Visiting Los Angeles with kids was one of the last minute add-on itinerary to our week long visit to the West Coast. We didn’t plan to spend a lot of time in Los Angeles because we had so many things to do in San Diego from theme parks, zoo, museum and beach. But one of the plan that I added to our things to do in Los Angeles and looked forward to doing was watching a show in the El Capitan theatre.
The El Capitan theatre is one of the fully restored movie palaces in Hollywood. It was one of the original 3 theatres envisioned by Charles E. Toberman and Sid Grauman to create Hollywood theatre district in the early 1920s. After the years of ups and downs, it’s currently operated by the Walt Disney company. Did I just say DISNEY? Yes, it’s the venue for many of Walt Disney Pictures‘ movie premiere. It’s a perfect place for kids to experience different kind of movie going.
The theatre itself is nicely decorated with all the detail. It makes you feel like you step back in time to the old glory day of Hollywood. The staffs were attentive and very helpful.
One of the thing I always love about watching a movie at this kind of movie palace is the pre-show. Kids enjoy listening to the live music which I think much better than just watching the advertising on the screen.
We went there during Thanksgiving and we were able to enjoy Holiday Spectacular pre-show. I think I was enjoying the show more than the movie itself.
After the show, we also walked around and checked out the display of the behind-the-scene information about the movie. We even saw some of the costumes used in the movie. Yes, it’s the 3-D movie but I guess they will need the real costumes to make it more realistic.
The ticket cost might seem to be steeper than your typical movie ticket but I think it’s well worth the experience for a visit on special occasion.
After you exit and still want more Disney experience, you can stop by Disney’s Soda Fountain and Studio Store for some quick snack and shopping.
Disclaimer: We paid for our tickets ourselves but we were very lucky to receive 2 free tickets from a complete stranger while we were waiting in line at the box office to a VIP section. So we only bought 2 extra tickets for our family.
Check out other travelers Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a pre-show. I remember a movie theater that used to show a cartoon before the actual movie.
A pre-show? I don’t even remember seeing one of those…ever! What a fun experience for you guys in a beautiful setting. And free tickets from a stranger? Very cool!
@AsianMommy: A cartoon before the movie? That will be so cool for kids.
@Jen: We were so surprised at the kindness of the stranger as well. Even though we were nervous being in a big city like LA. :)
How fun! I don’t think I’ve been to a movie with a pre-show.
Wow! That sounds like a wonderful show experience. I’ve never been to that theatre, but my husband raves about it :)
@Sandy: It was really a great experience for us and a really nice theatre. I don’t know how often they do the pre-show. We were lucky to go during the Holiday season.
How cool! I had never thought to do that and I live in the general region. Great tip!
Wow, a pre-show, eh? Sure beats previews
What a truly magnificent theatre! This is a true heritage landmark!