ABD Backstage Magic 4/17 - 4/22/11

[DisneyKevin]

Hi DeAnn,

I'm game for either or both (different nights of course)

We need to know when the official days activities end... at least for that day and who wants to eat. I'm sure the DU folks can give us a hand here... lets just say we are in for whatever is decided.

Everyone else.... please pipe in your thoughts too.

Mark

It's hard to pick an exact time when our planned activities will end, but they are usually done by mid afternoon.

Disneyland reservations are not as difficult to get as WDW reservations.

We made "day of" reservations for Steakhouse 55.

 

[robinm1215]

Today it's 51 degrees where I am, I'm very happy to see the snow melting away! It's back to work tomorrow in NYC, I hope the sidewalks and streets will be back to normal...last week was a mess with all of the ice and snow.

The Hollywood & Highland complex has some nice shops and restaurants to explore before the tour starts. There is a Hard Rock Cafe and a California Pizza Kitchen among other restaurants. Also, the Disney Soda Fountain and El Capitan theater are right across the street. Before last April's DIS ABD I went to see Alice In Wonderland at the El Capitan, it was a great experience watching a movie there. I'm hoping that they will have a good movie playing there this year.

Jason

Thanks for all of the info Jason!

Here's a potential movie for the El Capitan... Rio, an animated film about a blue macaw who travels to Rio de Janeiro, is scheduled for release on April 15.

That does sounds like a cool movie! I'm a little partial to anything with birds since I have a pet cockatiel Does anyone know if the El Capitan just shows Disney movies? I'm not sure this one is Disney. I'm sure there will be something good playing there though!

Hi there everyone,

It looks like we are responsible for dinner on Wednesday April 20th.... please correct me if I'm wrong!!!

Anyone interested in Steakhouse 55 at The Disneyland Hotel or Napa Rose at the Grand Californian?

If anyone is staying an extra day (Friday April 22nd) we could also consider the other one for that night.

What time should be consider dinner in order not to miss shows? I'm guessing we are leaning on input from Kevin, John, Pete, Walter, Kathy or Teresa here. Is this a reservation(s) that we need to make prior to our trip or can it be done while on the tour itself?

See everyone soon,

Mark

I would love to do dinner at Napa Rose! I have friends who live in San Diego and they highly recommend this restaurant! The 20th is good or the 22nd would work too since I'll be staying until the 24th. I'm good with whatever time works for everyone. Sounds like we have a little bit of time to firm things up since we can only make ADRs 60 days out.

Another thought -- does anyone know if we are getting priority seating for World of Color as part of the ABD trip? I know you can do a dinner package (and that package is not part of our ABD trip) but I'm wondering if we do not get some kind of priority seating if anyone would be interested in doing the dinner package. I know nothing about World of Color or where the best place is to see it, but I definitely want to check it out. Of course I'd much rather eat dinner at Napa Rose than the places they offer the dinner package for!

Hello everyone! I am almost over my post-Disney depression. I had a great time on PCC 2.0 and spent a wonderful week at WDW afterwards. Next Monday it is back to reality. I go back to work teaching, but the next time I have a week off will be our ABD trip! I think I have decided that I need to have two trips booked at all times. This way when you get back you know that you have another trip coming up!

It sounds like most of you are coming in the day before the trip. I don't want to miss out on all the fun! But unfortunately I don't think it will work out logistically. I will be driving down and leaving my car at the Grand Californian. ABD provides free parking and a transfer to Hollywood.

Wow! I can't believe the trip is just a bit over 3 months away. I need to book that second trip somewhere!

Hi Mark! I am interested in Napa Rose. I'll probably end up staying Friday night as well. So, the 22nd should work also. DL does Priority Seating (basically the same as ADR) that can be booked 60 days in advance. I am not really sure on how far out a reservation would need to be done for Napa Rose. I know that dining at DL is not the same as WDW. You can usually get same day reservations. However, with Napa Rose I am thinking we need to book ahead of time. 6pm sounds good to me also.

Glad to hear you had a great time on the cruise and your week at WDW
I like your thinking about having 2 trips booked at once! I just booked a week for Food & Wine next October and am going to book a week in Dec soon. I'm also thinking of going for Memorial Day weekend since I don't think I'll be able to wait until October! I love my DVC My next week off is also the ABD trip! I can't wait and I will also be happy then because winter will be over

 

[SusanWasHere]

Hey all!!
Hope everyone is doing well! Just read through the threads about the dinner at Napa Rose and as of now - I think I'm going to skip it! Just checked out the dinner menu and think I'd rather spend the time touring the parks since I've never been to DL before and may never get to go back lol! Who knows - when there I may change my mind and try to go - but I really want to get the most out of touring the area, the resorts, seeing the shows, etc. A few years ago I went to San Francisco for the first time with people that had previously lived there. It was a last minute trip so it cost a fortune. I felt like we spent most of our time sitting in restaurants and I was just dying to get out and explore. I came back with so much regret about the things I didn't see after spending so much $$ to be there So this time - I'm going to be all about running around like a maniac and taking in as much as I can!!

I can't wait to check out Hollywood either! Same as above - never been and will prob never be back! So I'll probably skip the movie and just check out the area. The main thing I want to try is In and Out Burger hahaha! I have a friend from NJ that moved out to LA years ago and has always told me I have to go there. I'm sure it's no better than the burger places in NJ, but I'm still going to experience it! Plus - I'm saving up my $$$$ for SHOPPING!!!!!

Can't wait to go and see everyone! I think we're going to have a great time. I really hope to see as much as possible and am glad I'm going out a day early and staying 2 days after. I'm going to need a vacation after this vacation!!!

Hmmmm, I wonder where I could go???

 

[thekylers]

I agree with Susan, as I have only been once and my husband has never been before. I also want to get the most out of my touring time, especially as we only have a limited amount of free time. I know that we are getting to do extremely exciting things that I would never get to on my own, but I still want to enjoy Walt's park and ride all of the rides that I may never get to see again as trips to CA will be few and far between.

When I was there is September I was not overally fond of the food. We ate mainly counter service, which in Disney World you can still get a good meal, but everything I ate seemed dried out. We also ate at the BBQ all you can eat near Big Thunder Mountain, which was ok, but then I was sick the rest of the evening. We also ate at the Blue Bauyou. I was really looking forward to that meal, but again was unimpressed for the money. Therefore, I think we will sit out on the reservations, but thanks for the invite.

 

[rchristiansen]

Speaking of food/reservations, what day is the lunch with Marty Sklar? Do we know yet?

 

[rchristiansen]

YAHOOO! Made the final payment!!



We also picked up a bunch of those recommended books (from the ABD packet) from the library today for us and DD.

 

[thekylers]

YAHOOO! Made the final payment!!



We also picked up a bunch of those recommended books (from the ABD packet) from the library today for us and DD.

Also made final payment!!!
It won't be long now

 

[bigmoonmullen]

paid too

 

[deann]

Just paid as well!

 

[oilheadbob]

We too just made the final payment and also booked our airfare. So my credit card is sitting in a tub of ice water trying to cool off!!

Looks like we are flying in the morning of the 17th and back home in the afternoon of the 22nd. Wish we could stay longer, but our little man (Skipper the dog) said we could only be gone six days this trip.

I can't believe that we are 96 days away!! I am using my DVC counter to count down the days!!

I think we might skip the meal as well as we want to see as much as we can on our compressed time schedule. Thanks for the invite though.

Bob and Nancy
Gainesivlle, Va.

 

[Yvet]

Holy crap did you guys noticed that the Euro made a huge drop....
That makes the trip more expensive

About the dinners we could do both nights so we are up for everything.
It doesn't matter where and when we just go with the flow.

Yes i would love to see as much as we can but the ABD trip itself is already pretty heavy (early mornings, lots to see and do, lots of walking) that it's nice to have a relaxing moment.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

In April, our Farewell Dinner was held in a conference room at the Grand Californian, which opened onto a small garden where the buffet was set up.

I dont think a location is listed as I think the location is subject to change.

That was the room we had our wedding reception in! I was one of the 1st year of brides at the GCH!

I'll just take this chance to pop onto your thread and say that I am looking forward to meeting all of you. I always love to be able to welcome folks to my town and my park!

I already know a few of you, so it will be a chance to catch up with old friends and make some new ones! If anyone has any questions about the area (I haven't read the whole thread yet, but I'm sure y'all have booked your pre and post stays already) please let me know. PM me, FB me, or post here. I work in Hollywood and live in Burbank.

I'll let you get back to your regularly scheduled thread!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

When I was there is September I was not overally fond of the food. We ate mainly counter service, which in Disney World you can still get a good meal, but everything I ate seemed dried out. We also ate at the BBQ all you can eat near Big Thunder Mountain, which was ok, but then I was sick the rest of the evening. We also ate at the Blue Bauyou. I was really looking forward to that meal, but again was unimpressed for the money. Therefore, I think we will sit out on the reservations, but thanks for the invite.

You definitely have to be in the know of where (and what to order there) to get a decent meal at DL, but it can be done. We've eaten pretty much everywhere, so if anyone would like any tips, please let any of us here on the DL side know and we'd be happy to help!

 

[Yvet]

I already know a few of you, so it will be a chance to catch up with old friends and make some new ones! If anyone has any questions about the area (I haven't read the whole thread yet, but I'm sure y'all have booked your pre and post stays already) please let me know. PM me, FB me, or post here. I work in Hollywood and live in Burbank.

Unfortunately we already are fully booked with plans of meeting people while we are there pre and post ABD.
maybe we just run into each other and chat for a little but we are not able to have a real meet.
But i'm sure that we will see each other again soon......

 

[FFToolboxGuy]

My wife ran into some posters on another thread that said that they prefer tour groups without kids and now we're worried that the people on this trip would rather not have kids either. Please let me know if our 8yo daughter is truly welcome and people won't be secretly be wishing she wasn't there.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[DisneyKevin]

My wife ran into some posters on another thread that said that they prefer tour groups without kids and now we're worried that the people on this trip would rather not have kids either. Please let me know if our 8yo daughter is truly welcome and people won't be secretly be wishing she wasn't there.

Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Please understand that the views expressed by posters on these boards do not always reflect the views of the Dis Unplugged.

Your daughter has been welcomed to join us on this Adventure since the day we started discussing your family participating. Nothing has changed.

These are inclusive Adventures and anyone wishing to join us is welcome to do so.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[bigmoonmullen]

My wife ran into some posters on another thread that said that they prefer tour groups without kids and now we're worried that the people on this trip would rather not have kids either. Please let me know if our 8yo daughter is truly welcome and people won't be secretly be wishing she wasn't there.

Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,

This is my take on it. I truly enjoy seeing Disney through the eyes of a child and I will welcome your daughter with open arms.

Mark

 

[bigmoonmullen]

Hi Jeff,

This is my take on it. I truly enjoy seeing Disney through the eyes of a child and I will welcome your daughter with open arms.

Mark

And if my wife chickens out on a ride your daughter can go with me.

 

[Yvet]

My wife ran into some posters on another thread that said that they prefer tour groups without kids and now we're worried that the people on this trip would rather not have kids either. Please let me know if our 8yo daughter is truly welcome and people won't be secretly be wishing she wasn't there.

Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,
Let me start by saying that this trip isn't an adults only trip so you daugther is as welcome as everybody else on this trip!!

Personaly i don't have a problem at all that there is a child on this trip.
Maybe when it was a 1 year old i would be hessitated but even then it is a open trip for all ages and i beleive that your daugther will learn us some stuff along the way!!

So please don't worry and from now on you are only allowed looking forward to this trip without any doubts!!!

 

[rchristiansen]

Thanks everyone. I was just super excited to find out this trip was available over our spring break (I thought it was not available because the official ABD site stated it was waitlisted) and I wasn't able to book the trip with the WDWradio tour group because they didn't allow kids on that trip.

I posted on the other thread about how excited I was for this and questioned why kids wouldn't belong on this tour --- and that I've become more active on the Disboards because of it.

Well, I got some snarky replies and complained to jeff because he sits two feet away from me in our office .

I'm super super super excited about this trip. Thanks everyone!