After an amazing experience in the Universal Studios, the next day we drove up to see the famous 'Hollywood' sign. It was pretty crowded with tourists, we clicked some pictures which came out really well as it was a bright and sunny day. Spent a while there, and decided to drive around the hill. The roads were small, winding, had steep bends & inclines - I don't know how people manage to drive on such roads everyday esp. the ones who live there. But am sure the drive is worth it, as most of the houses up there were beautiful.
From there, we came directly to the Hollywood Boulevard to walk the 'walk of fame'. It is mainly the sidewalks with famous actors names embedded in a pink star. It was great to see the names of some of our favorite stars like Johnny Depp, Drew Barrymore, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise and so many more. It was definitely a good place to take pictures and then we went to the Grauman's Chinese theater, the forecourt has the hand and foot imprints of celebrities. It was fun to match our hands with celebrity imprints, and no doubt, it was super packed with people.
Walk of Fame
The next was the Hollywood & Highland center, a great place for shopping and dining. We also did some shopping and even bought our tickets for the Disneyland, as the lady at the visitor center told us that we could avoid long lines by buying it here. And then, we had some delicious dinner before leaving for hotel. Following day, we left early from the hotel around 8 in the morning for Anaheim - the place for Disneyland. It took us about 40 minutes and we found a good public parking before going in. Well, the definition of a crowded place changes the moment you step in a Disneyland and thus begins the story of lines & lines & more never-ending lines.
First, there was a huge line and security - just to get in the gates; then, there were lines to get the tickets, then, there were even more lines to finally get beyond the main gates. In the end, it was a sigh of relief to be inside the Disneyland. We planned our visit and decided to take the Disneyland railroad for a look around before getting down in tomorrow-land. Once again, there was a line - we got in and got our seats on the bumpy train. The view from up there was quite amazing and we got a clear idea of the place as well.
We got off in 'Tomorrowland' as some of the rides there looked interesting and again joined the hoards for 'Autopia' ride. It was kind of fun but am sure it must be more fun for the kids. We finished that and joined another line for 'Finding Nemo- Submarine voyage', which was actually really good. The submarine takes you under water and the views are pretty amazing with coral reefs and divers, they have done it perfectly. And then the story of finding nemo is played and concludes with a happy ending - when nemo is found by its parents.
Standing and waiting for so long, is quite tiring and even makes you hungry. So, from there we went straight for - no prizes for guessing - another line to get lunch from tomorrowland terrace. And some more work was still pending before we got the table to sit and relax. We had to wait for about 15 minutes to get a table, and finally ate our lunch. From there, we went to the fantasyland for 'Matterhorn Bobsleds' ride, which looked quite daring. Yet another long line, yet another long wait but it was worth it in the end - as the ride was so good - it went up and down the hill with high speed and splashed into the water before stopping. After the ride, we went towards the parade route, which had begun some time back. Watched it for a while and went to 'It's a small world' Holiday attraction which was nice. And then it was 'Mickey's Toontown', which was super cute, the houses were so pretty and there were so many kids to get on the Donald's boat ride.
The next was the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk, all through the castle they have the story of sleeping beauty being played and it was also good. We came out on the other side and clicked some pictures of the famous castle. And moved to the Frontierland, which was different from all others- there were canons and artillery and even the games were all about hunting & other stuff. My husband enjoyed this part of the visit the most and he also joined others in some of the games.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
We walked by the rivers of america and across the bridge - it was a mutual favorite - New Orleans Square. It totally reminded us of our trip to Louisiana in November. It looked exactly the same, the decorated balconies - it was amazing. We spent a while there and then left for Adventureland, and Tarzan's house was right near the entrance. Went up on the tree house, it was fun to walk on the rope bridge and on tiny stairs up the tree. Thereafter, we thought of getting in the line for Indiana Jones adventure but when we saw the wait time of 120 minutes, we backed off and went for the 'Jungle Safari' instead. It was a relaxing ride through the jungle with Hippos, elephants and alligators.
We covered most of the disneyland by the time we finished with the jungle safari and decided to walk towards the main street. But on the way we saw Astro orbitor, and waited for our turn for about 30 minutes. Another smooth ride and we were ready for dinner.We had dinner in Carnation Cafe and bought souveneirs on the way to castle again. This time it was for fireworks, we spent some time there along with many others who were waiting for the fireworks to begin. The spectacular show began right on time and before it got over we started walking towards the main street through the magical snowfall. What a perfect ending to our visit to the Disneyland.
Our Tickets to Disneyland
The next was the Hollywood & Highland center, a great place for shopping and dining. We also did some shopping and even bought our tickets for the Disneyland, as the lady at the visitor center told us that we could avoid long lines by buying it here. And then, we had some delicious dinner before leaving for hotel. Following day, we left early from the hotel around 8 in the morning for Anaheim - the place for Disneyland. It took us about 40 minutes and we found a good public parking before going in. Well, the definition of a crowded place changes the moment you step in a Disneyland and thus begins the story of lines & lines & more never-ending lines.
First, there was a huge line and security - just to get in the gates; then, there were lines to get the tickets, then, there were even more lines to finally get beyond the main gates. In the end, it was a sigh of relief to be inside the Disneyland. We planned our visit and decided to take the Disneyland railroad for a look around before getting down in tomorrow-land. Once again, there was a line - we got in and got our seats on the bumpy train. The view from up there was quite amazing and we got a clear idea of the place as well.
We got off in 'Tomorrowland' as some of the rides there looked interesting and again joined the hoards for 'Autopia' ride. It was kind of fun but am sure it must be more fun for the kids. We finished that and joined another line for 'Finding Nemo- Submarine voyage', which was actually really good. The submarine takes you under water and the views are pretty amazing with coral reefs and divers, they have done it perfectly. And then the story of finding nemo is played and concludes with a happy ending - when nemo is found by its parents.
Standing and waiting for so long, is quite tiring and even makes you hungry. So, from there we went straight for - no prizes for guessing - another line to get lunch from tomorrowland terrace. And some more work was still pending before we got the table to sit and relax. We had to wait for about 15 minutes to get a table, and finally ate our lunch. From there, we went to the fantasyland for 'Matterhorn Bobsleds' ride, which looked quite daring. Yet another long line, yet another long wait but it was worth it in the end - as the ride was so good - it went up and down the hill with high speed and splashed into the water before stopping. After the ride, we went towards the parade route, which had begun some time back. Watched it for a while and went to 'It's a small world' Holiday attraction which was nice. And then it was 'Mickey's Toontown', which was super cute, the houses were so pretty and there were so many kids to get on the Donald's boat ride.
The next was the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk, all through the castle they have the story of sleeping beauty being played and it was also good. We came out on the other side and clicked some pictures of the famous castle. And moved to the Frontierland, which was different from all others- there were canons and artillery and even the games were all about hunting & other stuff. My husband enjoyed this part of the visit the most and he also joined others in some of the games.
We walked by the rivers of america and across the bridge - it was a mutual favorite - New Orleans Square. It totally reminded us of our trip to Louisiana in November. It looked exactly the same, the decorated balconies - it was amazing. We spent a while there and then left for Adventureland, and Tarzan's house was right near the entrance. Went up on the tree house, it was fun to walk on the rope bridge and on tiny stairs up the tree. Thereafter, we thought of getting in the line for Indiana Jones adventure but when we saw the wait time of 120 minutes, we backed off and went for the 'Jungle Safari' instead. It was a relaxing ride through the jungle with Hippos, elephants and alligators.
We covered most of the disneyland by the time we finished with the jungle safari and decided to walk towards the main street. But on the way we saw Astro orbitor, and waited for our turn for about 30 minutes. Another smooth ride and we were ready for dinner.We had dinner in Carnation Cafe and bought souveneirs on the way to castle again. This time it was for fireworks, we spent some time there along with many others who were waiting for the fireworks to begin. The spectacular show began right on time and before it got over we started walking towards the main street through the magical snowfall. What a perfect ending to our visit to the Disneyland.
