Sing with me...California Here We Come! Days 7 & 8, updated 12/20 About This Page:

[DyanKJ130]

Sounds like a fun morning so far, despite you freaking yourself & Victoria out in the haunted house!
[img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/8/8_1_229.gif[/img] [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/8/8_1_227.gif[/img]
I probably would have been just as freaked out! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

Hurry back with more!!

[chezp]

Your experience in Van Helsing is just too funny - and at least you weren't screaming like Tara! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Victoria got some beautiful photos there as well! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[Meggera]

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<u>Day 3 – November 1, 2006 – Part 2</u>

Van Helsing over and done with, we meandered down the street and saw Curious George. He was so funny. He would play hide-n-go-seek with people and eventually get around to posing for a picture. First he pointed to Victoria’s hat and then tried to pick her nose. And, he ate something. Ewwww! Gross!


He finally got around to signing her book.


As we were walking away, Curious George walked up to Maxine. Victoria got some GREAT shots of this interaction. He picked bugs from Maxine’s hair and ate them. He also rubbed his hands all over her head. The pictures speak volumes!


Then I got a few shots of the interaction. George started going through Maxine’s purse.


Then decided he wanted to take her with him and held her hand and pulled her along with him.


He finally realized he couldn’t take her with him and stopped and gave her a big hug.


It was so cute. Maxine’s reactions are priceless! I can’t wait to do a scrapbook for her of our trip. As we left Curious George, a policeman stopped us and told us he better not catch us popping any wheelies! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] He was hilarious!


Shrek 4-D was our next stop. I love this attraction. It was so much fun in Orlando. Victoria and I had made sure Maxine saw Shrek and Shrek 2, so she knew who the characters were. Look at the line we had to wait in! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


We enjoyed Shrek 4-D and as we left, we noticed Shrek and Fiona posing for photos. Count us in! Thankfully, we were the first “in line” to see them so I didn’t have to push Victoria up to meet them. Shrek and Fiona were hilarious. Fiona tried to sign Victoria’s book, but Shrek kept hitting the book so she couldn’t sign. Fiona kept getting on to him and told him to stop being such an ogre. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Finally, Shrek gave up bothering Fiona and began to bother Victoria. He gave her a hug, lifted his arm and with his other hand, he waved his, um, body odor, in the direction of Victoria’s face. Ewwww! How gross!


They finally posed peacefully together.


Like I’ve mentioned before, I am getting characters to sign a piece of paper for me. Fiona signed but Shrek kept bugging her again. I got in between them so she could sign my paper and Shrek burped in my face. Lovely. Then, they wouldn’t let me leave without getting a photo. So, Victoria took a picture with her camera.


We left the happy couple and bypassed Nickelodeon Splash Zone (thank goodness). We decided to go on the Studio Tour. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] On the way, we saw Jaws and stopped for the obligatory photo. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


Since the tour is 45 minutes long, we made bathroom stops, got some bottled water, and began to find our way to the tour. I loved this picture of famous Universal movies. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]


Then we saw a really cool backdrop that we just HAD to get our picture taken in front of. It looks so real! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]


Michael and Maxine took the elevator to the tour boarding area, and Victoria and I took an escalator.

We would be loaded on the next tour. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Up Next: Universal Studio Tour
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[Colexis Mom]

Another great update! What great interaction with Curious George and Shrek [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[lauren-roxy]

Your character interactions are just priceless!!!! Love the pictures!! Can't wait for more!!!

[PrincessSharon]

Great updates! I was laughing about your Van Helsing experience. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Glad you made it out OK! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Can't wait for more!

[DyanKJ130]

Another wonderful update!! Waiting for more!!!

[DrDolphin]

Note to self - skip Van Helsing... the rest of the morning sounds like you had a great time. I can not wait to read more!!

[chezp]

What wonderful character interaction! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[Meggera]

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<u>Day 3 – November 1, 2006 – Part 3</u>

We boarded the tour bus and were in the front two rows. Victoria was smart enough to get a picture of our tour guide.


Forgive me, but I did not take any notes on this tour. I was too busy looking. So, I don’t remember what half of the pictures are of. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/sorry.gif[/img] I do remember that this picture is of the backlot that we would be seeing on this tour. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]


I took this picture in honor of Victoria. She is a huge Kristin Chenowith fan, and of course, Kristin played Glenda the Good Witch in Broadway’s production of Wicked. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] (Victoria took the same picture.)


We learned that parts of Crossing Jordan are filmed here.


We saw some sets…


and went into a hanger door and watched a little neighborhood when all of a sudden King Kong appeared! It was very exciting!




We made it out safely and were in a little village of some sort.


Victoria took this picture which I thought was a nice perspective.


Now, I do know what this next thing is. This boat was used in King Kong directed by Peter Jackson. It is intricately detailed and they would use it in close-ups in the movie. Very [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]! The first is Victoria’s picture.




The next set of buildings are used in films set in ancient times.


And our guide said this fountain has been used in many films, including Van Helsing.


And from Victoria’s camera…


I don’t remember what this is from, but it is lovely.



We then went in a hanger and experienced an earthquake! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Fires erupted! Water poured down the subway stairs. It was exciting! Unfortunately, we didn’t have a good view of everything since we were in the front. The middle of the bus had the best seats to view everything. So, I only got one photo. Victoria didn’t get any.


We then got to see the set of Jaws. Victoria got a good photo of it.


Does anyone recognize this set of homes?




If you guessed, Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, you get a gold star! We were told they would be filming right here in a few hours. How cool is that?

Next up, Whoville! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] This is Martha May Whovier’s home.


Their cute cars…


Then, Victoria got a great shot of Miss Whovier’s home and Cindy Lou Who’s home. Too cute!


Right behind Whoville was none other than the Bates Motel. You can actually see the tops of the Who’s homes behind the Motel. The guide also said that the car here is the actual car used in the movie. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]




A huge chunk of set from War of the Worlds was next. The plane you see is an actual 747 they tore up and used for the film.




Here are some of Vic’s pics…




Last up on the tour was this house. I believe the guide said it was last used in the movie RV and was Susan’s getaway house in an episode of Desperate Housewives.


The last photo I took on the tour was a picture of a street sign. I thought it was neat.


Up Next: The Lower Lot!
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[DyanKJ130]

WOW! Looks like a great tour! How [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] that you got to see Wisteria Lane.

[chezp]

How neat is that - I love that you got to see Wisteria Lane! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[Meggera]

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<u>Day 3 – November 1, 2006 – Part 4</u>

We all agreed that we enjoyed the Studio Tour. Two thumbs up. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

Outside of the tour exit, we saw a very sad King Kong. This picture makes me feel so sad. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]


Someone kindly offered to take a picture of all of us with the sad Kong.


We decided to go Back to the Future and try to save the world as we know it from Biff. We thought Maxine might be able to handle this ride, and she did very well. We beat Biff at his own game. Maxine enjoyed it very much.

It was time to venture to the Lower Level. I decided to take Maxine to the handicapped entrance while Michael and Victoria took the escalator down. I got Maxine loaded onto the little bus and away we went. Little did I know that we would go on another backlot tour. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] It was a long ride to the bottom. I just knew Victoria and Michael would be wondering where we were.

We made it to the Lower Lot, and I got Maxine’s wheelchair out okay. Victoria appeared out of no where. She had found us! Michael and Victoria had been worried that we would be waiting for them. We didn’t realize there were four escalators to take to get to the LL. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] They enjoyed their trip down though.

There wasn’t a whole lot down here that Maxine could do. She said we could go off and do our thing. So, we parked her in a shady spot, got some snacks out of our backpack for her, and went off to ride The Mummy.


The line was nonexistent. We walked right on. That was the best ride! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] We all loved it. This car was outside the entrance to The Mummy ride. Great plug for VW.

We went back to check on Maxine, and she was fine. Then, we saw the mummy himself, Imhotep. Victoria didn’t like him too much. He was sort of scary, and as he moved, he would make noises that went with his movements. She wasn’t too thrilled. But, she was a trooper and posed with him anyway.




Jurassic Park was next on our list of things to do. Once again, there was no line. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] I loved the entire theme of this ride. It was awesome. We really enjoyed it.


After Jurassic Park, we wanted to do something that Maxine could do. So, we headed over to Backdraft. On our way over, we ran into Beetlejuice. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]


We got into the wheelchair accessible line. Thankfully, there were some benches there, so we could rest our feet before the show. There were some Japanese tourists who came up. I think there were three people in wheelchairs in their group. They got in line in front of us. Hey! That’s not right! We weren’t going to worry about it for the time being.

Finally, it was our chance to experience Backdraft. The CM asked the Japanese people with the wheelchairs to pull back and allow us to go first. Thanks CM! He told them he didn’t want them to be separated from the rest of their group. We glanced over at the line waiting to get in, and I am telling you, there were no less than 50 Japanese tourists waiting to get in. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] Thank you Mr. CM for letting us go first! What a huge group to try to keep together in a park!


I only took a couple of pictures inside. It was very neat to see, and it got extremely hot! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]


We enjoyed seeing how they produce fantastic fires. We decided to skip the Special Effects Stage, and we went to see the tribute to Lucy.


After that, we decided to head back up to the Upper Lot. We all took the little bus back up. I knew there was a picture I wanted to take from up here. Our Studio Tour guide mentioned the Bob Hope golf course. My DH is a golfer, and I wanted to get a picture of the golf course for him.


We decided our day was done at Universal Studios. The park closed today at 5 p.m. We were ready to go around 3:30 p.m. We starting making our way back to the front of the park. We saw the Incredible Hulk. What a big leg!


And, I finally decided to take a picture of one of the Halloween decorations still up.


We left the dead horse and saw a waffle stand with none other than Donkey manning the stand. He was a very good animatronic Donkey, and he talked to you like Crush does at Turtle Talk. He was talking to a little girl, and then it was Victoria's turn. We videoed the encounter, and I didn't take a picture, silly me. But, Victoria had her sunglasses on, and he said, "Wow! It's a movie star!"

Victoria just giggled. He asked where he had seen her before. She said, "Nowhere. I'm not a movie star."

He asked her her name and asked what she loved to do. She said that she was a ballerina. Donkey then said that he had tried that ballet stuff before but that the toe shoes hurt his hooves. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] He was hilarious! I guess Shrek was feeling left out over at his meet-n-greet spot, so he came over to join us and messed with Donkey and Victoria. I will have to put it on the web or something. It was very, very funny.

We left Donkey and Shrek and saw another cop. This time he stopped us and asked if Victoria had a license to be driving the wheelchair. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Victoria was dumbfounded and didn’t know what to say. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] He let her pass with a warning.


Michael took this shot of a jack-o-lantern flowerbed. It was cute!


We shopped a little and got some souvenirs. As we were leaving, one of the statues from the fountain in the front came to life. He posed with Victoria in front of the fountain. Then he went over to Maxine and posed for another photo. What a nice man!


We left the park and saw a pretty sign outside and posed for another photo. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


I made sure to get a picture of the palm tree and the entrance to U.S. one last time.


We got into our car and headed back to Anaheim. In Hollywood, I saw a really cool mural of Tony Curtis.


We made it back to the inn safely and soundly. Michael and I ran by McDonald’s and got some dinner. Victoria and Maxine had their leftovers from the Corvette Diner. We picked up some fries for them.

All in all, it was a great day!

The best thing today was the Studio Tour and seeing many sets.
The worst thing today was nothing! No complaints here!
The funniest thing today was our walk through Van Helsing’s fortress. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]
Today we tried Universal Studios in Hollywood!
And the result was we really enjoyed it!
The most magical moment today was our interaction with Curious George and Donkey. They were really super!

Up Next: Our second day at Disneyland and California Adventure!
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[chezp]

What a great day you had at Universal - it was fascinating seeing the similarities and differences to the Orlando one. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Great time at Universal [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Great pictures too!