Make the convention part of a vacation!

alsplacebartender

alsplacebartender

Al's Place Bartender - Brian Greene
Staff member
Jul 10, 2002
6,032
386
83
Mount Airy, North Carolina
www.quantumleap-alsplace.com
If you have never been to California before (I haven't) then why not do as I am and make the convention part of a great vacation? See Disneyland, Universal Studios, etc.

Visit any number of movie studios, see Beverly Hills, meet stars out on the streets!

And while there, take in the convention!
 
I plan to take a two-week journey across the United States and back, stopping at points of interest along the way. I also plan to see the sights in LA, as I haven't been there yet. I'd really like to make the trip on my motorcycle, but I think I won't. :moon Ouch.
 
I'm planning (hoping) to make it a huge vacation for me. I still have family living in Bakersfield and Fresno, so I'm hoping to go visit them while I'm out there. And since I'd already be heading four hours north of LA for Fresno, I might as well go a couple more hours and visit my all-time favorite place in California--Happy Valley Conference Center, a beautiful campground not far from Santa Cruz (it was the setting for my VS story, "Valley of Death").

I'm also hoping to go to Disneyland, too. I just realized that as of August this year, it'll have been 20 years since the first time I went to Disneyland; in May this year, it'll have been 17 years since the last time I went to Disneyland.

So, I think it's high time that I visit again. I've recently been getting sucked into the whole Disney Princess thing and also becoming a fan of Alice in Wonderland, so I'm eager to check out the park; plus, I want to go on the revamped Pirates ride, and see Jack Sparrow in person.

So... yeah, I'm planning/hoping to make it a huge vacation. Now all I need is money. LOL

Joy
 
Just wanted to throw out there if anyone has any questions about Disneyland, or Disney park touring in general, feel free to shoot them my way. :)
 
The Roger Rabbit ride. How was Disney able to do that when the rights are split between them and Ablim entertainment? It's the reason why the Disney MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) no longer has their Roger Rabbit attraction, and why he's not a costume character. Hmm? ;)
 
alsplacebartender said:
If you have never been to California before (I haven't) then why not do as I am and make the convention part of a great vacation? See Disneyland, Universal Studios, etc.

Visit any number of movie studios, see Beverly Hills, meet stars out on the streets!

And while there, take in the convention!
Click to expand...
I think this is a great idea: in fact, Hubby and I are planning to make this the trip of a lifetime! (Three weeks: Honolulu, LA, a train trip across country visiting the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, a couple of days in NYC, fly back to Vegas, [STAR TREK THE EXPERIENCE!! YEAH BABY!!] and then back to LA for a week including the Con.)
 
Josh said:
The Roger Rabbit ride. How was Disney able to do that when the rights are split between them and Ablim entertainment? It's the reason why the Disney MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) no longer has their Roger Rabbit attraction, and why he's not a costume character. Hmm? ;)
Click to expand...

What Roger Rabbit attraction is this? Are you sure you're not confusing the former MGM (now Disney's Hollywood Studios) with Toontown in Disneyland, which, to my knowledge, is the only park to have a Roger Rabbit ride in it. (namely, Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin)

Or, are you talking about the steamroller at the gift shop near the Backlot Tour, which was removed as part of the construction back by Mickey Avenue for Toy Story Mania, due to open this summer (at the Studios AND Disneyland)?
 
The ToonTown Spin. News of the steam roller going away upsets me. I'm going to cry in a corner with my limited edition Roger pins now. ;)

Either way, I'll probably only have time to make it to the Castle.
 
How much does it cost to go to Disneyland, and how many days are needed? What exactly is Disneyland? Is it a themed amusement park with only rides, or are there other things there?
 
Al The Observer said:
How much does it cost to go to Disneyland, and how many days are needed? What exactly is Disneyland? Is it a themed amusement park with only rides, or are there other things there?
Click to expand...

Disneyland is the first ever true theme park, built by Walt Disney himself. It's got a historical ambience none of the other Disney parks have. It opened in 1955, but has changed much through the years, with some attractions being replaced by new ones, or refurbished (i.e, the addition of a few Jack Sparrow animatronics to the classic Pirates of the Caribbean ride). You'll find many rides, from slow to thrill-seeking, as well as quite a few shows. Theming and incredible attention to detail, even in the queue lines down to the trash cans themed to whatever "land" you are in. A few years back they opened Disney's California Adventure next door to Disneyland, which offers a whole new slew of attractions and shows. As far as cost, the link Emma provided should help you figure it out.

I used two-plus days just for Disneyland alone in 1999 (DCA wasn't open yet), but I'm a Disney aficionado and so part of our time was a 4- or 5-hour tour called "Walk in Walt's Footsteps"
 
i'm planing to come to the convention just found out that i have to pay £65 for a visa as i have a old style passport without the eletronic chip so i might just pay £72 and get a new passport with a chip even tho i still have 4 years left on my current passport , dont need a visa if i have a passport with a chip, will only be coming over for the convention days but will spend the last day before going back home around la sight seeing as my flight would leave at 8.50pm that night :)
 
If enough people (preferably single unattached women) plan to come into LA early, I can rent a van and show you around some sites. I hate acting like a tourist but love to show off what I know about LA.
p060.gif


p065.gif
 
I think that's a cool idea as I'd rather not drive around LA myself and it's nice to have someone who knows where he's going. However, my hubby wouldn't like it if I pretend that I'm single. :)
 
Classical Theories said:
If enough people (preferably single unattached women) plan to come into LA early, I can rent a van and show you around some sites. I hate acting like a tourist but love to show off what I know about LA.
p060.gif


p065.gif
Click to expand...

Marc if you are serious, I'd so love to be in on that, The idea of trying to see the sites by myself is a bit daunting. And wouldn't it be loads of fun a whole bunch of us doing the touristy thing together, I can just see it, loud music, loads of laughing, lots of pictures taken (of each other being stupid.... not the sites) I thought about renting something myself, but i'd probably drive on wrong side of road. We can all share the cost too!! I was hoping to be in LA for prior 2 weeks!!
 
You're a legend Marc!! I guess that seats for this will be snapped up quick so I'm officially booking mine and Hayden's (naggin dragon) seats now.

Its great being able to look in the mirror and ask the boss for time off isn't it!! Although my reflection said she'd only let me go if i promised to bring her back loads of presents and duty free perfume!!
 
I'm IN!!! As long Classical Theories apologises for calling those cute yet ferocious little creatures, the koalas, BEARS!!! Hahahaha
 
They are ferocious aren't they (koalas), and so are kangaroos, I went to put something in the outside bin the other night (it was pitch black) and I heard one growling at me!!! It was right next to the bin, scared the crap out of me!!

I got chased by one a few months ago when i was trying to get a picture of it for Leaper1. I was sneaking through the bush next to our house and bloody thing turned around and started hopping straight towards me growling the whole time. Samantha was screaming from the bathroom window "RUN MUMMY RUN" and I sure as hell did!!!!

And as far as koalas go, I know their not bears but yes, they do look like a bear....... give everyone a break nags!!!
 
Classical Theories said:
It was never given. :smokin
Click to expand...
No don't apologise CT, it will just give him a big head and besides I can be just as guilty as the rest of you because we don't even have Koala's in Western Australia and I've been known to call them a bear on more than one occasion! ("I'm sooooooo sorry nags" - says bex dripping sarcasm)

I was telling my hubby about the van offer from you Marc and I wondered aloud to him whether you'd ever been in a van with predominately 'braussies' (I realise there will be americans too) and if you realised what you'd be getting yourself in for!! :help

It would be a total hoot though!!

I was watching a movie tonight that was set in LA and in this particular movie there was an earthquake, not a very bad one, but just wondering is there tremors etc very often in LA? I have lived through 2 tremors (if you can call them that) and I didn't feel either of them.

Was also wondering if there is any national parks in reasonable distance from LA, I love hiking and would love to do a half day hike or something like that through a national park, any waterfalls? what about snow!, I have only seen snow twice in my life and only touched it once and I would love to see some if it wasn't too hard to get too, or is it too late in the year for that.
 
Bexter, if you're in the mood for a hike, head to Griffith Park (home to the Griffith Observatory, and featured in countless movie and television productions, including Rebel Without a Cause and, more importantly, the Goodbye, Norma Jean episode of QL). There's several mapped out hikes, including a walk to the foot of Mt. Hollywood. There's a fantastic view out over the LA basin, and on a clear day (which in March, is a possibility) you can just see the glimmer of the ocean on the horizon. http://www.lacity.org/rap/dos/parks/griffithPK/hiking.htm

It's not that far away from Burbank, and you can get to it quite easily using public transport.

There's a ski resort at Mt. Baldy, about 50 miles away from Burbank, and you can just see the snowy peak in the San Gabriel mountains as you pass out of Pasadena towards the Inland Empire region.

You're not going to see snow anywhere other than on a mountain range, but the skiing season runs November through April, so if you don't mind a bit of a journey, then you can see some snow (I just checked the site, and they had a 12"-30" base today). Check out the website here: http://www.shopbaldy.com/

Oh, as for tremors, I've been to LA about a dozen times now, and I've only once felt a very slight tremor, so don't worry. The closest you'll (hopefully) get to an earthquake is on the Backlot tour at Universal Studios. :)
 
Bexter said:
Its great being able to look in the mirror and ask the boss for time off isn't it!! Although my reflection said she'd only let me go if i promised to bring her back loads of presents and duty free perfume!!
Click to expand...

You know, it is great. My reflection said, OK, it's for a worthy cause.

Bexter said:
what about snow!, I have only seen snow twice in my life and only touched it once
Click to expand...

Wow! This is hard for me to imagine. I'll send you a boatload of it from PA next winter, Bexter. You can learn all about it!

Take Emma's advice and go to Griffith Park. That's where the big "HOLLYWOOD" sign is. Then every time you see it on TV, you can point and say, "I was there!" :D
 
Classical Theories said:
If enough people (preferably single unattached women) plan to come into LA early, I can rent a van and show you around some sites. I hate acting like a tourist but love to show off what I know about LA.
p060.gif


p065.gif
Click to expand...


Count me in - I am single, unattached and a woman! Tell me when and where.

PS Can you pick me up from LAX and bring me back on Monday 31 March 2009?
 
Emma, thank you for your wonderful information, I'll print it out and put it in my 'Leap Back File' i have a file.... aren't i organised. I've got plenty of time but I'll get a vague plan together and then if anyone wants to join me on my hike, or on a daytrip to see the snow and the scenery then they are welcome to join me. i don't think I'd give skiing a go, I've been skiing once when I was 18 and I was helped significantly by a very handsome SAS soldier on holiday.... don't think I'd be so lucky this time. I wouldn't mind sledding and building a snowman, yes i know i'm such a big kid!
 
Bexter said:
Emma, thank you for your wonderful information, I'll print it out and put it in my 'Leap Back File' i have a file.... aren't i organised. I've got plenty of time but I'll get a vague plan together and then if anyone wants to join me on my hike, or on a daytrip to see the snow and the scenery then they are welcome to join me. i don't think I'd give skiing a go, I've been skiing once when I was 18 and I was helped significantly by a very handsome SAS soldier on holiday.... don't think I'd be so lucky this time. I wouldn't mind sledding and building a snowman, yes i know i'm such a big kid!
Click to expand...

I'll go on the hike with you Bex.
Does anyone know if you can get close to the Hollywood sign?

I tried voting for Michael Johns, but Fox8 keep blocking over the number saying voting is unavailable in Australia. My stupid AT&T phone doesn't work here either.
 
ris768 said:
I'll go on the hike with you Bex.
Does anyone know if you can get close to the Hollywood sign?

I tried voting for Michael Johns, but Fox8 keep blocking over the number saying voting is unavailable in Australia. My stupid AT&T phone doesn't work here either.
Click to expand...
Oh fantastic Marisa, i'm really looking forward to hiking through some american greenery!! I'd love it on my own but even more with someone else. Its going to be so amazing, I can't wait

And thank you sooooo much for trying to vote for Michael, as an australian you can't actually vote for him, but I was hoping the Americans would vote. My friend Alan is his step-brother but they are soooooo much alike its uncanny, but as i said to Al last Friday, the biggest male influence in both your'e lives have been the same man and Alan has been a big music influence in Michaels life, (and mine for that matter) so no wonder you have the same mannerisms. I can 't wait to meet Michael in LA and talk about Alan how important he has been in both of our adult lives as we both met him at about same time, Al's been my best friend for 20 years and I love him to bits, and particularly of late i'll have to say, Alan, Naggindragon and Leaper1 have been the ones who have kept me going at times.

Alan is a fantastic musician in his own right, if you check out my myspace page www.myspace.com/bexter71aus and then click on Alan Burke you can listen to some of his music too.

Just letting you know Michael Johns and I are the only 2 people in the world who know the words to "In a lonely room" of by heart!! :hurray: He wrote and produced it shortly after he met both of us. (Michael & Me)

BTW: you didn't get back to me about sharing a room, is that ok?? please msg me about it, did you get my msg? I hope so. I was a bit worried there was something wrong with the pm on al's place.
 
ris768 said:
Does anyone know if you can get close to the Hollywood sign?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can. I rode up the trail on horseback, but you can get closer to the sign on foot, because you have to leave the trail and walk through the brush. In March it might actually be green. (I was there in September and it was very dry.) The view is great from up there!
 
I believe the closest you can get is the foot of Mount Lee, as it's surrounded by security fencing and cameras, but if you get too close, you wouldn't see anything other than a wall of white, lol!

You can get excellent pictures of the sign from the grounds of the observatory, and also from the Mall at Hollywood and Highland. There's a walkway that offers very good views of the hills, and with a good zoom, you can get some great pictures.

I believe Mt. Baldy has a snowplay park, so you wouldn't have to go skiing. Tubing looks like fun!
 
EmmaCMF said:
I believe the closest you can get is the foot of Mount Lee, as it's surrounded by security fencing and cameras, but if you get too close, you wouldn't see anything other than a wall of white, lol!
Click to expand...

I was there more than 10 years ago, so it sounds like things have changed since then....
 
EXTRA DAYS IN LA from the UK

i've got my ticket for the convention but was thinking about going to LA a day or two before so i can go to universal studios and check out the sights of the area. anyone from the UK doing anything similar??

Ben
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back