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| Photo courtesy of the El Capitan. |
Looking for a great way to extend your family’s Disney experience while in California?
The El Capitan Theatre and Disney Soda Fountain located in Hollywood is a great way to see more of So Cal and maintain your fix for everything Mickey. Now thorugh August 12, the theater is showing the Disney*Pixar film Brave in 3D with a premovie stage show that only Disney can put on!
The El Capitan Theatre and Disney Soda Fountain located in Hollywood is a great way to see more of So Cal and maintain your fix for everything Mickey. Now thorugh August 12, the theater is showing the Disney*Pixar film Brave in 3D with a premovie stage show that only Disney can put on!
What is the El Capitan?
Built in 1926, the El Capitan Theatre is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Designed by architect Stiles O. Clements, the El Capitan boasted a lavish $1.2 million dollar interior when it opened its doors to Hollywood elite as a house for live plays and performances. After a long history and two year restoration that began when Disney took the theater over in 1989, the El Capitan is now home to Disney’s newest theatrical releases, as well as many classics released from time to time. There, theater guests can relive Hollywood of yesteryear in grand luxury. Movies are accompanied by preshow entertainment on the theater’s 4/37 Wurlitzer organ. Many blockbusters are proceeded by live shows featuring favorite Disney characters.
What is the stage show?
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| Photo courtesy of the El Capitan. |
Combine the signing and dancing of old-school Hollywood mixed with the fun and fantasy of Disney’s classic characters, and you’ve got the spectacular live show that goes on before each showing of Brave at the El Capitan. My kids loved the show; in fact, it was their favorite part of their movie experience.
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| Photo courtesy of the El Capitan. |
What is the Disney’s Soda Fountain and Studio Store?
Located next to the theater, the soda fountain features menu with foods ranging from salads to sandwiches to amazing sundaes. Throughout the film’s engagement, Disney’s Soda Fountain will join in the festivities by offering “The BRAVE Sundae”—crumbled shortbread, strawberry cheesecake ice cream, strawberry syrup, creamy marshmallow, whipped cream and a cherry on top. On select days, El Capitan guests may also enjoy “Breakfast with Merida” at the Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store prior to the 10 a.m. screening of “Brave.” Seating is limited and reservations are required.
The studio store offers merchandise similar to that found at Disney Stores.
Is Brave appropriate for children of all ages?
Set in the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland, Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. In order to avoid the custom of being married off to one of the men in the other Scottish families, Merida she turns to an eccentric Witch and is granted an ill-fated wish that ends up turning Merida’s world upside down and requiring her to be brave and right her wrongs.
A lot of parents have asked me if I think Brave is appropriate for children of all ages. I’m always hesitant to answer this question because I think that all families have slightly different bars when it comes to what they do and do not permit their children to watch. So instead of just telling you just my opinions, here’s the facts about our experience mixed with my thoughts.
- Brave is an intense tale in which a princess wants to assert her independence from her parents’ plan for her life. SPOILER ALERT: The big plot launching point for the Merida’s “challenge” in the film is that the she essentially poisons her mother to get what she wants. For some children, this may be a difficult message to both see and understand. My seven-year-old was a little upset by this plot point.
- There are battles among the different Scottish families, as well as a pretty ferocious bear scene in which I had to cover both of my boys’ eyes. That being said, we don’t expose our children to a lot of movies with really intense plot lines–or fastforward through the “scary” spots when they are watching a DVD. Many children may tolerate these images just fine.
- I loved the music of “Brave” and feel that in the end, the message of the movie was great.
- Many children will enjoy the comic relief of the triplet brothers and some of the silly characters in the other Scottish families.
- The art in the film is stunning and as Merida learns to take responsibility for her own actions, she becomes increasingly appealing as the film progresses.
- The El Capitan showing is in 3D. This medium can be totally awesome and really add to a film, but this format doesn’t work for all children and some young children may not keep the glasses on. The El Capitan does offer smaller glasses for children.
Overall, I enjoyed “Brave” and feel it is a film better suited for tweens and teens rather than wee little ones. But then again, that is just my take on it and we can be a bit sheltering when it comes to movies.
When are the showtimes for “Brave” at the El Capitan?
The film screens daily at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the El Capitan box office (6838 Hollywood Blvd.), online at www.elcapitantickets.com or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6. Special group-rate tickets for parties of 20 or more are available by calling 1-818-845-3110.
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