April 2010 ABD Backstage Magic : California Here We Come!!!

[DisneyKevin]

Now I have to try a donut from every possible location to try to find this "best" donut. Any idea where you found it?

I apologize....I dont remember the name of the donut place, but they were making them fresh....and it wasnt Krispy Kreme.

The Hot Dog stand on the way to Tower of Terror and RnR is based on the Framer's Market.

When we decided we were doing this....it was the one place I told John that we had to see again.

 

[Tonya2426]

Is it Bob's Coffee and Dounts?

http://www.farmersmarketla.com/directory/vendor/bobs_coffee_donuts/index.html

I've been pondering what to do for our day in Hollywood and the Farmers Market might just be the ticket!!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Is it Bob's Coffee and Dounts?

http://www.farmersmarketla.com/directory/vendor/bobs_coffee_donuts/index.html

I've been pondering what to do for our day in Hollywood and the Farmers Market might just be the ticket!!

That's it!!!!!

 

[Dodie]

Bummer. Sounds cool. No rental car = no farmers market for us.

Actually, we're coming in very late on Monday night (arriving at midnight our time/9:00 p.m. there) and will probably end up doing very little on Tuesday except exploring the immediate area. Maybe if someone we know is doing something cool on that Tuesday - we might tag along. If not, I'll be happy to just check things out nearby.

 

[tmli]

I don't think we will have a rental car either. I think we are going to Metro where we can and cab it to the Farmers Market/Grove.

We have also decided to do the deluxe WB tour on the Monday....I may try to sneak in the NBC tour as well on Tuesday, its a quick one!

SO now (I think) our plans are....

Arriving Friday night late, staying at a hotel near the airport on Friday and Saturday night. Saturday going to Santa Monica Pier, perhaps renting a car, not sure. Sunday we have transfers to the renaissance around lunch time. That afternoon and evening at Farmers Market/Grove, maybe movie and a dinner. Monday WB deluxe tour...not sure of rest of day, Tuesday NBC tour, explore the area around the hotel until dinner meet!!

We keep changing back and forth but I think this is it now! We have scrapped the Universal VIP tour as it didn't work with schedule!

 

[stenogoddess]

That's it!!!!!

Always follow the lightsaber. The lightsaber has great knowledge about yummy pastry!

 

[stenogoddess]

Wanted to give everyone this link:

http://www.metro.net/index.asp

It's for using public transport around LA. Looks like a good resourse so far.

I'm also thinking of downloading an app for the phone for the Metro system. Not sure yet on which one though.

Also I've discovered today that there is a Hertz Rental Car actually at the hotel, so if you're on the fence about whether you want to rent or not, as I am, can always wait and decide there!

I've also figured out the route for public transportation from LAX to the hotel, but I think I've decided to take a town car. Usually when I get off an extended airplane ride it's with a strong desire to kill, so I think asking myself to take public transport is setting myself up for disaster. Plus, DH says once we go on vacation don't do anything to Break the Magic, which includes killing people on buses! :0

 

[columnwest]

I'm trying to figure out (based on Disney's release schedule) what's going to be playing at the El Capitan when we're there. Disney doesn't have much coming out during that time of the year.

Best scenario would probably by Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland". I say "best scenario" because that would be a way-cool movie to see props and sets from (no matter how good or bad the film itself is). But, it comes out March 3rd, and they may not want to tie up the theatre for that long. Then again, if it's a hit, I could totally see them extending the run.

The not-as-good scenario would be "The Last Song" which is a Miley Cyrus movie (written by Nicholas "The Notebook/A Walk to Remember" Sparks) that comes out April 2nd. No disrespect to Miley, but... yaaawwn. I'm rooting for "Alice".

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Also I've discovered today that there is a Hertz Rental Car actually at the hotel, so if you're on the fence about whether you want to rent or not, as I am, can always wait and decide there!

That is who Bill found for our Monday car rental. We are using the ABD transportation to the hotel on Sunday and then picking-up the car downstairs on Monday morning for our own little "Adventure" out of Hollywood. It is going to be VERY convenient!

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I'm a bit of a California novice....been there a few times but dont know my way around all that well.

One of the things that we thoroughly enjoyed....and it's FREE...is the LA Farmer's Market, which is next to The Grove. (That's the place you always see in the gossip columns where celebrities shop)

We had a blast at the Farmer's Market and are looking forward to going back.

Besides being the Navigator on the trips to CA, this was the place Bob liked the best. It was like version of the Food and Wine Festival.

I had the best donut I've ever had in my life there.

We were looking for something to do on Tuesday, while we still had the car. The Farmer's Market sounds great. We had thought about popping down to the Santa Monica Pier too. So, maybe we'll grab some fresh food and bring it down there for a nice picnic lunch.

Jennifer

 

[corky441]

Kevin -

Thought this might be of interest to all of us

A real quick question . . .

At the end of the ABD adventure, when we are being taken to the airport by Disney, is this like the luggage/airline check-in service offered by the DisneyWorld resorts, where they handle getting you luggage to the airport and printing up the boarding passes so all you have to do is head right to the security check? Or, do you we have to handle our own luggage and go to the airline's counter to check our bags and get our boarding passes?

I've gotten very spoiled lately the way airline check-in is handled at the WDW resorts in Florida

 

[DisneyKevin]

Kevin -

Thought this might be of interest to all of us

A real quick question . . .

At the end of the ABD adventure, when we are being taken to the airport by Disney, is this like the luggage/airline check-in service offered by the DisneyWorld resorts, where they handle getting you luggage to the airport and printing up the boarding passes so all you have to do is head right to the security check? Or, do you we have to handle our own luggage and go to the airline's counter to check our bags and get our boarding passes?

I've gotten very spoiled lately the way airline check-in is handled at the WDW resorts in Florida

ABD handles baggage transfers when using ABD transportation.

There is a business center at the Grand Californian at which boarding passes can be printed.

I am uncertain as to whether there is an airline check in desk at the hotel.

I've called and asked about this and they will get back to me to let me know if this is available.

I'll let y'all know as soon as I hear anything.

Kevin

 

[corky441]

Kevin -

Thank you so much for checking -

Just knowing that they will taking care of the luggage is a big relief. I hate schlepping suitcases around

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

ABD handles baggage transfers when using ABD transportation.

There is a business center at the Grand Californian at which boarding passes can be printed.

I am uncertain as to whether there is an airline check in desk at the hotel.

I've called and asked about this and they will get back to me to let me know if this is available.

I'll let y'all know as soon as I hear anything.

Kevin

Our flight will be later in the afternoon heading back home on Sunday. Does ABD coordinate with our flight time to have transportation to the airport waiting at the GC for us? How does the departure process work at the end of the Adventure? We plan to attend breakfast at Storytellers for the last hoorah. But after that, we planned to head into a park for a little more fun before our 1:55 PM flight departure.

Also, we arrive on Sunday prior to the ABD Tour. We coordinated with you and ABD for a room at the Renaissance. Will we need to recheck-in on the Adventure day (get a new room key)??? We would like to stay in our room for the duration of our Hollywood visit? I just wanted this confirmed as I had read elsewhere people had to recheck-in, but were able to stay in the same room.

Thanks in advance for the info!

Jennifer

 

[DisneyKevin]

Kevin -

Thank you so much for checking -

Just knowing that they will taking care of the luggage is a big relief. I hate schlepping suitcases around

Per ABD....the GC does not have an airline check in desk.

They do have the business center for printing boarding passes, but you will still need to check in at the airport.

Our flight will be later in the afternoon heading back home on Sunday. Does ABD coordinate with our flight time to have transportation to the airport waiting at the GC for us? How does the departure process work at the end of the Adventure? We plan to attend breakfast at Storytellers for the last hoorah. But after that, we planned to head into a park for a little more fun before our 1:55 PM flight departure.

Also, we arrive on Sunday prior to the ABD Tour. We coordinated with you and ABD for a room at the Renaissance. Will we need to recheck-in on the Adventure day (get a new room key)??? We would like to stay in our room for the duration of our Hollywood visit? I just wanted this confirmed as I had read elsewhere people had to recheck-in, but were able to stay in the same room.

Thanks in advance for the info!

Jennifer

ABD will coordinate your transfers / transportation with your flight departure time. We have folks leaving throughout the day and early evening.

While I have provided ABD with the preliminary departure information provided by you (not just you Jen...but everyone that has provided flight info)
This is something that will be re-checked during our Adventure.

I can tell that from our experience with ABD, that the transportation thing is NOT an issue. They handled it beautifully....and we were departing from Venice...which meant transporting us and all of our luggage via boat. Our departure times were staggered depending on our individual flights, so depending on your departure time.....you might be traveling with other guests from our Adventure.

As for the HRR...it's my understanding that you will not need to switch rooms. I am uncertain as to whether you will be required to "re-check in" on the start of our Adventure.

Again...from personal experience, ABD made this super easy. We arrived in Rome, met our ABD driver and one of the ABD guides and were taken to our hotel in Rome. Our guide walked us to the check in desk, check in took minutes (and there were a few of us). Our rooms were ready, and we were allowed to do as we pleased until our Welcome Dinner.

We never had to touch our luggage from the time we landed in Rome until we were back in the US. (Well.....we did have to have our luggage outside our hotel room door when we moved from one hotel to another. ABD will not come in and pack your bags. )

 

[PrincessSharon]

Arriving Friday night late, staying at a hotel near the airport on Friday and Saturday night. Saturday going to Santa Monica Pier, perhaps renting a car, not sure. Sunday we have transfers to the renaissance around lunch time. That afternoon and evening at Farmers Market/Grove, maybe movie and a dinner. Monday WB deluxe tour...not sure of rest of day, Tuesday NBC tour, explore the area around the hotel until dinner meet!!

This is almost what I have planned! I'm arriving on Saturday and am doing the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday because I suspect I'll have jet lag and wanted to do something close to my hotel, which is practically ON the Santa Monica Pier. I was also planning on the Farmers Market on Sunday. I will have a rental car and will probably do some exploring on Sunday/Monday. I was thinking of the Universal VIP tour for Monday. But now the WB deluxe tour sounds like something I'd enjoy, too. Decisions, decisons!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Okay....I have an update because I gave some wrong information.

If you have booked pre-nights at the HRR and are taking ABD transportation from the airport, you will need to meet the transportation company at the airport. There will not be an Adventure Guide there to meet you.

Upon arrival at the hotel, you will need to check in on your own. You will be given the room that you will have for the duration of your stay at the HRR. You will not need to "re-check in" at the beginning of the Adventure or switch rooms.

I have been asked to ask everyone that has the above scenario to make sure that at some point on 4/13 (the first day of our Adventure) that you stop in the lobby of the HRR and let the on-site Adventure Guide know that you are there. One of the guides will be making trips to the airport to greet guests arriving on the first day.

If you have any other questions...just let me know.

 

[Dodie]

If you have booked pre-nights at the HRR and are taking ABD transportation from the airport, you will need to meet the transportation company at the airport. There will not be an Adventure Guide there to meet you.

Kevin? I know we have time to clarify this, but can you explain what you mean here? For example: Phillip and I are arriving 9:00 p.m.-ish on Monday night. This means that there won't be an ABD person waiting for us at baggage claim. I get that. But does it mean that there will be someone from "the transportation company" waiting for us with a sign or something, or that we have to go find "the transportation company" somewhere else in the airport?

Thanks.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Kevin? I know we have time to clarify this, but can you explain what you mean here? For example: Phillip and I are arriving 9:00 p.m.-ish on Monday night. This means that there won't be an ABD person waiting for us at baggage claim. I get that. But does it mean that there will be someone from "the transportation company" waiting for us with a sign or something, or that we have to go find "the transportation company" somewhere else in the airport?

Thanks.

For those that have provided air line information (and I know you have Dodie) and requested ABD transfers, I have set your transportation up through ABD.

If you are arriving on the day our Adventure starts....an ABD rep and Guide will be there to greet you.

If you are arriving on any other day and have set up your accommodations and transportation through ABD (and me)....there will be a person at the airport waiting for you.

If you are the only person arriving at that time, I'm told that there will most likely be a sign with your name on it....or at the very least a sign for ABD arrivals.

If there are multiple people / names arriving at that time, the sign will most likely just be the ABD sign

 

[macman752]

Kevin, here's another question for you. The 60 day window for priority seating is coming up shortly. There are a couple of restaurants that we would like to visit for the meals that are not included on the adventure. Will we need to call Disneyand or will the folks with ABD do that for us?