Before we get into today, I did have a few more comments on Disneyland—
After a rainy arrival the day before, and matching weather today, our Disney day was practically perfect. It was as if Walt was defrosted and willed it into being.
The Disney app was surprisingly impressive. We could see line waits in real time throughput the park, avoiding a large hike to find out otherwise. Using mobile ordering, we walked up to restaurants, did a quick pickup, and sat down to enjoy.
I didn’t mention the Smuggler’s Run ride in Galaxy’s Edge. Very cool simulator where you control the Millennium Falcon! We were both pilots, and I put us into hyperspace.
So, onto Day 3.
After a later start, we made it out to the Paramount Studios tour.
Sunny California!
Of course, we concentrated a lot on Star Trek.
This is one of the Star Trek stages, heavily used in the 80’s and 90’s for TV and films. Shatner supposedly has an office across the street.
We rode a golf cart around the studio, with the guide getting in and out to give quick speeches (who got very wet).
Each stage lists the famous TV shows and movies made there. (You couldn’t take photos of the interiors).
If this parking lot seems sunken, it is. They can fill it with water to simulate oceans, ponds, etc. Note the large wall to the left, painted like the sky.
Can you guess one of Paramount’s recent franchises?
These are some of Paramount’s Best Picture Oscars—all but one are duplicates made for the studios, with the other (for The Godfather) the real McCoy.
We went across the street to Lucy’s El Adobe Cafe for some great Mexican food. This has been a hangout for musicians and celebrities for decades (no, we didn’t see one).
Then we sloshed over to the TCL Theater (you know, the one with the famous handprints in cement) for a tour.
The ornate wall murals were painted by Keye Luke (who went onto play the old master on the TV series Kung Fu in the 70’s).
I knew Ladies’ Rooms were fancy! Celebrities like Jane Russell and Marilyn Munroe primped and preened there.
Yep, it’s a BIG screen.
This is the grand staircase you see when the stars go into the Dolby Theater (next the the TCL) for the Oscars. It’s also in a mall.
Back to the hotel for fine dining.
Well, that does it for tonight. Tomorrow, we’re going to Warner Bros stu—hold on, we’re getting an update.
Due to the Coronavirus, society is shutting down. That includes Warner Bros AND that game show where the pricing needs to be correct. As a result, we’re cutting things short on this trip.
Tomorrow, virus permitting, we’re going to the Sony Studio Tour and/or LaBrea Tarpits and/or The Hollywood Museum. Stay tuned!