Anybody ever stop at Disney's Soda Fountain & Store on the way down?

[disneychrista]

Just outside the door






BLT with Cole Slaw


French Dip with Chips


Side of French Fries

 

[LuvSulley]

Yes, the Hollywood and Highland parking structure is pretty cheap. The first two hours are free and after that I believe it's only 2 dollars for each additional hour.

Make sure you get your ticket validated at Disney Soda Fountain to get the 2 free hours. The machine is right by the exit/entrance. You should definitely go! The sundaes are great! I can't wait to watch a movie at El Captain, I heard its a real experience with a pre-show, collectible popcorn bucket, etc.

 

[Just Believe]

I go to school in LA and my freshman year a bunch of friends and I toured around Hollywood and I was baffled to find the Soda Fountain. I knew about the El Capatan Theater being owned by Disney but having a Soda Fountain as well was a match made in heaven.

Whenever I'm in the area, I always makes sure we stop there. It's cute and tasty

 

[BlueBayou]

We have parked at Hollywood and Highland, and it was fine. I don't recall having to pay much, if anything. I think there is validation you can get at the soda fountain.

The kids talked us into the soda fountain one time. It was "okay." We live in a large city with a couple old school soda fountains, so we are a little spoiled. It wasn't something that we couldn't have had a similar experience near by our home.

One thing about going to Hollywood - is my youngest (DD9) thinks it is grungy. She will tell people "I don't know why everybody talks up Hollywood, it's dirty." Maybe we have taken them to the clean, sanitized Disneyland too often, but Hollywood never struck me is that bad. We had a nephew studying at USC - so we had a couple of chances to visit family in CA - and Hollywood was always a stop.

One of the most surreal experiences was parking at Hollywood and Highland and walking down to Hollywood Boulevard and pulling out our phone to call our family to see where they were - only to be shocked by our two young daughters running off. Turns out they spotted their grandma and grandpa - whom they had not seen in a year - just down the street. I still can't believe we found our family on Hollywood Blvd with out using a phone.

 

[lizabu]

Just outside the door






BLT with Cole Slaw


French Dip with Chips


Side of French Fries

What great pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Make sure you get your ticket validated at Disney Soda Fountain to get the 2 free hours. The machine is right by the exit/entrance. You should definitely go! The sundaes are great! I can't wait to watch a movie at El Captain, I heard its a real experience with a pre-show, collectible popcorn bucket, etc.

Does this work like a regular movie theater where you can buy tickets when you get there or do you have to buy the tickets in advance? Same price? Also would you spring for VIP or are the general admission tickets good enough?

 

[starry_solo]

What great pictures! Thanks for sharing!



Does this work like a regular movie theater where you can buy tickets when you get there or do you have to buy the tickets in advance? Same price? Also would you spring for VIP or are the general admission tickets good enough?

Spring for VIP. You get a drink, popcorn in a collectible bucket, and reserved (you get to pick) seats. I think the drink & popcorn would run about $8-10 by itself and the difference in price is $13 (general admission is $12, VIP is $25).

Of course, if you're going to eat next door first, then you don't need the popcorn or drink (bottled drink)

 

[lizabu]

Spring for VIP. You get a drink, popcorn in a collectible bucket, and reserved (you get to pick) seats. I think the drink & popcorn would run about $8-10 by itself and the difference in price is $13 (general admission is $12, VIP is $25).

Of course, if you're going to eat next door first, then you don't need the popcorn or drink (bottled drink)

Thanks starry_solo. I know my family well enough to know that even if they just ate if they smell popcorn they want popcorn. Thanks for taking the time to explain it to me

 

[owensamo]

We saw Brave at the El Capitan and they had a - I kid you not - 20 minute stage show before the movie. It was a hollywood revue kind of show with 5-7 performers and a couple of singers and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Merida at the end. Tack that on to the popcorn, drink, reserved seats (we had front-row center of the balcony - no better seats in the house!) and an awesome 3D Pixar/Disney movie, it was a real great deal!

The ice cream was good too.

 

[lizabu]

Wow! That sounds cheap for a show like that. Does the theater fill up? I'd imagine it's better to buy tickets further in advance.

 

[PHXscuba]

We went to the Soda Fountain when we were in CA this summer. As everyone has said, it's a lot of fun. Small-format Disney store with a few collectibles (and a smashed penny machine, btw) and a fun little menu. We shared lunch so we could get lots of ice cream for dessert! The group next to us ordered Mickey's Masterpiece -- like 8 scoops of ice cream, toppings, and a WHOLE can of whipped cream. They make a big production of it.

It's right across from the Dolby Theater (Cirque de Soleil and the Oscars) and the Grauman's Chinese Theater, so you can see the famous handprints and the Walk of Fame stars. Lots of "costumed" characters out -- a few good costumes but many pretty schlocky. Many vendors trying to get you to buy tours, hand you CDs, etc.

It's a fun stop for a couple hours if you're in the area.

PHXscuba

 

[dizneekrazee]

We didn't make it on our drive down, again, a few weeks ago

 

[cp11]

I can't believe I've never even heard of this! Thank you for starting this thread!

I haven't either but now will put it in our vacation plans this summer. We planned on doing some driving trips around Cali and now we will include this.

Love this site!

 

[Domchi002]

Pleasanton

That's funny! We are an hour from SF and our plan is to leave at 6am and stop at the Soda Fountain place too!!

Too bad I don't leave in 2 days!! I leave in 10! LOL!!

 

[BecBennett]

Too bad you didn't make it. We usually eat lunch somewhere else, but then come here for dessert.

 

[JennyN]

Does anyone know what time the Soda Fountain opens? I looked on the website but I can't find the information.

 

[starry_solo]

Does anyone know what time the Soda Fountain opens? I looked on the website but I can't find the information.

Around 9 am or 10 am. Earlier if they have a special breakfast with a Disney character. Depending on when you come, you will want to check out the El Capitan website (the theatre next door) to make sure the time you come doesn't conflict with a special event at DSF (breakfast with Cinderella, Faeries, etc.)

However, they don't usually start serving food until 10 or 11 am (I remember going down there for Tangled, we arrived a few hours before the movie so we could eat, and had to wait around).

 

[PHXscuba]

My notes from this summer say the store opens at 9:30, but they start serving food at 11:00. I think I called the store and asked.

PHXscuba

 

[disneegrl4eva]

really? you guys go all the way into Hollywood before going to DL just to go to the soda fountain???? I can understand if you go down to LA/Hollywood/Beverly Hills but to just go as you are coming down?