Solo-on-a-Scooter Abd DLR and DCL Alaska! (7/21-8/6/2012) - Page 17 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Weather: Sunny, mid-80s. Felt much more comfortable all day, but still very hot in full sunshine.
Woke up at about 5am after another good night's sleep, slowly got ready, tried to get caught up on the boards. I didn’t want any breakfast, but did want some decent coffee, so at 6 when the lobby Starbucks opened I went down and got a latte and brought it back to the room. I probably should have gone to breakfast just to be sociable, and will for the rest of the week.
THIS WAS AN AWESOME DAY! Just in case I wasn’t properly enthusiastic yesterday after dinner, let me just say that Hanni and Matt are fantastic and this tour rocks! One thing I will say to those of you planning on doing this with kids is that some parts of the tour will be boring for them. It depends, of course, on the age and interests of the child, but there is a lot of Disney history, Hollywood history that I know bored the youngest member of our tour.
I met up with the friendly group in the lobby and we got on three open-air vans for our Hollywood tour. This I could have done without. It was interesting to see the beautiful homes on Mulholland Drive and in Beverly Hills, but I’m not a fan of stopping and gawping at someone’s private residence. I did get to see a restaurant/nightclub that was one of Fred Astaire’s favorite places and got a photo of that.
We stopped at the overlook to see the Hollywood sign, but the morning fog was so thick it hardly showed. The view from the hotel was better, I thought. Even though this tour wasn’t to my taste, others enjoyed it and we had some laughs and good conversation on the van. I did take a shot of Ringo Starr's gate and one of Rodeo Drive.
OK, so this far it doesn’t sound so awesome, right? Just wait!
We were dropped off at the hotel for restroom breaks and some of the ice-cold free lemonade they give out for free in the lobby.
Then started the awesomeness.
Jim Henson Studios tour, led by Muppeteer Michael. Just incredible. I’d really been looking forward to this and it did not disappoint. First we were shown a movie (hilarious) in which muppets were filming a history of the studio. Before it was Jim Henson’s, it was Charlie Chaplin’s, then A&M records. The lot itself is charming—beautifully landscaped with touches of Muppet whimsy scattered about. I’d love to live there!
This dinosaur was just standing under a tree, wearing a collar, leash and saddle!
We went through a series of buildings and were shown how a lot of the puppetry is done today—a combination of stop-motion and the manipulation of digital images with very sophisticated joysticks that control facial expressions. The “puppeteers” who provide the voices are also doing the manipulation (“acting”) so that it’s a real performance. The cameras integrate the stop-motion part with the digital part on a giant screen so that they can see how it looks as they’re doing it. We even got to try the joysticks ourselves. Of course, all around us were maquettes of characters—from Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Kid (I like both these shows!), as well as classic Muppets, Fraggle Rock, etc. Also photos, awards, full-sized completed puppets.
Doesn't this guy look real? He was beautiful.
From "Where the Wild Things Are":
Maquette for Sid the Science Kid:
Animatronic bear puppet from the "Country Bears" movie
We all got to pose with Kermit and a real Emmy award. Now, tell me, do I look happy with Kermie, or what??
At the end, we went into a giant soundstage and Michael showed us how the more traditional filmed puppetry is done. He used a muppet called DJ Panda and demonstrated how he works the puppet while looking at the screen. The image on the screen is reversed, so it’s sort of like mirror writing—very confusing, and takes a while to learn. Again, he allowed us to try this. At no time did we feel rushed or like we were taking up too much of his time. He was charming and wonderful. Look at how he says “goodbye”. He’s always moving his hand as if it has a muppet attached to it!
After the Muppets we headed to Tam o’Shanter, Walt's favorite restaurant, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary. We were shown (and sat in) the booth Walt always requested. Look--I'm sitting right where Walt sat!
Their specialty is prime rib, and I don’t think there was a bite of it left on anyone’s plate—people loved it. It was served with spinach, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding.
Some people had a Cobb salad instead, and I had the orecchiette pasta with tomatoes and spinach—it was quite good! I skipped dessert, which was raspberry trifle.
On our Itinerary for today, this is where the activities ended, but you never know what surprises are in store on this tour! If you’re planning on doing this tour and want to be surprised, you probably shouldn’t even have read this far!
We headed out of the city to Griffith Park, a destination important to Disney history for several reasons, one of which is trains. We were headed to Walt’s Barn, the current home of the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, that used to be in Walt’s back yard. The barn itself was moved from Walt’s property and reconstructed in Griffith Park, along with a huge track layout for it to run on, complete with bridges, tunnels and buildings. Inside the barn and another shed is Walt History Utopia. His trains, photos, pieces of the original track, other train memorabilia that Walt collected.
This whole property is run completely on donations and by volunteers. These wonderful volunteers also are full of knowledge about Walt and his trains, railroads in general, and Disney history.
The talk that one of them gave in the barn was fantastic. Walt’s trains are child-sized, 1/8 scale trains. You sit astride the cars with your feet on runners at each side. I don’t have any photos of us riding the trains, but those photos will be added to this report when I get the final CD of the tour. We split into groups and got to ride the train a full circuit of the track—quite a long ride! There’s a small selection of merchandise, too, to benefit the foundation that maintains the trains. I bought a pin:
They opened especially for us today because normally they’re only open for a few hours on Sundays (it may only be 1 Sunday a month?) during which time they give FREE rides. Between this place and the Jim Henson Studio, the smile may never leave my face!
They say that tomorrow is really the best day of the tour. We go to Imagineering and the Disney Studio, with lunch at the commissary. We pack up tonight because tomorrow after both of these tours we move to Disneylan. I guess I’ll probably just keep smiling all week.
I’m totally exhausted, though, and even though our day of touring only lasted until 4pm, am going to call it a day.
I forgot to mention that when I got back to the room last night after dinner there was a box of mini-cupcakes from a local bakery on the desk. Yet another surprise from ABD. (Sorry, one went into my mouth before I snapped the photo!)
Great day Laurie! My grilled cheese dinner replaced my reservation at Tam so I'm glad I got to see your photos of it! You are right the Barn is only open 1 Sunday a month--I didn't get to see that--I am surprised that this tour doesn't go to the Merry Go Round too. It was the inspiration for Disneyland--and it's in a sad state now.
What an amazing trip you're having so far! You've done so many things in such a short period. I needed a nap after reading about day one.
I love your pins and those yummy looking cupcakes. But I really love the look of sheer joy on your face in the photo with Kermit. You both look adorable!
What a great day....glad you had a wonderful veggie meal at Tam O'. Your visit to the Henson studios looked awesome....I am really excited to go on this tour! Sounds like tomorrow is going to be fabulous....is it another 7am start? If so, I better make sure I get plenty of extra rest before I head out to LA!
Danielle
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Great day Laurie! My grilled cheese dinner replaced my reservation at Tam so I'm glad I got to see your photos of it! You are right the Barn is only open 1 Sunday a month--I didn't get to see that--I am surprised that this tour doesn't go to the Merry Go Round too. It was the inspiration for Disneyland--and it's in a sad state now.
I don't know why they don't include the carousel. They do talk about it and its significance.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GinnyMouse
What an amazing trip you're having so far! You've done so many things in such a short period. I needed a nap after reading about day one.
I love your pins and those yummy looking cupcakes. But I really love the look of sheer joy on your face in the photo with Kermit. You both look adorable!
It is exhausting, but so great. I loved being in that room with Kermit and all the muppets memorabilia.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydani
What a great day....glad you had a wonderful veggie meal at Tam O'. Your visit to the Henson studios looked awesome....I am really excited to go on this tour! Sounds like tomorrow is going to be fabulous....is it another 7am start? If so, I better make sure I get plenty of extra rest before I head out to LA!
Danielle
Get your rest because every day is a 7am breakfast! With the time change, though, it's fairly easy to get up early as long as you don't go to bed too late! I was thinking about Izzy when I wrote the bit about kids possibly being bored on the tour. It's not like the other ABD tours where they have lots of kids and have planned activities just for them. The guides do a good job of paying them extra attention, but I know one little girl is not having the best time. Izzy's getting so grown-up that she'll probably be fine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shazza
A wonderful day! Wow, that surprise would be a delight for train geeks (I'm married to one). Thanks for reporting in, can't wait to see tomorrow.
Lou would fit right in with the volunteers at the barn!
Ooo, what a great day! I'm glad the open air tour was in the morning. Can you imagine if you had done it in the afternoon?!
I love your happy face with Kermie!!! The food at Tam O'Shanter looked great! The prime rib plate looked great, but your pasta looked really good, too! I think I'd have a hard time deciding!
Thanks for reminding me about the trains. I need to plan a trip out there with the kids. I would be happy to donate to their cause as it's a great one!
I can't wait to hear about tomorrow! I just know it's going to be amazing!
Oh, and reading your update about Rodeo Drive actually reminded me of a few more stars I've seen. A few years back I attended a big alumni event at the Beverly Hills Hotel. As I was leaving and waiting at valet for my car, three famous gentlemen walked up and stood next to me: Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, and George Hamilton. George was SO handsome!
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I am such a Muppet freak, and want to take this ABD tour simply for the Jim Henson Studio tour! How cool you were able to pose with Kermie and an Emmy! And I totally love you sat in the very spot Walt Disney used to sit in at Tam O'Shanter. Such a wickedly cool day for you!!!!
Ooo, what a great day! I'm glad the open air tour was in the morning. Can you imagine if you had done it in the afternoon?!
I love your happy face with Kermie!!! The food at Tam O'Shanter looked great! The prime rib plate looked great, but your pasta looked really good, too! I think I'd have a hard time deciding!
Thanks for reminding me about the trains. I need to plan a trip out there with the kids. I would be happy to donate to their cause as it's a great one!
I can't wait to hear about tomorrow! I just know it's going to be amazing!
Oh, and reading your update about Rodeo Drive actually reminded me of a few more stars I've seen. A few years back I attended a big alumni event at the Beverly Hills Hotel. As I was leaving and waiting at valet for my car, three famous gentlemen walked up and stood next to me: Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, and George Hamilton. George was SO handsome!
I was so glad that the van tour was in the AM. There was a nice, cool breeze for a lot of the morning-- it was a lovely day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata
This sounds like such a great tour! What a wonderful day! Tomorrow sounds even better, if that's possible!
It does sound like it'll be better, and from what I remember of Sharon's report, it IS!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Wow, that truly was an amazing day and absolutely fascinating to read about.
I'd been really looking forward to the Henson Studio, as there are never any tours to see it. Backstage Magic (or really good connections!) would be the only way to get in. And they let us look at so much and took so much time to explain things.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iloverags2
I am such a Muppet freak, and want to take this ABD tour simply for the Jim Henson Studio tour! How cool you were able to pose with Kermie and an Emmy! And I totally love you sat in the very spot Walt Disney used to sit in at Tam O'Shanter. Such a wickedly cool day for you!!!!
I the muppets, especially the old TV show. So witty, great music, and the "body language" of the muppets was incredible. After the Henson visit, the rest of the day was Walt-focused and I loved that, too! There were so many great stories of Walt and his family that the volunteers at the barn told.
What a fabulous day! Lunch looked really great! I know how much gets packed into every day, so I understand your calling it a night so early. If I recall, the busiest day of the trip is the one you're doing today! But it's so great! I can't say it's the best (it would be really hard for me to pick a "best" day).
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the muppets, especially the old TV show. So witty, great music, and the "body language" of the muppets was incredible. After the Henson visit, the rest of the day was Walt-focused and I loved that, too! There were so many great stories of Walt and his family that the volunteers at the barn told.
Katie's graduation
I know how much gets packed into every day, so I understand your calling it a night so early. If I recall, the busiest day of the trip is the one you're doing today! But it's so great! I can't say it's the best (it would be really hard for me to pick a "best" day).
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