El Capitan Theater--
Hollywood's favorite family entertainment destination!
When visiting Hollywood, California with kids, what could be more fun than catching the latest Disney movie at Disney's own theater---the El Capitan!
All of the new Disney movies play here...and some of them even hold their movie premieres here, as well!
In addition to catching a show, you can continue your family outing by browsing in the Disney gift shop and catching a bite to eat in the Disney Soda Shop, both of which are adjacent to the theater.
On this page, you'll discover fun facts about Disney's El Capitan Theater, and get the info you need to plan an exciting family outing to this kid-friendly Hollywood attraction.
What movies are coming to the El Capitan Theater in 2010?
What specific movies does the El Capitan Theater show? The movie roster at this theater reads almost exactly like the list of Disney film releases itself.
In March 2010, the highly-anticipated "Alice in Wonderland" is playing here. (Dates for this film are March 5th through April 1st.) Not only do guests get to view the film in a beautiful movie palace, they also get to browse through a display of costumes and props used during the making of the flick.
The "Mad Tea Party" being held at Disney's Soda Fountain (next door to the theater) is a fun extra-fee activity you might enjoy. You'll be served tea and sandwiches...and get a collectible cup & souvenir photo...AND get in on some cupcake-decorating fun! To make reservations, see the El Capitan Theater website; there's a link to it near the bottom of this page.
Unfortunately, "Disney's Alice in Wonderland" won't be staying at the El Capitan theater very long (although you may continue to see performances held at other Southern California theaters.) The reason it's leaving is because another "must see" film is opening April 2nd.
The Miley Cyrus movie, "The Last Song" is scheduled at the El Capitan from April 2nd through April 21st. This movie will be in many other Southern California theaters, of course...but guests catching the flick at Disney's El Capitan will have the chance to see some of the props used in making the film!
Later this spring, the Disney nature movie "Oceans" will play. "Oceans," the follow-up movie to last year's hit nature film "Earth," will begin at the El Capitan on April 22nd (and it will run through May 24th.)
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, widely expected to be a block-buster hit, will begin showtimes on May 28, 2010...just in time for the big Memorial Day weekend movie-going crowd to see it.
In the summertime, another sure-to-be-big movie, "Toy Story 3" will be playing. So, if you're looking to enjoy a fun family outing at this iconic Hollywood theater, there will be plenty of good movies for you to enjoy!
El Capitan Theater -- Home of Disney Movie Premieres
Why would a stately, historic theater---namely, the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Boulevard---be known as the hottest family entertainment attraction in Hollywood? Because the El Capitan Theater is where the Disney folks turn movie showings into full-blown production events!First of all, many Disney movies are given their big kick-off premieres right here at the El Capitan. Movie stars arrive, strolling in on red carpets past metal street baracades holding back crowds of on-lookers. When an animated movie opens, this even includes the costumed Disney characters making their "celebrity" appearances at the premiere, as well! And the fanfare doesn't just start at the El Capitan's property line, either---sometimes all of the surrounding area of Hollywood Blvd is decorated for the big event!
After a Disney premier at the El Capitan Theater is over and done, the events for the public are just beginning. You don't go to the El Capitan in Hollywood just to watch a mere movie---oh no! For major film releases, there's a flurry of activity going on inside the theater when you attend a performance. The grand Wurlitzer restored pipe organ plays...a live stage production may take place, complete with music, dancing and costumed Disney characters...the new Disney movie is screened...and then you're still not done! After the show, you may often go to a special exhibit area where you'll see displays of props from the new movie and get in on some further fun (the specific activities in this area change with the movie that's being shown.) So, every major movie at the El Capitan Theater is its own unique event!
As for the film-showing process itself, expect to see high-quality movie screenings here at the El Capitan. This theater rarely shows film prints of the Disney movies, using the superior DLP Digital Projection system instead! Of course, the sound system is state-of-the-art, as well.
Recent Premieres at the El Capitan Theater
So, what recent Disney movie premiers have taken place at Hollywood's El Capitan?
A recent movie premiere held at the El Capitan Theater was for Disney's "The Game Plan," on Sunday, September 23, 2007. The Rock, star of "The Game Plan," attended...along with most of the cast. If you'd like to see photos of The Game Plan's premiere, use the following link to see the Yahoo Movies website's Game Plan Premiere page. You can also learn about the plot of this movie (if you haven't yet seen it) and read reviews, if you like, while you're on the Yahoo Movies website.
Another recent premiere held at Disney's El Capitan Theater was for the opening of Touchstone Pictures' "Wild Hogs," on February 27, 2007. A number of stars from the show, along with other film industry notables attended the premiere. The theater was all decked out Harley style for the event.
In June, 2007 the Ratatatouille movie premiere came CLOSE to being at the El Capitan Theater. The Ratatouille premiere was held just across the street at Hollywood's famous Kodak Theater! This whimsical animated film went on to become one of the hit movies of 2007.
Recent Premiere: Disney Pictures presents Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas" in Digital 3D!
What other recent premieres have taken place at the El Capitan?
At the end of 2006, Walt Disney Picture's release of Tim Burton's "3D Nightmare Before Christmas," an amazing film which turns this popular 2D classic into a pop-out-of-the-screen viewing event.
The premiere for the 3D Nightmare Before Christmas movie was held at the El Capitan theater on October 16, 2006. Both Tim Burton and Danny Elfman (who composed the musical score AND sang for the Jack Skellington character) attended, along with many others involved with the film's production.
Just days later, on October 19, 2006, the film opened to the public at the El Capitan Theater...to sold-out performances, naturally! Opening day events included a panel discussion by members of the team who brought the film to life!
What fun! I know that all of us wish we could have been there in person to enjoy the festivities!
Then the next day, on October 20th, the 3D Nightmare Before Christmas film opened on screens across the world. Talk about a madhouse! This film "made history" by being the FIRST FILM EVER to be released ONLY in Digital 3D! That's right---it's ONLY capable of being shown in theaters equipped with digital projectors...and, as you know there aren't very many of those projectors out there! (Southern Californians are lucky because there are many more theaters here that DO have the equipment to show this film; other cities aren't so lucky.) On the other hand, there are also many more PEOPLE in Southern California...and trying to get into a showing during the film's opening weekend was simply ONLY for those persistent movie-goers with the patience of Job!
El Capitan Theater -- History of A Restored Beauty from Hollywood's Golden Era
The El Capitan Theater began life...as did the Grauman's Chinese Theater...during the era when downtown Los Angeles was the big movie-going center. Lavish theaters were being built in the new Hollywood area, partially in an attempt to draw viewers away from the established down town Los Angeles theater district. No expense was spared in building the El Capitan Theater, which opened in May, 1926. Its $1.2 million construction/decor budget was HUGE for its day!Actually, Hollywood's El Capitan began life as a theater for live stage productions. It wasn't converted into a movie theater until 1941.
The El Capitan theater---both as a venue for stage plays and also as a movie palace---enjoyed several decades of being one of the hottest tickets in town. After that, its glory slowly faded and, along much of the rest of Hollywood Boulevard; its heyday had past. A succession of owners took over the El Capitan. Its majestic interior features were covered over with layers of plaster in subsequent "modernizing" renovations (because the original decor and ornamentation were then considered to be passe.)
In 1989, the Disney folks began a thorough restoration of the theater. The first step of the project was stripping away the layers of "improvements" that covered the beautiful original walls and vaulted ceiling. Care had to be taken not to further damage the structures underneath during the process.
After the original walls and fixtures were uncovered, then the restorative work on the theater began. There were damages to repair in the walls and ceilings, and missing pieces to be molded anew (and painted to exactly match the original fixtures.) And, there was still another surprise---the theater thrived in a day and time when smoking was "the thing" to do. Even once the original surfaces were uncovered, built up layers of smoke and nicotine from thousands of theater-goers from days long past had to be removed!
In the end, a museum-quality restoration emerged and was presented to the public. Preservationists raved. Movie-goers loved being treated like royalty again. And Hollywood Boulevard itself made one more giant leap towards becoming, once again, the vital, vibrant entertainment center of Los Angeles.
El Capitan Theater -- Disney Soda Fountain and Studio Store
There's still more Disney fun on Hollywood Boulevard that you may enjoy while you're visiting the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. It's the recently-opened "Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store."Located right next door to the El Capitan itself, the Disney's Soda Fountain aims to give visiting families an "old-fashioned ice cream parlor experience." You can eat your sundae or drink you ice cream float at a table inside of the cute shop, or you can grab a cone or malt to-go at the Disney Soda Fountain's take-out window.
Disney's Soda Fountain features ice cream that's custom-prepared for it by Dewar's of Bakersfield, California, which is a 4th generation family business. In other words, the ice cream you eat here at Disney's Soda Fountain on Hollywood Boulevard, is one-of-a-kind premium ice cream that you won't get anywhere else!
PS: don't forget to save time after your meal to browse around in the Disney store at this location. You'll discover some souvenirs that are difficult to find elsewhere! To see photos of the store (and some of its famous ice cream treats!) plus to learn more about the unique Disney merchandise that you'll find there, please head to the "Disney Soda Fountain" page of this websitel
El Capitan Theater -- Address, Map, Directions, Phone
The El Capitan Theater address is---
6838 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028
The El Capitan Theater phone number is---
(323) 467-7674
Directions to the El Capitan Theater---The El Capitan Theater and Disney's Soda Fountain & Studio Store are almost directly across the street from the Grauman's Chinese Theater, the Kodak Theater, and the Hollywood & Highland Center. (In fact, the El Capitan's website suggests that you park your car in the Hollywood and Highland Center's parking garage.)
If you'll be traveling to the area on the US 101 Freeway, you may take the Highland Ave. exit and head south.
You may use the following link to see a
Google map to the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, California.
The El Capitan Theater's website offers you a chance to buy tickets online and further information about the history of this great theater. You may follow the upcoming link to see
the El Capitan Theater's official website.
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