ABD 2010: Disers Go West - Let the Fun Begin

[macman752]

Guy Fieri just left the lobby of the hotel with 2 tour guides.

 

[bigmoonmullen]

Today has been beyond anything I ever expected and this whole trip has been an amazing experience!

After an unbelievable breakfast this morning at Club 33, we were off to some behind the scenes coolness for several areas within Disneyland. No photos were allowed in these areas. After that we had lunch at Big Thunder Ranch.

After lunch we were in for a couple of cool treats: riding in the Lilly Belle train car and getting to go inside Walt's apartment! I must admit I was not up to speed on the Lilly Belle train car so it was a really cool experience to get to ride in it and learn a ton about it's history.

Next was Walt's apartment and I have to say that this was an experience full of emotion for me. Knowing the history of that apartment and the true meaning of what that lamp in the window stands for really hit home.

After that we got a real surprise and got access to the Dream Suite!

Pictures cannot sufficiently convey all that encompasses the experience of this trip. I am completely blown away and hope that every person that holds Disney in their heart gets a chance to experience this.

- Bil

Those are some pretty amazing pictures... Thank you for sharing them.

Mark

 

[klam_chowder]

Closed the parks last nite with SLBC & IaSW after a private fireworks viewing. Our guide Jaime hilariously kept the sidewalk in front of our viewing area clear of the "unwashed", including the lady who ducked under the rope into our area. [as jaime stretches the rope up, saying 'why don't I just help you slip out?'

cheers,

 

[klam_chowder]

Highlight last nite was the dinner session: a lovely buffet, slideshow of our adventure, and a visit from Mickey & Minnie!

One of the most magical elements was artist and historian, Stacia Martin. For each abd'er she drew the character of our choice for us while chatting about the history of the character, and she personalized the drawing for us too...amazing!!

cheers,

 

[dpuck1998]

Nikon/Canon You can't go wrong either way....I jest because its fun

 

[JWren1234]

To my fellow adventurers, this was an incredible experience getting to meet and spend time with all of you!

This was the trip of a lifetime, and I feel honored to have had this experience with all of you.

Wishing I was still at Disneyland!

Jason Wren

 

[kab407]

To my fellow adventurers, this was an incredible experience getting to meet and spend time with all of you!

This was the trip of a lifetime, and I feel honored to have had this experience with all of you.

Wishing I was still at Disneyland!

Jason Wren

You booked the Podcast Cruise before you left? RIGHT????

 

[kab407]

How many DISers does it take to ground a Finding Nemo Submarine? 44

How many DISers does it take to bring Space Mountain to a grinding halt? 12

How many DISers does it take to shut down Pirates of the Caribbean? 3


Yea, we were in town!

 

[DisneyKevin]

I cant begin to tell you how wonderful this trip has been.

I'm honored tp call these folks friends.

I'll be more eloquent later.

John and I left the Grand Californian this morning after breakfast.

We have driven the PCH / US 1 all day.

We had lunch on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and got lost in the hills for a while.

We are currently in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn in the William Tell Room.

http://www.madonnainn.com/rooms/203.php.

I dont think I can describe how kitchsy / funny this is.

We have three stained glass windows depicting the legend of William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head.

Everything in the room is lacquered to within an inch of it's life in BRILLIANT CANDY APPLE RED.

Our bathroom is made of solid rock boulders as is our shower which has a waterfall in it.

This is FUN with a capital F.

More later.

 

[cocowum]

I cant begin to tell you how wonderful this trip has been.

I'm honored tp call these folks friends.

I'll be more eloquent later.

John and I left the Grand Californian this morning after breakfast.

We have driven the PCH / US 1 all day.

We had lunch on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and got lost in the hills for a while.

We are currently in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn in the William Tell Room.

http://www.madonnainn.com/rooms/203.php.

I dont think I can describe how kitchsy / funny this is.

We have three stained glass windows depicting the legend of William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head.

Everything in the room is lacquered to within an inch of it's life in BRILLIANT CANDY APPLE RED.

Our bathroom is made of solid rock boulders as is our shower which has a waterfall in it.

This is FUN with a capital F.

More later.

Sounds fantastic!!!

 

[k5jm]

I cant begin to tell you how wonderful this trip has been.

I'm honored tp call these folks friends.

I'll be more eloquent later.

John and I left the Grand Californian this morning after breakfast.

We have driven the PCH / US 1 all day.

We had lunch on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and got lost in the hills for a while.

We are currently in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn in the William Tell Room.

http://www.madonnainn.com/rooms/203.php.

I dont think I can describe how kitchsy / funny this is.

We have three stained glass windows depicting the legend of William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head.

Everything in the room is lacquered to within an inch of it's life in BRILLIANT CANDY APPLE RED.

Our bathroom is made of solid rock boulders as is our shower which has a waterfall in it.

This is FUN with a capital F.

More later.

Enjoy the rest of your vacation!! You and John deserve it after the year you guys have had!

 

[denise]

I cant begin to tell you how wonderful this trip has been.

I'm honored tp call these folks friends.

I'll be more eloquent later.

John and I left the Grand Californian this morning after breakfast.

We have driven the PCH / US 1 all day.

We had lunch on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and got lost in the hills for a while.

We are currently in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn in the William Tell Room.

http://www.madonnainn.com/rooms/203.php.

I dont think I can describe how kitchsy / funny this is.

We have three stained glass windows depicting the legend of William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head.

Everything in the room is lacquered to within an inch of it's life in BRILLIANT CANDY APPLE RED.

Our bathroom is made of solid rock boulders as is our shower which has a waterfall in it.

This is FUN with a capital F.

More later.

Make sure you check out the men's room in the restaurant. Many years ago my design school took a tour there and we all got to see it....too funny....
A very tacky place indeed!!!

Also make sure you at least drive by Hearst Castle...

Drive safe and have fun. Keep your GPS on or call me if you get lost!!!

You and John are wonderful, kind men and we are so glad we got to meet you and have lunch Monday and breakfast Friday with you. Thank you for inviting my family to the breakfast, we all had such a fun time.

If my bucket of money comes soon (retirement offer) we will be on the podcast cruise for sure. If not then podcast 3.0 looks good!!!

Have fun on you road trip and we hope to see you soon!
denise, jimmy, eleni, brandon, kira and garrett

 

[newmouse2008]

I cant begin to tell you how wonderful this trip has been.

I'm honored tp call these folks friends.

I'll be more eloquent later.

John and I left the Grand Californian this morning after breakfast.

We have driven the PCH / US 1 all day.

We had lunch on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and got lost in the hills for a while.

We are currently in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn in the William Tell Room.

http://www.madonnainn.com/rooms/203.php.

I dont think I can describe how kitchsy / funny this is.

We have three stained glass windows depicting the legend of William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head.

Everything in the room is lacquered to within an inch of it's life in BRILLIANT CANDY APPLE RED.

Our bathroom is made of solid rock boulders as is our shower which has a waterfall in it.

This is FUN with a capital F.

More later.

OK, I love this Inn. Did you pick the room before you arrived? I just went thru and looked at each room. What a hoot!!!!!!! So many choices!

Have a great time Guys!

T.

 

[kab407]

I cant begin to tell you how wonderful this trip has been.

I'm honored tp call these folks friends.

I'll be more eloquent later.

John and I left the Grand Californian this morning after breakfast.

We have driven the PCH / US 1 all day.

We had lunch on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and got lost in the hills for a while.

We are currently in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn in the William Tell Room.

http://www.madonnainn.com/rooms/203.php.

I dont think I can describe how kitchsy / funny this is.

We have three stained glass windows depicting the legend of William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head.

Everything in the room is lacquered to within an inch of it's life in BRILLIANT CANDY APPLE RED.

Our bathroom is made of solid rock boulders as is our shower which has a waterfall in it.

This is FUN with a capital F.

More later.

One word-PICTURES!!!!.

Seriously, have a great trip. Enjoy the the Disney Family Museum. My best to Don. Love ya!!!!!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I cant begin to tell you how wonderful this trip has been.

I'm honored tp call these folks friends.

I'll be more eloquent later.

John and I left the Grand Californian this morning after breakfast.

We have driven the PCH / US 1 all day.

We had lunch on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and got lost in the hills for a while.

We are currently in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn in the William Tell Room.

http://www.madonnainn.com/rooms/203.php.

I dont think I can describe how kitchsy / funny this is.

We have three stained glass windows depicting the legend of William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head.

Everything in the room is lacquered to within an inch of it's life in BRILLIANT CANDY APPLE RED.

Our bathroom is made of solid rock boulders as is our shower which has a waterfall in it.

This is FUN with a capital F.

More later.

Your whole trip sounds like such a DREAM. Aside from the ABD trip...which sounded beyond awesome to me, driving the PCH all day? That's on my bucket list. I hope you do get to go by Hearst Castle, I've heard it it phenomenal. Will you be going to the Disney Family museum? I'm not sure where it is in relation to where you are now. Have a FANTASTIC time whatever you do!!!!! And I now it's tempting, but don't try to shoot any apples off John's head please!

 

[NC Belle]

Kevin--- that hotel sounds like fun. NC B. and I stayed at a hotel in Bruseels that had each room decorate by local artists. We can't show pictures of the first room that we had since it would not meet DIS guidelinew (had to move due to maintence issue---second room had a DIS approved art). We did not get to pick our room theme.


Wishing y'all a great journey.

 

[jmccormick]

First of all, you have no idea how good we feel about the Trip of a Lifetime we are just finishing.

Words cannot express the gratitude we have to Pete, John, Kevin and Walter for the way everything came together, that along with two great ABD guides, this was just a special trip.

AND on top of that, today we went over the the OC Convention center to the Anaheim Comic Con. Wow. Here is some of the press release about some of the "Stars" there for photos and autographs

"Major Producers and Executive Producers have joined the fold including Avi Arad (Iron Man, Spider-Man), J.C. Spink (The Hangover, Preacher, Y: The Last Man) & Adrian Askarieh (Hitman, Hack/Slash, Jonny Quest), with many more on the way! Stars from film and television will meet fans, including longtime fan-favorite, William Shatner, along with Adam West, Burt Ward, Julie Newmar and Oscar winner Mickey Rooney! Shannen Doherty & Holly-Marie Combs (Charmed), Jewel Staite, Tinsel Korey (Twilight: New Moon & Eclipse), Melinda Clarke (Vampire Diaries) and Helen Slater (Supergirl). More guests are being addded daily! "

The list of people there really was amazing, and just like on Sunset Blvd, for $25 you could get a photo. Kato Kaelin, enjoying his 15 minutes and 20 seconds was selling tee-shirts.

With all of the star power around us we could not leave with out spending some money.


Wait for it....

That's right, we meet and got a autographed ladle from Larry Thomas, "The Soup Nazi". On top of that he was only charging $20.

What a great way to end the vacation of a lifetime (or at least up till now, PCC 2.0 is coming...)

Jim & Linda

 

[dpuck1998]

I cant begin to tell you how wonderful this trip has been.

I'm honored tp call these folks friends.

I'll be more eloquent later.

John and I left the Grand Californian this morning after breakfast.

We have driven the PCH / US 1 all day.

We had lunch on Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and got lost in the hills for a while.

We are currently in San Luis Obispo at the Madonna Inn in the William Tell Room.

http://www.madonnainn.com/rooms/203.php.

I dont think I can describe how kitchsy / funny this is.

We have three stained glass windows depicting the legend of William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head.

Everything in the room is lacquered to within an inch of it's life in BRILLIANT CANDY APPLE RED.

Our bathroom is made of solid rock boulders as is our shower which has a waterfall in it.

This is FUN with a capital F.

More later.

Awesome, I love kitchsy/cheesy stuff! Listen to Kathy and post photos. Ya know, if you had a facebook you could just upload it from your iphone directly to FB

 

[safetymom]

Kevin and John, that looks like a fun place to stay. Enjoy every moment. Take lots of pictures!!!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Your whole trip sounds like such a DREAM. Aside from the ABD trip...which sounded beyond awesome to me, driving the PCH all day? That's on my bucket list. I hope you do get to go by Hearst Castle, I've heard it it phenomenal. Will you be going to the Disney Family museum? I'm not sure where it is in relation to where you are now. Have a FANTASTIC time whatever you do!!!!! And I now it's tempting, but don't try to shoot any apples off John's head please!

We are driving to SF and staying until Thursday morning.

We'll be visiting the Disney Family Museum Wednesday.

Today, we drive by Hearst Castle. We wont be touring as we have 200 plus miles to go before SF and our reservation (Non=refundable) starts tonight.

Off to explore!

More later.