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Walt Disney Concert Hall (self-guided tour)

111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California

Description

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is an iconic performance venue designed by Frank Gehry and Minoru Nagata (acoustics design). The design similarities with the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, also designed by Gehry, are very obvious. The hall belongs to the Los Angeles Music Center and is the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The seating is a hybrid between classical shoebox design and vineyard-seating. The Music Center offers free self-guided audio tours via a smartphone app. Users can hear behind-the-scenes details about the planning and design of the building.

Access & Transport

The concert hall is next to 'Civic Ctr / Grand Park Station' (B and D lines) in Downtown LA, to the southeast of the intersection between the 101 and 110 expressways. The Music Center Main Garage is located between 1st Street and Temple Street and that for the Concert Hall is on 2nd Street between Hope Street and Grand Avenue. Tours begin in the Grand Lobby of Walt Disney Concert Hall Accessibility info: https://www.musiccenter.org/visit-explore/visit-explore/accessibility-guest-services/

Instructions & Recommendations

The tour schedule is subject to change due to live performances so you should check the following link prior to your visit: https://www.musiccenter.org/visit-explore/visit-explore/tours/walt-disney-concert-hall-self-guided-tours/ Visitors who do not have access to a smartphone can borrow a Podcatcher, which is available at the Tour Check-In table located in the Concert Hall lobby (min. 10 years old and ID required)

Meta review

Most online reviews for this iconic building rave about the curvy architectural design but those who have attended a concert or taken the self-guided tour also praise the acoustics. Apparently, the garden at the 3rd level is a very enjoyable place to take a break.

Environmental & Social

No environnemental data available. The concert hall construction would have been resources intensive and so is its operation but the sell-guided tour itself does not generate incremental carbon footprint

Conclusion

Easily one of the landmarks of Los Angeles skyline. Everybody should at least take a look at it from outside and anybody interested in architecture would be well inspired to invest 1h in the free audio-tour.

Key positive

Striking exterior design

Free self-guided tours

Key negative

Lack of historical background

Suitability

Accessible to visitors with reduced mobility but the 'standard' route may need to be altered

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in July 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Go at your own pace (approximately 60 minutes)

av. transport time:0h 30m

est. visit time:1h 15m

Regulated hours

Monday10:00 - 15:00

Tuesday10:00 - 15:00

Wednesday10:00 - 15:00

Thursday10:00 - 15:00

Friday10:00 - 15:00

Saturday10:00 - 15:00

Sunday10:00 - 15:00

Pricing
Free

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