New Tour of DL Studios & more

[Rhonna]

So I called and booked DLH today and in the process mentioned the disboards. The CM was not familiar with it. I said it's very up to date and we get info. pretty quickly here.

So, he asked if I'd heard about the new tour that was announced just last week. I don't ever do tours so I have NO idea if it has been talked about on the boards.

Anyhow it's called "Lights, Camera & Magic" tour and takes you to the disney studios, commissary and store there where you can purchase items. It is usually off limits unless you work there. Then, it has a tour of the Kodak theater and Rodeo Drive, etc. It includes a meal at Gladstone's which is apparently a famous fish restaurant.

It runs the whole day from 8am to 7 or 8 pm. It costs $199. The meal is included and they pick everyone up and take them to all the places in a tour bus.

Not my thing but some people would probably love to get to see the disney studios.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've never heard of it and it isn't on Disney's site. Seems like CMs say so many things that end up not being true that I never know what to believe. I would love a tour like that and would definately give that a try if they did. Sounds like a short version of the podcast ABD trip that Disboards does in Socal. I'd love to do that too, but that's about $2000 per person.

 

[Rhonna]

Well, he sounded sincere. Said it was announced last week and had all the details down. I doubt he could come up with something like that right off his head. But, someone would have to call and book it for us to know for sure. Don't know why a reservation CM would make that up unless they were just plain mean. What if I told him I wanted to book it right then and he was lying - what would he do? Seems like he would be taking a risk if it wasn't true.

If you actually would do that tour why don't you call and see if you get the same info? You wouldn't have to book immediately, just find out and then you could do it on your next trip (not sure how often you are able to go). Then we'd have it from more than one reservation CM and you'd be doing a tour that it sounds like you'd really enjoy.

(still wishing your budgie really was pink...I'd definitely be on the list for a baby)

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

That tour sounds pretty awesome. I might be interested in doing something like that next year.

 

[Susie63]

On the DisneyMovieRewards site there is a tour that is offered for 15000 reward points. It sounds a lot like this,but it was sold out....or maybe not available yet.
It is the last reward.

http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/rewards/disney-studios-tour-for-four

It is now available.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Well, he sounded sincere. Said it was announced last week and had all the details down. I doubt he could come up with something like that right off his head. But, someone would have to call and book it for us to know for sure. Don't know why a reservation CM would make that up unless they were just plain mean. What if I told him I wanted to book it right then and he was lying - what would he do? Seems like he would be taking a risk if it wasn't true.

If you actually would do that tour why don't you call and see if you get the same info? You wouldn't have to book immediately, just find out and then you could do it on your next trip (not sure how often you are able to go). Then we'd have it from more than one reservation CM and you'd be doing a tour that it sounds like you'd really enjoy.

(still wishing your budgie really was pink...I'd definitely be on the list for a baby)

I wish I had a real pink budgie too! My current guys are green and yellow.

Not that I think they make stuff up, but it seems like it doesn't always come to pass when they say things. Or maybe execs change their minds. We aren't going until next summer, so I will look in to it at that time. If someone does this between now and then I'd love to hear about it!

On the DisneyMovieRewards site there is a tour that is offered for 15000 reward points. It sounds a lot like this,but it was sold out....or maybe not available yet.
It is the last reward.

http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/rewards/disney-studios-tour-for-four

It is now available.

That tour used to be at WDW, I stopped checking on it and never noticed it is now at DLR. I hate to think how old I'll be when I have that many points! Also, I noticed the WDW one seemed to "run out" fast.

 

[skiingfast]

I was able to get tons of information on this and madly took notes.

WHEN
Currently December through the beginning of March, on most Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Fridays.


HOW
It can be booked with a Hotel or WDTC reservation. Or alone by calling 866-363-4763(M-F6 am to 5pm and weekends 6am to 4pm PST), No limit such as 60 day or one month as to when you can book.


COST
$199 for Adults, $189 for Children 3-9years old, not recommended for children under 3.



ITINERARY
Meet at GCH(parking is available at the GCH lot for $15)
08:00 bus departs, shows onboard movie of "Walt Disney Behind the Studio" giving a background of starting the studio
10:00 Arive at the Walt Disney Studio, shown Archives and you speak with an actual disney archivist. Shown old animiation studio where classic films were drawn. Shown old sounds stage. Legends Plaza. Then shop at the company Store. Then a la carte lunch in the commissary.
12:30 bus departs to Hollywood. In Hollywood a walking tour is done and behind the scenes tour of the Kodak Theater.
19:00 arrive back at the GCH.


Thanks Jessica at WDTC for the information.

 

[DizMe]

I was told this too by a CM last week when I was booking our Jan. hotel. I didn't catch a lot of what he was saying and he didn't seem too sure about some of his details...he said it started with a tour at Disney studios and then he talked about the Hollywood walk of fame and Graumann's Chinese theater but then stumbled around with his words and said some other theater might be substituted. He said the tour wound up in Malibu, was through Adventures by Disney and was $199 per person. I didn't quite get why Malibu but I was running late and didn't have time to look into it. When I tried later to look it up online, I couldn't find anything but the Adventures By Disney expensive tour.

Thanks for the information, skiingfast.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Is this only for hotel guests??

 

[skiingfast]

Is this only for hotel guests??

No, as I posted above, you can book it with a Hotel reservation, a WDTC package, or alone by calling the 866 number. It only meets at the GCH and you may park your car there as well.

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

This sounds amazing! Ok, who's going to volunteer to go first and give us all a great report?

 

[cmwade77]

This sounds amazing! Ok, who's going to volunteer to go first and give us all a great report?

If you pay, I will gladly go and give a trip report...LOL

 

[Rhonna]

I was able to get tons of information on this and madly took notes.

WHEN
Currently December through the beginning of March, on most Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Fridays.


HOW
It can be booked with a Hotel or WDTC reservation. Or alone by calling 866-363-4763(M-F6 am to 5pm and weekends 6am to 4pm PST), No limit such as 60 day or one month as to when you can book.


COST
$199 for Adults, $189 for Children 3-9years old, not recommended for children under 3.



ITINERARY
Meet at GCH(parking is available at the GCH lot for $15)
08:00 bus departs, shows onboard movie of "Walt Disney Behind the Studio" giving a background of starting the studio
10:00 Arive at the Walt Disney Studio, shown Archives and you speak with an actual disney archivist. Shown old animiation studio where classic films were drawn. Shown old sounds stage. Legends Plaza. Then shop at the company Store. Then a la carte lunch in the commissary.
12:30 bus departs to Hollywood. In Hollywood a walking tour is done and behind the scenes tour of the Kodak Theater.
19:00 arrive back at the GCH.


Thanks Jessica at WDTC for the information.

Thanks for checking! I'm glad it's true. Even thought we won't be doing it I know there are some serious "behind the scenes" disney buffs who will LOVE it. I'm also glad my CM (thanks John!) wasn't pulling my leg, lol!

That's weird that it's only Dec. through March though. I wonder if they are trying to see if it works ok for the studios, having tourist groups come in or if they don't know how well it will book up. They need to advertise it better if they want word to get out.

In addition to skiingfast's list, the CM specifically mentioned Rodeo Drive and dinner at Gladstone's famous seafood restaurant - I looked it up and it's in Malibu (hence, the info. DizMe had).

 

[DizMe]

Thanks for checking! I'm glad it's true. Even thought we won't be doing it I know there are some serious "behind the scenes" disney buffs who will LOVE it. I'm also glad my CM (thanks John!) wasn't pulling my leg, lol!

That's weird that it's only Dec. through March though. I wonder if they are trying to see if it works ok for the studios, having tourist groups come in or if they don't know how well it will book up. They need to advertise it better if they want word to get out.

In addition to skiingfast's list, the CM specifically mentioned Rodeo Drive and dinner at Gladstone's famous seafood restaurant - I looked it up and it's in Malibu (hence, the info. DizMe had).

Ok! That explains Malibu! Thanks for the information, rhonna. I would be interested in this except that I just don't have the money now! I mean, *blush*, there was my August trip, and October trip, and Nov/Dec trip, concluding with my Jan. trip. Jan. is going to be budget, baby!!

ETA: The CM also told me there was a 5% discount for AP and Disney Rewards holders. Not sure about AAA.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

This actually doesn't sound like a bad deal, especially since the meal is included. Like all things Disney tries out, I hope they don't realize they can charge even more before I get to do it.

 

[Rhonna]

This actually doesn't sound like a bad deal, especially since the meal is included. Like all things Disney tries out, I hope they don't realize they can charge even more before I get to do it.

I was surprised how long it is. Something like 8am to 7 or 8pm. A full day!

 

[PinkBudgie]

Aw! We can't go until July! I hope they extend it. Someone else mentioned ABD and I can't help but wonder if it is some sort of spin off based on all the Disboard Podcast trips down to do that same type of thing. If it is offered during the summer, that's a splurg I would do!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Thanks for checking! I'm glad it's true. Even thought we won't be doing it I know there are some serious "behind the scenes" disney buffs who will LOVE it. I'm also glad my CM (thanks John!) wasn't pulling my leg, lol!

That's weird that it's only Dec. through March though. I wonder if they are trying to see if it works ok for the studios, having tourist groups come in or if they don't know how well it will book up. They need to advertise it better if they want word to get out.

Yeah, DH and I will be at DLR the end of April. I hope they extend the dates on this.

 

[skiingfast]

That's weird that it's only Dec. through March though. I wonder if they are trying to see if it works ok for the studios, having tourist groups come in or if they don't know how well it will book up. They need to advertise it better if they want word to get out.

This might be a test. I was told specifically you can only get the information on the phone, and it was unknown if it would run longer.

 

[Rhonna]

This might be a test. I was told specifically you can only get the information on the phone, and it was unknown if it would run longer.

What are they testing? Whether it will get out to enough people by word of mouth only? If they don't fill up the bookings then it's disney's fault for not advertising it. And a loss all around, for disney and the fans who would appreciate it.

Of course, maybe they are testing the scope of the disboards power to learn all the latest, secret info....Bwwaahhhhh...