LIVE REPORT! Ultra-exclusive ABD (Adventures by Davey) trip (Update! 8/22 post #77)

[Mouse Skywalker]

We had a full day at SeaWorld San Diego. I was so surprised when they personally welcomed us to the Shamu show.

 

[Cherinva]

This is a cool Trip Report.....Can't wait to hear more. I lived in San Diego many years ago...it brings back memories.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Day 5: Aug 14, 2011 - SeaWorld San Diego

Everyone was tired from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park sleepover, so I gave up on my plans to get to SeaWorld right at park opening. SeaWorld was celebrating “Summer Nights” so the park was open until 11:00pm, and we would have plenty of time to see everything we wanted.

We arrived around 10:00am, and made our way over to the 11:00am “Shamu” show called “One Ocean”

It was a spectacular show, and we love watch the killer whales perform. However having the trainers dancing on stage instead of in the water with the animals seemed a little odd.

Probably one of our family’s favorite parts of SeaWorld was getting to see the animals. The park is beautifully landscaped, and the animal display areas were simply gorgeous. We were able to handle starfish and touch sea urchins in the recreated tidal pools.

It was getting close to noon, and we were hungry. We discovered SeaWorld has its own “gluttony plan.” For $29.95/adult (ages 10 and up) you could get all you could eat, all day. Each time through the line you could get 1 entrée + 1 side (or dessert) + 1 nonalcoholic drink at SeaWorld’s sit down restaurants. Since we planned on having both lunch and dinner at SeaWorld, this seemed like a good deal.

We had lunch, and the girls got Shamu nuggets – they could have gotten adult meals, but wanted the kids Shamu nuggets. They were very surprised to learn that killer whale tastes just like chicken.

Next we saw the “Blue Horizons” dolphin show. We liked it, but thought it was a little heavy on Cirque style acrobatics, and could have used more dolphin. More Cowbell!? No, more Dolphin!

We peeked in the new Turtle Reef exhibit to see the huge loggerhead turtle aquarium. It was impressive, but a little too jammed packed for us. Everyone that was in the dolphin show headed to Turtle Reef making the area very crowded.

We took in the Clyde and Seamore, sea lion comedy show. The skits were very silly and full of puns, but that happens to be exactly the right level of humor for Evie (DD10).

After the sea lion show, we were all a little tired, and patience and tempers were getting a little short. Since we were only a 5 min drive away from our hotel, we decided to go back, take a dip in the pool, and recharge our batteries.

Since the park was open until 11:00pm, we would have time for more shows when we came back. However, NO EATING outside the park – we have our “gluttony plan”, and need to make the most of it.

After a couple hours at the hotel, we got back to the park around 6pm, and had dinner which consisted of many small and large land animals. Dinner was the BBQ sampler platter with beef brisket, ribs, and half a chicken. This is all part of the killer whale’s plan to dominate the earth by killing off the land animals and feeding them to the humans. The humans will then get so fat they will die off themselves. Mmmmmm, the killer whale’s plan was deliciously satisfying.

We were able to see more animal displays including polar bears, beluga whales, walruses, penguins and puffins in the Artic exhibits. We watched sea otters and a dolphin training exhibition at the “Rocky Point Preserve.”

We saw the nighttime version of the sea lion show “Sea Lions Tonight.” It was a comedy show that lampooned all the other SeaWorld shows we saw. It was hysterical, and really took a tongue in cheek look at all the other “super-serious” and “overly-dramatic” killer whale and dolphin shows. We were all rolling with laughter.

One more show left for the evening, but not before we had our dessert and second dessert before the restaurants closed. Gotta get the most of our money on the SeaWorld "Gluttony Plan."

Next was “Shamu Rocks!” a high energy rock show, where the killer whales did tricks to loud music and flashing lights. Ummmmm, OK, I’m not sure I learned anything about killer whale behavior in this one, and we had some mixed feelings watching it. After “Shamu Rocks”, SeaWorld had a fireworks show set off from Mission Bay. The Shamu show ended, and we could sit in our seats to enjoy the fireworks. Perfect! Clouds or fog rolled in off the bay, and the fireworks lit up the fog. It was quite a sight and a unique way to watch fireworks.

Before the park closed we rode 300 feet up in the Sky Tower, and said good night to SeaWorld and San Diego.

Today we drove back to the “Cool Aunt’s” in Los Angeles, and rested up for the rest of our ABD (Adventures by Davey) adventure…

 

[wdwscout]

What a great day in Sea World!

I'm loving reading your daily reports.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good morning everyone! Thanks for following along, and thanks for all your comments. Yesterday, Day 6 of our Adventure by Davey, was a low-key day for us. We drove back to LA from San Diego, and just hung out at the "Cool Aunt's" place. We needed to do laundry and rest up for the rest of our vacation.

However, we're back up and at 'em today, and being welcomed to Universal Studios Hollywood in full ABD style.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I loved the Seaworld pics. Enjoy Universal!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good morning everyone! Thanks for following along, and thanks for all your comments. Yesterday, Day 6 of our Adventure by Davey, was a low-key day for us. We drove back to LA from San Diego, and just hung out at the "Cool Aunt's" place. We needed to do laundry and rest up for the rest of our vacation.

However, we're back up and at 'em today, and being welcomed to Universal Studios Hollywood in full ABD style.

Alas, we didn't end up making to Universal Studios Hollywood afterall. Try as I might, the family was cranky and running out of steam. Sometimes being a good ABD (Adventures by Davey) Guide means knowing when to cut something from the itinerary. Plus, I'd rather cut things now so I can get my way at Disneyland...

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Day 7: Universal Studios Hollywood (NOT!)

Our ABD (Adventures by Davey) trip rolls on. The kids are getting tired, but in true Backstage Family Squabble fashion we push on. We paid a lot of money for this vacation…

In all seriousness, the kids were starting to wear down a little, and Evie (DD10) didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. I revised our plans. OK, we wouldn’t get to Universal Studios Hollywood at rope drop. It is vacation after-all, and we should get some rest and relaxation.

There were a couple of smaller Los Angeles attractions we wanted to see. So we decided to change plans, head to some different spots first, and see if the family wanted to go to Universal afterwards.

First up – the La Brea Tar Pits! This was a place I’d wanted to see since I was a kid. What small boy doesn’t want to see bones of Ice Age animals that had been entrapped in tar? So I’m not a small boy anymore, but, hey, my kids are going to see it whether they want to or not.

Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Out in front of the museum is a large lake of sticky, oozy, tar. It’s a true 4D experience as it bubbles both methane gas and hydrogen sulfide. So the smell is a mixture of a cow barn and rotten eggs.

Inside the lake is a life-size diorama of a mammoth trapped in the tar – as its baby and family members look on from the side of the lake. Now we also learned that animals don’t get sucked down into the tar to die quickly. Oh no… they get stuck in a few inches of tar to die of starvation or suffocation as their family members ultimately are forced to leave them.

Come on! I mean, what perfect life lessons we have here. Look kids, if you don’t do what your ABD Tour Guide wants, we’ll leave you in a tar pit. Perfect!

Inside the museum were some animatronic displays that would rival anything at Disney. Here look at the sabre tooth tiger attacking some sort of sloth bug bear type creature. Yes you could hear the realistic “click, click, click” of the moving animatronic parts. It’s just like “it’s a small world” with the dolls clicking eyes.

Seriously, we actually really liked this museum. It was such a unique site, and you could learn from it as well. We would definitely recommend going.

It was now about 12:30p, and we decided to stop for lunch before heading up to Universal Studios Hollywood. We were close by to the Farmer’s Market. I remembered visiting here on a trip to LA back in 1980, and I wanted to take the family.

We found a little spot at the Farmer’s Market called “Maggee’s Kitchen” which was great for a family with a 13 year old named Maggie. We grabbed some tacos and lemonade, had a nice lunch, and then poked around the souvenir shops. Plenty of Hollywood coffee mugs and license plates with various names and sayings (some not so kid appropriate) that could be found.

After walking off our lunch, it was time for a snack. Fortunately there were plenty of pastries to be had. Dana found a pear tart, and Evie (DD10) had a big, honking slice of carrot cake.

It was now around 2:30pm, and it was looking like we weren’t going to make it to Universal Hollywood. Oh well, what can you do? I’d rather not drag everyone there when they are too tired to enjoy it. Plus, we are going to have 4 days at Disneyland plus the D23 Expo. We’ll just have to come back again.

Tomorrow's plan... Southern California Beach Day

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good Morning Everyone, the kids have woken up, are having breakfast and we're getting ready to head out today. Planning on heading to Santa Monica Beach this afternoon!

 

[HollyMac71]

Oh everyone looks like they are having soooo much fun! You didn't try to get selected for "The Price is Right"?

 

[DrMomof3]

What a fun time you're having!

Amanda

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Day 8: August 17 - Santa Monica Beach

Since arriving in California, Maggie (DD13) has been asking to spend the day at the beach. Today was the day. We drove 20 minutes or so to Santa Monica and prepared to embrace the Snookis, Sitches, and Pauly Ds of the Left Coast.

It was another sunny day in LA, and temperatures were supposed to rise into the upper 80’s. However, the weather was totally different at the coast – 68 degrees and socked in with clouds and the marine layer.

Our ABD, Adventures by Davey, Tour Guide would not be deterred. We staked a claim on the beach, and settled in for the day.

The girls were thrilled to be at the beach, and instantly started burying each other in the sand.

For all the Disney fans reading this, we even had a “Little Mermaid” sighting on the beach.

Around 2pm, the marine layer burned off, the sun came out, and temperatures started to rise. It turned out to be a glorious day at the beach.

Once the sun came out, the beach started getting crowded. Lots of young people were laying around on the beach bedazzled with bikinis and bling. I looked at the swimsuits and thought, “those suits aren’t made for swimming…”

It eventually became warm enough for even the grownups and ABD guide to get into the water.

We dug in the sand, and hunted for the little sand crabs (or mole crabs or sand fleas). I demonstrated my technique of toss a handful of sand along the beach, and watching the crabs scurry back into the sand. To which my daughters would say, “you’re hurting them! They’re so cute!” Uummm OK… These creatures have survived unchanged for millions of years are going to be hurt by being tossed along the sand… I think they’ll be OK.

The “Cool Aunt” met around 5:30p after finishing up work at the Getty. By that time, Dana and I had enough sun and sand, and headed back to her apartment while she had some quality time with the kids.

Next up… “We’re Going to Disneyland!”

 

[daneenm]

Day 8: August 17 - Santa Monica Beach

Since arriving in California, Maggie (DD13) has been asking to spend the day at the beach. Today was the day. We drove 20 minutes or so to Santa Monica and prepared to embrace the Snookis, Sitches, and Pauly Ds of the Left Coast.

It was another sunny day in LA, and temperatures were supposed to rise into the upper 80’s. However, the weather was totally different at the coast – 68 degrees and socked in with clouds and the marine layer.

Ah yes, your Travel Agent should have warned you and your tour group about summer on the California coast, Tour Guide Davey That is more typical than not, at least up here in the Monterey Bay costal areas. So glad you still had a good time. I love the beach when it is overcast.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

No Disneyland update????

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm quite jealous of your Beach Day and even more jealous that you're going to D23 and Disneyland.

Amanda

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hi Everyone, I apologize I haven't had time to update our live ABD (Adventures By Davey) trip report, but I've been incredibly busy at the D23 Expo.

I've been uploading pictures from the Expo directly to the DIS, and you can find them here.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/d23/

OK, gotta run!!! More later...

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Last full day of our ABD, Adventures by Davey, trip. We've had an amazing few days at Disneyland, and they welcomed us as well as any of our other stops. As we drove into town we saw this...

On Thursday night, I took the family to see World of Color, and there was a new scene added to the show.

Friday & Saturday were two full days covering the D23 Expo, and you can find all the photos I posted here.

http://thedis.smugmug.com/DisneyEvents/D23-Expo/18457544_BK5FHg#1423755771_ZsV4vG2

Sunday, I was back at the Expo, but only for half the day. I left at noon to meet up with the family, and spend the rest of the day at Disneyland. As a finale to our ABD Trip, I splurged for the Fantasmic! dessert party. It was a great topper to the trip, and seeing how Disneyland said good-bye to us will always be a special memory.

OK, gotta pack up to check out of our hotel at Disneyland, back to the "Cool Aunt's", do laundry, and pack to head back home tomorrow.

Can't wait to see our kitties!

 

[Tink rules]

WHAT????

No Thanks for visiting "Adventures by Davey" in Fireworks above the castle??????

 

[DrMomof3]

Sounds like an amazing trip! Safe travels and thanks for sharing with us!

Amanda

 

[Cherinva]

Thanks for the trip report Dave. Safe travels home.