The Hotel of Hollywood invited their hotel guests to walk the red carpet on Sunday, November 29th for 3.5 miles along Hollywood Blvd, Sunset Blvd, and Vine in the 84th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. Representing the hotel, we "wrangled" a giant elf and giant lollipop balloons. It was truly a team effort, and it felt great doing it together. The parade featured Toys for Tots and this year's Grand Marshals are Penn and Teller and guest co-hosts include Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain and Montel Williams! We walked it, and want to tell you all about it!
How to Walk in the Parade with Hollywood Hotel!
First of all, before you can wrangle a balloon and participate in the Hollywood Christmas Parade, you have to register to walk with an organization, because you can't just show up. Hollywood Hotel offered a package to their hotel guests to make it possible to walk in the parade, because you are volunteering as a balloon wrangler for them. Here was the package details:
Hollywood Hotel’s Hollywood Christmas Parade Package:
When you book a room at Hollywood Hotel for the night of November 29, 2015, you can help “wrangle” The Elves and Candy Canes balloons all while representing Hollywood Hotel. Room rates start at $139 per night/double occupancy (2 night minimum) and includes overnight stay, hot buffet breakfast, Wifi, Hollywood Hotel t-shirt and holiday hat to wear in the parade and, of course, walking in the parade. PROMO CODE: XMAS. If guests would rather spectate, the hotel offers 30% off their room if staying over the night of Nov. 29, 2015.
Upon arriving at the hotel, I was given parade instructions: when to arrive, what time and where to check-in, what to wear and not to wear, and how to take the Metro (optional). You'll want to dress warm, wear gloves, eat before you get there, wear super comfortable walking shoes, and you don't want to bring purses or backpacks, because there is nowhere to put them. You are walking about 3.5 miles non-stop while holding a rope the whole time so you have to be prepared for that. My husband and I had our own ropes, but there were lots of other volunteers available to switch with you. Our kids walked too and some of the members pushed a stroller.
PARADE CHECK-IN
We had to arrive to the site around 4 pm, but since we were not familiar with the road closures and using the Metro, we left the hotel around 3 pm to arrive around 3:30 pm and even after we got off the Metro, we had to figure out in which direction to walk and where to find it. There were lots of people already there setting up and walking up and down the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Upon checking in, we received matching t-shirts and matching Santa hats. Volunteers were able to enjoy coffee, sandwiches, and relax before a long night. The parade didn't start until 6 pm but we didn't walk until much later because we were in the back of the line-up.
WALKING IN THE PARADE
Even though waiting was the hard part with young children, as soon as they had us grab the ropes, we were all energized to do it. We all anxiously awaited our turn. After the walk started, there was barely any time to take photos, because it is a steady walk and we're constantly trying to dodge traffic lights. My family and I were wrangling the Elf balloon, and the hotel owner, Jeff Zarrinnam, really wanted the Elf to be positioned correctly the whole time so it was important to do our part to balance the balloon and represent the hotel properly. It was pretty fun. Jeff was super nice about the whole thing and even offered to treat the volunteers to In-and-Out Burgers after.
You can watch the TV premiere of the Hollywood Christmas Parade on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 8 pm E/P, 7 pm C on The CW!
About Hollywood Hotel:
The Hotel is centrally located in the heart of Hollywood, California. You can pretty much get to popular destinations like Universal Studios, Hollywood sign, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Grauman's Chinese Theater, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles Zoo, Hollywood and Highland Shopping Center, El Capitan Theatre, Melrose Avenue, Beverly Center, and other destinations in the North Hollywood area (shopping centers, restaurants, etc). It is also on the route of Metro Subway Red Line. It also has complimentary shuttle to/from Universal Studios with a purchase of admission ticket from Guideline Tours. There's also an on-site rental car service and complimentary airport transfers from Advanced Car Rental.
What I liked about our stay at the Hollywood Hotel is how comfortable the rooms are, the free breakfast in the morning, and how centrally located it is. Even though we took the Metro to the parade, it was super easy to learn. You also have the option to drive there and park your car there, but keep in mind, there is road closures and you might get stuck in traffic to and from. Depending on where you are in the line-up of the parade, you might not get to see the entire paraders, marching bands and entertainers, but it is an experience you and your family will never forget. Walking with Jeff and his family was a great because not only do they have a beautiful hotel, they treated everyone kindly, and it was a pleasure to walk with them. For more details about the parade which airs Friday, December 11, 2015, please visit their website at www.thehollywoodchristmasparade.org. For more information about the hotel, please visit their website or call them.
Hope you're enjoying your holidays thus far!
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