Very Casual Trip Report - updates on Page 4.

[PrincessInOz]

Is that what American Girl is? I keep hearing about it and assumed it was some sort of tween fashion store or something

I love your photos from the observatory, even if you didn't have your best camera

I think they might have matching doll and owner dresses.

You should check out the website.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Haha Zanzibar, I also thought it was a fashion store for Tweens

Ha, times three. I thought it was a girls clothing store also.

Really enjoying the TR Kylie. Can't wait to read your Universal VIP post. I'm still not 100% decided whether or not we should do it. My wallet is screaming "No", but it looks so fantastic.

 

[kylieh]

Is that what American Girl is? I keep hearing about it and assumed it was some sort of tween fashion store or something

I love your photos from the observatory, even if you didn't have your best camera

Haha Zanzibar, I also thought it was a fashion store for Tweens

Loving the trip report kylieH

I think they might have matching doll and owner dresses.

You should check out the website.

Ha, times three. I thought it was a girls clothing store also.

Really enjoying the TR Kylie. Can't wait to read your Universal VIP post. I'm still not 100% decided whether or not we should do it. My wallet is screaming "No", but it looks so fantastic.

I think it is one of the best doll shops I've ever seen, and it is so geared toward the tween market. You can get some matching fashions for you and your doll. DD has a matching t-shirt, she did think about getting PJs as well, but decided upon more hair stuff! Plus there are people helping you find what you want, and they all know what they sell. And there are a lot of helpers to help you depart with your money

Here is the website: http://www.americangirl.com/index.php You can get a doll that is just like you with matching hair, eyes, skin tone etc, glasses, teeth braces, splints for broken arms, etc or something from the historical range, or a girl of the year. Plus then you get the doll's hair done, ear's pierced, etc, you can have a photo session with your doll too!

 

[aussie shaz]

I also loved the shopping trolley escalators. We saw them in a 2 storey Walmart in LA. Didn't get to use one though, unfortunately.

I must say that I am relieved that I have 2 boys, and so I don't have to part with that much money at American Girl! (I'm sure I'd have to make one for myself too)

Looking forward to your take on the VIP Universal tour. We loved ours but felt we needed another day there.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Fascinated by the escalators in Target! Glad your DS had a good time at American Girl - it is nice that she still treasures her dolls. I had a non-doll girl - she was the soft toy variety instead which was like me - mmm-genetics or environment? My DH would love to check out Frys! Looking forward to reading more.

 

[kylieh]

I also loved the shopping trolley escalators. We saw them in a 2 storey Walmart in LA. Didn't get to use one though, unfortunately.

I must say that I am relieved that I have 2 boys, and so I don't have to part with that much money at American Girl! (I'm sure I'd have to make one for myself too)

Looking forward to your take on the VIP Universal tour. We loved ours but felt we needed another day there.

Up soon, we felt thae same way about more time.

Fascinated by the escalators in Target! Glad your DS had a good time at American Girl - it is nice that she still treasures her dolls. I had a non-doll girl - she was the soft toy variety instead which was like me - mmm-genetics or environment? My DH would love to check out Frys! Looking forward to reading more.

We went to the Fish Markets in Sydney last night to get some prawns. Her doll needed to come with us. But it's Alice the Bear that still wins out at night!

 

[kylieh]

Wednesday - a do nothing much kind of day.

Whilst we were at the observatory I received an email that DD's doll had arrived and was put aside for her. So DH and I decided that given we had nothing else on it would be the time to get it, then drive around and do "whatever!"

We left around 10am and headed back to the Grove. We didn't tell DD till we were almost there for the surprise element.

We headed over to the Farmer's Market and wandered around. It's a lot smaller when there aren't a lot of people there. We had some morning tea...

We headed back into the Grove, and I needed to purchase DD some new walking shoes (as somehow I forgot to pack her goo ones.) We went into Nordstrom and payed full price, but we needed them. Sigh. But I couldn't believe the number of people taking their dogs in with them. Small ones that you fit in the handbag.

After Nordstrom we were going to have lunch, but we weren't that hungry so we decided to drive over the Santa Monica / Venice Beach type area. I had a look and found a Cheesecake Factory at Marina Del Ray which is the next suburb to Venice Beach, so we decided to head there for lunch. YUM.

The Cheesecake Factory at Marina Del Ray has an outdoor eating area, and we picked up a table right on the edge. It was about 20c and almost no clouds in the sky...

From our table.

These are all from the Lunch menu, and they were "smaller" portions.

I had Pasta

DH had Fish and Chips.

DD had Pizza and side salad.

I only got a pic of DD's dessert, the Oreo Cheesecake.

After lunch we decided to head to Venice Beach. We thought that DD was old enough to manage! So Navman got us to the Marina Del Ray meets Venice Beach point. DD wanted a Venice Beach sloppy joe, so we purchased that. We were thinking so what's the big deal as we walked up the beach, perhaps 500 metres or so. Then for one or two small blocks that's where you'll find the "crazies."

I did laugh at the "Medical Marijuana" medical centre / doctor, and they had heaps of people skating around with brochures encouraging you to see the Dr, and get your certificate. We only got one or two more locations past that and DD was becoming upset and wanted to go. So we walked back. At the corner store type place near where we parked the car, I went in to get a drink for all of us. The gent behind the counter was taking his aforementioned medicine and it filled the store. Glad I was the only one that went in...

We headed back to the house for some dinner and a rest. Up next will be Universal VIP.

 

[wiigirl]

Following along!

 

[Tashinwdw]

Enjoying your report. I am a sucker for food porn. Following along.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I love the doughnuts from Bob's...and they spell it in English properly too!
Shame you forgot the good shoes for DD. Do you and her like her new ones?

Love to CF foodporn. Looks like a lovely lunch with a view.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Love that cheesecake! Cheesecake factory is a must do for us next trip. We have only been to Venice Beach in 84 when it was trendy but not "crazy" (well not obviously)!

 

[kylieh]

Following along!

Enjoying your report. I am a sucker for food porn. Following along.

A little more to come.

I love the doughnuts from Bob's...and they spell it in English properly too!
Shame you forgot the good shoes for DD. Do you and her like her new ones?

Love to CF foodporn. Looks like a lovely lunch with a view.

DD loves them, I do too. We had her inserts with us, but even then you need to be careful. I think I was so much in holiday mode I didn't think to check. I was lucky they had he New Balances in the foot last that she needs, makes it easier.

The Cheesecake factory was great if you're in that part of town, beautiful view. Totally worth it.

Love that cheesecake! Cheesecake factory is a must do for us next trip. We have only been to Venice Beach in 84 when it was trendy but not "crazy" (well not obviously)!

What we thought was funny is how quick the sterotypical Venice Beach starts and Ends. It's like all perfect beach front, then a tiny street, and there it is.

 

[kylieh]

More trip report time.... the VIP tour at Universal.

Up to a month or so before we went DH and I were will we / won't we do the VIP tour. Perhaps we should day trip to San Fransisco instead. Perhaps we should normal Universal.... you know how it goes!

Then all of us saw the news report on Channel 7 where Mike Amour (sp?) went on the tour and reported on it. DD saw this and decided that was her preferred choice. As a reference, last trip in LA we did the Warner Bros Tour.

Cost was $300 each.

We started the day using Valet Parking (included, though you still need to tip.) We arrived around 9am and walked through City Walk at Universal Studios and it was pretty empty.

This is DD wearing her sloppy joe / jumper she purchased yesterday.

We were greeted when we arrived and directed to the waiting lounge. We were provided with a light breakfast, met our Guide and given a personal amenities pack.

The breakfast buffet.

The amenity pack containing mints, lip balm, hand sanitiser, and wet wipes. We were also given a lanyard to wear around the neck to ID us.

We met our tour guide Derek. There were two groups of 15 going that day, but both groups go on the same tour bus. So in our case 30 people on the bus. The other group's guide did the commentary on the bus to all of us.


Next post... more tour...

 

[kylieh]

The tour bit.

Once on the bus we followed a very similar route to the regular tour, we went past the Psycho House the onto part of the War of the Worlds set. This is where the tours is a little different to the regular one - we were able to get out and walk around.

We drove through Wisteria Lane

We went into the Props room - this part isn't on the regular tour either. We walked around the ground floor.

This whole section is generic Europe. Off the top of my head - Princess Diaries II (Genovia) and from Pirates of the Caribbean - can't remember the town name....

We didn't get to go the the Town Square from Back to The Future as they were filming something I realise it wasn't the original clock tower as it had burnt down, but was still hoping to be there.

We got to do the rest of the public tour parts - but still on the bus - like Jaws, the Flood scene, the Earthquake/King Kong, etc.

We were taken on the set of Parenthood - VIP people only - DH and I watch the show, so we were both familiar with what we were seeing.

That concluded the tour, perhaps it was just a bit under 1 1/2 hours.

From here, everyone who goes to Universal gets to do all this....

We were taken to the lower lot where we broke into our two groups and went to go on the rides and shows. We were all taken as VIPs and Escorted on, which was good. All three of us sat out Transformers and Revenge of the Mummy. But we didn't need to wait too long as the rest of the group went straight to the front. There was no pressure either way.

We then looked at a mini museum for Back to The Future.

The Delorian. You can see the Flux Capicitor.

Mr Fusion

We were given ponchos to go on Jurassic Park. DH sat it out, DD and I went on, front row This became DD's favourite ride and she went on it again, and again, and again later that day. More on that later.

We headed off to lunch which was a VIP only. Don't have any pics of this, but is was a standard buffet. Roasts, prawns, cold meats, salads, desserts. Quite nice.

After lunch were taken to the Animal Actors show, with very good seats. We all liked it. They did show how they film birds. There is a huge fan that provides resistance for the bird, then they green screen it.

Still being escorted as "VIPs" We went to the other two shows, then to the Simpsons Ride. I enjoyed the ride, but DD being very sensitive to her surroundings found the story line a bit too much :-(

The last show we saw was the Waterworld Stunt show. The stunts were good. It was then time or the Guide to say goodbye, and we had perhaps an hour or so before the park closed.

Next... after the tour.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I'm really enjoying this part of your TR as I'm in a real dilemma over whether I should do this tour.


How was the King Kong part of the tour? It looks quite intense.

 

[kylieh]

So after the tour you're left to do your own thing. Universal was closing at 5.30 that day, so not a lot of time. DD wanted to go on Jurassic Park again so we headed that way.

On the way down DH found the Blues Brothers Car. He loved that.

And DD found the Minions.

With the VIP pass you got to use the Front of Line all the time, not just once off. So DD made it a mission, and did Jurassic Park 5 times. It was too cold for DH and I to do that, so we drank Hot Chocolate and ate churros

DD on the front row by herself.

On a different ride through - very happy.

It was closing time, so we wandered back up to the main gate.

CityWalk at night.

Whilst at City Walk we decided to eat at Bubba Gumps for dinner. Compared to three years ago, it wasn't as good and I wouldn't recommend it for food. The service was great.

Both DH and I had fish and chips (of should I say batter and chips with a little fish thrown in)

DD had a kid's version of the same, and it came with blue jelly.

After dinner we headed outside for the fake snow. Love fake snow

Next post... was it worth the $300 each / our opinion on the whole VIP tour.

 

[kylieh]

I'm really enjoying this part of your TR as I'm in a real dilemma over whether I should do this tour.


How was the King Kong part of the tour? It looks quite intense.

King Kong - I'm glad I did YouTubes with DD before we went. It was full on. What made it a little more unbelievable - spoiler alert - is that the video is done with a regular tour tram picture, not the VIP van. The earthquake a little further on had a lot of action too, and it is phrased as "here is a set, it's of a railway station, etc...." Followed by some shaking, then "oh no, Earthquake..." If you weren't expecting it, it could be a little frightening.

On is it worth it / would we do it again - remembering that we did Warner Bros 2 hour tour a few years back. Warner Bros has 8 people per guide, on a golf cart, customised to your group.

It definitely wasn't worth it just for the back stage part. There were 30 people between the two guides and wasn't intimate. All that was different to the public tour was you walked through War of the Worlds, the ground floor of the prop room, and saw the Parenthood set. Plus lunch and breakfast included.

On the rides you were escorted to front of line for everything, and unlimited times. My understanding of the normal Front of Line pass is that you get one Front of Line only for each ride.

The shows was the same seating as the Front of Line tickets.

If I had one day and the behind the scenes was really important to me, I would do the VIP tour.
If I didn't wasn't worried about walking on the above sets I would do the Front of Line pass if busy, that has the standard public tour, about $150 each.
If I had a day and a half, I would do the 2 hour Warner Bros Studio Tour - around $45, then go to Universal with Front of Line if it was busy, and wouldn't worry if it wasn't. $80 without Front of Line.

Don't get me wrong, we were treated very nicely, and everyone greeted us, was polite, lunch was nice. But $900 for the three of us, perhaps not.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

But $900 for the three of us, perhaps not.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

My DH isn't keen on doing the VIP tour for the exact reason you mentioned above. After reading your review, I think that I'm now okay skipping it also.
I've never seen parenthood or War of the Worlds, so those extra stops probably wouldn't mean much to me. My main reason for wanting the VIP pass is to ride Transformers over and over again, but that just doesn't feel like enough of a reason to justify the extra cost.

 

[aussie shaz]

Loved hearing your take on the tour. Ours differed a little.

Firstly, we didn't get the amenities pack (we feel a little ripped off!)

Secondly, we only had about 12 people on our tour (we made up 7), so had a small VIP 'bus' and the one tour guide. He was wonderful and a lot of fun. He told the kids they needed to wave to the other normal buses because they would think we were celebrities, walking out and about on the tour.

We did get to stop off at the clock tower, so that was good.

We only had time to do the rides again once, so not much use in unlimited rides. We went on a busy Saturday on purpose, because the hours were longer, so we'd have more time after the tour. And the crowds wouldn't bother us because we were escorted everywhere and had front row seats at shows etc.

We did feel that we missed out on actually looking around the place. We walked from one place to another, and so obviously couldn't stop to get photos with characters etc. by the time the tour was over and we had redone the rides, some of the areas we wanted to go back to had closed.

Doing it again, I'd probably do front of line passes, doing all the rides early in the normal lines, and using the pass later in the day. I'd probably get a 2 day pass though, and really enjoy it.

We did only pay $260pp though, as I found a special on Viator.

 

[Caroline NZ]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

My DH isn't keen on doing the VIP tour for the exact reason you mentioned above. After reading your review, I think that I'm now okay skipping it also.
I've never seen parenthood or War of the Worlds, so those extra stops probably wouldn't mean much to me. My main reason for wanting the VIP pass is to ride Transformers over and over again, but that just doesn't feel like enough of a reason to justify the extra cost.

Wanderlust, we went mid week early Oct. We did the Simpsons ride first (walk on) and then the backlot tour. In the afternoon we did the Lowerlot (Transformers/Revenge of the Mummy/Jurassic Park) and waited no more than 5 mins for any of the rides. A number of times we were able to walk straight on from around 3pm onwards, this included Transformers.