Hollywood and Disneyland Trip March 27 thru April 1

Last week I was able to take some pictures around Hollywood, see "Wicked" at the gorgeous Pantages Theater, meet up with many Micechatters at the Wally Boag dinner, and attend a C.O.W meet on Sunday. It really was a great week, and have quite a few pictures to share.

Thursday and Friday I spent some time in Hollywood and inspired by a few photo articles that compared actual buildings in Hollywood, with building they inspired in DCA. With that thought in mind I took several photographs of some of the more interesting buildings in Hollywood.

Hollywood and Highland is where I parked, as it was near The Disney Soda Fountain. Coming up the escalators, they have some intriguing decore, from
a baby grand piano

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008030.jpg


to a display of mirrors, that look like something from Alice in Wonderland.


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008031.jpg

At Hollywood and Highland, another iconic symbol of old Hollywood
was brought back with the developement of the Hollywood Highland
shopping area. When I get to my DCA pictures, I will include a couple
of pictures you can compare with this.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008050.jpg


Do you know which building this is?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008054.jpg

This is part of the exterior lobby of the same building

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008068.jpg

It is part of the ceiling of the exterior lobby of the El Capitan Theater.
And in the same building, on the first floor is the Disney Soda fountain.

And of course, no report to Hollywood would be complete without a photo of
at least a little bit of the real Walk of Fame

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008026.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008020.jpg

Most of these buildings are along Hollywood Blvd.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008017.jpg

I was really amazed by how detailed some of these buildings were.
And some buildings didn't have to be very high, but still had beautiful details

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008010.jpg

Some buildings were in the process of being restored, some were boarded up
and some were just crappy looking souvenier stores. Others had some real eclectic clothing.


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008012.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008012-1.jpg


This building, which houses a large costume shop on the first floor,
was the inspiration for a builidng in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot in DCA,

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008014.jpg

And As I was walking in front of the store, I notice a famous celebrity,
with tennies on :

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008016.jpg

And there was quite a bit of new construction going on too. This
was near Hollywood and Vine, real close to Pantages Theater, where
I saw "Wicked" on Friday night. Immediately to the west of Graumans
Chinese theater, there was also a very deep hole, and a large crane,
supposedly for the foundation of a new building.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008002.jpg

Just south of Hollywood blvd, is the famous Cinerama Theater.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008003.jpg

Just north of Hollywood and Vine you see this

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008010-1.jpg

And it's instersting to see that the red portion on the top of this sign
resembles the same shape.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008009.jpg

The outdoor Lobby of Pantages, is decorated in amazing fashion, as is the El Capitan

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008024.jpg

Just a small portion of the inside lobby. They didn't allow picture inside the theater,
but it had an even larger chandelier, same style as pictured here, and even more ornate.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008072.jpg

And the staircase going up to the balcony

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008074.jpg

After the performance, I was able to get a few autographs and pictures
of

Glinda ~ Megan Hilty

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008078.jpg

Elphaba ~ Caissie Levey and me

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008001.jpg

Nessarose ~ Marcy Dodd and me

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008002-1.jpg

The Wizard ~ John Rubinstien and
Caissie Levy ~ Elphaba

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008079.jpg


Fiyero ~ Kristoffer Cusick

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008080.jpg

Unfortunately Jo Anne Worley zipped off, too quick.


Next up, will be pictures from the Wally Boag dinner,
and then pictures from the Meet on Sunday, and my
own pictures of the new Pixar Play Parade !

Very cool trip report Aladdin! I love Hollywood. I've heard that Wicked is awesome - I'd love to see it some day. Glad you had fun and got to meet some of the cast!

It was so nice to meet you at the Wally Boag party! I'm sorry we didn't have more time to chat.

:) Lannie

Cool pics, Aladdin! Some very photogenic people in your shots!

I had high hopes for Wicked, and didn't hear too much about the show beforehand, and really enjoyed all the performances. I really enjoyed seeing how this story wove into the Classic "Wizard of Oz" with Judy Garland. The vocalists and performances were all fantastic, and the staging and costumes were done well, too. The songs were just OK, nothing that I was humming when the show was over. Not to give the story away, but to entice people to see Wicked, imagine Glinda performed a "Legally Blonde" and the Wizard portrayed as a "Doc Brown" (Back to the Future) type character. And then learn about what happened with Glinda before Dorothy dropped in for a visit, and how Glinda first met the Witch of the West.

On Saturday, Micechatters, ended up with about 3 tables at the celebration for Wally Boag

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008068-1.jpg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008069.jpg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008070.jpg
Al and Sue

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008071.jpg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008072-1.jpg
I did get a chance to talk to the man himself, and he still loves joking around! He reminded me a little of my great grandpa who was always
full of jokes!

While talking with Wally, Marty Skylar and I accidently bumped into each other, which offered me a chance to talk to another Disney Legend. And also met Bob Gurr! It was quite the event.

Of course it was all topped off by so many wonderful MiceChatters! And a special thanks to Skywaygrl for keeping us all organized!!!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008080-1.jpg
The top two Billies


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008074-1.jpg
Betty Taylor wasn't able to attend, so our own Rixter filled in!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008082.jpg
MiceChatters doing what they do best! (chatting of course)

Nice TR, how's the new cast? Cassie just came back and Fiero looks different too.

very cool

Fortunately, there were a good 11 or 12 hours until the noon meet on Sunday.

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http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008021-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008022-1.jpg
Dusty and Charlie just enjoying Disneyland


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...Matterhorn.jpg
Just couldn't get enough pictures of all the flowering trees!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008020-1.jpg
More smiling micechatters in Disneyland!

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Square Trees

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008019.jpg
It's impossible to take a bad picture of such good lookin' people!


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008017-1.jpg

We headed to The River Belle for lunch, and then hopped over to DCA, to see a showing of "Seasons of the Vine", as this building is being transformed into a preview center.

Rick was ready for his close up ~

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008046-1.jpg

and many of us were enjoying all green scenery

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008032.jpg

Here is the Seasons of the Vine Building

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008210.jpg

The entry area

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008024-1.jpg

It is a cute little movie, and I like it better than Whoopie's movie next door, but no one really appeared too sad about its demise.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008027.jpg

We were all hoping that they might crack open one of those barrels in celebration of it's last day, but no such luck.

Outside, several of us become facsinated with a hummingbird

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008041.jpg

Then it was time for Space Mountain, here SnowWhite Raven and Monorail Man are
"entertaining" each other

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008055.jpg

After Space, we sadly bid farewell to some of the micechatters.
and moved on to the Matterhorn

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008059.jpg

I hadn't seen the Pixar Play Parade, yet, so we moved back to DCA, After seeing much of this new parade on line, I was somewhat disappointed with this new parade, as much was not fully operating. The Bugs Life float was still out of commission, and the only acrobats were Woody and Jessie on a teeter to totter. I'm not too fond of the music, and it's certainly missing the energy that block party bash, had. And even though I was told that the water had been toned down, it should just be turned off completely, after seeing it in person. And Quite frankly more people seemed to be enjoying the bubbles, and not so much with the water. The chefs did not use stilts on Sunday, but I did go back monday and the stilts were in use again. Also Jack Jack was not on Fire on Sunday, but Monday Jack Jack was on Fire again! so Glad I could see that! On one date, the Jellyfish gals only had they costumes on, and didn't carry the Jellyfish pole. One other thing about this parade that is really frustrating, trying to get a picture of Nemo and Crew WITH the Fish and Turtle eyes open!!! SOMEONE PLEASE tell the parade performers that it's NOT necessary, nor is it welcome when the fish and turtle eyes are closed ~ REALLY, Dory had her eyes closed more of the time, than open!

I'm including pictures from both Sunday and Monday's performance.

On Monday, several different radio Stations, including one from Phoenix, were stationed along the Paradise Pier Parade Rounte, for the Pixar Play Parade.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008046-2.jpg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008121-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008181.jpg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008185.jpg
Cute Jessies and Cute Woodies

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008135.jpg
Jessie and Woody on the "Tinker Totter"

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008117.jpg
Skinner Short Chefs on Sunday

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008157.jpg
Tall Chefs on Monday

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008121.jpg
Remy and Emile cute in a cup, but they were more fun on the spagetti bungees.

More parade coming!

Wow. Cool pics of the cast. My sister loves Wiked. Gotta show her this!

Awesome castle pics!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aladdin

Rick was ready for his close up ~

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...h2008046-1.jpg

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Wait a minute, here! Weren't you SUPPOSED to be shooting OVER MY SHOULDER at something - like the cutie in the green shirt, maybe?!?!? :))

Garish portrait aside, it was great spending some time with you last weekend Todd. It's always a treat when you make your way across the sandy divide and visit us in SoCal.

Aladdin, great report and pictures so far. How did you get to meet the cast of Wicked? I can't wait to see what else you were up to last weekend.

Whether it's suppose to be Anna Nichole or Marylin, that is one beefy lady!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008016.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Olympicnut

Whether it's suppose to be Anna Nichole or Marylin, that is one beefy lady!

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rch2008016.jpg

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Hey hey hey!! I'd trade her bodies! :lol:

Excellent trip report!! I've never been to downtown LA, thanks for sharing all of the great shots!

Great job so far, Aladdin. Cool pictures!

Wow! Great pics of Wicked. I love meeting the cast afterwords. They look so different in person.

Lucky you!