Blogs from Los Angeles, California, United States, North America - page 2

Universal Studios is hands down the best theme park I have ever been to. Not only are the rides actually fun, but it’s in HOLLYWOOD so we got to see sound stages and sets!! The absolute first thing we did was head to Hogsmeade, the Harry Potter section of the park. I think it’s an exact replica of the village they used in the movie (or is it actually where it was filmed? Can’t seem to find that information anywhere) and it’s so cool!! We saw people lining up for something that didn’t have an obvious purpose, so of course we joined the line. It ended up being for Ollivander’s, the wand shop, where you go in small groups at a time and an actor (ahem, witch) will pick two little kids and get them to ... read more

There’s nothing quite like Disney for the quality and fun it delivers, and the last few days have not disappointed. We even managed a side trip to Knott’s Berry Farm but finished off the Disney days with the light show Fantasmic - a fitting end to a great time! Highlights have included: - The Cars ride - Disney quality and class at its best - a combination of interactive animation and the thrill of a car chase - the Incredicoaster - fun, fast and upside down - Soarin’ Around the World - for a virtual trip over some of the world’s great landmarks - Big Thunder - voted family favourite ride for everyone’s pure enjoyment. Our day at Knott’s was a welcome break from the queues of Disney, with us all enjoying the pony ride and ... read more

This is a quick (at least my original intention was to make it quick) addendum to the previous post. Because I'm now Car-Less, and because my flight departs from LAX, I and my three ridiculously heavy bags (plus my backpack and hiking boots) had to be transported from my San Diego son's house to my other son's house in Long Beach, which is closer to LAX. Therefore, we coordinated a rendezvous last Sunday for brunch at a convenient midway point--San Clemente. On Sunday morning, because I have very helpful sons, my San Diego son happily shlepped all of my bags into the back of his car for the trip up to said rendezvous in San Clemente. We (San Diego son, my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter, and I) had a lovely drive up the coast. We arrived early, ... read more

Day 21: Universal Studios We started the morning bright and early to get ready for the day at Universal Studios. We caught an Uber there then brought the tickets. Dad got us the express tickets which means that we get to skip the normal line and go in the express lane but you can only use these tickets once at every ride, after that you have to go in the normal lane. Once we got in the theme park we split up Bella and mum went together because they like the calm rides and not the scary one. And dad and I went to together to go on a few scary ones. The first ride dad and I went one was a simulator Transformers ride. At one point we jumped off a skyscraper which was quite ... read more

Day 20 - Disney day We left our apartment bright and early so that we could get through the gates of Disneyland Park at a reasonable time. We were through and ready for our first ride by 9am. First up we visited Tomorrowland and tackled: the Buzz Lightyear ride; Star Tours; the Finding Nemo submarine; and Autopia. Autopia allowed Zoe and Bella to show us their driving skills for the first time - not bad either! Then to Fantasyland where Bella was in her element: Pinocchio’s Daring journey; Snow White’s scary adventure; Sleeping Beauty’s castle; Dumbo the flying elephant; Mr Toad’s wild ride; the Storybook Land canal Boat ride; “its a small world” boat ride (and no I cant get that tune out of my head); and Bella’s absolute favourite, the Casey Jr Circus train. Frontier ... read more