American Girl Store

[waydownunder]

Is there public transport we can use to get from Disneyland Resort to the American Girl Store at the Grove? I admit it i'm just a big kid and want to bring myself one back to New Zealand. Last time we came to Disneyland we went there as part of a bus tour of Hollywood ect but found it too rushed and would like to have more time to shop there. If not any idea what a taxi would cost? Thankyou so much for any help you can give.

 

[Sherry E]

Is there public transport we can use to get from Disneyland Resort to the American Girl Store at the Grove? I admit it i'm just a big kid and want to bring myself one back to New Zealand. Last time we came to Disneyland we went there as part of a bus tour of Hollywood ect but found it too rushed and would like to have more time to shop there. If not any idea what a taxi would cost? Thankyou so much for any help you can give.

It won't be cheap. The Grove is in Los Angeles County, while DLR is in Orange County. Taxis are very unpredictable, as they may take the "scenic route" just to hike up your fare. Some cab companies will give you a flat, fixed rate to drive one way to L.A. but they won't give you a flat rate to drive back from L.A. to Orange County, or vice versa. So, based on traffic and what not, your fare could climb sky-high. You can check around and see if you can find one taxi company that will give you a flat rate one way, and then find a different company that will give you a flat rate the other way!!

A shuttle is an option, though still not cheap - call a place like Super Shuttle or Karmel Shuttle, which do "point-to-point" service (meaning regular drop offs and pick-ups that don't involve an airport or a boat dock), and they will quote you a hefty sum for round trip. (I used Super Shuttle to take me to Anaheim from where I live in L.A. in December, and I was going to use them on the return trip as well, but my friends took me home, so it saved me money.) You could take buses to and from Anaheim to L.A., but you will be switching buses several times and it will take over 3 hours each way, which is a huge waste of time. The Grove in L.A. is about 45 minutes away from DLR, with no freeway traffic, by car.

Once you do get to The Grove, especially if you arrive early in the day and have time, be sure to check out the Farmers Market, which is adjacent to The Grove, as they have lots of yummy food there in the stands around the market.

 

[aussietravellers]

We went to The Grove and the Farmers Markets (OH YUM) on the Grayline tours LA/Hollywood tour, it was our lunch stop and we had plenty of time to wander around and do some shopping.

Not being from the area and going to many places before I can't really say how long it took to get there from DL but I do remember that it is quite a way away. So not sure if you were planning on doing a tour whilst you were there, if you were, this may be a way to get to the American Girl store and enjoy a great tour as well

 

[debloco]

Technically, yes, there is public transportation that could get you from DLR to the Grove. But, like Sherry said with how long it would take, the practical answer is no.

The Gray Line tour suggested might be a good way to go. My suggestion would be to price out renting a car at your hotel or somewhere nearby DLR for the day you'd want to go. That way you could drive yourself and avoid the most congested times on the freeways by leaving after the morning rush hours and staying past the evening rush hours. You'd be at the Grove in time for lunch, and have from then until 8 or 9 pm for shopping and fun before driving back to DLR.

And the cost of a one-day car rental may be less expensive than two (or more) shuttle or tour tickets.

HTH!

 

[Sherry E]

Technically, yes, there is public transportation that could get you from DLR to the Grove. But, like Sherry said with how long it would take, the practical answer is no.

The Gray Line tour suggested might be a good way to go. My suggestion would be to price out renting a car at your hotel or somewhere nearby DLR for the day you'd want to go. That way you could drive yourself and avoid the most congested times on the freeways by leaving after the morning rush hours and staying past the evening rush hours. You'd be at the Grove in time for lunch, and have from then until 8 or 9 pm for shopping and fun before driving back to DLR.

And the cost of a one-day car rental may be less expensive than two (or more) shuttle or tour tickets.

HTH!

Excellent idea! I totally blanked out on the car rental idea in my post above, but you are very right - they could probably rent a car for the day and drive up to The Grove and beat the traffic for cheaper than a shuttle round trip, and maybe even a shuttle one-way. There is a rental car place in DTD, if I recall. Yep - that may be the best option. Buses are just too time draining and taxis are too unpredictable. Plus, it's not like there isn't a lot to do up this way. Aside from The Grove/Farmers Market, there is LACMA, the Tar Pits, Beverly Hills, Sunset Blvd., Hollywood Blvd., etc. So it could definitely be a worthwhile day trip.

 

[SnowWhite09]

What is the American Girl Store and the Grove? On our next trip to DL we are going to drive to the Farmers Markets and if this place is just across the road, I would like to go there too if it is good.

TIA

 

[Sherry E]

What is the American Girl Store and the Grove? On our next trip to DL we are going to drive to the Farmers Markets and if this place is just across the road, I would like to go there too if it is good.

TIA

The Grove is a beautiful outdoor shopping center (where lots of celebrities shop, by the way), and it is right next door to Farmers Market. In fact, Farmers Market used to be much bigger, pre-2001 or so. A large chunk of Farmers Market was hacked off at that time to build The Grove. So essentially, you can just follow the path from the Farmers Market right into The Grove - they almost look like they are all part of the same shopping center because they are connected by a foot path.

American Girls are the famous line of dolls/stores/restaurants/books/movies. There are not that many American Girl stores around, but The Grove has one of the very few, so lots of people travel far and wide to go to that store! There's also a Bath and Body Works, Kiehl's, Barnes and Noble, Crate and Barrel, Cheesecake Factory and all kinds of other places to eat like Maggiano's Little Italy, etc. Farmers Market has some wonderful food inside the Market from the mom and pop vendors at small stands (like the Gumbo Pot, for example, and all kinds of delicious bakeries), as well as some nice outdoor restaurants like Marmalade Cafe. There are all kinds of things to eat and do at both Farmers Market and The Grove, so it will be a fun-filled day!

ETA: Because CBS has a location one block away from The Grove and Farmers Market, many celebrities and soap opera actors used to come there to Farmers Market for lunch during the week. Now, this specific location of CBS only films a few games shows, I think, while the soap operas have moved elsewhere in L.A., but celebrities still shop and eat at FM/The Grove!! In fact, if you ever watch TMZ, they always catch celebrities shopping at The Grove. I actually saw an Alanis Morissette concert at The Grove once - quite cool!

 

[SnowWhite09]

Thanks Sherry - sounds like a lot of fun. I can't wait!

 

[SnowWhite09]

Thanks Sherry - it sure sounds like a lot of fun! I can't wait!

 

[SnowWhite09]

Thanks Sherry - sure sounds like a fun day! I can't wait

This is the 3rd time I have tried to post this message of thanks so if it appears on the thread 3 times, sorry everyone!

 

[jlmarr]

Last time we came to Disneyland we went there as part of a bus tour of Hollywood ect but found it too rushed and would like to have more time to shop there.

The Gray Line Hop On Hop Off tour would give you as much time as you need at The Grove (stop #9). I'm not sure how Gray Line handles getting you from Anaheim to the tour loop - maybe someone else could comment on that.

 

[Mazzy]

We decided to actually go and stay in LA for 2 nights, as it was not working out a good deal just going there for a day trip and fitting everything in, far too much of a rush and difficult without a car. We're stayin at the Renaissance Hollywood which is nice and central and you can either use public transport bus, takes 15 mins to get to the Grove, or the Hop on Hop Off tour which also stops there, or just a taxi.

 

[jlmarr]

We're stayin at the Renaissance Hollywood which is nice and central and you can either use public transport bus, takes 15 mins to get to the Grove, or the Hop on Hop Off tour which also stops there, or just a taxi.

I believe that's the hotel used during American Idol's "Hollywood Week" - a perfect location. It's adjacent to the Hollywood & Highland Center and Kodak Theatre, close to Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Disney's El Capitan, and an MTA Red Line Subway stop. Via the subway you can get to Universal Studios, Union Station (Amtrak/Metrolink), and connect with the rest of the subway system (Blue, Gold, Green Lines).