Critique my December plan! And need some hotel advice

[Piglet99645]

OK Planners. You know you want to do it.

I just took the leap into insanity and booked tickets to SoCal over New Years. I am fully aware that it will be madness. We usually go in more off-times, so I've prepared my kids that if we ever go in December, it's not going to be the 5-day extravaganza we usually do, but more like 3 days of hitting the highlights and seeing the Christmas stuff.

It's going to be me and my 17 year old son and 12 year old daughter. They are great travelers, but he's more "stay in the room on the computer" if we aren't at the parks or at Hamilton, and she is going to want to see some Hollywood while we are there, and swim (is outdoor pool swimming realistic in December?)

Here's my plan so far:

December 28 - Fly into LA. Arriving 3 pm. Checking in somewhere for 3 nights.

December 29 - 8 pm. Hamilton tickets at the Pantages

December 30 - Universal Studios

December 31 - Move to Anaheim for 3 nights (Anaheim hotel prices drop dramatically on the 31st). 3 day parkhoppers for Disney (or possibly 2 days of Disney and one Knotts. Never been to Knotts).

January 3 -- 3pm departure home from SNA

QUESTIONS

1. Where to stay in Hollywood? Sportsman's Lodge looks crazy affordable, even for a poolside room (which my daughter would love if outdoor swimming is realistic). Also the free shuttle to Universal is appealing. But it's not close to Hollywood Walk of Fame and stuff like that. So I started looking for lodging closer to Hollywood and Vine where the Pantages is, but I know the neighborhoods can get sketchy. Any suggestions for lodging close to the theatre? Open to hotel or bed and breakfast in the 2-3 star range. BLVD hotel? Hollywood Bed and Breakfast? (They have two rooms open). In the alternative, could do some sort of bus tour of Hollywood.

2. Should I wait until we get into Universal to decide on the front of line pass? Is it worth it? We used it in Orlando and it was AWESOME but we also could go to the front of line repeatedly on the same ride. Hollywood limits it to one front of line per ride. The cost just seems exorbitant.

3. How early should we plan to arrive at Universal? If we don't have a shuttle, is it better to Uber or drive and park, assuming we are only 2-3 miles away.

4. Transportation. I may have a friend who will drive us around some, and also Lyft. I'm open to considering a rental car, but LA driving does stress me out a little. Any combination of these things is also fine with me, with an eye toward reducing stress associated with transportation. Also with parking costs at most lodging, seems Lyft may be no more expensive, with the exception of getting from Hollywood to Anaheim on Dec. 31.

If I rent a car I'll probably return the car upon arrival in Anaheim as we won't need it. What would you do?

Thanks in Advance!

P

 

[smartlabelprint]

3 Disney days

 

[l4dyj8]

1: stay at Sportman's Lodge. You can easily take an Uber/Lyft to the Pantages. OR metro. It's 2 stops. Get on the Universal city stop and exit Hollywood & Vine. It's literally across the street from the Pantages.

There are numerous hotels in Hollywood. Currently a lot of hotel construction right within a block of the Pantages.

Maybe it's because I drive by daily, I don't see the appeal of staying in Hollywood unless you are planning to enjoy the nightlife. With the exception of El Capitan theatre, not much for the under 21 crowd. Unless you have other plans beyond Hamilton and walk of fame...
(That's Great you got tickets, by the way!)

 

[l4dyj8]

As for transportation:
Hollywood traffic is crazy during the week. If you aren't used to the traffic, it can be stressful. Do you have matinee or evening tickets? Even though it may be low in traffic at this time because some studios m/offices are closed, it can still be busy.

If you stay in the Valley, car to universal and the metro stop. Take the metro for Hollywood excursion. Then use the car to go down to Disney. Several car rental spots near the Burbank airport.

Or no car at all if you have a ride to Disney.

(I lived in the valley and we would take the metro all the time to go to Hollywood or downtown. It's really easy. This was before Uber)

 

[Piglet99645]

1: stay at Sportman's Lodge. You can easily take an Uber/Lyft to the Pantages. OR metro. It's 2 stops. Get on the Universal city stop and exit Hollywood & Vine. It's literally across the street from the Pantages.
....
Unless you have other plans beyond Hamilton and walk of fame...
(That's Great you got tickets, by the way!)

I have no other specific plans. I've never seen the walk of fame, but haven't really looked into things to do.

As for transportation:
Hollywood traffic is crazy during the week. If you aren't used to the traffic, it can be stressful. Do you have matinee or evening tickets?

Thanks! I like this plan to get a car from Burbank to Anaheim. Evening tickets. Matinee had only terrible seats available.

 

[Sergio S]

Personally (and this is just my opinion)...I wouldn't stay in Hollywood. You are basically just paying for the name. Of course I lived near Hollywood in the Los Feliz area for about 7 years and seen almost everything crazy expensive, esp. hotels and hostels. And yes, some areas in Hollywood are a bit rough, but as long as you stay on the main strip, you'd be fine.
I just checked booking.com and the prices are really high (Hollywood Downtowner Inn 2 star hotel for $243)
Maybe consider probably staying at LAX where the prices are much more reasonable (the Four Points for $288 for two nights). Thats just one option but looking around, you'd probably find something better.

 

[Piglet99645]

Personally (and this is just my opinion)...I wouldn't stay in Hollywood. You are basically just paying for the name. Of course I lived near Hollywood in the Los Feliz area for about 7 years and seen almost everything crazy expensive, esp. hotels and hostels. And yes, some areas in Hollywood are a bit rough, but as long as you stay on the main strip, you'd be fine.
I just checked booking.com and the prices are really high (Hollywood Downtowner Inn 2 star hotel for $243)

Maybe consider probably staying at LAX where the prices are much more reasonable (the Four Points for $288 for two nights). Thats just one option but looking around, you'd probably find something better.

Any opinion on sportsman's lodge ?