Question? Non park day

[lntsmom]

Shall we do some Disney match-making? How old is your daughter? I have a 7 year old son who is demanding the same thing! Matter of fact, he's a Missourian, too...we just moved west 18 months ago.

I even asked the same question- thinking that maybe on our first day we could drive to Hollywood, see the danged sign and maybe Madame Tusaudes (sp?) or something else touristy, then head down to Laguna.

My sister, who lived in the area briefly and visits every summer, assures me that I'm insane if I try it. Mind you, this info is second hand, but she said that since we're arriving during morning rush hour it could take 2 hours to get from John Wayne to Hollywood...then I'd have a nearly 2 hour drive south to get back to Laguna. She pretty much convinced me that we're going to have to give the sign a miss on this trip.

What is it with kids and the Hollywood sign?????

 

[Pir8girl]

I used to drive everyday from Newport Beach to Hollywood & Vine. Most days it took a bit more than an hour. If there was an accident 2 hours and on one particular Friday it took me 3 hours to get home.

If you & your children have a lot of patience and a flexible nature - I say go for it. If not - save yourself the hassle.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

To be honest, I don't think the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theater area are really worth seeing just to see them. The Hollywood sign is the Hollywood sign. It's not all that glamorous. Some of the stars are cool, but my life isn't somehow complete now because I saw Mickey's star and Darth Vader's footprints near the Chinese Theater. Some of the aforementioned costumed characters there are very impressive, while some are jokes. The "Mickey" and I use that name loosely looked awful. You could see the person's neck.

I don't recommend going up there just to see Hollywood. If you're going to go up to that area, I think you need to make it worth your while. Take in a movie at the El Capitan. Make sure you're there early so you can hear the organist play before the show. That is awesome. Depending on when you go, you may be able to catch a Disney classic there. Enjoy an ice cream sundae or even a meal at the Soda Fountain after the show.

And be aware of when you'll be leaving the Hollywood area. L.A. traffic can be brutal, so don't leave that area in the middle of rush hour. On one day last February, I spent 5 hours in L.A. traffic, which is not much less time than it takes me to drive from my home to Disneyland.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Well I must say you are all full of great information.....

I assume rush hour has to end at some point???? I think the kids want to see the Hollywood sign so bad from all this "IDOL" hype!! "I going to Hollywood"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we will visit Griffith park and the observatory for sure and then possibly go to that theatre other posters have talked about and view some of the stars on the walk of fame..Dinner somewhere and then head back after 7pm that evening??? Does that sound like a plan????

We will save Laguna beach for Saturday when we are headed back to San Diego...I am hoping to book a late day flight so we have all day to spend hanging out.
Plus we will have 5 days on the water with the cruise..OMG so much to plan!

I am glad I think it is fun...Planning is my favorite part!!!!

Michelle

 

[Hound 109]

Two completely contrary opinions:

- Don't ever let them watch "Idol" again.

- Spend 3 days at DLR (& dump the Hollywood day trip).


Seriously if i had a choice of driving to Hollywood for the day or spending the morning in Anaheim getting a root canal.....I'd go for the root canal (as long as i could spend the evening in DL).

 

[fairycat]

Two completely contrary opinions:

- Don't ever let them watch "Idol" again.

- Spend 3 days at DLR (& dump the Hollywood day trip).


Seriously if i had a choice of driving to Hollywood for the day or spending the morning in Anaheim getting a root canal.....I'd go for the root canal (as long as i could spend the evening in DL).

I have to agree with Hound haha!!!


What type of food are you looking for? You will not find a lot of chains in the area but there are some things that are good. The food at Hollywood and Highland is mall type stuff and only ok. Though there is one sit down place.

There is an great Japanese place by Hollywood Blvd, that has the most amazing view of the whole valley and beautiful gardens to walk. There is a great Thai place near Griffith park, that is very themed and has great food (though you would never guess it from the strip mall look outside). I know a great Thai place with a Hollywood Rock feel on Sunset near the Whiskey and the Guitar Center (famous for musicans!). And a great Morrocan place in the same area. We have done lunch twice at London (Gordan Ramsey's restaurant in Hollywood), the lunch meal is reasonably priced and so good!!!

Ok since some of those options might be too odd for your kid's Johnny Rockets is also a great burger joint with .05 juke boxes on all the tables and occassional singing servers. There is an Italian place right near Universal Studios that has Singing servers the place is famous and amazing though I would make sure to get reservations for this place!!!

Ok if you really want to do Hollywood I have some suggestions for you as a local. Personally if you still want to do Hollywood I might skip Griffith, though personally I would rather do Griffith over Hollywood.

I would suggest either taking the bus tour or driving to Universal Studios, spend the afternoon there, it has rides its fun and the best part totally unique to this park is the backstage tour! This tour takes you through real sets that have been used on so many famous movies and TV and they still film there today. You can occassionally come up on then filming while you are on the tour. I always loved this tour as a kid. It might also be interesting as they have been rebuilding a large section of the backlot after a fire destroyed some famous sets including the one used for Back to the Future

Then you can walk around Citywalk, this was where Disney got the idea for DTD. The interesting thing about Citywalk (besides some fun shops) is they do a lot of filming up in this location as well. Many reality shows with competitions have filmed here, and concerts and signings. There are also some good restaurants like Buca de Beppo (Italian), a Mexican place, and Hard Rock. I would possibly have dinner here, then head over to Hollywood and Highland.

If you are driving Hollywood and Highland is like one exit up the freeway from Universal so easy to find! Go to the Hollywood and Highland complex, look at the shops, walk to the balcony where you can see the sign. Then go to the street see the stars, walk up the street a bit and there is Mann's. If you still have room cross the street and get some ice cream at the Disney Malt Shop, or just look around the world's smallest Disney Store as I call it I would not leave Hollywood till 8pm as I think that is the best marker for lessing traffic.

Again this is a plan I have done similarly with tourists before, I just don't want you to fight a lot of traffic to be disappointed by the offerings. Also I would hate to see you waste all of your day in traffic.