Pantages Theater in LA

[Disney Fool]

Okay, guys, I need your help. I'm from east coast, a WDW die-hard; last year I went to DL for the first time and fell in love with that place. I'm going back in March for a week. I'm surprising my family with tickets to see "Wicked" at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles, on the Thursday night of our trip. We're staying at Sheraton Anaheim (the one that looks like a castle) for the week. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to get there?
Should we go to LA in the morning and do a tour and just stay for the show?
Should we arrange to go later in the day in a hired car? I hadn't planned on renting a car as we were staying so close to Disneyland.
Any suggestions or recommendations would be helpful.

 

[kitsch]

It is possible to get to the Pantages w/o a car. You can take the Amtrak or Metolink train from the Anaheim station to Union Station in downtown LA. Then all you need to do is transfer to the Red Line (subway)--make sure you take the train that's marked "North Hollywood"--and exit at the Hollywood/Vine station which is right accross the street from the Pantages.

Are you seeing the Matinee or the regular 8pm evening performance of Wicked. If you are seeing the evening so, I don't recomended taking public transportation. Assuming the show gets out at 10pm, you will only have 30 min left to get from Hollywood back to Union Station to catch the last train back to Anaheim (I think it leaves at 10:30).

Best thing to do is rent a car and drive into Hollywood in the morning. You can park at the Hollywood & Highland mall http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com/ for $10 all day. While there, you can shop/dine in the mall or maybe catch a movie at Disney's El Capitan Theatre http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/ . Right next door is the Disney Soda Fountain. http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/

There are also plenty of tours you can take from the Hollywood & Highland complex--just go to Customer Service for more info.

If you decide not to stay in the area, the subway is right there. If you take the northbound train, you can get to Universal Studios in about 7 mins (but you will have to take a free shuttle up to the park/citywalk once you exit the station). I suggest buying a day pass $3 only and can be used on the subway, light rail, and buses. http://mta.net/default.asp

If you are into astronomy, you might want to check out the newly renovated/expanded Griffith Observatory http://www.griffithobservatory.org
You will need to make reservations and there is a fee for the bus ride which is not covered by your metro day pass.

To get to the Pantages from H&H, take the Union Station bound train to Hollywood & vine.

 

[Disney Fool]

Thanks so much. It isn't easy trying to plan when one is so unfamiliar with the L.A. area. I'm learning, but not nearly fast enough! I'll certainly look into your suggestions. The day trip sounds like a good idea. I've also asked this question on the Disneyland site, but thank you so very much for responding.

 

[Disney Fool]

Oh, I forgot, it's the 8 p.m. show.

 

[tracys2cents]

I think you'll need to get the car, since the last train service down to Anaheim is around 10pm.

 

[allison k]

Honestly, I'd recommend being in the LA area for the day. Getting out of Orange County into LA can take a VERY long time. But that could make for a long day, since you'll then have the drive home.

However, I'm remembering when we saw Chicago there a few years ago, it was a week night. We did make it on time, I just can't remember when we left - maybe 5:30? We live about 30 minutes south of DL. What might be a better plan is to leave in the early afternoon and get there in time for some sightseeing and dinner nearby.

Just a thought....

 

[woody73]

. . . What might be a better plan is to leave in the early afternoon and get there in time for some sightseeing and dinner nearby.

Good advice. When we saw the Lion King, people seated near us arrived after the opening number, and complained about the traffic.

Woody