Warner Bros VIP Tour - for older kids

With the writers strike now over and many shows going back into production that means prime time on the studio tours to catch stars in action. Unlike Universal, who see millions of tourists each year, only about 120 people a day discover the Warner Bros tour. It's surprising more people aren't aware of it. But don't come looking for an amusement park attached, this is strictly a studio tour. This really is a VIP tour. You are taken in a group of 10 and driven around in a golf cart. This tour originally began as a way to show some Very Important People around the studio back lot. Eventually, Warner's decided to expand the VIP tour to include members of the public as well.

The tour begins at a small visitors center where you check in and get your tickets.

Before the tour, guests are shown a 15-minute film chronicling the history of Warner Bros Studios. Then it's out to the carts again, to settle back for the tour. The trams seat only two across, so everyone has a good view as you roll through the vast 110 acre lot.

Part of Midwest Street is a residential avenue of period Victorian houses, used most recently in GIlmore Girls. The Seavers house from growing pains is also found here but it has been modified quite a bit since the show used the house. This is also the street from Gremlins.

The oldest section of the back lot at Warner Bros is New York Street, a mock city block, built in 1930 for the gangster movies that made Warner's famous - starring the likes of James Cagney and E.G. Robinson.

Visitors don't spend all of their time on the tram, either. The trams stops and they let you get off to explore at various points along the way. That used to include a stop at a Western town set (called Laramie Street), where you could snoop inside the old saloon and other mock buildings, walking the same dusty streets trod by stars such as John Wayne and Gary Cooper

In 2004, Warner Bros tore down the Laramie Street set. It has been replaced with a new set called "Warner Village", which consists of exterior facades for 11 two-story capecod style homes, forming a faux, upscale residential neighborhood they can use in future films. Hidden behind the home exteriors, though, is studio office space. The upstairs offices have rear entrances and aren't visible from the front of the houses, so producers can film on one side and writers can do their business on the other. Universal Studios is the only remaining studio with a Western backlot.

We visited both the costume warehouse and peaked into the prop warehouse which is full of stuff. Inside this area is part of the coffee house set from Friends. You are allowed to sit on a couch on the set and take pictures.

You'll be allowed to go inside one of the giant sound stages, and see the set from a TV show. We were able to visit the set to the George Lopez Show when we were there (before it was cancelled.)

Since the tour is with a small group and with the amount of walking around, the chances of seeing someone famous here are much greater than Universal Studios where the trams are typically diverted from production. We saw Garrett Morris on the day we were.

The tour tries to include some filming whenever possible. Exactly how much action you encounter, however, is more or less the luck of the draw, and depends upon when you happen to arrive. Mid-April, for instance, is one of the worst times of the year to see shooting at the studio - almost all of the shows are "in hiatus" and action at the studio is minimal.

The tour lasts just over two hours. You can spends some extra time at the end while inside the Warner Bros Museum.

You can bring a still camera, but you can only use it on the back lot - not during the other half of the tour. They lock up your cameras for other parts of the tour. Video cameras are not permitted.

Tour of studio costs $45 per person, regardless of age (minimum age is 8). All adults must present current government issued photo identification upon registration and persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

The guided tours are given on weekdays only, every half hour, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 3 PM (in the summer the last tour leaves at 4 PM). No tours on the weekend. A deluxe tour is also available for $150 that lasts for 5 hours and includes lunch at the studio commissary. It requires advance reservations. Once we give it a try we will let you know.

Disneyland Princess Fantasy Faire

If you have a daughter, no doubt she is enchanted with the Disney Princesses. My soon-to-be three year old loves them, especially Cinderella. We have had our annual passes to Disneyland for years, but it was not until this weekend that we experienced, a relatively new attraction at Disneyland, the Princess Fantasy Faire. It's held at the Fantasyland Theater, where the Snow White musical was held a few years ago. This has been a huge hit with visitors since it opened in October last year and it was easy to see why.

First of all, The Princess Fantasy Faire is layed out into several sections. There is a Meet and Greet section, a Craft section, a Dress-up and Makeup section, Storytelling, and the Coronation. I will now tell you about each area.

The Royal Coronation

The Royal Coronation runs several times a day. The times are listed on the daily entertainment guide as well as at the entrance to the fair. This portion takes place on the stage and the floor below. The first part of the ceremony teaches young Princesses and Princes important royal things like how to bow and curtsy. Next, three Princesses will descend the red-carpeted staircase and be introduced to the crowd below. We saw Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Cinderella. I've heard Belle is sometimes in the mix too. Dance poles are brought in and each child is instructed to grab onto ribbon, like a May Day pole. Each Princess will go to a different pole and then the dance begins. As the Princesses leave confetti and streamers are shot out into the arena for the grand finale.

Princess Crafts

The craft area is set up with tables and seats and has crowns to color and decorate. These tables are set up in full view of the stage so even if a child is working on a craft, he or she can see the Royal Coronation. This is found house-left.

Princess Shopping

This area is to the right of the arena. Here you can purchases dresses, tiaras, shoes and more for your little Princess. There are also makeup mirrors your Princess can be completely made up before going to meet the Princesses.

Meet and Greet

The Meet and Greet is set up so that you have one line to see three Princesses or Princes. There is a person at each station to take pictures and give you a Photo Pass card. The line forms behind the stations so while in line you will not see which characters are waiting to meet you. This area is usually held on the theater floor in-between coronations and storytelling.

Princess Storytelling

The storytelling takes place on the floor of the area. Times are listed on your daily entertainment guide. Each day they have each Princess tell her story twice. Carpet circles are laid out for children and parents to sit for the story. On our day, we heard a story told by Snow White. She also has a prince-type character assist her as narrator. This is the same experience that used to held in the Tinkerbell Toy Shoppe just before the Princesses exploded in popularity.

Our daughter loves to dance and thoroughly enjoyed the coronation. If you have younger children, they might be overwhellmed, but all will enjoy the storytelling.

Have you visited your public library lately?

Sure there are lots of books to check out and read with your kids, but the library has many more things to do other than reading books. Our library here in Yorba Linda has all sorts of free events for young children. One of activites is called "Laptime." Children ages 0 to 2 and an adult can share stories, rhymes, puppets, fingerplays and music activities. Best of all, this is free. The library requires that you sign up and gives Yorba Linda residents first priority. For children 3 to 5, the library has a similar activity. These last for 30 minutes and are held once a week. Our library even has a family time where the whole family is invited for a 45 minute activity on Saturdays. Check with your library to see what fun they have waiting for you.

Yorba Linda Public Library
Orange County Public Libraries
Los Angeles Public Libraries
San Diego County Libraries

Glendale Centre Theatre- Children's Shows

The Glendale Centre Theatre will kickoff their 2008 Children's season with Rapunzel. The show will play from March 1st through June 2008 on Saturday mornings only. Saturday Matinees start at 11am. Ticket prices are $11 for chidren 12 and under and $12.50 for adults. For additional information click here.

Free Admission to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library

The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace will celebrate Presidents' Day by offering free admission. The library will be open on Presidents' Day from 10am to 5pm. There will be live music, free cherry pie to the first 100 guests and much more. It's a perfect place to visit with school age children. I've actually visited the library with my two toddlers and they loved touring the helicopter exhibit and the grounds. It's only one of two Presidential Libraries in the state and I'm very lucky to live in the same city as this gem. This would be a great opportunity if you've yet to visit this Southern California treasure.

Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd
Yorba Linda, CA 92886

For additional information click here

Legoland - California

We are lucky to have one of the four Legoland parks right here in Southern California. Closer than Sea World, Legoland is only a two-hour drive south of Los Angeles in Carlsbad.

This park is very much oriented to young families. There are plenty of things for the entire family to do, and children from infants to teenagers will easily enjoy themselves here.

Our visit on February 9th was met with great weather and no crowds. The longest wait for us was at lunch because the pizza oven had broken down. The lines for the rides were no more than 10 minutes long. I was impressed at the size of Legoland. The park is easily a full day experience. There is no way we could have done everything on our single visit there. The off-season hours on Saturday are 10 AM to 5 PM. Considering that the target audience for the park is young families, one can understand the limited hours.

A fantastic feature at the park is a brochure at the entrance called "What to do when you're 2" which gives tips on things to do in each area of the park when you have real young children. It's best to bring your children when they are at least 34 inches tall in order to enjoy a large portion of the rides. There are many interactive water areas in the park that were open yesterday, even though it is winter. It was a warm day and there were plenty of kids getting wet. Those parents had apparently been there before because their children were wearing swim clothes!

The Mother's Station at the park was well stocked with diapers and baby supplies. It is located in Fun Town just behind the Lego Club House. It made changing diapers a simple task for two little ones.

The park has rides from slow boat trips all the way to family friendly roller coasters. It would be nearly impossible to not have fun here.

For more information read here.

Fun Free places to visit with kids in Southern California - Part 1

I'm always on the search for fun stuff to do with my family. I've been doing some research and here's the first of a three part series of fun things to do with kids in Southern California that are free or almost free. They include museums, aquariums, shopping districts, etc... Click on the link for my review or link. Enjoy!!!

1. California Science Center - Exposition Park
2. Travel Town Museum - Griffith Park
3. The Getty Center - Los Angeles/Brentwood
4. Cabrillo Marine Aquarium - San Pedro
5. Santa Monica Pier Aquarium- Free for children 12 and under
6. Santa Monica Pier
7. Third Street Promenade - Santa Monica
8. Redondo Beach Pier
9. Centennial Farms - Costa Mesa/OC Fairgrounds
10. Downtown Disney - Anaheim
11. Citywalk - Universal City
12. Ports O'Call - San Pedro
13. Pacific Marine Mammal Center - Laguna Beach

Chinese Lunar New Year/Tet Celebrations in Southern California

Chinese New Year begins on Thursday February 7th. There are many festivals and celebrations throughout Southern California- Here is a list of the some of the largest festivals in the area:

1. Los Angeles Golden Dragon Parade will take place on Saturday, Feb 9th from 2 to 5 pm in Los Angeles Chinatown. This is the 109th annual Dragon Parade and is a must see. There is premium Grandstand seating available. Tickets are $27 and can be purchased by calling (213) 617-0396
2. The Lunar New Year Festival will also take place on both Sat and Sun from 10am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday. The festival will take place in Los Angeles Chinatown on Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenues. There will be live entertainment and plenty of food and vendors
3. Monterey Park Floral Street Fair will be celebrating the Lunar New Year on Sat Feb 9th from 10 am to 8pm and Sun Feb 10th from 1oam to 7pm. The festival will have live entertainment, karaoke, food vendors and plenty of fun. East Garvey Ave in Monterey Park, between Alhambra and Garfield.
4. San Gabriel Valley Lunar New Year Parade and Festival will be held on Feb 16th. The event is a combined effort of the cities of Alhambra and San Gabriel. The parade will take place at 11 am and the festival will

Orange County

1. Tet Festival Garden Grove - One of the largest Tet festivals in the the world. The festival will take place on Fri Feb 8th from 2-10pm, Sat Feb 9th from 10am to 10pm and Sun Feb 10th from 10am to 9pm. Garden Grove Park- Admission is $5 adults and $4 children.
2. Little Saigon Tet Parade will be held on Sat February 9th from 10am to 12pm on Bolsa Avenue in Little Saigon, Westminster

San Diego County

1. 2008 Chinese New Year Fair in San Diego- Feb 16th and 17 from 10am to 5pm- Admission is free of charge. Third Avenue and J street.
2. San Diego Tet Lunar New Year Festival- The festival will be held in Balboa Park - A fantastic festival for the whole family. Entertainment, food and plenty of fun. Fri Feb 8th from 4pm to 10pm , Sat 9th from 10am to 10pm and Sun 10th from 10am to 8pm. Admission is $5 for adults , $4 for children. Located on corner of Park Blvd and Presidents Way.

Griffith Park

One of my absolute favorite places to visit in all of Southern California is Griffith Park. I grew up just a couple of miles from the park and spent many days enjoying the park with family and friends. It's the perfect place for families to visit. The park is home to many attractions including the Griffith Park Observatory, Los Angeles Zoo, The Greek Theater, Gene Autry Museum and Travel Town. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite things to do at the park with little ones, that might not be as well known as the above mentioned attractions.

One of my favorite things to do inside the park with young children is to pay a visit to the Griffith Park Southern Railroad. The miniature railroad has entertained young and old in the park since 1948. The track stretches for over a mile and takes the rider past pony rides, through a lush green meadow, an old western town and past a North American village.

The fun doesn't stop there for little ones. Does your little one love horses? If they do (what kid doesn't right?), you're in luck because there are also great pony and horse rides. They are located next to the railroad at the front entrance to the park on Los Feliz Blvd. Ponies and horses give the little ones safe and secure rides around a track. Your kiddos can also ride in a covered wagon ride if their heart desires.

Once you've had your fill of ponies and trains head over to the the center of the park for a fantastic ride on the Griffith Park Merry - Go - Round. The carousel has been a part of the park since 1937 . It's a great ride and boasts 68 horses and everyone of them is a jumper.

Bring a picnic basket, some snacks and you have the recipe for a perfect day with your family.

The Griffith Park Railroad is open everyday of the week from 10am to 4:30pm on weekdays and 10am to 5pm on weekends. Train rides are 2.50 each

Pony rides are open from Tue-Sun from 10 am to 4pm. Rides are 1.50 and are for children ages 1-10- with a weight limit of 100 pounds.

Griffith Park Carousel is open on weekends throughout the year and everyday in the summer. Open from 10am to 5pm. Griffith Park Carousel ticket prices are $1.50 per ride.

Almost forgot to mention, make sure to bring cash and sunscreen.