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

[klam_chowder]

As you can tell, I'm back from holidays...Happy New Year everyone!!

Speaking of Food & Wine, it appears like the California version starts during our ABD trip! It runs from April 16 until May 31.

Great news...thx a mint for sharing that.

I finally reached my 100th post!!!

congrats

2. We are staying a few extra days after the trip (and then traveling on to San Francisco to visit the DFM), How many days do you feel is need to see Disneyland and California Adventure? I'm not sure when we will be able to get back there so I want to make sure we see as much as we can.

3. As I said above, is anyone else planning on extending their stay and visiting the DFM in SanFran?

As for DL & DCA, I think the 4 days we'll be there will cover most of it pretty well, esp. since we get front of the line access to some rides, some of the time is 'free time" and the park ticket is good for the last day (breakfast only day). I solo'd the 2 parks in the spring and in 3 days, rode and did and saw pretty much everything, some multple times; I could have done it in 2 days, I think if I really pushed it. Your mileage may vary, depending on how much down time you need.

I can't stay longer as I have to fly out for my Mom's milestone birthday festivities, but I will be arriving early. Likely to do the VIP Universal tour on one day, visit a few Walt things, and maybe make it out to the Farmers' Mkt.

Hope everyone had a super great holiday! We've got two Christmases down and two to go! While we're down for the Donald 1/2 in a few weeks we'll do one with Jeri's mom and sister and their family and then when we go down to Tampa for the Super Bowl, we'll do Christmas with Jeri's Dad and his family. Not confusing AT ALL!

You get 4 Christmas's and get to go to the Superbowl!!!? Wow, be careful you might explode from all the fun Lucky girl you are Best of luck on the 1/2, Lauren!

I was disappointed to find out that Fantasmic was going to be closed for our trip. The verdict is still out if World of Color would be in soft opening when we get there but I hope so it will take some of the sting away from Fantasmic. I was really looking forward to seeing the dragon in Fantasmic but I can only hope they will eventually bring it to Disney World or of course plan another trip to Disneyland.

Aaack! I didn't know Fantasmic would be down when we're there! I was looking fwd to having reserved seating for that I saw it in early Dec and sure enough Murphy was worth seeing. I soooo hope that WoC will be in soft opening by then

Tonya, I went to the DR when I got home and I tore my Achilles tendon. It will take 6 weeks to heal. It is starting to feel a lot better now.

Anna, terrible to hear you have such a bad injury...take care!

2 more days to double digits folks!!

cheers,

 

[MatthewT212]

<< Stenogoddess - I've not allowed myself to officially start planning yet to avoid planner burnout! BUT some of the blogs I've read, which don't count in my opinion, suggested WB, Universal, Giffith Park and some Walt stuff like a trip to the cemetary, etc. So it will be some combo of all of that, plus I'm planning to plan in a little resting because I know these ABDs are go-go-go and I don't want to tire out before the trip even starts! I really can't wait though! >>

Lauren,
I'm WAY to anal to not have started planning the day I heard from Kevin that we were going. This is my first trip out West and want to make sure I see everything I can possibly see. Thank you for the heads up on Giffith Park. I forgot about it and now I want to make sure I make it there. What made you pick WB over the other studios?

 

[MatthewT212]

<< Klam chowder - Aaack! I didn't know Fantasmic would be down when we're there! I was looking fwd to having reserved seating for that I saw it in early Dec and sure enough Murphy was worth seeing. I soooo hope that WoC will be in soft opening by then

As for DL & DCA, I think the 4 days we'll be there will cover most of it pretty well, esp. since we get front of the line access to some rides, some of the time is 'free time" and the park ticket is good for the last day (breakfast only day). I solo'd the 2 parks in the spring and in 3 days, rode and did and saw pretty much everything, some multple times; I could have done it in 2 days, I think if I really pushed it. Your mileage may vary, depending on how much down time you need.

I can't stay longer as I have to fly out for my Mom's milestone birthday festivities, but I will be arriving early. Likely to do the VIP Universal tour on one day, visit a few Walt things, and maybe make it out to the Farmers' Mkt. >>

Klam,

I was so not happy to hear about Fantasmic! Since it's a different show then the one in DW I really wanted to see it. Oh well that just means I need to go back.

Thanks for the heads up on the amount of days needed. It sounds like we will have enough time but just in case I have the morning before we head to SanFran for Disneyland just in case. Miguel has an issue with his legs so I want to make sure that we see everything but not in such a rush that it makes him uncomfortable.

I was thinking about the VIP tour at Universal as well. What made you pick it over a regular ticket? I can spend one day at Universal so would like to make sure we see as much as we can (we are also PRESSED PENNY junkies so we have to add that into our day as well.

Thanks for the note and I'm looking forward to meeting you (and everyone else for that matter) come April!

Matthew

 

[stenogoddess]

<< Stenogoddess - I've not allowed myself to officially start planning yet to avoid planner burnout! BUT some of the blogs I've read, which don't count in my opinion, suggested WB, Universal, Giffith Park and some Walt stuff like a trip to the cemetary, etc. So it will be some combo of all of that, plus I'm planning to plan in a little resting because I know these ABDs are go-go-go and I don't want to tire out before the trip even starts! I really can't wait though! >>

Lauren,
I'm WAY to anal to not have started planning the day I heard from Kevin that we were going. This is my first trip out West and want to make sure I see everything I can possibly see. Thank you for the heads up on Giffith Park. I forgot about it and now I want to make sure I make it there. What made you pick WB over the other studios?

You're in good company with the planning around here! LOL I LOVE to plan, but have noticed it leads to "someone" *ahem* getting really uptight about her schedule and maybe not going with the whole idea of a vacation and maybe, just maybe, doing it more like a military operation. Not that anyone around here has complained or eyerolled or anything. Nosiree!

Sooo, anyway, I'm trying something new this time. Grow as a person and all that rot. Though I do think the eye twitch I've developed is in direct relation to my not planning until after the marathon plan, which is, in fact, a plan. I might be hopeless.

As far as the stuido tours, we want to do Universal and WB, but I'm not sure we'll be able to do both if we also do Griffith Park. So it comes down to which one do we want to do more. And I haven't decided that. WB does edge out Universal ever so slightly in picking between the two because I would very much like to see the Harry Potter exhibit they have, though you can't take pictures of it. I've heard very cool things about it. Universal has A LOT to offer though too. But I don't want to overdo it on a touring park experience as we'll get a lot of that at DL itself. I keep switching around what to do. Choices, choices.

 

[Dodie]

We aren't adding extra stuff. Wish there was time for it, but there just isn't. We've been to California (and Disneyland) once before, so we've done some of the extras - but never the Universal or WB tours you guys are talking about. Oh well - maybe we'll be back someday.

We are arriving on Monday night (late), so we'll be able to sleep in on Tuesday morning and adjust a little bit to the time difference. We won't have a car, but we plan to explore the immediate area around the hotel. When we were there before (2000? 2001?) it was all torn up because they were working on the Kodak Theater and that big complex.

We are also staying one extra night following the ABD portion (Sunday), so we'll have that full day to see anything we may have missed in the parks and perhaps relax a bit. Our flight home is early on Monday morning (and just keeps getting earlier as Northwest monkeys with our flights).

Speaking of that, we're flying Northwest. We've actually flown them quite a bit as they have a major presence at our home airport (Indianapolis) and have quite a few direct flights out of here. We had enough miles to upgrade the flights (both to and from LAX), so I'm looking forward to that luxury. However, maybe it's because of the Delta merger, but I can't tell you how many times I've had to e-mail Kevin already because they've changed the flight times on us. I'm hoping this most recent change is the last one (they made our flight home leave 3 hours earlier and it's no longer direct - they did away with the direct IND to LAX flight altogether).

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Doing a happy paid off the trip dance! I just got the confirmation email. Seeing the "$0.00" balance looks so nice.

Our flight is booked and paid for.
Rental Car booked.

On to the "fun" part, planning our non ABD days.

Jennifer

 

[kab407]

Hi guys!!

OK I can oficially start to get excited about this trip now that the Holidays are over and I am finally settled in my new home.

Slight change in plans. My Mom has decided not to go. So I am doing this solo. Not that solo means anything when I already know most of you.

I gotta figure out the rest and find the nearest In-Out Burger.

Kevin- Thank You for your help today. Love ya!

Tonya pack the lightsaber! California here we come!

 

[Dodie]

Hi guys!!

OK I can oficially start to get excited about this trip now...I am doing this solo...Tonya pack the lightsaber! California here we come!

BFF!!!!!

You will NEVER truly be solo with this group - until you're ready to be. Actually, you may not even be solo even if you ARE ready to be.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again, these ABD guides are NOT going to know what hit them when they meet this group.

 

[Tonya2426]

Hi guys!!

OK I can oficially start to get excited about this trip now that the Holidays are over and I am finally settled in my new home.

Slight change in plans. My Mom has decided not to go. So I am doing this solo. Not that solo means anything when I already know most of you.

I gotta figure out the rest and find the nearest In-Out Burger.

Kevin- Thank You for your help today. Love ya!

Tonya pack the lightsaber! California here we come!

Of course the lightsaber will be packed!!! How else will we find the In-N-Out Burger

 

[kab407]

BFF!!!!!

You will NEVER truly be solo with this group - until you're ready to be. Actually, you may not even be solo even if you ARE ready to be.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again, these ABD guides are NOT going to know what hit them when they meet this group. :laughing:

BFF!!!

You are right, I couldn't be solo on this trip if I tried! I need someone to keep me from buying expensive souvenirs though.

You hit the nail on the head. There are so many inside jokes with this group, the ABD Guides have their work cut out for them. I'm laughing just thinking about the flattie brigade that will be travelling with us

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm laughing just thinking about the flattie brigade that will be travelling with us

Wish Val & I could go in 3D. But 2D would be cool!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

99 Days Until Our Adventure!!!!!

woohoo: Double Digits! )

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Of course the lightsaber will be packed!!! How else will we find the In-N-Out Burger

Tonya,

I'm sorry that Bill and I didn't get to meet you in person at DAP. But, we did see you from afar as someone pointed you out to us as everyone was hearded into DHS for the party. We can't wait to travel with you and your lightsaber. Maybe, you can attach an ABD logo to it for the trip.

Jennifer

 

[Dodie]

I need someone to keep me from buying expensive souvenirs though.

I may not be the candidate for THIS role. I let you out of my sight on the Boardwalk for 20 minutes during DAP and we KNOW what you did at the Wyland Gallery.

at the vision of Tonya with the lightsaber leading the crew into the nearest In-N-Out Burger.

We will need to coordinate our creation of flatties or else there may be five or six Todds, as an example.

 

[macman752]

Hi guys!!

<snip>

I gotta figure out the rest and find the nearest In-Out Burger.

Kevin- Thank You for your help today. Love ya!

Tonya pack the lightsaber! California here we come!

The closest In-n-Out Burger to Disneyland is at 600 S. Brookhurst St. Sally and I went there in September. It's about a 3 mile walk from the Grand Californian (or in our case a $20.00 cab ride).

 

[DisneyKevin]

the closest in-n-out burger to disneyland is at 600 s. Brookhurst st. Sally and i went there in september. It's about a 3 mile walk from the grand californian (or in our case a $20.00 cab ride).

road trip!!!!!!

 

[Tonya2426]

The closest In-n-Out Burger to Disneyland is at 600 S. Brookhurst St. Sally and I went there in September. It's about a 3 mile walk from the Grand Californian (or in our case a $20.00 cab ride).

$20 is cheaper than Pete's McD's run in Australia

 

[Dodie]

road trip!!!!!!

$20 is cheaper than Pete's McD's run in Australia

Sounds like a plan!

 

[Tonya2426]

Tonya,

I'm sorry that Bill and I didn't get to meet you in person at DAP. But, we did see you from afar as someone pointed you out to us as everyone was hearded into DHS for the party. We can't wait to travel with you and your lightsaber. Maybe, you can attach an ABD logo to it for the trip.

Jennifer

I'm sorry I didn't get to meet you and Bill either!!! I got home and realized all the people I didn't meet or get to talk to. As with most of my Disney trips, I ended up sick (I hate having a compromised immune system) and it was just starting to hit me on Saturday night so I didn't get around the party as much as I would have like to.

 

[macman752]

$20 is cheaper than Pete's McD's run in Australia

That's $20 each way. Still cheaper than Pete's down under trip to the Golden Arch Supper Club.

Our son-in-law lived in California most of his life. He told us that we just HAD to eat at an In-n-Out while we were there. So, we did. After our lunch we called him and told him about the 2 cab fares, the cost of the meal and how much we enjoyed spending his wife's inheritance.