For this week’s edition of Thinking Out Loud, a little California recap. Aaaaaaand go…
1. Let’s kick things off with a look at the lovely hotel we stayed in…
It was in a really charming area of town…
😆 Actually, those are the sets for Psycho and War of the Worlds in Universal Studios, which we visited on our last full day in LA. There’s a tour you can take that’ll take you through the backlots where you can see things like Whoville (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Wisteria Lane (Desperate Housewives), Jaws, and King Kong 3D. It’s pretty neat to see what goes on behind-the-scenes of movies and TV shows.
2. But it’s even neater to see these guys…
MINIONS!!! Not gonna lie — they were my main motivation for going to Universal. We were going to skip US since we were a little tired after Disneyland and California Adventures, but then I found out that Despicable Me was being featured and that pretty much decided it. It was fun to go on the Transformers ride, Jurassic Park, and watch the Waterworld show…
… but minions are where it’s at. My only complaint is that most of the Despicable Me merchandise was disappointing, so I only managed to come home with a deck of playing cards. Oh poop.
3. Rewinding a little to our first few days in Cali, which were spent in Disneyland and California Adventures. I won’t go into too much detail since a lot of it was the same as when we visited in 2012, but I will say that, as nice as Disneyland is during the day, I think I prefer it at night…
4. … and I think that Tinkerbell might [potentially] have a death wish…
See that tiny spec on the right? That’s her (an actual person) flying around among the fireworks. Crazy adrenaline junkie…
5. I’ll also tell you that I recommend picking up a Fastpass if you plan on hitting up Radiator Springs Racers (which you definitely should). Despite the fact that January is Disney’s “slow” month, the lineups for all the good rides were insane, with some taking up to 1.5 hours. Fastpasses cut down the wait time considerably.
6. Speaking of good rides, be sure to check out Toy Story Midway Mania in California Adventures…
[source]
It’s a 3D shooting game, and probably one of my favourites in the whole park. Also, does anyone find it ironic that I got a beaver for my reward? Talk about being reminded of my Canadian-ness wherever I go…
Oh, and see that accuracy? Never ever give me a real gun…
7. And for those of you who asked, I gave Mickey a kiss for you…
8. Also… please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks it would be awesome to be a Disney princess…
I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to work in Disneyland… Everyone always looks so happy, and I spoke to one lady who said that she’s worked there for over 40 years and wouldn’t change it for the world.
9. I will never complain about the traffic in Edmonton again, because LA is insane. We were craving a little peace and quiet after a few days , so we packed up and relocated to Long Beach…
10. And because no recap post is complete without a hotel room selfie…
Hi! And bye! 😀
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Hello
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Ahh I went to Universal! Luckily we knew someone who worked there and got to do a back lot tour on a golf cart! It was so fun! I loved seeing wisteria lane (huge Desperate Housewives fan!) and Whoville was so fun to see! It was definitely one of my favorites!
How cute! Looks like you had a good time. I’ve only been to Disney World as it is much closer to my home in Alabama, but I’d like to visit it sometime!
It looks and sounds like you had an incredible trip. One of these days I might actually make it to Disney.
I am SHOCKED…but proud of you for not risking getting arrested…for not trying to kidnap one of those minions!! Bahaha! Did you ever see the episode(s) of Full House where they went to Disney? I don’t remember exactly what all happened, but I remember Michelle getting to be “princess for a day” and I was soooooo jealous! Haha! Doesn’t EVERY girl want to be a Disney princess?! I got dibs on Belle or Cinderella! 😉
And I just have to say…the next to the last landscape pic actually took my breath away! Wow!
I’m such a dork, your first two photos had me thinking ohh did she go on some kind of mission trip?!
These Disney pictures make me superduper happy! So cute.
I want to hug a minion! And being a Disney princess might be more fun than being a scientist, who knows 🙂
Super jealous of your trip – especially seeing Mickey AND the Minions 😀 I love Disney at night as well <3
Oh this post makes me miss my home away from home so much! When I lived in San Diego, I used to go to Disneyland all the time (like every 6 weeks or so). I haven’t been at all since I moved to Washington… 3 years!
I remember going on that tour being so much fun! The only part that freaked me out a little was the jaws 😯 that has and always will be the scariest movie ever to me. The coolest part was Wysteria Lane because I have been a long time lover of Desperate Housewives and when I went they were still filming the show!
Jaws was under maintenance this time around, so we didn’t get to see him 🙁
Be more adorable. I dare you! Also had a minor freak out over the hotel trick…I was like uhhhh any girl who has an obsession with sephora is not staying in that shit hole lol
AHHHH! I’m a million times jealous of those pictures, California, Belle!
Let’s be friends too (I found you page on lovenataliemarie – my life in a nutshell)
Reading your recap made me miss Disneyland so much. It’s probably my all time favorite vacation. You are so right about that LA traffic, too!
Ahhh, must you taunt me with this post?! Just kidding, girl. 😀
I’d definitely love to go back and walk through the sets. All such classic movies. I am always so interesting in what goes into making movies.
I prefer Disney at night as well. The castle all lit up, the fire works, World of Color, etc. 😀
I’ve always wanted to be either Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, or Tinkerbell (the one on the ground of course). I think I have some potential. I’ll give it a shot in a few years. 😉
The pictures are absolutely beautiful, just like your selfie! 😀
Ahh! Minions! ^_^
You are adorbs! I’m sure Mickey loved your smooches! I haven’t been to disneyland, but I have been to Disney World since I’m an East Coast gal. Do they have the princess dress up for little girls there? I remember when I was at Disney World, all of the little girls get were walking around dressed up as their favorite princess, with glitter and tiaras, the whole shebang! It’s adorable, and I’m pretty sure they don’t offer the services for adults… 🙁
Long Beach looks gorgeous!! I have only been to LA once before but I do recall traffic being a freaking nightmare!
Yes! They had little girls dressed up as princesses EVERYWHERE. I even saw one dressed up as Malificent, and I have to admit that she was kind of my favourite 😆