We Need More Cowbell! Aug 2012 TR *NEW*10/15 - Last Day & Wrap Up 4 NEW POSTS!

[khertz]

We're doing Disneyland in a few weeks and are thinking about renting a car one day to go over to Hollywood and the beach. Is it easy to find parking ? How expensive is it ? That's really the only thing that makes me nervous is driving around not being able to find parking !

I love your pics ! My dd would be thrilled to see Hollywood !

The parking garage where we parked was behind Madame Tussauds and the Chinese Theater. It was $10 for I think 3 or 4 hours? And it was valet! Really great price! It was great for us because we were most interested in seeing the stars on the walk of fame, the Chinese Theater, and the El Capitan/Soda Shop, which were all within walking distance of the garage we used. We had driving directions to the Chinese Theater and just followed the signs from there for parking. We found it easy to find since we had a general idea of where the garages were in relation to what we wanted to do.

Hollywood was great! I'm glad we had time for it this trip. Since we had JUST been to Disneyland in May, it was nice to do something a little different this time instead of heading straight to the parks.

 

[Moodyzblu]

The parking garage where we parked was behind Madame Tussauds and the Chinese Theater. It was $10 for I think 3 or 4 hours? And it was valet! Really great price! It was great for us because we were most interested in seeing the stars on the walk of fame, the Chinese Theater, and the El Capitan/Soda Shop, which were all within walking distance of the garage we used. We had driving directions to the Chinese Theater and just followed the signs from there for parking. We found it easy to find since we had a general idea of where the garages were in relation to what we wanted to do.

Hollywood was great! I'm glad we had time for it this trip. Since we had JUST been to Disneyland in May, it was nice to do something a little different this time instead of heading straight to the parks.

That sounds doable ! I'll make sure to bring my GPS.

This will most likely be our one and only DL trip and I hate to be out in Cali and NOT see Hollywood and some of the sights !
I'm really going to try to do this.

 

[khertz]

That sounds doable ! I'll make sure to bring my GPS.

This will most likely be our one and only DL trip and I hate to be out in Cali and NOT see Hollywood and some of the sights !
I'm really going to try to do this.

Hope you have fun on your trip!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Cute pictures of you and DH with the Hollywood sign! So glad you guys got to see some of the sights along with Disneyland!

I loved your nods to Gone with the Wind, I'm a little obsessed too!

Nice hotel choice, I bet you guys loved having all that space to yourselves!

yay for getting to ride the matterhorn.

 

[jenny105]

Wow, Johnny Depp's hands look super small. I can't tell if it's from the angle of the picture or if they really are that small! And yay, Harry Potter!

Cute pictures of you guys in front of the Hollywood sign!

Your hotel is so nice!

 

[khertz]

Cute pictures of you and DH with the Hollywood sign! So glad you guys got to see some of the sights along with Disneyland!

I loved your nods to Gone with the Wind, I'm a little obsessed too!

Nice hotel choice, I bet you guys loved having all that space to yourselves!

yay for getting to ride the matterhorn.

My aunt got me hooked on GWTW very early on...she took me to see a special showing at the Saenger theater when I was in middle school, and bought me a huge framed poster of Scarlett in her white & green picnic dress that I had hanging over my bed until I moved out. Now my FIL buys me GWTW stuff every year for Christmas, so I have quite the collection of Christmas ornaments, decorative plates, and ceramic figures. I also made sure to get a pic with Vivien Leigh's star, but didn't post it.

Having all the space without toys and diapers everywhere was fantastic!!

Wow, Johnny Depp's hands look super small. I can't tell if it's from the angle of the picture or if they really are that small! And yay, Harry Potter!

Cute pictures of you guys in front of the Hollywood sign!

Your hotel is so nice!

Haha I didn't even notice that about his hands! It might be the angle of the picture, I guess I should have tried putting my hands in his prints to compare. I basically only went there to see Harry Potter!

 

[afwdwfan]

Bumblebee!

If I was going to dress up for Halloween, I think I'd want that costume.

Yeah, I'm a rebel, I put my flight glasses on before they told me to!

So does that mean you were the rebel spy??

I'm glad you were able to get some good Hollywood sign pictures (eventually).

It's a bit of a relief to see that Paxton's green crud issue wasn't too bad. Never fun to have to deal with, but always a good thing when it clears up quickly.

 

[skier_pete]

I don't have much of a comment - but I am enjoying the TR so far...looks like you didn't spend much time in Hollywood, but with such a short visit I would think that would be the case.

How was the Pizza at Pizza port? While DD like Disney Pizza, I tend to find it pretty terrible, and generally avoid it as often as I can.

I'm curious to hear about MM&Y. We didn't get to see it, but I really liked it at WDW. I would think it would be pretty neat on the face of IaSW.

 

[khertz]

If I was going to dress up for Halloween, I think I'd want that costume.


So does that mean you were the rebel spy??

I'm glad you were able to get some good Hollywood sign pictures (eventually).

It's a bit of a relief to see that Paxton's green crud issue wasn't too bad. Never fun to have to deal with, but always a good thing when it clears up quickly.

Bumblebee looked amazing from far away but once you got up close it was pretty sad.

Nope, not the rebel spy unfortunately. That would have been fun! But it was a little kid of course...don't they always pick a kid?!

I don't have much of a comment - but I am enjoying the TR so far...looks like you didn't spend much time in Hollywood, but with such a short visit I would think that would be the case.

How was the Pizza at Pizza port? While DD like Disney Pizza, I tend to find it pretty terrible, and generally avoid it as often as I can.

I'm curious to hear about MM&Y. We didn't get to see it, but I really liked it at WDW. I would think it would be pretty neat on the face of IaSW.

No, we had our few things we wanted to check out in Hollywood, but that was it. After walking around for 4 hours, we were ready to get to the hotel & cool off!

The Pizza Port pizza was okay...not the same as regular Disney pizza since it is sold by the slice, but not the best. It served its purpose of filling our bellies and that was about it!

MM&Y was really awesome on Small World, mostly because it is wider than Cinderella Castle so some of the effects were better, like the waves rolling across during one scene and Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa walking across the log. Definitely glad now that we made time to see it since we will be visiting WDW during the transition period to a new show!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Just subbed in

I was just about to hit the sack, but I will be back tomorrow to read and comment

 

[Imagineer5]

HI!! I finally made it over here! YAY to another DL TR you make me want to go SO SO badly!! UGH!

So sorry to hear about Paxton though, your mom was very smart to ask for the insurance card and all that info, and glad to hear he got over it fairly quickly. Poor thing!! Cute you were able to facetime with him!

Your time in Hollywood looked like fun!! Man it has been so long since I was there, I think 9 years?! WOW! Love the Walt Disney & Harry POtter stars.

Your room looks fantastic, and first evening sounds like so much fun. I miss having Star Tours in the park LOL! Funny that I had to do a double take when you said you went to Tomorrowland and rode it...

Looking forward to more!!

 

[khertz]

Just subbed in

I was just about to hit the sack, but I will be back tomorrow to read and comment

Welcome!! Glad to have you here.

HI!! I finally made it over here! YAY to another DL TR you make me want to go SO SO badly!! UGH!

So sorry to hear about Paxton though, your mom was very smart to ask for the insurance card and all that info, and glad to hear he got over it fairly quickly. Poor thing!! Cute you were able to facetime with him!

Your time in Hollywood looked like fun!! Man it has been so long since I was there, I think 9 years?! WOW! Love the Walt Disney & Harry POtter stars.

Your room looks fantastic, and first evening sounds like so much fun. I miss having Star Tours in the park LOL! Funny that I had to do a double take when you said you went to Tomorrowland and rode it...

Looking forward to more!!

My secret agenda is to push ALL of you reading my WDW TR's to take a trip to DL!

FaceTime kept me sane on this trip because I would have gone nuts not being able to see him for 4 days! After the first time he got a little more used to it and would actually talk instead of acting shy.

It is a little confusing at time remembering which attractions are in which park since it can be SO different from WDW. The first time we went I was sure Star Tours must be at DCA because it didn't seem a good fit for DL, but I was wrong! Now that I have been twice, it does seem at home in Tomorrowland there...

 

[khertz]

DAY 1 Continued: Friday August 24th

When I left off, we were heading over to It's a Small World to stake out a spot for The Magic, The Memories & You show. We missed it last trip, and since we wanted to see World of Color on our next two nights, this was the only night for us to see the DL nighttime shows. We ended up arriving in that area of the park to find there weren't many other people waiting. So while DH played with the settings on the camera to find the best one for pictures, I grabbed a seat on a bench and listened to a couple having an argument behind me.

Trying out the camera​

When they made the announcement that the show was about to began, I got up from my seat to join DH and we had a pretty good view of the whole show. There was almost no one there, so it wasn't hard to get a good spot.

"Hey, Ferb, I know what we're gonna do today!" (Got this one for DS )

Lion King scene

My favorite, the lantern scene from Tangled!

Fireworks at the finale!​

I have to say, I really loved this show! It was really great on the Small World facade because it's so wide compared to Cinderella Castle so I think some of the scenes like the Lion King work better.

Now, why the title of this update? As we were watching the show, I immediately recognized the dancing Wolf family from their YouTube video and turned to tell DH so! (Seriously, if you haven't watched their 2 Disney World vacation videos, you are missing out!). As we walked off towards the hub to find a spot for the fireworks once MM&Y was over, DH looked at me and said, "That's ridiculous how quickly you recognized a family you don't even know!" Hey, DH, don't judge me, they are great videos!!

We made our way towards Main Street, and here we found ALLLLLLL of the people who were NOT over by Small World watching MM&Y, they were all packed in waiting for Magical! We noticed most of the crowds were up at the front of the hub almost directly in front of the Castle. I thought we should go back further, but again DH reminded me this was a lot different than watching fireworks in MK with Cinderella Castle. So we found a spot to squeeze ourselves in behind another group who was close to the makeshift pathway so we weren't squeezing in in front of anyone. It ended up being a great spot to see the fireworks, save for the lady in front of me who was almost constantly shifting over in front of me, so I'd have to shift over more to be able to see around her head.

Tinkerbell flying

My favorite part, Dumbo flying!

Of course, Magical was not as breathtaking as Wishes, but it was still a beautiful fireworks show! I especially loved that both Tinkerbell and Dumbo fly over the Castle, not just once but several times each. It's not like blink-and-you-miss-it-Tink at WDW. I have never watched Wishes from the hub at MK, so maybe it is just as packed as it was here at DL, but I found that a little uncomfortable. It is so much nicer to have everyone dispersed on Main Street instead of packed in like sardines.

We debated heading off to ride something else, but decided instead to do some shopping on Main Street instead of trying to fight crowds trying to get to an attraction. We ended up spotting the Halloween display and taking pictures of the stuff we wanted to get either when we came home or when we go to WDW. It was all way too big for us to get home with just 2 carry-ons and 2 backpacks.

At 10:15, we exited the park and hopped onto a tram to the parking garage. Although the park was open until 12 am, we didn't want to burn ourselves out on our first day. Besides we had an early date with Cars Land the next day that we definitely didn't want to miss!

UP NEXT: Welcome to Radiator Springs!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Fun update!

So what were the couple sitting behind you arguing about?

Yeah, I recognized the Wolf family too when I saw MMY at WDW last time. And if it's the same footage as WDW, they have actually a decent amount of screen time!

 

[skier_pete]

I agree with almost everything you said about the fireworks. Love Tink and Dumbo, show is hurt by the tiny castle. I also have to tell you, we ALWAYS watch the fireworks from the hub or just behind it, and it is not nearly as packed in as it is for Magical! I showed up for the fireworks (solo) a mere minute or two before the show started, and squeezed inside the ropes not far from the partners statue, which was fine for viewing.

We never got to see MM&Y. I think it's still going there, right even though its closing in WDW? Maybe we'll get our chance next year. Interesting that not many people were there. I wondered if that would happen with the time being so close between Fantasmic and Magical it would be low on most people's priority list.

Looking forward to your RSR review and pictures.

 

[afwdwfan]

I'm glad you were able to enjoy both shows!

It wouldn't be a Disney trip unless you had to listen to another family arguing behind you or right next to you at some point.

Probably a tough decision to leave instead of riding a few rides after the fireworks, but a good call. Definitely don't want to get burnt out on the first night!

 

[Moodyzblu]

Wow .. you got some great shots of the castle ! Mine night shots always come out blurry.

Love the Wolf family videos !! They are something to watch for sure.

 

[khertz]

Fun update!

So what were the couple sitting behind you arguing about?

Yeah, I recognized the Wolf family too when I saw MMY at WDW last time. And if it's the same footage as WDW, they have actually a decent amount of screen time!

Haha It sounded like the wife was already upset about something and then got even more mad at him because he laughed at her. It was interesting, to say the least.

Yes, the Wolfs are in there a lot! Not surprising, their video is so amazing.

I agree with almost everything you said about the fireworks. Love Tink and Dumbo, show is hurt by the tiny castle. I also have to tell you, we ALWAYS watch the fireworks from the hub or just behind it, and it is not nearly as packed in as it is for Magical! I showed up for the fireworks (solo) a mere minute or two before the show started, and squeezed inside the ropes not far from the partners statue, which was fine for viewing.

We never got to see MM&Y. I think it's still going there, right even though its closing in WDW? Maybe we'll get our chance next year. Interesting that not many people were there. I wondered if that would happen with the time being so close between Fantasmic and Magical it would be low on most people's priority list.

Looking forward to your RSR review and pictures.

Good to know for Wishes! I guess in DL then it is just because the further back you get the worse the viewing must be.

I think it is going away at both parks to make way for the new projection show. I am actually pretty bummed that we will be in WDW for the transition period so no Castle show at all. I'm sure you are right, with Fantasmic and Magical going on right before and after MM&Y and each show being in a different section of the park, it is probably the least popular.

I'm glad you were able to enjoy both shows!

It wouldn't be a Disney trip unless you had to listen to another family arguing behind you or right next to you at some point.

Probably a tough decision to leave instead of riding a few rides after the fireworks, but a good call. Definitely don't want to get burnt out on the first night!

I'd hate to know how many people have heard DH and I arguing over something stupid in the parks. That much close proximity usually leads to it happening at least once!

It was soooooo tempting to stay in DL late at night, but we definitely didn't want to wear ourselves out completely on our first night!

Wow .. you got some great shots of the castle ! Mine night shots always come out blurry.

Love the Wolf family videos !! They are something to watch for sure.

That's all DH, I have no idea how to play with the different setting on that camera for at night! I am happy to have him "tag along" for photography purposes.

I adore the Wolf family...I would love to dance with them, but they go in the summer, and until we are forced to, you won't catch us there in the blazing summer months!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

How fun that Dumbo flies over!!

Your trip sounds super fun so far! Cant wait to see all your pics from Cars Land

 

[jenny105]

I never got to see MM&Y. I'm kind of bummed they did away with it.

I actually liked the Disneyland fireworks better than Wishes! I never thought I'd say that because Wishes is just about my favorite thing in Disney World. I like that Tink is more involved in the DL version.

Can't wait to see pictures of Radiator Springs!