Back to my Happy Place! FINAL UPDATE 6/28 - Pg. 20 Posts #291 & #292

[Charleston Princess]

What a great tour! I agree -- it looks like it was well worth the price! I would have loved seeing all the sets and props -- so cool! By the way, ET was the first movie I cried during, too.

So sad to hear about the tornado devastation. It is just heartbreaking.

 

[Jennifer48]

I did hear about the tornado outbreak in MI. Being a meteorologist, weather fascinates me. The downside is always how it affects people. I'm glad to hear your boss and family are all ok.

That War of the Worlds scene is crazy! Looks like a real crash site!

Very cool that you got to bypass the lines for the rides.

If Norman Bates scared me, I don't think I could have walked through House of Horrors!

Is WaterWorld like the Backlot tour at DHS? I'm sure its to a much grander scale but seeing the water and fire reminded me of Catastrophe Canyon.

What another great day!

 

[MNRMommy]

Jumping on board. Loving the ride so far

 

[cyndisun]

I'm joining in too! I really started reading to hear about your trip to DL. I'm not very keen on SoCal as I'm a Bay Area gal, but you've done a great job selling these attractions. I might just need to plan a trip to Hollywood!

Looking forward to your next installment...

 

[Tracy161]

Firstly, so sorry to hear about the tornado damage. Glad to hear that you and Chris weren't directly affected.

Great update! Oh my gosh, the tour looked incredible! I bet it was absolutely worth every penny! Looks like your trip really got off to a great start!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

Wow it sounds like you guys had such a great time on your VIP tour of Universal Studios!! It looks like it was very much worth the cost, it is very cool to see the set of shows that I have seen

It was a fantastic tour...I highly recommend it if you are headed to CA!

I have seen the Bates Motel set up recently on a reality show we watch - how cool to see that in person!!

It was very cool to see it in person...although Norman Bates was a bit creepy!

Love all of the other sites you hit before that as well!! I really hope to make it out there one day to see some of these things in person, very cool!! I love that you stopped to see Walt's star too

We love CA....have been there several times! However, I'm so glad we really took the opportunity to spend some time in LA this time. It really is worth it! Of course we had to make a stop to see Walt's star!

I'm back and I did have a great time, rain and all!

So glad you had a great time...Hawaii is so beautiful!!!

Animal Style - here is the behind the counter story http://www.badmouth.net/in-n-outs-secret-menu/ Pure heaven I tell ya!

I will definitely get "Animal Style" next time!

Crazy how they can make everything look so real! I haven't seen the new King Kong or the Wisteria Lane yet. Guess it's time to make another trip!

Definitely make another trip!!! The new King Kong is very cool! Of course I loved seeing Wisteria Lane too!

The House of Horrors is def, creepy! We did that and Mummy B2B and then I needed a break - I'm a big chicken!

I'm kind of the same way! Thankfully the teenager kept us laughing because I had a "death grip" on Chris who was in front of me!

How cool that you did the VIP tour! Looks like it was really worth it!

I HIGHLY recommend it...it was fantastic!

Oh you saw the T3 - Is it still "SUPER!!!" ?

But of course...it was SUPER!

Looks like a fabulous Hollywood tour and US day!!! I'm glad you had so much fun, and it looks like good weather, too! Love the Citywalk pics!

We really did have a fantastic trip and I couldn't have asked for more perfect weather! It was beautiful out!

 

[Spartangirl]

What a great tour! I agree -- it looks like it was well worth the price! I would have loved seeing all the sets and props -- so cool!

It was such a fantastic tour...I would do it again! There wasn't even one point in the tour where my mind wandered or I lost interest!

By the way, ET was the first movie I cried during, too.

Glad I'm not alone!

So sad to hear about the tornado devastation. It is just heartbreaking.

It really is terrible. The only positive that came out of it is the outreach of the surrounding communities. Donations have been pouring in!

I did hear about the tornado outbreak in MI. Being a meteorologist, weather fascinates me. The downside is always how it affects people. I'm glad to hear your boss and family are all ok.

Thanks so much!

That War of the Worlds scene is crazy! Looks like a real crash site!

It really was crazy! Everything was authentic as far as the actual size!!! There was even steam rising from some of the cars and houses...I was impressed!

Very cool that you got to bypass the lines for the rides.

That was a major bonus! Some of the lines were waits of an hour or more!

If Norman Bates scared me, I don't think I could have walked through House of Horrors!

Yeah...I was second guessing myself when I decided to go through the House of Horrors. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't scary! I definitely screamed a few times! Poor Chris...I had a death grip on the back of his shirt!

Is WaterWorld like the Backlot tour at DHS? I'm sure its to a much grander scale but seeing the water and fire reminded me of Catastrophe Canyon.

I would compare it more to the Lights, Motors, Action! stunt show at DHS.

What another great day!

It really was fantastic!!!

Jumping on board. Loving the ride so far

Thanks so much for joining in! I'm so glad to have you here!

I'm joining in too!

Yay! Happy to have you here!

I really started reading to hear about your trip to DL. I'm not very keen on SoCal as I'm a Bay Area gal, but you've done a great job selling these attractions. I might just need to plan a trip to Hollywood!

There really are some great things to see in Hollywood! Chris and I have been to CA several times and we've always "avoided" LA and the Hollywood area........but, I'm so glad we took the time to properly explore the areas this time. We loved our visit!

Looking forward to your next installment...

Thanks again for reading!!!

Firstly, so sorry to hear about the tornado damage. Glad to hear that you and Chris weren't directly affected.

Thanks so much, Tracy! It was definitely scary when the weather came through and it just makes you think that "things" can happen anywhere and anytime.

Great update! Oh my gosh, the tour looked incredible! I bet it was absolutely worth every penny! Looks like your trip really got off to a great start!!!

Thanks!!! The tour was AMAZING!!! I would do it again in a heartbeat! Our trip started off great and only seemed to get better by the day! Can't wait to share...

 

[Spartangirl]

Oscar Update and WB Tour

Once again, we didn't have any trouble getting up with the three hour time difference in our favor. On this morning, Chris surprised me with a birthday card and even brought some breakfast up to our room. We were definitely ready for another fantastic day!

We made our daily trek by the Kodak Theater to see if any changes had been made in preparation for the Oscars...

The Road was now closed off to all vehicles...

The gold curtain was set up!

Curtains were now covering all of the bleachers...

Although this next picture does not have anything to do with the Oscars, I was able to frame the Hollywood sign nicely. AND...I didn't have to fight any tour groups to do it!

We continued on our journey and Chris snapped a picture of me on the stairs leading up to the Kodak Theater.

On our way out, we noticed that there were red curtains set up to cover all of the store fronts...

We continued on and found ourselves in front of Grauman's. Here, we picked up our tickets for our tour of the Warner Brothers Studios.

Upon our arrival at WB, I snapped a couple of photos...

We made it to the studio and were given a group number. Once our group was called, we went into a theater where we were shown highlights from WB TV shows and movies throughout the years.

We soon boarded a tram with E.J., our guide, and our small group of 11. Our beginning point was in the backlot, where we saw facades that have been used or are being used in various TV shows and movies.

Here is the casino from Ocean's 13...

This "street" was used in Batman...

Here is Chris standing on "New York" street.

At one point, E.J. asked if anyone had seen the movie Spiderman and what the most famous scene from the movie was. Someone yelled out, "The kiss." E.J. then proceeded to point out a "wall" that was the side of a brick facade. At least five people took pictures of this "foam brick wall." Chris and I were cracking up!!! Can't you just see it now...as you're showing someone your vacation pictures..."And here you see a brick wall!"

Ok...back on track! This is currently being used on the TV show "Hart of Dixie" with Rachel Bilson.

Here is her "doctor's office" on the show.

This next picture brings me RIGHT BACK to my childhood and one of my FAVORITE TV shows growing up...Chris is standing in front of the "Seavers' House" from Growing Pains. We also learned that this house was used in the movie Gremlins.

UP NEXT: "Friends" and Magic! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44443449&postcount=139

 

[superme80]

Great fun! Love the pics! I'm in!

 

[ariel1025]

What a great start to your day! You have already given me so many ideas to put on my list of "need to do" for my next CA trip

 

[Charleston Princess]

Awww, I loved Growing Pains when I was younger! How neat to see it in person!

 

[abbie13_15]

Great trip report...look foward to seeing more!

 

[Shannon84]

I am loving your trip report!! I can't wait to show DF your TR and beg him to take me to these places which I think he would love as well!!

I wonder if somewhere someone is showing off that brick wall picture

 

[Jennifer48]

I can't believe they actually cover all the store fronts with curtains. Seems like way too much work.

Love the Growing Pains house!

 

[MeMom]

I keep forgetting you are over here, since I don't think Disneyland thoughts very often. I have to keep up, though, because it helps me see things on the other coast that I will likely never see in real life. You guys are cute as can be, as always.

 

[Aburns8]

Looks like another fabulous tour! I loved Growing Pains growing up. I never missed an episode!

 

[Spartangirl]

Great fun! Love the pics! I'm in!

Thanks!!! So happy you're here!!!

What a great start to your day! You have already given me so many ideas to put on my list of "need to do" for my next CA trip

It really was a great start!!! I'm so glad I could help!!!

Awww, I loved Growing Pains when I was younger! How neat to see it in person!

Me too! I never missed an episode! It was very cool seeing it in person......I actually googled the house when I got home just to make sure it was the "actual house." It was...it was just a different color!

Great trip report...look foward to seeing more!

Thanks so much!!! I really appreciate you taking the time to read!

 

[Spartangirl]

I am loving your trip report!! I can't wait to show DF your TR and beg him to take me to these places which I think he would love as well!!

Thanks so much.......you guys would love CA!

I wonder if somewhere someone is showing off that brick wall picture

Can you imagine? It makes me laugh every time I think of it! Taking a picture of a brick wall...really???

I can't believe they actually cover all the store fronts with curtains. Seems like way too much work.

There are quite a few stores in there too! I can't believe how much prep. work is done!!!

Love the Growing Pains house!

I was so excited to see it!!!

I keep forgetting you are over here, since I don't think Disneyland thoughts very often. I have to keep up, though, because it helps me see things on the other coast that I will likely never see in real life.

As always, I am so happy you made it over here! And...I hope I can do justice to "showing you" the west coast!

You guys are cute as can be, as always.

You are too sweet!

Looks like another fabulous tour! I loved Growing Pains growing up. I never missed an episode!

Thanks...we really had a fantastic time!!! I was the exact same way.......I don't think I missed an episode either! Maybe it was due to a "little" crush on Kirk Cameron!

 

[Spartangirl]

"Friends" & Magic!

We were definitely having a fantastic time on the WB tour up to this point in time!

However, the best was yet to come for me! I am a HUGE fan of the TV show "Friends".......look where we stopped next!

I was so excited! To date, this is STILL one of my all-time favorite shows! Check out Central Perk...

After all that excitement, we moved on to the Car Museum. Chris really loved this portion of the tour. Here he is posing with the Mercedes from "The Hangover."

The "Mystery Machine" from Scooby Doo!

Chris loves this version of the Bat Mobile. According to him, it's called the Tumbler. I'll take his word for it!

When looking at the "George Clooney Bat Mobile," we noticed that there were even bats on the tire treads.

At the conclusion of the car museum, we had to lock our cameras away because it was time to visit a few sets. We weren't allowed to take pictures because we could inadvertently give away plot points for future shows.

Our first stop was at the set of "The Mentalist."

We continued on by visiting "The Big Bang Theory" and "Two and a Half Men." It was so interesting to walk around the sets and learn about all of the "Hollywood Magic" used to fool our eyes and minds on television.

Our tour soon finished and we snapped a couple of photos on the way out...

I wanted to share one more picture from our day at WB! During one portion of our tour we got to pose in front of a green screen. MOST PEOPLE stood in front of the green screen and smiled...Chris and I...not so much! Here was our result...Hogwarts Express from Harry Potter!

Continued in next post... http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44443557&postcount=140

 

[Spartangirl]

Continued...

We headed back to Hollywood and checked out a few shops. I was so happy to see this store!

Many of you know that Chris and I have a "travel Christmas tree" and I knew that I would be able to find a perfect ornament from our trip here!

This is what I found...

Chris and I headed back to our hotel, only stopping to take a few shots of the "Magic Castle Club." We were told that we couldn't take pictures inside, so we wanted to make sure that we got a few from the outside.

We soon headed back to rest and get ready for our special dinner at the club that night.

Before long, it was time to go! We snapped a few pictures before leaving since there was a strict "no camera policy" at the club.

There are only a few ways to gain entry into the World Famous Magic Castle.
1. You can be a member.
2. You can be a guest of a member.
3. You can stay at the Magic Castle Hotel...which we did!!!

Side Note...
Neil Patrick Harris happens to be the President of the Academy of Magical Arts. The Magic Castle is the clubhouse. We thought this was really cool since we both love NPH! "How I Met Your Mother" is one of our favorite shows!
...End Side Note

Upon entering the club, we were instructed to walk over to a bookshelf and say "Open Sesame" for entry. Walking into the club felt like stepping back in time. We blindly walked into room after room, trying to get a sense of our bearings.

At 6:00 p.m., we were able to sit down to an incredible meal. The food was delicious, as were the wines we paired our dishes with.

At the conclusion of dinner, our server presented us with tickets to the main magic show at 8:30 p.m. This gave us a bit of free time to explore everything the castle had to offer. We stopped and listened to the resident ghost, Irma, who takes requests on a piano. She, or should I say the piano, played everything from chopsticks to Lady Gaga.

We then moved on to something called the "close-up" gallery where there was a group of about 20 people, plus the magician. Some of you may recognize the name, Adam Wylie.

He is an actor who was on "Pickett Fences," had a reoccurring role on Gilmore Girls, was one of the children in the movie Kindergarten Cop, and has so many more credits. Well...we found out he is a magician too and a fabulous one at that!

We continued on by seeing the main show which hosted three magicians, and one more smaller show that showcased a magician from Las Vegas.

Soon, we decided to call it a night! I can honestly say that we had a fantastic time at the Magic Castle and it was unlike anything we've ever experienced before. If you are ever given the opportunity to go, don't pass it up!

Up Next: Food Challenge, Birthplace of LA, & Oscar Update http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44501858&postcount=149