I'm back from a WONDERFUL week at the World! One of my favorite trips, hands down! We had such a blast with our friends and the 2-bedroom Villa at Old Key West spoiled me!
That was a great view! We got as far as the bridge you see in the picture of the mall at the Hollywood and Highland Center. We had parked there and went to the "observation deck" to see the sign. I can't get over that the Oscars are held there...I can't imagine Brad and Angelina walking past Johnny Rocket's to go up the stairs into the theater. Weird. The Dirty Dancing after party was in one of the empty areas in there as well. It is a strange place. Then again, we must have been strange to the LA people having a 9 year old boy at a premiere after party! Can't wait to see your take on Santa Monica. We never made it over there.
I agree! It was a strange place, not at all what I expected being connected to a mall and all that...so odd.
Glad you got to see the sign and YAY for OKW!
Me too! It was definitely worth the hassle for me. Next trip, we won't bother, but I'm glad I got it that one time!
WOW, another trip! I remember you saying on my TR how you were going in February but I had a feeling you'd probably be going sooner than that! Only 6 days, I'm jealous!
Cool California updates! Love all the pictures. It's so neat to see the real Chinese Theater. And yay for seeing the Hollywood sign. I think we might've only seen that from a distance as we were driving around. haha!
We had that October trip planned FOREVER it seemed! I just didn't talk about it much due to my DIS-hiatus.
Next time we are in California I won't bother with going to see it closely either, it doesn't look any different close-up.
Goodness! What an exhausting time trying to find that sign! Im glad you guys finally made it...although Henry doesnt look impressed
I dont think I would have liked driving on those roads either...scary!
We are leaving for WDW in 9 days! Maybe we will see you down there
Are you doing the
MNSSHP? We are looking forward to it on the 23rd...and hoping for great weather
LOL! You are CORRECT! Henry was not all too impressed. Yep, it's a sign. Okay, I'm gonna throw rocks.
I'm sorry I missed you! We didn't go to MNSSHP, we were going to, but decided last minute to not spend that money. We had a fantastic time, the weather was perfect!
Oh Brook, your driving adventure sounds awful. I hate to drive too. Thankfully Denny handles all the difficult driving in places we've never been to. I'm glad you finally found the Hollywood sign.
I have yet to catch up on your pictures, because, yes, I am at work.
But only 6 more days for me too!!!!!!!!
(my ticker is off by a day). Really looking forward to meeting you at the DIS meet on Thursday afternoon. This is going to be a crazy trip.
Score on the 2BR at OKW. I bet its wonderful. I really want to try a 2BR there. I get its huge.
It was WONDERFUL meeting you!!!!!! And thank you again for the great gifts for Henry, he loved them all. You two really took your time and put some serious thought and energy into those goody bags!
The 2 bed is MASSIVE! I couldn't believe how big it was. I did a room tour with video and pictures - once I have both up I'll post it on Facebook and here too if I remember!
Loved the update! Been so long since CA adventures for us now. But great fun reading yours. So excited for you for AKL trip! I love that resort. We are just back from a mom's only food and wine fest trip and had dinner at Sanaa. One of the best TS meals we had while there. Enjoy your trip to OKW! Can't wait to read more of your adventures.
Ooooh, a Mom's only trip! Love that! I do believe we are booked for Sanaa in February, I've been wanting to try it and since we'll be so close... I *think* we have 'Ohana breakfast, Boma breakfast (can't skip it...drool), Be Our Guest dinner and Sanaa dinner. I might cancel the 'Ohana, even though I've been itchin' to try it. Staying Club Level with 2 breakfasts is kinda silly being they have nice breakfast choices. We'll see though!
Yay...I can feel your frustration. I've been there before and the "husband" doesn't listen to what you are telling him.
Skip wouldn't apologize though. LOL
Exactly! Or what's even worse is when you tell them something and they don't believe you, so they "double check". Ugh.
Oh goodness do I hate driving! Driving in unfamiliar places is the worst. I'm so glad you finally found the famous sign. Hallelujah!
Love the photos! I'd love to see it too!!
I hope to see you next week Brook!
It was a crazyyyyyy drive, but I'm glad we did it! No way will I do it again unless a friend is along who really wants to go! LOL
It's good to see you back posting on the Dis again!
Hum, after looking at your pictures, I can honestly say that Hollywood doesn't look like I thought it would althought I don't know what I thought it would look like.
It seems as if "Hollywood" has done a good job at only showing the cleaned-up version of Hollywood. Still, I'm sure that it was neat to see the stars and the Chinese Theater.
I get tickled every time you refer to the vehicle as "Carzilla". Here in Louisiana, they think the bigger your car, the better. (Sounds a little like our neighboring State of Texas' motto doesn't it?
) I could feel just how frustrated you were when you described the driving and getting turned around/lost. Thank goodness you guys finally made it and were able to take pictures with the Hollywood sign.
You are exactly correct! The "pretty Hollywood" is just TV. It's kinda like NYC - you see all the glamour on TV, but none of the homeless, trash on the curb, etc. It's not nearly as pretty as they make it out to be! But, I'm glad we went anyway. I definitely wanted to see it all.
Joe and Henry agree with Louisiana, the bigger the car the better! Henry was obsessing last week over the size of our car. We had a van, but before we picked it up, he kept asking if it would be a BIG truck, etc. Goof.
my DH and I took our dog to California a few weeks before our wedding and we had the same issue with finding that sign. We gave up! We got pictures of her on hollywood blvd with the stars and the chinese theater so that was alright. Nice that you got to find the sign, and another great update!
It's nutty trying to find that sign! You'd think it would be simple considering how famous it is, and it's on a hill, but they do not make it easy!