The Life of a VIP - Adventures By Disney Backstage Magic About This Page:

[amandal]

What great photos, as usual!! I will definitely be doing US and a Helicopter tour the next time I go to LA!! Thanks for giving me a sneak peek Looking forward to more.

[MayraLR]

Wow, what a cool tour!!

[mpwife153]

Is there any other way for a Princess to see the sites? Private helicopter tour & champagne....the ONLY way to go! Great pics.

[BostonTeaParty]

Best Hollywood sign shot, ever! Loved all the pics of your heli-tour. Tennis seems to be very popular there. The celeb homes left me speechless. In the shot of Madonna's house I saw three houses - or did I? Don't tell me all three of those were her one house?? I can just envision trying to eat a meal in a dining room the size of a football field. You'd have to have your cell nearby just to have a pleasant dinner conversation. Also thought the skate park at Venice beach was pretty cool. Both of my sons have been skate boarding since they were little, and I'm sure that skate park would be their idea of heaven.

[Caldercup]

Gllllbbbrrrrrpppp....

Helicopters make me wOOzy.

Glad you could stomach it and had a good time!
E

[coffeechef]

I am caught up again and love the Tram tour of US. WoW it makes the backlot tour at Disney look like a ride around a parking lot.
Becasue I am a Geek and Woody Woodpecker cartoons were a part of my childhood, I had to look up Woodys GF. Her name is Winnie Woodpecker. The Helicopter tour was sooooo cool. Oh and back at Citywalk. Yeah I think I would have found myself wanting to eat a brontoburger at the Flintstones. Not that car tipping ribs would have fun to try too.

[DrDolphin]

Wow!!! Chris and I get married and go play on Mickeys boat - and you go and become even more of a VIP that we all already know you are!! Your heli-tour was FAB!! Your morning at US brought back many memories of our girls' DL trip where Sarah, Crystal and I added US and a LA bus tour - and the ABD trip - I SO WANT TO DO ONE (or lots) of those!! Ok - hurry back - I need more!

[PrincessSharon]

Thanks for all the kind words! Glad everyone is enjoying the TR!

Originally Posted by Shawnam1868

I am totally loving this TR....Now, I am a HUGE fan of "The Girls Next Door" (the real one, not this new one with these new "girls") and I remember from earlier seasons that Holly always was bringing in cool stuff. Plus, there was an episode of Viva La Bam with Bam Margera from like 03-04 where they were in LA and went to the mansion and the trampoline was there. Yeah, I watch too much TV.

See, now I didn't even think of that show! I've never watched it, but I think I'll have to catch an episode since I was "there"!

Originally Posted by triddle67

That looked like a fun trip. I have always wondered if I would get motion sickness from flying in a helicopter. Love the pics of Downtown LA. We stayed at the Bonaventure for our honeymoon. What fun.

I think if you don't get sick in an airplane, you wouldn't get sick in a helicopter.

Originally Posted by disneydani

Thanks for the awesome helicopter tour! Being that I am a major scaredy cat....that is about as close as I will get to the real thing!

danielle

I am a daredevil and was still a little nervous. But it was no worse than flying on a plane.

Originally Posted by doccoc2002

OMG!! I have to go on a heli tour next time I am out there. DB works for Neiman Marcus and just transfered back to Beverly Hills from Boston...He LOVES Cali. I am going to have to show him your TR when he comes home(NH will always be his home to me) he is going to LOVE it!! He drives by Aarron Spellings "summer" cottage all the time I have to admit I too LOVED "the girls next door" could care less about the new one.
IF you ever want a Drive In we got one here in the Lakes Region(Weirs Beach, NH here)...There are 4 screens that play 2 New Releases all summer long...except during BIKE WEEK...when it is filled with beer tents and bikers!

Now I have a reason to visit NH! Sounds like so much fun!

Originally Posted by disney_duke

Now THAT is the way to tour LA!!! What a celebrity, indeed. Champagne too, . I loved the billboard in this shot:

Would that be for Buzz Lightyear 3???? Cool!!

I also laughed that you were able to point out the In and Out burger joint!!!

Well, we passed right by Hollywood HS on the way to In N Out Burger, and it's right across the street from it, so I knew where to look! Of course, at the time, I didn't know, it's just so close to the HS that it's in the shot.

Originally Posted by KMB733

What an awesome way to see the city! Very cool pictures. And if you are looking for a home, Aaron Spelling's house is for sale, I think for $100 million. But it only has 27 bathrooms!

Pffft... If I'm paying $100 million, the house has to have 31 bathrooms. No way will I use the same bathroom twice in one month.

Originally Posted by Hugmonster

Great photos!! How expensive was the tour?

There are a few different tours available. The one I took is $189. Celebrity Helicopters - Los Angeles' Most Popular Helicopter Sightseeing Tour Company

Originally Posted by lablady

I just found your TR and I'm LOVING it! Sounds like a great trip so far! It's funny, I was checking out the ABD thread on the DISboards yeasterday, and when I saw the group picture on the stairs, I immediately saw you! It was like..."Whaaaa??" Like a collision of worlds........Passporter and the DIS! Then I thought I was wrong, must just look like you, but then I found this TR!

Your helicopter tour looked awesome! Is the copter only big enough for the pilot and 1 passenger? I'm guessing that they have bigger ones for families. I've only ridden in one helicopter before, over in Hawaii, and the one I was in had a see-through floor under me....freaky but !

Can't wait to read the rest! (BTW, I love the hotel that you stayed at! Tres chic!)

How funny you found this TR through the DIS boards. And yes, the helicopter was only big enough for the pilot and 1 passenger, but they have different sizes for larger groups.

Originally Posted by Wendyismyname

Helicopter rides. They are the best way to see anything. Try it over Hawaii. GORGEOUS!!

Fabulous update Sharon!!

Hmmm... I'll have to consider that for my trip to Hawaii in a few years.

Originally Posted by BostonTeaParty

Best Hollywood sign shot, ever! Loved all the pics of your heli-tour. Tennis seems to be very popular there. The celeb homes left me speechless. In the shot of Madonna's house I saw three houses - or did I? Don't tell me all three of those were her one house?? I can just envision trying to eat a meal in a dining room the size of a football field. You'd have to have your cell nearby just to have a pleasant dinner conversation. Also thought the skate park at Venice beach was pretty cool. Both of my sons have been skate boarding since they were little, and I'm sure that skate park would be their idea of heaven.

Madonna's house is the highest one, the one with the red roof. I really wanted to visit Venice Beach because there looked like a lot of cool stuff to see/do, but I never found the time. But I guess that gives me a reason to return.

Originally Posted by coffeechef

I am caught up again and love the Tram tour of US. WoW it makes the backlot tour at Disney look like a ride around a parking lot.
Becasue I am a Geek and Woody Woodpecker cartoons were a part of my childhood, I had to look up Woodys GF. Her name is Winnie Woodpecker. The Helicopter tour was sooooo cool. Oh and back at Citywalk. Yeah I think I would have found myself wanting to eat a brontoburger at the Flintstones. Not that car tipping ribs would have fun to try too.

Winnie Woodpecker, huh? Never heard of her! But I admit I didn't watch a lot of Woody Woodpecker cartoons. And a brontoburger! Now I need to eat there!

Originally Posted by DrDolphin

Wow!!! Chris and I get married and go play on Mickeys boat - and you go and become even more of a VIP that we all already know you are!! Your heli-tour was FAB!! Your morning at US brought back many memories of our girls' DL trip where Sarah, Crystal and I added US and a LA bus tour - and the ABD trip - I SO WANT TO DO ONE (or lots) of those!! Ok - hurry back - I need more!

Terri! After 2 different ABD trips, I can say without a doubt that they are so worth it! You won't be sorry! And the Backstage Magic especially, since so many of the experiences can't be arranged on your own! Do it!

[PrincessSharon]

Day Two, Part Three
The best dessert of the trip

Back at the LSMBH, I dropped off my stuff and then headed outside for a minute to check out the beach.





I knew the 3rd Street Promenade was within walking distance, so I decided to walk over. It was a pleasant walk with some interesting sights on the way. I got a shot of the front of the hotel.



The Hotel California was right next door (and a Segway store was right next to that).


I don’t think this is the Hotel California from the song



It took less than 10 minutes to walk to the 3rd Street Promenade. That section is closed to vehicle traffic, and it was bustling with shoppers and entertainers. I mean they were entertainers, allegedly. I was less than entertained. The one I stopped to watch did the thing I hate most about street performers. Instead of doing something that would encourage people to stop and watch, they talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and talk about what they’re going to do. Then when they feel like they have a big enough audience, they start their act. After 10 minutes, I lost interest and moved on. That happens often with those entertainers. Maybe they’re the greatest act of all time, but I never stick around to find out.

I did get some pictures of the interesting sights in between my window shopping (I was saving my actual shopping for later in the trip).







And no offense to Croc wearers out there, but I think they’re ugly. And now, Crocs has come up with a design that’s even uglier.



You know shoes are ugly when people wearing them talk about how comfortable they are! Again, if you have no taste… ehrm, I mean, if you happen to like Crocs, no offense meant! Seriously, I’m kidding about Crocs wearers having no taste (to each his own ), but I do think those shoes are uhhhh-glay! Now, I do think some of the sandals are pretty cute, but I’d never admit it or put it in writing. Uh… d’oh!





After making the rounds without making a purchase, I decided to head on over to spend a little time on the Pier. It’s only about a 5 minute walk back to the Pier.












That big cement wheel is actually an art tool, Walk on L.A.


I found this combination slightly comical



I watched this guy sculpting little busts of people. They were eerily accurate and slightly creepy.



I don’t know if I’d want a miniature head of someone. I really think it’s cool and everything, it’s just one of those things that’s cooler as a concept than in real life.

Also bizarre, there was a trapeze school on the pier. I’m not making that up! I even took a picture. Of course I took a picture!



Then I walked over to Pacific Park, where the rides are. There aren’t that many rides, just like a carousel and the roller coaster, a few kiddie rides and some carnival games. I decided not to ride anything.







I took a self-portrait in front of the beach and mountains. We have plenty of beaches where I live (I mean, I live on an island), but no mountains, so I love that there are beaches and mountains in the same place!



And I love how happy and windswept I look. Anyway, I’d had enough of hanging out on the pier and I wanted to eat. Nothing on the pier looked appealing, so I decided to eat at the hotel.

I noticed that there was a water treatment facility there by the pier, which I found fascinating. Y’all are probably less fascinated about it, but I’m posting the pictures anyway!





I wasn’t all that hungry, so I decided to get dinner in the lounge. I had dropped off my camera in the room, so no pictures of dinner. Well with one notable and delicious exception.

I checked out the menu and decided to get the tomato basil soup with grilled truffle cheese sandwich. It was tasty, but the soup was a leeeeetle too sweet. It did help to dip the grilled cheese sandwich (which was delish) into it. The absolute best part of the meal was the dessert – a split banana that was AWESOMEZ!!1!! I didn’t have my camera with me, but I had to document the wonderfulness of it, so I took a pic with my cellphone.



It had all my favorite dessert items in one – ice cream, bananas, chocolate, and crème brulee. It was soooooo good! The perfect dessert.

I was nicely tired after a fantastic fun-filled day, so I decided to head on up to my room. I spent a little while watching tv and turned in early, around 10:00 (since I’d been up since 3:15 that morning ).

Up Next: Who says it never rains in Southern California?

[BostonTeaParty]

$189 was totally worth that tour!!

[elisa1006]

Great photos once again. I love the pics of the pier. I see it in so many tv shows that it was cool to see it in "real life"

[HollyH]

That has to be the best dessert evah!!!! OMG, I'm drooling just thinking about it! And did I see berries in there with all the other deliciousness?

I also thought the "Movie Star Homes and Crime Scenes" was a very interesting pairing lol.

The mini heads were a bit creepy. They reminded me of how we learned to make masks in clay class this year. Mine turned out to look like a mini, angry Montel Williams!!! I was proud that I made something that looked like something (even if Montel wasn't exactly who I was going for) but in the end, I have to agree that the concept is good, but in real life.....not so much.

[doccoc2002]

Great photos!!! Dessert is my fave part too!! As my mother says there is ALWAYS room for dessert!!!

[chezp]

Another great update - I'm loving all your photos.

[Colexis Mom]

Great afternoon/night in Santa Monica!