Sofia’s Fieldtrip to See Bolt at the El Capitan

Sofia went on her first major fieldtrip today at the preschool. She did go to the pumpkin patch in October but today her school took a trip down to Hollywood to the El Capitan Theatre to see Bolt in 3D. She seemed to enjoy it but I keep finding myself questioning the school’s choice for a fieldtrip. For those of you who have never been to the El Capitan, it is a bit of an experience: a movie theatre in the “old style” run by Disney. The theatre is grand with a fantastic multiple opening curtain and in addition, they usually have some sort of floorshow prior to the performance. When we saw HSM3, the show was lame with some kids chosen to do a game for prizes. For Bolt, there was a big Christmas-themed live action show with Disney characters, dancers, and even some Princesses.

It can be a fun but expensive experience. Open seating starts around $15. They have reserved VIP seating that runs around $25, I think. I can see this as a good venue for a fieldtrip, but not really for a bunch of 3- and 4-year-olds! Why take a large group of little kids, put them on a school bus for an hour drive to a movie theatre in the heart of Hollywood only to put them back on the bus for another hour drive home. I just do not get it. My daughter would have been excited about a trip to the local Regal to see Bolt as long as she could ride on a bus. Perhaps I am just a Scrooge, but I do not get it!