re the earthquake felt 2 jolts, 1 small & 1 unconfortable one but no aftershocks at all.
karen, very glad to hear that you can make it, even though i am waitlisted for cat 3!! (just kidding!)
jeff, i meant to respond sooner, hope this info is still useful. my DD (10) and her friends really like Universal Studios. i have a coupon for $15 off up to 6 people. i could mail it to you, or bring it to the boat, or maybe you could check the internet to see if they have a similar deal (
www.universalstudioshollywood.com). They also have their own version of downtown disney,
www.citywalkhollywood.com.
She also likes Hollywood Boulevard (its touristy & kind of seedy but fine during the day). I thinbk she thought all the stars would be hanging out there but there are a lot of shops selling such must-have items as fake oscars and t-shirts of miley & the "joe bros", there also is a not-great but decent mall (called Hollywood and Highland,
www.hollywoodandhighland.com)
Also in Hollywood is Disney's restored El Capitan movie theater, i think its showing wall-e, but its cool to check out & has an attached ice cream parlor/lunch place/mini store:
www.disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/
If it were me, i'd stop for an hour or so in Hollywood on the way to Universal Studios, that's all the time it deserves. hope this info is helpful
ayumac: how is that dumpling place in arcadia? i wanted to go but i prefer my dumplings fried to steamed.
looking forward to meeting you all soon!!! --suzann