Backstage Magic Tour 4/22 - 4/27 - 1ST POST UPDATED 4/15

[bradk]

WHO'S GOING
Brad
inkkognito & DH (Barb & Tony)
jacksparrowfan & DH
Politzania & vz9p57 (? & Scott)
Phil1019 (and ?)


LOS ANGELES AREA
Basic Information:
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
Hollywood & Highland Center - where the hotel is
Area and Attraction Maps
LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (includes trip planner)

Events:
The Little Mermaid with Sing-A-Long - Also character breakfast on weekends
The Art of Cars at the Petersen Automotive Museum
LA Times Festival of Books @ UCLA 4/27-4/28
Tickets for TV Show Tapings: http://www.ocatv.com http://www.1iota.com http://www.tvtickets.com http://www.tvtix.com
Carolwood Pacific Presents Walt's Barn at Griffith Park - 4/20, 11a - 3p


DISNEYLAND AREA
April Park Hours and Entertainment Schedule
DCA Food and Wine Festival (includes daily schedule)
Disney Theme Park Edition - Character Rubik's Cube Demonstration April 26
2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach 4/18 - 4/20

with special thanks to Politzania for event contributions

 

[bradk]

(event postponed)

 

[bradk]

Details are available on the Food & Wine Festival events for these dates.

Ticketed events (require reservations in advance) include:
- Celebrity Chef Dinner with Guy Fieri
- Winemaker Dinners
- Napa Rose Cooking School
- Festival Wine Receptions
- Taste Wine Like An Expert with Michael Jordan, M.S.

See http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...vents/detail?name=FoodWineSignatureEventsPage for full details

 

[bradk]

There will be a Rubik's Cube speedcubing demonstration at the World of Disney Store on April 26 from 1 - 4 pm featuring several top solvers

http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/disneygallery/dlr_rubikscube.html

Here's a youtube video of a Anderson Cooper 360 segment with Tyson Mao who can solve a cube blindfolded in under 2 minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lACH1zHDVTo

and another featuring Tyson and Ambie Valdes who also will be appearing at the event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V8uNZWTaGU

 

[dingoballs]

Figured I'd make this for those of us going and whatnot to keep on top of things going on around those dates in the SoCal area.

The 2008 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is taking place 4/18 - 4/20
http://www.gplb.com

the DLR hours & entertainment schedule for April:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...onthly?name=CalendarMonthlyPage&date=20080410

the Disney's California Food & Wine Festival at DCA runs weekends (Fri-Sun) between April 11 - May 4
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...specialEvents/detail?name=FoodWineLandingPage

Have you received your backpack & tour literature yet?

 

[bradk]

no. they said 45 days, so that should be closer to the end of this week.

 

[bradk]

also, April dates are available in RideMax if anyone is a subscriber

 

[inkkognito]

Ooo, something to look forward to! Please let me know when the backpack comes because we receive our mail at PO Box place and I only pick it up once a week or so. I will run over there ASAP when I know my ABD goodies are there.

 

[bradk]

I called today to ask about the FP (i don't think i got a proper answer so I don't want to repeat it).

i was told my itinerary (or whatever she called it), to be shipped UPS, is ready to be shipped but hasn't been as of yet but once it has been I can call to get the tracking #.

i was hoping the answer would be i'd have received it today, but owell.

 

[bradk]

LA Times Festival of Books takes places at UCLA 4/27-4/28

list of authors appearing including celebs: http://www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks/authorlist.html

 

[MJGirl]

I called today to ask about the FP (i don't think i got a proper answer so I don't want to repeat it).

i was told my itinerary (or whatever she called it), to be shipped UPS, is ready to be shipped but hasn't been as of yet but once it has been I can call to get the tracking #.

i was hoping the answer would be i'd have received it today, but owell.

I find this funny ... I had problems with UPS last year. When the parcel arrived, I had to pay $40 some odd dollars for duty. I thought it strange that I had to pay for something that was a gift. When I called Disney to complain, they said it would be made up to me, but it wasn't. I spoke to them a week ago, and was told that it was a UPS issue last year and that it was fixed as they were now using Fed Ex and I won't be charged anything. Yet here you are saying they are using UPS again? Personally, I can't see it being a UPS problem, as the bill I saw was from the Canadian Government. ABD put a value on the shipping label and I had to pay duty on it!

 

[bradk]

I get a different answer every time I call. Today I'm told the package is 'approved' but it's coming from Florida and it could be another 2 weeks before it's shipped ('anywhere between 45 and 30 days')

 

[bradk]

so with no solid itinerary, i reviewed my plans (which were initially to spend another day at disneyland on that sunday and leave monday afternoon) and realized i don't think the ABD tour really gives enough time in the parks to satisfy me. you can upgrade the 3 day ticket through the guides to a 4 day for $20 but i've unsuccessfully been able to find out if you can go to 5 days so i have a second call in.

nonetheless, i changed my flight as it didn't cost me anything and i'm now leaving monday night which will give me a good chunk of the day in the parks. i figured the worst it'll cost me is another $100 for the 1 day park hopper if i can't upgrade what i have.

is anyone working on some itinerary outside of the tour?

 

[MJGirl]

Hi Brad ... I added a few days before the tour. I'm arriving on Sunday and spending Monday at Universal. I can't add on after, as I am boarding the Magic on the Sunday after the tour. Do you know if our passes are good for the Sunday???

 

[bradk]

i dunno what the deal with these tickets are if they can be upgraded to 4 days but if it's unknown they can go to 5. i suspect you won't have tickets before the trip.

that sounds like a whole lot of bouncing back and forth though between anaheim and LA.

 

[MJGirl]

i dunno what the deal with these tickets are if they can be upgraded to 4 days but if it's unknown they can go to 5. i suspect you won't have tickets before the trip.

that sounds like a whole lot of bouncing back and forth though between anaheim and LA.

Sorry ... I think I didn't state it right ... I am arriving the Sunday before, staying at the Renaissance on Sunday and Monday. The tour starts Tuesday and the last day of the ABD tour is also Sunday, when I board the Magic. I guess my question is, Can I go to the parks on the last Sunday before I head out to the Magic, or do I need another ticket? Also, well there even be enough time to go to the park on the last day?

 

[bradk]

oh. well you get a 3 day ticket which covers thursday, friday and saturday. sunday is just a breakfast but you'll be allowed to upgrade the ticket to a 4 day for $20 through the guides, so yes, you'll be able to get in Sunday with that. as far as how much time you have, i guess it all depends on when you need to be at the port. not too familiar with DCL operating out of that coast, but you'll have to give yourself 90-120 minutes to get there i suspect.

 

[jacksparrowfan]

Hi! I called last week about adding on another day to my husbands 3 day park hopper ticket (I'm an AP holder). The gal said she hadn't been asked that question and spoke to her Supervisor. I was told that we would have to go the concierage at the hotel. When we check in with the guides on tuesday, I am going to ask them and see what we are to do.

I take it no one else has received their package in the mail? I was told, twice, it would be 30 to 45 days. So, if I don't receive anything around the 23rd of this month, I will call again. Looks like we will receive some neat things.

The countdown to our trip is going verrrrryyyyy slloooowwwly! Can't wait!!!!

 

[bradk]

you're on the 4/22 too?

the CM you spoke to is just clueless said to say. which i've run across with multiple times when talking them. initially i chalked it up to the tour just being so new they don't really know, but sometimes i have to wonder. especially since these are CMs working out of the Anaheim area.

they've made it well known you can upgrade to a 4th day through your guide (the day of check-in is thursday incidentally, not tuesday) for $20.

you can see one example here: http://adventuresforum.disney.go.com/questions.aspx?sort=&page=&qid=5609&pid=1&cid=38

believe me.. if there's a question to be asked, i've asked it

 

[Politzania]

bradk - thanks for "running interference" for the rest of us so far...
I checked with our TA last week regarding this trip & she also said that the final packet should be sent out about 30 days before the tour - will start watching the mailbox next week, I guess!

We did also get a reimbursement from AbD for the Westfest banquet tix we bought based on our original tour date, so that was a nice bit of customer service.

My husband and I will be in Disneyland the weekend before the trip - staying at the Hojo Sat - Tues- not especially looking forward to the drive from Anaheim to LAX Tues morning, but the extra days in the park should be worth it.