Day 23: Hollywood and Laguna Beach

After a long yet thrilling day in Disneyland yesterday, the group was happy to sleep in a little and take their time eating breakfast on the hotel veranda. We left the hotel around 9:30AM heading for Hollywood. Once we made it to Los Angeles, we took a stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The students admired stars like Andy Griffith, Ronald Reagan, Harrison Ford and Tim McGraw, just to name a few. Along the way, the crew saw the Chinese and Dolby Theaters which have been home to awards shows like the Academy Awards, ESPY Awards, Miss USA and finals for American Idol. 

We enjoyed lunch at the Original Farmers Market of Los Angeles. The students had an array of choices including Italian, Asian, Brazilian, French, and American cuisine. Dessert choices ranged from fresh fruit smoothies to homemade candy and ice cream. Without a doubt, there were enough options to please every appetite! 

After lunch at the farmers market, we made our way back to the hotel for a mid afternoon break. Some students did laundry, relaxed by the pool and got their beach gear ready for Laguna Beach. We arrived at the beach just in time for a chilly swim. It was surprising to see how many of the GWT were brave enough to face the brisk 73 degree water. They claimed it was quite refreshing! 

We had one very lucky swimmer that found a $100 bill within minutes of being in the ocean! What are the chances! 

Groups explored the Laguna Beach boardwalk area for dinner on their own. There were a lot of cute restaurants in the area including the crowd favorite, Johnny Rockets. It's hard to beat a classic hamburger and milkshake.

As the group gathered to head to the bus, the sun disappeared behind the palm trees and cliffs. I heard someone say as we left, "I think this was my favorite spot yet!" 

Soon after returning to the Annabella Hotel, the crew called it quits for the night. We have had a busy couple of days and tomorrow it continues at the San Diego Zoo! Good night! 

Day 22: Disneyland

DISNEYLAND!!! The excitement could be felt through the whole group as they made their way to breakfast. Our morning provisions consisted of pastries, apples, and cranberry juice provided by the hotel. Soon after finishing eating we began the short walk to Disneyland. 

 

 

The first thing we did was a Disney Interactive Experience in groups. The experience is meant to encourage leadership and creativity among the group. A specially trained guide from Disney led the groups through team building activities and taught them some history of Walt Disney and how the whole concept of the animated films and park started. The kids participated well in the games and activities. However, the best part of the experience came in the last half when all of the groups got to walk straight on to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and Splash Mountain. Once this was done the kids got free time for the rest of the day into the night. They enjoyed all of the rides, more of Downtown Disney, and some even opted for a bit of time at the hotel pool to cool off midday. They wandered back to their rooms well worn out and ready for bed. All will sleep well today dreaming of Disney Magic!

Day 21: San Francisco to Anaheim, CA

The Grand Western Tour had a wonderful and eventful trip to San Francisco. From Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge, the crew experienced so much of the city and left wanting more!

This morning we made our way to the next tour destination, Anaheim, California. Though everyone loved San Francisco, it was relieving to see the fog and clouds part ways as we drove off of the Bay Bridge onto the mainland. It didn't quite feel like summer in chilly San Francisco. 

The drive was a straight shot down Interstate 5 and wasn't long by distance, but we ran into a heap of traffic near Los Angeles. Students passed the time by catching up on sleep, chatting and playing cards. 

After lunch in Buttonwillow, California, the group enjoyed a cute family comedy with Eddy Murphy called "Daddy Day Care." The movie lasted just long enough to get us close to L.A. where the students got a real taste of local traffic during rush hour. 

Around 5 PM we arrived at the Anabella Hotel just outside Disneyland. The group enjoyed some free time before dinner in which they did laundry or went for a dip in the pool.

Tonight's dinner was held at Dave and Buster's, a huge restaurant with an impressive arcade. It is often described as an "adult Chucky Cheese". The grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, broccoli and rolls were a hit! 

After our tummies were full, the crew flooded the arcade room and played games like Guitar Hero, Skee Ball, Basketball, Pacman, and Horse Racing (to name a few). Some preferred to get an open table and enjoy some dessert. 

The group was proud to receive several compliments tonight from the wait staff at Dave and Buster's. They mentioned how polite and well behaved the group was during dinner. We love to get great feedback and I'm sure all of the parents are proud too! 

After driving back to the Anabella, the crew ended the night at Downtown Disney. They were so excited to have time to shop, get dessert and explore! 

We have a full day prepared for tomorrow at Disneyland and the group can't wait! 

Day 20: San Francisco

After more delicious cinnamon rolls from the Holiday Inn Express' continental breakfast the crew took a brisk walk to the pier. We caught the first boat out to Alcatraz. Alcatraz Island lies approximately 1.25 miles offshore of San Francisco. The island has served as the home of many establishments throughout the years including a military fort, Indian reservation, and the most famous federal penitentiary there has been. The first prisoners arrived on Alcatraz in 1934 and for the next 29 years some of the most dangerous and notorious criminals of US history spent time in the cells on the island. During its time as a prison there were fourteen different escape attempts, none of which are known to have been successful. 

The tour of the island centers around the cell block that contained the inmates though there were other buildings on the island to house the prison guards and their families. Visitors to the island get a complimentary audio tour that guides them strategically through the jailhouse. The audio tour is narrated by former guards and prisoners of Alcatraz Penitentiary. It is very informative and most of the kids were please with how interesting it was to listen to the commentary and stories of those individuals. 

We ended our tour and boarded the boat back to the mainland around 11am. The group then set out in predetermined, student-selected groups of 6 or more to explore the city. Some groups explored various parks in the area, others visited Chinatown, but most headed up to Union Square and the Financial District for shopping. 

The crew reconvened at the hotel later in the evening for dinner. A twenty minute walk to Chinatown brought us to the Chinatown Restaurant for the group dinner. The group chowed down on sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls, beef and broccoli, lo mein noodles, friend rice, plenty of veggies, and green tea iced cream. It was a feast for a Chinese King!  We will all be heading to bed full tonight dreaming of Chinese dragons and fortune cookies.