Need Help incorporating Hollywood day with DLR

[tylerandalexsmom]

We are WDW vets, first time DLR. I have been to CA a few times (mostly SanDiego, with one trip to Beverly Hills & Santa Barbara), and my DS has been to San Diego a few times, but this is DD's first trip anywhere west of the Mississippi. So while we are on the trip, I want to incorporate some of the Beverly Hills/Hollywood sights! I really don't want to rent a car (want to sit back and let someone else worry about getting us there so I don't stress over getting lost in LA ) So I am thinking of flying in a day earlier and staying in the Beverly Hills or Hollywood area overnight, and then going to Union Station and taking the train to DLR (kids LOVE trains, and I love the architecture, so thought we'd enjoy the trip) the next day (and then spending the rest of that afternoon evening exploring the DL hotel and Downtown Disney before hitting the parks the following day).

I want to take the kids to see Rodeo Drive (just for window shopping and photo ops!) and Graumans, Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign, Disney soda fountain, and maybe La Brea tarpits. (I'd also like to see the Beverly Hills Hotel, and maybe the Hollywood Roosevelt, but that might be too much for the kids, and stuff they'd be less interested in)

I keep dreaming of a night at the Beverly Wilshire -- I stayed there on a trip I earned (I wasn't paying!) and would love to go back! And then we could see Rodeo Drive from there, but would have to take a taxi to everything else, including Union Station..... And I don't know if the specialness of it would be lost on the kids at ages 13 (14 at the time) and 7. So, I'm wondering if the Hollywood Hotel at Hollywood and Highland would be better (seems to be closer to the majority of what we want to see) and then just take a taxi to Rodeo Drive.

I need help on the best way to fit everything in (the order to do things in, and still have a little hotel/pool time, without feeling like we never got to enjoy our hotel, especially if I'm going to shell out the $ for a hotel like the Beverly Wilshire!), and advice on hotels/locations. (Personally, from what I've been able to see online on the Hollywood Hotel, I don't seem to like it as well, atmosphere/personality-wise, but it is closer and less expensive). I have a bad habbit of trying to fit too much in, so I want to make sure we can do all these things (most of them, other than the tarpits museum, I think would just be stroll around at look/take pictures). So, advice on how (and what) to do it and where to stay would be greatly appreciated!!

Oh, and if it makes a difference, we would be there at Christmas, and it would just be the kids and I (hubby not going, so want to make sure we aren't in any areas that are too scary without a man along....) Also, any suggestions for fun places "must dos" to grab a bite to eat while we are out sight seeing? (not too terribly expensive -- side walk cafes, fun atmosphere, etc.)

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I just returned from a trip and had a Hollywood day. I stayed at the Magic Castle hotel (best customer service in California). It is a very small hotel and has a cute little pool and good rooms. Upon check in you get a list of alll the free drinks/candy/food you can request anytime (and any amount of). The Magic Castle Hotel is about a block away from Madame Tussaud's, Grauman's, the Disney Soda fountain and the star walk. It is then about a ten minute drive to the tar pits.

 

[SpectroMan71]

You're not going to be able to do all that, especially without a car. I say rent one at Budget of Beverly Hills for a day and then take the train when you're ready to head to Disney. As far as Hollywood, the double decker open air buses would be a fun way to sightsee without having to drive yourself. Enjoy!

 

[dougsmom98]

If you spend a lot of time shopping it will be difficult to do all of that in one day. We did quite a few of those things on our trip, but we did not shop. Here is a link to my trip report. The first day and Wednesday were Hollywood days.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2915848

 

[hamellr]

With kids that age, I'd probably skip Rodeo Drive totally. It's really not that impressive at all. If you really feel like going, you can drive through and see just as much. Unless of course you want to go shopping

You can go through Griffith Park up to the observatory, then on your way down hit the LA Zoo. Then drive down to the Tar Pits, they're actually visible outside so you don't need to go into the museum, although I would highly recommend going inside if you can.