Southern California - Backstage Magic - Trip Report

[Dolby1000]

Hi there! This is Dolby1000 and me and my DW just got home, literally an hour ago from our Backstage Magic tour.

I plan on posting a highly detailed trip report soon, but I wanted to share some immediate things.

Our trip was:
Day One:
Day Two:
Day Three:
Day Four:
Dave Five:

The really best thing I can say is that if given the choice to spend the $$$$ again, knowing now what I didn't know then, would we do the whole thing over again?

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. So, as I post the report in the coming days:

Did Dolby1000 and DW, taking our first ever group trip:

Did we get a pre-meal in at In and Out Burger?
Did we get to sit with a genuine celebrity?
Whose chimney and flagpole did we drive past?
What theatre is now named in my user name or, do you want to walk down the red carpet or do you want to go to the mall?
What Major award did we hold?
What do we mean when we say we got "Lucky"
Was it beneath us to see Soarin?
How you can ride GRR and SM and not get a single drop of water on you?
Double Nickel - Double Double (what the heck does that mean)
Looking down the long black tubes
Bringing out the spirit of Boba Fett

So, lots to write, but now, after 6 long, long (but outstandingly great) days, I need to go to bed.

It was all, all good.

Except

I HATE JUNE GLOOM!!!!!!

G'night all. But do come on back.

Dolby1000

 

[sayhello]

Ooooo! I'm intrigued!

Looking forward to your report!

Sayhello

 

[jnjusoioa]

I can't wait to hear this trip report, hope there will be lots of photos as well. Really thinking hard about doing this trip so will be great to hear an updated trip report on this.

 

[DisneyKevin]

There are some "magical moment" surprises on this Adventure.

I would hope that not all of the surprises would be given away.

And is it ok for me to now say "I told you so?"

 

[guess1928]

can't wait to hear about this, I am thinking of going in October but want to make sure I'm not going to regret the cost. I've never been to Disneyland so I don't know if this is a good way to visit.

 

[sayhello]

can't wait to hear about this, I am thinking of going in October but want to make sure I'm not going to regret the cost. I've never been to Disneyland so I don't know if this is a good way to visit.

I haven't done this trip, but from what I've heard from others, I think you'd really want to consider adding some extra days at Disneyland after the adventure.

Sayhello

 

[Dolby1000]

There are some "magical moment" surprises on this Adventure.

I would hope that not all of the surprises would be given away.

And is it ok for me to now say "I told you so?"

Yes, you get a small I told you so.

So, as detailed as my report will be, no, any true surprises will be kept within our group, I spoke with the guides and we pretty much agreed on how far I will take the trip report.

I guarantee that one huge, monster thing from the Muppet Studios will stay secret. It will be hard since it was one of the most oustanding, stupendous, outrageous mind-blowing things I have ever , ever seen.
But, I have sworn to its secrecy.

In the words of the cars.com commercial:
Hey baby, you want this tour!!!!

For those considering it, I would agree that adding a day or two at DL or DCA is a good idea. The tour does a GREAT job going over the theme parks, but there is no way they can do everything. And if you have personal favorites, you can then spend some time there.

Day 1 coming up! But it is nice outside and the pool is calling.

Dolby1000

 

[hollypoast]

I was just looking at this tour this morning online wondering if it is really worth the cost. I can't wait to read your report. Two questions:

-Do you need to be a huge Disney to enjoy this tour?
-Did you do the tour with or without kids? (not that I'm sure I could afford this trip for all 5 of us anyway)

 

[MickeyWatch]

This is your Fellow Adventurer, Patti. I would call you by your new Disney name but I don't want to spoil the surprise. I am looking forward to reading your report so I can fill in the missing information in my travel journal. Your daily notes were much better than mine.

Where did you get the energy to start this TR so soon after we returned? I am still unpacking and doing laundry.

 

[scottmel]

A friend of mine suggested I look into this tour.we do WDW every June and thought this might be a nice variation. Looking forward to it!

quick question for you or anyone else - are there ever any discounts? You know how disney always has seasonal room specials? Are ABD ever discounted? Looking for June/July 2013. thanks! Also anyone else chime in if this is a good tour for 13 yo girl, etc.

 

[sayhello]

A friend of mine suggested I look into this tour.we do WDW every June and thought this might be a nice variation. Looking forward to it!

quick question for you or anyone else - are there ever any discounts? You know how disney always has seasonal room specials? Are ABD ever discounted? Looking for June/July 2013. thanks! Also anyone else chime in if this is a good tour for 13 yo girl, etc.

ABD does occasionally discount tours, but it's usually only specific dates that aren't selling. Backstage Magic it pretty popular, so I wouldn't count on it being discounted. (I think it was last year, ABD offered a discount on "selected North American itineraries", and it was pretty much all of the North America trips *except for* Backstage Magic.)

Sometimes Travel Agents (such as Dreams Unlimited) will offer their own discounts or rebates of some kind (like Gift Cards). I'd look into something like that if you're looking for a discount.

Sayhello

 

[Dolby1000]

This is your Fellow Adventurer, Patti. I would call you by your new Disney name but I don't want to spoil the surprise. I am looking forward to reading your report so I can fill in the missing information in my travel journal. Your daily notes were much better than mine.

Where did you get the energy to start this TR so soon after we returned? I am still unpacking and doing laundry.

Glad to see you made it home safely. Was your flight home as bumpy as ours? Seat belt signs were on all the way from Denver!

The actual report I won't get started until Monday, but I couldn't fall asleep last night (I guess I was still on CA time) so I did the brief post. And I did kind've owe Kevin the note that we did really enjoy the trip.

And, to the other previous poster, I would say yes, being a fan of Disney does make portions of the trip more memorable.

As for bringing kids on the trip, well, DW and I don't have kids, but I can say that the ones on the trip, especially Margret (i know I spelled that wrong) and Sarah (they became best buds), then there were the brothers Ben, Nick and, Adam who never, ever said a cross word to each other and made me laugh constantly, Alex, my 15 year old Star Tours bud, Ohio State bound Tyler, 16 year old Tess, traveling with her Mother, who, at the end of one day said her face hurt because she had been smiling so much, and a few others whose names I forget at the moment, but they all brought an element of joy, fun and surprise to the trip that really caught me off guard. DW and I never had kids, but if we did, I would hope they would have been half as great as the ones on this trip. My hat's off to these great kids and their outstanding parents.

Dolby1000 (Patti, look at my sig, I gave that part away all ready)

 

[MickeyWatch]

Also anyone else chime in if this is a good tour for 13 yo girl, etc.

My 12 year do daughter and I were on the tour with Dolby 1000 and she absolutely loved it. There were a few stops that weren't the most interesting for a child (backstage ride maintenance tour and talks) but there was so many cool things to keep the kids interested. This was one of her best vacations ever.

 

[Miss SD]

Also anyone else chime in if this is a good tour for 13 yo girl, etc.

My 12 year do daughter and I were on the tour with Dolby 1000 and she absolutely loved it. There were a few stops that weren't the most interesting for a child (backstage ride maintenance tour and talks) but there was so many cool things to keep the kids interested. This was one of her best vacations ever.

My daughter took the tour when she was 11 and will do it again this summer at age 13. She loved it the first time, and she's looking forward to it again. She (to her surprise) really enjoyed Jim Henson Studios, which started her on a real Muppets kick.

One question for you guys: Does the tour still include breakfast at the Disney Soda Fountain (for the first full day of the trip)? I know some people didn't like the food, but we thought it was OK and that the atmosphere was fun.

 

[Dolby1000]

My daughter took the tour when she was 11 and will do it again this summer at age 13. She loved it the first time, and she's looking forward to it again. She (to her surprise) really enjoyed Jim Henson Studios, which started her on a real Muppets kick.

One question for you guys: Does the tour still include breakfast at the Disney Soda Fountain (for the first full day of the trip)? I know some people didn't like the food, but we thought it was OK and that the atmosphere was fun.

We had both Hollywood breakfasts at the Renissance hotel resturant and they did a great job. It was buffet, but they did have an omelet and waffle station, along with all the other stuff. I don't recall anyone going hungry or complaining.

We did eat there for dinner and ice cream (will go over in detail on my first day report I hope to post tomorrow) and enjoyed it very much.

Dolby1000

 

[Miss SD]

We had both Hollywood breakfasts at the Renissance hotel resturant and they did a great job. It was buffet, but they did have an omelet and waffle station, along with all the other stuff. I don't recall anyone going hungry or complaining.

We did eat there for dinner and ice cream (will go over in detail on my first day report I hope to post tomorrow) and enjoyed it very much.

Dolby1000

Thanks for letting me know! Loved Twist too. We went to a D23 event at El Cap and spent the night there just so we could have a "Twist" breakfast. Looking forward to your trip report!

 

[emesmom]

My daughter & I were looking forward to this tour, but now I am super excited! I knew there would be surprises, not listed in the info they send, since this will be our 3rd ABD trip...I can't wait.....fortunately I don't have too long to wait

 

[sayhello]

My daughter & I were looking forward to this tour, but now I am super excited! I knew there would be surprises, not listed in the info they send, since this will be our 3rd ABD trip...I can't wait.....fortunately I don't have too long to wait

emesmom, have a FABULOUS trip! Be sure & stop back & tell us all about it!!

Sayhello