Adventures By Disney - A Tale of Two Cities - Page 25 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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After our high tea, everyone went in different directions. A majority of the group decided to do some shopping. I wanted to shop, but also wanted to visit the V&A, so I decided to venture out on my own.
I walked around Harrods and did some shopping. I wanted to take photos, but photography is prohibited in most of the store. I found a cute mini Harrods shopping bag filled with chocolate coins that I got for DM. When I gave it to her, I told her to bring it to work and share it with her coworker (the one who reads my TRs aloud to my DM after I’ve printed them out for her). So Shantell, if this is the first you’re hearing of this, Mable ate all the candy!
And readers, don’t feel sorry for my mom because I ratted her out. I asked DM on three separate occasions whether she’d brought that candy to work and got a different excuse each time. Nevermind that I brought back enough candy for DM to open her own sweets shop. She needs to work on that sharing thing. OK, I’ll admit that DM did say she shared some of the other candy, but my version of events makes for a more entertaining TR
I did some more shopping and wandering around the store (where, I didn’t get lost because of my handy-dandy map – unlike whenever I visit Macy’s in NYC, even though I’ve shopped there a bazillion times perhaps a map would be a good idea). Harrods has a Chocolate Bar. Harrods rocks!!
I headed downstairs to the Egyptian Hall, near the Princess Diana memorial, and photographs are permitted (at least the security guard standing there didn’t stop anyone from taking photos ).
Legend has it that Diana and Dodi Fayed got engaged on the night of that fatal car crash (there’s a ring that’s supposed to be an engagement ring). Dodi’s father owns Harrods. And he’s Egyptian, which explains the Egyptian Hall. I read that there was a live cobra protecting the shoe counter. I’m not sure if it’s still there because I didn’t visit the shoe counter, and if they need live, venomous snakes to protect the shoes, I definitely can’t afford them!
I knew I didn’t really have a lot of time, so after shopping at Harrods, I headed out to the Victoria & Albert museum. It was a gorgeous day, so I walked. I did a little window shopping and scenery admiring on the way.
My BFF Samantha visited one of these in her Passport to Europe show
I made it to the V&A, which, like a lot of buildings in London, is beautiful.
It was just as lovely on the inside.
There were a lot of interesting-sounding exhibits, but I started with the Fashion section (because I’m all stylish and junk. What? Shut up! ). Walking through there reminded me of my BFF Eileen (and her MFA ).
Yes, that is a dress made from bras
Of course a man designed it. Most women find wearing one bra uncomfortable enough!
I really enjoyed the shoe exhibit because I love shoes (well, except the shoes that require venomous serpents as guards ).
There was also quite an interesting display on the history of women’s undergarments.
I would say we’ve come a long way over the years, but then I think about underwire bras, which aren’t exactly the most comfortable things.
I next checked out the Raphael Cartoons. In case you were wondering, it’s not the ordinary type of cartoons. Being the fan of Renaissance art that I am, I really enjoyed it. No photos were allowed in there.
Having seen all the things I really wanted to see, I spent a little time just wandering about.
I wanted to have enough time to relax a little back at the hotel before we headed out to see The Lion King, so I decided to head back. But first, I had one more thing on my list of stuff to do. I walked back down Knightsbridge, taking more pictures.
I was happy to find a cheesy souvenir shop, where I made a few purchases. At last I arrived at my destination…
Harvey Nicks!
I think I enjoyed the window displays more than anything! They were very colorful and imaginative.
Once I was finished, I headed to the Tube station nearby and hopped on the Tube back to the RCC. I wasn’t hungry at the moment, but figured I’d need a little something for later, so I stopped at Prêt a Manger for a salad since it was right next door to the hotel.
I spent some time relaxing in the room. I filled out the postcards I’d bought at the cheesy souvenir shop. To my surprise, the phone rang. It was Chez! We ironed out the details of our meet the following day.
I caught up on my notes and popped in on the boards for a quick live update. Then I got ready for the evening. I was a little early, so I took the opportunity to explore the hotel a little. I had seen some beautiful sugar sculptures in the lobby the night before (and for a Food Network Challenge junky like me, that was a treat!).
I wasn’t sure if this was for us, the ABD’ers, but I was happy to have a little Disney touch! There was a nice-looking gift shop, but it was always closed, with a sign to ask in the business center if you wanted to shop. I thought that was too much of a hassle, even though I spotted something really cute that I might’ve purchased.
Aren’t they adorable?
It was 7:00, time to meet up with the rest of the Adventurers. We boarded our coach and were on the way to the theatre. On the way, our guides handed out our tickets as well as programs (which saved us ₤4).
The Renaissance Chancery Court is quite close to the theatre district, so we arrived at the Lyceum in no time. I got a few photos before the show began.
I’d seen The Lion King on Broadway years ago, but I still enjoyed every second of it. It was exactly as I remembered, and in fact, one of my tour mates asked if there had been any changes made to the show since it opened and we were told that Disney intentionally keeps all performances throughout the world the same so you’ll have the same experience no matter where you see it (except for minor set changes due to theatre limitations and such).
But I’m getting ahead of myself a bit. SPOILERS to follow! When the show ended, we were instructed to remain in our seats for a surprise (which wasn’t a surprise to me, even with the small bit of information I’d been able to collect). When the theatre cleared out, a member of the crew came out and took us backstage. Obviously, no photos were allowed, so
It was really amazing to get to see the sets and costumes and puppets up close! (Also amazing, there was not another soul backstage besides our group and the crew-member tour guide – the entire cast and crew had cleared the theater in about 15 minutes We were told they start removing their costumes immediately after the final curtain goes down!)
I wish I’d written down her name because I absolutely don’t remember it, but the CM told us about how the costumes and puppets worked, about the costume changes, about how choreographed everything backstage needs to be because of the limited space, and about how much the actor playing Scar sweats. Hey, you’d sweat a lot, too, if your costume weighed 16 pounds, so cut the poor guy some slack!
After taking us on a tour of the backstage area and the stage, she answered any and all questions we had. It was an incredible experience, as I’m sure you can imagine, and one that I’d never be able to manage on my own, so kudos here again to Adventures By Disney!
After answering our questions, she handed out that day’s pin:
The ABD guides also gave us our schedule for the following day (breakfast began at 7, the bus leaves at 9). Then we all climbed aboard our bus and went back to our hotel. Before heading for bed, I set the alarm clock for 6:30 a.m. and hit the sack.
Up Next: My first taste of authentic London weather
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
an update! You love us, you really love us. I have to agree that the architecture looks beautiful. Love the exterior of V&A's. I'm curious, what is the little green building that Samantha Brown has visited? The public loo?
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Oct '99: CSR ~ May '02: CR ~ Nov '04: SOG ~ May '06: SOG ~ Dec '07: Solo @ Pop ~ May '08: Pop w/friends ~ Oct '08: SOG ~ Dec '09: Pop w/LeAnn ~ Sept '10: Solo @ Pop ~ Spring '11: AKL ~ Jan '12: Pop for 1/2 Marathon ~ Sept '12: 1st trip for DL 1/2 Marathon? ~ Feb '13: Pop w/pals? ~ Mar '13: Tokyo Disney w/PP's?
an update! You love us, you really love us. I have to agree that the architecture looks beautiful. Love the exterior of V&A's. I'm curious, what is the little green building that Samantha Brown has visited? The public loo?
They are Cabman Shelters. London cab drivers (or anyone, I guess) can stop there to eat. I guess I should've mentioned that! Sam, like me, doesn't often visit the loo or maybe she does. She just doesn't mention it on any of her shows.
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Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
Another great update. The glass hanging sculpture in V&As is amazing. But, definitely the topper are those sugar sculptures. Amazing what you can do with sugar. (Aside from winding up a couple of kids way too close to bed time )
Sam, like me, doesn't often visit the loo or maybe she does. She just doesn't mention it on any of her shows.
Good thing, since I've heard that it costs $ to use. Thanks for the info on what it was. Should've figured that it wasn't the loo.
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Oct '99: CSR ~ May '02: CR ~ Nov '04: SOG ~ May '06: SOG ~ Dec '07: Solo @ Pop ~ May '08: Pop w/friends ~ Oct '08: SOG ~ Dec '09: Pop w/LeAnn ~ Sept '10: Solo @ Pop ~ Spring '11: AKL ~ Jan '12: Pop for 1/2 Marathon ~ Sept '12: 1st trip for DL 1/2 Marathon? ~ Feb '13: Pop w/pals? ~ Mar '13: Tokyo Disney w/PP's?
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What a wonderful update. Do you know who did the blown glass sculpture at the V&A - it reminds me of the ones done by >>>> CHAOULI<<<?? - the same guy that did the chandelers in the atriums of the magic and the wonder.
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Sharon it is so great that you know your mom well and brought enough candy for her to share glad her friends got to eat a little bit of it (not that she was going to give up her chocolate).
What I found really interesting about the Adventures by Disney is when they show you the sample schedule they really do give everyone time to explore on their own. Definitely not something that some other tour groups do. I still remember my grandparents telling me that their second trip to Europe was so much better becuase they did it on their own, their first trip had been part of a group and she said they "lived" on the bus. There was never time to just look around. Figured that maybe it was becuase they took their tour years ago but my aunt went recently and found the same thing...told her she should have booked a ABD (got to do that marketing for the mouse ).
What an amazing experience to have the backstage tour...one of my co-workers just saw it on Broadway and loved it. I saw it a few years back but definitely want to go back again with the girls.
Wonderful update Sharon - you brought back some great memories of the V&A for me. I don't get to go there that often, as Mark's not a fan, but I love the place.
Those ducks were just too cute and the backstage tour sounds so neat.
Love all your pictures Sharon! Guess what: I just booked a spontanious short trip to London with my DH for next month! Now I'm even more excited to read your TR!
The V & A is a beautiful building. It is neat that you can venture out on your own but get to do cool stuff like back stage at the Lion King. A lovely day, looking forward to more.
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She needs to work on that sharing thing. 
OK, I’ll admit that DM did say she shared some of the other candy, but my version of events makes for a more entertaining TR 
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It was Chez! We ironed out the details of our meet the following day.
We were told they start removing their costumes immediately after the final curtain goes down!) 
Hey, you’d sweat a lot, too, if your costume weighed 16 pounds, so cut the poor guy some slack! 
an update! You love us, you really love us. I have to agree that the architecture looks beautiful. Love the exterior of V&A's. I'm curious, what is the little green building that Samantha Brown has visited? The public loo?
ºOº ~*~ 
Sam, like me, doesn't often visit the loo or maybe she does. She just doesn't mention it on any of her shows.
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and the backstage tour sounds so neat. 
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