8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 5

[pyramid2000]

OK...

Here we go... I've decided to take a little time to figure out some of the particulars for your proposed drive from NJ to Long Beach, Ca. plus I worked out one non-flying alternative for you. The map of the USA above suggests it's a 7 day trip - ignore that. I used the picture cuz I liked it's look... <chuckles>

First - lets look at the drive. Using Yahoo to get an idea of this trip - it says between Newark, NJ the distance is 2,845.6 miles and requires an estimated 39 hours and 57 minutes. Call it 40 hours in the car. If you drove 8 hours a day it would be 5 days with about 6 hours resting/touring/stopped daily, and 10 hours sleeping or otherwise at a hotel. If you drove 10 hours a day it would be about 4 days drive leaving 4 hours for rest/exploring breaks and 10 hours at a hotel for sleeping. If it were a 3 day trip then that would require about 13.3 hours of driving a day... which is also possible - with almost zero breaks ... but can you do that with family traveling??? I would not want to cut it too close ... given the potential uncertainty over such a long route. As such, I think it's reasonable as a 4 or 5 day trip.

http://maps.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTE..., nj&trf=0&lon=-96.218262&lat=37.26531&mag=13​

The route Yahoo mapped ran (basicly) from Newark through PA to Columbus, Ohio. Then on to Indianapolis to Topeka Kansas, and on to Denver Colorodo. From there you would cut through Utah then angle down to Las Vegas. Then its' about 4-5 more hours to get to Long Beach if you don't have traffic or travel on a friday or sunday afternoon.

If your choosen car got 23 miles to the gallon with the full load you're likely to have - then it will take no less then 123.7 gallons. At an estimated $2.75 a gallon... that amounts to $340 in fuel. Renting a car for a week will cover the trip leaviing a couple days for tooting around LA... this will run $665 to $737 (inclusive of taxes) for anything from an Economy through FULL SIZE sedan with AVIS, Hertz or Budget according to Orbitz.com. I believe this includes the drop fee but no insurance. I never buy the rental car insurance BC a premium credit card provides some coverage AND california mandates our regular suto insurance to cover rental car use.

So, I don't recall how many folks comprise your party ... (adults and ages of children)... but what about this ALTERNATIVE to driving?....

South-West Chief running Chicago to LA.​

NOW - you may want to consider taking AMTRAK? I show for 2 people (an Adult and a child) it is $307. It is a LOT safer, easier and more comfortable than driving - or taking a motor bus. THe schedule looks like this. ON Aug 11 at 11AM leave Newark, NJ (not the airport) on the "Pensylvanian" train for Pittsburgh. It's a 9 hour ride on the "29 Capitol Limited" where you get there at 8PM. You stop for about 3 hours 55 minutes and reboad at 11:55PM (midnight) enroute to Chicago to arrive 9 hours and 45 minutes later at 8:40AM. You have a dining and lounge car on this segment. Then it's 7 hours later you reboard the "3 Southwest Chief" train at 3:15PM... and it's quoted as a 43 hour ride into downtown LA at 8:15 AM on August 14th . Here you connect after a 90 wait to 768 Pacific surfliner (you'll not see the ocean, unfortunately) but you will arrive in Anaheim 43 minutes later at 10:23AM. You have left Newark Aug 11th 11AM to arrive in Anaheim on the 14th at 10:23AM... only 3 days travel and NO driving for only $307 for an adult and child!!!

At this time of the morning and location... from downtown it's possible to escape the train and RENT A CAR or hire a super shuttle to drive you to your hotel near Disneyland (an assumed way point to stay prior to sailing). HOWEVER... if this is a week-day then you'll sit in traffic a little even though you're LEAVING downtown.... because you're re-entering some congestion halfway to Anaheim. You could arrive in the Anaheim area in half the time though. I would probably arrange for a supershuttle which is a semi-private van. Because instead of arriving at Anaheim station at 10:23AM... I predict you should be in you hotel by 9:30AM and stretching out on a bed if they permit early check in!!!

AN ALTERNATE route on AMTRAK has you going for $289 through WDC for an adult and child (Adult alone is only $193) to downtown LA (Union Station). Thir route has you leaving Newark at 11:22AM on the "195 regional service" for a 3 hour ride into WDC. You get a 100 minute stop then at 4:05PM board the "29 Capitol Limited" for Chicago set to arrive 17 hours later. You have the same 6 hour and 35 minute wait in Chicago (stow your bags and hop a cab into the city or visit near by to walk around if safe) then board the same train as above... the "3 Southwest chief" for a 43 hour ride into Los Angeles (instead of Anaheim) to arrive at 8:15AM.

An idea for the cost of a rental car in LA... as quoted by Orbitz is $166 to $206 from Aug 14th 9AM to the 17th 9AM picking up from NATIONAL at LA AIRPORT to Long beach AIRPORT (Orbitz would not quote downtown LA or LB pickups/drop offs). Calling direct to the rental companies will reveal their options for the train station and port. OK... I just checked with BUDGET online... they offer rental cars in the train terminal (Union Station)on the 14th to drop off on the 17th at Long Beach airport (more finagling will give you a better drop off point for the port) but the cost is $170-207 from an econbox to a full size inclusive of taxes.

I have taken a train once from Ventura to Sacramento... it took something like 10 hours. I had a broken hip mending and an arm in a cast so I thought this would be better then flying since I could stretch out and move around. That was not bad - but would have been better if I had packed travel goods to lend more comfort. That was 19 years ago... today we have portable computers, IPODs, MP3 and DVD players!

So - in summary...​

Driving 2,845 miles will require 40 hours behind the wheel and about 4 days with 10 hour driving days. The cost may work out to 340 in fuel and $700 for a 1 week car rental plus hotels.

By TRAIN from Newark to LA it's just under 3 days travel and runs $289-307 for an adult and child. I think it is under $200 for the adult and under $100 per child aged 2-15. Then a 3 day rental can in LA might run about $210 for a full sized vehicle. Seems to me as if a train is cheaper, easier, roomy and safer then driving. But not as flexible as a car which offers the ultimate in independent travel control. Driving you could stop for a day in Ohio to visit the mecca of "Beast" and "Son of Beast" Roller Coaster amusement parks!!! And stop for another day elsewhere... like Las Vegas or ???

Anyways... here are some ideas for how to tackle the travel TO the port. Getting home after the cruise is another chapter entirely!

<chuckles>​

Thanks again Tom for thinking of me and my plight!

 

[got2travel]

This is what the Fairfield Inn says....



The Courtyard does say 2 blocks.

Yes Fairfield is across the street. I'd say that yes the Courtyard is probably 2 blocks, but we're talking 1/2 mile blocks....ok seriously not that long, but really long blocks.

Also forgot to say on my previous post that I have stayed at Fairfield and would stay there again. Except I can usually get better rates elsewhere at places that offer a free continental breakfast, FF doesn't.

If your staying on frequent flyer points, consider the Residence Inn in Garden Grove. It's down the street from DL too far to walk but they do have their own (or maybe shared with 1 other hotel) shuttle and you get the hot breakfast. Haven't stayed there, but it always gets good reviews.

 

[pyramid2000]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY AND NICOLETTE
Debi

I gotta stop stealing everyone else's wishes!!

 

[Friend_of_Piglet]

You're best bet for walking distance hotels is on South Harbor Bl from 1300 - 1750. Then there are a few on Katella too, Dessert Palm Inn and Anabella are 2 that I would consider staying at.

Anything else is too far for a comfortable walk. Some of the farther out ones have free shuttles but most are on the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) route which is $3 per person per day.

The Anabella, imho, is too far to walk to and from the entrance to the parks. The Anabella is nice but if you have trans of some sort. The ART system is good.

I've heard good things about, the residence inn Garden Grove, the Candy Cane, Fairfield, Sheraton and a few others I can't seem to think of right now.

 

[jonesing]

What the...
The captain watches the grammys?

 

[got2travel]

The Anabella, imho, is too far to walk to and from the entrance to the parks. The Anabella is nice but if you have trans of some sort. The ART system is good.

I've heard good things about, the residence inn Garden Grove, the Candy Cane, Fairfield, Sheraton and a few others I can't seem to think of right now.

We've walked from the Anabella several times. Took about 15-20 to the main gate, yes farther than some, but still walkable. And if you just walk to the Monorail station, it's not bad at all, 5-10 min.

 

[Friend_of_Piglet]

We've walked from the Anabella several times. Took about 15-20 to the main gate, yes farther than some, but still walkable. And if you just walk to the Monorail station, it's not bad at all, 5-10 min.

Everything seems far to me, even Hojo's. I guess since I'm local I'm just used to parking in the structure and taking the tram to the entrance. You know the old 80's song, "Nobody walks in LA."

 

[jonesing]

Commando and sand does not mix. Rugby and smoothies maybe.

Especially HOT sand! Ooooo! Tingly!

 

[jonesing]

What happened? The Grammys are over and everyone went to bed?

 

[Esteri]

I would never volunteer to be a hooker.


sorry...it had to be said....

Of course no one would volunteer to be a hooker. They're supposed to be paid. Sheesh. You'd think the scabbies would know that...

And ofcourse if we ever organize any scuba dive groups- he doesn't want to be left out this time! So count him in on that.

I didnt know you guys dove ??? My wife and I are Avid Divers

Ooh...count us in too! DH and I dive whenever we can!

I dont know if we will dive this trip or not ....Im not to into the Pacific ...and the only other place I would consider is Aruba ....I wish they offered diving at CC ..

Me too! Me too! Though, I'm thinking the only port worth diving is Aruba.

Our cruise last August in the Magic - the Western that turned into an Eastern? (thanks Ernesto!) We found (on very short order) a dive shop in St Thomas willing to do a private charter with both divers and snorklers. They had a great spot, protected cove with a wreck dive, and a deeper reef dive just outside. My dad, brother, and myself did the diving. And my mom, DH, and DS9, and DS5 snorkled. The boys had a great time! The water was flat. You couldn't ask for a nicer introduction to live water. They snorkled above us and watched us explore the wreck. They thought breaking up the bubbles from the tanks was great fun. (they tickle) It wasn't a very deep dive - but we sure had fun. The boys got to try out the regulator and thought it was awesome. DS9 said next time he wants to dive with us - not snorkle. Told him he had to wait till 12 to get the junior c-card.

There was a Barracuda living in one of the cargo holds. The Dive Master told us about him before hand. He said you couldn't see him very often since they start to turn dark when they're in caves. We should look for his grin. He shows his teeth to warn others off. Sure enough - it was the Cheshire Barracuda. Very effective - I had absolutely NO desire to get any closer. All those big white teeth floating in blackness. I'll never forget it. Cool.

Anyway, it'd be fun to put something like that together in Aruba. And I'll be needing a dive buddy...

 

[atakaratemom]

I really like the Candy Cane Inn. It's a very nice family hotel and it has it's own free shuttle to DL which was very nice. I chose it because I heard to many wonderful things about it and because it has the #1 rating on Trip Advisor. Here is the web site if anyone is interested.

http://www.candycaneinn.net/

 

[jonesing]

mini

 

[Esteri]

Sure is quiet tonight. Guess I'll toddle off to bed. Nite all!

 

[Friend_of_Piglet]

I'm leaving too, Good nite all. Hope you have a great Monday!!!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Everything seems far to me, even Hojo's. I guess since I'm local I'm just used to parking in the structure and taking the tram to the entrance. You know the old 80's song, "Nobody walks in LA."

Nobody walks in Texas either... everything is too far away! In fact where I live, everything is so far away we don't even have public transportation... you must own a vehicle if you want to get anywhere.

Esteri, DH could be your dive buddy unless you'd prefer a diving wench. LOL He's dive and rescue certified too... so atleast you'd be safe!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

mini

awwwmmm, I'm tellin'.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

How does the monorail run at DL? Is it just from DL to Grand Californian and back again?

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

How does the monorail run at DL? Is it just from DL to Grand Californian and back again?

No, it actually runs from an area closer to DLH in DTD. It does not stop at the Grand. It is still a 5 min walk from the Monorail to DLH. It is a 5 min walk from the parks to the Grand.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

BBB here is a map of the hotels and the monorail station.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

BBB here is a map of the hotels and the monorail station.

Helpful picture I stayed at GC last time consdiering either DLH or GC for 2008.

By the way MORNING ALL