Backstage Magic Tour 4/22 - 4/27 - 1ST POST UPDATED 4/15

[jacksparrowfan]

Brad...Great logo!

Phil1019...I hope you receive your package tomorrow!!!

Countdown at 30 days today..wahooo!

 

[bradk]

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan

thanks for the heads up. i see something about a character breakfast on weekends too.

 

[inkkognito]

Hoo ha!! Just realized that our hotel in Hollywood is only about five miles from Lawrys The Prime Rib. That is my all-time favorite restaurant in Chicago, so we will most definitely be checking it out for dinner on the 23rd. If anyone else is interested and might want to share a cab, here is a link to their menu:

http://www.lawrysonline.com/theprimerib_beverlyhills_dinner.asp

It's a little pricey, but I promise it's worth it. They have prime rib to die for, served with a sauce made from whipped cream and horseradish that is well worth the heart attack potential.

 

[inkkognito]

A little scary...I called to find out the end times of the LA tour and the DL tour so I can make my ressies. They have no idea! I am just going to make my best guess and book for 8ish. I also asked about the FPs just for the heck of it; first I was told they are the same as regular ones, i.e. you just get regular ones, and then I was told that you can get as many as you want at a time but still have to come back in the prescribed window. My head hurts a little now.

 

[bradk]

you have been reading my posts, right? i have about 12 different answers for everything. i promise if it can be asked, i've asked it.

 

[inkkognito]

Yep, I've been following your saga! I was curious which version of the multitude of answers they would hit me with. For the schedule, it seems odd that they can't at least give the projected end time for the tour. I understand that once we get on the bus, traffic is totally unpredictable. But at least if I knew when we'd be heading back to the hotel I could allow a couple hours.

 

[inkkognito]

Another wrinkle...

I noticed on Day 3 that most of the day is taken up with activities and dinner, and then we are on our own at the parks at night. I had to call to change our flights, since United has changed our time yet again, and asked if I can just save that day and use it on the last one. She wasn't sure, but she thought so. That would work out really well since it seems there is so little potential park time that day anyway.

Just made our ressie for Napa Rose...can't wait!

 

[bradk]

I just spoke to the ABD specialist on this tour, who bottom lined it with that they're still ironing out a lot of the details. but here's what she said on my questions:

1) the detailed itinerary will come at check-in, but offered that they typically stick to 'normal' times for meals: 8-9 for breakfast, 12/12:30 for lunch, 6/6:30 for dinner.

2) the tickets are normal tickets, so there's no reason why it couldn't be upgraded to 5 days or whatever. they don't *have* to be upgraded through the guide, but why not?

3) details on the fastpasses aren't known as of yet. she says they're trying to find a balance where it doesn't look like they're abusing the system. she did mention we should get at least 1 FP for everything with what amounts to a dream fastpass, but thinks getting 3 per day as noted on the adventuresbydisney forum is highly unlikely.

 

[konslerg]

I'm so glad you April tour folks are being the "guinea pigs" for the Backstage Magic tour ;-)

DH and I are going on the adult only one on Sept 16 and it will be really nice to know a bit more of the "inside information" before we leave.

I'm hoping someone from the April group is going to do a blog or, at least, daily posts to this thread so we can all live vicariously through your experiences.

Gloria in Miami

 

[BriarRosie]

I'm chiming in because I have to say that I saw the logo from bradk's signature on another thread, and WOW! I it! I'm living vicariously through you "guinea pigs", since mine won't be until December!

 

[BriarRosie]

I'm so glad you April tour folks are being the "guinea pigs" for the Backstage Magic tour ;-)

DH and I are going on the adult only one on Sept 16 and it will be really nice to know a bit more of the "inside information" before we leave.

I'm hoping someone from the April group is going to do a blog or, at least, daily posts to this thread so we can all live vicariously through your experiences.

Gloria in Miami

I swear you must have been stepping on my brainwaves. I'd like my brain back, please. (We must have posted within minutes of eachother!)

 

[bradk]

i'll have a blog on my site. i think i should be able to use my cell phone to include photos throughout the day but have to experiment more. i'll call for PMs to share it when it's ready to be shown to the world.

 

[stenogoddess]

Wherever I have to go, whatever I have to do, to get the trip reports on this trip let me know and I am soooo there! I'm almost as excited about this as my own ABD Knights and Lights in 2 months. I say almost!

i'll have a blog on my site. i think i should be able to use my cell phone to include photos throughout the day but have to experiment more. i'll call for PMs to share it when it's ready to be shown to the world.

 

[Politzania]

There will be an "Art of Cars" exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum Mar 29 - Nov 2. More information is available at the museum's website (or recent Jim Hill article)

The museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd.(at Fairfax,) Los Angeles, CA 90036 (about 4 miles from the Renaissance hotel) Admission is $10/adults & $3/children - hours 10a-6m, closed Mondays. Exhibition Information: (323) 930-CARS (2277)

 

[bradk]

wow.. and to clarify, that's Cars as in the movie (didn't strike me until I checked out the site).

i see lightning and mater are there. too bad sally isn't. i wonder what they did with her.

i'm so there. hopefully.


http://www.petersen.org/default.cfm?docid=1063

good catch. i think i need to edit the first post to include the schedules. i'll try that later tonight.

 

[bradk]

ok, other than a few minor things, i think the blog is as ready as it's gonna get. if interested, PM me for link or check my site.

i'm gonna field test it at WDW this weekend

 

[vz9p57]

Looking forward to this tour....along with my wife Politzania, we are also in the first tour group....looking forward to meeting our fellow guinea pigs.

 

[stenogoddess]

Welcome to the Dis!!!!

Looking forward to this tour....along with my wife Politzania, we are also in the first tour group....looking forward to meeting our fellow guinea pigs.

 

[bradk]

Food & Wine Weekends Signings:

#

Artist Demonstration & Signing with David Bird and Elisabete Gomes
April 19 - 20, 2008
1 PM - 4 PM
Flower Garden, Disney's California Adventure® park


Chef Nancy Silverton Book Signing
April 26, 2008
2:15 PM – 2:45 PM
Pacific Wharf, Disney's California Adventure® park

Available Merchandise
# A Twist of the Wrist: Quick Flavorful Meals with Ingredients from Jars, Cans, Bags and Boxes


Chef Guy Fieri Photo Signing
April 26, 2008
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Pacific Wharf, Disney's California Adventure® park


Chef Jamie Gwen Book Signing
April 27, 2008
2 PM - 3 PM
Pacific Wharf, Disney's California Adventure® park

Available Merchandise
# Good Food for Good Times

 

[Phil1019]

Hi everyone, What a nice surprise I received today from my AAA travel agent. She called me to say that UPS had just delivered a very nice bag. I couldn't wait to see it. Just picked it up. It is a black shoulder type bag. Approximately 14 inches by 13 inches. There is a zippered poket inside and on the outside is the ABD logo. I hope the surprises keep coming! Three weeks till the adventure begins!