Disneyland take 2~July 2013 PTR aka I obsess over making decisions!-updated 7/8

[Sherry E]

Sherry! Thanks for all the information! It will be our first time going to the FM/Grove area ( Olivia and I will definately be celebrity watching) and it's good to know that it would fit well in with the Tar Pits/Museum. I am trying to keep the LA portion of our trip kinda laid back and not run around like crazy people (that is what the Disney half is for) so planning things that are close together will be important.

I received my Catalina Island visitors guide yesterday. It is very pretty!! Yes, I did see your post about they buy 2 get the 3rd free. For some reason I was having trouble logging in for a week or so....so while I was reading posts I couldn't respond. That was maybe one of them. I want to keep our time on Catalina relaxing so I am thinking besides the golf cart I might want to just plan one other activity and then have free time to look in shops, walk around town. What do you think?

No problem! I hope all the info helps. As for FM/The Grove/LACMA/Tar Pits -

The great thing about this particular area - where FM/The Grove/the Tar Pits/LACMA are all located - is that if you get bored with one thing, you can drive to something else that's interesting in a very short time. It's centrally located, so a lot of points of interest are fairly close, such as Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, Sunset Blvd., Melrose Ave., Pinks Hot Dogs, Hollywood, etc. You can even drive to the Santa Monica Pier or Venice Beach in maybe 25 minutes or so, depending on the day and depending on traffic.

But those particular 4 places - FM/Grove/LACMA/Tar Pits - are especially close to each other and it makes the most sense to do all of those in the same day. (The Petersen Auto Museum is also right here, too - just in case anyone is interested in that.)

There are a few routes to take to get from FM/The Grove to Tar Pits/LACMA, but both are super fast. As I mentioned a couple of days ago, there is the Fairfax to Wilshire route. Farmers Market is at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax, so you could take Fairfax down to Wilshire (Petersen Auto Museum is right there at the intersection), make a left and drive about 1 minute to LACMA/the Tar Pits. OR...another option is to take Fairfax to 6th Street (which you will hit before Wilshire if you are heading south), make a left and enter the Tar Pits and/or LACMA through the back way. I think the parking is easier to get to via the 6th Street route. In any case, any way you go it will just take a few minutes!

Just make sure that you go out to the front of LACMA (on Wilshire) to see the street lamp installation for some cool photos (the free sculpture garden is right next to the street lamps). I posted photos of the street lamps in the "Let There Be Light" light fixture thread here - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=46141120&postcount=88.

And at the back of LACMA (visible from 6th Street), be sure to check out "Levitated Mass" - which is, essentially, a giant rock art installation that was put in last year, and is very controversial because people can't figure out if it is actually interesting or not (count me in among those people). It is just a gigantic rock, after all. But it is "art." You can walk underneath the rock as the 'forced perspective' changes and take photos and what not.

And, again, the Tar Pits and LACMA are literally right next door to each other, so once you have had your fill of the giant rock and the crazy street lamps you can mosey over to the Tar Pits and the George C. Page Museum.

As for Farmers Market and The Grove, I would go there with an appetite. The inner part of FM - the historical section, where all of the counter service/mom & pop places are - has a lot of different kinds of food (The Gumbo Pot is very popular, but there are many options), and about 5 different bake shops - as well as a couple of candy places. The outer/newer portion of FM has some sit down/table service places to eat (Marmalade Cafe is good), as well as Dylan's Candy Bar.

The Grove just added in Sprinkles Cupcakes a few months ago, and See's Candy is either coming soon or is already there.

TMZ always seems to catch celebrities at The Grove on their show. I never seem to see anyone really interesting there (have seen a couple of D-List actors), but they do go there. I did see Maria Menounos filming Extra last year.

CBS has a facility just north of Farmers Market, along Beverly Blvd., and they do tape Price is Right there - or they used to? - but I don't know what, if anything else, is taped there. Most of the CBS shows film/tape in Studio City/North Hollywood now.

​

As for Catalina -

I'm so glad you already got your Visitors Guide! That seemed faster than it usually takes them to send out the Guides. They normally take their sweet time in getting them out.

Keep in mind that Avalon in and of itself (without going into the inner, more rugged, part of the island), is a very small town so you can see it all in a short time. Most folks who visit the island for the first time only walk the main stretch - Crescent Avenue - from one end (like just past the golf cart rental place with the 3 for 2 deal) to the other end (like around the Casino), and then back again.

Depending on how much you like walking and exploring, you may want to venture out a little further than where the typical first-time visitor normally goes. In my Catalina TR I was talking about how I was so excited to be walking along this stretch of road called Pebbly Beach Road, out to Lovers Cove, as it had been 'closed' (sort of) to traffic for years. It's a great, peaceful seaside walk, with nothing but the sound of the ocean crashing against the rocks to fill your ears, and you can see sea life peeking above the surface of the water here and there. And because a lot of people still think it's closed (there is even a sign up at one point to alert people to not travel beyond that point), there is not a lot of foot traffic. Plus, the only vehicle traffic you will see are residents of the Island zooming by. So I definitely recommend walking along Pebbly Beach Road out to the Lovers Cove area. It's less traveled; it's less common.

Now, in the complete opposite direction is the Casino. You can walk to the Casino, but you can also walk around the back side of it, past the divers' area, alongside the water. That's another beautiful walk. A lot of folks just stop at the Casino and turn back. The Casino has a gallery and a little museum too, so those are interesting to look at, but I like to venture beyond and take any path that I am allowed to take!

In town, I would also be sure to turn on the little side streets and explore a bit. There are some shops and restaurants tucked away here and there.

As I mentioned in this post - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47385313&postcount=69 - bring cash for the golf cart. They don't take debit or credit there, for some reason. Even if it seems like you have seen all there is to see in the golf cart, just to make use of the full 3 hours you will get, stop at the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden (great views once you climb the steps of the Memorial) and take that cart down every little side street it is allowed. I will literally drive my cart up to the lot 2 or 3 minutes before it is due - I will drive it everywhere it is not blocked off and then drive it around again just to use up those 3 hours!

The golf cart will only take you to a certain limited portion of town and the hillsides. If you want to see 'wildlife' like the famous buffalo, you have to take some sort of tour or bus that brings you into the "interior" of the island.

If you like architecture and design, the Casino tour is a good one because you get to see the beautiful ballroom inside as well as the gorgeous, ornate movie theater (it is a spectacularly beautiful theater).

I still recommend the Flying Fish tour - because it is really, really cool to see hundreds of flying fish frolicking in the air at night! - and the semi-submersible tour (sometimes called the semi-submarine) because you can get a good, close-up look at a lot of fish that way, and even an occasional shark. Avoid the glass bottom boat tour, even though glass bottom boats are synonymous with Catalina. But the seal tour - or whatever it is being called these days - is also kind of cool.

The other thing I recommend is, when you take the Express over to the Island, unless someone in your group is averse to it try to go to the upper deck and sit outside (bring a jacket). There are always dolphin sightings on the way to Catalina, but you don't really see them if you sit inside. Last year when I did my July day trip, the dolphins decided to appear on the other side of the boat (not on my side), but they were there! I've seen dolphins on every other trip where I sat outside, and sometimes there can be a lot of them.

As for food recommendations, I mentioned some places in the post I linked above.

​

Anyway, please pardon my extra, extra long, mega post this time around. I never know when I will have time to get back to any particular thread on the DIS (including my own threads) and post in depth. Sometimes I can't revisit a thread for a while, or for more than a minute, so I wanted to be sure to give you as much info as possible now, while I had the time, in case you don't see me here for a long time!

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Grauman's Theater has already officially been changed to TCL Chinese Theater. If you google Grauman's the web page still comes up.

I am still going to call it Grauman's, I am too set in my ways. Or maybe I just don't like change

 

[kittylady1972]

Hi there! Just stumbled upon your PTR and can't wait to hear about your plans. We are starting to plan our first Disneyland and SoCal family trip so I guess I need to do some research. I just booked SOME of our flights tonight and I really should start a PTR to maybe get some advice. We are WDW experts but not Disneyland. My DH and I were last in Disneyland in 1996 but the kids have never been to the West Coast. Our plans are all about amusement parks in the area though. We hope to hit Six Flags MM, Knotts Berry Farm and MAYBE Universal though I am torn on that one. San Diego zoo is also on the list and then 3 full days to do Disneyland and CA. This will be a trip of TEN nights with a split stay...part in Oceanside and part in Anaheim. Its going to be a wild end of summer trip!

 

[stacy~**]

No problem! I hope all the info helps. As for FM/The Grove/LACMA/Tar Pits -

The great thing about this particular area - where FM/The Grove/the Tar Pits/LACMA are all located - is that if you get bored with one thing, you can drive to something else that's interesting in a very short time. It's centrally located, so a lot of points of interest are fairly close, such as Beverly Hills/Rodeo Drive, Sunset Blvd., Melrose Ave., Pinks Hot Dogs, Hollywood, etc. You can even drive to the Santa Monica Pier or Venice Beach in maybe 25 minutes or so, depending on the day and depending on traffic.

But those particular 4 places - FM/Grove/LACMA/Tar Pits - are especially close to each other and it makes the most sense to do all of those in the same day. (The Petersen Auto Museum is also right here, too - just in case anyone is interested in that.)

There are a few routes to take to get from FM/The Grove to Tar Pits/LACMA, but both are super fast. As I mentioned a couple of days ago, there is the Fairfax to Wilshire route. Farmers Market is at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax, so you could take Fairfax down to Wilshire (Petersen Auto Museum is right there at the intersection), make a left and drive about 1 minute to LACMA/the Tar Pits. OR...another option is to take Fairfax to 6th Street (which you will hit before Wilshire if you are heading south), make a left and enter the Tar Pits and/or LACMA through the back way. I think the parking is easier to get to via the 6th Street route. In any case, any way you go it will just take a few minutes!

Just make sure that you go out to the front of LACMA (on Wilshire) to see the street lamp installation for some cool photos (the free sculpture garden is right next to the street lamps). I posted photos of the street lamps in the "Let There Be Light" light fixture thread here - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=46141120&postcount=88.

And at the back of LACMA (visible from 6th Street), be sure to check out "Levitated Mass" - which is, essentially, a giant rock art installation that was put in last year, and is very controversial because people can't figure out if it is actually interesting or not (count me in among those people). It is just a gigantic rock, after all. But it is "art." You can walk underneath the rock as the 'forced perspective' changes and take photos and what not.

And, again, the Tar Pits and LACMA are literally right next door to each other, so once you have had your fill of the giant rock and the crazy street lamps you can mosey over to the Tar Pits and the George C. Page Museum.

As for Farmers Market and The Grove, I would go there with an appetite. The inner part of FM - the historical section, where all of the counter service/mom & pop places are - has a lot of different kinds of food (The Gumbo Pot is very popular, but there are many options), and about 5 different bake shops - as well as a couple of candy places. The outer/newer portion of FM has some sit down/table service places to eat (Marmalade Cafe is good), as well as Dylan's Candy Bar.

The Grove just added in Sprinkles Cupcakes a few months ago, and See's Candy is either coming soon or is already there.

TMZ always seems to catch celebrities at The Grove on their show. I never seem to see anyone really interesting there (have seen a couple of D-List actors), but they do go there. I did see Maria Menounos filming Extra last year.

CBS has a facility just north of Farmers Market, along Beverly Blvd., and they do tape Price is Right there - or they used to? - but I don't know what, if anything else, is taped there. Most of the CBS shows film/tape in Studio City/North Hollywood now.

​

As for Catalina -

I'm so glad you already got your Visitors Guide! That seemed faster than it usually takes them to send out the Guides. They normally take their sweet time in getting them out.

Keep in mind that Avalon in and of itself (without going into the inner, more rugged, part of the island), is a very small town so you can see it all in a short time. Most folks who visit the island for the first time only walk the main stretch - Crescent Avenue - from one end (like just past the golf cart rental place with the 3 for 2 deal) to the other end (like around the Casino), and then back again.

Depending on how much you like walking and exploring, you may want to venture out a little further than where the typical first-time visitor normally goes. In my Catalina TR I was talking about how I was so excited to be walking along this stretch of road called Pebbly Beach Road, out to Lovers Cove, as it had been 'closed' (sort of) to traffic for years. It's a great, peaceful seaside walk, with nothing but the sound of the ocean crashing against the rocks to fill your ears, and you can see sea life peeking above the surface of the water here and there. And because a lot of people still think it's closed (there is even a sign up at one point to alert people to not travel beyond that point), there is not a lot of foot traffic. Plus, the only vehicle traffic you will see are residents of the Island zooming by. So I definitely recommend walking along Pebbly Beach Road out to the Lovers Cove area. It's less traveled; it's less common.

Now, in the complete opposite direction is the Casino. You can walk to the Casino, but you can also walk around the back side of it, past the divers' area, alongside the water. That's another beautiful walk. A lot of folks just stop at the Casino and turn back. The Casino has a gallery and a little museum too, so those are interesting to look at, but I like to venture beyond and take any path that I am allowed to take!

In town, I would also be sure to turn on the little side streets and explore a bit. There are some shops and restaurants tucked away here and there.

As I mentioned in this post - http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=47385313&postcount=69 - bring cash for the golf cart. They don't take debit or credit there, for some reason. Even if it seems like you have seen all there is to see in the golf cart, just to make use of the full 3 hours you will get, stop at the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden (great views once you climb the steps of the Memorial) and take that cart down every little side street it is allowed. I will literally drive my cart up to the lot 2 or 3 minutes before it is due - I will drive it everywhere it is not blocked off and then drive it around again just to use up those 3 hours!

The golf cart will only take you to a certain limited portion of town and the hillsides. If you want to see 'wildlife' like the famous buffalo, you have to take some sort of tour or bus that brings you into the "interior" of the island.

If you like architecture and design, the Casino tour is a good one because you get to see the beautiful ballroom inside as well as the gorgeous, ornate movie theater (it is a spectacularly beautiful theater).

I still recommend the Flying Fish tour - because it is really, really cool to see hundreds of flying fish frolicking in the air at night! - and the semi-submersible tour (sometimes called the semi-submarine) because you can get a good, close-up look at a lot of fish that way, and even an occasional shark. Avoid the glass bottom boat tour, even though glass bottom boats are synonymous with Catalina. But the seal tour - or whatever it is being called these days - is also kind of cool.

The other thing I recommend is, when you take the Express over to the Island, unless someone in your group is averse to it try to go to the upper deck and sit outside (bring a jacket). There are always dolphin sightings on the way to Catalina, but you don't really see them if you sit inside. Last year when I did my July day trip, the dolphins decided to appear on the other side of the boat (not on my side), but they were there! I've seen dolphins on every other trip where I sat outside, and sometimes there can be a lot of them.

As for food recommendations, I mentioned some places in the post I linked above.

​

Anyway, please pardon my extra, extra long, mega post this time around. I never know when I will have time to get back to any particular thread on the DIS (including my own threads) and post in depth. Sometimes I can't revisit a thread for a while, or for more than a minute, so I wanted to be sure to give you as much info as possible now, while I had the time, in case you don't see me here for a long time!

Tons of great info! Thank you!! LOVE the thought of seeing dolphins on the Express to the island so I will be sure to grab outdoor/upstairs seating. As far as other tours, I am thinking the Express over will be enough boat riding for our crew so I will be looking for land activities. The casino tour, bus tour or maybe zip lining are probably the direction we are leaning (along with the golf cart which I think my girls and husband will like). Since it is SO beautiful I was also wondering if there were photographers there that could do a mini family portrait session? Something I might look into.

As far as the So Cal stuff....it is great to know everything is so close. Last time since we commuted everyday out of Anaheim it was just all really disjointed. Since we will be spending that part of our trip in the area (Los Feliz) hopefully I can execute a better plan of attack!

I did want to ask you....my husband was concerned about the safety of a Dodgers game. He said there has been a few incidents over the last few years. What do you think? It would likely be a Saturday 4:15 start. Any advice??

And please don't apologize for being super helpful!!

 

[stacy~**]

Grauman's Theater has already officially been changed to TCL Chinese Theater. If you google Grauman's the web page still comes up.

I am still going to call it Grauman's, I am too set in my ways. Or maybe I just don't like change

I agree...I am calling in Grauman's too! Your trip is coming up SOON! I need to swing over to your PTR and see whats going on!!

Hi there! Just stumbled upon your PTR and can't wait to hear about your plans. We are starting to plan our first Disneyland and SoCal family trip so I guess I need to do some research. I just booked SOME of our flights tonight and I really should start a PTR to maybe get some advice. We are WDW experts but not Disneyland. My DH and I were last in Disneyland in 1996 but the kids have never been to the West Coast. Our plans are all about amusement parks in the area though. We hope to hit Six Flags MM, Knotts Berry Farm and MAYBE Universal though I am torn on that one. San Diego zoo is also on the list and then 3 full days to do Disneyland and CA. This will be a trip of TEN nights with a split stay...part in Oceanside and part in Anaheim. Its going to be a wild end of summer trip!

Welcome, Kittylady! Your trip sounds similar to mine except we won't be doing as many of the "other" parks! (maybe Universal). We are also doing a two 5 night split stays! Feel free to join in with planning. I am focused on So Cal for now since really all the true DL planning doesn't start until 60 days out (well maybe 90!!)

 

[kittylady1972]

Welcome, Kittylady! Your trip sounds similar to mine except we won't be doing as many of the "other" parks! (maybe Universal). We are also doing a two 5 night split stays! Feel free to join in with planning. I am focused on So Cal for now since really all the true DL planning doesn't start until 60 days out (well maybe 90!!)

Thanks! I would love to follow along. I'm still on the fence about Universal...might nix it to do the Zipline at Catalina now and then maybe a Warner Brothers Studio Tour since all of the kids are old enough. We have several Big Bang Theory fans in the family so if we got to see that set it would be so cool! I am also totally focused/obsessed with my SoCal plans right now. They have changed so much and we are still six months out! Our flights are all booked but the agenda has changed. I can't even tell you how many hotels I have booked/on hold right now, but it's WAY too many! As it now stands we have THREE different hotels in three different areas booked and I'm still undecided on what hotel to stay at in Anaheim. The other two hotels (ok there are more but I think these are the final ones) are in Dana Point and in Valencia area near the Six Flags MM park. So Dana Point (3 nights) will be the hopping point/home hotel for Catalina and San Diego Zoo , Valencia (2 or 3 nights) is hopping point/hotel for Six Flags, Burbank and Universal/Hollywood area, and then Anaheim for the last 5 or six nights but which hotel there is a mystery...narrowed it down to my top SEVEN!

 

[Sherry E]

Tons of great info! Thank you!! LOVE the thought of seeing dolphins on the Express to the island so I will be sure to grab outdoor/upstairs seating. As far as other tours, I am thinking the Express over will be enough boat riding for our crew so I will be looking for land activities. The casino tour, bus tour or maybe zip lining are probably the direction we are leaning (along with the golf cart which I think my girls and husband will like). Since it is SO beautiful I was also wondering if there were photographers there that could do a mini family portrait session? Something I might look into.

As far as the So Cal stuff....it is great to know everything is so close. Last time since we commuted everyday out of Anaheim it was just all really disjointed. Since we will be spending that part of our trip in the area (Los Feliz) hopefully I can execute a better plan of attack!

I did want to ask you....my husband was concerned about the safety of a Dodgers game. He said there has been a few incidents over the last few years. What do you think? It would likely be a Saturday 4:15 start. Any advice??

And please don't apologize for being super helpful!!

I'm glad to be of some help!

As for the Theatre - I don't even call it Grauman's! For a long time the Theatre was Mann's Chinese (before it went back to being Grauman's again), so I always have Mann's in my mind too. I just call it the Chinese Theatre, as I suspect a lot of my fellow L.A. residents probably do. I figure that no matter who owns it - TCL or TCI or whoever it is that has dibs on it now - it will always be the Chinese Theatre!

As for the Dodger games - I used to go to a lot of Dodger games as a kid (gotta love those extra long Dodger dogs!), but have not been back as an adult (I should probably have my Los Angeles residency revoked for admitting that!). However, your husband is right - from what I've seen in the news the crowds seem to be getting more hostile and more incidents have occurred in the last few years. I think it's probably still a great way to spend an evening/afternoon, and chances are that nothing questionable would happen. Plus, it's so much a part of L.A. It's probably a rite of passage, to a degree!

As for Catalina - Make sure that your zip line time doesn't overlap or clash with your 3 hours of golf cart rental time in Avalon. I think you'll probably have to book your zip line in advance, before your trip begins, as it has limited openings for the available time slots and summer is a very popular season.

The other tours (on land or sea) could probably be booked when you arrive in Avalon, if you aren't sure which ones you want to do until you get there.

I kind of tend to think that the zip lining would be better for an overnight or multi-night stay rather than a one-day trip, but if this is something that really appeals to you - and your family really wants to do it - be sure to book it well in advance and plan so that you have enough time to get the 3-hour golf cart in before the '3 hours for 2' offer ends at either 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.

Remember to go to the golf cart place that is closest to where your Catalina Express landing is (I think I posted a picture of it in my trip report). When you get off of Catalina Express in Avalon you will start walking along the pathway into town. On your left-hand side will be the first golf cart rental place - that's the one that offers the 3 for 2 deal. Look for the buffalo wearing red, white & blue. You will see another golf cart rental place once you get into town, on Crescent Avenue, but they don't offer the same 3 for 2 thing.

Also, be sure to book your Catalina Express departure/return times in advance, when you figure out when exactly you can go (they may not have the Long Beach schedule up for Summer yet, but sometimes it's up early). While it is likely that there would be some openings if you just showed up at the terminal without a reservation (people always cancel at the last minute), if you happen to try to get on a boat that leaves at a popular time you could be out of luck. Since you would not be going out on a really early boat - like I do - you'd be going at a more popular time.

When you get on the boat and walk in, you should see the steps leading to the upper outside deck (there may even be two open upper decks). If you can, try to snag some seats right against the railing instead of in the middle of the deck, so that you can easily scout for sea life!

Oops! I almost forgot to answer the question about photographers! There aren't any photographers set up around Avalon like the Disney parks have PhotoPass photographers, but I think that somewhere in the back of the Visitors Guide there may be some listings for photographers who live on the island. You could always call one of them and ask about rates.

Actually, a Catalina version of a PhotoPass-type photographer would not be a bad idea, as there are quite a few scenic backdrops around town! They (whoever is in charge of such decisions in Avalon) should look into that and follow Disney's lead - especially since the Catalina Express free birthday boat ride has been attracting a lot of new business to the island since 2011.

 

[stacy~**]

Thanks! I would love to follow along. I'm still on the fence about Universal...might nix it to do the Zipline at Catalina now and then maybe a Warner Brothers Studio Tour since all of the kids are old enough. We have several Big Bang Theory fans in the family so if we got to see that set it would be so cool! I am also totally focused/obsessed with my SoCal plans right now. They have changed so much and we are still six months out! Our flights are all booked but the agenda has changed. I can't even tell you how many hotels I have booked/on hold right now, but it's WAY too many! As it now stands we have THREE different hotels in three different areas booked and I'm still undecided on what hotel to stay at in Anaheim. The other two hotels (ok there are more but I think these are the final ones) are in Dana Point and in Valencia area near the Six Flags MM park. So Dana Point (3 nights) will be the hopping point/home hotel for Catalina and San Diego Zoo , Valencia (2 or 3 nights) is hopping point/hotel for Six Flags, Burbank and Universal/Hollywood area, and then Anaheim for the last 5 or six nights but which hotel there is a mystery...narrowed it down to my top SEVEN!

You just made me feel great about the 1 SoCal and 2 Anaheim reservations I have! Although I am still on the fence about our SoCal hotel (Los Feliz...see above). I think it is adorable and mostly in our price range but I kinda hate that the girls will be on an air mattress in the living room. I can hear them fighting about it already. Gosh maybe I need to add another. (will ultimately be staying in 2 different hotels for the 10 day trip). Have you started a PTR??

 

[stacy~**]

I'm glad to be of some help!

As for the Theatre - I don't even call it Grauman's! For a long time the Theatre was Mann's Chinese (before it went back to being Grauman's again), so I always have Mann's in my mind too. I just call it the Chinese Theatre, as I suspect a lot of my fellow L.A. residents probably do. I figure that no matter who owns it - TCL or TCI or whoever it is that has dibs on it now - it will always be the Chinese Theatre!

As for the Dodger games - I used to go to a lot of Dodger games as a kid (gotta love those extra long Dodger dogs!), but have not been back as an adult (I should probably have my Los Angeles residency revoked for admitting that!). However, your husband is right - from what I've seen in the news the crowds seem to be getting more hostile and more incidents have occurred in the last few years. I think it's probably still a great way to spend an evening/afternoon, and chances are that nothing questionable would happen. Plus, it's so much a part of L.A. It's probably a rite of passage, to a degree!

As for Catalina - Make sure that your zip line time doesn't overlap or clash with your 3 hours of golf cart rental time in Avalon. I think you'll probably have to book your zip line in advance, before your trip begins, as it has limited openings for the available time slots and summer is a very popular season.

The other tours (on land or sea) could probably be booked when you arrive in Avalon, if you aren't sure which ones you want to do until you get there.

I kind of tend to think that the zip lining would be better for an overnight or multi-night stay rather than a one-day trip, but if this is something that really appeals to you - and your family really wants to do it - be sure to book it well in advance and plan so that you have enough time to get the 3-hour golf cart in before the '3 hours for 2' offer ends at either 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.

Remember to go to the golf cart place that is closest to where your Catalina Express landing is (I think I posted a picture of it in my trip report). When you get off of Catalina Express in Avalon you will start walking along the pathway into town. On your left-hand side will be the first golf cart rental place - that's the one that offers the 3 for 2 deal. Look for the buffalo wearing red, white & blue. You will see another golf cart rental place once you get into town, on Crescent Avenue, but they don't offer the same 3 for 2 thing.

Also, be sure to book your Catalina Express departure/return times in advance, when you figure out when exactly you can go (they may not have the Long Beach schedule up for Summer yet, but sometimes it's up early). While it is likely that there would be some openings if you just showed up at the terminal without a reservation (people always cancel at the last minute), if you happen to try to get on a boat that leaves at a popular time you could be out of luck. Since you would not be going out on a really early boat - like I do - you'd be going at a more popular time.

When you get on the boat and walk in, you should see the steps leading to the upper outside deck (there may even be two open upper decks). If you can, try to snag some seats right against the railing instead of in the middle of the deck, so that you can easily scout for sea life!

Oops! I almost forgot to answer the question about photographers! There aren't any photographers set up around Avalon like the Disney parks have PhotoPass photographers, but I think that somewhere in the back of the Visitors Guide there may be some listings for photographers who live on the island. You could always call one of them and ask about rates.

Actually, a Catalina version of a PhotoPass-type photographer would not be a bad idea, as there are quite a few scenic backdrops around town! They (whoever is in charge of such decisions in Avalon) should look into that and follow Disney's lead - especially since the Catalina Express free birthday boat ride has been attracting a lot of new business to the island since 2011.

Thanks once again for answering all my questions!! I admit to not having done much with trip planning for the last few weeks and might not for the next few (have a trip to Austin, TX at the end of the month for spring break!) but will need to start really scheduling stuff once April hits.

Thanks for the Dodger info. Hopefully with it being a 4:15 game that day it would be less potential for trouble than an evening game. I am still not sure if Aaron is convinced but for now it is staying on the list!!

As far as Catalina....thank you for the reminder to reserve times for the Express. Not sure I would have thought to do that. I need to narrow down a few activities and then put it up for a vote with the rest of the family. Usually I just make the plans but I really want to do so many things there it might be best for me to get some help deciding!

 

[stacy~**]

So I haven't done alot of planning (I have somehow gotten hooked on a few LONG WDW trip reports and have been wasting hours away on the Dis reading them...go figure!) but today I did email my dog sitter to book my girls' spots for their vacation. Once you do the math on a 10 night vacation and then 1 extra day on each end for my pups (we will drop off the day before we leave and pick up the morning after we get home) it is a LONG time to be away from them! Thankfully they always forgive me when I return. Here is one of my favorite pictures of my girls. Jessie was still a pup here...she is almost 2 now (we rescued her when she was about 5 months old). Goldie (the black dog not the Golden colored dog...confusing I know) is about 7. We rescued her about 4 years ago.

 

[kittylady1972]

You just made me feel great about the 1 SoCal and 2 Anaheim reservations I have! Although I am still on the fence about our SoCal hotel (Los Feliz...see above). I think it is adorable and mostly in our price range but I kinda hate that the girls will be on an air mattress in the living room. I can hear them fighting about it already. Gosh maybe I need to add another. (will ultimately be staying in 2 different hotels for the 10 day trip). Have you started a PTR??

Glad I could make you feel better. No PTR yet since I really want to finish my TWO trip reports first. I am so far behind though. I can see your point about the Los Feliz hotel. I am determined to avoid a rollaway bed at any hotel so that narrows my choices. Now I have added ANOTHER hotel for our first three nights...in Laguna Beach. I love the atmosphere there around that hotel more than Dana Point....more BEACHY. Also more expensive though.

 

[stacy~**]

Glad I could make you feel better. No PTR yet since I really want to finish my TWO trip reports first. I am so far behind though. I can see your point about the Los Feliz hotel. I am determined to avoid a rollaway bed at any hotel so that narrows my choices. Now I have added ANOTHER hotel for our first three nights...in Laguna Beach. I love the atmosphere there around that hotel more than Dana Point....more BEACHY. Also more expensive though.

I will have to swing over and check out your reports. If only I could read TR's all day long!

So far I haven't added any more hotels. I am trying to just stick with it although I have changed our schedule! I would love to see what beach hotels you end up choosing. Just in case....

 

[kittylady1972]

I will have to swing over and check out your reports. If only I could read TR's all day long!

So far I haven't added any more hotels. I am trying to just stick with it although I have changed our schedule! I would love to see what beach hotels you end up choosing. Just in case....

Yeah I am still behind in my trip reports but just uploaded a whole "boatload" of photos from our Disney Dream Cruise in November so I can move that TR along soon hopefully!

Ok so as for my beach hotels in California I currently have THREE of them. I have the Best Western Plus Marina Shores in Dana Point booked. I also have the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites San Clemente North booked in San Clemente. And lastly I have the Holiday Inn Laguna Beach in Laguna Beach booked.

I am so undecided.

I really want to be close to the beach, at least within walking distance and I think the closest hotel I have booked to the beach is Laguna Beach. However it is also the most expensive one.

I think Dana Point would be nice and near a nice pier where my son could do some fishing which he would love. I'm just not sure if the atmosphere there is "beachy" enough but I read that there were still some good surfing areas in the Dana Point beach area so maybe we could still walk there?

San Clemente seems nice and maybe more beachy...also has a pier...but further south than the other two. It will make our drive when we leave to go to Long Beach for our day trip to Catalina Island longer and it will make our drive out to Valencia also longer when we move hotels.

So I'm just torn and I don't know what to do there.

I'm sure I'll be fine with ANY of them.

 

[stacy~**]

So with 60-ish days until this trip…I am back and it is time for some REAL planning!
In my absence I have made some changes to the itinerary…and I am sure there are more to come but I do feel like things are starting to take shape!

So recap/revised plans:
Friday~Arrival and check in at Los Feliz Lodge. Grab groceries (Trader Joes?) and dinner.
Saturday~WB tour in am, Hollywood Blvd stuff in afternoon (including El Capitan/Soda Fountain, Madame Tussauds, Walk of Fame).
Sunday~Beverly Hills stuff (including trolley tour, Greystone Mansion, Rodeo Drive) and Tar Pits
Monday~Santa Monica/Venice Beach
Tuesday~Getty Center, Griffith Observatory and FM/Grove (especially if “Extra” is filming). Then check into………

Paradise Pier!!


Yes…I have gone back and forth 200 times as to whether we should spend the extra money and even though the Hojo worked well for our family in 2007 we are so much more used to being immersed in the Disney magic now that I am nervous the Hojo would be a letdown. SO PP it is!! Yay!!!!

For our DLR portion I am going to be as laid back as I can in planning and since we will have hoppers I am sure we will just go back and forth but our limited planning includes:

Wednesday~Disneyland's birthday!! Dinner at Carnation Café?
Thursday~DCA! Hoping for this to be our EE Carsland morning
Friday~Walk in Walts Foot Steps tour (hopefully)
Saturday~Unlimited Disneyland Magic (ie no plans)
Sunday~Our 12th Wedding Anniversary-Blue Bayou lunch
Monday~Check out and leave.

Note about changes
*Catalina Island has been removed for this trip. The cost to travel there for the day just didn’t make sense. The plan for our next trip would be to include this with a few nights stay on the island.
*Dodger’s game/stadium tour-While this has been removed from my itinerary for now it will be on the back up list of things to do
*Universal/Knotts~Once I added the 5th Disney day (original plan was only 4) I knew these didn’t have much of a chance. If we do have time some free time in an evening I think it would be fun to go to City Walk for dinner
*Museum of Tolerance~I think this sounds amazing but uncertain if it will be too upsetting/mature for my 9 y/o so we will likely skip it this trip.
*TV show tapings~I would really LOVE to do this and did secure “priority seating” for Let’s Make a Deal for our first Saturday in LA. BUT my 9 y/o can’t attend and I hate to do it without her (and my husband). SO this is still very much up in the air. IF we do attend then our WB tour time will need to be changed and then a whole trickle down of changes will occur!
*Disney outlets?? Are there any worth hunting down??

So that is it for now!
Things to do~
Cancel the many “other” hotel reservations I have made
Secure car rental and cancel the several others that I have but aren't happy with
Book WB Tour and Walk in Walts Foot Steps tour
Join AAA of PP discount
Order Photo Pass Plus

I hope to do a better job updating this weekly....therefore (if anyone is still reading this....) you won't get stuck with such long updates!!

 

[Sherry E]

I'm glad you updated - I had wondered what was happening with your trip plans!

Don't worry about posting long updates. This update you just posted was hardly long at all. My whole TR thread has a lot of long updates and it has the most views out of any TR thread in this entire DLR trip report forum! That should tell you something! People like to get involved, get to know you and follow along. They like to feel as though they are walking side by side, involved in the plans, traveling along on your trip too.

Well, needless to say, I'm sorry to see that Catalina was taken off the agenda because it really is a great day trip and it really is best to start off by doing a day trip to see if you like it, rather than committing to a multi-day stay when you might not like it! But, on the other hand, going for one day makes it difficult to squeeze in certain activities.

At the same time, I totally, completely, 100% understand the money issues involved. It is a lot to spend to go for one day, even if you found discounts online. You can see why the Catalina Express Free Birthday Boat ride is such a great deal and value! I can't believe they're offering it for a third year in a row, but I am taking advantage of it again. Otherwise, I'm not sure I'd be going back this year, even though I love Catalina. I couldn't afford it if not for that free boat ride! (I'll post photos and updates on that July trip in my Catalina TR that you're already subscribed to.)

I've been staying at the Paradise Pier since December of 2000. I really like it there. I've gotten free upgrades to DCA view rooms on my last 3 trips (Dec. 2012, Dec. 2011 and Dec, 2010) -- I think largely because I checked in very, very, very early in the morning (hint hint hint). I hope you like it too!

I don't think it makes much sense to do the Griffith Observatory and the Getty on the same day. They are nowhere near each other, really, and you will want time to explore both (The Getty has gorgeous gardens). You should do the Getty on the day when you do Santa Monica and Venice -- it makes more geographical sense.

The Grove/Farmers Market should be on the same day as the Tar Pits (and don't forget to check out the sculpture garden, the giant rock and the crazy street lights at LACMA next door to the Tar Pits). They are too close together to not do them on the same day.

 

[stacy~**]

I'm glad you updated - I had wondered what was happening with your trip plans!

Don't worry about posting long updates. This update you just posted was hardly long at all. My whole TR thread has a lot of long updates and it has the most views out of any TR thread in this entire DLR trip report forum! That should tell you something! People like to get involved, get to know you and follow along. They like to feel as though they are walking side by side, involved in the plans, traveling along on your trip too.

Well, needless to say, I'm sorry to see that Catalina was taken off the agenda because it really is a great day trip and it really is best to start off by doing a day trip to see if you like it, rather than committing to a multi-day stay when you might not like it! But, on the other hand, going for one day makes it difficult to squeeze in certain activities.

At the same time, I totally, completely, 100% understand the money issues involved. It is a lot to spend to go for one day, even if you found discounts online. You can see why the Catalina Express Free Birthday Boat ride is such a great deal and value! I can't believe they're offering it for a third year in a row, but I am taking advantage of it again. Otherwise, I'm not sure I'd be going back this year, even though I love Catalina. I couldn't afford it if not for that free boat ride! (I'll post photos and updates on that July trip in my Catalina TR that you're already subscribed to.)

I've been staying at the Paradise Pier since December of 2000. I really like it there. I've gotten free upgrades to DCA view rooms on my last 3 trips (Dec. 2012, Dec. 2011 and Dec, 2010) -- I think largely because I checked in very, very, very early in the morning (hint hint hint). I hope you like it too!

I don't think it makes much sense to do the Griffith Observatory and the Getty on the same day. They are nowhere near each other, really, and you will want time to explore both (The Getty has gorgeous gardens). You should do the Getty on the day when you do Santa Monica and Venice -- it makes more geographical sense.

The Grove/Farmers Market should be on the same day as the Tar Pits (and don't forget to check out the sculpture garden, the giant rock and the crazy street lights at LACMA next door to the Tar Pits). They are too close together to not do them on the same day.

Sherry~Thanks for chiming in!! I thought of you when we decided to cut Catalina. In all honesty I didn't ever really have DH sold on it to begin with and then when you add in the cost and the drive to Long Beach it just didn't survive.

Great hint about the early check in. Unforntunately that probably won't happen since we are still touring in LA that day but one can always cross their fingers!! Unless we stay in LA Tuesday night and head to Anaheim Wednesday morning. Hmmm...

Thank you for the touring advice so if I change Sunday to BH/FM/Grove/City Walk??, Monday to Getty/SM/VB and Tuesday to Tar Pits/LACMA/Griffith/Grove (if Extra Filming only since we will do on Sunday). Are those days too busy now?? Is that enough stuff on Sunday?

I really appreciate your distance prospective, Sherry! (or anyone else that has recent travel experience). On our last trip we spent too much time in the car and I am REALLY trying to do the best I can to keep it under control.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry~Thanks for chiming in!! I thought of you when we decided to cut Catalina. In all honesty I didn't ever really have DH sold on it to begin with and then when you add in the cost and the drive to Long Beach it just didn't survive.

Great hint about the early check in. Unforntunately that probably won't happen since we are still touring in LA that day but one can always cross their fingers!! Unless we stay in LA Tuesday night and head to Anaheim Wednesday morning. Hmmm...

Thank you for the touring advice so if I change Sunday to BH/FM/Grove/City Walk??, Monday to Getty/SM/VB and Tuesday to Tar Pits/LACMA/Griffith/Grove (if Extra Filming only since we will do on Sunday). Are those days too busy now?? Is that enough stuff on Sunday?

I really appreciate your distance prospective, Sherry! (or anyone else that has recent travel experience). On our last trip we spent too much time in the car and I am REALLY trying to do the best I can to keep it under control.

You're welcome!

Driving to Long Beach isn't bad, since you'll be driving everywhere else around town. But I think that if you couldn't sell DH on a day trip to Catalina, I'm not sure an even more expensive multi-day trip to the Island would go over well either! It's really best to start out with the day trip. Maybe next time.

Let's see - your Monday plan is good and should stay as is. Santa Monica, Venice and the Getty are all on the "Westside" of town (though in different spots around the Westside), so that's why I thought it would make more sense to do those in one day. Start off at the Getty, and then make your way to the other places.

Beverly Hills/FM/Grove make sense in the same day, I guess, if you don't want to do the Tar Pits/LACMA in the same day as FM/The Grove. I don't know if Extra films at the same time every day (I saw Maria Menounos meeting fans in the late morning/early afternoon mid-week in March last year), but they are at The Grove more often than other places -- unless there is some special story that brings them to another location.

Does your husband like cars? There is a car museum here (the Petersen Automotive Museum), very close to the Tar Pits and LACMA, that's kind of cool.

Sometimes in the summer there might be little concerts at The Grove too. I don't know if those happen as often as they used to, but I once saw Alanis Morissette perform there a long time ago.

Even though they're not exactly next door neighbors, I think I would do the Griffith Observatory and CityWalk in the same day -- Griffith in the daytime and CityWalk in the early evening.

Or, if you roam around Hollywood I would say that you could tack on CityWalk at the end of your Hollywood day. (Again, I am kind of grouping things together based on where they are located in and around L.A.)

 

[kittylady1972]

Sounds like a great trip. Very jealous of your stay at PP. With 10 nights I just can't justify that cost....right now. I think it would mean my 4 nights in Anaheim would cost as much as my 6 other nights elsewhere!

Can't wait to read more about your trip.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using DISBoards

 

[teentoddlermom]

Hi to the op and all. Just wondering about your purchase of Disneyland tix...did you go that yet? We are going to dl 8/20 to 8/24 and staying at pp. Haven't done much planning. Going to go back and read your ptr now!

 

[stacy~**]

You're welcome!

Driving to Long Beach isn't bad, since you'll be driving everywhere else around town. But I think that if you couldn't sell DH on a day trip to Catalina, I'm not sure an even more expensive multi-day trip to the Island would go over well either! It's really best to start out with the day trip. Maybe next time.

Let's see - your Monday plan is good and should stay as is. Santa Monica, Venice and the Getty are all on the "Westside" of town (though in different spots around the Westside), so that's why I thought it would make more sense to do those in one day. Start off at the Getty, and then make your way to the other places.

Beverly Hills/FM/Grove make sense in the same day, I guess, if you don't want to do the Tar Pits/LACMA in the same day as FM/The Grove. I don't know if Extra films at the same time every day (I saw Maria Menounos meeting fans in the late morning/early afternoon mid-week in March last year), but they are at The Grove more often than other places -- unless there is some special story that brings them to another location.

Does your husband like cars? There is a car museum here (the Petersen Automotive Museum), very close to the Tar Pits and LACMA, that's kind of cool.

Sometimes in the summer there might be little concerts at The Grove too. I don't know if those happen as often as they used to, but I once saw Alanis Morissette perform there a long time ago.

Even though they're not exactly next door neighbors, I think I would do the Griffith Observatory and CityWalk in the same day -- Griffith in the daytime and CityWalk in the early evening.

Or, if you roam around Hollywood I would say that you could tack on CityWalk at the end of your Hollywood day. (Again, I am kind of grouping things together based on where they are located in and around L.A.)

Once again...great advice. My trip planning notebook is getting a workout. LOVE the helpful insights. I think I am *close* to figuring it all out!!

Sounds like a great trip. Very jealous of your stay at PP. With 10 nights I just can't justify that cost....right now. I think it would mean my 4 nights in Anaheim would cost as much as my 6 other nights elsewhere!

Can't wait to read more about your trip.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using DISBoards

Thank you! I am starting to get really excited!! I don't normally book a trip this far in advance so there was a period there where I thought it would never get here so the excitement wanned a bit. Now things are kicking back up!!

The PP nightly rate is killing me. Really it is but I just want to be "on property" so badly. If you decide to look into it I did get a small AAA discount and I didn't even need to book through AAA to get it. I also didn't need a number to hold it (although I do plan to join before we go!).

I really tried to find a more affordable place for our first 4 LA nights but while it is cheaper than PP it won't bring my nightly average down too much. Oh well....fortunately we can afford the splurge (although personally I always am looking for the best deal regardless!).

Hi to the op and all. Just wondering about your purchase of Disneyland tix...did you go that yet? We are going to dl 8/20 to 8/24 and staying at pp. Haven't done much planning. Going to go back and read your ptr now!

Hiya, Teentoddlermom! Thanks for reading. No I haven't purchased tickets yet and am undecided what to do about them. I might just end up *gasp* purchasing them from Disney. I know there are several ways to get slightly discounted tickets (Orbitz, etc.) but not sure if I want to deal with all that. I guess I do need to make a decision soon. Does anyone know if local California AAA offices carry discounted tickets? Since I am from Ohio our offices only have WDW tickets.