Disneyland/LA area (ADDED VIDEO)

Something your girls might like would be The Hollywood Museum. It's on North Highland so probably close to where it sounds like you may be spending time anyway (i.e. Walk of Fame.) It's in the old Max Factor building so it also includes some exhibits related to glamour makeup for past starlets. When I visited a few years or so ago, it had a mix of both old and new Hollywood so they can see things that may have high appeal to them, like costumes from the Hunger Games.
 
Just bumping up my thread. We have bought the tickets so this is a go. We will arrive around 9:30 in the morning on a Friday and stay in Hollywood area. At some point on Monday we will move to Grand CA at Disney. We are DVC members so this will save us a ton of money. Buying the 4 day hopper pass for Tuesday-Friday and will head to the aiport on Saturday morning to fly home. We are still looking at where to stay in the Hollywood area. Thinking of somewhere near Hollywood & Highland. I see the Loews Hollywood hotel is there but pretty pricey in June. We are considering doing an airbnb with our friends and splitting cost. Anyone have any recommendations on any? Thanks so much.

Would Santa Monica pier be a good first stop after we fly in? I figure room won't be ready until afternoon.
 
Hello. Your trip sounds similar to our. So exciting! We stayed at Hollywood Orchid Suites which is right next to the Loews. Reasonable and cute boutique hotel. Rooms a good size and staff great. We to on an Uber to Santa Monica Pier. I have pics on my report link below. We really enjoyed.
We also did 4 day park hopper Tues to Fri, and found adding MaxPaas was great if it's in your budget.
Enjoy your trip! We lovedc the LA/Disney mix.
 


Anyone want to offer suggestions for which days and how we should do this. Will arrive by 10am on a Friday and leaving LA area some time on Monday. Staying in the Hollywood area (undecided at this point) Loews, Orchid Suites, HIExpress Hollywood? Will have a car.

Santa Monica Pier, Warner Brothers Studio Tour, The Grove/Farmers Market, Griffith Observatory, Hollywood sign, Walk of fame, Chinese Theater, Hollywood/Highland mall, another other tours you recommend?
 
Anyone want to offer suggestions for which days and how we should do this.

We are planning our first trip for June, so I can share our plan, but since we’ve never been I can guarantee that it’s a good plan! We have three boys: 14,7 and 5. Skipping tours because don’t think the younger two would enjoy.

Friday: We arrive around 1030am. Renting a car. Plan to head straight to Santa Monica. Not sure how long we’ll stay there. Spending night at Hollywood holiday inn. I couldn’t justify the price of Loews for the five of us (over $600/night) for one night when we won’t be able to enjoy the hotel. Depending on when we finish Santa Monica, may do some Hollywood stuff (observatory, walk of fame, theater, Hollywood/Highland, etc.).

Saturday: More holywood stuff. Depends on what we get done Friday. Evening will be Dodgers game at 515pm. Spending night at hotel in downtown LA.

Sunday: California science center/Endeavour. Whenever we are done, will head over to Disneyland to check in.
 
Your trips sound like mine. We have 11 and 13 year old girls. We are staying at the Loew's Hollywood in April. Got a great rate of $288 per night through AAA. Still trying to figure out exactly what we are doing each day but for now I have:

Flying into LAX Tuesday 4/3 at 12:30pm- renting a car and heading to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach for the day. Heading to Disneyland Tuesday night after traffic dies down (if there is a such a time) maybe around 8pm. Checking into Disneys Paradise Pier.

Disneyland Wed and Thursday. Heading back to LA Friday morning. Checking into Loew's. Between Friday and Saturday we want to do all of the same things you have on your list. Assuming Friday we will do the things around the hotel- Walk of Fame, Chinese Theater, Hollywood sign pics and then not sure. Saturday we have Warner Bros Studio Tour booked at 10:30am which will take a couple of hours. Thinking we will do The Grove and Farmer's Market that day. I do want to do some kind of tour and am looking at Starline Tour Buses and possibly getting a 48 hour pass starting on Friday and doing the red and yellow lines over the Friday and Saturday. But also considering a celebrity tour (I know I have read these are lame and sometimes aren't even showing you any homes but my girls will love it). So still considering TMZ tour. I don't know either and am following this thread too!
 


Your trips sound like mine. We have 11 and 13 year old girls. We are staying at the Loew's Hollywood in April. Got a great rate of $288 per night through AAA. Still trying to figure out exactly what we are doing each day but for now I have:

Flying into LAX Tuesday 4/3 at 12:30pm- renting a car and heading to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach for the day. Heading to Disneyland Tuesday night after traffic dies down (if there is a such a time) maybe around 8pm. Checking into Disneys Paradise Pier.

Disneyland Wed and Thursday. Heading back to LA Friday morning. Checking into Loew's. Between Friday and Saturday we want to do all of the same things you have on your list. Assuming Friday we will do the things around the hotel- Walk of Fame, Chinese Theater, Hollywood sign pics and then not sure. Saturday we have Warner Bros Studio Tour booked at 10:30am which will take a couple of hours. Thinking we will do The Grove and Farmer's Market that day. I do want to do some kind of tour and am looking at Starline Tour Buses and possibly getting a 48 hour pass starting on Friday and doing the red and yellow lines over the Friday and Saturday. But also considering a celebrity tour (I know I have read these are lame and sometimes aren't even showing you any homes but my girls will love it). So still considering TMZ tour. I don't know either and am following this thread too!
Did you book online or have AAA get you that rate? It is $1200 for me with taxes for 3 nights if we stay at the Loews. I know our girls would love a celebrity tour as well.
 
I just clicked on AAA right on the Loew's website when I was getting the room rate. It's not too easy to find. When entering your dates, adults and kids, click on "View More Options" and you can check the AAA box. I have read the celebrity tours don't show you much because celebrity homes can't be seen from the street. I'm leaning toward Starline Tours and focusing on the red line. It should show us most of what we want to see.
 
I just clicked on AAA right on the Loew's website when I was getting the room rate. It's not too easy to find. When entering your dates, adults and kids, click on "View More Options" and you can check the AAA box. I have read the celebrity tours don't show you much because celebrity homes can't be seen from the street. I'm leaning toward Starline Tours and focusing on the red line. It should show us most of what we want to see.
Apparently the $1200 is with AAA. June is way more expensive.
 
Your trips sound like mine. We have 11 and 13 year old girls. We are staying at the Loew's Hollywood in April. Got a great rate of $288 per night through AAA. Still trying to figure out exactly what we are doing each day but for now I have:

Flying into LAX Tuesday 4/3 at 12:30pm- renting a car and heading to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach for the day. Heading to Disneyland Tuesday night after traffic dies down (if there is a such a time) maybe around 8pm. Checking into Disneys Paradise Pier.

Disneyland Wed and Thursday. Heading back to LA Friday morning. Checking into Loew's. Between Friday and Saturday we want to do all of the same things you have on your list. Assuming Friday we will do the things around the hotel- Walk of Fame, Chinese Theater, Hollywood sign pics and then not sure. Saturday we have Warner Bros Studio Tour booked at 10:30am which will take a couple of hours. Thinking we will do The Grove and Farmer's Market that day. I do want to do some kind of tour and am looking at Starline Tour Buses and possibly getting a 48 hour pass starting on Friday and doing the red and yellow lines over the Friday and Saturday. But also considering a celebrity tour (I know I have read these are lame and sometimes aren't even showing you any homes but my girls will love it). So still considering TMZ tour. I don't know either and am following this thread too!
Just wondering if you confirmed up your plans yet and which tour you decided to go with. I had TMZ on my list but a few people suggested others. I know Casey from the Disneyland facebook page recommended Ultimate Hollywood Tours. I had also been looking at Access Hollywood tour. You will have to report back after your trip as I am almost ready to hit the submit button for the Loews hotel. (there is a prepaid rate of $287) but I hate to prepay so far in advance and waiting on our friends to figure out what they want to do.
 
Hi- no I have not decided what tour yet. I have been busy making my Disneyland dining reservations and that's as much as I have done. :-) I didnt realize there was a Disneyland FB page. I will get right on it! I will definitely update after since we go before you and can give you my feedback.
 
Hi- no I have not decided what tour yet. I have been busy making my Disneyland dining reservations and that's as much as I have done. :-) I didnt realize there was a Disneyland FB page. I will get right on it! I will definitely update after since we go before you and can give you my feedback.
Disneyland Daily was the site recommended to me.
 
We just got back and loved everything about our trip. Did everything we had planned and the Loews and Grand Californian at Disney did not disappoint.
 
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed your trip! If you have time to do a trip report, I think a lot of people would appreciate the information and tips.
 
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed your trip! If you have time to do a trip report, I think a lot of people would appreciate the information and tips.
Will attempt a trip report:

We flew Tampa to LA on a Friday morning flight. We arrived, got luggage, rental car and headed to an early lunch at In & Out Burger. From there we went straight to Santa Monica Pier. Let the girls do a few rides and we walked on the beach and touched the ice cold water. From there we went to the Loews Hollywood hotel to check in. Of course got stuck in LA traffic but we were prepared and knew it was coming. We checked in and headed down to find some dinner and walked around for a bit with an early to bed that night as we were use to Florida time.

Day 2 we got up early and walked down the Walk of Fame before the crowds (and glad we did that as it gets mobbed later in the day) Took pics at the favorites and went in a few of the shops. Took a tour of the Dolby Theater (30 minutes for $18). We enjoyed it and then had lunch at Johnny Rockets in the HOllywood & Highland "mall". (I thought it was a mall but it is more of an outside place with shops surrounded by the hotel) We walked about a 15 minute walk down to Sunset Blvd and did the Ultimate Hollywood tour. We all loved it. It was so much fun and exciting anticipating who may walk out of their house. We did drive by Sylvestor Stallone and Oprah in their cars. We walked back to hotel and went to The Grove. We had a quick dinner and walked around for a bit.

Day 3 we went to Griffith Observatory. My Lala Land obsessed daughter was so excited. Great place for pictures of the Hollywood sign (even though you could see it from the hotel it is slightly closer view). We spent an hour or so there and headed to find Walt's Carousel that he took his daughters to. Girls rode that and then we went to a place called The Chocolate Chair for Dragon's breath dessert. Something they wanted to do but probably wouldn't waste the time on that again. Were back to the hotel by 2ish and we spent a few hours up at the pool. It is on the 5th floor and it was really nice. You can see the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory in the distance. We had tickets to a movie at El Capitan so after a quick dinner we headed over there. Stopped in Ghiradelli's after the movie as it is right next door.

Day 4 we went to breakfast and a final walk down Hollywood Blvd. My daughter was sad to leave. She loved everything about Hollywood and I have to admit that I did as well. They had closed Hollywood Blvd over night and were putting up the red carpet for an event the next evening. We checked out and headed to Burbank to the Warner Brothers Studio tour. That was a lot of fun and the guide mentioned the restaurant that they filmed part of Lala Land was right around the corner so guess where we had lunch? It was really good and we took pictures. "where Mia stood when she first saw Sebastian" and where he played the piano. Our friends with us who had not seen Lala Land weren't quite as impressed but did enjoy their lunch. From there we had to say good bye to Hollywood and head towards Disneyland. We sat in bad bad traffic, but again were expecting it so no worries. We dropped our friends at their hotel and on to the Grand Californian for us. We had 5 great days split between Disneyland and CA Adventure. We can't wait to go back some day. (my daughter is hoping, begging, pleading to go in September for her 16th birthday)
 
Will attempt a trip report:

We flew Tampa to LA on a Friday morning flight. We arrived, got luggage, rental car and headed to an early lunch at In & Out Burger. From there we went straight to Santa Monica Pier. Let the girls do a few rides and we walked on the beach and touched the ice cold water. From there we went to the Loews Hollywood hotel to check in. Of course got stuck in LA traffic but we were prepared and knew it was coming. We checked in and headed down to find some dinner and walked around for a bit with an early to bed that night as we were use to Florida time.

Day 2 we got up early and walked down the Walk of Fame before the crowds (and glad we did that as it gets mobbed later in the day) Took pics at the favorites and went in a few of the shops. Took a tour of the Dolby Theater (30 minutes for $18). We enjoyed it and then had lunch at Johnny Rockets in the HOllywood & Highland "mall". (I thought it was a mall but it is more of an outside place with shops surrounded by the hotel) We walked about a 15 minute walk down to Sunset Blvd and did the Ultimate Hollywood tour. We all loved it. It was so much fun and exciting anticipating who may walk out of their house. We did drive by Sylvestor Stallone and Oprah in their cars. We walked back to hotel and went to The Grove. We had a quick dinner and walked around for a bit.

Day 3 we went to Griffith Observatory. My Lala Land obsessed daughter was so excited. Great place for pictures of the Hollywood sign (even though you could see it from the hotel it is slightly closer view). We spent an hour or so there and headed to find Walt's Carousel that he took his daughters to. Girls rode that and then we went to a place called The Chocolate Chair for Dragon's breath dessert. Something they wanted to do but probably wouldn't waste the time on that again. Were back to the hotel by 2ish and we spent a few hours up at the pool. It is on the 5th floor and it was really nice. You can see the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory in the distance. We had tickets to a movie at El Capitan so after a quick dinner we headed over there. Stopped in Ghiradelli's after the movie as it is right next door.

Day 4 we went to breakfast and a final walk down Hollywood Blvd. My daughter was sad to leave. She loved everything about Hollywood and I have to admit that I did as well. They had closed Hollywood Blvd over night and were putting up the red carpet for an event the next evening. We checked out and headed to Burbank to the Warner Brothers Studio tour. That was a lot of fun and the guide mentioned the restaurant that they filmed part of Lala Land was right around the corner so guess where we had lunch? It was really good and we took pictures. "where Mia stood when she first saw Sebastian" and where he played the piano. Our friends with us who had not seen Lala Land weren't quite as impressed but did enjoy their lunch. From there we had to say good bye to Hollywood and head towards Disneyland. We sat in bad bad traffic, but again were expecting it so no worries. We dropped our friends at their hotel and on to the Grand Californian for us. We had 5 great days split between Disneyland and CA Adventure. We can't wait to go back some day. (my daughter is hoping, begging, pleading to go in September for her 16th birthday)

How was Loews?
 
I'm glad you enjoyed your trip! We did many of the same things, but in a much more compressed amount of time. My 15 year old is also dying to go back. She's ready to move to LA.
 
Love your report. So happy to hear you had an amazing time in LA. Reading your days, it brings back lots of memowmemof our trip last year (just different order). Thanks for reporting back.
 

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