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Well Rawrcast readers, I should have thought about this before now, but at least I’m getting the information out to you some time before Blizzcon. Here is a quick travel guide to the Convention area for those of you that are attending Blizzcon. I have lived in the area for my entire life, so I would like to think that I am a relative expert on the Disney / Convention Center area.

Disneyland and California Adventure

Directly across Katella Avenue from the Convention Center is California Adventure. You will have to enter the parks either off of Harbor Blvd. or S. Walnut Street. The main parking garage is off Walnut. Be advised the parks are still very busy during this time of year. I would expect waits for the top rides to be in the 45 min to 1 hour in length. If this is your first or second visit though, it is still worth the wait. My recommendations for rides at California Adventure: Hollywood Tower of Terror, Soaring over California, the Toy Story Ride. My recommendations for Disneyland: Buzz Lightyear Ride, Space Mountain, Pirates of Carribean, and this weekend is the end of the Summer Fireworks Spectacular so enjoy.

Downtown Disney

This is the area outside the parks between the park entrances and the Disneyland Hotel. This is a really good place to walk around, shop, hit some restaurants, maybe even see a movie or two. Prices for stuff are a little expensive here, but it is within easy walking distance of the convention center so check it out. Most of the stores and restaurants are open until 1 am. My recommendations: Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen (little more expensive, worth it. Try the double chocolate soufflé for dessert), Naples for Italian food and La Brea Bakery for sandwich type meals.

Restaurants

There is a number of easy to get to restaurants near the convention center so you do not need to eat bad convention food. If you walk approximately 2 blocks east on Katella Ave. on the north side of the street are a number of restaurants which are part of a shopping district called the Garden Walk. Here you can do some shopping, but eating is the best around the area. You can find restaurants such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Cheesecake Factory (more than just cheesecake, the menu is like a mini phone book), PF Chang’s (some of the best Chinese food around), McCormick and Schmicks (higher end sea food) and many more. Also, if you go north on harbor across from where the Disneyland Harbor Blvd. parking lot exits, there is a Mimi’s café. Good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Beach

If you want to see or hit the beach before you leave, you will need a car. If you have a car, take Katella going east from the convention center until you get to the I5 Freeway. Take the I5 south to the 55 Freeway south (approx. 5 miles from the I5). The 55 Freeway will end being a freeway and becomes Newport Blvd. Take Newport Blvd. all the way into Balboa Island, or you can turn either direction onto Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). If you go north on PCH you will go through Newport, Huntington Beach and up into Seal Beach. If you go south on PCH you will go through Newport, Newport Coast, Laguna Beach and into Dana Point.

Religious

If you ever wanted to see the Crystal Cathedral where the Reverend Robert Schuler preached for so many years that is close, but you will need a car. Take Harbor Blvd. south from the Convention Center and turn left onto Chapman Avenue. The Cathedral will be on the corner of Chapman and Lewis Street.

Other Amusement Parks

If you want to hit an amusement park, but don’t want to go to Disneyland there is Knott’s Berry Farm only 20-25 minutes away. Take the I5 north to the 91 Freeway and go west. Get off at Beach Blvd. and head south. On Beach Blvd here is Movieland Wax Museum and Knott’s Berry Farm. Knott’s has some really good roller coasters and thrill rides. They also have a water park called Soak City that you can hit if you are hot.

That is all I can think of for now. If you need more detailed information on a specific restaurant recommendation or anything email me at rawrinquisitor@gmail.com. Otherwise be safe and have some good old fashioned geek fun. I will be there in spirit and watching on DirecTV.

Inquisitor