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

[OhToodles!]

What a beautiful day!!
And I'm with Dawn - anything pumpkin is good to me and I want some pumpkin pancakes right about now.

[Mauimouse]

Sounds like a perfect morning today. Can't wait to hear about your tour.

[PrincessSharon]

Before I start, I have to say that this TR will contain spoilers aplenty! If you don’t want to know all the details of what happens on this ABD, don’t read. Also, there are some things listed on the itinerary and some things not listed on the itinerary. For things not listed, I will post an additional spoiler warning, in case you want to read but not spoil all the little surprises.

Day Four, Part Two
My Adventure begins!

The Hertz shuttle made its rounds of the airport. To get the ABD transfers, I was to meet my driver (and several other Adventurers) at the United terminal. At least I think so. I don’t really remember now! I do remember it was the very last stop on the tram, I think terminal 7.

I was supposed to meet the driver, but I looked around and didn’t see anyone with an ABD sign. Luckily, I spotted Micki and John, who’d been with me on the WB tour earlier in the week and I knew that was my group. I met the others riding with us to the hotel, including Kevin and John. I asked if they’d gotten the bagels and they had not. Once everyone arrived, we were loaded into our shuttle and on our way.

It was a fairly short ride to the hotel, or perhaps it seemed fast because of the funny conversations we were having. I learned all about Wo-man (who’s apparently someone famous on Perez Hilton’s website). I would explain, but this is a family board. Kevin saw Wo-man sitting on a bench. While driving by in a car going 40 mph or so. Obviously, Wo-man has a distinct look.

He also told us that some of our fellow Adventurers had a view of the Hollywood sign from their rooms, but were upset because a certain movie ad was interfering with their pictures. More on that in the next update.

When we arrived at the Renaissance, our guide Jaime was set up in the lobby waiting to check some of us in (others had already checked in earlier that day, but needed to return their rental cars to the airport).




(Photo courtesy of one of my fellow Adventurers)

After I got checked in and gave my lunch choice for our meal at Jim Henson’s Studios, I was given my room key. Then a bunch of us posed for the first of many photos to come.



I went to the front desk to ask about the bagels. It was the same guy I’d left them with and he was like “yeah, they were in a green bag, right? I don’t know what happened to them.” I asked him to please look for them and then I headed up to my room. To my surprise, my bags had already been delivered!



Unfortunately, my laptop was broken. A little corner piece was chipped off. I guess it was from stuffing 8 people’s bags into the back of one van. It works fine, though. I have the little piece that broke off and keep meaning to glue it back on, but I haven’t found the time. Anyway, before I did anything, I took some pictures.





The room was very nice but I thought the bathroom was annoying. The door wouldn’t stay open. It had an automatic closer thingy. And the toilet had a two-button system.




Press one for #1, press the other for #2

SPOILER WARNING! Skip to next post to avoid mini spoiler. There was a little gift from the guides in the room. There was a collapsible duffel bag, a set of mini binoculars (which I used to people watch ), and a package of wet wipes. It also included our Story Book, which included a bit more detailed itinerary and each day’s theme and word(s) of the day. That day’s theme was “It All Started With a Mouse” and the word(s) of the day was “Mickey Mouse.”





Continued…

[dsteiny23]

I know it has only just started...but already I'm thinking "one of these days... I am definitely getting me on an ABD tour!!"

[PrincessSharon]

My room had a view of the Hollywood & Highland complex and the rooftop pool.







I was kinda hungry, so I decided to find something to eat over at the H&H complex. On the way out, I noticed the do not disturb sign, and having the sense of humor of a twelve-year-old, it made me laugh.






I walked over to H&H and wandered around until something struck my fancy, which turned out to be a Mexican place that I don’t remember the name of. I wanted to get something kind of light, since I knew dinner wasn’t too far off (we’d be meeting at 3:50 for the welcome reception, with dinner following that). I got a quesadilla, but neglected to take a picture of it (maybe I left the camera in the room – I have no pictures for this portion).

While I’d been searching for food, I’d passed a Cold Stone Creamery and I couldn’t resist getting a scoop (cake batter ice cream FTW!). Then I headed back up to my room to relax for a bit before the welcome reception.

I unpacked my stuff and put the television on. I started watching The Silence of the Lambs and had a bit of a weird moment when I realized that the creepy skin-suit wearing killer Buffalo Bill was played by the same actor who played the captain on Monk. All the time I watched Monk it never occurred to me. That had nothing to do with anything really, but I typed it all out, so I’m leaving it in.

At about 3:45, I headed down to meet the group in front of the restaurant Twist. The podcast team was handing out visors for everyone (and I didn’t take a picture – I’ll try to remember to add one in later). I got to meet more of my fellow Adventurers. I talked to John and found out that the hotel “lost” the bagels I left for them. I am convinced that someone ate them. But this isn’t the last you’ll hear of the bagels.

Anyway, once everyone had arrived, we were led to the reception area, which was one of the conference rooms in the hotel. There were a few tables set up, but not too many, since you were supposed to be mingling and meeting your fellow Adventurers. This is normally the point in the trip where they have getting-to-know-you activities, but since everyone sort of “knew” each other already, it wasn’t necessary.

There were snacks and beverages available.


(Picture courtesy of fellow ABD’er)

This was a large group. Now I know why ABD limits their group to 40 (there were 44 of us, and ABD had made a special exception to allow 44). At times it was a little unwieldy, but overall it was handled well, and we split up into smaller groups when it was necessary.

I chatted with a bunch of people and got to finally meet Pete & Walter. Pete showed me his new iPad that he was loving! He showed me photos of the infamous peepshow shower from their trip to Australia. He also shared some info about what they’re working on for upcoming trips and said that Disney is now trying to add Club 33 to the Backstage Magic itinerary (which, I think should have been part of it to begin with but nobody asked me nobody ever asks me anything ).

After a bit, Jaime and Michael, our guides, introduced themselves and told us about their history. They’re both CMs at Disneyland. Michael is a VIP tour guide and Jaime’s done a bunch of things including crowd control for parades, but the role I found most interesting was that Jaime used to be on the Dream Squad.

They told us a little about our itinerary and then it was time to head over for dinner. Dinner was held at Trastavere, right in the Hollywood & Highland complex connected to the hotel, so we walked over there as a group.



There was a room in the back that they’d set up for us. Appetizers were already on the table.


(photo courtesy of fellow ABD’er)



SPOILER WARNING! Skip to next post to avoid mini spoiler. During dinner, a few Adventurers were selected for a trivia game. The host was pretty funny, and if someone got too far behind, he would give them super easy questions to keep the score close. But I have to admit, even the regular questions were pretty easy. However, there was singing required. It was pretty cute, though.














The winner (who came from behind to steal the game ) got a set of “Big Cheese” mouse ears, and all the other players got one of those kooky pens.

Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

We had a few choices for dinner. I decided on the veal scaloppini.



It wasn’t really that great. From what I’ve heard, not many people enjoyed dinner there at all. I did like the dessert better. It was tiramisu.



During dinner, I chatted with my neighbor Kathy about In ‘N’ Out Burger. A group of Adventurers were going to walk over there for dinner the next night and she was telling me all about the secret menu. She also told me to order my fries well done (I love crispy fries) and to definitely get a milkshake (which was good advice ).

After dinner, we got a gift from one of our fellow Adventurers. Matthew had made t-shirts for himself and his traveling companion and liked the results so much that he decided to make one for all of us. He’d gotten everyone’s sizes ahead of time and handed out the shirts. (I wore mine the final day of the trip).

Michael then told us about the next day’s itinerary and that we were to meet at 7:45 in front of Twist restaurant.

SPOILER WARNING! Skip to next post to avoid mini spoiler. We were then given our pin for that day and either a lanyard or a pouch (which was a new option). I already had a lanyard from my last ABD, so I decided to take the pouch.







Continued…

[PrincessSharon]

After dinner, the group broke up. I didn’t want to do anything but return to my room. Why not? Well it was Tuesday night! Back at the room, I did a little spyin… err, people watching with my mini binoculars out the window. I also took a few pictures.








Trastavere, where dinner was earlier that night











At 9:00, I watched LOST, then I caught up my notes and then turned in. I considered trying to stay up later, but decided not to, figuring if I was going to wake up before dawn, I might as well get as much sleep as possible.

Up Next: Disney in Hollywood

[dsteiny23]

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

figuring if I was going to wake up before dawn, I might as well get as much sleep as possible.

Most people wake up before me...I'm so not a morning person. (sorry )

And as an aside...LOST...Love it but WTF is going on?? They'd better do some serious wrapping up on Sunday. (or maybe it's just me. )

[disney_duke]

What a peaceful morning at the beach! How cool that you saw a dolphin out there too.
44 people sounds like a huge group, I'm curious to see how this goes. Bummer dinner wasn't all that tasty, but it appears as though your company and entertainment made up for that! Love the shots from your room as the sun went down and the lights came up.

[KMB733]

What a great beginning to the tour. I'm very interested to learn what happened to those bagels though.

[Colexis Mom]

Great update and pictures Sharon! More please!

[lazanya]

Great update! Great pictures!

[disneydani]

Save for your dinner, sounds like a great start to your official adventure! Very sweet of your fellow ABDer to make shirts for all of you. I am green with envy but glad you are taking us along with you!

danielle

[sc507]

OK, I had to look up Wo-man. Oh my!!!
Love reading your TRs - they are always entertaining!

[Minnie Lor]

I heard Pete's rant about dinner the first night. Sorry it wasn't up to parr. I'll bet that don't make that mistake again.

Love the pin and pouch! Great start.