Solo In California The Adventure Continues Pre Trip Planning June 2022

[BadPinkTink]

Yep, thats right, finally over jet lag, the unpacking and back to work after my January trip and the planning starts again , for June 2022

I've actually been planning this since before Christmas, I was sorting both trips at the same time. But now I can finally concentrate on my June trip.

Basic Trip Outline

1. Dublin to Seattle via JFK
2. 2 Nights in Seattle
3. Amtrak train from Seattle to LA
4. 5 nights in LA
5. 5 nights in Anaheim
6. LAX to Dublin direct

I am what some would call a superfan of Michael Jackson and he is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale. The anniversary of his death is at the end of June and thats why I go to LA at this time every year.

On previous June trips, I have gone to San Francisco, New Orleans and Vegas. So for my June 2022 trip I decided to go to Seattle.

As I don't drive, I did some research and found the Amtrak train from Seattle to LA is a great way to see part of the west coast of America, places I would not have a chance to see without a car. The journey takes 30 hours and goes through 3 states, Washington, Oregon and California.

I have a private sleeper roomette and all meals, lunch and dinner on the first day, breakfast, lunch and dinner on the second day are included.

At the moment I just have the flights, the Amtrak train and the hotel in Seattle booked.

The next thing to book is the hotel in LA and the hotel in Anaheim.

Over here in Europe, many of our Covid restrictions are being removed, it will be interesting to see what happens with the American restrictions over the next few months.

The mask restrictions are being removed but I will still be wearing masks in the airports, on the planes, indoors on the train and anywhere there are crowds of people.

The big thing that will affect my trip, is will America remove the test to enter. I'm not that bothered, I know from my January trip how to manage it and where I can it locally.

The other big thing about this June trip is that one of my California friends is coming home to Ireland for the first time since 2019 and Covid. She has been planning to come to Ireland in the summer and then when I booked my flights, she had a look at my dates. She managed to get the seat beside me on the LAX to Dublin flight and will stay overnight at my house before getting the train to her family.

So now its back to my planning spreadsheets. Theres so much from my January trip that I can use again and lots of new things I did in January that I can continue doing for June.

As I made such a good check list for my January trip, I just have to modify it slightly and it will be a great help for planning this trip.

Travel Insurance
ESTA Tourist Visa
Flights
Amtrak Train Booked
Seattle Hotel
LA Hotel
Anaheim Hotel
Buy Disneyland Tickets
Make Disneyland Park Reservations	120 Days in Advance

 

[DizMe]

Oh, that sounds like an awesome trip, BPT! I've been to those places by car, but have always wanted to take the train. We did a short bit of the SoCal coast via Amtrak and it was incredible. You see so much more than when you're driving and it's a nice way to travel.

I used to do a short vacation in Solvang every Labor Day weekend. It was always interesting to drive by the Neverland ranch back in the day.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Oh, that sounds like an awesome trip, BPT! I've been to those places by car, but have always wanted to take the train. We did a short bit of the SoCal coast via Amtrak and it was incredible. You see so much more than when you're driving and it's a nice way to travel.

Thanks it was during lockdown , when I was just watching all sorts of travel videos on YouTube that I came across Amtrak videos and specifically a channel from a couple who started travelling around America on Amtrak in 2020 and 2021. It just seemed a logical next step for someone like me, a relatively safe and easy way to see more of America than just the usual tourist areas.

I used to do a short vacation in Solvang every Labor Day weekend. It was always interesting to drive by the Neverland ranch back in the day.

Oh wow, you know the Santa Ynez / Los Olivos area I first went there in 2004 when I stayed with friends in Buellton, and then for a few years after 2009 I was with a group of friends and we would day trip from LA. Its such a beautiful area, hidden away in the mountains, so peaceful and not the stereotypical California tourist place. I haven't been back in a few years, as you need a car to get there. And the burning question everyone wants to know, yes I have been inside, I was part of a group invited in by Michael Jackson in 2005, we spent about 3 hours with him and his family.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

What a fun trip! If you need any Seattle advice, let me know. I’ve lived here for 26 years.

 

[BadPinkTink]

What a fun trip! If you need any Seattle advice, let me know. I’ve lived here for 26 years.

Oh cool, thanks

I just have one full day in Seattle. I usually do a hop on hop off bus tour in a new city but I dont have enough time, so I'm going to do a walking tour.

The main thing I need help with is transport from Seattle airport to Kings Street train station, as I have booked the Hilton hotel beside the train station. I have no idea of approx journey time or what a good price for a taxi / car service. Ideally I'm looking for a car service that will meet me at arrivals and that I can pay by card at the destination.

 

[DizMe]

Thanks it was during lockdown , when I was just watching all sorts of travel videos on YouTube that I came across Amtrak videos and specifically a channel from a couple who started travelling around America on Amtrak in 2020 and 2021. It just seemed a logical next step for someone like me, a relatively safe and easy way to see more of America than just the usual tourist areas.



Oh wow, you know the Santa Ynez / Los Olivos area I first went there in 2004 when I stayed with friends in Buellton, and then for a few years after 2009 I was with a group of friends and we would day trip from LA. Its such a beautiful area, hidden away in the mountains, so peaceful and not the stereotypical California tourist place. I haven't been back in a few years, as you need a car to get there. And the burning question everyone wants to know, yes I have been inside, I was part of a group invited in by Michael Jackson in 2005, we spent about 3 hours with him and his family.

How lucky for you!!!! I always wanted to see it up close, and to go inside...! That must have been amazing. I can only imagine a smidgeon of what that felt like, because as a huge Beatles fan, I was just bowled over when I finally got to go to Abbey Road studios. I've been dying to go on a Beatles tour and maybe it's time I can start planning that! You've inspired me. The summer before Covid, I got to see Paul McCartney in concert and 2 months later, I saw Ringo. Took my whole life to get to do that but better late than never. I happened to be standing next to a big underground parking exit outside the stadium where Paul had just played, and all these police/security people suddenly started pushing us back. Then this big giant RV thing came up the ramp and out of the tunnel onto the street, and there was Paul riding shotgun! I was standing right in front of him and he waved to me and smiled!!! That's one of the greatest moments of my life .

Yes, I love the Santa Ynez valley. I used to want to move there. It's such a beautiful location and a little bit off the grid, at least for now. I wanted to move there back in the late 80s but sadly, I never had the means to do it.

 

[Westcorkdisfan]

Very exciting trip!!!!! I love Seattle. The train trip sounds amazing! Have a great time (loved your trip report from January)

 

[BadPinkTink]

UPDATE

So big news this week. Due to the horrible situation in Ukraine, the EU member countries are making it as easy as possible for the refugees to get to a safe country. The Irish Government have decided to end the requirement for a Covid Passenger Locator Form ( part of our National Covid Track and Trace System) and the end the requirement for proof of vaccine status (EU DIGITAL COVID CERT) for entry to Ireland.

As well as helping the Ukrainian people, this is good news for Irish tourists as it removes that extra bit of form filling when coming home after a holiday.

I have now booked my hotel in LA and my Anaheim hotel. For LA I decided to return to a budget hotel in Downtown LA I have previously stayed at. The Hilton at Universal was amazing but I chose not to return for this trip as the rates were a lot higher than January and it was just that little bit too long travel time to get to the places I want to go.

I got a good deal with the budget hotel in Downtown LA, I managed to get their bed and breakfast deal which was cheaper than their room only deal. They have an onsite deli / coffee shop which I probably would have got breakfast from anyway. While the hotel is not really in a good area its less than 10 minutes walk depending on the traffic lights from a Red Line Metro station. Its also not that far from Union Station, where the Amtrak train will arrive to, so that I can get a taxi from the train station and its not going to cost that much.

For my Anaheim hotel I decided to return to Desert Inn and Suites. I stayed here in 2017 and I still had my notes about the room number I had. I put a special request to to be allocated the same room, so it will be interesting to see if that happens.

I chose Desert Inn and Suites as it was cheaper than Tropicana Hotel for the same dates. I will miss the coffee shop at Tropicana though.

I have also bought my Disneyland tickets and made my park reservations. I bought the tickets direct from Disney using the website and as I am under 120 days, I was able to make my park reservations. I also added Genie+ for all the days to the ticket. I had planned to buy it anyway, and this makes it easier, to have it on my ticket in advance. It means that when I scan in I don't have to waste time trying to buy it. It also means that if there is a photopass photographer at the entrance I can get photos straight after scanning in.

For my June 2022 trip I have bought a 4 day 1 park ticket. This is the most days I have ever got. I had originally planned to get a 3 day ticket and have a no park day in the middle, the same as I did in January. However in January, when I was at The Craftsman Bar, I was watching everyone going into the park through the special entrance and was kinda regretting I didn't have a park ticket.

So what I have decided to do is instead of 1 no park day and 1 day at DCA, that I will split the days. On the first DCA day, I will have a late morning, have breakfast and go shopping in Downtown Disney and then in the afternoon go into DCA and stay until close. The next day I will go to DCA at park opening and leave in the afternoon and have an early night, so that I can get up early for rope drop at Disneyland Main Park.

Doing open to close multiple days in a row really exhausts me, so I'm trying to balance out and have an early night before a rope drop day. We'll see how that works out

 

[BadPinkTink]

UPDATE
I'm at that stage when all the big things are sorted but its too soon to start booking other things.

My ESTA tourist visa is valid for 2 years, so I don't need to do that for this trip.

I've been checking out some YouTube video walkthroughs of JFK. I land at Terminal 5 but I have to go to Terminal 4 for my Delta flight to Seattle. I will have to collect my checked bag, and do bag drop and go through security in Terminal 4.

Delta sent me a time change for my Seattle flight, its now 45 minutes earlier which cuts down my transfer time. It just means that I will really have to walk fast and just get to terminal 4 as fast as I can. I will have to take the shuttle train but its only about 10 minutes between terminals. Not having to do passport check on arrival is a big help, it means I can just get off the plane, go straight to bag reclaim and then straight to the shuttle train.

My plan is to get food at Terminal 4 and go straight to the gate area. As I know the terminal from my January trip, it makes it easier as its a familiar place.

I have also loaded money onto my USA Sim card using the App. I want to keep it active until my June trip so I have to put money on it every month.

I have started planning my park days but until more details for Fantasmic, World of Color and Main Street Eclectic Parade are released I cant really do that much planning. The main thing I need to know is if there will be dining packages.

Its kinda not real yet that I'm gong back so soon.

 

[Westcorkdisfan]

I’m so excited for you! I read your last trip report which sounded so fun. You’re very organized and it’s great you’ve been so often that you know your way around. Fingers crossed for me. Leaving in 3 weeks for our postponed Christmas trip. 3 of us had gotten covid so obviously canceled. Yesterday the 4th person got it. So glad he got it now and not in 3 weeks (he’s not sick thankfully). But not having to test to come back in is great. My oldest is leaving cert year and couldn’t miss 10 days of school if we had gotten it there (which hopefully won’t happen as we are all boosted and had it).

The train trip sounds great. The scenery will be amazing! I like how you planned your rest time on your Disney days. I’m going with my sister and 6 kids but they’re older (youngest is 15) so I imagine we’ll be splitting up and meeting throughout the days. I’m planning on some pool time at any rate!!! Looking forward to hearing more about your plans! Thanks for letting me share (my friends here are sick of hearing about it!).

 

[BadPinkTink]

I’m so excited for you! I read your last trip report which sounded so fun. You’re very organized and it’s great you’ve been so often that you know your way around. Fingers crossed for me. Leaving in 3 weeks for our postponed Christmas trip. 3 of us had gotten covid so obviously canceled. Yesterday the 4th person got it. So glad he got it now and not in 3 weeks (he’s not sick thankfully). But not having to test to come back in is great. My oldest is leaving cert year and couldn’t miss 10 days of school if we had gotten it there (which hopefully won’t happen as we are all boosted and had it).

The train trip sounds great. The scenery will be amazing! I like how you planned your rest time on your Disney days. I’m going with my sister and 6 kids but they’re older (youngest is 15) so I imagine we’ll be splitting up and meeting throughout the days. I’m planning on some pool time at any rate!!! Looking forward to hearing more about your plans! Thanks for letting me share (my friends here are sick of hearing about it!).

aww thanks for reading and following my adventures Oh goodness, your trip is so close now, hopefully the covid person isnt too sick and you will all finally get on the plane. I know, thank goodness the worry about testing to get back to Ireland is gone. We had to do it at Christmas when we visited family in England, and it was always on our minds, the what if.

Thanks, yes the rest days at Disney. I used to not have a rest days, and just kept going as I was never sure if I would get back and didn't want to waste any time. But now, I see how much better it is to have a rest day.

 

[Jangles]

Did you book your Amtrak tickets directly with Amtrak or through a third party? Are they like U.K. train companies that get progressively more expensive?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Did you book your Amtrak tickets directly with Amtrak or through a third party? Are they like U.K. train companies that get progressively more expensive?

Yes I booked direct with Amtrak . I just checked, I booked my ticket for the roomette/ private sleeper in November and it is now $250 more than what I paid, so yes it gets progressively more expensive.

 

[BadPinkTink]

UPDATE

Its been a while since I updated , so just to fill you all in on my updates.

Ive been focusing on my Seattle part the last while.

Delta once again have changed my flight time from New York, I now leave at 4.30pm. I'm happy about that, as its closer to my original time and gives me a bit more time to transfer between terminals and do back drop.

When I get to Seattle, most likely I will book the shuttle listed on Seattle Airport website. This is one thing which has been hard to figure out. I prefer a private car service, but I need to be mindful of my budget too. The shuttle service on the airport website has a shared van which is closer to my my budget range. They also have a video , showing how to get from the bag reclaim carousel in arrivals to the pick up point, which is great. Before Covid I always used shared van shuttles. On my January trip I did private car service but I think for this one time, I might just do the shared shuttle. I use public transport in my day to day life and I will be wearing masks. I used the shared shuttle at Universal Citywalk back to the hotel but that was only a 10 minute ride. As long as I get my head around it, I will be fine.

I have also been checking out the Amtrak train route. Some of the stations the train only stops to let passengers off and on, some of the stations there is a 20 minute stop and some of the stations I want to make sure I am in the viewing car for. I have planned out the route and made a note of the stations which have a 20 minute stop, so that I can get out and stretch my legs for a few minutes.

I get lunch and dinner on my first day and breakfast, lunch and dinner on my second day. Most likely I will ask my room attendant to bring my meals to my roomette instead of going to the restaurant carriage. I have checked out the times for each of the meals and written down the times I would like my food at and made sure that the meals are timed for particular stations, so that I dont miss the 20 minute breaks or the best scenery.

I have started planning my Seattle sightseeing day. There is public transport near my hotel to the main downtown / shopping area but I need to figure it out. The two main places I want to go to are Hard Rock Cafe and Starbucks in Pike Place. I used to work for Hard Rock Cafe and I collect the pins and tshirts from my travels. And Starbucks, the same, I want to get a You Are Here mug.

I am still undecided between the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour or a walking tour. I usually do a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour when I visit a new city, but I have also done walking tours. With the bus tour you go to a wider area and see things in passing and only get out at one or two things, depending on the time. With the walking tour, its a small area but you get a more personal up close view of a few places.

For my LA days, I am not really planning than much. I liked having a slower pace in January and not having lots of things booked and planned. I'm thinking about a day at Santa Monica, its one of my favorite places. I love how the shopping and restaurant area is so close to the beach. The pier and beach area are places I grew up dreaming about visiting as they were featured on so many TV shows and films. The hotel I'm staying at in Downtown LA is 1 block from the Metro station, so it will be easy to get the Metro to Santa Monica.

 

[felice]

Yep, you certainly will enjoy Santa Monica, that's for sure. Usually when my wife and I go there, we go for a meal at Johnny Rockets in the 3rd Street shopping area. As long as it isn't raining you can sit outside there and peoplewatch too, while enjoying their delicious burger & chips menu.

We also tend to walk over to Venice Beach as well - and if you're into walking, even just by yourself - this is a lovely walk to do. There are separate paths for walkers and for those who are on wheels of any type, whether that be scooters, wheelchairs, skateboards, pedal bikes - you name it - and people do tend to stick to the correct path, depending on whether they are on wheels or not. In the daytime it is also relatively safe. Cops are on duty - and they've increased their presence since the homeless camps that blighted the area until just over a year ago were cleared. A Youtuber who goes by the name of 'German in Venice' tends to post updates on how things are currently within the area, as he has a store on the front promenade.

 

[BadPinkTink]

UPDATE

I haven't forgotten about updating and my planning has continued, but real life kinda got a bit chaotic.

I have now booked the shuttle listed on the Seattle airport website. I prepaid but will give a cash tip. I am a bit nervous using a shared van service, but for this trip it is the best option.

I have also booked and prepaid for the Hop On Hop Off bus tour of Seattle. I have such a limited time and this is the best option for me. One of the stops is near my hotel and so it is the easiest way to get to the places I want to go to and to see Seattle.

I have planned out which stops to get off at and which places I want to see.

I am still undecided about my LA days , as I need to work around my friends work schedules.

My Anaheim and Disney days are almost fully planned.

I did my ADR at 60 days. I booked a table service meal for every day and for my arrival day. In January I didnt book a restaurant in Downtown Disney and I regretted it, so this time I have.

I havent booked anything for WOC, I am undecided whether I will do standby / general access on the bridge or skip it altogether.

I have booked Hungry Bear on the go dining package for Fantasmic. The new procedure of booking a normal reservation at Riverbelle and then upgrading on the day is a bit too risky for me. Blue Bayou may or may not be open on my days, so the Hungry Bear package seemed the best option. Im not really bothered about the food, its the access to the Fantasmic viewing section thats important to me.

This time for the first time I have 2 days at DCA. Disney announced Grad Reunion Nights Party for the week I am in Anaheim and one of these parties is on one of my DCA days. I had already planned on only doing 2 half days at DCA, rope drop one morning and leave in the afternoon and then afternoon to close on the other day. This plan works well with the Grad Reunion Nights Party. I have booked a restaurant in Downtown Disney for the day I will be rope dropping and leaving early.

I have been using my January trip to help me budget for June and its been really useful. I have left over money on both my prepaid currency card and on my Disney Gift Card, the Star Wars Spira. I have been adding money to my prepaid currency card and I have money set aside to change into dollars cash for my Spira. I will be using the Spira for all my food and shopping in Disney. I will also have cash dollars with me, to use for tips and small purchases.

Theres not much left to book now.

I still need to book my Covid test for the day before my flight. There is no update from the US Government about this test to enter USA being removed. I am going to wait another few weeks and see what happens. There is a testing centre local to me which I used in January, so I can book there again.

I also need to book the car service to transfer from LA to Anaheim and from Anaheim to LAX.

Other than that, its just co ordinating with my friends in LA and changing my money into US dollars.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

So glad that you have this trip coming up and that the planning is moving ahead.

 

[BadPinkTink]

UPDATE
Counting the days now

All the last minute booking things are almost done.

I finally booked my pre flight Covid test. I tried to book into the same testing centre I used in January but there was no availability on the date I needed. I also tried other local testing centres and again nothing on the day I needed. I was told that as most countries have removed the requirement to test before entry, they are scaling back their services, as USA is one of the few countries still requiring it.

I had to book direct with the testing company and go to their test centre in Dublin city centre. This is not ideal on the day before my flight as I will have to take a bus and spend the entire morning on this test instead of just an hour.

Then in the afternoon when I come home I will have to upload the Fit To Fly Cert to my airline along with my vaccine cert in order to do online check in.

I want to do online check in and have all my documents approved in advance by my airline to save time at Dublin airport.

I have been keeping a check on crowds at Dublin airport over the last few weeks. There are huge problems with staffing levels and this is causing big delays at bag drop, check in and security / TSA. There are huge numbers of people wanting to travel, almost back to 2019 levels, but the airport does not have the same staff levels as 2019. As a result its taking hours longer to get through the airport and people are missing flights.

I usually get to Dublin airport about 3 hours before a transatlantic flight, but I am planning to be there 4 hours or longer just in case.

I have booked my two car service transfers, again with Midwilshuttle, the company I used in January. I have booked to transfer from my LA hotel to Anaheim and then from Anaheim to LAX.

I am meeting my friend at LAX as she will be traveling from her home in a different part of LA. It will be interesting who see who arrives at the airport first as we are just planning an approx. time to meet, LA traffic is so unpredictable.

For my LA days I have just decided not to plan that much and just see what I feel like doing on the day. I will be going to Forest Lawn Glendale , I want to go to Santa Monica and I will be meeting with friends. Im not really going to have a schedule like I used to do in previous years.

I have ordered flowers for collection at Forest Lawn like I always do. I find it easier to just get flowers from the cemetery flower shop on the day instead of trying to get flowers the day before and bring them on the bus.

Theres not really that much left to do now. I just need to get some more US dollars , print off a few documents and pack.

I have started gathering bits and pieces, I have a storage box where I keep all my travel items, and I have been adding things to it, but its still in the wardrobe. Its too soon yet to take it out and sort through it.

 

[felice]

Forest Lawn certainly sounds like an interesting place to visit - must try to make a trip there next time my wife and I are there at some stage.

You will love Santa Monica for sure. The area around the pier is fantastic and also the walk from there down to Venice Beach is definitely worth doing. Muscle Beach has been refurbished now too and is back open again, so you may well end up seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger there, helping others train up on the equipment. The city of Santa Monica along 3rd St Promenade is also wonderful too - we tend to eat at the Johnny Rockets outlet there but the food is good.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Forest Lawn certainly sounds like an interesting place to visit - must try to make a trip there next time my wife and I are there at some stage.

Walt Disney and many other famous people are buried there too. Theres always cars driving around, finding all the various famous graves. They also have a museum have both permanent and touring art exhibitions.

You will love Santa Monica for sure. The area around the pier is fantastic and also the walk from there down to Venice Beach is definitely worth doing. Muscle Beach has been refurbished now too and is back open again, so you may well end up seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger there, helping others train up on the equipment. The city of Santa Monica along 3rd St Promenade is also wonderful too - we tend to eat at the Johnny Rockets outlet there but the food is good.

Santa Monica is one of my favourite places in LA. It was the area I stayed in on my first visit with friends, I havent been back in a few years.