Los Angeles, Universal Studios and Disneyland

Pulling the worst poses known to man on Splash Mountain, Disneyland, CA

Los Angeles, Universal Studios and Disneyland

Having stayed overnight in a northern part of Los Angeles called Van Nuys; Birmingham RV park $63 per night (very expensive in our opinion), Universal Studios beckoned. We arrived at 8.30, far too early for the park opening at 10am but managed to get an annual pass for the same price as a day ticket. Useful considering I’m travelling until December 2010!

Universal Studios – Very different to Paris and allegedly Florida, this flavour of park is home to actual film sets such as War of the Worlds, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Psycho and the TV show Desperate Housewives. With many rides including Jurassic Park water ride and The Mummy roller coaster, to name the better ones, combining the theme park and studio tour capped off a good day of entertainment. Worth a visit at $69 for the day.

Los Angeles – Was very disappointing. Where is the glamour? Where is the shining, glitzy Hollywood Blvd star trail we here about? Hollywood Blvd makes the Blackpool Golden Mile look up-market, trendy and fashionable. Don’t get me wrong, the stars on the floor is great but then place tacky bars, shops and a continual harassment to visit the stars homes for the same price as a deposit on a house and the experience becomes marred. Homelessness was obvious, sheer lack of up-keep was obvious and a police patrol every minute showed crime was obvious. I’d never rush to go back despite driving through Bel Air along Sunset Blvd and witnessing where all the American tax dollars are being spent. We hired a car for LA to the tune of $80 to drive through, it’d be virtually impossible in the RV.

Disneyland – Woeful. Am I 9 years old anymore? No. I’d find more thrills in a packet of cornflakes. $72 was the fine, spend a further $25 and you receive a 1-day park hopper. We did just this and popped over to Disney California Adventure park located opposite Disneyland pleased us no end. Thrills galore including, a roller coaster that make grown kids scream, water rides, 3D shooting experience. When I have children I’d love to bring them back to Disneyland to see their faces light up at each Disney character, but without children the only option is to skip this park.

Where did we stay for Disneyland?

Disneyland is located in Anaheim, southern part of Los Angeles and having a motorhome we set down at Anaheim Resort RV Park. Offering a Jacuzzi, heated pool and a $4 shuttle bus to Disneyland for a meagre $61 a night. 3 nights here helped us rejuvenate before Las Vegas.

Cystic Fibrosis related problems?

NO! My, it’s such a relief to say this two lettered word. The nebuliser cable arrived after a hugely appreciated forwarding from Jim and Marian Black to us in Anaheim – thank you so much. The nebuliser works and I can finally lasso with the cable again… no, no just kidding wouldn’t want the hospital to think I’m playing conkers or herding cattle with it.

The cough has subsided to a more than normal, but acceptable level and the cold has disappeared. I hope it stays this way for the rest of the trip.

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