The Hall, inaugurated in 2003, is part of a group of four buildings that make up the Los Angeles Music Center.

It is a truly prestigious institution, also hosting the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. In short, a privileged place for listening to music: the acoustics are of such quality that spectators feel as if they are inside a giant violin.

An Architectural and Acoustic Masterpiece

The complex was designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry, also known for the renowned Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and is an example of modern and innovative architecture. The story of the building, one of the main attractions in Los Angeles, began in 1987 when Walt Disney's widow, Lillian, decided to donate 50 million dollars to build a concert hall intended to host musical events in memory of her husband and his beloved cinematic creations.

Gehry was selected for the occasion among over seventy architects because he was the only one capable of creating a suitable project that combined excellent acoustics for musical performances with a futuristic and extremely bold design. The construction work on the Walt Disney Concert Hall began in 1991 and, despite several interruptions, was finally completed in 2003, with a total investment of 274 million dollars.

Today, the exterior of this iconic Los Angeles attraction presents an extraordinary ensemble of curved surfaces and asymmetrical angles that shine in the sun thanks to the stainless steel cladding; due to its dynamic structure, its appearance changes depending on the weather conditions and the time of day, reflecting light in various and imaginative ways. It almost looks like a set of sails, harmoniously overlapping each other, creating a uniquely fluid effect.

The interior of the building is equally attractive to visitors. The bright Grand Lobby leads directly to the Auditorium, a large concert hall capable of accommodating over 2265 spectators. The hall was cleverly designed by Gehry to “wrap” the audience around the stage, thus creating a sense of connection and closeness between the attendees and the musicians. Its splendid walls, covered in Douglas fir wood, and its intelligently curved ceiling help to diffuse sound throughout the Auditorium effectively and evenly.

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL - 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

This extraordinary Los Angeles attraction is located in downtown, in the Bunker Hill district, specifically at 111 South Grand Avenue. Due to its imposing size, it occupies an entire block and is therefore easily recognizable from the outside. The building is efficiently served by public transportation and also has a large parking lot for those who prefer to reach it by car.

How to Get There

• By subway: visitors can choose, based on their starting point, whether to take the red or purple line. The reference stop is Civic Center/Grand Park Station, and from there the building is just a four-minute walk away.


• By car: those who prefer to arrive this way can take advantage of the official parking lots provided by the Music Center. The closest to the Hall is located on Second Street, while a second option is available on Grand Avenue (between Temple Street and First Street).
  
  Parking fees vary depending on the situation. Visiting on non-event days costs 3.50 USD every fifteen minutes (up to a maximum of 20 USD), while during concert events the rate is 9 USD.

Visiting Hours

The Walt Disney Concert Hall is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday (from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM), while on Mondays it only opens if there are scheduled events. For those coming here specifically to attend a concert, it is useful to know that the box office remains open until half an hour before the start of the performance.

Even if there are no events scheduled, it is highly recommended to visit this magnificent Los Angeles attraction. It is possible to explore the building through guided tours, conducted by instructors who can help visitors appreciate the artistic beauty of the place, delve into its history, and tell its curiosities.

In addition, two different types of self-guided tours are offered. The first is a classic audio tour that guides you through the building, telling the story of the hall with original insights from Gehry himself, the brilliant architect. The second consists of a 40-minute walk with an iPad Mini, where the visitor can walk and watch a video shot along the followed path simultaneously.

What's Outside

Regardless of the chosen tour, it is recommended not to overlook the exterior of the complex. Particularly beautiful is the third-level garden, ideal for taking a break and admiring a view of the city. At its center is the splendid Lillian Disney fountain, a tribute to Walt's wife, which, with its rose shape (made of genuine broken Delft porcelain), never fails to fascinate visitors.

In conclusion, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is definitely worth a visit. It represents not only a cultural and artistic landmark of Los Angeles but also a significant tribute to Walt Disney's immense legacy and his work.