On the set of the Waterworld show at Universal Studios, Hollywood
WHEN Carol Garrington and her family were invited to Los Angeles along with four other families as part of the Xbox Parent Ambassador programme, they had no idea they would be rubbing shoulders with the stars and walking down the celebrity red carpet.
Carol writes:
WOW, where do I start? Although I've done a photo blog post and a write up about attending the worldwide launch of the new Xbox Kinect in LA, there is still so much more to tell.
This was our first trip to America and the thought of an 11 hour flight felt quite daunting, not to mention the eight hour time difference. We flew with Air France from Birmingham to Paris then caught a connecting flight to LA, hoping and praying that our suitcases were following us.
The plane was huge and we were really impressed with Air France. All the seats were fitted with TV screens in the back of the headrests, so all we had to worry about was which films to watch. The service on the flight was very good, we were served two meals and a self serve buffet was available in between. I have to say that the first seven to eight hours were the worst, after that the countdown didn't seem so bad.
We landed in LA at 4pm (midnight UK time) to be greeted by the most miserable passport control staff I have ever met in my life. Thank goodness the lovely Kerry from Digital Outlook was pleased to see us! She'd arranged for a taxi to take us to the hotel and after drooling over pictures of it we couldn't wait to actually be there.
Shutters is a five star luxury boutique hotel
Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica was to be our base for the week and as we stepped into the lobby it was such a contrast from the stress of the airport. There were musicians playing piano and saxaphone in the lounge. The fire was lit and the dim lighting and big comfy chairs made it feel really homely. Then by contrast, I caught a glimpse out of the window at the far end of the lounge. Palm trees, white sandy beach and bright blue sea, wow, Santa Monica beach.
The lobby and lounge at Shutters
With a packed schedule ahead of us it was room service and an early night. The next day we headed off to Disneyland, California. We've only been to Eurodisney before when the boys were really little so Dylan didn't remember much about it.
First stop was the gift shop to buy an autograph book and pen. Then the mission started to get them signed and filled.
The weather was gorgeous and we had an amazing day. We bumped into Buzz Lightyear, Minnie and Pluto. The boys loved the Star Wars simulator and the Buzz Lightyear ride and just as the day was coming to an end we found Mickey. Dylan was so excited he was shaking. There was just enough time to see the parade before heading back to the hotel, tired and hungry but buzzing from it all.
Cheeky Pluto pinched Morgan's cap!
Saturday was a free day for us to do whatever we wanted. As England and USA were playing in the World Cup most of the families opted to stay around the hotel. What a waste! Instead, we got a taxi to the one place I just knew I had to visit during my stay, Hollywood.
The taxi dropped us on Hollywood Boulevard, right outside the Chinese Theatre and as we stepped out of the cab my heart literally skipped a beat. There it was, the walk of fame and the famous feet and hand prints. Morgan found his idol Will Smith and placed his hands on the imprints. I just loved every moment. Judy Garland, Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, to think that I was literally walking in their footsteps was a magical moment.
The Chinese Theatre and those famous footprints
Next door to the Chinese Theatre is the Kodak Theatre which is full of designer shops and cafes. In the centre is a huge fountain and at the top of the theatre is a clear view to the Hollywood sign. I lost count of how many times I had to pinch myself and even as I type this I get goosebumps. I just couldn't believe where I was, looking out onto the Hollywood Hills was just amazing.
Looking down into the centre of the Kodak Theatre
We wandered up and down Hollywood Boulevard taking in all of the weird and wonderful people and buildings. We bumped into Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe (lookalikes of course!) and then booked tickets for a bus tour.
If you look really closely you can just about see the Hollywood sign
The tour took us to the most amazing places. We headed down Sunset Strip and Sunset Boulevard then into Beverly Hills. Rodeo Drive was amazing as we passed row after row of designer boutiques, desperate to spot someone famous and whilst I was drooling over the shops, the boys were more interested in the cars. In particular a Bugati Veyron which apparently, is one of only twelve in the world and according to the tour guide, is owned by one of the boutique owners on Rodeo Drive.
The entrance to the famous Beverly Hills Hotel
We left the hustle and bustle of Beverly Hills to head up into the Hollywood Hills and catch a glimpse of some stars' homes. The smell of tree blossom followed us all the way as the heat of the day set in. The mansions ranged from beautiful and elegant to ultra modern and just plain wacky. We passed Simon Cowell's house, just a modest black and white building (not) with a black marble drive. Spotted a playgirl waiting at the gates of the Playboy mansion, which caused a bit of a stir amongst the men on the bus. Our eyes were popping out as we drove past row after row of mansions owned or once owned by A list actors, actresses and film directors. I'm so glad I didn't stay by the pool and watch the footy!
One of the more unusual Beverly Hills mansions
Tired and hungry again we arrived back at the hotel to eat and sleep, ready for an early start again on Sunday, when we headed off to Universal Studios, Hollywood. As we are serious film buffs, we were looking forward to this and had no idea what to expect. We were given VIP passes for the rides and shows and an unlimited meal voucher, sorted.
The action-packed Waterworld show
With so much going on, we tried to plan our day so we got to see all of the shows we wanted to. We made it to Shrek 4D, Terminator 2 3D and the Waterworld show. All of them were absolutely amazing but favourite of all was Waterworld and with our VIP passes we got to meet the actors afterwards, including the Terminator.
Although I'm not a big fan of the rides, I braved a couple, and I'm so glad I did! We went on the Simpsons simulated roller coaster and the Jurassic Park ride.
After all that excitement, we stopped off at the Jurassic Cafe for lunch with our 'all you can eat' pass and the choice of meals was really good. Dylan had pizza, whilst the rest of us tucked into a plate full of Chinese.
The studio tour was amazing. A two hour drive around the actual studios and film sets took us down Wysteria Lane where Desperate Housewives is filmed, into Jurassic Park and through a scene from The Mummy. Whoopi Goldberg took us through some of the tour on TV screens mounted on the carriages with the help of a tour guide. We saw cars from the movie Fast and Furious doing stunts and flying into the air on big robotic arms and we survived a flash flood and an earthquake in a tube station. The whole thing was completely breathtaking, eye opening and amazing. What more can I say.
So guess what, yes, tired and hungry we made it back to the hotel to get some sleep. Monday was our last full day and we'd got free time until the afternoon, when we'd be heading off to the Xbox Kinect launch event. So we took a stroll along Santa Monica beach and took in the views along muscle beach (there's alot of perfect looking bodies in LA!) and to the famous pier, which actually when we got there was more like Blackpool pier from the 1970's. It was run down, old and really tired looking. Not at all what we had expected.
Muscle beach and in the distance Santa Monica Pier
Later that day we headed off to Downtown LA for our Xbox Kinect experience, which you can read all about in my previous post.
One thing I've not said too much about yet is the hotel. We had interconnecting rooms each with a balcony, jacuzzi bath, TV and the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. They were like giant marshmallows and the mattresses were so high, I needed a footstool to get up onto the bed! Dylan thought it was hilarious that there was a phone in the toilet and kept phoning us to tell us he was on the loo!
The dining room was light and airy with a heated conservatory and from every table there was a view of the beach. We'd been told that American breakfasts are a bit different to ours back home and the boys got straight in there. Steak and eggs, corned beef hash, pancakes, waffles, the choices were endless. So that gave us a good start to each day.
In the conservatory waiting for breakfast
The boys managed to find time for a dip in the pool and I just about made it to the spa for a full body massage, which I've never had before and it was heavenly.
We only actually got to eat dinner in the restaurant on the last evening, the rest of the time we were back too late so room service got a good trying out. Dylan was delighted to see macaroni cheese on the menu and Morgan sampled the baby back ribs. There was a good choice, however, there was also a distinct lack of vegetables. In fact there were no vegetables. It was meat and potatoes, good hearty food with no roughage. It was really strange, like something was really missing. Everything came with either chips, mash, rosti, salad or risotto. It was all very nice though and we'd eaten our way through most of the room service menu by the time we left.
The hotel pool and beyond the pool is Santa Monica beach
On the last day, having not bumped into one famous person, the boys spotted an actor checking into the hotel, it was Paul Walker who they recognised from the Fast and Furious movies. They managed to get his autograph and have a chat with him so they were well pleased.
We had the most amazing four days in LA, and although it was only a brief visit, I feel like we got to do and see so much. It was definitely the trip of a lifetime and I'm so glad the boys got to go at a time when they will absolutely remember it for the rest of their lives. It was also great to share the experience with four other Xbox Ambassador families.
Fact Box:
Air France return flights from Birmingham to LA (via Paris) in June 2010 cost £500 each.
A deluxe room with king bed at Shutters cost $670 a night and the same for the interconnecting deluxe room with two double beds. This rate was on a room only basis.
Related posts:
-ani.png)
