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

[mcc0313]

What a great update, the pictures from Universal Studiow were great and what a Tram tour. The tour looked wonderful, it definitely covers a lot.

[TinkerBelz]

So I grew up going to Universal every year as a pre-teen and teenager (along with Disneyland, of course! LOL). I just LOVED your pictures and descriptions and since Desperate Housewives is one of my FAVORITE shows, how BEAUTIFUL the houses looked! Funny how things have changed and some have not.

Back in the day, you took the tram ride first (no exceptions), then at the end there were a few rides, but nothing like they have now. Wow! We saw Bill Cosby filming Ghost Dad when we went and that was pretty exciting - as he walked right next to our tram!

Also the dizzy part, it wasn't a mummy theme, cause The Mummy was just a twinkle in Universal's eye! It was just some thing you rode through! LOL

One question. On the tram tour, it used to stop at a sound stage. We'd all get out and the sound stage was broken into 4 parts and they showed different effects in those four parts (also asking for volunteers from the audience). Do they still do that? Just curious. That tram tour seemed to last a large part of the day (probably because there was no 'park' to do after you got off).

[PrincessSharon]

Originally Posted by chezp

Wow, you did get a lot done in a short space of time. I didn't realise Universal Studios there was so different to the one in Orlando. Maybe we'll have to visit it sometime....

Yes, I do think the parks are different. The one in Orlando feels like a theme park, while the one in L.A. feels like a studio with some attractions built in. It's definitely worth a visit. In fact, if you hadn't ever visited either park, I'd recommend US Hollywood over US Orlando.

Originally Posted by doccoc2002

Great update...you did a lot in 4 hours. The tram ride looks like the most fun. I would of LOVED to see Wisteria Ln. Can't wait to see your flying tour!

I kept expecting the park to get busier! I guess the weather kept people away.

Originally Posted by BostonTeaParty

Interrupting my reading to say: Wonderful start to your trip. My husband Paul is a science/astronomy geek and he would have been in blissed-out-science/astronomy geek-heaven at this place. In fact, he just read a book about the life of Tesla, which he really enjoyed. The Tesla display reminded me of Frankenstein's laboratory though. Now back to the tr.

ETA: Was just telling Paul about your visit to the Observatory, and he, of course, is familiar with it, even though he's never been there. He said to tell you that they've filmed other movies there too, including Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy's movie "Bowfinger" (which we loved).

I enjoyed my time at the Observatory. I didn't even get to explore the lower level. I wanted to leave before dark because I was parked pretty far away, along a winding road (next to a cliff ). I would definitely visit there again to see some stuff I missed. And The Tesla coil does seem Frankenstein-y.

Originally Posted by DyanKJ130

WOW, Sharon! You sure got a lot done in one morning. The tram tour looked especially interesting. Could you see any of the filming, while you were there? Looking forward to hearing about the helicopter ride

I did see crews at work, but no actual filming taking place. I know they were working inside a few of the soundstages, too.

Originally Posted by disney_duke

I love that you still stick to the "tried and true" approach that the early bird gets the worm! So much done at Universal in such a short period of time! That tram tour is awesome, that alone would be worth going to Universal Hollywood. The Flinstones restaurant is cute!

Getting so much done early (and getting good photos without tons of strangers in them) made up for waking up so early. And I should've gone back to that Flinstones restaurant. I wonder if they serve giant racks of ribs that tip over your car.

Originally Posted by pamcarey

What a great update! Universal Studios Hollywood sure has changed a LOT since I was there 20 years ago!

I agree! The last time I was there, all they had was the tram tour! At least that's all I remember. There's enough there to do now to fill a day.

Originally Posted by HeatherD

That's the problem with starting a TR halfway through....just when you get used to reading straight through - BAM! you're left hanging...Hurry back with another update!

I'll try to knock out the updates quickly. My goal is to finish before Memorial Day weekend (hey, it's a long trip! ).

Originally Posted by dsteiny23

I never realized the Bates Motel was so close to Whoville. So what's next the sequel Horton Hears a Who Scream!!

And Love the Desperate Housewives houses and taking the ride with you on the tour. Brought back memories and also some new things that weren't there on my last trip out there. We spent the day there in 1997 (wow, that's a long time ago) while we were out there when I was on Wheel of Fortune.

Can't wait to see helicopter pics!

It's funny how crammed together everything is. They can hide all that on film. When I went to the WB Studio, I saw the house from the tv show Dukes of Hazzard, and Uncle Jesse and Boss Hogg lived in the same house!

And you were on WOF!?! That's awesome! How'd you do?

Originally Posted by OhToodles!

Universal in CA looks so much better than the one in FL!! Can't wait for the next update with the helicopter ride!

I liked US Hollywood a lot better than US Orlando. Maybe because I wasn't always comparing it to Disney? I do think it's worth a visit if you have time, even if you've been to US Orlando.

Originally Posted by Minnie Lor

I these photo's. It just looks so "California" to me. Quite stunning!

Definitely "California." And it's been in a few movies, too. I hate to name drop, but my BFF Sam also visited the lounge in one of her specials.

Originally Posted by Caldercup

Hear, hear! First you cut short our beach vacation together, and then you head out West to pal around with other potential BFFs.

Harrumph!
E

PS - you are forgiven, though... that "Wall-E" joke made me lose my sour-puss face. Good one, Shashi.

See, now that's why you'll never be ousted as my BFF. You laugh at my corny jokes. Sam never laughs. Of course she's only a cardboard cutout, but that's not the point.

Originally Posted by TinkerBelz

So I grew up going to Universal every year as a pre-teen and teenager (along with Disneyland, of course! LOL). I just LOVED your pictures and descriptions and since Desperate Housewives is one of my FAVORITE shows, how BEAUTIFUL the houses looked! Funny how things have changed and some have not.

Back in the day, you took the tram ride first (no exceptions), then at the end there were a few rides, but nothing like they have now. Wow! We saw Bill Cosby filming Ghost Dad when we went and that was pretty exciting - as he walked right next to our tram!

Also the dizzy part, it wasn't a mummy theme, cause The Mummy was just a twinkle in Universal's eye! It was just some thing you rode through! LOL

One question. On the tram tour, it used to stop at a sound stage. We'd all get out and the sound stage was broken into 4 parts and they showed different effects in those four parts (also asking for volunteers from the audience). Do they still do that? Just curious. That tram tour seemed to last a large part of the day (probably because there was no 'park' to do after you got off).

No, you don't ever leave the tram. You do get to leave the tram on the VIP tour, though. And the tram tour is shorter than I remember (from many years ago when there wasn't much more than the tram). Now it lasts about 45 minutes, I think.

[PrincessSharon]

Day Two, Part Two
The best way to see L.A.

After my stroll through City Walk, I found my car in the parking lot and headed out. My tour was departing from Compton Airport, and Gladys led me right there with no issues (but I did make a short stop at a Walgreens to buy some cough drops – I wasn’t sick, just had an annoying cough that I couldn’t shake).

I checked in and waited in the little reception area, and was soon being led out onto the runway. I’m not generally a nervous flyer, but I have to admit I was pretty nervous. Especially after seeing how small the helicopter was! Luckily, I had the exact same pilot as my BFF Samantha Brown, so I figured I was in good hands. After getting my picture taken…



I climbed in and buckled up. I’d gotten the package that included the above photo and a t-shirt, plus a basket of snacks and champagne. I had a little of the champagne and that helped soothe my nerves. I also got a headset to wear so I could hear my pilot (and he could hear me).

Before I knew it, it we were taking off! It was a little weird going straight up, and it was a tiny bit wobbly going up, but once we got some height, it smoothed out and the rest of the flight (and the landing) was very smooth.



Now I have to tell you, Robin, the pilot, pointed out lots of stuff. But I didn’t take notes until later, so I don’t remember everything! I do remember most of it, and I’ll mention those that I do remember. I distinctly remember him pointing out Dodgers Stadium (and a story to go with it, which I’ll tell in a bit), but I can’t seem to find it in my pictures. Dodgers Stadium isn’t exactly small, so I’m not sure how I managed that! Anyway, on with the tour!

From Compton (and I saw where Venus & Serena Williams learned to play tennis), we flew toward the coast.






Vineland Swap Meet/Drive-In Theater

I would love to visit that! I mean the swap meet sounds cool, but a DRIVE-IN! I’d love to do that!





When we got to the coast, we flew north past Venice Beach up to Santa Monica. In the process, we passed right by LAX. In the flight path! Luckily, we were flying low enough that planes taking off flew right over us. It was













In Venice, I could see the Boardwalk, Muscle Beach and the Skate Park.







When we got to Santa Monica, I pointed out my hotel and we flew right over it so I could get a good picture.






You can see my room in this shot! I’m almost right in the middle of the left side of the building, one floor down from the top. Just opposite the 1740.

And a bird’s eye view of the Pier.



It was Sunday, so you can see the Veterans for Peace memorial Arlington West to the right of the pier.


Malibu’s up that way

Next we flew over a lot of ritzy neighborhoods with huge estates and country clubs. Naturally, this is where most of the celebrity homes were.




I think one of those homes belongs to Bill Cosby


This estate can be yours for a mere $65 million

Notice I said it can be yours. I find it completely unsuitable and much too small. ()





Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

The late Aaron Spelling’s mansion was easy to spot. That $65 million home? Could’ve been his summer cottage.


I made sure to get the neighbors’ “huts” in, to show how ginormous his estate is




The building with the garden on the roof (on the upper right) is the multi-car garage

And then, the Playboy Mansion. And I must admit, I am reeeeeealy curious about the trampoline. But maybe I don’t want to know.




Notice how many cars are out front






Tom Cruise’s home

We were headed for Hollywood and the Sunset Strip.






Sunset Tower, The House of Blues (the rusty-looking building on the left) and the Andaz Hotel, formerly the “Riot Hyatt”




That little white building in the bottom right corner is where I had my very first In N Out Burger



It was really cool to fly right along Hollywood Boulevard!




Hollywood & Highland complex, which will play a big part in the TR later




Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, the first ABD hotel

Then we flew out towards the Hollywood sign.








How’s that for a good shot of the Hollywood sign?

Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

We flew over the cave that was used in the 70s Batman tv show. My DB, a huge Batman fan, loved that I saw the Bat Cave!





And we flew right up near Griffith Observatory.



We headed to the business district. We passed Madonna’s house on the way there.





And I was really glad to see the Walt Disney Concert Hall, as I wanted to visit there but couldn’t fit it into my itinerary.





When we got to the business district, we flew right between all the skyscrapers. Very










Johnny Depp lives in the penthouse of the Eastern building







Before I knew it, we were heading back to where we started. We flew right over Watts, and I got a pretty good shot of the Towers.





My pilot has flown tons of celebrities, including recently Rihanna and her boyfriend Matt Kemp (from the Dodgers – which is why I know I took a picture of Dodgers Stadium… at least I think so ). He’s also flown a lot of celebs to the county courthouse! But that’s all I’ll say about that.



As we approached the airport, he pointed out the Celebrity Helicopter fleet.


All the Celebrity Helicopters planes and helicopters have red tails in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen

It seemed like my tour was over in like 20 minutes, but in reality it had been more like 40-45 minutes, since my tour was extended a little. I thought it was an awesome experience that I’ll never forget, and it’s definitely the best way to see L.A. I also liked that I got to see a bunch of places that I’d already been, and a sneak preview of places that I’d be visiting in the days ahead. It was certainly a highlight of a fantastic trip (a trip with so many “wow” moments, I cannot possibly pick a favorite).

I would call it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I totally want to do it again! If this is something you’re interested in, I can highly recommend Celebrity Helicopter.

After my first ever helicopter ride, I was amped and drove back to Santa Monica with a big ole grin on my face (if you can believe that ).

Up Next: The best dessert of the trip

[mcc0313]

Amazing - what a cool tour and I can see how this would be so much better then on a bus. What views.... Love the shots of the pier and the beach. Can't wait to see more.

[mcc0313]

Well now that I got to see the rest of the pictures....had to laugh at the comparison of Arnold Spellings house and his neighbor, I would be lost in a house that big (not that I would complain and all). Got to say I love the pool at the Playboy Mansion. It really sounds like an amazing tour and you got to see so much (and in a surprisingly short amount of time).

[Tink and co.]

Holy cow! What a view! I grew up in So Cal and have never seen views like those. What an experience! More please!

[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.

[mojjo]

I always swore I was never going to SoCal again...but between DH wanting DL and that tour...I could probably be presuaded...how cool.

[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.

[Colexis Mom]

What great pictures PSha! Looks like a great tour!

[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

[sc507]

I've been waiting to read about your helicopter tour, and you didn't disappoint!!! Great pictures and commentary