Ohhhh boy~ here we go again! Anderson/VanDamme Vegas/California road trip vacation!

[travelmel]

I love your past costume photo's! Too cute... I'll put my vote in for the skunk. I just love those little buggers.

 

[mommaU4]

SIDE NOTE~~ I had no idea they had such big plans/changes for DCA …. I just found a website that explains some of the new rides and shows they have planned. LOOKS AMAZING!! YAY!! I’m excited.

ANYWAYS …….. Day 4 to be continued ………………

I know! Don't the changes sound GREAT?!?! That's why we are going to let our APs expire and not renew them again until 2011 when all the changes are supposed to be completed.

It's a really long time to wait....(sigh) but I've got the Girls Only trip in March so that helps. After that I'll just have to find some other way to keep myself entertained.

 

[reyasmommy]

I know! Don't the changes sound GREAT?!?! That's why we are going to let our APs expire and not renew them again until 2011 when all the changes are supposed to be completed.

It's a really long time to wait....(sigh) but I've got the Girls Only trip in March so that helps. After that I'll just have to find some other way to keep myself entertained.

The Cars and Little Mermaid attraction look really awesome! Guess that means we'll just have to come out again in a few years. ((With the new baby))

 

[reyasmommy]

ONLY 42 MORE DAYS TO GO!!!!!



Day 4 continued ……………………….

After Lunch someone will head over to ToT to pick up FP’s


Next up will be Animation. I’m allowing ourselves 1 hour here. Can anybody tell me if that is enough time? Or is it too much?

3:30 pm: Monsters inc **8 min wait**

3:43 pm: Muppets 3-D
** I might sit out on this one and hang back with Reya. DH prefers this show to the IT’S TOUGH TO BE A BUG. Vice Versa for me.

After the show we will head over to Bugs land to pick up a yummy Tinker Bell twist that I have heard so much about, then find some prime seats for the Parade. I can’t wait to sit, relax, people watch, and enjoy my delicious TBT.

Once the parade ends we will head over to ToT to use our FP’s

After riding ToT we will head towards the exit and if money and time allows we will make a stop to create our own Mr. Potato Heads!

DCA closes at 6:00pm this night so I think we MIGHT take advantage of this and head back to the hotel early in the night. Maybe go swimming, order some pizza, and just relax back at the room. Mmmmm Sounds nice.

Day 5 Coming up ………….. Universal Studios!

 

[reyasmommy]

I love your past costume photo's! Too cute... I'll put my vote in for the skunk. I just love those little buggers.

Well..... She is my little stinker, so it would be appropriate.

 

[travelmel]

RE: Animation Studio area.... My two cents: There are two "shows" 1) Turtle Talk with Crush 2) Learn to Draw..... we had fun at both.

I THINK... they each run on the half hour mark. If you hit Crush at 1:00 you get out at like 1:20 and at 1:30 you can do the learn to draw or vice versa.

With that said there is also a downstairs area that has the Beast's Library and some cute interactive stations (what kind of disney character are you, etc). This is one of the few places that we did not get enough time at. I would have loved to spend more time in these areas.... when we went they were pretty much empty which would have been nice (we zoomed through and saw it but did not sit down at anything). It may not be as nice is they were filled up and you had to wait (I KNOW how you feel about that! ) But personally, I would alot more time than an hour IF I HAD IT. It's cool inside, beatutiful to look at... just standing there is fun. Especially-escially if it's hot outside.

Hope that helps!

 

[JaneJetson]

I love your past costume photo's! Too cute... I'll put my vote in for the skunk. I just love those little buggers.

Another vote for the skunk. That is too cute!

 

[JaneJetson]

ONLY 42 MORE DAYS TO GO!!!!!



Day 4 continued ……………………….

After Lunch someone will head over to ToT to pick up FP’s


Next up will be Animation. I’m allowing ourselves 1 hour here. Can anybody tell me if that is enough time? Or is it too much?

3:30 pm: Monsters inc **8 min wait**

3:43 pm: Muppets 3-D
** I might sit out on this one and hang back with Reya. DH prefers this show to the IT’S TOUGH TO BE A BUG. Vice Versa for me.

After the show we will head over to Bugs land to pick up a yummy Tinker Bell twist that I have heard so much about, then find some prime seats for the Parade. I can’t wait to sit, relax, people watch, and enjoy my delicious TBT.

Once the parade ends we will head over to ToT to use our FP’s

After riding ToT we will head towards the exit and if money and time allows we will make a stop to create our own Mr. Potato Heads!

DCA closes at 6:00pm this night so I think we MIGHT take advantage of this and head back to the hotel early in the night. Maybe go swimming, order some pizza, and just relax back at the room. Mmmmm Sounds nice.

Day 5 Coming up ………….. Universal Studios!

I can't help you with the Animation place. I can't recall how much time we've spent there. And I've never been there with kids at all.

I love to sit and people watch at the parks. We always leave time for that.

I did one of the Mr. Potato Head's a couple years ago. I think I may need to buy some more pieces if they have a lot of new stuff.

 

[team weasel]

OOOOOooooooooohhhhh you guys are going to have so much fun!!!!

Getting close now!

 

[reyasmommy]

Okay..... I really need some help here.

I'm "thinking" about booking a hollywood/LA tour with ((ALL ANAHEIM TOUR COMPANY)) when we go on our vacation. I can't decide which tour to do and need some help on which one would be the best.

Here's descriptions on the two I'm interested in :::::::

HOLLYWOOD/LA TOUR

Mann's Chinese Theater
Spend about 30 minutes here and walk in the footsteps of some of Hollywood’s most renowned celebrities. Stand on the Hollywood Walk of Fame where Marilyn Monroe, Steven Spielberg and hundreds of celebrities have their stars.

Sunset Strip
Cruise famous Sunset Strip for a glimpse of trendy Melrose Avenue and its unique and original shopping areas. Enjoy an approximately 90-minute driving tour.

Hard Rock Cafe:
Savor the atmosphere of posh Beverly Hills over lunch at the infamous Hard Rock Cafe at the Beverly Center (meal not included). Spend a few hours shopping, exploring and sightseeing.

Santa Monica:
Soak up the essence of the picture-perfect image of life in Los Angeles as we explore charming Santa Monica and the oldest pleasure pier on the West Coast - completely restored to its original magnificence. Broad, glistening, white sand beaches stretch for miles along scenic Santa Monica Bay.

We stop for about a few hours at Third Street Promenade or Venice Beach (traffic and weather determine the location). Browse among the unique shops and restaurants at either location!


GRAND TOUR OF LA

Description

Let our friendly knowledgeable driver-guide pick you up at your Anaheim hotel onboard our luxury air-conditioned motor coach. Enjoy expert narration as you hear the secrets of Los Angeles.

See the heart of this bustling city, Downtown LA. Stop at Olvera Street, the place where Los Angeles was born in 1781 (20 minutes approximately). Check out the theaters, water fountains, plazas and more at the Music Center (10 minutes approximately).

Cruise past where your favorite stars live and work. See the Hollywood Sign. Then, stop at Mann's Chinese Theatre for approximately 30 minutes to see the footprints and handprints of your favorite movie legends.

Then, it's on to Beverly Hills. Drive past homes of Hollywood's elite! Check out Rodeo Drive and Sunset Strip, playground of the stars. Ride through Chinatown & spend about 1 hour at the Farmer's Market. Stop and have lunch (meal not included).

Drive by Santa Monica Beach and see roller skaters with guitars and muscle men and women pumping iron (30 minutes approximately). Enjoy a 30-minute stop at Marina del Rey, the world's largest man-made small boat harbor, before to your Anaheim hotel.



**If anyone has done either of these tours I would really like to hear what you thought about
them.

And a couple of questions for those of you who know the area well.

1. Which one of these tours would be the best?
2. What is the Beverly Center ((is it just a glorified mall??)) and why would I want to spend several hours there?
3. What is the 3rd ST. promenade? Is it in walking distance to the beach?

 

[mommaU4]

1. Which one of these tours would be the best?
2. What is the Beverly Center ((is it just a glorified mall??)) and why would I want to spend several hours there?
3. What is the 3rd ST. promenade? Is it in walking distance to the beach?

Well shoot, is there a way to pick parts from both tours and create a new one??

Honestly, I've been everywhere on those tours many times, and it's hard to say which is best.

OK, Mann's Chinese Theater is a must see because it just is. I mean everyone has to take pics with the hand and foot prints. LOL So that part is good.
The Disney Soda Fountain is right across the street so if possible you should make a quick stop there too.

The Beverly Center is nice, and a stop at the Hard Rock Cafe would be fun for lunch, but did you say hours there?? Hmm, not unless you are really into shopping. And with kids, that's probably not a good idea.

I like that the second tour stops at Olvera Street. TAQUITOS!!!!! MMMMMMMM! LOL But only 20 minutes?? What's up with that? You don't need very long there but 20 minutes seems too quick.

The Promenade from what I can remember is a lot of shopping too. We went to the movies there once. It was awhile ago and I can't recall how far from there to the beach.
But I had to laugh at the description of Santa Monica as having "broad, glistening, white sand beaches". Unless they've cleaned it up a LOT since we were there last, Santa Monica is not known as one of the nicer beaches in CA. (No offense to anyone reading from the SM area. That's just always been our experience whenever we went.)
The pier is ok, but not the beach itself.

Is there anyway to rent a mini van or something and make your own tour? That would be best because then you could see the things you really want to see. And take as much or as little time as you need.

If that's out of the question, I'd go with Tour One, simply because Tour Two sounds like a lot of riding time seeing where "stars" work, shop and used to live and do you really care about that?

 

[travelmel]

Here is a link to a TR of a great couple who did what I think may be that exact tour.

It's a really good TR .... I think the Grand LA tour begins on page 23.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1792317&page=23

Lots of pics, too

 

[reyasmommy]

Huntington Beach or Newport Beach?!? Which is better and why??


OR.....

Are there any other beaches you would recommend?

 

[reyasmommy]

So we've decided that on one of the days we're in Anaheim my DB's family and mine are going to part ways for the day. I'm trying to figure out what we should to do. I originally was planning on doing an LA/Hollywod tour, but I'm starting to have second thoughts about that. I'd LOVE some ideas or suggestions. I know we would still like to do DL for a couple of hours just the 3 of us, but I also want to get out of the anaheim area for 1/2 a day. I'm pretty sure I want to go to the Chinese Theatre and the Disney Soda Fountain, plus hitting up a beach somewhere. ((Any suggestions?))

 

[mommaU4]

So we've decided that on one of the days we're in Anaheim my DB's family and mine are going to part ways for the day. I'm trying to figure out what we should to do. I originally was planning on doing an LA/Hollywod tour, but I'm starting to have second thoughts about that. I'd LOVE some ideas or suggestions. I know we would still like to do DL for a couple of hours just the 3 of us, but I also want to get out of the anaheim area for 1/2 a day. I'm pretty sure I want to go to the Chinese Theatre and the Disney Soda Fountain, plus hitting up a beach somewhere. ((Any suggestions?))

Can you rent a car?

 

[reyasmommy]

Can you rent a car?

We'll have our car with us.

 

[reyasmommy]

I went shopping today and picked up Reya a couple of shirts and a nightgown for our trip. I’d thought I’d share them you with.

DH and I took Reya to the pet store today to pick out her very own fish! She was extremely excited. So I’d like you to meet the newest Anderson family member…… NENO ….. I asked DD what she wanted his name to be , and she kept saying “Ne-No, Ne-No” ((obviously trying to say NEMO)) I thought it was the cutest thing ever so we named him Ne-No.

 

[mommaU4]

We'll have our car with us.

Ummm yeah, I knew that. I was just testing you.

Well, then I definitely think you should just take off on your own and do your own tour of Hollywood!

See the Mann's Chinese theater, take a few pics. Walk across the street to the Disney Soda Fountain, have lunch and some ice cream. If your interested, go to Olvera Street and get some taquitos, walk around the little stalls and shops.

I can't remember without looking back, but were you going to hit the beaches near/in San Diego?


I LOVE the clothes for Reya and the fish too! Ne-no.....how cute!

 

[travelmel]

PS: my two cents... Huntington over Newport...just because I'm more familiar with Huntington.

 

[Quest4fun]

Huntington Beach or Newport Beach?!? Which is better and why??
OR.....
Are there any other beaches you would recommend?

I'll try to lend a hand. I was born and raised in the area so I'll share what I know.

First and foremost. Skip the tours. They both sound pretty lousy. No offense if you've been on them and had a blast. You're better off hitting the staples on your own and skipping the shopping stops. Those tours won't hold much interest for kids or really any age. Here are some that they might enjoy.

Chinese Theater (walk of fame is right out front as well)
Griffith Observatory
Venice Beach
Santa Monica Pier

Back to Orange County and the beaches. Both Huntington and Newport are great in their own special way. If you want to actually lay on a towell and play in the surf then Huntington is the way to go. There is more parking near the beach. You'll have to pay for either but you won't have trouble getting a spot at Huntington. Newport has more to see if you want a beach to walk around at. Check out the Wedge while you're there. Large waves and daring people. Always entertaining year round.

Don't let the Nebraska location fool you. I just moved here a little over a year ago after almost 30 years in Orange County and LA.