Finding Walt: a DL TR: Update 2/23/12 - Page 13 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Great start to your report! So sorry you were ill for your week away and you're still fighting it.
I'm finally starting to feel better--two weeks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke
Sorry to hear you're still not feeling well. Sounds like this cold didn't stop you during your trip though! I love when the rental car places are sold out of your booked car! I got to drive a Chevy HHR last time in Orlando and rather enjoyed it!
I love Alamo because they tell you to pick a car out of your row rather than assigning you a vehicle.
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Glad you've made it to LA!
Woo Hoo!
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Originally Posted by shnewell
Great start! Sorry you got sick right before your vacation and hope that you feel better soon! Glad you've made it to LA and gotten an upgraded car. Can't wait for more!
Coming up soon!
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Originally Posted by mpwife153
Great start. I feel your pain in the head cold department.I've been fighting one myself for most of December. More please
They just seem to last forever don't they!
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Originally Posted by pamcarey
Sorry about your photobucket issues, and that you started your vaca with a cold. But I'm excited that you've started the TR!
Well I've still got photo bucket issues, but I'm hoping to have it fixed soon, but my first upload went fine--it was the second one with more than 400 photos that is the problem--it only uploaded 165 of them--but I can't figure rhyme or reason for which ones.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
The tour sounds amazing! Can't wait to hear all the details!
And glad you made it to LA safe & sound! Bummer on the head cold though. That's never fun - especially when you have to fly!
Going to have to wait awhile--it's not until day 6!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
What a shame to get a cold just as you're leaving on vacation! Really not fair. You can say it's "just a cold", but, really, does anything else make you feel so all-around rotten? Glad you were able to push through and very glad you were able to sleep on the plane!
Nope I did feel rotten, but it was easier after day 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
I knew you were going to love that tour, just because it's ABD - they're fantastic. I was wondering what guides you'd get. I had Michael as my guide when I did Backstage Magic! Sorry to hear you're still fighting that cold. Get better soon! And hurry back with more, please!
How cool that you know Michael--he was amazing in trying to make sure I was involved!
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Originally Posted by MayraLR
Sorry you had to start your trip with a cold. Hopefully you got the symptoms under control. Can't wait to read more about your trip.
Coming up
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
Great Start!!! Being sick on vacation is no fun! Hope you're feeling better soon
I'm mostly feeling better--spending lots of time at work hasn't been much help!
Ok, So where are we--oh right, LAX. I've picked up my rental car and now I've got to figure out how to navigate a brand new city with tons of freeways and traffic. Guess what? No problem. Why? I downloaded a GPS App when we were in Birmingham last year to find the closest Walmart because we hadn't packed enough clothing. I haven't upgraded my cell phone to the iPhone 4S because I've only had the 4 since March. The new "guide" for the 4S is called Siri, so I've been calling my GPS App LaTonya--Siri's poorer, less impressive cousin. LaTonya only responds to typed requests--you can't talk to her.
Unfortunately, my very first LA experience with LaTonya resulted in a user error. I told her I wanted to go to Forest Lawn and she took me to Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. That's where you can find Michael Jackson and lots of other Hollywood celebs final resting places. It's right across the street from the Warner Bros studio which might creep me out if I worked there. She managed to take me through some of LA's worst neighborhoods to get there as well--I got to see ALL of Korea Town too!
Fortunately Forest Lawn Glendale is only a few miles from FL HH. I was arriving at my correct destination just a few minutes later. I parked my car at the main building and went in search of a bathroom, which was very nicely pointed out to me by the folks in the Flower Shop. I took some photos of the Tudor Style Main Building and the sculptures-- because I didn't know any better yet. Forest Lawn does not allow any photography as a respect issue for their customers.
If you are going to Forest Lawn to see any of the final resting places of the celebrities buried there--get directions to the sites before you arrive. In spite of the fact that they have a museum on property and many wonderful buildings and chapels to visit--the staff doesn't really want you there unless you are visiting a loved one's grave site. They will be absolutely useless for finding specific graves. In fact, if you ask for directions to a celebrity grave site you may be asked to leave.
I had a rough idea of where I was going and then used an online photo of Walt's grave to match the brickwork to what I was looking for. It took me about a 1/2 hour to actually locate the Disney plot. I *didn't* accidentally take my camera out to take two shots of the plot. It's next to the Freedom Monument--left if you are facing the building--in it's own little courtyard.
The courtyard is fenced it and has a gate and I spent awhile sitting on the little bench in the plot just taking in my surroundings and thinking about all the ways Walt Disney has affected my life. However, the weather was poor and it was chilly so I didn't sit for too long. The site is very well cared for and the plot is nicely landscaped and manicured.
I got back in my car and went to the Wee Kirk O' the Heather, which is a tiny chapel on the other side of the cemetary. It's a copy of a chapel in Glencarrin Scotland. Ronald Regan and countless others (about 60,000) have been married in it. There was a funeral about to take place so I couldn't go inside but the outside reminded me very much of the little cottage in the Canada Pavilion at Epcot. There was a cemetery staff member outside--so I didn't take any accidental photos, but you can find some here: Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks and Mortuaries - Wee Kirk o' the Heather
After I was done wandering the grounds I headed back out to the front gate, where I stopped to program LaTonya to take me to the Carousel at Griffith Park. She got me to the park just fine, but since the roads inside the park aren't city streets, I had to follow the signs.
What I found when I arrived brought me to tears. Not because I was in awe of the beauty of the carousel, but because of how the carousel has fallen into terrible disrepair. I took some photos walking down to it, but they didn't prepare me for what I was about to find.
It was cold and windy by this point--so I didn't sit for too long. I purchased my $2 ticket to ride and boarded the carousel.
Upon boarding I was shocked at what the horses looked like. It appears that no work has been done since the last rehab of the carousel in the 1930s.
Not a single horse has a tail!
The organ, however, was decked out for the holiday and appeared to be in pretty good condition.
Disappointed and saddened I headed back to my car and programmed LaTonya to take me to my hotel. If something doesn't change soon I fear we'll be losing this piece of Disney history in the very near future!
Before I left the park I checked to see if Tam OShanter was open for lunch and if they had any availability--they were, but they didn't. I knew I was crushed for the day and so I canceled my dinner reservation. I knew, at this point, that I was way too sick and way too tired to come back out to Glendale for dinner.
I arrived unscathed to the Renaissance Hollywood. I checked in at about 1:30 and my room was ready!
It was a large, comfortable, modern room with a king bed. No complaints from me at all--except for the cost of valet parking--which is the only option.
I thought, at first that I had a really terrible room view as the room overlooked Highland and not Hollywood Blvd.
Then I realized that I could see the Hollywood sign from my window!
Pretty amazing! Although I'll have better shots of the sign later in the trip!
Up Next: The Disney Soda Fountain and Store, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Heather goes to bed at 4:30 in the afternoon--or 6:30 my time!
The state of the carousel is so sad. You'd think someone with deep pockets would step in to restore it. The park was a favorite weekend destination for many celebrity families in Walt's time-- must be a lot of people with fond memories who would hate to see it like this. From the photos your room at the Rennaisance looks like the same one Sharon had on her ABD trip! Pretty much the same view of the Hollywood sign! Too bad you have to miss dinner at Tam, but sounds like you needed the sleep much more.
The state of the carousel is just heartbreaking.
Glad you found everything you wanted to see. Sorry the cold ruled out dinner at Tam. Sounds like an early night will be food for you, though!
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I'm impressed with the cemetery staff of trying to keep everything private. Big thumbs up to them. Good thing you did some super-sluething to find what you needed though! Bummer about the carousel. And dinner. Your room sure looked nice though, and comfy too.
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I knew you were going to love that tour, just because it's ABD - they're fantastic. I was wondering what guides you'd get. I had Michael as my guide when I did Backstage Magic! Sorry to hear you're still fighting that cold. Get better soon! And hurry back with more, please!
I Michael too! He was one of my guides on Backstage Magic. He was working at Guest Relations during my October visit, so we popped in and visited with him for a bit! He is really amazing at his job.
Thanks for sharing the cemetary and carousel with us. I've always wanted to visit the cemetary, and so sad about the carousel. Keep it comin'!
Glad you were able to find the cemetery plot -- thank goodness you had done your homework! Very sad about the carousel. I'm surprised that no civic group has taken up the cause to get it repaired.
Your room looks comfy and nice. Hope you start feeling better soon!
How sad that the carousel was in such disrepair...I agree that there must be someone out there with deep pockets willing to fix it up, even a little!
Very nice room! I'm glad you had a decent view. The area is definitely "eclectic" to say the least, but the location is pretty much in the middle of Hollywood! Looking forward to hearing how much of the surrounding area you were able to explore.
Bummer about your cold. At least when I met you two days later (I think), you seemed better.
By the way, I passed by the Disney Studios and Griffith Park today and thought of you...and Walt.
__________________
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The state of the carousel is so sad. You'd think someone with deep pockets would step in to restore it. The park was a favorite weekend destination for many celebrity families in Walt's time-- must be a lot of people with fond memories who would hate to see it like this. From the photos your room at the Rennaisance looks like the same one Sharon had on her ABD trip! Pretty much the same view of the Hollywood sign! Too bad you have to miss dinner at Tam, but sounds like you needed the sleep much more.
The hotel was nice--my bed was comfy, my view turned out to be pretty good, and service was excellent as you'll soon see!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
The state of the carousel is just heartbreaking.
Glad you found everything you wanted to see. Sorry the cold ruled out dinner at Tam. Sounds like an early night will be food for you, though!
The early night was a good choice--that first night was beyond miserable for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
How sad that the carousel is so run down . However, your room looks great!
It is sad--I need to do some more research to find out if there is a restoration project in the works.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Sorry about the carousel! We didn't have time to see that on our trip, now I'm not sad that I missed it! Great view from your room!
It was interesting to see, and I'm glad I went because there is just so much emotion when you sit down on a bench and imagine it when it was in it's hayday!
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Originally Posted by Coop
That carousel is so sad! Your room is nice and glad you can see the Hollywood sign! Feel better!
Dear head cold: everyone else wants me to get better--how about you?
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Originally Posted by chezp
How sad about the state of the carousel. I love your room and how cool to be able to see the Hollywood sign from it!
It really was a nice room--especially when you consider the price I paid!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke
I'm impressed with the cemetery staff of trying to keep everything private. Big thumbs up to them. Good thing you did some super-sluething to find what you needed though! Bummer about the carousel. And dinner. Your room sure looked nice though, and comfy too.
I'd suggest finding a map of Forest Lawn if you are planning on going and looking up the locations of any special sites you might want to see because it is HUGE!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tink and co.
I Michael too! He was one of my guides on Backstage Magic. He was working at Guest Relations during my October visit, so we popped in and visited with him for a bit! He is really amazing at his job.
Thanks for sharing the cemetary and carousel with us. I've always wanted to visit the cemetary, and so sad about the carousel. Keep it comin'!
Michael and Dean were both great!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shnewell
Glad you were able to find the cemetery plot -- thank goodness you had done your homework! Very sad about the carousel. I'm surprised that no civic group has taken up the cause to get it repaired.
Your room looks comfy and nice. Hope you start feeling better soon!
I'm very surprised that there isn't a non-profit that has taken the carousel up as a project.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dlandmom2
How sad that the carousel was in such disrepair...I agree that there must be someone out there with deep pockets willing to fix it up, even a little!
Very nice room! I'm glad you had a decent view. The area is definitely "eclectic" to say the least, but the location is pretty much in the middle of Hollywood! Looking forward to hearing how much of the surrounding area you were able to explore.
Bummer about your cold. At least when I met you two days later (I think), you seemed better.
By the way, I passed by the Disney Studios and Griffith Park today and thought of you...and Walt.
I am still fighting the cold, but I was much better later in the week once the fever finally went away.
Thanks for thinking of me--and Walt!
Ok, I think where I left off last night I had just arrived at the hotel and taken some photos from my room. I think it was about 2pm and I was starving. I hadn't eaten anything since my crummy airport breakfast at 6:15am. So I grabbed my stuff and made sure I had my sweat shirt.
I walked out of the front door of the hotel and down to the corner of Hollywood and Highland. I quickly located the Disney Soda Fountain and Store. It's tiny. There are only a handful a tables. There's a ice cream to go counter and a itty bitty little Disney Store. There's also a counter area where you can sit and eat and watch the ice cream creations being made.
I ordered a pastrami sandwich with chips and a diet coke.
The sandwich was good, but a little uninspired. I had a scoop of peppermint ice cream for dessert, with hot fudge of course, but I neglected to take a photo.
There are tons of Disney related stars right outside the store location:
I walked down the street and took some photos of the Chinese Theater.
I went off in search of the really important star. I found some others that interested me along the street as well.
The Boys
And Finally I found the one I was looking for!
I knew I'd be seeing more of this intersection later in the trip. So I decided to call it a day . . . at 4:00 in the afternoon. It took me about 1/2 an hour to get back to the hotel and get settled, but I tucked into bed at 4:30. I felt awful and I had a fever. I passed out for 4 hours and woke up at about 8:30 covered in sweat and fighting the fever. I took some more pain killers and fell back to sleep for a 1/2 hour. I woke up at 9pm--hungry, but still feeling bad. I called room service to get some food. I let them know I wasn't feeling great and ordered a bowl of cream of tomato soup and a kids grilled cheese with french fries. They were completely understanding and had no problem bringing me a kids order and extra ice water.
I didn't take any photos, but let me tell you . . . for what it was--the soup was amazing with grilled, herb croutons! It was nice and creamy and didn't have any of the bite you sometimes find with tomato soups. The grilled cheese was just what I needed to go with it. When you are sick there is nothing better than dipping grilled cheese into tomato soup.
As soon as I was finished eating, I went back to sleep because I wanted to get an early start in the morning. I was off to Disneyland!
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So sorry you were ill for your week away and you're still fighting it. 
I was wondering what guides you'd get. I had Michael as my guide when I did Backstage Magic! 
. However, your room looks great!
PassPorter Guide Author
Michael too! He was one of my guides on Backstage Magic. He was working at Guest Relations during my October visit, so we popped in and visited with him for a bit! He is really amazing at his job. 
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