CityWalk

Like Orlando, there is a CityWalk area just outside of Universal Hollywood, with a cinema, some shops, and several restaurants. It's a bit smaller than the one in Orlando though. We ate lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe there. This was the 24th HRC I have visited.

We visited the CityWalk again on the way out to try the Voodoo Doughnuts there. They were not as good as they are in Portland.

We then drove up to Central California to pick up the dogs and spent the night. On Saturday we drove through Monterey to visit family, and take the dogs to the beach in Pacific Grove. Sunday we drove back to Bend.

Universal Studios Hollywood

On our way back north from Disneyland, we spent some of Friday at Universal Studios in Hollywood. This was Jenn’s first visit, and my first since I was in college. This park started as a working studio which began offering tours, then added shows, then rides. It's composed of three parts - the upper lot, the lower lot, and the back lot. The entrance is in the upper lot, which has a great view of the valley below.

The Harry Potter area is a recent addition to the upper lot. It's pretty similar to the one in Orlando, just a bit smaller. It only has two attractions, Forbidden Journey and the small Hippogriff roller coaster. The back lot is only accessible via the tram tour, since it's still a working studio. The tram tour goes through several sets and sound stages, during which several physical or film effects are shown.

After lunch we enjoyed the WaterWorld stunt show, but didn't have enough time for other shows. We bought season passes, as they were fairly cheap and we figured we’d make at least one more visit before the end of the year and see the other shows.

Disneyland Part 2

I rode the new Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout ride several times. It was good although I would have preferred they left it as Tower of Terror.

I also spent some time checking out the future entrances to the Star Wars land, and trying to take photos of the construction work.

Jennifer had made capes to wear with her Disneybound outfits, so she wore different ones each day as she met with the various characters. One day several of her Southern California friends came to the park so they could take photos with the capes. 

This morning we enjoyed breakfast at Storytellers Cafe. Chip made Jenn a button to let everyone know she was “Chip’s BFF”. Then we checked out and headed north.

Disneyland

Saturday morning, Susan, Jenn, and I drove down to Central California. Bryan was starting his new job on Monday so had to stay behind. We left the dogs with family and on Sunday arrived at the Disneyland Resort for a few days. The holiday decorations were still up on the castle.  

And the Christmas tree still up in Town Square. We enjoyed riding on the holiday versions of Small World and Haunted Mansion. 

We stayed at the Grand Californian, and our room overlooked the Grizzy Peak area of California Adventure. 

Over at California Adventure, they were celebrating the Festival of the Holidays. Besides eating at several of the usual counter service restaurants, we enjoyed a dinner at Steakhouse 55, although it wasn’t as good as the first time we went, and Monte Cristo sandwiches at Cafe Orleans.