Backstage Magic Adventure By Disney - Day One

April 22 is a significant day in several ways. First, it's Earth Day and also the anniversary of the official opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Second, it's my horse's birthday; he turned 31 this year, which is about a zillion in human years. Third, and perhaps most important this year, it was the start of my “Backstage Magic” Adventure By Disney (ABD).

Ever since Disney started their ABD premium travel package arm, I've been drooling to go on a trip. But as Disney Cruise Line fanatics who sail an average of six times a year, we don't have a lot of remaining vacation time and most of the trips are pretty long because they go to places like Europe, Australia, and China. But in 2008 they came up with a five-night trip that I just couldn't resist: Backstage Magic. The first part, a visit to Hollywood, wasn't particularly appealing to me. Sure, it would be nice to see the famous Hollywood sign, the Chinese Theater, and some of the other icons, but that's nothing I would go out of my way for.

But the deal-maker was a visit to Jim Henson's studio, the Walt Disney Studio (including Imagineering), and VIP tours of Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, including a backstage look at some of the rides and attractions.

We've done several tours at Disney World, so this was most definitely an appealing option. We'd only been to DL/DCA once, for a very brief visit, so I was really stoked to return and get a backstage look.

We originally booked for the first available date (early April), but unfortunately that one was canceled. We managed to shift it to the new premiere date of April 22, so that's how we happened to spend Earth Day winging our way from one coast to another.

Our day began way too early; really, I consider it began on Monday night rather than Tuesday morning. We had to wake up at 4 a.m., which is still night time in my book. I hadn't been able to get to sleep till midnight, so I was most definitely bleary eyed as we tended to our house pets, hauled our luggage to the Family Truckster, and sped down the nearly deserted toll road to Orlando International Airport.

We parked in the Red Lot, just off the South Entrance, and waited (and waited...and waited...) for the shuttle. Finally it showed up and disgorged us at the United terminal, which was quite a hub of activity considering the early hour.

I was hoping to buy a discounted upgrade to first class, since six and a half hours crammed in coach didn't sound all that appealing. Unfortunately, there were only eight first class seats, so they were sold out. Oh, well, we had hedged our bets the day before and paid $50 to upgrade to Economy Plus, which supposedly gives you five more inches of legroom. That might not sound like much till the person in front of you reclines into your lap. I was a bit concerned because the only full row left was right in front of the exit row. That was good in the respect of being guaranteed not to have a screaming baby or kicking toddler behind us, but bad because that row usually doesn't recline. Oh well, I planned to down enough Xanax to dope a draft horse anyway, so I figured I wouldn't be in much of a state to care. Hubby doesn't generally recline either, so no biggie on his part. We took the window and the aisle and hoped for the best.

The baggage check in line was almost non-existent, but we made up for it in Security. As we inched along at the pace of paralyzed turtle, I was glad that we'd left plenty of time to spare. When we're using a parking lot shuttle and checking bags, we always try to build in at least an hour extra. Eventually we wended our way through and boarded the shuttle train to the gate.

Since I usually fly Southwest now, I'm used to the brand spankin' new areas of the airport. United is off in the Red Haired Step Child section, which reeks of mold probably left over from the hurricanes years ago and which is pretty much ripped apart. I think they're in the midst of redoing it, but for now it was quite a disaster area. I judiciously filled the empty water bottles I'd taken through Security, since you can't bring 'em through full, because several bottles of water are my security blanket when flying. I like to stay hydrated, and sucking on them helps my popping ears. In the worst case scenario, if I have a panic attack, I can splash water on my face or even pour it on my head (although thankfully I've never gotten to that point).

Speaking of panic, I had my handy-dandy Xanax stash because I'm not the best of fliers. I'm not afraid of crashing, but I don't like the feeling of being “stuck” in the sky and not being able to land/get off the plane. That was caused years back by a miserable experience, and the longer the flight, the more likely I am to have a flashback. Since it's six and a half hours to California, I planned to chemically enhance myself right from the start so I popped two pills before we even boarded.

Soon enough our boarding zone was called and we marched aboard the A319 aircraft. Immediately I was pleased that we had chosen Economy Plus. We did indeed have more legroom, and no one had taken the middle seat, so we had a nice spacious area to chill, nap, or whatever. Also, amazingly, our seats did recline! I knew that would make it much easier for me to enjoy some pharmaceutically enhanced shut-eye.

As the other passengers boarded, I felt a claustrophobic tinge. I think the idea of spending so many hours airborne was freaking me a bit, so I popped another half pill. I probably could have made it through without, but that ensured that I was in a happy, sleepy la la land. I wasn't alone; the person in front of me reclined as soon as we were airborne and nodded off, and the dude behind us, who had a whole row, laid down in a comfy cocoon. In fact, despite the seat map showing a full house when we'd viewed it online, I discovered lots of empty seats (and sleepy people taking advantage of them) when I visited the restroom in the back of the plane a couple times.

I managed to stay conscious long enough for some cookies and juice before plugging in my iPod and making up for the sleep I'd missed the night before. The only times I stirred were when hubby slipped past me to go to the lav. I was a little worried that the pills would wear off suddenly and I'd run yelling “Let me off!” down the aisles, but my happy, bleary haze continued and the hours flew by. Finally, towards the end of the flight, I struggled back to consciousness so I could watch the landing. Hubby and I switched seats, since he'd gotten to watch the take-off, and I started in fascination at the mountains and brown-toned land and smooshed together houses. Soon enough we made a smooth touchdown at LAX and taxied slowly to the gate.

After following a seemingly endless series of directional signs, we made it to the luggage claim area where an Adventures By Disney guide was waiting for us with a town car driver, holding up a sign with our names. We popped over to the luggage belt, where amazingly our bags were just coming out! We had literally just arrived and hadn't been there for more than mere seconds when the bags appeared on the belt. If it were Midway in Chicago, we'd have waited an hour minimum if we were lucky. Orlando isn't quite that bad, but it still would never have been that quick.

With bags in hand (or rather, on a luggage cart), we were led to our towncar and sped off to the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel. We'd never been to the area, but everything we'd studied seemed to indicate that it was in a perfect spot. It took maybe half an hour to get there, and we didn't even have to worry about going to the counter to check in because there was a handy-dandy Adventures By Disney table with a guide to welcome us and hand over our room keys. Our luggage was sent up ahead and was waiting for us as we walked in the door. There were several neat little surprises that I won't go into so as not to ruin any surprises for future trip goers. Let's just say they were cute little gift items.

The room itself was very nice and room, and we could see the famous Hollywood sign right out our window. Too cool! It's funny; if it weren't for the landmarks, Hollywood would be pretty much like any other town. But then you spot Hollywood High School or the sign or some other famous icon and you're reminded where you are.

We'd also been given a daily itinerary, with our first activity (a meet and greet) scheduled for 4 p.m.). Since it was only 11ish, we decided to have lunch at California Pizza Kitchen and then walk around the immediate area. We were right by the El Capitan Theater (which we'd be touring the next day) and the Kodak Theater where the Academy Awards are held. We also wanted to scope out the bus stops because we had Weds. reservations at Lawry's The Prime Rib in Beverly Hills, and we were planning to be adventurous and take mass transit.

We've eat at CPK many times in Chicago and Orlando, but this was our first time actually dining there in its namesake state. The service was prompt and the food was good as always (two-in-a-bowl soup, half a shrimp scampi pizza with goat cheese, and half a slice of red velvet cake).

Afterwards, we wandered around the vicinity and noticed some people dressed up in costumes out front, posing with the tourists for “donations.” First I saw Snoopy, and then Mickey Mouse! That surprised me, especially this close to Disneyland. Sure that has to be some sort of major copyright violation, especially with a Disney store right across the street. Or maybe Mickey comes over from the store?

Then we saw the Kodak Theater entrance. Hubby wanted to take a tour; I'm not much of a star struck person, but I figured what the heck so we trooped off to the box office for tickets. We were able to get on the next tour group; soon we were ushered in and gaped around the lobby where celebrities gather every year for that popularity contest known as the Oscars. I do have to admit it was a really neat tour. The best park was getting to actually step out on stage, and it was fascinating to realize just what an elaborate set-changing set-up they have. I was amazed that some of the seats were up in steep areas where you'd surely get a nosebleed! Then we were taken into a seating box and led down the hallway where award winners get to go (they also travel in the freight elevator, although on that night it's done up a lot fancier). We also got to go inside the VIP lounge and to see an actual Oscar (safely in a case, of course). The descriptions of the technical aspects of putting on the show gave me a new appreciation for what goes into it. I don't generally watch it, but next year I might just have to put it on for a few minutes so I can say, “I was there!”

Sadly, you're not allowed to take photos on the tour, but at the end you receive a postcard with a nice photo on it as a memento.

After the tour, we returned to the hotel so hubby could work out while I did some work. In the meantime, room service delivered a nice little welcome selection of fruit and goodies. All three of my jobs can be done virtually anywhere I have a laptop and internet connection, and I already had phone messages lined up waiting for me. I also wanted to get a head start on my trip report, since our schedule would be getting busier as the week progressed and I didn't want to forget any highlights. Since this was the first-ever official offering of the “Backstage Magic” Adventure By Disney, I was eager to capture every detail.

By the time hubby returned from the fitness room, it was time to get ready for the welcome reception and dinner. Hubby popped into the shower, since he was sweaty from his exercise. Then I took one as well, since I hadn't bothered to take one before leaving home in the morning; at 4 a.m. I probably would have fallen asleep in the shower. Feeling refreshed, I put on a bright purple Figment shirt and we headed to the hotel restaurant where the welcome reception would start at 4 p.m.

Others were already gathering, and soon our Adventure Guides Quinn and Diana showed up to usher us inside where cheese, crackers and other light snacks were waiting, along with a selection of beverages. I took a bottle of water but didn't bother to eat since I knew that dinner awaiting at 5 p.m. As we noshed, we filled out sheets to use for an ice-breaker activity to get us moving around and talking to our fellow guests. There was quite a variety of people, although fewer kids than I had imagined. But the participants definitely ran the age gamut and family make-up. Still, we were all united in our passion for Disney.

Next we trooped out into the lobby to have welcome photos taken before hiking out to the Italian restaurant that was just across the shopping plaza. There we sat at long tables and dined on a salad/antipasto buffet, with wine, beer, soda, lemonade and water. Since it was Earth Day, there were little gifts at each place, like yoyos, pencils, and notepads, all made out of recycled materials.

We ordered our main courses from a selection that included choices such as a pasta dish, veal, salmon, or chicken. I had the salmon and hubby had the veal so we could each taste the other's, since both sounded delicious. They each had spinach and roasted potatoes. One person at our table did a special order, which was handled cheerfully.

Inbetween the appetizers and main course, there was a hilarious game show. In the simplest terms, I guess you could call it a Disney trivia game, with fellow guests as the contestants, but that wouldn't be doing it justice. It was very comedic and had everyone in the room in stitches. Before we knew it, it was time to bring the game to an end because the chow was ready.

The food was yummy, and mealtime also gave us a chance to chat with our fellow adventurers. We were seated with fellow Floridians who had flown out even earlier in the morning than we did...ouch! They got in later, too, since they had to do a one-stop flight. Others at the table were scatter in various parts of the country.

After our main course, we all indulged in tiramisu for dessert, and the waiters and waitresses brought out coffee for those who wanted it. Then we all received our pin for the day, themed on the day's slogan, “It was all started by a mouse.”

By the time we got back to our room, it was only 7 p.m. California time so we could have bummed around on our own out in Hollywood. But the next morning we were slated to meet the group at 7:50, so I decided to try to stay as much as possible on Florida time for my sleeping schedule and go to bed early. I knew that a busy day the the Jim Henson Studio and the El Capitan Theater awaited.