Disney and LA Area

[PSU_Princess]

Sounds very similar to a trip that we just took:lol:

We spent 3 days at DL, one day in Napa Valley, and 2 days in San Fransico (there is a TR somewhere in the DL forum).

We took a self guided walking tour of SF. Took all day but we got to see pretty much everything we wanted to. The second day in SF we spent at Alcatraz. We were lucky that we were able to get tickets on the same day, but I would definetly recommend buying them early. We wanted to spend some time at Muir Woods (redwood forrest near SF) but we didn't have time. We ate twice at Boudin's at Fisherman's Wharf (once in the restaurant and once in the quick service area) both times the food was very good!!

 

[TP2000]

It must be 1989 for you since Spago Beverly Hills was built in 1997:hammer:

Yes, there is the "new" Spago in Beverly Hills. But the first Spago was next door in West Hollywood and it opened 25 years ago in 1982. The glory days of Spago were really the latter Reagan Years; 1985-88. While it is still a fine restaurant, particularly in its new, expanded location, it's not really on the cutting edge of trendy West LA eateries. It's the old workhorse of the bunch really.

When I think Spago, I think big 1980's Dynasty hair and men in Miami Vice suits; the movers, shakers and wannabe's of 1980's Hollywood.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

Hi Fan of Disney! I have a couple of reccomendations for you. I say this in every thread but do one of your counter service lunches at the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show in DL. It's a great show and a relaxing lunch.

Don't miss the Disney Soda Shop in Hollywood. Park at Hollywood and Highland -it's only $2 for four hours with validation. When you come up the escalator you'll be in an outdoor mall with lots of restaraunts and shops. The Kodak theater (they have tours) and Graumanns Chinese Mann theater are there. The Walk of fame is out front and Disney Soda Shop is right across the street. If you can, see a movie at the El Capitan it's attached to the soda shop. Then have a meal or at least some ice cream at the Soda Shop.

Universal is only two miles from there. The park is fun - not as good as Florida - and the backlot tour is great. Another good studio tour is NBC. About two months before write the Tonight Show at NBC (the address in on their website) and get tickets for the Tonight Show. Tickets are free and it's great fun to go see. If you're interested in other TV tapings check tvtix.com and tvtickets.com for shows that are taping when you're there. All tickets are free!

Ah yes, El Capitan and Mann's Theater are both on the list, and while I was on the web site for El Capitan, I cought the Disney Soda Shop info. Of course, no matter where we are, I HAVE to experience Disney. It drives my husband batty at times.

I was thinking about the NBC tour, a friend of the family took it two years ago and she loved it. We are hoping there is a good show taping while we are there, thank you for those sites!

I don't remember seeing anything on the Bill Hill and Hillbillies show, so I will have to check that out.

Thanks for the info!

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

Sounds very similar to a trip that we just took:lol:

We spent 3 days at DL, one day in Napa Valley, and 2 days in San Fransico (there is a TR somewhere in the DL forum).

We took a self guided walking tour of SF. Took all day but we got to see pretty much everything we wanted to. The second day in SF we spent at Alcatraz. We were lucky that we were able to get tickets on the same day, but I would definetly recommend buying them early. We wanted to spend some time at Muir Woods (redwood forrest near SF) but we didn't have time. We ate twice at Boudin's at Fisherman's Wharf (once in the restaurant and once in the quick service area) both times the food was very good!!

PSU Princess, I read your TR on San Fran, and I like the idea of doing a self- guided tour. We tend to be very independant people on trips, I am not one for taking tours with a ton of people I don't know.

Thanks for the tips too!

Oh, and the kitty in your avatar looks like one of my cats, Leia!

 

[isitingood]

Yes, there is the "new" Spago in Beverly Hills. But the first Spago was next door in West Hollywood and it opened 25 years ago in 1982. The glory days of Spago were really the latter Reagan Years; 1985-88. While it is still a fine restaurant, particularly in its new, expanded location, it's not really on the cutting edge of trendy West LA eateries. It's the old workhorse of the bunch really.

When I think Spago, I think big 1980's Dynasty hair and men in Miami Vice suits; the movers, shakers and wannabe's of 1980's Hollywood.

I wasn't talking about the one built in 1982,and it is still a popular restaurant:wave:

 

[PSU_Princess]

PSU Princess, I read your TR on San Fran, and I like the idea of doing a self- guided tour. We tend to be very independant people on trips, I am not one for taking tours with a ton of people I don't know.

Thanks for the tips too!

Oh, and the kitty in your avatar looks like one of my cats, Leia!

My hubby found the walking tour in a AAA book. It was definetly worth the long day of walking.

My kitty is Layla

 

[maelstrom]

We stayed at the Universal Sheraton and Universal Hilton when we went to Hollywood. We went to Universal (more for the studio than the theme park), Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, La Brea tar pits, Pacific Coast Highway (my mom got to see Thelma Todd's cafe), Chinese Theatre, El Capitan, and a bunch of other things. It was a long time ago so I don't remember it too well.

We stayed at some Holiday Inn in San Francisco. We went to Haight-Ashbury which is pretty cool if you like that kind of thing. We also did a lot of walking on Fisherman's Wharf, went to Ghirardelli and Chinatown, walked up Lombard Street, took a trolley, etc. Be prepared for a lot of hill climbing if you're going to be walking around.

Disneyland! I haven't been there in 7 years and all of my memories of my trips there are trippy for some reason. It's so different now that I can't really even help you out, except that you should ride the Matterhorn, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybookland Canal Boats, and it's a small world (it goes outside!).

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

We stayed at the Universal Sheraton and Universal Hilton when we went to Hollywood. We went to Universal (more for the studio than the theme park), Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, La Brea tar pits, Pacific Coast Highway (my mom got to see Thelma Todd's cafe), Chinese Theatre, El Capitan, and a bunch of other things. It was a long time ago so I don't remember it too well.

We stayed at some Holiday Inn in San Francisco. We went to Haight-Ashbury which is pretty cool if you like that kind of thing. We also did a lot of walking on Fisherman's Wharf, went to Ghirardelli and Chinatown, walked up Lombard Street, took a trolley, etc. Be prepared for a lot of hill climbing if you're going to be walking around.

Disneyland! I haven't been there in 7 years and all of my memories of my trips there are trippy for some reason. It's so different now that I can't really even help you out, except that you should ride the Matterhorn, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybookland Canal Boats, and it's a small world (it goes outside!).

I am very excited about the rides in DL, since Small World goes outside, they have an alice in wonderland ride, the pirates ride is longer (and most say better) and the Matterhorn, and California Screamin', and Casey's train and the storybookland boats and mr. toad's wild ride, and the new nemo ride......

I could go on for a while.

I am torn on the Universal studios thing, I would love to go and do the studio part, but do you have to pay admission to get in to the park, or is the tour seperate?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I am torn on the Universal studios thing, I would love to go and do the studio part, but do you have to pay admission to get in to the park, or is the tour seperate?

You have to buy admission into the theme park.

 

[alecshawn]

It must be 1989 for you since Spago Beverly Hills was built in 1997:hammer:

LOL!!!!!! Yep Spago B.H. wasnt there untill 97!!!
Definately do Spago B.H. and Pinks hot dogs. Newport Beach is GREAT..Hollywood is nice..Much cleaner than it was a few years ago. Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive) is ALWAYS nice. Goto the Sunset Strip and eat at Mels drive in. GREAT Hollywood experience.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

LOL!!!!!! Yep Spago B.H. wasnt there untill 97!!!
Definately do Spago B.H. and Pinks hot dogs. Newport Beach is GREAT..Hollywood is nice..Much cleaner than it was a few years ago. Beverly Hills (Rodeo Drive) is ALWAYS nice. Goto the Sunset Strip and eat at Mels drive in. GREAT Hollywood experience.

My husband mentioned going to Pinks, and someone else mentioned Mels drive in. I will have to add those to my list, thanks!

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

changed once again

Ok, so here is the long story short. My husband has decided he does not want to be married anymore. So, last night we decided that we need to get divorced.

I am not telling everyone for sympathy, but I am telling because this big California trip we had plan is obviously off. However, the plane ticket is paid for, the hotel is free, and I have 500 rewards dollars from my disney visa.

So, I have decided to take my first solo travel ever to Disneyland. I switched my flight so I am going Monday-Friday, still staying with dad's vacation club points at Disneyland Hotel, and I have 500 rewards dollars plus 50 disney dollars.

So, here is my question. I get in at 9 am to LAX from Chicago on the monday. I currently have a vehicle rented, since I do want to take a few hours to check out some sites around LA (hollywood sign, in and out burger, etc). And I want to stop by one of the disney outlets.

Would you recommend a rental car, or taking a taxi? I know it is pretty expensive to do a taxi roundtrip, should I stick with the car? I don't mind traffic and I am good with directions.

Any thoughts?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I'm so sorry fanofdisney! I'm glad you're still going. You probably need a vacation.

If you are going a few different places and don't mind driving in traffic, I'd definitely go with a rental car. They can be cheap and you'll get a lot more flexibility.

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

It's good that you're still going. What better place to forget your troubles for a little while than Disneyland?

IMHO a rental car is the best and cheapest way to go.

 

[primetime52]

In Beverly Hills eat at Spago's you will probably see some stars.
The Rusty Pelican is a fantastic Restaurant on the water in Newport Beach.
You can't go to L.A. without eating at Pinks Hot Dog stand on La Brea ave No matter what time of day you will always be waiting in line. I met Celine Dion at Pinks. Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise,Tom Hanks and Steven Speilberg visit Pinks often:wave:

Wow! I had no idea the Rusty Pelican was a chain!! We have one in Miami and I always thought it was an original. I eat there at least 7 or 8 times a year.

 

[kirst_al UK]

Ok, here is my updated info on my trip, I would love to hear some feedback if you have any!

We are flying Soutwest from Chicago Midway to LAX on Friday Oct 5th, landing about 2 pm LA time.

We are staying at the Beverly Pavillion in Bevery Hills (we got a great rate on the rooms!) from the 5th and checking out the 8th.

We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel (on dad's vacation club points) from the 8-12th.

This is what we was thinking of doing on our trip however, as we are on a budget, would anyone recommend any hotels within distance of the Beverley Hills sights rather than having to pay the prices of the "biggies" in the centre?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I LOVE the Renaissance on Hollywood and Highland but it can be pricey. There's a Best Western on Highland that I've stayed at before too. It was a good price and close to everything.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

It's good that you're still going. What better place to forget your troubles for a little while than Disneyland?

IMHO a rental car is the best and cheapest way to go.

Exactly! I am glad I am going, it does give me something to look forward to (that, and my sister's wedding next month).

I think I will stick with the rental car. I did mapquest directions from LAX to the Disney Outlet Store just north of Anaheim (and the In-n-0ut burger right by the outlet store), and I have checked out the traffic patterns of LA, and I am fairly certain that I can handle the drive by myself.

If I can handle Chicago traffic in the dead of winter with loads of construction, I think I can handle LA traffic.

 

[Rufus T Firefly]

I
If I can handle Chicago traffic in the dead of winter with loads of construction, I think I can handle LA traffic.

You'll be just fine with the traffic.

I have two "must dos" for you. I'm not sure if the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay at the HM will be up by then, but if it is , don't miss it.

And, be sure to check out the Aladdin stage show at DCA.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

You'll be just fine with the traffic.

I have two "must dos" for you. I'm not sure if the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay at the HM will be up by then, but if it is , don't miss it.

And, be sure to check out the Aladdin stage show at DCA.

I think that there is a party similar to the WDW's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party? Does that sound right?