or 8 pictures show up and then I get the red X's so I have to refresh. This goes on and on until all of the pictures finally load :headache:

So far, I've seen whoville and bates motel and I'm still missing the previous page.

I'm loving what I've seen to date :thumbsup2

Check your PMs~

Cheat sheet sent...

:thumbsup2

:wave:

[AlyssinWonderland]

This is a totally awesome trip report! You rock! I love the fantastic pictures!!! Thanks for writting! I'm greatly enjoying it!!! popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn::

[tiggerwannabe]

This is a totally awesome trip report! You rock! I love the fantastic pictures!!! Thanks for writting! I'm greatly enjoying it!!! popcorn:: popcorn:: popcorn::

:worship:

It's comments like yours that make it all worth while~

thank you.

[blue_river]

Check your PMs~

Cheat sheet sent...

:thumbsup2

:wave:

Ahhhhhhhh

Thank you!!!

Much better :flower3:

Back later to comment :dance3:

[blue_river]

There were bits and pieces all over from different movies~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0626.jpg


This pic gave me the shivers. DH and I watched the very first one a long time ago and I still have nightmares :scared1:

That Chucky is creepy!!!!


The picture of the four of you in front of the Hollywood sign was cool :thumbsup2

[Spartangirl]

I love your pics from Universal...they are fantastic! :thumbsup2 It's such a fun park...especially the backlot tour.

[blue_river]

Ready for more pics!!

popcorn::

[tiggerwannabe]

More will be coming soon Blue!

Welcome back Spartangirl! I haven't had a chance just yet to catch up on your writing but I will, real soon.

We've got a huge family bbq and fireworks thing tonight and a grad party next door so it may be a day or so but I will absolutely get back to posting soon~

[PrincessaC]

Have fun today Colleen!

[Spartangirl]

Welcome back Spartangirl! I haven't had a chance just yet to catch up on your writing but I will, real soon.

We've got a huge family bbq and fireworks thing tonight and a grad party next door so it may be a day or so but I will absolutely get back to posting soon~

Thanks for the welcome back! :goodvibes Have a great time today!

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

loving the report, I want to go to California now:)

[cherokeemamma]

hi there tiggerwannabe,

I just discovered your TR and wanted to say...Love it! I am only up to pg 3 but had to tell you you are doing a great job!

Really like the photos. The ones of the PCH are bea-U-ti-ful! I am a photo buff myself and that is one trip I would love to take and photograph!
Thanks so much for sharing.
I will hopefully catch up within the next day or two.

Had to ask about the bakery item at the POTC movie..did you sneak that in or do they allow that? Just curious...:goodvibes Looks yummy, btw.
Maybe it is a CA thing.:confused3

TTFN
Darlene

[tiggerwannabe]

Thanks again for the kudos...

I knew once I got there I would absolutely want to go back, and I do :)

California is a beautiful place and I have an excuse, by not taking my hubby and son, we HAVE to go back for them ;)

Welcome to my trippie Darlene and Thank you~

Their movie theatre was so busy with the pirates I don't think they cared what we carried in. I'd have to ask Nan (the girl who bought the dessert) if that's the norm cause I know at our theatre it's a big no no to bring outside food.

[mikamah]

I am just loving your report. Nebo reccommended you and he was right. Your pics are absolutely gorgeous. I loved the Alcatraz pics and it looked like quite an interesting tour. The california coast pics are just beautiful.
I saw you use your bosses D50, and I wondered if you use the automatic modes or manual. I just bought the Canon xti, and am trying to figure out how to take pics in manual.
DL looks awesome. Definitely a must do when in CA. Your family and friends are so cute and you all seem to be having a blast. I'm only up to the end of DL, but I'll be back to finish later, and check out your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[tiggerwannabe]

Thank you Mikamah! (and Nebo)

I prefer to use the nikon in manual mode, mainly to change the ISO and light settings, esp in low light. The auto setting doesn't always cooperate with me in darker settings and indoors.

My only must do in Cali was DL. The rest was all a bonus to me. Rose requested San Francisco, I asked for San Jose (to see my friend Nan) and Rose wanted San Diego.

I am lucky to have family and friends who enjoy travel and theme parks as much as I do...it makes for some great trips~

I have a Disney function this weekend, Rose and I are going to the Magicmeet near Harrisburg PA, we are meeting up with a tablefull of DISer friends and will be back on Sunday. I am hoping to get UNI finished so I can move on to San Diego soon. I have about 100 pictures left to upload and a video to edit before I can totally finish tho...

stay tuned...

[blue_river]

I have a Disney function this weekend, Rose and I are going to the Magicmeet near Harrisburg PA, we are meeting up with a tablefull of DISer friends and will be back on Sunday.

Have a great time!!!

:yay: :cheer2: :yay:

Be sure to take lots of pictures :wizard:

[tiggerwannabe]

Have a great time!!!

:yay: :cheer2: :yay:

Be sure to take lots of pictures :wizard:

I am sure we will, thank you...

Disunc is gonna be there with us!

I actually didn't take any pictures last year but definitely will this year :woohoo:

[blue_river]

Disunc is gonna be there with us!

Yes, I know! :)

That's why I said to take lots of pictures ;)

[tiggerwannabe]

Yes, I know! :)

That's why I said to take lots of pictures ;)

:thumbsup2 You got it Blue!

[tiggerwannabe]

Back to the tour...

We head into what would be the horror makeup show in Orlando~

this part encompasses makeup, greeen screens and sound effects and how they are used...it's almost as funny as the Orlando Universal horror makeup show as well~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0639.jpg

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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0649.jpg

When we finish with the studio effects tour we head into Backdraft!

They actually take you into a set that burns and shows everyone how the final scene in the movie backdraft was made...this part isn't for those afraid of fire and loud noises~


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0650.jpg


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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0653.jpg


Next up, we head back to the upper lot for some grub and a couple more shows...

[tiggerwannabe]

Here's a pic of DD...you can really tell the steepness of the escalators~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0654.jpg

Marilyn was just coming out of the backstage area in her pink pontiac as we were headed over to eat...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0655.jpg

DD and me got pizza, Rose and Stef got a london broil sandwich at the Hollywood Grill...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0656.jpg

After eating we headed in to the last show of the day of Waterworld. Waterworld is supposed to be the best stunt show in the country~

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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0667.jpg

as Kevin Costners character double saves the day we are now headed over to our last event in Universal Hollywood...Animal Stars!

[CADZNYCHC]

Not sure what the "norm" is...but here in Gilroy - 'outside' food is frowned on....however...i do need my bottle of water...they haven't said much...which is surprising cuz it's a large one - with Pomegranate crystal light....so very nice 'deep red' color....or else they haven't seen it...or just don't care....usually it's teens there - they probably really don't care....

[blue_river]

Yayyyyy!!

You're back and posting more :yay:

Backdraft was neat and

very cool pics of Waterworld!!!!

[tiggerwannabe]

We now head over to see Universal's Animal Actors...

The first demonstration was how they use green screen and fans to film what looks like birds flying in the sky but are just special effects...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0668.jpg

next up are the dogs...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0669.jpg

this one was told to go backstage and grab an article of clothing...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0670.jpg

it seems when the dog was backstage he grabbed this lovely little orangatans bras :blush:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0671.jpg

this guy was kinda ornery~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0673.jpg

he kept smacking his handler every time the handler turned his back to him...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0674.jpg

on the way out I finally got to see the Universal Studios Hollywood sign~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0678.jpg

the sun was setting in the hollywood hills...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0680.jpg

Citywalk has lots of wonderful sculpture in it if you look~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0681.jpg

there was a crew doing some filming while I waited for the girls outside of one of the shops...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0682.jpg

These were the only sunsets I managed to take while in California :(

this one was obviously from the sideview mirror~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0683.jpg

this one I turned around for as I got my last look at Los Angeles for this trip.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/hollywood%20and%20santa%20monica/DSC_0685.jpg

Next up~We head to San Diego~

[tiggerwannabe]

Yes, I'm back...

Work has finally settled down enough where I have time and energy when I get home at night~I will try not to take so long to get to the San Diego portion of our trip...Sea World was cool but I think the Zoo was my favorite of the two.

[burly]

thanks for the update. love the pictures.....have i told you yet?

[Spartangirl]

Glad you're back...great updates! :thumbsup2 I really like your waterworld and sunset shots! The one through the sideview mirror is actually pretty cool! :)

I can't wait to hear about San Diego. That was the one place that I really would have liked to add to our CA itinerary....but, we just didn't have time. It seems like there is so much to do there!

[tiggerwannabe]

I am jealous you got to go to Yosemite and I didn't...

Like you said, there's only so much time, you gotta pick and choose~

Hubby and I were talking about Cali last night, he saw my pictures from the Pacific Coast Highway and says he would stay there in a heartbeat. I'm thinking we'd start up near Yosemite and Napa and work our way down to the coast and just stay put on the coast for awhile. I would agree to 4 or 5 days on the coast as long as he agrees to give me 3 or 4 at Disneyland :goodvibes:

Yes Burly, you have...and I thank you immensly!

I have a ton of pics from San Diego, I promise I'll start posting again real soon~

[CADZNYCHC]

OMG Colleen - that would be SOOOO awesome if you (& John & B&A) all came back to Calif sometime (soon)!!! before or after the cruise - i don't care - but i'm definitely not going to have anything going on when you do, and OF COURSE you'd be more than welcome to come spend some time here!!!!

[tiggerwannabe]

Most likely after the cruise...

but you got a deal Brenda!

[CADZNYCHC]

Most likely after the cruise...

but you got a deal Brenda!

Awesome!!! we'll have one big "CALI" party!!

[tiggerwannabe]

We left LA/Anaheim late, it wasn't too long a drive. Rose has the car one more day...this is the day Brittany and I decide to take the day off. We were exhausted and really weren't up for anything.

Rose and Stef wound up going to Coronado and La Jolla, they went back up to LA to visit Rose's niece, drove all the way back to San Diego, took the rental car to the airport and had to take a shuttle back to the hotel. :faint: She and Stefanie left at the crack-o-dawn and didn't get back to the hotel til midnight that night. DD and I were soooo happy we stayed in.

We veg'd, watched tv, read, went over to subway for a veggie sammich for her and turkey club for me. We checked out the skate shop across the street and wandered a tiny bit and went right back to the hotel.

This is a Wyndham resort, Rose's timeshare, we got a studio for the SD leg of our trip. DD and me had the couch in her Anaheim condo so Rose let DD and me have the bed for this one. Warning~this is near the end of our trip and our crap is strewn everywhere~

The view from the door...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0686.jpg

The view towards the door...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0687.jpg

The view out our window...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0689.jpg

Our method of transportation for the day...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0690.jpg

Us, ready for another day of sightseeing, in sunny California :sunny:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0691.jpg


Today's agenda? Sea World!

[tiggerwannabe]

We took the train to a transfer spot to a bus to Sea World...

Our first choice of show of the day was the dolphins. Funny how people either like the park or they don't, thankfully, my family and friends like it. Sea World does a great job of showcasing some of the most amazing sea creatures in the world. They help the animals thru rescue and educate the masses thru entertainment.

The stadium was pretty full already, we wound up all the way at the top in the far corner. I liked it cause I could see the dolphins playing in the tank before the show even started...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0692.jpg

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They did the obligatory group run and jump outta the shoot~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0694.jpg

and brought out a HUGE black dolphin, I wish I could remember what type of dolphin he is...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0695.jpg

They did the rope jump...with the help of an audience member...

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Next thing we knew that "audience member" was in the tank and being pushed around by the big dolphin!

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He was ok, it was pretty funny...probably the funniest one we'd seen all day~

The last trick was the high jump, these animals are amazing...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0698.jpg

next up...shark encounters...

[Tanya90210]

great seaworld shots!

[tiggerwannabe]

We wander the tanks of many types of sharks...


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Britt and her friend have had discussions about this shark...it's the jaw size of a megaladon (sp?) I had to take this pictures so she could prove to Logan the Megaladon does indeed exist ;)

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We move on to the seal area, these guys are sooo used to getting fed. They've got the cute thing down when beggin for some fish~

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This bird's feathers were all ruffled as he chilled on the rocks...too cool looking not to get that in a picture!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0710.jpg

These guys were seals, the first side was filled with sea lions...can you tell the difference?

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I had already emptied my tray of fish, now it was Rose and Stefanie's turn...Britt refused to touch em, no seal feeding for her today~

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We've seen lots of flamingos in all the trips we've taken together. This was the first time we'd ever seen a baby in the mix!

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This is when we stop for lunch...when I come back, Haunted Lighthouses and Pizza and Sea Lions, Oh My!

[blue_river]

[b][size=3]We took the train to a transfer spot to a bus to Sea World...

Yay!!! :yay:

I've been waiting for these shots :)

I just love watching the dolphins and whales.



Next thing we knew that "audience member" was in the tank and being pushed around by the big dolphin!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0697.jpg

How cool is that?? :thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

Thank you Tanya, Thank you Blue!

These pictures and the ones from the zoo have some of my favorite shots of the whole trip! I have at least 200 more photos to share yet so as usual, stay tuned for more~

[blue_river]

We move on to the seal area, these guys are sooo used to getting fed. They've got the cute thing down when beggin for some fish~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0707.jpg

They're adorable :thumbsup2

We've seen lots of flamingos in all the trips we've taken together. This was the first time we'd ever seen a baby in the mix!

That's pretty neat :upsidedow

Keep them coming Colleen popcorn::

[CADZNYCHC]

Hey Colleen!!! some more great shots (AND stories) ;) - definitely a good way to start my day with my great :coffee: We haven't been to sea world since Ryan was 3 i think....so really good to see your photos~

[iHEARTflorida]

Wow, i love your trip report all your pics are great, we were going to do a trip to california just like you have but we never get round to it, cant wait til your next installment

[tiggerwannabe]

Thanks again Ladies :goodvibes:

Brenda, sounds like high time for you to book a trip south ;)

IheartFlorida, I highly recommend you make the time to go. Even with all the cold weather and grey skies we had it's a beautiful place to visit~

[Spartangirl]

Hi Colleen!!! I'm still lovin' your pictures! Dolphins are my favorite, so I really enjoyed your Sea World shots. Looking forward to more...keep em' comin'!

[tiggerwannabe]

We went to Sea World's 3-D show next...

R L Stines, Haunted Lighthouse.

It's a decent show, very long~that's all I'm sayin ;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0716.jpg

We were hungry, Britt had pizza. again. I think I did too~

Sea World's counter service lunch buffet isn't bad~We stopped in an italian place. We started at a sandwich counter but everything they offered had meat in it. The italian place had pasta and pizza and some yummo desserts. I picked up a cup of strawberries to go with ours.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0717.jpg

Now it was time to head to the Clyde and Seamore show. There was a mime shipmate doing his thing when we arrived.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0718.jpg

Stef...she was "holding her eyes open" for me.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0719.jpg

One of the stars arrived in a jeep~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0721.jpg

They went thru their spiel...I won't post any spoilers about the details.

The otter was a cutie~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0722.jpg


Clyde and Seamore stopped for lunch~


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0723.jpg

One last trick before we go...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0724.jpg

Next up Cirque de Sea World~

[tiggerwannabe]

The show, of course, starts off with a couple clowns and a dupe...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0725.jpg

by the time the action starts, the dupe is stranded on the trampolene i nthe middle of the lake...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0726.jpg

we got to see pole dancing martian men...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0727.jpg

and a duo that perform feats...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0728.jpg

no normal humans can perform...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0729.jpg

we saw ladies in hoops on wires...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0730.jpg

and jumping martian men on trampolenes...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0731.jpg

the clowns came back into the scene to keep us laughing...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0732.jpg

if you look for the ball, at the top of the structure, all the way in the back...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0733.jpg

You will find, once again, our dupe...

this is him, in the ball, going into the water~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0734.jpg

alas, our show has ended, it's time to take a bow~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0735.jpg


next up...dolphin and otters and more animals, oh my!

[tiggerwannabe]

More Dolphins were next...

Britt and I were on one side, Rose and Stef went to the other side so they could feed them...my lovely animal activist daughter will still have nothing to do with feeding animals to animals :rolleyes:

We had ridden the water rapids SW has. It's one of only two real rides in the park. If Britt's jacket looks wet? It's cause it is ;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0736.jpg

I got some nice close ups...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0737.jpg

as this one sidled up to me...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0738.jpg

We spotted Rose and Stefanie on the other side of the pool...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0739.jpg

Can you spot them? Stef is feeding the dolphins right now...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0740.jpg

now it's Rose's turn...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0742.jpg

One last look before Britt and I move on...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0743.jpg

These two are Sea Otters...they're huge! One is laying in a bed of ice the other is just starting to yawn and stretch his paws out like a teddy bear...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0744.jpg

Next, we went over to ride Atlantis! Sea World's combination roller coaster and log flume...Totally Cool! Totally unexpected ride! If you've ridden Florida's and think you know this ride? You ain't seen nothin...this one is a step above Florida's, no doubt about it!


These are dolphins that swim in a tank in the middle the Atlantis...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0745.jpg

I've never seen dolphins the color of killer whales before that day, another totally cool first for all of us.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0747.jpg


...next up, the day is winding down, but there's still so much to see...btw, when does the last bus leave? We really should think about leaving soon since we took public transportation to the park...nahhhh, we'll be fine...they'll run them til the park closes at least, won't they?

[tiggerwannabe]

SW's animal show teaches folks about adopting from shelters...all the 100+ "actors" in this show have come from shelters.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0748.jpg

the show starts off with a sporting theme...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0749.jpg

there is even a scene from Lady and the Tramp...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0750.jpg

It is a very quick and cute show...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0751.jpg

my favorite part is meeting the actors at the end...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0752.jpg

the ducks were pretty much making their own way around the stage...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0753.jpg

the dogs were brought over to us one by one...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0754.jpg

Rose was totally enamoured by our fine feathered friends...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0755.jpg

the girls then took a moment to pose for us with the audience ;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0756.jpg


The only thing left is the Shamu show and the arctic depths...

[tiggerwannabe]

We had gotten to Shamu's show a little late...

I never even noticed the sun go down...

I grabbed a seat on the far right of the stage...

Rose stood up by the rail...

she thought she was gonna get wet.

I'll let you enjoy these without any narrative~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0757.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0758.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0760.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0761.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0762.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0763.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0764.jpg

we went into the Penguin house when the Killer Whale show was over...

no, I didn't get wet at all...


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0765.jpg

First up, of course, are penguins...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0766.jpg

then the Paragrins...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0767.jpg

We stopped for a photo op with a surfing movie star penguin...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0770.jpg

These guys were being fed and checked by their keepers...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0777.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0778.jpg

This guy was literally chillin when I found him...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0779.jpg

then I headed back over to see these guys before heading out...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0781.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0783.jpg

this was a scene, so serene, I had to have it...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0784.jpg

it's a picture of a picture you see on the way out...


How did we get home you say? Well let me tell you a story. We left the park a hair before it closed and headed over to our bus stop. Rose went to the pole that would be our spot...and read the schedule, it stopped running 30 minutes before we got there.

I guess this ain't Disney.


Rose paid for the taxi ride home.


...and so ends our night...

Tomorrow~The San Diego Zoo!

[Dalpal]

Another GREAT installment to your TR!:thumbsup2
I ust love the sea animals....Thoses otters were soo cute!

I cant believe you didnt get wet...When Mike and I saw the Killer whales in their Seaworld park in Canada , we stayed by the side rail and got SOAKED!....Thank god I covered my camera in time!

Some day Mike and I are going to travel to Ca. by RV....I have always wanted to see the western and mid-western states....:car:

Well Im hearing thunder, so Im going to sign off....

TTFN

[tiggerwannabe]

I cheat...a little :)

It was the end of the day and you could see where the water actually splashes cause of all the wet concrete...I did have to cover the camera once~

An RV trip sounds divine!

I'm figurin another west coast trip in 2009. We already have the disney 7 day going to mexico at the end of next year so I put cali on the list for the following one :sunny:

[pixie dust 112]

I finally am all caught up on your TR!!!! I LOVE< LVOE, LOVE the picture format. THE pics fromseaworld are great, especially the pics of the Shamu show at dusk!:thumbsup2 Great Job!

[tiggerwannabe]

I finally am all caught up on your TR!!!! I LOVE< LVOE, LOVE the picture format. THE pics fromseaworld are great, especially the pics of the Shamu show at dusk!:thumbsup2 Great Job!

Thank you PD~

If you like pics of animals, you'll love the san diego zoo set!

Work and home have been keeping me real busy lately...

I'm hoping to update again real soon~

:hippie:

[grimgrinnin]

Monster's was next...this was too funny, the line moved so fast I had to take a picture just to get to read it~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/disney/DSC_0420.jpg


Heh - we rode this for the first time last week (twice). Never even noticed this sign.

Piper loves Sully


grim pirate:

[blue_river]

Hello Colleen :wave:

Gee, you haven't updated since 7/26. I sure hope you're not following in DU's footsteps :rolleyes1

just sayin'

BTW - miss you lots :goodvibes

[tiggerwannabe]

Piper is a smart girl, I really loved the look on her face in its a small world. She is so inquisative.

No blue...I will not go the way of disunc! I promise to finish. Work has been crazy busy and my PC was down this weekend. I am hoping to finish before I go on my next vaca at the end of this month.

[burly]

:surfweb: I'll be waiting. :thumbsup2

[tiggerwannabe]

I got a teaser for you folks...just something to keep this going...

We start off our last full day in Cali waiting for a bus to go to the zoo. Rose is so totally off of pucblic transport that she's already offering to pay for the taxi back at the end of today~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0785.jpg

The San Diego Zoo's got lots and lots of reptiles...here are a few examples of what we saw first~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0786.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0787.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0789.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0790.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0791.jpg

A little desert foliage...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0792.jpg

And a few more reptiles...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0793.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0794.jpg

[tiggerwannabe]

The orangatans and monkeys were up next...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0796.jpg

Mama and baby hiding in a tree...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0799.jpg

today was actually sooo hot that all the animals were either hiding from the heat...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0797.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0801.jpg

or sleeping in it...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0803.jpg

there are a couple aviaries where you can go inside certain areas with the birds...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0802.jpg

my Brittany is totally into the animals...the kid in the reflection looks like he'd rather keep his distance ;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0804.jpg

this was one of the biggest bullfrogs I've ever seen...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0805.jpg

this guy was totally chillin in the sun...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0806.jpg

Brittany had a staring contest with him, I can't believe she actually won!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0808.jpg

here's another one we found sleeping in the shade...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0809.jpg

The cloud leopard was sleeping until the handler came in...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0810.jpg

watching the two of them interact with each other...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0811.jpg

was an incredibly magical moment for me.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0812.jpg

[nskjerven]

If I only waited a few more days I could have watched the whole thing in one sitting.

It really is a great way to create a report and you are so smart....scrapping it by printing it....

I love the shot of me and Paul on the Boat, I'll be printing that one. Can I save it from photobucket directly, or should you email it to me?

Thanks on the car those who mentioned it. She is our "real" baby. We might take her to Monterey for the day next week...

It was just a fruit tart from Safeway, come on you guys don't you have fruit in your part of the country??? & I sneaked it in. With all the festivities that night no one was looking....shhhhhhh don't tell on me.

It has been fun to read and watch your pictures unfold as you tell your story of California. It's nice to see it from a non-native perspective some times.

LYMI & glad you could visit me in my home, and hope to do the same some day in yours.... (did I tell you the POD is gone now????)

[pixie dust 112]

Colleen~ I love these pics. I've always wanted to go to the San Diego Zoo. It looks wonderul!

[burly]

How cool it would be to beable to pet that big kitty!!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Wow, your pictures are amazing and make me really miss California! It sounds like you girls had an amazing trip. I'm glad I found this report before it ended.

[tiggerwannabe]

As I said, at the beginning of this chapter, it was pretty hot. As anyone knows from visiting FL in the summer, animals sleep when it's hot...many, many animals today were pretty much sleeping, laying down or in the water.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0813.jpg

The bamboo "forests" around the zoo were impressive~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0814.jpg

I think the Tigers were about to get some grub,
this guy was pacing around the gate at the top of his pen...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0815.jpg

San Diego Zoo has many educational boards around the park,
this one was about our use of Rain Forest materials in our every day life.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0817.jpg

these guys are at AK in FL...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0818.jpg

the baby was adorable and almost as interested in us as we were of him.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0819.jpg

the Hippo here has the perfect name his name is Jabba! :lmao:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0823.jpg

we knew we were getting close to the Pandas...
Stef was getting our bearing while I walked over to the monkey pen...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0824.jpg

this little guy was diggin in the weeds in the water...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0825.jpg

this one was chillin by it~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0826.jpg

...next up...Pandas!!!

[werfamily]

What a great trip report! Makes me think of all the great places to visit other than Disney. Well...maybe when the kids grow up!

[tiggerwannabe]

We follow Stefanie to the Pandas...the zoo has signs all over the place asking you to be perfectly quiet while in the Panda area...I guess they scare easy...it was really neat to see the two of them up and active with all the other animals sleeping on the job today :teeth:

Actually, the first guy was up and active, the other one was thoroughly enjoying his lunch...

I'm gonna let these pics speak for themselves~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0827.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0828.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0829.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0830.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0831.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0832.jpg


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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0838.jpg

The education continues at the end of the Panda exhibit~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0840.jpg

....there's much more Zoo to come, we stop for lunch after visiting with the Panda Bears...

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I just love Pandas:love: I think everybody does though. I visited the Washington DC Zoo in May 2006 and got to see the baby panda, Tai Shan. He was adorable. I got some really cute pictures and video of him and his momma. So cute!

[tiggerwannabe]

There just happened to be a food stand just past the Panda area so we stopped and ate there. Britt had her usual veggie burger, I had a cheeseburger, we both got fries. Rose and me got a Corona and Stef got a minute maid frozen treat...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0841.jpg

Brittany likes to build things...out of condiment packs...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0842.jpg

check out her tower :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0843.jpg

more Monkeys were next up...

this Mama and baby were adorable together...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0844.jpg

you can almost feel the Love~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0845.jpg

these two were enjoying each other's company too~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0846.jpg

this guy had just finished taking a HUGE dump! I was one of the few who waited til he was done to get my photo of him...:scared:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0847.jpg

the otters were pretty active...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0848.jpg

walking around watching us...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0849.jpg

watching them...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0850.jpg

Koalas were next!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0851.jpg

most of them were sleeping, but I think they would be sleeping...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0852.jpg

no matter what the weather was ;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0853.jpg

...Desert animals and Polar Bears....coming up shortly...gotta break for lunch now...TTFN~

[tiggerwannabe]

Just so you know...I tried to reply to all of you the other night and my :badpc: was at it again...I lost all the replies...I love the fact that you are all enjoying my trip report :cloud9:

Nan, I am absolutely going to print all this out when I am done and make my album from it...if I print it to nice paper and bind it, my album will be awesome!

There's only a couple chapters left, I am sad to see this story end...on the flip side, I start a two week beach vacation soon and will have lots more pictures to share. :scratchin I'm wondering if there is a place to post general vacation trip reports here on the DIS...

in December, hubby and DS and me head back to Orlando. I will absolutely come back and share that trip here in the same format for all to see.

...for now....back to San Diego...


This Mama had a couple babies playing around her, they were sooo cute! I wish I could've gotten a little closer~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0854.jpg

Here's Mr Wallaby chillin in the sand~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0855.jpg

These are red Koalas, one was sleeping...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0856.jpg

and I think this one was bathing~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0857.jpg

around the corner were miniature Japanese Deer...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0858.jpg

they are only about 8 inches tall and at the most a foot long...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0859.jpg

I am sooo proud of this shot~it shows exactly how cute these two really are...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0861.jpg

The camels were up and about...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0862.jpg

anyone ever notice they poo like rabbits? :blush:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0863.jpg

Timon's family is next...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0864.jpg

we watched these guys for a little while~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0865.jpg

of course some of them were looking back at us...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0866.jpg

...next chapter...Giraffes!

[tiggerwannabe]

The giraffe area has the perfect layout to get good photographs...I managed to get very very close and got the perfect pictures of all of them...this is another chapter I will let speak for itself...


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0868.jpg


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...I only have 3 chapters left...Polar Bears, Water Fowl and Flying Home...brb...

[tiggerwannabe]

We finally found the Polar Bear area...Brittany really wanted to see them before we left and we were just about to give up on seeing them when we happened upon this...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0879.jpg

Most times I ever seen Polar Bears they were chillin. This was the most active, most fun Polar Bear action I have ever seen in my life! I hope the pictures do him justice...and just as the Pandas and the Giraffe, I will let the pictures do all the talking~

Just so you all know, he was throwing his toy ball up into the air and out into the water and then chasing after it himself, flipping and swimming all the while. When he finally stopped to relax, he sat right in front of my DD!

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0880.jpg


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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0893.jpg

These pictures are priceless, I am so glad to have had the opportunity to go to California and get all the photographs I have. I am proud to share with all of those who live there, have lived there and simply want to visit California.

Only two chapters left...I am finally going to finish this puppy, it's only been three months since our trip. It may take me a while to get to the end but I promise I will always see a trip report thru~

[tiggerwannabe]

The water fowl area was the last we were to see while at the zoo in San Diego...it was a nice place to sit and relax before we go back to the hotel and pack and get ready to fly home...how appropo ;)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0896.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0897.jpg


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http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0900.jpg

all in all, it was a great trip~

It was way too much in too little time tho. I am already planning my next trip out. Yosemite is at the top of my list with a stop in Napa and Big Sur for hubby. I will absolutely take him to Disneyland and Universal, I may take him to LA (just to see it) and possibly even stay in Santa Monica.

California is a beautiful place, I feel honored to have been able to go.

The next chapter is my last...we had a 6:30 am flight out. We were up at the ungodly hour of 3am that day. It was a long, uneventful trip home...I'll post the pics I took at the airport and from the plane and will bid all my faithful readers a sweet adieu~ :wave:

[tiggerwannabe]

I may have been too tired to have noticed while at the airport...but does anyone else here notice the lime green baggelini and sweatshirt in the McDonalds line? DISers perhaps? We may never know...


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0901.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0902.jpg

the girls were anxious and ready to be home...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0903.jpg

We flew home out of San Diego Airport, here's the last three shots I got of the city before we took off...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0904.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0905.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0906.jpg

We kept ourselves occupied during the first leg of our trip playing trivia against the other passengers...the girls and I did quite well~

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0907.jpg

The clouds and sky looked totally awesome...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0908.jpg

the mountains on the west coast are a really cool site...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0909.jpg

the clouds were so white and puffy, I had to get one more picture of them while we flew...

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0910.jpg

We stopped over in Atlanta before heading to Philly. There were storms in Philly which delayed our flight home by about two hours.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a42/MousMManiac/Cali/NikonShots/san%20diego/DSC_0911.jpg

We still got home by 6, hubby picked us all up at the airport and promptly took us home. My DS, FIL and both puppies were really happy to see us. DH cooked us up some grub, DD didn't waste any time going to see her other friends when she got home. I was happy to be sitting, relaxing and absorbing all that we'd done in the past 11 days. It was indeed a trip of a lifetime~

Thank you for reading and hanging on these last three months...

Goodbye~

:wave:

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I joined in late in the game but I throughly enjoyed all your pictures. They were beautiful and you had an amazing trip. Thank you for sharing your trip with us!