Pass the apples to the Rhino!!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas Holiday! I got behind with posts because of Christmas and family visits. But, I wanted to get right back in and get to where we left off a few weeks ago.

 After we had our time with the lions, we found our way back to the park entry walkway. It was a little confusing to find the correct path because the park is located on a hill with winding pathways and many trees.

We arrived at the caravan check-in desk and found the crew members to be very nice. They were all enthusiastic and eager to take us on our trip. The guides were trying their best to get the group excited about seeing giraffes and rhinos. Some of the other visitors seemed so serious and quiet. We had a group from Japan that were very excited. Once the crew loaded us in the truck, everyone started to show a little more enthusiasm.

Ian, our guide, was ready to handle all questions that we would throw at him.  We sat on benches, in the flatbed of the truck that had a canopy to shade. Lucky for him it was a cool day with a breeze because he was not covered at all.

We came upon the animals quickly. As shown in the photos, the park's exhibits stretch far across the land, almost like a savannah. One is able to see a great number of animals all at once. At first glance the giraffes, rhinos, steer type bulls, and deer looking animals are found. We headed straight to the rhinos.

Umm...poop pile is behind Eric lol

We just pulled right along side these grey beasts and I had to wonder if we were annoying them a bit. Ian explained their mating habits and pooping habits. As a matter of fact, one pooped right in front of us. Imagine that! We are on the back of a truck, minding our business, and this rhino comes and relieves himself! It was like something out of the film Bridesmaids! Well, it was nice to see he felt comfortable enough with us to do so.

We then moved on to what we had all been waiting for, feeding giraffes. They were up on a hill and all eating together. Our guide said that although they were eating, they would still come over for a visit. Ian also mentioned that the only reason they would come to say Hello is the food we had. We were also instructed to never pet the animal. They are not like dogs and aren't looking for affection from us. He also added that if you do touch them, one might use its head to hit you. Have fun!!!

The visible keychain is available at www.monkeyknuts.com

Let me just say up front that people can be dumb. And, it can be fun to watch stupidity in action, when adults are the ones committing the crime. After we received a few more instructions, we started to go around the group and feed the giraffes acacia leaves. "Away from your face, and keep arms stretched out when possible," Ian told us. Of course people have their hands right at their own faces and are getting slobber on them form the giraffes. Then a few others are trying to pet the animal and Ian has to cry out to not do that. Eric and I just gave a look to one another that asked ourselves, "Why are they doing this?" To be fair I need to add that the giraffes do not wait until you are ready. As the leaf is getting handed to you by the guide they are already going in for it.

I must add there was this lady with us that was just an odd ball. Before the tour began we were asked what we want to see on the tour. Well she was so excited to see giraffes, her "Favorite animal", she added. When it came time to feed them she became impaired in motor movements. She could barely look at them and panicked. Again, Eric and I gave each other one of those looks.

The patterns are interesting, aren't they?

Although we saw other types of species while standing in the back of that truck, I was surprised we were able to feel a rhino. We had seen some rhinos earlier and when we left them, we figured that was it. But, toward the end of the tour the sliced, sweet smelling apples under my seat got their use. This was good because at this point I was so hungry, I was about to eat them myself.

This one was located away from the others we had seen earlier. He was with a different group and held in the Asian zone. Feeding the rhino was easier than I thought. All one had to do is walk over and toss it in his mouth. People were glad that they were able to pet him near his ears. I wish I knew this before I fed him because then I would have joined in that.

Even though this was a lot of fun, Eric and I were so hungry. Having been up around 7 AM, we were also getting tired. Feeding the rhino had been our last stop. Now we just enjoyed the scenery as we headed back to the loading/drop off area.

Once getting back to that station we were gladly surprised to see that our friend Kevin was suited up for a tour. There was a schedule change and he was about to drive a tour group out to where we just had been. He had been indoors most of the day so he looked forward to this.

Kevin had to get going, but we thanked him for the great time we had and hopefully he reads this to hear the details of the trip.

Yes indeed, Eric is sticking his tongue out.

Running Wild at Universal Studios in Hollywood

Before we head back to Walt Disney World, we stay in California. Today we met up with Ricky, our best friend that lives in Hollywood. As a matter of fact, I am standing in his kitchen while taking the photo below. Nice view, huh?

Well on this particular Labor Day we thought we would convert Ricky to becoming an AP at Universal Studios. After all, it's just over that hill you see there. Although we are part of the "jaded" population that has seen it all in Southern California, we still have a good time. I did forget how cool the Hollywood & Vine Subway station is. A hidden gem that is themed to film.

We encountered a weird character on the subway. But, why wouldn't we? After all this is Hollywood! A man was yelling at strangers while on the train. It was very annoying, and I looked forward to getting off at our stop. Even though I was annoyed at the moment, the subway ride made me miss NYC. I would like to go back. But, as Sophia would say on the Golden Girls, "I digress!"

After we exited and rode the tram to City Walk, we finally made it to what they call "The Entertainment Capitol of L.A." Didn't it use to be called "...of the World"? Does anyone else remember that? 

With a "beep" of the turnstile and the scan of your right index finger we were in the park! We quickly passed the credit card booths and people shouting to take our photo. I'll never get that sales pitch. "Hi just get together for a real quick photo!" Why? I am holding my camera!

Ricky had not been on the new Transformers attraction so that was our main goal. And as we moved through the crowd we came across these two dames. They had some fun banter as they went back and forth in a thick Brooklyn accent. I'll give it to the park that some of the atmosphere talent is quite entertaining. The "woman" on the left was a bitter character indeed. Hilarious!

I wish I had taken photos of the Shrek/Curious George/Flinstones/Western area because the lay out for this is just atrocious! Nothing goes together and it's very crowded. In order to get to the Lower Lot one has to find the way around the hanging Jaws, and Doc Brown's Chicken location. Those two spots almost create a dead end. Anyway, I don't think the average "first-timer" would notice. That person would be too excited.

We then found a photo spot that had significant relevance to today's pop culture...NOT! Does anyone recall the film Apollo 13 or whether it was a film that changed the face of cinema? Maybe to some people it does, but to the three of us it didn't. People sure loved to take a photo with the cut-outs. Ricky and I couldn't resist being so giddy to follow suit!

You do get great views of the Lower Lot as you make your way down five escalators. Even as a ten year old, my first trip there, I thought this escalator situation was odd. But, the land here is limited and what else are they going to do about it? What do you think of it? Any thoughts? In the end, it is not very likely that this will ever change, but we can still discuss it.

As we turned the corner of the renovated facades we could see the show building just ahead of us. We were prepared to wait any amount of time to board. Luckily the wait was maybe 45 minutes long. 

Eric and Ricky had a Gay old time playing with all the gadgets in the queue. The queue is impressive. As you wait in the room with the All Spark being kept in its capsule, the relic is radiating power and a vibration.

Then of course there is the attraction! The crew yells your safety orders at you, the recruits. Once your vehicle parks the "loaders" order you to hustle into the row and get all the way across. "RUN!" they shouted. Pretty cool theming if you ask me and a great way to get those guests in as fast as possible. No wonder the wait time was so short. 

Some of you may have read details of the show scenes, but I say experience that for yourselves. The technology that is being used here is really tricking the brain to feel sensations that convincingly put you in the action of it all. There are a few flying or falling sequences that put this ride over the top! Eric really wants to figure out how this all happens. I am not sure if I want to know.

So of course we had an excellent time! The three of us are also fans of stop motion animation and checked out a small exhibit for the new film ParaNorman. A boy can talk to the dead and he has to save his town from zombies and a witch's curse! Looking at the puppets and sets really show that a lot of detail is shown to really make the story as believable as possible. I really zoomed in on those documents, but they were so small from a normal distance.

It came up in conversation that Ricky had never seen the King Kong experience on the Tram Tour. This took us by a little surprise so we headed back up the escalators to the Tram Loading area. To reach the Tram Tour from the Lower Lot you must ride the five escalators up the hill. Then ride another one down the opposite side. One could say that this park experience takes place on so many levels!

 While in the queue we pondered whether we would join one of the non-English tours. Spanish or perhaps Cantonese?? We stayed in our section of the queue and pressed on. The queue here is usually in constant flow as the trams takes many tourists at once. We actually ended up riding in a tram full of people that were "eating it all up"! The shouts and the interacting wasn't lost on these people. We have ridden those trams where the narrator is met with those awkward silences. But, Eric and I are also to blame as we join in on the silence.

There wasn't any filming today so the route was actually a little different than a few weeks ago. And, we were able to see Jaws with the audio running. Last time filming was close by so as Jaws popped out of the water, there was no noise and no award winning music either.

We did get to see the exterior of the Dolly Parton hit, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas! I have yet to see that film but people tell me it's a "not to be missed". I better get on that!

Like Apollo 13, Universal is hanging onto the sets of The Grinch that Stole Christmas. It just made the three of us laugh. Did anyone really enjoy that film? If you are out there please let us know why. I'm just curious. We laughed at the fact that the tour guide needed to point out that the little vehicle you see is in fact a converted golf cart. Thank you Lexy!

I'm sure there are those out there that feel I should let go of my respect for Hitchcock. The Psycho House and Bates Motel is pretty much my favorite part of the tour. I love the film so much and I think I will pop in the movie this afternoon.

"We all go a little mad sometimes."

Some folks might call Eric and I a little mad, but we have a great time!

 We were storming the shops as we tried to find merchandise from the ParaNorman film. We even tried to take this Vespa to make our search a little faster!


Ricky found some friends from the film, but they didn't know where to find the good stuff. As you can see, Eric doesn't believe a word of their lies! I would say we went to almost every gift shop in that Upper Lot section. Who knew you could find so many different magnets with the word "Hollywood" pressed onto it? Who knew?? Did you??

After all that we barely had enough time for Ricky to get a new hair style. "The works!" he demanded. I think they gave it to him, but does he look pleased?

The time at the park was a fun one. Sure we had a few items to throw critique at, but you can't please everyone. To take Universal's side, the park has changed a great deal since I was a kid. We look forward to the Wizarding World that is to be here in the next few years. We end the day with a look at a Hollywood icon as recognizable as the one captured earlier.  

Can you find it in the dark? Makes me want to go to Disney World!