Jeffrey made me do it, but it’s almost free for our three!! **Updated 5/19** About This Page:

[PrincessSharon]

Great update, Dyan! Loved the soda shop (but that was weird that someone said you seated yourselves ). The wax museum looked really Hurry back with more, please!

[CountryTink]

Wow! I just finished reading from the beginning and what a trip you are having so far and you haven't even finished day one. Love the videos - they are a great addition to your TR.

Can't wait to hear more.

[ilovedisney0_0]

Dyan, I just caught up, and I LOVE that you posted so much about your Hollywood tour! My DD has coerced me into taking her down there in a couple of weeks, and I am looking for something new to add to our Disney-themed mix.

[DyanKJ130]

Originally Posted by DawnDenise

Just got all caught up on your report and am loving the pictures. You are getting so much accomplished!! Looking forward to more!!

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great pictures Dyan!! And what a great day! Cute little soda shop at Disney And love the wax museum More please!!

Originally Posted by mcc0313

What a great update...I loved the pictures and it sounded like you had a great afternoon, the museums looked really cool...

Originally Posted by PrincessSharon

Great update, Dyan! Loved the soda shop (but that was weird that someone said you seated yourselves ). The wax museum looked really Hurry back with more, please!

Originally Posted by CountryTink

Wow! I just finished reading from the beginning and what a trip you are having so far and you haven't even finished day one. Love the videos - they are a great addition to your TR.

everyone! Looking back on it now, I really can’t believe how much we accomplished! One more installment and this day will be complete!

Originally Posted by Lemap760

Great pictures. Hannibal would have freaked me out if I saw "him" standing there.

OMG!! He was sooo creepy!!

Originally Posted by Flik

FUN! I cannot wait to visit some of the sites you went to. I love your photos!

Originally Posted by Flik

Quick question: about how long did it take you to tour the Walk of Fame, El Capitan, Kodak Theatre area? Is this something one could easily do in an hour? Just trying to figure out my itinerary.

Flik! I don’t remember how long we took over there, but I know we could have spent so much longer! We only saw a very small portion of the Walk of Fame, we didn’t go into the El Capitan and only saw portions of the Kodak Theatre. You could probably run through it in an hour, but I would highly recommend devoting more time there if you can.

Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0

OMG, Brad, I almost choked!!

Amy, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! (The great and mighty Oz has spoken! )

Originally Posted by iamgrumpy

Ok so your DH looks like he is either ready for some tea or ready to knock someone out with that GINORMOUS World Series ring! Go Sox! Sold on being Bronson's Fan or is he being bribed to say that???

Never quite noticed the tea pose, but have always felt it looked like he was ready to punch something. (Hope it wasn’t me, as I was the one standing in front of him at the time! ) And, he definitely is sold on being Bronson’s fan!! Honest!! I think after chatting with him a couple of times, he’s just come to the realization that he really is a genuinely nice guy. Now, if only Bronson could do something about improving his performance. Giving up 7 runs in the first 1 1/3 innings and getting pulled out of the game just isn’t going to cut it! :

Originally Posted by ilovedisney0_0

Dyan, I just caught up, and I LOVE that you posted so much about your Hollywood tour! My DD has coerced me into taking her down there in a couple of weeks, and I am looking for something new to add to our Disney-themed mix.

If you can do it, I would definitely recommend it! If decide to take the tour, make sure you purchase your tickets at the kiosk right by the bus stop outside the Kodak Theatre. Well worth the $20!

[DyanKJ130]

Now playing: And, the Oscar goes to. . .

Saturday, February 16, 2008 – Day 2/Part 5

We crossed the street again and made our way back towards the Hollywood & Highlands Center Complex, as this was where we would find “Meet the Oscars”

One of those windows up there was ours.




Can you see the Oscars on the other side of the window?


Looking down into the courtyard


We arrived to where the Oscars were on display. We couldn’t beat the price F-R-E-E and I am grateful that bradk told me about this prior to our leaving for California. Kyle immediately struck up a conversation with the female security officer, who was intrigued that Kyle was carrying a Rubik’s cube. We chatted for a couple of minutes and then we went in. I was surprised by how few people were actually in the viewing area, especially with it being F-R-E-E and all, but that just meant more time for us!

All of the Oscar’s that were going to be awarded on February 24th were on display in various cases. There were also displays of various Oscars that had been awarded in years past, a display that explained/showed the steps of how an Oscar was made and there were some interactive touch-screen quizzes about the Oscars. It was all very informative and it was something else to be standing there among ALL of the Oscars that were going to be awarded in a little more than a week. I took a TON of photos (some better than others – the plexiglass was quite reflective).


The making of an Oscar


Kyle’s idea for a pose – I like the effect


We went across the hallway to ‘meet’ an Oscar and really enjoyed how they set up the area. It was themed to make you feel like you had just ‘arrived’ on the red carpet, with red carpet and everything! There were a couple of life-size Oscars you could pose with, there was a video screen to the right with people waving, flashing cameras & yelling to you and there was a photo op where you could pose in front of the Kodak Theatre as if you had just arrived. We were pretty impressed.




Sporting what I would call "Trolley Hair"




As you wound your way around to the area, there were displays on the walls with all the different Oscar categories that were to be awarded. It was a good way to keep yourself busy, while you were waiting for others as they were ‘meeting’ Oscar. There were only about 2 groups in front of us and before we knew it, it was our turn.

Kyle went first


Then Jeffrey


And then me


Now, while Oscar was anchored down by a sturdy wire, it was still neat to be able to pick it up to pose with. And, Oscar is pretty heavy too. I seem to remember somewhere in the range of 8 pounds or so. It was a very cool experience and I would like to thank Brad once again for letting us know about this remarkable experience! Brad!

Jeffrey & I finished and took a few more photos of the Oscar nomination displays, then we went to catch up with Kyle. He was near the entrance with one of the employees and the security officer doing this




The Oscars were being well guarded!

We said goodbye to Oscar and Kyle’s new friends and made our way back to the Renaissance to retrieve our luggage from Bell Services.

We saw this along the way and were reminded of the Red Sox!! I'm shipping up to Boston....woah...oh...oh...


The hotel lobby


Bell Services told us we needed to bring the car around the front and then they would bring our luggage out to us, so we went to the garage and got the car. We had our luggage in no time and we were on the road to Anaheim with the assistance of our GPS. On the way, we stopped under this sign! Jeffrey says to me, “Quick, get your camera out!”


I don’t remember how long it took us to drive to Anaheim. I do know that I took that last photo around 7:00pm. The next photo I took was as soon as we were in our room around 8:30pm after we checked in at the Dolphin’s Cove Resort. Not too bad. We were pleased with what we would be calling home for the next week. The Dolphin’s Cove was originally an apartment complex, which has been renovated into time share units. After I took a few photos, we unpacked all of our stuff and we were moved in for the week.

Our room





Kyle’s ‘room’ – we kept the couch open for him once we made it up, since we knew we wouldn’t be spending much time in the room.




The deck was incredibly spacious. It had a table with 4 chairs and there was still plenty of room to walk around.






We settled in and before long we were ready for bed. It had been a long day and we were set to have another long day tomorrow.

Up Next: It’s another trip report detour!! Still working on the video - hoping it will fit within YouTube's guidelines in terms of file size!

[mcc0313]

You all looked very comforatable holding that Oscar (especially Kyle...liked the lowered glasses look).

What a great way to wrap up your evening...

[chezp]

I'm all caught up again - what great updates. I love the way you can pose with an Oscar - how neat is that!

[bsblady01]

more please

[DawnDenise]

Great update Dyan! how the workers were more interested in Kyle's Rubik's Cube than watching the Oscars. Your room at Dolphin's Cove looks wonderful! Looking forward to the detour!!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great time at the Oscars Love the pics! And your new room looks great too - so big More please

[CountryTink]

Great update. Sounds like an enjoyable first day. Can't wait for more.

[Lemap760]

How cool that you got to hold Oscar, and do it for free.

[JaimeandChad]

However have I missed this until now?? So many comments, so little time.
Actually Your pictures are excellent and the video is way And did you wave to me when you flew threw Detroit? I live about 90 minutes to the north Hurry back with more!!

[PrincessSharon]

Sounds like a fun day with Oscar. Can't wait for the detour!

[ilovedisney0_0]

Oh my gosh, what an amazing experience with the Oscars!! Way to go, Brad! I am always amazed at your vast knowledge of information. And your room looks very comfortable. Your trip is definitely starting off on a magical note!