tour company ???'s

[erin1998]

Good afternoon everyone.....
We have decided that instead of going to DisneyWorld on our next holiday (as we do every year), it is time to visit DL.....
It will be just myself and my DS10 travelling down to Cali, and I absolutely hate to drive in places that I am not familiar with. So, I would be taking a shuttle to a DL resort from the airport and staying there for about 9 nights. I would love to travel throughout LA and Hollywood, but since I won't drive, I have been looking into several different tour companies. It seems like Gray Line and Starline are the most popular. Does anyone have an opinion on either tour company.
Thanks for any advice
Erin

 

[Tina]

We did a Starline bus tour of celebrity homes in June. We were unsure of which one to use and were walking around the area. We began talking with a guy in front of the Starline office (on the side street around the corner from the hand prints in front of Grauman's). He not only sold us on his 2 hour tour, he knocked off $10 per person just for asking nicely. We did the air conditioned motor coach, but wished we'd done one of the open air vehicles. We loved the tour, but it was sometimes hard to see out the windows on the bus. Booking the tour in the office was much quieter and relaxing. The area out front is just crazy with the huge crowds. Over in the office, we had a seat, were offered water while we waited for our tour time, and had a pleasant chat with the salesman.

 

[Jynohn]

We did the Starline Tour too and we were also disappointed with the motor coach. The tour itself was very interesting, and our guide was great, but we could only see the things that were on our side of the coach. We felt like we missed half the tour because it was really hard to see out of the other side of the windows. We thought the airconditioned coach was the better option because it was so hot, but if we had it to do over again we would have gone with the open air vehicle.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I'm so glad I read this post because we will be arriving soon and I want to do this tour and suggesting the open air bus before I may have chose the wrong one is a big help. I too would have naturally opted for the a/c.

Can you book a tour same day? I thought about planning ahead but then I thought what if we want to do something else so I'm hoping it's not too crowded that I needed to book in advance. We've never been to Calif. so I of course want to try to do everything but I don't like booking in advance because there could be a change in plans.

We are starting the trip in SanFran and then onto LA and ending in Disneyland.

 

[Jynohn]

We booked our tour ahead of time, but we only reserved the date, not the time. They told us that tours departed continually (I think on the half hour, but not positive about that). You may want to call just to be sure, but I don't think you'd have too much of a problem getting a walk-up reservation.

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyFans4]

OK, thanks for the info. DH said the same thing about booking in advance but I don't like doing that because we could have a change in plans or weather could be an issue, especially if your in the open bus which I know is what I want from reading the boards.

 

[Tina]

For the tours that embark in front of the Hollywood & Highland complex (Chinese theatre), you absolutely do not have to book in advance. They are constantly running and you will have no problem at all getting on a tour.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks for the info

We're staying at the Sheraton Universal. Is the chinese theater far from there?

 

[Tina]

Universal not within walking or (cheap) taxi distance. You're staying in the Burbank area, whereas the the Chinese Theater is in Hollywood. Expect a 20 to 30 minute drive in average traffic.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Any suggestions on the closest touring company? I guess the hotel would have all the info too right?

We are renting a car once we land at LAX because we then intend to drive to Disneyland after our 3 day stay.

 

[erin1998]

Does anyone know what tour company Disney uses? I was on Disney's website and it stated that the Walt Disney Travel Company in Downtown Disney can help make tour plans around Southern California. Is there a particular tour company that they use?
Thanks again
Erin