Another GRAND adventure..west coast style W/ PICS!! 11/29 DISNEYLAND! post 163/165

[MA pigletfan]

Hello there!!!
Thank you so much for joining me! I am thrilled to start this trip report for our very first trip out west to see the original house of mouse!

For those of you that don't know me, my name is Gina and I am going to So-Cal and Disneyland for the very first time with my fiance' Greg! ....and we leave THIS WEEK!!!!! :cool1: :cool1: Our total trip will be from October 3-12. We will be staying with friends in North Hollywood from the 3rd till the morning on the 8th and Disneyland is from the 4th-12 at the Grand Californian..:goodvibes .

Quick pic to show you who we are:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/Picture116.jpg
this was taken back on June 5 when we got engaged :) ( you can see in my ticker we have our wedding planned for October 2009!!)

Neither of us have ever been to California nevermind Disneyland..so this is a big deal for us. We have made 2 WDW trips together the first in June 2007 and the last in December...here is the trip report from that trip:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1652419

and if you don't want to click on that, here are a few pics from that one, just for some Disney fun!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DisneyDecember2007300.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DisneyDecember2007248.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DisneyDecember2007227.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DisneyDecember2007119.jpg
ahhh..the Castle..:love: I can't wait to see the ORIGINAL!!!

So that is just a snapshot of us and some disney magic..so lets get to the goodstuff...the upcoming trip!

ITENERARY:
October 3rd...We fly out from Boston to Longbeach..arriving about 9 pm their time..our friends will pick us up and from the 3rd---8th we will do all sorts of So-Cal L.A. things ;)...I know we are hoping to hit up a studio tour of WB studios ( maybe we will catch Ellen Degneres bopping around or some other stars on the lot!). We are also hoping to do the "touristy" things like Rodeo Drive, Hollywood walk of fame etc as well as a day trip to San Diego where my friend Corrie's parents and sister live.
--SIDENOTE--
I have known Corrie since the 3rd grade and I had gone 10 long years without seeing her until I finally got to see her this past November when she visited the east coast with her bf Bobby. It was amazing seeing her again, and it really felt like no time had passed...and we are super happy to be able to see eachother again so soon. I have not seen her family, who I was very close to as well, in over 10 years so this will be like a big ole' reunion of sorts..WEST COAST STYLE ;)....OH and i have not told Corrie that Greg and I are engaged. I wanted to be able to tell her in person and ask her if she would do us the honor of doing a reading at the ceremony:goodvibes End side note--
DISNEYLAND ITENERARY:
Oct 8th...we are hoping to arrive as early as possible. knowing we won't be able to check in when we first get there we are planning on checking in to get our luggage stored and heading out to DL for our first glimpse of the original Magic...we do have dinner reservations that night at "Napa Rose" at our hotel, at 7:30..so that allows us to be in either park pretty late that night ( DL is opened till 8 pm that night and CA 6)
October 9--all we have planned in stone is lunch ressies at Blue Bayou. I was so excited to see that Fireworks are scheduled this night at DL..so we hope they won't be cancelled and we can check them out..just in case they get cancelled either of the next two nights because on ..
October 10th..we are going to the Halloween party !!!! I just love fall/halloween decorations so I am super psyched about checking out Mickey's TOT party. I have never been to the one in WDW but have heard many great things about it...I am sure we will have a blast at this one. We also have reservations for dinner at Yamabuki at the PPH at 5:30 before the party...mmmmm SUSHI! :love:
October 11th...our last full day/night :(..we have a 10:30 Goofys brunch ressie this day. I think we will use this day to just go back and do alot of favorites, catch anything we may have missed and just relax and have fun.
October 12th...check out day :(....HOWEVER, we will be able to hang out in the parks for a pretty good part of the day, we are taking the red eye home and really don't have to be a the airport until 6:30!!! Corrie is actually planning on meeting back up with us with some friends, sister and her brother ( if he is back from Iraq in time) to hang with us for a last hurrah in the happiest place on earth!! :) I'm thrilled that we will get to see her AGAIN in DL! :thumbsup2
So there you have it..I know its a super rough sketch..but we really want this trip to be as relaxing as it can be..and we def. want to spend time at our resort..there are many must do's/sees/eats that I have though...let me leave those for the next installment...

UP NEXT: Our vacation materials...our must sees/do's and of course EATS!!!

[dwheatl]

Gina, I'm so excited for you - Your first trip to DL! Looking forward to your report.

[kaoden39]

I am so excited for you. I look forward to reading the rest of your PTR. One thing that someone was saying recently is the difference in sizes of the castles. So don't be surprised but Sleeping Beauty's castle is smaller than Cinderella's. It should be great fun for you to visit with an old friend too.

[UtahMama]

Oh my gosh!

You are going to love the Grand Californian! :love:
It is amazing! I haven't "stayed" there but did the breakfast and took myself on a nice tour of it. It goes RIGHT into California Adventure :lovestruc

Congratulations on your engagement, Gina!
You make the cutest couple!

[Seewhatimesdone]

Your ADR's look great! Napa Rose is incredible and I love Blue Bayou. Nothing beats the atmosphere and the food is sooo good. The Pork Chops are my favorite! Good key lime pie too XD Yamabuki is sooo tasty. The sushi is really fresh. And Goofy's kitchen is our favorite breakfast! You made really good choices. I hope your first trip to California is great.

You'll be lucky enough to catch Haunted Mansion Holiday. It's my favorite thing to do all year! The detail is so amazing. I can't wait to hear more!

[mommaU4]

Whoo hooo!!!! I am so excited you finally started your TR!!! 'Bout time. ;)

I so wish I could be there to show you all around CA. Not in a weird stalker way, just because I grew up in CA and there is so much to see and do!

Since you are going to Hollywood do you think you'll stop by the Disney Soda Fountain? You can all get a Mickey's Masterpiece. :banana:

Your DL plans sound GREAT!! I hope you both have a marvelous time. Are you taking any tours?
Well, congrats on your engagement, you two make such a cute couple and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on everything. popcorn::

[MA pigletfan]

Gina, I'm so excited for you - Your first trip to DL! Looking forward to your report.
Thank you so much for checking it out :) I am so excited too!!!

I am so excited for you. I look forward to reading the rest of your PTR. One thing that someone was saying recently is the difference in sizes of the castles. So don't be surprised but Sleeping Beauty's castle is smaller than Cinderella's. It should be great fun for you to visit with an old friend too.
Yes! I have been warned not to have "size" shock :rolleyes1 when I see Sleeping Beauty's abode...I am sure I will still say " WOW..thats a cottage compared to Cindy's"..but the fact that it was the original will always make it so charming! :) Thanks for reading!

Oh my gosh!

You are going to love the Grand Californian! :love:
It is amazing! I haven't "stayed" there but did the breakfast and took myself on a nice tour of it. It goes RIGHT into California Adventure :lovestruc

Congratulations on your engagement, Gina!
You make the cutest couple!
heehee..thanks Wendy :) We try to be cute most of the time lol :lmao:
I am BEYOND psyched about the Grand Californian..we requested theme park view too...wheeeeee!!!!!! can't WAIT!

Your ADR's look great! Napa Rose is incredible and I love Blue Bayou. Nothing beats the atmosphere and the food is sooo good. The Pork Chops are my favorite! Good key lime pie too XD Yamabuki is sooo tasty. The sushi is really fresh. And Goofy's kitchen is our favorite breakfast! You made really good choices. I hope your first trip to California is great.

You'll be lucky enough to catch Haunted Mansion Holiday. It's my favorite thing to do all year! The detail is so amazing. I can't wait to hear more!
THanks for joining!
YAY! Glad you think the adr's sound ok! I really had to use advice from the Dis ( the best place for advice anyway! :thumbsup2 ) for all the restuarant choices..and the ones we decided to go with ( esp. blue bayou) seemed quite popular!
YAY for the HM overlay..I can't wait to see it. I just picked up "Nightmare Before Christmas" new release on DVD...Greg needs to watch it before we go so he can fully appreciate the mansion!

Whoo hooo!!!! I am so excited you finally started your TR!!! 'Bout time. ;)

I so wish I could be there to show you all around CA. Not in a weird stalker way, just because I grew up in CA and there is so much to see and do!

Since you are going to Hollywood do you think you'll stop by the Disney Soda Fountain? You can all get a Mickey's Masterpiece. :banana:

Your DL plans sound GREAT!! I hope you both have a marvelous time. Are you taking any tours?
Well, congrats on your engagement, you two make such a cute couple and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on everything. popcorn::
Thanks for the congrats..AND checking out my report..i just LOVE Yours! :)
awww..i wish you were there at the same time too!!! It would be WAY fun to have a tour by a Diser!!! But I am certainly up for any last minute advice or " GO HERE! Dont' go THERE!!!" that you have for me ;)
We are hoping to go to the Disney soda fountain area..if we don't stop in i think it would be a sin..but as far as Mickey's Masterpiece goes...well..the diet REALLLLLLY starts ( restarts, refreshes, play it again Sam??)..after vacay..so perhaps we will test that one out ;)

[Seewhatimesdone]

THanks for joining!
YAY! Glad you think the adr's sound ok! I really had to use advice from the Dis ( the best place for advice anyway! :thumbsup2 ) for all the restuarant choices..and the ones we decided to go with ( esp. blue bayou) seemed quite popular!
YAY for the HM overlay..I can't wait to see it. I just picked up "Nightmare Before Christmas" new release on DVD...Greg needs to watch it before we go so he can fully appreciate the mansion!

On the new DVD they include a walkthrough of the mansion when it's overlayed; it's so cool because now you can do it anytime you want! :rotfl: But there's a really cool feature on the DVD that talks about the designing for the Holiday theme - this is sort of a Disney secret but in the main dancing hall there is a gingerbread house that they do differently every year and it's actually made of real gingerbread!! This year's gingerbread house is AMAZING so keep your eyes peeled, you can't miss it!

[punkin413]

hey, gina! i'm here. i can't wait to hear about DL! i want to take my child there one day. i want to wait until we have a kid though because i doubt we'll be able to go there often. WDW is so convenient for us (1 state away!) so i'm sure if we need a disney fix in the future it will be WDW. but i do want to experience DL one day to see where it all began!

[travelmel]

Congratulations on your enagement! What a cute couple! It's so great to put a face to the name :thumbsup2

It sounds like you have a super extravagent and wonderful trip planned and I can't wait to hear all about it!

Melissa

[travelmel]

On the new DVD they include a walkthrough of the mansion when it's overlayed; it's so cool because now you can do it anytime you want! :rotfl: But there's a really cool feature on the DVD that talks about the designing for the Holiday theme - this is sort of a Disney secret but in the main dancing hall there is a gingerbread house that they do differently every year and it's actually made of real gingerbread!! This year's gingerbread house is AMAZING so keep your eyes peeled, you can't miss it!

Darn! I think we bought our copy 2 yrs ago.. no extra overlay bonus stuff :guilty:

Ah well.. it's a great movie and a great overlay (Which I've been lucky enough to see twice). I definitely prefer it to the Pirates overlay (which, unfortunately, is not removed for part of the year).

[MA pigletfan]

On the new DVD they include a walkthrough of the mansion when it's overlayed; it's so cool because now you can do it anytime you want! :rotfl: But there's a really cool feature on the DVD that talks about the designing for the Holiday theme - this is sort of a Disney secret but in the main dancing hall there is a gingerbread house that they do differently every year and it's actually made of real gingerbread!! This year's gingerbread house is AMAZING so keep your eyes peeled, you can't miss it!
AWESOME!!! I can't wait to watch it now! I haven't seen it in so long..now i am super excited for that extra..i love sneak peeks and " how did they do that?!" segments!! :thumbsup2

hey, gina! i'm here. i can't wait to hear about DL! i want to take my child there one day. i want to wait until we have a kid though because i doubt we'll be able to go there often. WDW is so convenient for us (1 state away!) so i'm sure if we need a disney fix in the future it will be WDW. but i do want to experience DL one day to see where it all began!
Yay!! HI dawn! I hear ya..I really didn't think that we would be going to DL for a long time ourselves, but with the fact that my friend Corrie is out there as well sweetened the west coast idea for us...I am so excited to go and share it with you here :)
Congratulations on your enagement! What a cute couple! It's so great to put a face to the name :thumbsup2

It sounds like you have a super extravagent and wonderful trip planned and I can't wait to hear all about it!

Melissa

Thanks!!! We are so excited about our trip..I can't believe its THIS FRIDAY!!! I don't know if its "super extravagent" but I do know we are going to try and do as much fun stuff as we can...with this economy we probably should have just stayed home...but we can't bail on Mickey! ;) :lmao:

OH SIDENOTE---- I drove by our florists place this morning..AND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY WITH A "FOR LEASE" SIGN OUT FRONT!!! :confused: :scared1: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luckily we have not put a deposit down or anything, and Greg is going to call today to see if they just relocated or something...who knows..all i know is i better get over to another place ASAP if she is really gone! Wedding drama..gotta love it ;)

[mommaU4]

Thanks!!! We are so excited about our trip..I can't believe its THIS FRIDAY!!! I don't know if its "super extravagent" but I do know we are going to try and do as much fun stuff as we can...with this economy we probably should have just stayed home...but we can't bail on Mickey! ;) :lmao:

OH SIDENOTE---- I drove by our florists place this morning..AND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY WITH A "FOR LEASE" SIGN OUT FRONT!!! :confused: :scared1: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luckily we have not put a deposit down or anything, and Greg is going to call today to see if they just relocated or something...who knows..all i know is i better get over to another place ASAP if she is really gone! Wedding drama..gotta love it ;)We should probably just be staying home too. But since our APs are expiring, I just had to get one more trip in. At least we aren't being totally foolish and trying to renew SIX annual passes. Yikes!!

That sucks about your florist. Wow, scary too!! I'm so glad you didn't put down any money. Geez, businesses are closing like crazy lately. :sad2: Let us know what happens.

[MA pigletfan]

We should probably just be staying home too. But since our APs are expiring, I just had to get one more trip in. At least we aren't being totally foolish and trying to renew SIX annual passes. Yikes!!

That sucks about your florist. Wow, scary too!! I'm so glad you didn't put down any money. Geez, businesses are closing like crazy lately. :sad2: Let us know what happens.

UPDATE on the florist ( thanks for your concern Beth :) )...greg called her and she said she just moved locations..i still need to call her for myself and find out more info..if she is just working out of her house now i might have some second thoughts...not that there is anything wrong with that..but i just worry about storing all the vessels i am going to pick up for her to use..etc...but at least she is not 'closed-Closed'...i'll keep you posted!

[mommaU4]

UPDATE on the florist ( thanks for your concern Beth :) )...greg called her and she said she just moved locations..i still need to call her for myself and find out more info..if she is just working out of her house now i might have some second thoughts...not that there is anything wrong with that..but i just worry about storing all the vessels i am going to pick up for her to use..etc...but at least she is not 'closed-Closed'...i'll keep you posted!
Well at least it's nice to know she didn't just pack up and close down. But I can understand your hesitancy. Good luck. LOL Weddings and all their drama, eh??!! ;) But it's so worth it. :goodvibes

[Spartangirl]

Joining in! :goodvibes My DH and I took a trip out west not too long ago and LOVED it! Can't wait to hear what you think! :thumbsup2

[MA pigletfan]

UPDATE TIME!!!!
I wanted to share the fun travel docs/stuffs that was sent to us from AAA for our trip...

Check out the super cute envelope our tickets/vouchers came in:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2053.jpg
so fun!

horrible pic of me holding some fun travel coupons from AAA
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2054.jpg
The "dream coin" :goodvibes
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2059.jpg http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2060.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2064.jpg
luggage tag!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2068.jpg
our actual park tickets..i thought that was weird how they are seperate from your room key like at WDW..but oh well..they are cute..I am DEFINITELY using the snow white one..I dont' think Greg will be jealous ;)

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2070.jpg
How old school is this envelope!?? This was directly from Disneyland..it held our tickets to MTOT party!!! wheeee!!!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2071.jpg
THe actual TOT party tickets..i was hoping they would be "halloweeny" but I understand they just make a bunch o' tickets for all the events they have and print the event titles and dates on the back...even Mickey is hurting in this economy! ;) :lmao:

bonus pic
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2074.jpg
hahah...thats just Greg and I at the wedding we went to this past weekend :)

I will be back soon with a list of my " NEED TO DO's, Sees and EATS!"..and i am open for many suggestions! :goodvibes

[MA pigletfan]

Joining in! :goodvibes My DH and I took a trip out west not too long ago and LOVED it! Can't wait to hear what you think! :thumbsup2

HEY! thanks for joining in!! I actually read your TR and LOVED it! It definitely got me psyched up for our trip :)

[my2boysrtwicethefun]

Hi Gina. :wave2:

I'm joining in for your grand adventure. Someday I would like to travel out west and of course make a stop at Disneyland.

[travelmel]

I love the old school... it's VINTAGE ;) Reminds me of simpler times..... :hippie:

[punkin413]

i love the park tickets. they're so cute! are they made of plastic or paper? i hate how the ones at WDW are made of paper and bend so easily. if you buy your park tickets separately, then you get the papers ones instead of the room key kind. they're cute but to flimsy!

[MA pigletfan]

Hi Gina. :wave2:

I'm joining in for your grand adventure. Someday I would like to travel out west and of course make a stop at Disneyland.
yay..thanks for coming aboard! :)

I love the old school... it's VINTAGE ;) Reminds me of simpler times..... :hippie:
Yes me too..i love old font on buildings and anything that brings it back to the simpler days :goodvibes
i love the park tickets. they're so cute! are they made of plastic or paper? i hate how the ones at WDW are made of paper and bend so easily. if you buy your park tickets separately, then you get the papers ones instead of the room key kind. they're cute but to flimsy!
The park tickets are hard plastic THANK GOODNESS..i have been known to rip things..the TOT party ones are just paper..so i must be careful!
About 10 years ago i was going on a cruise and i had my birth certificate on the ready, and i must have been too excited because as i was handing it to the check-in woman..RIPPPPPPP..right in half..I guess i 'Hulked-Out' or something :lmao:

[Spartangirl]

HEY! thanks for joining in!! I actually read your TR and LOVED it! It definitely got me psyched up for our trip :)

Awww, thanks! :hug: You must be SO EXCITED!!! Only 3 days to go!!! :banana::banana: :banana:

[MA pigletfan]

Awww, thanks! :hug: You must be SO EXCITED!!! Only 3 days to go!!! :banana::banana: :banana:

TOO EXCITED!!! 2 days!!! :cool1: :cool1:

[MA pigletfan]

OK so here is the part where I list what are MUST DOs/SEES/EATS and you lovely dis'ers chime in and help me out with things i have missed or that can actually BE missed! ;)

OK FOR DL these are the things I am making sure we get to do/see, I won't mention ALL the rides, just the ones i am most excited about!

FIREWORKS ( i believe they are scheduled Thur-Sat the time we will be there, so you best believe we will try and catch them Thurs in case they get cancelled either of the other nights!)
NEMO RIDE ( we dont' have this one at WDW!)
Haunted Mansion !! ( can't wait to see Sally and Jack!)
MATTERHORN
Parade of dreams :)

THINGS I want to consume::lmao:
TIGGER TAIL!
Mickey head pretzel
Monte' Christo ( ressies at BB!)
corn dog at the famous castle or red cart
chimichanga ( mmmm mexican)

FOR CA

MICKEY's TOT PARTY ( on the 10th..can't wait!)
Monsters Inc
New toy story ride
Electric parade ( is this in CA or DL..i can't remember!)

Grub:
????? you tell me!!

I know there are a ton more things i am very excited about..like Main Street USA and seeing the light in Walt's apartment ( I am sure i will cry..I tear up just reading about it in other Trip reports!)

SO all you experts please let me know what i CANNOT MISS!!!

[LMO429]

Hi Gina!

I'm got a chance to read your pre trip report! I love it, its giving me some ideas of what to do while we are there as well.

I plan on seeing the fireworks Thursday night as well. The 8th we will be at Disneyland all day and the 9th we will be at DCA then going back to disneyland for fireworks

I'm considering getting tixx to the Halloween party do you think we should???? is it sold out yet?

[kaoden39]

Mr Toads Wild Ride is also a must do in my opinion. And Soarin', I think that is one of my absolute favorite rides.

[MA pigletfan]

Hi Gina!

I'm got a chance to read your pre trip report! I love it, its giving me some ideas of what to do while we are there as well.

I plan on seeing the fireworks Thursday night as well. The 8th we will be at Disneyland all day and the 9th we will be at DCA then going back to disneyland for fireworks

I'm considering getting tixx to the Halloween party do you think we should???? is it sold out yet?
Hello Newlywed!!! Thanks for joining!!! :)
maybe we will see you at the fireworks!! I do think the party is sold out on the 10th :(...but dont' take my word for it. i am hoping it won't be too crowded though!

Mr Toads Wild Ride is also a must do in my opinion. And Soarin', I think that is one of my absolute favorite rides.
I love Soarin!!!!!

[kaoden39]

Oh and the Pirates of the Caribbean, I have been told by a friend that it is different than the one at WDW. And the Tuxedo Strawberries, they are outrageously expensive but oh so worth it.

[mommaU4]

If you like slushie type drinks then try the Tinkerbell Twist. YUM!!

Funnel cakes are good. OH!!!! I almost forgot. OK, I have not had this personally BUT everyone says they sell pumpkin muffins at the Blue Ribbon Bakery only this time of year that have a cream cheese filling and are to die for.

Also do you like sourdough bread? If so, a stop at the bakery in Pacific Wharf in DCA for a Mickey bread is a must. So delish with butter. :cloud9:

I could go on but I'll have you doing nothing but eating the entire time. :rolleyes1

[MA pigletfan]

Oh and the Pirates of the Caribbean, I have been told by a friend that it is different than the one at WDW. And the Tuxedo Strawberries, they are outrageously expensive but oh so worth it.
YES i have heard that as well!! mmmmmm strawberries....hey paying $$$ for strawberries coated in chocolate is A-OK on vacation in my book! ;)

If you like slushie type drinks then try the Tinkerbell Twist. YUM!!

Funnel cakes are good. OH!!!! I almost forgot. OK, I have not had this personally BUT everyone says they sell pumpkin muffins at the Blue Ribbon Bakery only this time of year that have a cream cheese filling and are to die for.

Also do you like sourdough bread? If so, a stop at the bakery in Pacific Wharf in DCA for a Mickey bread is a must. So delish with butter. :cloud9:

I could go on but I'll have you doing nothing but eating the entire time. :rolleyes1
YUMMMMM...i love sourdough bread...sooo low in carbs ;)
and what is wrong with me doing nothing but eating the entire time!???....diet starts on the 13th! :lmao:

[travelmel]

Saw this and thought of you:

H A P P Y
H A L L O W E E N !

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i164/cuteberries/glitters/disneyhalloween/12.gif

P.S. A food I wish I would have tasted: The Pomme Frittes! popcorn::

[mommaU4]

....diet starts on the 13th! :lmao:And that's when mine ends!! Temporarily anyway, while we are at Disney. :thumbsup2

[dwheatl]

Make sure you ride Space Mountain, too. It is sooo much better than at WDW. It's smooth, like flying. I actually put my arms out in front of me, like Superman, because I love that flying feeling.
I won't tell you what I like to eat, because honestly, the foods I like are not so special. It's more that the vacation atmosphere gets to me.

[MA pigletfan]

Saw this and thought of you:

H A P P Y
H A L L O W E E N !

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i164/cuteberries/glitters/disneyhalloween/12.gif

P.S. A food I wish I would have tasted: The Pomme Frittes! popcorn::
THAT is the cutest thing EVER!!!! Thank you :)
mmm Pomme frittes..i have seen pics of that and YUM it looks so good!

And that's when mine ends!! Temporarily anyway, while we are at Disney. :thumbsup2
heehee...i was doing great till about a week ago with my working out/being a good peep...but it is currently on hiatus till after vacation..i just think its cruel to be on a diet on vacation :rotfl: ..Cruel to GREG because i would be a grumpy vacation monster!

Make sure you ride Space Mountain, too. It is sooo much better than at WDW. It's smooth, like flying. I actually put my arms out in front of me, like Superman, because I love that flying feeling.
I won't tell you what I like to eat, because honestly, the foods I like are not so special. It's more that the vacation atmosphere gets to me.

Wheeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats definitely a MUST DO!

[mommaU4]

heehee...i was doing great till about a week ago with my working out/being a good peep...but it is currently on hiatus till after vacation..i just think its cruel to be on a diet on vacation :rotfl: ..Cruel to GREG because i would be a grumpy vacation monster!
Yep, you'd be grouchy because he'd be eating these without you!! :rotfl:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/mommaU4/June%20trip%202008/DSCF4583.jpg

[mt mommy]

SOunds great so far!! I'm anxious to hear all about your trip, we are planning to stay at the Grand Californian in February!

Can't wait to hear more!:)

[Seewhatimesdone]

Oh my gosh only one day! You must be so excited. Have a pumpkin muffin for me!

[MA pigletfan]

Yep, you'd be grouchy because he'd be eating these without you!! :rotfl:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/mommaU4/June%20trip%202008/DSCF4583.jpg
HAHHAH> YUP!!!!!!!!! you got that right Beth! That and i woudl probably go nuts at candy corn acres and start biting at the fake corn!:rotfl:

SOunds great so far!! I'm anxious to hear all about your trip, we are planning to stay at the Grand Californian in February!

Can't wait to hear more!:)
Thanks!!! I can't wait to share it..i will be sure to be very thorough with my GCH reviews/pics/stories!!! :)

Oh my gosh only one day! You must be so excited. Have a pumpkin muffin for me!

I SURE AM! It hasnt' hit me YET though...i still have to pack and all that FUN stuff..but once that is done i will be bouncing !
I will certainly have a punkin' muffie for you...i think that sounds like a great breakfast treat for our arrival to the Land next Wednesday!

Ok...question time...Has anyone ever taken the Amtrak to DL from Burbank? My friend thinks that is good way for us to get to DL on Wednesday. She said we could take the train ( its only about 28 $ a person, then we could take a cab the 2.5 miles to the GCH to check in...it sounds good to me, just wondering if anyone else has ever done that...:)

[travelmel]

Amtrak is notoriously off schedule. If I wanted to be somewhere at a CERTAIN time I wouldn't take it. But, I have taken it many times up and down Oregon to Cali - Long trips.

The trip you're talking about may have a better schedule (commuter?) I hope it works for you though cause taking the train is fun! :thumbsup2

[MA pigletfan]

Well....I get to say it now....WE LEAVE FOR CALIFORNIA TOMMOROW!!!!!!!!!!
Here is a poem to express my excitement....bare with me I have had a chinese drink and a pumpkin blizzard this evening...talk about sugar shock!

"clearing throat..." ahem ahem

Twas the night before CALI....
by me ;)

Twas the night before Cali, and all through the house
Every creature was stirring because of THAT MOUSE!

The suitcases were packed with ever most care
In hopes that at Long Beach Airport they would find themselves there!

My sweetie and I snuggled, tucked into our bed
with visions of Donald and Goofy dancing in our heads!
With tickets and luggage tags all safely in place
It was very hard to wipe the smile off my face.
When down in the kitchen there arose such a clatter
I sprang like a slinky to see what was the matter!
Away to the dining room I flew like the Incredible's DASH
and as soon as I saw them they scattered like a flash..
Amelia and Gordon, our two littlest cats
wanted to join us in Disney and chase Remy and the rats!
They climbed in the luggage and nestled inside..
Little did they know it would have been a LONG ride!

Once all was settled I went back to bed..
Now with more exciting thoughts in my head!

Like Buzz Lightyear, ToyStory, Grizzly and Thunder
Matterhorn, Indy, candy corn and others!!!
SO much to see !!
SO much to do!!!
I can't wait to live it up and report it all to all of YOU!!!!!


I will certainly have internet out in Cali..so be prepared for some updates LIVE from L.A. and Disney!!! :) See ya real soon!! :)

[travelmel]

Twas the night before CALI....
by me ;)

Twas the night before Cali, and all through the house
Every creature was stirring because of THAT MOUSE!

The suitcases were packed with ever most care
In hopes that at Long Beach Airport they would find themselves there!

My sweetie and I snuggled, tucked into our bed
with visions of Donald and Goofy dancing in our heads!
With tickets and luggage tags all safely in place
It was very hard to wipe the smile off my face.
When down in the kitchen there arose such a clatter
I sprang like a slinky to see what was the matter!
Away to the dining room I flew like the Incredible's DASH
and as soon as I saw them they scattered like a flash..
Amelia and Gordon, our two littlest cats
wanted to join us in Disney and chase Remy and the rats!
They climbed in the luggage and nestled inside..
Little did they know it would have been a LONG ride!

Once all was settled I went back to bed..
Now with more exciting thoughts in my head!

Like Buzz Lightyear, ToyStory, Grizzly and Thunder
Matterhorn, Indy, candy corn and others!!!
SO much to see !!
SO much to do!!!
I can't wait to live it up and report it all to all of YOU!!!!!


I will certainly have internet out in Cali..so be prepared for some updates LIVE from L.A. and Disney!!! :) See ya real soon!! :)

OMG you're so talented! I love the Remy and the rats line! And of course the ending where you mention ME! :lmao:


B O N V O Y A G E !


http://images.zwani.com/graphics/disney/images/16.gif

-Melissa

[kaoden39]

Your poem is so cute. Have lots of fun and I look forward to reading about your trip.:goodvibes

[punkin413]

SO CUTE!!!!!! love the poem. thanks for taking the time to write it and share it with us!!!

HAVE A BLAST!!!!!!!!!!! :yay: can't wait to hear from you.

[dwheatl]

Have a great time. Love the poem!

[tinkermell]

Jumping on board, with my popcorn:: in hand.

Your poem was so cute. Amazing!! :flower3:

Can't wait to hear your updates. :woohoo:

Have a safe trip and a wonderful time!! :cheer2:

[mommaU4]

LOVE the poem. How cute and clever! Have a wonderful, magical, fantastic time. Cannot wait to hear all about it!! :banana:

[MA pigletfan]

OMG you're so talented! I love the Remy and the rats line! And of course the ending where you mention ME! :lmao:


B O N V O Y A G E !


http://images.zwani.com/graphics/disney/images/16.gif

-Melissa

awww thanks!! I often ryhme when i talk ( to the chagrin of friends and family! hahah) ..so i thought i would share that side of me along with my excitement..glad you enjoyed it...and thank you for the Bon Voyage..so cute!!

Your poem is so cute. Have lots of fun and I look forward to reading about your trip.:goodvibes
THank you so much!!! :)
SO CUTE!!!!!! love the poem. thanks for taking the time to write it and share it with us!!!

HAVE A BLAST!!!!!!!!!!! :yay: can't wait to hear from you.
Thank you Dawn!! :) I can't wait to share it all here!! :)

Have a great time. Love the poem!
Thank you..and thank you :flower3:

Jumping on board, with my popcorn:: in hand.

Your poem was so cute. Amazing!! :flower3:

Can't wait to hear your updates. :woohoo:

Have a safe trip and a wonderful time!! :cheer2:
Glad you enjoyed it..thanks sooooo much!!!
I am hoping to update often on the trip..not sure about how good i will be with uploading pics, but there might be a few teaser ones that pop up..stay tuned!! :)

LOVE the poem. How cute and clever! Have a wonderful, magical, fantastic time. Cannot wait to hear all about it!! :banana:

Thank you so much! I can't wait to see YOUR home away from home for the first time! :goodvibes


Well gang...I have a boatload of packing to do..we went out and got some random last minute errands done ( which included me purchasing a Vera Bradley Mini-hipster for the parks ..totally neccesary! :rolleyes1 )..Our friends are all set to pick us up tonight at Long Beach ( 9ish their time) and our car is coming to pick us up here at 2 45 for the airport....
WHeeee....off we go!...I'll be back with updates ...stay tuned and keep my thread warm :goodvibes :cool1:

[Disneygrl36]

Sounds like it is going to be a great trip.
So looking forward to hearing all about the Halloween/Fall decorations.
Living vicariously through your trip should help make waiting for mine less painful.
Hope you have a marvelous time. :hmghost:

[Seewhatimesdone]

Have an awesome time!

[Spartangirl]

LOVE the poem! :goodvibes

Have a magical trip! pixiedust:

[MA pigletfan]

Sounds like it is going to be a great trip.
So looking forward to hearing all about the Halloween/Fall decorations.
Living vicariously through your trip should help make waiting for mine less painful.
Hope you have a marvelous time. :hmghost:
yay..thank you! i am so looking forward to our DL portion of the trip..but so far i am LOVING socal!

Have an awesome time!
thanks!!!!
LOVE the poem! :goodvibes

Have a magical trip! pixiedust:
thank you :) we are loving cali....just like you said we would!!

[MA pigletfan]

HEY EVERYONE!!!!!
I just wanted to jump online and say hello and that we are having a FABULOUS time in (now) sunny California. It was quite overcast and drippy yesterday but we still had a great time checking out this:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2182.jpg
and just for another teaser...we went to a special bakery today that some of you will certainly appreciate...I know some of you (BETH) will know what these are...and where they are from:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2249.jpg
mmmmm GOOD!
anyway I dont want to giv e to much away about the trip thus far but wanted to check in with a bit of an update and say that we are having a great time, and i am loving seeing my friend..ok here she is as a bonus pic ( taken today in Malibu)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2246.jpg
She is the best tour guide we could ever imagine!
Oh and bonus sidenote..she is an actress on a very cute internet sitcom called Life from the Inside..you can find it here if you are curious : Lifefromtheinside.com :)
See ya real soon!!:goodvibes
I am so sorry for the BIG pics...i Can't resize for some reason!!

[punkin413]

glad you are having fun!!!

and just for another teaser...we went to a special bakery today that some of you will certainly appreciate...I know some of you (BETH) will know what these are...and where they are from:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2249.jpg
mmmmm GOOD!

awwwwwwww............food teasers are the worst! you are cruel!!!

[mommaU4]

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know what that is!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: LOL

Did you like them?!?!?!? Oh man, now I totally want one!!

Can't wait to hear more. :yay:

[Seewhatimesdone]

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know what that is!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: LOL

Did you like them?!?!?!? Oh man, now I totally want one!!

Can't wait to hear more. :yay:


This totally makes me want to put on my chef hat and make a bunch!

[dwheatl]

Thanks for checking in. The pictures are tiny, by the way. I've had that happen before, where i resized and they still looked huge on my computer, but they were small for everyone else.
Keep enjoying Cali!

[MA pigletfan]

glad you are having fun!!!



awwwwwwww............food teasers are the worst! you are cruel!!!
heehee hee..i am sorta drooling looking at them too!

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know what that is!!!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: LOL

Did you like them?!?!?!? Oh man, now I totally want one!!

Can't wait to hear more. :yay:
LOVED them!!!!

This totally makes me want to put on my chef hat and make a bunch!

now i can see why you would go to the trouble...my my my they were good!!

[MA pigletfan]

Thanks for checking in. The pictures are tiny, by the way. I've had that happen before, where i resized and they still looked huge on my computer, but they were small for everyone else.
Keep enjoying Cali!

weird!!!!! i will keep them "medium" then when i upload more..thanks for telling me!!!

[mommaU4]

heehee hee..i am sorta drooling looking at them too!


LOVED them!!!!



now i can see why you would go to the trouble...my my my they were good!!
I'm so happy you liked them!! Did you go to the one in Glendale? Isn't that place amazing?? Their desserts are really good too. Did you try the potato balls? They are good as well, but the others are my favorite. I could eat so many of those......I won't even say just how many. :rolleyes1

[travelmel]

Yum! I want to go and relive Beth's entire TR esp the food porn! Thanks for bringing it back and reminding me what I'm missing :headache:

:laughing:

Sounds like you're in Vacation Heaven. :cloud9: Yea!

[mr.bungle]

mmmm Napa Rose my mouth is watering right now thinking about it. just not in the budget lately but sooooo worth it!! i'm glad you're enjoying So Cal. a great so cal land mark celebrates it's 100th anniversary tomorrow the 6th. it's called Philippe's in downtown L.A. they will have their famous french dip sandwiches for 10cents all day. it's a great piece of l.a. history and awesome food!! www.philippes.com if you're at all able to, go grab a french dip. they supposedly invented them there. and if not this trip, maybe next time :)

have a fun safe trip. and stay away from the weirdos in hollyweird!!

[travelmel]

mmmm Napa Rose my mouth is watering right now thinking about it. just not in the budget lately but sooooo worth it!! i'm glad you're enjoying So Cal. a great so cal land mark celebrates it's 100th anniversary tomorrow the 6th. it's called Philippe's in downtown L.A. they will have their famous french dip sandwiches for 10cents all day. it's a great piece of l.a. history and awesome food!! www.philippes.com if you're at all able to, go grab a french dip. they supposedly invented them there. and if not this trip, maybe next time :)

have a fun safe trip. and stay away from the weirdos in hollyweird!!

Ohhh.... that makes me sad. That's the place my Grandma used to like to go for Mother's Day. *Sigh* I miss her so much.

[DisneyLaura]

Well....I get to say it now....WE LEAVE FOR CALIFORNIA TOMMOROW!!!!!!!!!!
Here is a poem to express my excitement....bare with me I have had a chinese drink and a pumpkin blizzard this evening...talk about sugar shock!

"clearing throat..." ahem ahem

Twas the night before CALI....
by me ;)

Twas the night before Cali, and all through the house
Every creature was stirring because of THAT MOUSE!

The suitcases were packed with ever most care
In hopes that at Long Beach Airport they would find themselves there!

My sweetie and I snuggled, tucked into our bed
with visions of Donald and Goofy dancing in our heads!
With tickets and luggage tags all safely in place
It was very hard to wipe the smile off my face.
When down in the kitchen there arose such a clatter
I sprang like a slinky to see what was the matter!
Away to the dining room I flew like the Incredible's DASH
and as soon as I saw them they scattered like a flash..
Amelia and Gordon, our two littlest cats
wanted to join us in Disney and chase Remy and the rats!
They climbed in the luggage and nestled inside..
Little did they know it would have been a LONG ride!

Once all was settled I went back to bed..
Now with more exciting thoughts in my head!

Like Buzz Lightyear, ToyStory, Grizzly and Thunder
Matterhorn, Indy, candy corn and others!!!
SO much to see !!
SO much to do!!!
I can't wait to live it up and report it all to all of YOU!!!!!


I will certainly have internet out in Cali..so be prepared for some updates LIVE from L.A. and Disney!!! :) See ya real soon!! :)

Gina - I just saw that you started a TR (I was off of the boards for awhile). Cute poem. I can't wait to see CA through your eyes. One day I would love to go there as well.

[mommaU4]

Hope you're having fun!!! :cool1:

[MA pigletfan]

Just a fly by to say we are having a WONDERFUL time!! we got to DL yesterday and have a great view from the GCH....we are heading to CA for the first time in a few!!! Cant' wait to share the MANY MANY pictures i have taken!!
P.S. napa rose was amazing last night..holy DROOL!!!!!

bye!!! :)

[Spartangirl]

Glad you are having fun! Have a great time over at CA!!! Can't wait to see your pics and to hear about all of your adventures! :goodvibes

[Disneygrl36]

Ok now you are making me question my decision to do Steakhouse 55 instead of Napa Rose with your "holy drool"
Glad you are having a great time.
Can't wait to hear all about it.

[Seewhatimesdone]

Have fun! Enjoy CA

[travelmel]

Ok now you are making me question my decision to do Steakhouse 55 instead of Napa Rose with your "holy drool"
Glad you are having a great time.
Can't wait to hear all about it.

Don't question yourself! I have never been to either (SO SAD! :sad:) BUT I do hear WONDERFUL things about Steakhouse 55. Great food and Great prices... overlooked gem, that's what I hear. :listen:

[MA pigletfan]

hey everyone!!!!
just wanted to give a small update...we finally went on Nemo subs today and loved it! we are going to the TOT party tonight..BUT first we are about to have dinner at Yamabuki at PPH!!!
Hope all is well!!
(Beth if you are reading..have a wonderful trip if i don't catch you before sunday!!!!!)

[travelmel]

I loved the subs, too!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Dory who?
http://media.bigoo.ws/content/glitter/cartoon/cartoon_384.gif

Sounds like fun is being had and yummy is being eaten! LOL

[Seewhatimesdone]

hey everyone!!!!
just wanted to give a small update...we finally went on Nemo subs today and loved it! we are going to the TOT party tonight..BUT first we are about to have dinner at Yamabuki at PPH!!!
Hope all is well!!
(Beth if you are reading..have a wonderful trip if i don't catch you before sunday!!!!!)

Have a great time! And a delicious dinner at Yamabuki!

[mommaU4]

(Beth if you are reading..have a wonderful trip if i don't catch you before sunday!!!!!)Of course I'm reading and I hope you have a great time tonight!!! :cool1:



I loved the subs, too!! :banana: :banana: :banana:


Evil subs. Evil, evil subs. :sad2:

;)

[MA pigletfan]

Well today is the last day! We are taking the red eye back home to Boston tonight...I must say i am Ready to get home to our animals and our newly painted house..I can't believe after 3 years I will no longer have boring white walls!
Luckily we still have today to buzz around until our shuttle pics us up at 6:10.We've had a great time out here and i have about 700 pictures to show for it..so be prepared for a VERY picturesque trip report when we return:)
I do have an awful cold going on though...and last night we just stayed in the room instead of heading to DL for the fireworks :(...luckily we could see them from our balcony so all was not lost!!
I will check in once the jet lag wears off and hopefully have an update up by Tues evening...it will be fun to go back and start from the begining of the So-Cal portion of our trip..it seems so long ago!!
See ya real soon!! :):goodvibes

[travelmel]

Well today is the last day! We are taking the red eye back home to Boston tonight...I must say i am Ready to get home to our animals and our newly painted house..I can't believe after 3 years I will no longer have boring white walls!
Luckily we still have today to buzz around until our shuttle pics us up at 6:10.We've had a great time out here and i have about 700 pictures to show for it..so be prepared for a VERY picturesque trip report when we return:)
I do have an awful cold going on though...and last night we just stayed in the room instead of heading to DL for the fireworks :(...luckily we could see them from our balcony so all was not lost!!
I will check in once the jet lag wears off and hopefully have an update up by Tues evening...it will be fun to go back and start from the begining of the So-Cal portion of our trip..it seems so long ago!!
See ya real soon!! :):goodvibes

Hope you will feel better soon! Nice to bundle up and see the fireworks on your own terms. :)

Looking forward to your scenic journey TR!

[dwheatl]

Wishing you a safe and uneventful flight home.

I'm torn on the subs. I like the view, but my friend Carol was riding when the DL earthquake happened, and she said it really sloshed around like a toy in a bathtub. :eek: DH has a disability, so maybe I'll talk him into going to the handicap accessible version.

[travelmel]

You know how I feel... :goodvibes

Love The Subs!

[kaoden39]

I hope you feel better. I look forward to the rest of your trip report. And I for one won't do the subs. I was scared to death of the subs as a kid. I am claustrophobic so they are my NO.

[Mark Mason]

Well...it's the 12th already! Are you wasting time unpacking before you post? LOL! Hope it was a good trip!

[MA pigletfan]

hey everyone!!!!
I am actually at work..exhausted, stuffed up and still cannot hear in my right ear from the plane ride..other than that..i'm good! ;) hahahh :lmao:
I will be uploading pics tonight if i can stay awake and am hoping to at least do the first entry of the real report..thanks so much for staying tuned..i promise to make it worth the wait!!! :goodvibes

[kaoden39]

hey everyone!!!!
I am actually at work..exhausted, stuffed up and still cannot hear in my right ear from the plane ride..other than that..i'm good! ;) hahahh :lmao:
I will be uploading pics tonight if i can stay awake and am hoping to at least do the first entry of the real report..thanks so much for staying tuned..i promise to make it worth the wait!!! :goodvibes

Welcome home! I can hardly wait.:thumbsup2

[DisneyLaura]

I can't believe after 3 years I will no longer have boring white walls!

Just three years, I waited almost 5 :lmao:

i have about 700 pictures to show for it..so be prepared for a VERY picturesque trip report when we return:)

Welcome home Gina and I hope you're feeling better. I can't wait for the pictures. The more the merrier.

[punkin413]

hope you feel better soon. :hug:

[Spartangirl]

Welcome home, Gina! :goodvibes Glad you made it home safely! Feel better soon! :hug:

[travelmel]

Welcome !!

[MA pigletfan]

Hey gang!
Thanks for the well wishes..i was actually feeling far worse today..luckily i do not have strep as i thought i did..but i still slept most of the day and barely have a voice..HOWEVER one does not need a voice to upload pics and start a report..so in a few minutes i should have my first short installment up..thanks for the patience!!!! :)

[MA pigletfan]

SO our flight out of Logan airport was at 5:50 east coast time, Jet Blue airlines. Some of you know how much of a nervous flier I am so I was prepared for my first cross country flight....I had two vallium and an hour before the flight I took 2 dramamine...so all was well! I actually took one more dramamine about 4 hours in, just in case they wore off...I hate getting sick on the plane and i am sure all around me would not be fans either!! :rolleyes: So the flight was great..smooth and I actually watched most of the Sex and the City movie on my trusty I-Pod between snoozing.
We landed at Long Beach around 8:30ish Cali time and i was so excited!!
Long beach is a very small airport and we actually have to walk down stairs across the tarmack to get into the airport itself..and the baggage claim was outside! Pretty trippy..here are some picks of that:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2151.jpg
Greg looking oh so happy about having his picture taken after a long flight:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2152.jpg
OH well ;)
Anyway..we waited and got our luggage after about 25 minutes and then we went over to meet our friend Corrie!! I was so excited when she pulled up in her silver Toyota..which will be our main form of transportation for the week:) ..besides being excited to be in California we also realized we were HUNGRY...and where else is there to stop on your first night in L.A....
IN and OUT Burger!!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2153.jpg
OOOOOHHHH yum! I got my cheeseburger animal style ( which is with carmelized onion and special sauce ( kind of like big mac sauce but better)...lt hit the spot. Sorry no picks of the food...but there are many other food porn pics coming up!
Since it was already about 9:30/9:45 West coast time by the time we got to Corrie and Bobby's place in North Hollywood we just stayed in and chatted..it ended up being a super late night, especially for us still being on East Coast time...I think we ended up going to bed around 1 their time!!!
Here is a stow away that Greg packed for me without me knowing :)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2156.jpg
pretty cute!
and here are are digs for the 4 nights we stayed with them in NoHo
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2158.jpg
I have other outside pics of their cute place to share later..it amazed me that people can have flat roofs out there..no snow to worry about!!
SO that is all we did our first night...but the next day is far more eventful and exciting...here is a preview:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2162.jpg
See ya soon!

[travelmel]

Ohhh so cute!! Your DH packed you a PIGLET!!! :cloud9:

Mighty sweet of him :goodvibes

That's funny that you noticed the flat roofs. I'm a CA native so having to think about snow when I moved to Oregon for college was REALLY HARD for me! I had no idea what studded tires were or any of that stuff. I was in really bad shape. :sad2:

I can feel your excitement about your trip! You're doing great so far even though you're not feeling well! :sick:

Can't wait for the next installment... I'm supposed to be laying low on the boards (hard on the ole body to be on the computer) but everybody's coming back from their trips all at once! They're are going to be so many fun TR's! popcorn::

[kmab00]

Great start! I'm so glad you guys had a fun time but I'm sorry you're sick!

Wasn't Napa Rose just the best? Such a beautiful place!

I can't wait to hear more! Hope you are feeling better!!

[MA pigletfan]

Ohhh so cute!! Your DH packed you a PIGLET!!! :cloud9:

Mighty sweet of him :goodvibes

That's funny that you noticed the flat roofs. I'm a CA native so having to think about snow when I moved to Oregon for college was REALLY HARD for me! I had no idea what studded tires were or any of that stuff. I was in really bad shape. :sad2:

I can feel your excitement about your trip! You're doing great so far even though you're not feeling well! :sick:

Can't wait for the next installment... I'm supposed to be laying low on the boards (hard on the ole body to be on the computer) but everybody's coming back from their trips all at once! They're are going to be so many fun TR's! popcorn::
Hee hee...sorry for keeping you at the computer..but i am thrilled to have you join me here :)..i know alot of TR i subsribe to on this board are just getting cooking too!!

Great start! I'm so glad you guys had a fun time but I'm sorry you're sick!

Wasn't Napa Rose just the best? Such a beautiful place!

I can't wait to hear more! Hope you are feeling better!!

Hey Karen :) Napa Rose was the best!! I have some great pics of that in our first DL day installment! Thanks for joining in...I am still feeling icky but i think i am rounding the bend!

[MA pigletfan]

Our First Full day in SO-Cal...October 4th


OK...soo after finally getting to sleep at about 1 am!:scared1: I was up at about 6:30! I hate when i am too excited to sleep even though I know I need the extra zzzzs! I guess my body was reverting to east coast time and thought it was really 9:30 or something logical..oh well!
Anyway...Greg and I stayed in bed till about the "real" 9:00 and once Corrie our official tour guide was up we decided we would walk around her hood' and get us some starbucks and see some sights.
Right around the bend from where Corrie lives is the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences building....it was so cool. They had busts and pictures of all sorts of actors, comedians..etc.. all in the open..here are some pictures from our first " hollywoodish" stop:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2163.jpg
I love Lucy ;)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2164.jpg
heehee..thats me with crazy hair and Alan Alda..I used to think he looked like my dad from the MASH days ;) haha
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2166.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2167.jpg
Me, Corrie and MUPPETS! And Mr. Jim Henson of course.
As we were walking around I spotted this sign and I got SOOO excited:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2169.jpg
Soon, Greg reminded me...we will be in DL soon ;)

After walking around North Hollywood ( or NOHO as I soon began to call it)..we got into Corrie's car and she took us for a trip up to the famous Hollywood sign!!!
Getting there...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2173.jpg
it amazed me how hilly everything was!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2178.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2179.jpg
Getting closer...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2182-1.jpg
There we are!!! It was HIGH up a very winding narrow and car sick inducing hill..but it was totally worth it! It was also quite overcast that day..hence the grey sky...It almost felt fake looking at the sign..very surreal. I mean how many times have I seen it in pictures, movies tv...and now it was right in front of me..one of THE MOST FAMOUS icons in the world..it was very cool.
We got out of the car at the top of the street we were on and took some pics..it was HIGH UP!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2184.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2185.jpg
There were a ton of Black Hawk copters flying around that day too..I wondered ( and hoped) it was just for a movie;
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2188.jpg

I have to end part one of day 1 here..but i will be back later with Beverly Hills flyby, the "Grove" and a preview of Hollywood Blvd :)

[travelmel]

Great update!

I live in Portland and they call North Portland NOPO :lmao:

I didn't know that and I saw a coffee shop with the name, "Nopo Coffee" and i was like what the.......???? :rotfl2:

I thought maybe you could drink coffee there on a budget?? :confused3

Silly.

I definitely want to take my DD's on the Hollywood sight seeing route next time we're down in So Cal (which is often as I have family there). I want to take them to the Griffith Observatory.

Was the Acadamy of motion pictures place... was there are tour? Somebody on the boards went to the Warner Bros studio (I think.. now I can't remember, darn it!) and it had a really cool tour! Fun stuff.

[Disneygrl36]

Glad you are back but hope you are feeling better.
Loving your NoHo pictures. That academy that is around the corner from your friends house looks very cool. I especially loved the tribute to Jim Henson & the Muppets. :thumbsup2

[MA pigletfan]

Great update!

I live in Portland and they call North Portland NOPO :lmao:

I didn't know that and I saw a coffee shop with the name, "Nopo Coffee" and i was like what the.......???? :rotfl2:

I thought maybe you could drink coffee there on a budget?? :confused3

Silly.

I definitely want to take my DD's on the Hollywood sight seeing route next time we're down in So Cal (which is often as I have family there). I want to take them to the Griffith Observatory.

Was the Acadamy of motion pictures place... was there are tour? Somebody on the boards went to the Warner Bros studio (I think.. now I can't remember, darn it!) and it had a really cool tour! Fun stuff.
NOPO..thats funny!
Actually the academy of television arts and sciences by Corrie's was just a building they have offices/events in..we just walked through on our own.
HOWEVER...we actually did the WB tour and that will be coming up in our day 3 installment..that was fun times!!!


Glad you are back but hope you are feeling better.
Loving your NoHo pictures. That academy that is around the corner from your friends house looks very cool. I especially loved the tribute to Jim Henson & the Muppets. :thumbsup2

Thanks! i am feeling much better..still tired and stuffed up BUT I CAN HEAR!!! i loved the Muppets/Henson tribute as well :)

[MA pigletfan]

Finale of Day 1 !

Ok..where we left off we had just driven up the winding road to the Hollywood sign!
After that we decided that we could all use some lunch, so Corrie brought us to this very cool area called " the Grove" which was essentially an outdoor mallish place with fun stores/restaurants and the Farmers Market is housed there as well.

Even from the parking lot we could still see that hollywood sign!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2198.jpg

Here are some picks around "The Grove"

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2203.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2205.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2207.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2209.jpghttp://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2210.jpg
It was a very cool place to walk around..albeit quite crowded as it was Saturday and all.
We ended up going to a place called " The Marmalade Cafe'" for lunch...it was so good..and YES I took pics!!
Here is my bloody Mary:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2200.jpg
We all dug into this salad of greens, goat cheese and portobellas:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2199.jpg
My turkey club:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2201.jpg
Greg had the tuna melt:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2202.jpg
It was all sooo good!

Once our bellies were full we decided we should drive through Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive on our way back to NoHo...keep in mind all these pics were taken from Corrie's car..so they aren't the best quality..it was just soooo busy and we couldn't find anywhere to park and walk around..so we just drove on through...;)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2215.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2220.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2225.jpg
the REAL Beverly Hills Cops:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2222.jpg
Of course I had to take a picture of this ridiculousness in front of someone's million dollar home:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2227.jpg
I get it..you are originally from New York..or you just like Lady Liberty a bit too much! ;)

After the whirlwind tour of BH we were beat...the rest of the night we just hung out at their place and ended up getting dinner at a really yummy Greek restaurant called "Daphne's"..I think its a chain place but it was DELICIOUS whatever it is. We were still all confused by the time change so that was all we ended up doing on our first day....

Day 2 up next.. a street fair and Pacific Coast Highway starring Malibu beach:)

[kaoden39]

Finale of Day 1 !

Ok..where we left off we had just driven up the winding road to the Hollywood sign!
After that we decided that we could all use some lunch, so Corrie brought us to this very cool area called " the Grove" which was essentially an outdoor mallish place with fun stores/restaurants and the Farmers Market is housed there as well.

Even from the parking lot we could still see that hollywood sign!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2198.jpg

Here are some picks around "The Grove"

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2203.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2205.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2207.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2209.jpghttp://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2210.jpg
It was a very cool place to walk around..albeit quite crowded as it was Saturday and all.
We ended up going to a place called " The Marmalade Cafe'" for lunch...it was so good..and YES I took pics!!
Here is my bloody Mary:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2200.jpg
We all dug into this salad of greens, goat cheese and portobellas:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2199.jpg
My turkey club:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2201.jpg
Greg had the tuna melt:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2202.jpg
It was all sooo good!

Once our bellies were full we decided we should drive through Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive on our way back to NoHo...keep in mind all these pics were taken from Corrie's car..so they aren't the best quality..it was just soooo busy and we couldn't find anywhere to park and walk around..so we just drove on through...;)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2215.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2220.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2225.jpg
the REAL Beverly Hills Cops:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2222.jpg
Of course I had to take a picture of this ridiculousness in front of someone's million dollar home:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2227.jpg
I get it..you are originally from New York..or you just like Lady Liberty a bit too much! ;)

After the whirlwind tour of BH we were beat...the rest of the night we just hung out at their place and ended up getting dinner at a really yummy Greek restaurant called "Daphne's"..I think its a chain place but it was DELICIOUS whatever it is. We were still all confused by the time change so that was all we ended up doing on our first day....

Day 2 up next.. a street fair and Pacific Coast Highway starring Malibu beach:)

You were only around the corner from Slimmons Richard SLimmons exercise studio. You should have stopped in and said hey. He would have loved it. He is a real people person.

[MA pigletfan]

You were only around the corner from Slimmons Richard SLimmons exercise studio. You should have stopped in and said hey. He would have loved it. He is a real people person.

where was that!??? in BH or near the Grove? I love Richard Simmons!

[kaoden39]

where was that!??? in BH or near the Grove? I love Richard Simmons!

It's in BH like just around the corner from Rodeo Drive on Civic Center drive. He is my hero.

[punkin413]

that salad looks really yummy! i love portobellos and goat cheese. you're making me hungry! :laughing:

[DisneyLaura]

I love the tribute to Jim Henson. I loved the Muppets growing up and faithfully watched every week on TV. Of course I still do love the Muppets. My favorite Christmas album to listen to is John Denver and The Muppets.

Ahh the famous Hollywood sign. That's really cool. That salad does look very tasty. Can't wait for more.

:lmao: A statue of the Statue of Liberty in your front yard.

[dwheatl]

Wow, the area around the Farmer's Market has really been spruced up. I haven't been since I was in college.
That Statue of Liberty is a staple in CA yards. You can get them at garden centers around here. We love the house about a mile away from us that has astroturf (looks like a green carpet) the statue of liberty, and one of the Greek gods (Mars, maybe?) Very classy! At least they didn't paint on body hair like somebody in Beverly Hills did back in the late 70's or early 80's.

[UtahMama]

This is SO awesome!

I'm all caught up and officially home sick!

[travelmel]

Great job remembering to food porn right off the bat!!! :thumbsup2

I love Richard Simmons! I might have to put that on my list of things to do in NoHo (where the pimp's don't go!) :lmao:

I can't wait to hear about WBStudios!

[mommaU4]

Hey there!! I just got home today and I had to come and see what was going on with your TR! I love it!! Yummy food porn. LOL Can't wait to read more. :yay:

[MA pigletfan]

It's in BH like just around the corner from Rodeo Drive on Civic Center drive. He is my hero.
Oh nice!

that salad looks really yummy! i love portobellos and goat cheese. you're making me hungry! :laughing:
heehee sorry!..just wait.there is a lot more food where that came from!

I love the tribute to Jim Henson. I loved the Muppets growing up and faithfully watched every week on TV. Of course I still do love the Muppets. My favorite Christmas album to listen to is John Denver and The Muppets.

Ahh the famous Hollywood sign. That's really cool. That salad does look very tasty. Can't wait for more.

:lmao: A statue of the Statue of Liberty in your front yard.
I have an urge to watch teh Muppet Movie and the "Muppets Take Manhattan " movie now..LOVE THOSE!!

Wow, the area around the Farmer's Market has really been spruced up. I haven't been since I was in college.
That Statue of Liberty is a staple in CA yards. You can get them at garden centers around here. We love the house about a mile away from us that has astroturf (looks like a green carpet) the statue of liberty, and one of the Greek gods (Mars, maybe?) Very classy! At least they didn't paint on body hair like somebody in Beverly Hills did back in the late 70's or early 80's.
HAHAH..i had no idea the statue of liberty was a staple..must be the west coast version of the pink flamingo! :)
This is SO awesome!

I'm all caught up and officially home sick!
awww I dont' want you to be home sick! :( but i am happy you are enjoying!

Great job remembering to food porn right off the bat!!! :thumbsup2

I love Richard Simmons! I might have to put that on my list of things to do in NoHo (where the pimp's don't go!) :lmao:

I can't wait to hear about WBStudios!
WB was awesome..i can't wait to relive it!

Hey there!! I just got home today and I had to come and see what was going on with your TR! I love it!! Yummy food porn. LOL Can't wait to read more. :yay:
WELCOME HOME!! I must go check on your thread too..can't wait to see and hear about your trip as well..thanks so much for checking in on mine :)

[MA pigletfan]

DAY 2!!!!

SO Sunday morning we woke up around 9:30 or so and did our ritual walk down to Starbucks to grab MUCH NEEDED CAFFEINE ( Corrie and Bobby do not even own a coffee maker :scared1: ..I dont' know how they survive!! haha)
Anyway..after getting back to the house Corrie and I decided to walk down the block to the main street she lives off of and check out a cute little arts fair they had set up . I guess that NOHO is a big arts area and this was one of the big ways local artists can show their work:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2237.jpg
I thought this was cool..its the dance studio that Britney Spears has been known to rehearse and practice in..particularly in her "crazy days"!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2236.jpg
One of the things we were introduced to that i am VERY SAD to say does not exist on the east coast is Ce Fiore! Think pinkberry style frozen yogurt..but better. I actually had one with this stuff called Mochi on it..I guess its a kind of rice/gummy candy like stuff that is popular in Japan..anyway it was awesome, and here is the store that bestowed the awesomeness:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2238.jpg
mmmmm....
SO after we walked around the fair for a bit and I purchased these super cool glass hanging bud vases...( love them...i will have to take a pic to show you!)
we decided to go back and grab Greg and take a ride down Pacific Coast Highway and head to Malibu!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2239.jpg
we saw alot of places that looked like this:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2241.jpg
The scenery was so pretty on the drive!! It was so cool to see the pacific ocean for the first time!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2242.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2243.jpg
Malibu Beach :)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2244.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2245.jpg
After hanging out there for a bit we decided to drive further down to Venice just to see the sites and then head back towards Corrie's neck of the woods. On the way back we saw some girl crossing the street that looked alot like Nicole Richie...I got a picture of her walkiing away, you be the judge!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2247.jpg
For lunch we had YUMMY FOOD at Portos Cuban Bakery near Corrie's...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2252.jpg
some foodporn for your enjoyment:
Ridiculously good famous meat pies!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2249-1.jpg
my HOLY MOLEY that was good tuna croissant sandwich, with plantain chips!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2250.jpg
Greg had some turkey thing and Corrie had a chicken sandwich ..I spared them the photos ;)

Why so serious Greg..you just had awesome food in California!??
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2253.jpg
:lmao:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2258.jpg
I was far more chipper! :goodvibes

That night we watched the Red Sox and had some yummy take out Mexican food from Piqous Mas ( or something like that )..it was good.

STAY TUNED FOR DAY 3......its the big ole' WB tour, finally a REAL Celeb sighting, Hollywood blvd, a "taste of disney" and dinner in Santa Monica.....GREAT DAY!!!!!

[Spartangirl]

LOVING your TR so far! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

I'm enjoying seeing some of the places that we have been and seeing some new sights too.........just means we have to go back to visit again to see the things we missed! ;)

Your food pics are making me hungry! :goodvibes

Malibu looks gorgeous!

Can't wait for more!!!

[mommaU4]

Ooooh, great update!! I miss the beach. I remember when we lived in CA and the first time I went to Malibu, I was so disappointed at first. I'd always hear about how fabulous it was and how expensive the houses were so imagine my surprise to see these tiny squashed together little homes. LOL Only plus is being right on the beach.
But the area is nice.
Can't wait to hear more!! :banana:

[dwheatl]

Love the pics. was I the only one who heard the Joker's voice, "Why so serious?"
I love our Pacific beaches. DH proposed to me at Santa Monica, near the pier, not far from Venice. There are some really gorgeous houses around Malibu, not along the stretch of PCH going into Santa Monica, but further north. Malibu Colony is where a lot of the stars live.

[travelmel]

Looks like fun! :thumbsup2

You are SO happy! I love the tone of your TR. :goodvibes

You got to try those famous meat pies (first seen by me in Beth's TR). Yumm!!

It's funny how we all spread the good news about the places to try!

Keep it goin!

[mommaU4]

Love the pics. was I the only one who heard the Joker's voice, "Why so serious?"
I love our Pacific beaches. DH proposed to me at Santa Monica, near the pier, not far from Venice. There are some really gorgeous houses around Malibu, not along the stretch of PCH going into Santa Monica, but further north. Malibu Colony is where a lot of the stars live.
Yeah, there are nicer ones further up. The ones right on PCH are still nice, just tiny and so close together. I had a friend who worked at a frozen yogurt shop that was off the beaten path. Not a chain, something local, and kind of hidden.

Anyway, she'd tell me stories of all the celebs she'd served. Everyone from Cindy Crawford to Elizabeth Taylor. (this was back in the early 90's) So there are a lot of celebs there.

[MA pigletfan]

LOVING your TR so far! :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

I'm enjoying seeing some of the places that we have been and seeing some new sights too.........just means we have to go back to visit again to see the things we missed! ;)

Your food pics are making me hungry! :goodvibes

Malibu looks gorgeous!

Can't wait for more!!!
Thanks so much..glad you are enjoying! I really do wish we had more time outside of L.A. to explore more of the Malibu/San Diego areas..but it was a nice taste of southern california..and you are right...more reason to go back and see some more some day!! :)

Ooooh, great update!! I miss the beach. I remember when we lived in CA and the first time I went to Malibu, I was so disappointed at first. I'd always hear about how fabulous it was and how expensive the houses were so imagine my surprise to see these tiny squashed together little homes. LOL Only plus is being right on the beach.
But the area is nice.
Can't wait to hear more!! :banana:
I know it right!! I was amazed at how close the houses were, and right on the street like that...very different!

Love the pics. was I the only one who heard the Joker's voice, "Why so serious?"
I love our Pacific beaches. DH proposed to me at Santa Monica, near the pier, not far from Venice. There are some really gorgeous houses around Malibu, not along the stretch of PCH going into Santa Monica, but further north. Malibu Colony is where a lot of the stars live.
I bet..i wanted to explore more of Malibu but we ran out of time! Awww Santa Monica is beautiful..stay tuned, there is a dinner there later on this day!
Looks like fun! :thumbsup2

You are SO happy! I love the tone of your TR. :goodvibes

You got to try those famous meat pies (first seen by me in Beth's TR). Yumm!!

It's funny how we all spread the good news about the places to try!

Keep it goin!
YES the meat pies...drooooooooool.
Thanks so much for the nice compliment..i really do try and maintain a positive vibe...but you will see later on its not always the case!!:rolleyes1 :rotfl:

Yeah, there are nicer ones further up. The ones right on PCH are still nice, just tiny and so close together. I had a friend who worked at a frozen yogurt shop that was off the beaten path. Not a chain, something local, and kind of hidden.

Anyway, she'd tell me stories of all the celebs she'd served. Everyone from Cindy Crawford to Elizabeth Taylor. (this was back in the early 90's) So there are a lot of celebs there.

Thats pretty cool...there is ONE actual celeb sighting in this report..but unfortunately it happened when i was sans a camera ;) ah well...

[DisneyLaura]

a REAL Celeb sighting, Hollywood blvd, a "taste of disney" and dinner in Santa Monica.....GREAT DAY!!!!![/SIZE][/COLOR]

OH I can't wait to see who you saw

[Disneygrl36]

Loved all the pictures from Hollywood, Bev Hills & along the pacific coast.
The food looks delicious. Meat pies look good-lets just call them something else ok? Every time I hear the words meat pies I think of Sweeney Todd.:scared1:
That girl sure looked skinny enough to be Nicole Richie.:rolleyes1
Can't wait to find out what famous person you saw.

[MA pigletfan]

OH I can't wait to see who you saw
I'LL never tell....:rolleyes1 Ok yes i will in the next installment :)
Loved all the pictures from Hollywood, Bev Hills & along the pacific coast.
The food looks delicious. Meat pies look good-lets just call them something else ok? Every time I hear the words meat pies I think of Sweeney Todd.:scared1:
That girl sure looked skinny enough to be Nicole Richie.:rolleyes1
Can't wait to find out what famous person you saw.

heehee..YES lets call them " meat pastry" hahah!
I wish i got a better pic of that girl, her face looked alot like Nicole's!
Thanks so much for reading..the next installment should be up today or tommorow...:)

[kmab00]

I'm all caught up! Great updates!!! We went to The Grove...such a neat place! I just love your pictures all around Cali! Most of that stuff we didn't get to see! Can't wait for more!! :)

[MA pigletfan]

I'm all caught up! Great updates!!! We went to The Grove...such a neat place! I just love your pictures all around Cali! Most of that stuff we didn't get to see! Can't wait for more!! :)

HI KAREN!!! :) so glad you are enjoying..yah the grove was so cool..i wanted to spend more time there but we had things to do! lol!

*** sorry about the lack of updating this weekend...offline life got in the way..thank you for your patience..i will be back with more soon!****

[travelmel]

*** sorry about the lack of updating this weekend...offline life got in the way..thank you for your patience..i will be back with more soon!****

Sounds good! :surfweb:

[kaoden39]

*** sorry about the lack of updating this weekend...offline life got in the way..thank you for your patience..i will be back with more soon!****


Oh my goodness a life beyond Disboards? :rotfl:

[mommaU4]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/mommaU4/bday%20holiday%20clip%20art/mickey.gif

[MA pigletfan]

Sounds good! :surfweb:
Thanks for your patience!! I am updating in one minute :)
Oh my goodness a life beyond Disboards? :rotfl:
heehee, I know right!??

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/mommaU4/bday%20holiday%20clip%20art/mickey.gif

SO CUTE! Thanks Beth :)

[MA pigletfan]

DAY 3 WB!!!

I was soo looking forward to this day. This day we were going on the WB tour, checking out Hollywood BLVD and having a nice dinner in Santa Monica

SO we started our day with the WB Tour. Corrie brought us there a little before 10:00 am if I remember correctly...on the way Greg spilled his coffee on his nice clean white and blue polo..uh OH!!! But Corrie, ever the thoughtful one, ran to a drugstore and suprised us while we waited for the tour with a TIDE PEN! Here is proof that it works wonders:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2262.jpg
After a short film on WB we took to the trams with our tour guide Lenny, who was great by the way, very personable and knowledgable as well.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2263.jpg
Greg sat shotgun
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2264.jpg
The famous watertower:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2265.jpg

We drove around alot of the backlots and he explained that alot of NYC shows are filmed on the streets back there, as well as movie scenes...
This is the fire escape that they filmed that upside down kiss from Spiderman:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2266.jpg

Lenny took us inside a half set..it is different than many of the empty shell buildings we were driving by because this one actually gets filmed from the inside and outside a bit. This particular one was still set up from filming the movie Don't mess with Zohan...it was the hair salon I guess
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2269.jpg

NOW...I got really excited because we got to visit the outside set of E.R.!!! Since this is the last season of that show it was even cooler. Lenny told us that it is the longest running drama to film on the WB lot. Its been housed there for 15 years!! They had just filmed a few Dec/Christmas episodes a few days before so the fake snow and Christmas decorations were still up!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2271.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2272.jpg
Good ole County General!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2273.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2274.jpg
You can see the JUMBO MART behind Greg that they show all the time, note the Santa head decorations!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2275.jpg
the basketball hoop and main entrace to the emergency room
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2276.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2278.jpg
Delivered to Dr. Archie:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2279.jpg
SO cool!
At some points we had to stow away our cameras...like when we went to check out the 2 1/2 Men set. That was cool. It amazes me that they can make it look so expansive on tv when its really a pretty small set! I wish they let us take pictures there though!
All was not lost..we got to visit the Friends Set! It is not in the same soundstage as when they filmed of course, but they moved everything that was in there from the coffee shop and set it up exactly as it was when it was a working set. They even named the set that Friends was filmed on the "Friends Soundstage"
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2294.jpg
" I'll be there for you..doododoododoododododooo!"
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2296.jpg
We got to see some cool vehicles from movies:
Ron Weasley's car that got wholloped by the whomping willow:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2290.jpg
Mystery mobile and those guys in the background are a bunch of Agent Smiths from the Matrix..they are very realistic..and creepy!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2292.jpg
After the cars we went into another place we had to stow our cameras away..it was a museum showing costumes and props from movies. They had a great upstairs that was dedicated to Harry Potter..I of course loved that!
OH I almost forgot..part of the tour was a drive around the "jungle" area of the lot...and here is where they have been filming alot of the outside scenes from HBO's True Blood Vampire show..I actually really like it so I was psyched to see this:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2283.jpg
Anyone that watches the show will recognize this tree as the tree Bill was chained down near when Sookie came to his rescue:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2285.jpg
Sidenote: I love the Gilmore Girls..I am still upset it is off the air and the fact that Stars Hollow was here at some point actually depresses me..because I am that obsessed with the show...however, we did get to see Christopher's Parent's house ..it is located in a row of houses called WB village I think, that they used the fronts for for some shows/movies..but they are all office buildings for the production teams for many shows on the lot:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2287.jpg

Now you may be asking.." I thought there was a star sighting??" Well there was..and unfortunately it occured during a point of camera lock down. While we were finishing up the tour we passed by Charlie Sheen talking to some guy on the side walk. It was very cool..he had a crazy hat and blue shirt
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/charliesheen.jpg
He looked just like he looks in pictures and tv..but alas he was smoking a cigarette..bad boy ;)
So that about sums about our WB experience!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2297.jpg

All in all the WB tour was great..and I would highly reccomend it!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2298.jpg

[Disneygrl36]

Wow that tour is awesome. If we were going to be in Hollywood another day I would really love to do that. Next time maybe.
Great photos of your guys on the sets.
What cool Harry Potter stuff did you see there? I am a huge HP fan as well.

[DisneyLaura]

Great shots of the tour. Tide to Go pen :thumbsup2 . I was just curious did they tell you why you couldn't take pictures of some areas? Cool that you saw Charlie Sheen. I love that show 2 1/2 men he's on.

[punkin413]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2264.jpg

is that my husband with that red sox hat on????? :laughing: ray has that same hat.

what a great tour! very cool that you got to see the friends set!

[MA pigletfan]

Wow that tour is awesome. If we were going to be in Hollywood another day I would really love to do that. Next time maybe.
Great photos of your guys on the sets.
What cool Harry Potter stuff did you see there? I am a huge HP fan as well.
Yes it was a wonderful tour..I want to say it was about $45 dollars a person, which i thought was reasonable for the length ( a little over 2 hours) and what you got to see. The exciting thing about those types of tours is you never know how hopping the lot will be and who you might see!
The Harry Potter stuff was awesome! They had a sorting hat set up..I was sorted to HufflePuff ;) They had a bunch of costumes, even a wax full size figure of Hermione from when she got in that state of non-movement ( forgive me I can't remember what it really was called!)...they had a Dobby and they even had the fireplace set up with a bunch of letters for Harry..>OH they also had the actual room under the stairs set up too, where Harry lived when he was with the Dursleys...and tons more stuff!.it was all very very cool to see. i wish they let us take pics there!

Great shots of the tour. Tide to Go pen :thumbsup2 . I was just curious did they tell you why you couldn't take pictures of some areas? Cool that you saw Charlie Sheen. I love that show 2 1/2 men he's on.
I imagine that the times we had to put away our cameras are times when they know that we might run into live shooting/celebs etc...for copyright reasons also, like when we were actually in the audience of 2 1/2 men. I just started watching that after the tour and seeing Charlie, it is a really funny show!

is that my husband with that red sox hat on????? :laughing: ray has that same hat.

what a great tour! very cool that you got to see the friends set!
heehee..YES i have seen pics of Ray in that hat, what can I say, both are guys are sox fans! ;)
The Friends set and even the E.R. stuff was very surreal!

Thanks for reading !!!!

[prettyprincessbelle]

I just caught up with your TR and the WB tour looks awesome!!

Can't wait for more!

[prettyprincessbelle]

What the heck! Ahh double post! Sorry!

[travelmel]

Wow! I lived in So cal for 20 odd years and never even knew that you could tour the WB lot! That looks like such a ton of fun! LIke a movie studio tour SHOULD be. ;)

Thanks for sharing everything!

I remember when Ferris Bueller's Day Off came out on video. There was a scene with Charlie Sheen at the end where he plays a "goth" type bad-boy boyfriend to Ferris' sister and we paused the video to kiss the screen because he was SO HOT!

:rotfl:

[MA pigletfan]

I just caught up with your TR and the WB tour looks awesome!!

Can't wait for more!
IT was awesome...I would never have known about it if our friend Corrie didnt' recommend it..i am so glad we went on it!
Thanks for reading! :goodvibes

What the heck! Ahh double post! Sorry!
heehee...no bigs ;)
Wow! I lived in So cal for 20 odd years and never even knew that you could tour the WB lot! That looks like such a ton of fun! LIke a movie studio tour SHOULD be. ;)

Thanks for sharing everything!

I remember when Ferris Bueller's Day Off came out on video. There was a scene with Charlie Sheen at the end where he plays a "goth" type bad-boy boyfriend to Ferris' sister and we paused the video to kiss the screen because he was SO HOT!

:rotfl:
HAHHAHA ...YES!!! i love that movie..and he was TOTALLY hot during the Ferris Bueller era...remember when they played that weird 1950s-ish song in the background during that scene?? "oooh Jeanie...SHANA!"..so weird..yet great moment in 80's movie history! And he was cracking his knuckles super loud! hahah...i want to go watch that right now!

[mommaU4]

Very cool tour pics!! I'd love to see the set of ER. I'd love it even more if Noah Wylie was there while we toured it. :love: LOL I'm glad he's making an appearance on the show for this last season. I miss him on that show.

Can't wait for more!!! :surfweb:

[kaoden39]

I imagine that the times we had to put away our cameras are times when they know that we might run into live shooting/celebs etc...for copyright reasons also, like when we were actually in the audience of 2 1/2 men. I just started watching that after the tour and seeing Charlie, it is a really funny show!




I love 2 1/2 Men. I have watched it from the beginning and it never fails to make me laugh.

[wdhinn89]

subscribing and waiting for more :thumbsup2

[travelmel]

HAHHAHA ...YES!!! i love that movie..and he was TOTALLY hot during the Ferris Bueller era...remember when they played that weird 1950s-ish song in the background during that scene?? "oooh Jeanie...SHANA!"..so weird..yet great moment in 80's movie history! And he was cracking his knuckles super loud! hahah...i want to go watch that right now!

LOL goodtimes (that and breakfast club :thumbsup2 )

There's another scene in the VERY begining of Ferris Beuler where all the kids are being shown in the classroom setting (camera pans around the classroom) and there is a girl with her head laying on a desk and I Swear to you it looks like my doppleganger (SP???) its pretty weird! It looked so much like me that when I told people it was me they believed it (of course they were 16 and gullible BUT STILL. LOL)

Looking forward to hearing some more!

[kmab00]

A fellow Gilmore Girls fan...I'm so sad that it's no longer being produced, too! Neat that you got to see the front of "Christopher's parents house"!!

Looks like the tour was a lot of fun!!! Can't wait to hear more!

Oh yeah and guess what?! I have another trip booked! It's a 3 day Sat, Sun, Mon trip but it's still a trip to Disney World!!! A bunch of former Disney Brides are meeting up and I can't wait!! My husband won't be able to make it so I'm rooming with a friend!

[travelmel]

A fellow Gilmore Girls fan...I'm so sad that it's no longer being produced, too! Neat that you got to see the front of "Christopher's parents house"!!

Looks like the tour was a lot of fun!!! Can't wait to hear more!

Oh yeah and guess what?! I have another trip booked! It's a 3 day Sat, Sun, Mon trip but it's still a trip to Disney World!!! A bunch of former Disney Brides are meeting up and I can't wait!! My husband won't be able to make it so I'm rooming with a friend!

woo hoo for you! :woohoo:

[Disneygrl36]

Yes it was a wonderful tour..I want to say it was about $45 dollars a person, which i thought was reasonable for the length ( a little over 2 hours) and what you got to see. The exciting thing about those types of tours is you never know how hopping the lot will be and who you might see!
The Harry Potter stuff was awesome! They had a sorting hat set up..I was sorted to HufflePuff ;) They had a bunch of costumes, even a wax full size figure of Hermione from when she got in that state of non-movement ( forgive me I can't remember what it really was called!)...they had a Dobby and they even had the fireplace set up with a bunch of letters for Harry..>OH they also had the actual room under the stairs set up too, where Harry lived when he was with the Dursleys...and tons more stuff!.it was all very very cool to see. i wish they let us take pics there!
So you actually got sorted by the sorting hat. That is awesome. Sounds like lots of cool stuff. I wish they had let you take pictures up there too!!!!!
Ready for more. popcorn::

[travelmel]

I read all of the Twilight series and just finished The Host (last night at 2:30AM) by the same Author. The Host was GREAT, very thought provoking.

I am now going to read Harry Potter. :eek:


I know, I know.. it's about time.

Looking forward to more updates!

[wdhinn89]

How far was WB Studio from DL? Is it a day tri? My family would LOVE to go there. Did you have to prebook the trip or were you able to just show up that day and go?

[MA pigletfan]

I am so sorry I have lacked in the updates lately...I NEED to upload the rest of the pics in photobucket and get on with it..there is still alot of fun to share..Thank you for hanging in there..i will try to update tonight!!:hug:


subscribing and waiting for more :thumbsup2
More will be coming! :) thank you!

LOL goodtimes (that and breakfast club :thumbsup2 )

There's another scene in the VERY begining of Ferris Beuler where all the kids are being shown in the classroom setting (camera pans around the classroom) and there is a girl with her head laying on a desk and I Swear to you it looks like my doppleganger (SP???) its pretty weird! It looked so much like me that when I told people it was me they believed it (of course they were 16 and gullible BUT STILL. LOL)

Looking forward to hearing some more!
HAHAH i would have totally tried to trick people into thinking it was me..and i TOTALLY know which teenager you are talking about! ha!

A fellow Gilmore Girls fan...I'm so sad that it's no longer being produced, too! Neat that you got to see the front of "Christopher's parents house"!!

Looks like the tour was a lot of fun!!! Can't wait to hear more!

Oh yeah and guess what?! I have another trip booked! It's a 3 day Sat, Sun, Mon trip but it's still a trip to Disney World!!! A bunch of former Disney Brides are meeting up and I can't wait!! My husband won't be able to make it so I'm rooming with a friend!
AWESOME! When are you going??


So you actually got sorted by the sorting hat. That is awesome. Sounds like lots of cool stuff. I wish they had let you take pictures up there too!!!!!
Ready for more. popcorn::
I know me too! there was such cool stuff up there!

I read all of the Twilight series and just finished The Host (last night at 2:30AM) by the same Author. The Host was GREAT, very thought provoking.

I am now going to read Harry Potter. :eek:


I know, I know.. it's about time.

Looking forward to more updates!
Harry Potter is great..I have to start New Moon myself, yet another thing i have neglected lately :rolleyes1

How far was WB Studio from DL? Is it a day tri? My family would LOVE to go there. Did you have to prebook the trip or were you able to just show up that day and go?

WB is about 30 hour or so from DL i think..we went when we were staying in LA so its tough to say how far from DL but not very..its right in Burbank.
We bought our tickets online before we left..i just printed the receipt off and grabbed the real ones at Will Call the morning of the tour :)

[mommaU4]

Can't wait for more! popcorn::

[MA pigletfan]

Day 3 CONTINUED>>>>>>>

Hooray for Hollywood...!
Our next plan of attack was venturing over to Hollywood Blvd. So after a nice lunch with Corrie that is what we did.
We used the seldom used Subway system to get there..it was eerily quiet in there, not like the HIGHLY used Boston T system we were used to..but it was clean and quick so we liked it!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2300.jpg
It dropped us right off on Hollywood Blvd...now to be perfectly honest, i did not like the blvd. at all..it was actually something like 100 degrees that day and it was very seedy, people were pedaling their cd's and videos every 20 ft..and not to mention the people dressed up....note Marilyn Monroe sitting with some dude that was getting treated after being punched in the face:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2315.jpg
weird.
Anyway..it was still pretty cool to see the theaters/walk of fame..and of course I took pictures!
Chinese Theater:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2314.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2316.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2305.jpg
Some handprints/footprints:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2310.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2311.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2312.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2313.jpg
Kodak Theater...Home of American Idol...:lmao:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2318.jpg
There is actually a cool mallish area in adn around the Kodak..which was a nice place to escape from the super hot weather...
AND NOW...our first "Taste" of Disney this trip!!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2319.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2320.jpg
and here come's the PIN TRADER'S DELIGHT!!! We actually got a free pin with it as well...the sundae itself was a scoop of chocolate , vanilla topped with fudge and marshmallow and mickey confetti of course!! sooo ooey gooey good!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2323.jpg
Check out the cute napkins too:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2322.jpg
Our first sight of Disneyland:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2324.jpg
That got me sooo pumped for the next leg of our trip..well almost next ( we still had san diego for a day)...
Here is a shout out to a great show...too bad the buses out here don't have this on them:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2326.jpg
Once we felt like we sweated enough we headed back to Corrie and Bobby's to relax and pack up our things..we were going to San Diego/Coronado Island the next day...
We had our last dinner in the area at a small Italian Restaurant in Santa Monica..it was yummy!
here is some food porn for your enjoyment:
calamari ( SUPER YUM!)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2332.jpg
super blurry pic of my "pillows" with pesto and tomatoes..
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2336.jpg
VERY blurry gnochii with walnuts and goat cheese ( greg's dish)..super yummy.
After we ROLLED out of dinner Corrie took us up Sunset Blvd on the way home..here are some crazy zooming up Sunset pics I took from the car..kind of fits the rock n' roll atmosphere ;)
Viper room
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2348.jpg
I love that Bolt and BHC are in the background..Disney everywhere! :)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2349.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2352.jpg

And that wraps up our last day/night in the L.A. Hollywood area..
Up next: Whirlwind trip to Coranado Island/San Diego!

[travelmel]

:) Was it crowded at the Disney Ice Cream place? Did you see El Capitan?

[Disneygrl36]

Loved those cool pictures from Sunset Blvd.:thumbsup2
Can't wait to read about your whirlwind tour of San Diego/Coronado Island since we aren't getting to do that part of our trip now.

[MA pigletfan]

:) Was it crowded at the Disney Ice Cream place? Did you see El Capitan?

Yup El Capitan is right next door to the Ice Cream shoppe. Actually it was super quiet in there when we went..just one other group of young adults in there...it was great! It was also a Monday around 2 ish

Loved those cool pictures from Sunset Blvd.:thumbsup2
Can't wait to read about your whirlwind tour of San Diego/Coronado Island since we aren't getting to do that part of our trip now.
i LOVED San Diego/Coranado..if i were to do it again i would definitely spend more time there..it was beautiful..as you will see in the next update :)

[kmab00]

Awesome update! I can't wait to hear about San Diego!!!

[mommaU4]

It dropped us right off on Hollywood Blvd...now to be perfectly honest, i did not like the blvd. at all..it was actually something like 100 degrees that day and it was very seedy, people were pedaling their cd's and videos every 20 ft..and not to mention the people dressed up....note Marilyn Monroe sitting with some dude that was getting treated after being punched in the face:
Yep, that's Hollywood for ya! :rotfl2: Don't feel bad, it definitely takes some getting used to. ;)
Aren't those napkins the cutest??? I took pics of them too. :thumbsup2


i LOVED San Diego/Coranado..if i were to do it again i would definitely spend more time there..it was beautiful..as you will see in the next update :)
I love and miss San Diego!!! Ruben and I used to go there all the time. That was our traditional weekend get away. Can't wait to hear your take on it. popcorn::

[Spartangirl]

Great update!!! Glad you got to eat at the Disney Fountain....it looks so yummy! :thumbsup2 Can't wait for your San Diego update!!! DH and I are headed there in April for a week! :goodvibes

[MA pigletfan]

Awesome update! I can't wait to hear about San Diego!!!
Thank you! SO glad you are enjoying it!

Yep, that's Hollywood for ya! :rotfl2: Don't feel bad, it definitely takes some getting used to. ;)
Aren't those napkins the cutest??? I took pics of them too. :thumbsup2



I love and miss San Diego!!! Ruben and I used to go there all the time. That was our traditional weekend get away. Can't wait to hear your take on it. popcorn::
OOOH i am so jealous! I wish i was able to go to san diego for a weekend getaway!!! It was so pretty..even though it really was more of a driveby tour for us..as you will see ;)
Great update!!! Glad you got to eat at the Disney Fountain....it looks so yummy! :thumbsup2 Can't wait for your San Diego update!!! DH and I are headed there in April for a week! :goodvibes

That is awesome! I would love to go back and spend some real time in San Diego..it was beautiful!

[MA pigletfan]

Off To San Diego!!!!

I was sad to say goodbye to Bobby and Corrie's neck of the woods..but super excited to see Corrie's parents ( who i had not seen in 11 years!)..and of course to see San Diego/Coranado Island.

Greg could not resist taking pictures of these ahem "icons" on the way to and from San Diego....if you have seen the Naked Gun movies..you will understand why he had this obsession:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2428.jpg

Once we got to Coronado Island we headed to a nice outdoor shopping/dining area for lunch with her parents and to walk around and take in some sights...
The shopping area was right on the bay, with an amazing view of the air craft carrier and the SD skyline behind ...it was a beatiful day!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2374.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2376.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2378.jpg
Just lovely!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2379.jpg
While walking around that plaza, I noticed a very cool looking small museum that was featuring work by Dr. Seuss, so of course I had to check it out and take pictures:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2380.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2381.jpg
Not really a Seussian work, but I thought it was cool:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2382.jpg
This painting was also amazing..it looked like a photograph!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2383.jpg
I took some more pictures of the plaza..they had really neat little fountains here and there..
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2385.jpg
After spending time there, we headed back to Corrie's parents house and I had to take a picture of the Coronado Island Fire Dept truck..;)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2391.jpg
Corrie's father then took us for a riding tour of San Diego..it was getting a little late in the day so you willnotice the lighting change..unfortunately we only saw San Diego by car ..but that just means we will have to go back again and tour it more extensively..but here are our whirlwind tour pics:
outside the San Diego zoo
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2394.jpg
Balboa Park..I certainly want to go here again!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2396.jpg
What I really liked about San Diego was all the cool artwork on display:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2399.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2405.jpg
This boat was actually the one used in Master and Commander..fast fact, heh? haha
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2404.jpg
We also drove through the gaslight district and the convention center, however my pictures did not come out that great there..ah well;)
That evening we had dinner at a yummy pub and walked around the Hotel Del Coronado...the inspiration for the Grand Floridian of course..it really made Greg and I miss the GF so much!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2422.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2414.jpg
Hows this for a chandelier???
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2417.jpg
They had a cute candy shoppe...with a black Lab as the mascot:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2416.jpg
It made me miss our dog, Chief!
After we walked around we spent some time with Corries parents and her sister, and they presented us with a "congratulations on the engagement" cake:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2423.jpg
So sweet !!:goodvibes
That ended our whirlwind trip to san diego..we spent the night then the next morning we were off to DISNEYLAND!!

UP NEXT: http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2435.jpg

[travelmel]

Woo Hoo! You guys did a lot of "whirlwind" touring :thumbsup2 We went to that same plaza on Coronado Island. Here was my DH's take on the fountains..

He's not right
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc55/TravelMiss/2008-7SoCalSanDiego016-1.jpg

I figured if you liked the "icons" you might get a kick outta that dumb pic (above). lol

Great update! Disneyland next, woohoo!

[kmab00]

Great update!!! I haven't been to San Diego before but it looks like a neat city I might have to visit one day!! :)

YAY Disneyland! I can't wait to hear all about it!!

[dwheatl]

Beautiful pictures. I love San Diego. We went there on our honeymoon, and want to retire there some day.

We all laugh about the San Onofre domes. Nuclear ta-tas!:rotfl: :rotfl:

[Disneygrl36]

Even though it was a quick visit you got to see some of the beauty of San Diego. I had it all planned out (a day at Balboa Park, a day on Coronado Island, a visit to La Jolla) oh well. Next time. Isn't the Del something? I was amazed when we visited it in 2001. I recently watched Some Like it Hot & it was great to see the Del (even though in the movie they were supposed to be in Florida :confused3 ).

[MA pigletfan]

Woo Hoo! You guys did a lot of "whirlwind" touring :thumbsup2 We went to that same plaza on Coronado Island. Here was my DH's take on the fountains..

He's not right
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc55/TravelMiss/2008-7SoCalSanDiego016-1.jpg

I figured if you liked the "icons" you might get a kick outta that dumb pic (above). lol

Great update! Disneyland next, woohoo!
:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: I have to show that to Greg..that is priceless!!

Great update!!! I haven't been to San Diego before but it looks like a neat city I might have to visit one day!! :)

YAY Disneyland! I can't wait to hear all about it!!
It was so pretty..and we def. need to go back ourselves..i highly reccomend it!
Beautiful pictures. I love San Diego. We went there on our honeymoon, and want to retire there some day.

We all laugh about the San Onofre domes. Nuclear ta-tas!:rotfl: :rotfl:
that is what Corrie's parents did..they are so happy living there..and they have been everywhere, MA, Delaware, arizona, San Fran I think...and they just love San Diego/Coronado :)

Even though it was a quick visit you got to see some of the beauty of San Diego. I had it all planned out (a day at Balboa Park, a day on Coronado Island, a visit to La Jolla) oh well. Next time. Isn't the Del something? I was amazed when we visited it in 2001. I recently watched Some Like it Hot & it was great to see the Del (even though in the movie they were supposed to be in Florida :confused3 ).
So cool..i will have to check out that movie..i love seeing places i've been in movies/tv! :)
Hmm..maybe it was a foreshadowing of the building of the GF in that movie lol!

[travelmel]

:surfweb:

[Disneygrl36]

:rolleyes1 Aren't we supposed to be going to Disneyland?

[travelmel]

:rolleyes1 Aren't we supposed to be going to Disneyland?

QUIZ:

Some of us have BEEN (and are going to remind us how fun it was any day now...popcorn:: ) and some of us are GOING (But maybe with only one pair of underwear cause they're too distracted to pack :rotfl2: ) and SOME of us just get to live vicariously through their friends and DD"s since they don't have a trip planned till .... till.... WELL THERE ISNT ONE PLANNED AT ALL! :sad:

Guess who is who!

:rotfl:

[mommaU4]

:rolleyes1 Aren't we supposed to be going to Disneyland?

I'm ready! Let's go! :car:


Have a great Thanksgiving Gina! :)

[MA pigletfan]

:surfweb:

:rolleyes1 Aren't we supposed to be going to Disneyland?

QUIZ:

Some of us have BEEN (and are going to remind us how fun it was any day now...popcorn:: ) and some of us are GOING (But maybe with only one pair of underwear cause they're too distracted to pack :rotfl2: ) and SOME of us just get to live vicariously through their friends and DD"s since they don't have a trip planned till .... till.... WELL THERE ISNT ONE PLANNED AT ALL! :sad:

Guess who is who!

:rotfl:

I'm ready! Let's go! :car:


Have a great Thanksgiving Gina! :)

Heeheehee...sorry gang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the Thanksgiving craziness has finally passed and i can get back to posting...I loaded my photobucket up with a ton of DL pics so i have NO EXCUSES!!! I am about to TRY and do some shopping ( wish me luck!)..and then i will be able to post away later with at least the first DL day..i am so sorry about being such a slacker...thanks so much for hanging in there..Hope you all had a great thanksgiving!!! :) :) ....I shall return later today!

[prettyprincessbelle]

Yay for Disneyland!!!

Let's go let's go!!

popcorn::

[MA pigletfan]

DISNEYLAND!!!!!!


OK! SO after a rather short trip from Coranado Island we reached our final destination of the trip...DISNEYLAND!!!!! I seriously squeeled when we saw this:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2431.jpg
and when Corrie pulled us into here....I definitely lost it:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2435-1.jpg
As excited as I was to finally be THISCLOSE to Disneyland for the first time, a wave of sadness was going through me as well. We would have to say goodbye to Corrie. At first we thought that she was going to be able to come down one day and play with us in DL..but her boyfriend was really sick, her brother was still stuck in Iraq waiting to come home and she had already missed alot of work being our tour guide the past week..so that was not to be :(....The only thing that didn't make me totally break down and cry in the lobby of the GCH was knowing that she and Bobby would be coming out our way in the winter to visit his family and we would see them again soon
After we said goodbye to Corrie we got in line to check in! It was about 11 ish I believe at this time and amazingly our room was ready!!! We were on the 5th floor..YAY..and our view was this:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2437-1.jpg
SO exciting!! Here are some room pics:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2436-1.jpg
we had the 2 queen size beds..VERY COMFY!!
Check out our crazy faces...esp Greg's :lmao:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2440-1.jpg
The cutest shower curtains EVER!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2441-1.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2442-1.jpg
And here I am with my "first timer Pin"...2 minutes from walking out the door heading for DL!!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2445-1.jpg
On the first day I didn't take too many pictures..I really wanted to take it all in and experience DL with my eyes, and not the lens..but of course..i took some!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2447-1.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2448-1.jpg
We headed right over to Pirates..i LOVED it..it is a bit different than what I was used to in WDW..but it was very cool..here is the one pic I took while waiting in line:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2453.jpg

..we then headed over to the Nightmare before Christmas HM...AWESOME
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2455.jpg
the crowds were suprisingly low ( It was Wednesday and all but still, I was suprised..)
To be honest I am not sure what else we hit up on this day..but I do know that we went on Indy..which was fun, but honestly a bit of a let down because I was ridiculously excited about it..and it was really lurchy IMHO. lunch at Rancho Del Zocolo:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2468.jpg
We split this..it was pretty good..the tacos themselves were yummy I remember..but i didn't like the rice, then again I am not a rice-ish girl anyway.
I loved the cute halloween themed cups!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2469.jpg
I think we stayed in the park untill about 3/330 ish...we had reservations that night at Napa Rose (:lovestruc ) and Greg was thinking it would be a fun thing to do to get a massage or something before dinner time...so that is what he did!
He also booked a pedicure appt. for me..I desperately needed one
check out the AFTER tootsies...:lmao:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2515.jpg
Of course Greg's appointment took a lot longer than mine so I decided to go on a photo safari around DTD..mainly the World of Disney Store
( There are quite a few more pics for this day/installment so I will have to do a part 2!)

[UtahMama]

Am I first this time? YAYYYYY!

Ok, I marked my coveted spot, and now will go read :rolleyes:

LOVED the San Diego chapter above, by the way. I haven't been there in years. SO beautiful!!!

Edited to add: Ohhhh!!! I feel your excitement! I totally love the NBC themed HM. It's really surprisingly well done!

I miss DL soooo badly!

[MA pigletfan]

First day in DL ...part 2!

Ok so as you know we stayed at the GCH...and you can walk right into DTD from it..which was FANTASTIC by the way. Every day I would walk by this window and sigh...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2492.jpg
We are getting married next October..and I am obsessed with wedding gowns! I haven't even tried one on yet..whoops! But i just loved this window that was attached to our hotel on the way to DTD..i love the dress on the left..i think that is one of the "Belle" collection...
anyway here are some pics of DTD and fun pics I took in the world of Disney while Greg got his pre-dinner massage:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2493.jpg
I loved the twinkle lights on everything...it looked so pretty at night.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2495.jpg
Warning...i went nuts on taking pics of all the cute Halloween stuff they had..it was TOO CUTE!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2496.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2497.jpg
Gotta love Zero with his light up pumpkin nose
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2498.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2500.jpg
OH NO >>>>>Alice!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2501.jpg
I just love all the Lenox Disney figures they had! ( side note..we got an awesome deal on a cute pooh Lenox at that Dept. 35 ( whatever) store..later on in the trip..i was excited!)
Prince Piglet!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2504.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2505.jpg
And of course..how could I resist:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2507.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2508.jpg
After spending a good 30 min. or so there..I headed back to the room to get ready for dinner at Napa Rose!
This is the entrance way from DTD to the GCH:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2510.jpg
When I got back, Greg was not back yet BUT turn down service had been there!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2512.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2514.jpg
adorable.
Ready for dinner!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2521.jpg
not the best self-pic ever, but check out Soarin' looming in the background! And here is what Mr. Grizzly looks like at night...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2516.jpg
Napa Rose.....was amazing. Our waiter/sommelier was terrific and we had perfect pairings with our meals as well...I highly reccomend trying different wines when you are there..they have a great selection.
For an appetizer we had the Our Signature Pizzetta - Shaved American Prosciutto, Black Mission Figs, Caramelized Onions and Cambozola cheese..AMAZING!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2525.jpg
up close and personal:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2526.jpg
It was seriously so good I could have high fived the chef! I paired the appetizer with a Shaffenberger, Brut..a sparkling white..absolute perfection. Greg is a fan of red, so he went with the Tantara Pinot Noir, from Santa Maria Valley...another spot on choice.
here is a pic of me with that AMAZING bubbly..note the cool open kitchen!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2528.jpg
For our entrees we both chose the Angus Filet Mignon "au Poirve" - topped with Melted Brie, Roasted Walnuts, Sun-Dried Cherries and Cabernet Sauvignon-Cherry Essence. We both went "light" on the Au Poirve part though...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2534.jpg
YUM! I paired mine with the Pinot that Greg had with the appetizer and I think he chose a bolder cab of some sort. We also split the farm fresh veggies as well...it was ALOT of food!
But of course we had dessert with cappucino:
I had the pineapple upside down:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2538.jpg
Greg had some chocolate trio:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2537.jpg
The cappucino gave this meal the best ending ever..because they also included a rock candy stirrer! The only other time I got one of these for my capp. was at the Capital Grille..I just love it!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2536.jpg
After an amazing dinner we waddled around DTD for a bit
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2539.jpg
then went back to the hotel to get some much needed sleep...we had a big day ahead!!

[mommaU4]

And here I am with my "first timer Pin"...2 minutes from walking out the door heading for DL!!!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2445-1.jpg


I love your first timer pin! How exciting!!!! :banana:
That's a cute bag btw. What is that?

[mommaU4]

Ooooooooh, fancy food porn!! popcorn:: Yum! Glad enjoyed your meal. It looks so good.
Love all the DTD pics. Especially the Halloween stuff. Don't you love how close everything is? The hotels, parks, and DTD are all just right there. That's one thing I really enjoy, the ease of it all.

Can't wait for more!!!!!!!!! :yay:

[Spartangirl]

Loved your new updates........I am very excited for San Diego now! :banana: GCH looks really nice.......you had a great view too! Dinner looked AMAZING!!! Wow.....if it tasted half as good as it looked...I'm so wishing that I had another trip booked to DL sometime soon. :rolleyes:

[travelmel]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2521.jpg
not the best self-pic ever, but check out Soarin' looming in the background! And here is what Mr. Grizzly looks like at night...

Not only Soarin, but the Golden Gate AND Tower of Terror! Nice job! :thumbsup2

up close and personal:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2526.jpg
It was seriously so good I could have high fived the chef!

That gave me the ole Pavolovian, right there. :drool:

here is a pic of me with that AMAZING bubbly..note the cool open kitchen!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z181/ginaphine/DSCN2528.jpg

Your hair looks so pretty!

The food looks so amazing. I'm so cheap I'm always doing "sour grapes" to fancy food porn (Ohh, it doesn't look that good) but that DID! Wow, yum yum.. and BTW, just FYI, pineapple upsidown cake is my favorite... and with that, I am drooling again! :lovestruc

[dwheatl]

Love the pics. Mr. Grizzly has never looked better!

[punkin413]

oh, i can feel your excitement about being at DL!!!! i can't wait to wear one of those first time pins when i go one day. how fun to be in a disney park and everything to be completely new to you! dinner looked great. :thumbsup2

[MA pigletfan]

Am I first this time? YAYYYYY!

Ok, I marked my coveted spot, and now will go read :rolleyes:

LOVED the San Diego chapter above, by the way. I haven't been there in years. SO beautiful!!!

Edited to add: Ohhhh!!! I feel your excitement! I totally love the NBC themed HM. It's really surprisingly well done!

I miss DL soooo badly!
awww..i can see why you would miss it! It really is an amazing place..and YES San Diego is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!

I love your first timer pin! How exciting!!!! :banana:
That's a cute bag btw. What is that?
I love my first timer pin! I am staring at it on the cork board above my computer right now :)
Thanks about the bag! Its actually a Vera Bradley mini-hipster. I forget the pattern, but its one of the newer ones she came out with..i love it..its super super light and actually holds alot of essentials :)

Ooooooooh, fancy food porn!! popcorn:: Yum! Glad enjoyed your meal. It looks so good.
Love all the DTD pics. Especially the Halloween stuff. Don't you love how close everything is? The hotels, parks, and DTD are all just right there. That's one thing I really enjoy, the ease of it all.

Can't wait for more!!!!!!!!! :yay:
MMMMM it was delicious fancy food porn let me tell you!!! I did love how we could walk to everything...what a nice change from bussing it everywhere like in WDW..although we HAD to take the monorail just for fun now and then!

Loved your new updates........I am very excited for San Diego now! :banana: GCH looks really nice.......you had a great view too! Dinner looked AMAZING!!! Wow.....if it tasted half as good as it looked...I'm so wishing that I had another trip booked to DL sometime soon. :rolleyes:
Thank you!!! I am excited for you about San Diego!! I wish we had more time there!

Not only Soarin, but the Golden Gate AND Tower of Terror! Nice job! :thumbsup2



That gave me the ole Pavolovian, right there. :drool:



Your hair looks so pretty!

The food looks so amazing. I'm so cheap I'm always doing "sour grapes" to fancy food porn (Ohh, it doesn't look that good) but that DID! Wow, yum yum.. and BTW, just FYI, pineapple upsidown cake is my favorite... and with that, I am drooling again! :lovestruc
hee hee..YAH 3 rides in the background ;)
THanks about the hair...one thing i LOVED about CA..the lack of humidity..I don't know if its always like that..but the weather was very kind to my hair when we were out there :thumbsup2

Love the pics. Mr. Grizzly has never looked better!
:) hahah he is photogenic that MR. Griz!!
oh, i can feel your excitement about being at DL!!!! i can't wait to wear one of those first time pins when i go one day. how fun to be in a disney park and everything to be completely new to you! dinner looked great. :thumbsup2

It was so cool Dawn. At first it sort of felt like I was in bizzaro land--because it felt like MK, looked like MK..but i was still kind of turned around where everything was, unlike the real MK where I can pretty much navigate blindfolded. It took some getting used too.but i loved it!!

[dwheatl]

It was so cool Dawn. At first it sort of felt like I was in bizzaro land--because it felt like MK, looked like MK..but i was still kind of turned around where everything was, unlike the real MK where I can pretty much navigate blindfolded. It took some getting used too.but i loved it!!

For me, that's just the opposite. I always feel like I'm dreaming at MK, because it feels like DL, but things aren't where they should be. Definitely like an alternate universe.

[Disneygrl36]

QUIZ:

Some of us have BEEN (and are going to remind us how fun it was any day now...popcorn:: ) and some of us are GOING (But maybe with only one pair of underwear cause they're too distracted to pack :rotfl2: ) and SOME of us just get to live vicariously through their friends and DD"s since they don't have a trip planned till .... till.... WELL THERE ISNT ONE PLANNED AT ALL! :sad:

Guess who is who!

:rotfl:

I think I am the only one pair of underwear girl...........darn books. :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl: :happytv: Got about a 1/3 of Eclipse left to read & going to see the movie with my dear brother today.:rolleyes1

[Disneygrl36]

QUIZ:

Some of us have BEEN (and are going to remind us how fun it was any day now...popcorn:: ) and some of us are GOING (But maybe with only one pair of underwear cause they're too distracted to pack :rotfl2: ) and SOME of us just get to live vicariously through their friends and DD"s since they don't have a trip planned till .... till.... WELL THERE ISNT ONE PLANNED AT ALL! :sad:

Guess who is who!

:rotfl:
:yay: we are at Disneyland. I :love: your view at the Grand Californian. I don't think we get a theme park view, but I am sooooo excited to be staying there!!!! SOON!!!!!!!!!! I will have to get my DH a 1st visit button. I had a very brief visit in 2001 so I don't get one.

Loved the Napa Rose food pics. We didn't book Napa Rose. We decided on Steakhouse 55 instead. Next time maybe. It looks sooooo good.

[DisneyLaura]

Gina just caught up with your TR. San Diego looked really cool. Did you love the Soda Fountain? Some day I hope to go CA. I was there for about 4 hours on our honeymoon because we were flying to Hawaii and our plane was delayed in LA for about 4 hours but the only thing we saw was the airport. Disneyland looks even better. I love that street sign - Disney Way, very cool. Napa Rose looks really yummy. Your hair did look really cute. I have curly hair and hate it. I acutally never have been real curly until I had my DD :confused3 . Great view from your balcony:thumbsup2 . Can't wait for more.

[MA pigletfan]

For me, that's just the opposite. I always feel like I'm dreaming at MK, because it feels like DL, but things aren't where they should be. Definitely like an alternate universe.
yes perfectly said " alternate universe"...but its a great alternate universe!!

:yay: we are at Disneyland. I :love: your view at the Grand Californian. I don't think we get a theme park view, but I am sooooo excited to be staying there!!!! SOON!!!!!!!!!! I will have to get my DH a 1st visit button. I had a very brief visit in 2001 so I don't get one.

Loved the Napa Rose food pics. We didn't book Napa Rose. We decided on Steakhouse 55 instead. Next time maybe. It looks sooooo good.
Steakhouse 55 looked great too! We thought about going there as well..i can't wait to hear about it when you go :)

Gina just caught up with your TR. San Diego looked really cool. Did you love the Soda Fountain? Some day I hope to go CA. I was there for about 4 hours on our honeymoon because we were flying to Hawaii and our plane was delayed in LA for about 4 hours but the only thing we saw was the airport. Disneyland looks even better. I love that street sign - Disney Way, very cool. Napa Rose looks really yummy. Your hair did look really cute. I have curly hair and hate it. I acutally never have been real curly until I had my DD :confused3 . Great view from your balcony:thumbsup2 . Can't wait for more.

I loved the soda fountain..it was so cute and a great break from the hustle n' bustle of hollywood blvd.
yah i have a love/hate relationship with my hair...and when it really gets me mad..i take a straightening iron to it! :lmao:

[kabuki]

Gina - I just read your report and it was great. I grew up on Coronado and it's strange to see pictures of the Vons I used to shop at on a travel blog! (behind the Coronado Fire Truck!)

You took great photos! Thanks!

[charmama4]

Gina - I just read your report and it was great. I grew up on Coronado and it's strange to see pictures of the Vons I used to shop at on a travel blog! (behind the Coronado Fire Truck!)

You took great photos! Thanks!

I just got finished reading also and seeing the skyline of San Diego made me very homesick. We'll be there soon for a brief 2 hours to catch a train (to Anaheim/DL) from deboarding the plane. Thanks for posting the pictures!!

[jessrose18]

Just found your report, loved it!! Can't wait for more!!