The Dolby Theatre, Home of the Oscars

Where it is

The theatre is part of Ovation Hollywood, which sits above the Hollywood/Highland station on the Metro B Line. The complex was formerly called Hollywood & Highland, and the tour listing still uses that name for the box office location. The TCL Chinese Theatre is a short walk west at 6925, with Madame Tussauds Hollywood beside it at 6933. More about the complex is on ovationhollywood.com.

The guided tour, per its listing

The tour lasts 30 minutes, is guided in English and includes the Dolby Lounge and an Oscar statuette. Tickets are collected at the Dolby Theatre box office on Level One of Hollywood & Highland, 10 minutes before the tour, and the lead traveller shows photo ID. The listing marks the tour as wheelchair accessible, but its own notes also say the tour includes several flights of stairs and that guests with disabilities can be accommodated if they advise the theatre at purchase. Both points are worth reading before booking.

• No food, drink, gum or smoking on the tour.
• There are no restrooms inside the tour; the listing points to Level 2.
• A stroller check is available.
• Children under 12 must be with a parent or guardian.

Reviewers mention different sides of it. Michelle, from the UK, was the only person on her tour and found it unhurried; Thomas, from France, noted clear, relevant explanations; Niall, from Ireland, described the guide as a wealth of knowledge. The Dolby Theatre tour close-up has the full listing details.

Booking around the performance schedule

Because the Dolby Theatre stages shows and events, tour times depend on its calendar. dolbytheatre.com says the tour schedule may only be available about one month ahead. Dates further out may not show yet in the booking widget; the calendar below lists the times currently on sale.

Muhammad Ali’s star in the same complex

The official directory lists Muhammad Ali’s star in the Live Performance category at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, with a ceremony date of 11 January 2002. It is mounted on a wall at Ovation Hollywood rather than set in the pavement. According to the Chamber, Ali did not want the name of the Prophet Muhammad to be stepped on. The Ali star page tells the story.

Around the theatre

The Academy Awards have a longer history on the boulevard: the first Academy Awards dinner was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd, on 16 May 1929. Ovation Hollywood also has areas set aside for viewing the Hollywood Sign, which Discover Los Angeles singles out, “especially the 4th level bridge”; the Hollywood Sign page covers them. The tickets page sets the Dolby tour beside Madame Tussauds Hollywood.

Frequently asked questions