story and photos by Jamie Rector
When you’ve got the kids and want to give them an overview of the city, some of the various modes of transportation can double as an outing.
Boat Ferries
The most fun option would be one of the boat ferries. You can ferry all day for 75 Baht. As the ferry meanders from port to port throughout town, you can sit back and watch the sites glide past you without all the work of toting the kids all over. Besides being able to spot the royal palace and many of the temples, you’ll get to see more of the rustic side. The neighborhoods line up along the waterfront. Though it’s a touristy event for you, it’s just another day for the Thais. You’ll see people relaxing on their porch, or hanging up clothes to dry. Children bathe and play in the water. I wouldn’t let this encourage your kids to do the same
the water doesn’t appear to be very clean. People dangle their feet over the edge of a wall or dock and toss their fishing lines out into the water below.
Covered Boat Tours
If you want a more organized approach, you can take a covered boat tour and as you pass by all these places, you will have a guide to help you understand what you are seeing. This tour runs 500 Baht. Quite a bit of difference, but you’ll gain the insight of your guide and protection from the sun or rain.
Tuk Tuks
For a change of pace, you can take a ride on a Tuk, Tuk. It’s an experience! There’s only room for about 4 and you’ll want to make sure the kids hang on. The Tuk Tuk is similar to a golf cart in shape. It is a motorized tricycle rickshaw. The drivers tend to be pretty aggressive so everyone should hang on, but a ride in one of these unique vehicles should be part of the experience.
Sky Train
The sky train is Bangkok’s answer to the metro system, only this one hangs high above the city. You’ll enjoy seeing the sights from the sky train as much as the kids. Not only is it a good place to people watch, but also the views of the city are amazing. You’ll see the rooftops of vast neighborhoods during part of your trip and then you’ll move into a more business and commercial area. You can hop on and off the sky train as you check out some of your destinations along the way.
Intercity Trains
Regular trains can be a fun adventure for the kids as well. This might be good if you are planning to check out neighboring cities. The seating is spacious and can fit all the family together. The windows open and as you move out of town, you’ll see the change of landscape go from city center, out to the more rural, and then into the countryside. It’s a great way to see the variety in the land.
If you’re going far, there are sleeper cars available. Make sure to bring 
some warm clothing as your ride might be warm and stuffy, or they may have the air conditioning cranked up to bring icicles to your room. Keep in mind too, that there are different toilets. There’s the standard western toilet and then there are the squatters. It’s basically a hole in the ground. Not as bad as it sounds, except it can be a challenge on a moving train.
Vendors move through the cabin with snacks and drinks, but it may be just as easy to bring your own as you leave Bangkok.
Travel Methods to Avoid with Kids
There are some modes of transportation that I would also NOT recommend, especially with kids. I would avoid motorcycle taxis. First of all, they are extremely aggressive drivers and it’s merely a motorcycle. It’s one of the cheapest ways to get around and makes sense when you’re solo and the traffic is stopped in every direction. These guys can weave through anything. Though it is tremendously scary and there are indeed horrible accidents, there are not nearly as many as you would expect when you see hundreds of these cycles weaving through each other and in a seemingly random manner.
I also would not recommend the buses, especially for trips to other cities. They can get very hot and crowded. Some are decently cared for, but others are dirtier and can even smell putrid. For the cheap backpacker, it can be an economic way to go, but be prepared for anything. Sometimes the lights are broken, so have a flashlight. Bring a book because even though they offer to show a movie, the TV may or may not work. And bring a cloth to cover your face if necessary. I’m not kidding about the smell. Not all of them are like this, some are pleasant, but it’s a roll of the dice. If possible, ask for a newer bus. On the bright side, it’s a great way to see the countryside. You’ll get to stop in local places for rest stops. There is food offered at these places, but it might be a good idea to have food with you as well. Just in case nothing looks appetizing.
Cabs will get you around, but there’s nothing unique about it, other than the horrendous traffic. The clock keeps ticking, even if you don’t move. So go with an alternative, such as the sky train, if possible. If you take a cab, make sure they use their meter, because some like to raise the prices for tourists, especially around big events, such as the Thai boxing matches or other tourist drawing places.
In the end, some of the modes of transportation can not only be fun, but also provide an educational experience in being able to see the less touristy side of Bangkok. Some places you’ll see, you wouldn’t want to be walking around with the kids in tow, but you’ll still get a glimpse while being safely inside some transport.
People often think about going to see a movie when the weather gets bad, and Hollywood certainly has its share of unique movie palaces. The three gems of Hollywood Boulevard, Grauman’s Chinese, the Egyptian and El Capitan, were all conceived and built by the development team of Sid Grauman and Charles Toberman in the 1920s. While any of the three will give you a glimpse into the Hollywood of old, if you’re traveling with kids, El Capitan is the place you want to be.
Seeing a Disney movie in Disney’s flagship movie theatre is not like going to a Disney movie in your home town. At El Capitan you may feel like you are in the movie, because they’ve decorated the theatre with set decorations and props from a scene in the movie; or you may be greeted with a song and dance number by costumed characters from the film. You never know what the creative minds at Disney will come up with to enhance your movie-going experience.
in any case, you’re likely to be welcomed with an organ concert by one of El Capitan’s house organists on the gilded 4/37 Wurlitzer pipe organ at center stage. The 1929 Wurlitzer has four keyboards to operate its 2500 pipes arranged in 37 ranks on both sides of the theatre. Each rank represents a different musical instrument. Arrive at the theatre 45 minutes to an hour before the movie is scheduled to enjoy all the pre-show entertainment.
After the movie, stop by the Disney Soda Fountain and Studio Store next door for some ice cream, a malt or an old time phosphate. There’s an entrance to the Soda Fountain from the El Capitan lobby, so if it’s raining, you don’t even have to go out in the street. Prepare kids ahead of time with your shopping limits, because you have to walk through the Studio Store past all the tempting Disney movie merchandise to get to the Soda Fountain. There is seating at the counter of the old fashioned soda fountain, or at tables. There is also an ice cream cone window to the street.
The Disney Soda Fountain has a sundae for any size crowd from the $4.75 Junior Sundae to the $24.95 Mickey’s Masterpiece with 8 scoops of ice cream and lots of toppings served in a Sorcerer’s Apprentice dish that looks like a wizard’s hat. Some dishes are served in souvenir Disney bowls. The Soda Fountain serves home-made ice cream delivered weekly from the Dewar’s Ice Cream and Candy Shop in Bakersfield, California
In addition to the ice cream options, there are a few kid-friendly food options including a hot dog, a grilled cheese sandwich or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich shaped like Mickey Mouse. Adult selections are more limited with options changing month to month.
El Capitan Theatre
While the Hollywood Museum has a heavy movie and memorabilia focus, the Hollywood Entertainment Museum features sets from some of America’s most popular TV shows and information about what goes into the production of television shows and movies. The admission price to the Hollywood Entertainment Museum includes a guided tour, which is the only way you get to see all the “back-lot” areas.
Your docent-led tour starts out in the prop room with various monster heads looming on shelves above you and glass cases featuring props from various movies. Helmets, facemask and breast plates from “The Shadow” are next to dental headgear from “Problem Child III,” with a mask mold from “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” opposite . Unfortunately, you get rushed through this area without any time to stop and examine the various prop displays.
The next stop is the wardrobe hallway next to the costume design studio, where at-risk high school students are taught costume design as part of the Museum’s accredited high school program for 11 th and 12 th graders. Whoopi Goldberg’s fuscia and black suit from the movie “Ghost” adorns a manikin in the hallway. Around the corner, you get a peek into the Art Director’s office where story boards and set models are in various stages of production.
You step into the “transporter” from “Star Trek” and with a quick “Beam me up Scotty” are transported to the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. You can take a seat in the captain’s chair for a quick photo op. There is a Borg recharging alcove, complete with Borg. The intricacies of becoming an alien life form are explained over the latex masks of various creatures before you walk though the corridor of the Enterprise.
Finally you step through a doorway onto the set of “Cheers.” Everything is just as you remember it, except for the interactive interpretive kiosks on one wall that tell you about the different characters. The carved Indian stands guard by the door. The Wurlitzer juke box is there. The manager’s office is right where it should be. There are nicks in the bar where Norm scratched at it over the years.
After the guided backstage tour, you’re free to explore the common areas on your own. A nice collection of special effects aliens and monsters lines the left wall in the Science Fiction Collection. On the right an audio exhibit called The Dream Merchants lets you listed to the voices of various actors and directors talking about their craft. On my visit, only a few of the audio kiosks were in working condition.
The Hollywood Entertainment Museum is located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard between Orange Avenue and Sycamore Avenue in the lower level of the Galaxy Building. There is underground parking off of Sycamore. It is $2 for 2 hours with validation from the Museum. Parking on the next block at Hollywood & Highland is $2 for 4 hours with validation from participating businesses. On the Metro Red Line, exit at the Hollywood & Highland station, exit toward Hollywood Blvd. and turn right to the middle of the next block. You can get a $2 discount on Museum entrance if you show your Metro pass or Metro ticket.