'Pirates 2' at The El Capitan

[simba_one]

We're leaving for our vacation 4 weeks tomorrow and being a huge Pirates fan (seeing the first showing of 'Pirates 2' the day of release here next Thursday) we're thinking about seeing it at The El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood for another little extra thing to do.

I have a couple of questions I was wondering if anyone could help me out with though...

The Elcapitan's site says that movie props and all kinds of stuff will be on show at the theatre. Does anyone know if that stuff will disappear after a certain time or will it be there 'til the movie stops showing in September? I swear I read somewhere that it'd only be there for the first few weeks after the opening? We'll preobably be seeing it on August 1.

Second thing is VIP seating... It sounds pretty good and from the seating chart the seats look excellent. Has anyone had VIP seats for a screening at the El Capitan before? What's the best level? I was thinking the upper level, front row would be the best? And you can select the exact seats you want? This whole experience looks excellent. And would sure make for another great little Disney extra to the holiday.

If anyone could give me any information, it'd be MUCH appreciated.

 

[halfway there]

We just saw "Cars" at the El Capitan a couple of weeks ago. They had a special preshow of a pit crew working on an actual race car that was up on stage. They also chose people from the audience to go up and work with the pit crew in a kind of contest against each other. The participants won some neat prizes.

We chose not to purchase the VIP seating as it was double the price but you do get escorted to your seat and to the front of the concession stand and I believe it includes snacks of some sort. The section on the lower level has the very middle (front to back as well) roped off for the VIP's. It's first come first serve within those sections. We sat a couple of rows in front of that area and a few rows from the front and paid regular price. They did come out to throw posters at one point and I noticed they kinda skipped us and tossed them strategically into the VIP section so that might be something to consider as well. I didn't see where all the partipants came from but at least one of the 4 was from the VIP section. Another VIP bonus, I guess.

They had an organist playing Disney theme songs when we walked in then it gets lowered into the stage for the movie. It was pretty cool and the theatre is beautiful. I didn't notice the upper level until after we were seated and wasn't sure if it was only for the VIP's so we didn't venture up there but we did see people sitting up there. Not sure if the view would be any better than where we were though since we were so close to the stage.

We definitely enjoyed our experience, especially extending the 'Disney' portion of our vacation a little longer as we had just checked out that day from GCH and were now staying in Hollywood at the Renaissance. Next door to El Capitan is Disney's Soda Fountain which the theatre exits into. We didn't stop to eat here but there were plenty of tables available after the 4pm show.

Hope that helps a little!

 

[Cherta]

I live in Southern California and have been to El Capitan at least a half dozen times. I have done both the VIP seating and general admission seating and the following are the pros and cons of each:

VIP seating:
PROS:
-Assigned seating (best in the venue).
-No waiting in line for seats-the VIP crowd is allowed to enter and locate their seats prior to general admission.
-Drink and popcorn (usually in a movie-themed bucket) provided (no waiting in the concession line).
CON:
-PRICE!! You can purchase a general admission ticket, small popcorn, and drink for less than the VIP ticket price.

General admission:
PROS:
-Cheaper ticket prices (can be quite a savings depending on the number of people in your party).
CONS:
-No assigned seating (may need to arrive and wait up to 2 hours in line depending on the popularity of the movie). Once inside, you would need to rush around and find the seats you want.

Other than that, everything else is even.

Hope that helps!

 

[Baloo2003]

We did VIP in 2001 for Monsters Inc. We were in the first row of the balcony. We had a great view of the screen and the theater itself. We would do it again. The only downside is that the row was very narrow. It would have made it tricky to exit during the movie if you needed a bathroom break. But Monsters, Inc. was less than 1.5 hours long so it wasn't an issue. Pirates would be over 2 hours. The view was the best though.

 

[simba_one]

Thanks for all that info. everyone. After reading a couple of good comments about the balcony, we're going for it.

I tried booking our seats this morning but the final page before submitting kept saying there was an error with the billing address and to check it. It was right so I don't know what was wrong. Thing is though... now when I try and select the seats again, the seats I selected are no longer available. I thought (and still think?) that the order didn't go through but the seat thing is confusing me. I got no confirmation page and didn't receive a confirmation e-mail.

I was selecting the middle-ish seats (106, 107 & 108 I think they were) of row AA of the VIP Balcony.

I couldn't find a help page or any kind of general contact information (apart from the phone number which is no good to me - at least today anyway - 'coz I'm from the UK and won't be here when they open) so I e-mailed the group sales person.

Any ideas anyone? Every had problems booking online?

 

[cats mom]

I bet it's a problem with that pesky out of country address.

Hopefully you'll hear back from the group sales folks soon.

My Canadian friend has been known to use my addy when booking things online, but sometimes even that does not work as the programers are getting too good and web sites will kick out an order if the addy given does not match the billing addy on the cc used.

 

[simba_one]

I was thinking that might be it. But there's a drop-down box to select your country and the UK is on there so my address should be fine? The seats I selected ARE showing up now - I dunno what's going on. No reply from the sales people yet - fingers crossed.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We were in Hollywood yesterday, and although Cars is still playing, and they have a blue car in front (my little cousin knew exactly "who" that was & was excited to see it), they are getting ready for Pirates - there was tropical foliage & cannons above the marquee, and in one of the windows was all pirates stuff.

 

[simba_one]

Ahh, thanks for that Mary Jo. They really are (like everything Disney) going all out for this movie. The UK premiere happened here in London this evening and OMG the people... they actually had to close the gates into Leicester Square (where the cinema is that we have a lot of the big premieres at over here) because it was overflowing. Crazyness!!!

Back on topic, I got a reply from groups sales:

Your order did not go through. Interestingly enough, the seats you mentioned below have not been available for quite some time as they were purchased by another guest.

That's extremely weird. The tickets that another guest apparently has, are still available if you visit the website.

It said to phone them at the bottom of the e-mail so I guess I'll just do that and get it done that way.

 

[MadeToLove]

I go to the El Capitan all the time, I love seeing movies there. It's by far one of the most beautiful theaters in town IMHO, and a great overall experience.

Just a few bits more info about the theater and what will most likely be the set up for POTC.

Although the seats in the front center section of the balcony are great, avoid sitting in the side sections of the balcony, those seats are sometimes hit or miss, some having slightly obstructed views due to lighting and railings. I've never found a seat in the orchestra section that I didn't like though, so if you can't get those front row balcony seats, try downstairs, (unless you find yourself behind a giant).

Although I haven't seen any plans for how the theater will be decked out, as far as props and sets go, I assume the theater will be set up similar to how it was when Chornicles of Narnia was showing. The props and set pieces were there for the entire run of the showing, so don't worry about them disappearing before you get there.

For Narnia, they had glass cases with the smaller props in the main lobby, and other Narnia themed displays near the theater doors. Downstairs, in the basement where the larger restrooms are, they have a room, during some movies it's set up for birthday parties, but during Narnia it was full of display cases of costumes and furniture from the movie. I highly recommend going downstairs before the movie starts to look at any displays they have down there, after the movie the crowds will be directed downstairs and long lines will form.

The theater itself was all decked out for Narnia too. "Frozen" minotaurs and evergreens covered with snow were all over. The pre-show, was a pretty neat light and music thing and it snowed at the end. My understanding is the theater will be decked out with palm trees and treaure chests, but I have no idea what special little pre show will occur before the movie.

I have heard a rumor that when they were holding auditions for pirates and Jack Sparrow lookalikes for DL and the premiere, that they were also holding them for the El Capitan too, however I don't have confirmation of this. I mention this because for Narnia, they had a "frozen" Mr. Tumnus "statue" in one corner. He loved to come alive and surprise people who were standing beside him oblivious to the fact that he was actually alive. So you never know who might be waiting in the lobby to loot and pilfer your popcorn.

Regarding VIP seating, in addition to an assigned seat, you'll get little coupons on your ticket for a bottled drink (water, cokes, lemonade...20-24 oz bottles) and a tub of popcorn. It's probably the equivalent to a small size popcorn, but it's in a tub, usually with a lid and handle, which keeps it warm, and makes it harder to spill, and that's a good thing. The VIP concession stand is seperate from the regular concession stand, so you won't have to wait in line with everybody else.

If you're still hungry after the show, check out the soda shop. I like eating there. The ice cream is good, and so is the "food" (grilled cheese sandwiches, etc.). They keep the soda fountain clean and well maintained so you might enjoy it. Also, leave yourself time to check out the shop there too. It's small, and doesn't have much, but it always has tons of exclusive toys and stuff based on the movie it's showing that you can't find in regular Disney stores. There's a link to the soda shop on the main El Capitan site, and a menu for the soda shop there. They will probalby also have some sort of special pirate themed sundae in addition to what's on the menu.

Hope you enjoy your trip to LA.

 

[simba_one]

Wow!! Thanks for that fantastic reply MadeToLove. Some great facts and tips there. I'll definitely remember what you said about the balcony seating. Hopefully we'll get the front row but if not, I'll got for the orchestra seating instead.

I think we'll definitely have a quick something at the Soda Fountain. Whatever day we go we're going to do Beverly Hills in the morning and then head over to Hollywood to do some shopping and then catch the movie and then probably more shopping. So we'll definitely have time to stop by the Soda Fountain.

Thanks again for that great reply. Welcome to The DIS!!!

 

[MadeToLove]

Just thought of a few more things to say about the El Cap and the area near it. (Can you tell how much I love that part of town? I have a friend who lives three blocks from the El Cap and I feel like I'm there all the time.)

I love going to see movies at the El Cap, love the huge screen, it's a digital projector so every pixel is crystal clear, love the sound system, not too loud or too soft, love the organist, and how I sing along with him every time he plays "It's a Jolly Holiday" from Mary Poppins, to the embarassment of my friends and family, love the colors and gold leaf decor in the theater.

Before the movie, they'll open the cool curtains and show trailers (usually just a few for Disney films), then they'll close the curtains and do the pre show. I'm a sucker for the fanfare, just love high production value feel of the whole thing.

There are additional display cases in the upstairs balcony area full of photos of celebs from various premieres over the years. It's fun to see who's been there. (So maybe, you might want to take a peak while the credits are running at the end - just don't forget to go back end for the surprise tag at the end of the credits like in the last movie).

There are bathrooms on the main and balconly levels if there's an emergency, you just need to ask a CM.

You'll probably be parking in the Hollywood and Highland parking garage across the way, make sure you bring your parking stub with you to the theater so you can get it validated, and you'll pay less. The validation machine is right in front of you when you walk into the El Cap's lobby, it looks like a little time card puncher (ask the CM if you need help). I would recommend you park at the Hollywood and Highland building. If for some reason you can't, and it shouldn't be a problem, try parking under the old Galaxy theater complex a few blocks west on Hollywood (this building also houses the Knitting Factory and the TV & Movie Museum that just closed). The parking fee is a flat $5 for the whole day, there's an escalator going up to the street, you'd then walk East past Grauman's Chinese theater and the Kodak theater.

The Hollywood and Highland center...AKA Elephant plaza (it's a recreation of the Babylon set from the silent movie Intolerance), has tons of shopping. Although you can get good ice cream at the Soda Shoppe, you may prefer the ice cream at Cold Stone (I think it's on the second level), it's the best. There are a few restaurants there, and they are good, but high priced and crowded. You can get a good shot of the Hollywood sign from the back of the Elephant plaza. If you get hungry while you are shopping, I would actually recommend you consider eating at Mel's Diner across the street, it's next to the El Cap - sort of. Mel's has good burgers and milk shakes (hmmmm, more ice cream, I think I'm seeing a pattern with me and ice cream)

I can't remember now if there was more I was going to impart, but I'm sure you're all tired from reading by now. If you'd like more info about what to see and do in the general vicinity let me know (or PM me).

 

[simba_one]

WOW!! Some GREAT advice there. I know exactly what we're gonna do when we're in Hollywood from 2004. Thanks for all the suggestions for restaurants and ice cream ( I think you're addicted ) places though. I'm gonna print this thread off and take ti with me to refer back to when we're there.

Thanks for the tip about validating your parking ticket from the Hollywood and Highland parking garage. We've never parked there (is it the entrance you see on the left when you're looking down to the street from the back end of the complex by the plastic seat thing? We got some great shots of the Hollywood sign from there (and the higher levels too - shooting through the binoculars up there too) back in 2004. I can't wait to get back there.
We always ended up parking in the little area directly next to the Chinese Theatre. Is the place below the Galaxy good too then?

Any more tips you could give me for the area in general would be REALLY appreciated. I remember a lot of it but obviously being an out-of-towner (out of country-er even) I don't know the little tricks.

I really appreciate these informative posts. They're great!!

 

[halfway there]

Boy, I wish we had this kind of info before we left! As much as we enjoyed our experience at El Capitan I feel like we missed quite a bit! Where exactly is the Mel's Diner? I don't recall seeing that even though we walked up and down Hollywood Blvd a lot.

 

[MadeToLove]

Thanks for the tip about validating your parking ticket from the Hollywood and Highland parking garage. We've never parked there (is it the entrance you see on the left when you're looking down to the street from the back end of the complex by the plastic seat thing?
We always ended up parking in the little area directly next to the Chinese Theatre. Is the place below the Galaxy good too then?

I didn't get much sleep last night, so the "plastic seat thing" question has me baffled. (I was dreaming that I was making out with Jack Sparrow, sorry, Capt. Jack Sparrow at DL - I watched POTC 1 again last night to get ready for POTC 2 - and people kept interrupting us, Will Turner, my mother - you'd think with all the nagging she does about me getting a man in my life and getting married that she could at least keep from interrupting me when I'm trying to grant her request...even if it is just a dream).

So let me try to give you guys the lay out of the Hollywood and Highland area (and I appologize if I end up sounding condescending, I figure there are readers who have never been to Hollywood and won't know, so I may over explain a bit).

Hollywood Blvd. runs east-west, Highland Ave. runs north-south. The El Capitan and Soda Shoppe is on the southwest corner. Mel's Diner is on the southeast corner...actually it's on Highland Ave. just behind the Ripley's Museum which is on the southeast corner. Mel's has a tall sign which is pretty easy to see from the street corner if you look back behind Ripley's. And for those of you who don't know, Mel's is based on the diner in the movie American Graffiti. The wait staff wear costumes like in the movie, however it's not a car hop and most of the staff avoid wearing roller skates, although I have seen them wear skates before. I've heard of several celeb spottings there, I myself have seen D.B. Woodside (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 24).

The Hollywood and Highland complex, AKA Elephant Plaza and the shops in it, like Vigin Megastore, are on the northwest corner. The best way into their parking structure is to enter from Highland Ave. just north of Hollywood Blvd. Turn left at the stop light on Johhny Grant Way (actually just the service road to the parking structure etc.) and follow the signs to self parking. Don't stop at the first parking space you find, go down into the structure a level until you see one of the the sub-lobbies - there's three levels I think (you'll see the glass doors). Try to park as close to the lobby as possible, otherwise you may spend hours trying to remember where you parked your car, I learned this the hard way, trust me, it's a bit of a maze down there. The sub-lobby escalators will take you up into the complex, right between Elephant plaza and the Kodak theater. Unless it's changed, I believe that with validation, parking will be $2-3 bucks for the first four hours.

Going west on the same side of Hollywood Blvd. from the Elephant plaza you have the Kodak Theater, connected, Grauman's Chinese Theater, also connected with interior passageways, then a little parking lot. Then Orange Dr. (which supposedly leads to another entrance to the H & H complex parking structure). The old Galaxy complex is on the next block (there are/were statues of Charlie Chaplin on the sidewalk, but I don't know if they left with the TV & movie museum). The parking structure under the Galaxy can be accessed from Sycamore Ave. north of Hollywood Blvd. There are escalators up to street level from that structure too, (actually around a corner next to the entrance for the Knitting Factory, and don't try to use the elevator you see from the side walk, that won't lead to parking, and it's broken so you may get stuck ) and last time I was there, it was a flat $5 for the day.

That's all for today class, I think I'll go back to bed and try to rejoin Capt. Jack.

 

[MadeToLove]

Once again I'm prevented from posting a link due to number of posts, but check out Sue Kruse's new column today at Mice Age about POTC DMC at the El Cap. She has pictures of the decorated theater. It looks soooooo cool. I can't wait.

 

[simba_one]

I checked that update out. The theatre looks amazing. I can't wait to get in there and see it in real life. Thanks for all the info.

Thanks for all the in-depth info. and hints and tips!!!! I think we'll enjoy Hollywood to it's fullest with your help.