2013 Dis Exclusive BackstageMagic Adventure 6/9 - 6/14/13

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

If after reading this you still think this would bore you, then you are absolutely correct in skipping this and going on a studio tour.

There is something for everyone.

Hmmm, the food vendors do peak my interest a bit, especially a good corned beef sandwhich! Based on your dining reviews I think we have very similar tastes in food/restaurants, so we might have to give it a try.

The shopping and celeb spotting not so appealing to me. DD has always been more into Legos than dolls, so one of the few little girls in america that's never had an American Girl doll.

It's still not likely we will have the time for it this trip, though I bet my wife would really like it. Hollywood fascinates me in a way that I think is different from most of America. I would rather meet the writers or producers of a television show than any of the actors. Even talking with a propmaster or stunt co-ordinator would be so cool. That really why my preference would be to take my extra day and get to a studio tour. I realize this is what we will be doing all week to some degree, but I can't get enough. However, being a Saturday/Sunday perhaps we can't do that...I will certainly consider the Farmer's Market as a 2nd option!

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

History says this was where James Dean ate just before his auto accident, which killed him.

This sentence made me laugh, as when I first read it the thing that popped into my mind was "Eating at DuPar's killed James Dean?"

[DisneyKevin]

Originally Posted by skier_pete

Hmmm, the food vendors do peak my interest a bit, especially a good corned beef sandwhich! Based on your dining reviews I think we have very similar tastes in food/restaurants, so we might have to give it a try.

The shopping and celeb spotting not so appealing to me. DD has always been more into Legos than dolls, so one of the few little girls in america that's never had an American Girl doll.

It's still not likely we will have the time for it this trip, though I bet my wife would really like it. Hollywood fascinates me in a way that I think is different from most of America. I would rather meet the writers or producers of a television show than any of the actors. Even talking with a propmaster or stunt co-ordinator would be so cool. That really why my preference would be to take my extra day and get to a studio tour. I realize this is what we will be doing all week to some degree, but I can't get enough. However, being a Saturday/Sunday perhaps we can't do that...I will certainly consider the Farmer's Market as a 2nd option!



This sentence made me laugh, as when I first read it the thing that popped into my mind was "Eating at DuPar's killed James Dean?"

Of the studio tours I in which I have participated, meeting the writers, stunt folks, prop masters etc was not part of the tour. It's usually things like seeing the backlot, sound stages and seeing where things are filmed. "This is the soundstage where Everybody Loves Raymond was filmed." That kind of thing.

Unless you are very familiar with the writers or producers, they are less easy to spot than the actors. There is a low recognizability factor to the off camera folks. Unless they are walking around in an "I Produced XXXX" tshirt, you might have trouble finding them.

I want you to know that I wasnt trying to sell you on going to the Farmer's Market. I dont really have a stake in whether you go or not. I was just trying to answer your question.

We have always found lots of stuff to do. On our last trip, we went to the Santa Monica Pier, The La Brea tar pits and museum, the Griffith Observatory (absolutely cool even if you have no interest in the actual observatory).

All of this was free (no admission), but we had a car and that made transportation easy.

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

Of the studio tours I in which I have participated, meeting the writers, stunt folks, prop masters etc was not part of the tour. It's usually things like seeing the backlot, sound stages and seeing where things are filmed. "This is the soundstage where Everybody Loves Raymond was filmed." That kind of thing.

Unless you are very familiar with the writers or producers, they are less easy to spot than the actors. There is a low recognizability factor to the off camera folks. Unless they are walking around in an "I Produced XXXX" tshirt, you might have trouble finding them.

I want you to know that I wasnt trying to sell you on going to the Farmer's Market. I dont really have a stake in whether you go or not. I was just trying to answer your question.

We have always found lots of stuff to do. On our last trip, we went to the Santa Monica Pier, The La Brea tar pits and museum, the Griffith Observatory (absolutely cool even if you have no interest in the actual observatory).

All of this was free (no admission), but we had a car and that made transportation easy.

No - I know the tours do not involve meeting writers or producers, just seeing backstage areas, but that's cool enough for me. I was just showing examples on what interests me about Hollywood - not "celebrities" put "operations", probably the same thing that makes me want to take this tour. Actually I'm nerdy enough that I would probably recognize a few of the bigger name producers - and not just Jerry Bruckheimer. (Directors too, I'd rather get my picture taken with Brad Bird than Tom Cruise.)

And I know you weren't trying to sell me on the Farmer's Market. I really appreciated your feedback about what made it special versus any plain old Farmer's Market!

[PumpkinPilot]

Welcome Mandy & Phillip, Lisa & John!

Regarding pre ABD activities - Kat and I are planning on arriving LAX June 3rd then driving up to San Francisco checking out Big Sur and a few other highlights on the way. A few days there including a day at the Walt Disney Family Museum and then flying back down to LAX on the 9th in time to start our adventure!

Post night stays are still being worked out. Does anyone know if it's possible to do ABD post nights at an alternative Disney resort? We'd love to check out the Disneyland hotel for 1 or 2 nights but don't know if we can still take advantage of the ABD airport transfer back to LAX at the end of our stay?

Getting super excited the more I think about this trip, then I look at the calendar and it still seems sooo far away!

Adam

[DisneyKevin]

Originally Posted by PumpkinPilot

Does anyone know if it's possible to do ABD post nights at an alternative Disney resort? We'd love to check out the Disneyland hotel for 1 or 2 nights but don't know if we can still take advantage of the ABD airport transfer back to LAX at the end of our stay?

ABD's contract is with the Grand Californian only. They can not provide additional nights at any of the other hotels.

If you want to stay at a different DL hotel, Dreams Unlimited Travel can provide a price quote, but it would be a separate reservation and transfers would not be included.

[skier_pete]

I just noticed John and Kevin's names have been removed from the front page. Does this mean you guys won't be making the trip? I was looking forward to meeting you!

[DisneyKevin]

Originally Posted by skier_pete

I just noticed John and Kevin's names have been removed from the front page. Does this mean you guys won't be making the trip? I was looking forward to meeting you!

Just saw this. Sorry for the delay in responding.

At this point, I dont think John and I will be participating.

With the amount of travel we do, it's hard to fit everything in.

No final descisions have been made.

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

Just saw this. Sorry for the delay in responding.

At this point, I dont think John and I will be participating.

With the amount of travel we do, it's hard to fit everything in.

No final descisions have been made.

Oh well, we will miss meeting you in person, but completely understand! Even for those of us that love to travel, there's only so much you can take before the fun starts to fade.

[Lee Disney]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

Just saw this. Sorry for the delay in responding.

At this point, I dont think John and I will be participating.

With the amount of travel we do, it's hard to fit everything in.

No final descisions have been made.

[WebmasterJohn]

I see that there is some interest in the LA Farmers Market.

I just published a blog about it on the FoodieTales site - http://foodietales.com/2012/09/foodi...es-california/

This is a 'must do' for Kevin and I on any ABD trip we go on.

[OKW Lover]

Originally Posted by WebmasterJohn

I see that there is some interest in the LA Farmers Market.

I just published a blog about it on the FoodieTales site - http://foodietales.com/2012/09/foodi...es-california/

This is a 'must do' for Kevin and I on any ABD trip we go on.

Thanks for reminding me to check your foodie site John. Its not yet in my regular browsing habits - I'm going to have to work on that!

Val & I did the Farmer's Market before the BSM trip this summer and really enjoyed it. We were there with some other DIS'ers and found the most difficult thing was deciding which place to eat at. I honestly don't recall where we did wind up eating but I know that there were many, many more places that we wanted to try.

Also enjoyed browsing through the specialty food and wine markets there. Mr Marcel's was very, very tempting.

[WebmasterJohn]

Originally Posted by OKW Lover

Thanks for reminding me to check your foodie site John. Its not yet in my regular browsing habits - I'm going to have to work on that!

There's a place on site where you can get added to the mailing list and I will send you an email whenever a new blog is posted.

This mailing list is strictly for blog posting announcements and I will never sell or distribute your email address to anyone - in case you were worried about that

[OKW Lover]

Originally Posted by WebmasterJohn

There's a place on site where you can get added to the mailing list and I will send you an email whenever a new blog is posted.

Done!

[Disneygrl36]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

Just saw this. Sorry for the delay in responding.

At this point, I dont think John and I will be participating.

With the amount of travel we do, it's hard to fit everything in.

No final descisions have been made.

Awwww.....I hope you guys decide to come. I was really looking forward to meeting you.

[skier_pete]

Originally Posted by WebmasterJohn

I see that there is some interest in the LA Farmers Market.

I just published a blog about it on the FoodieTales site - http://foodietales.com/2012/09/foodi...es-california/

This is a 'must do' for Kevin and I on any ABD trip we go on.

Oh boy, that corned beef sandwhich looks great. I can see the nice thick slabs of beef jutting out the side. You and Kevin are making me think seriously about a stop here! Though I have to admit I was also thinking of trying to track down Phillipe's - not sure if you have heard of it, but the place where the "French Dipped" sandwhich was supposedly invented? More mouth-watering goodness! Though, that seems more out of the way than the Farmer's Market would be.

BTW, I really enjoy your FoodieTales site, though I haven't signed up for the e-mails yet, I just check it out once a week or so. I love the concept of having a site for recommendations by locals and travelers that includes reviews AND pictures. Us DISers get so used to our food porn. I have to submit some of my own ideas for the "Eat like a local" segment! (Though not all of them are local to where I live now.)