Help on Transport Anaheim - Universal City (high crime, good hotel)

[Karl Chew]

We are from Singapore visiting Disneyland and Universal Studios this coming June.

Would appreciate some kind advice on the best mode of (reasonably priced) transportation between Anaheim (we will be staying at Embassy Suites Anaheim South) to Universal City (Hilton). My family consists of 3 people (2 adults + 1 child), and we have 2 suitcases to carry.

I heard the taxis are notoriously expensive in LA...?

Thanks!

[RobE]

There are tour buses you can take from the Embassy Suites or the vicinity. Ask the concierge at the hotel. He can hook you up. Those same tour buses also go to Knott's Berry Farm (that's a separate tour).

There is a mall just south of Chapman Ave and West of State College called The Block. There is actually a nice hotel right there (Doubletree?). I wouldn't recommend walking around the Disneyland area at night, though. Harbor Blvd. is pretty sleazy. Lot of homeless beggars and south of Katella you have prostitution. So stick with taking the shuttle buses from the hotel at night. Make sure you keep your valuables (including laptops, blackberries, etc) and travel documents and plane tickets in the hotel safe deposit boxes and not your room when you are out.

Almost all the cleaning staff are going to be illegal aliens from Mexico or points south and thievery by cleaning staff in that area is not unknown. And make sure you keep your bags, purses, etc in your sight at all times. Do not put them down on the floor if possible If you do, put them between your legs. Thieves and pickpockets do hover around some hotel lobbies and sidewalks there, too.

Embassy Suites is a good hotel (I have stayed there myself), but Anaheim is high crime, so be careful. And if anybody asks you for money giving a sob story, it is lies. They will use that money mainly to buy drugs. So do not give money to a beggar! Do not carry more money than you need for the day also.

[Karl Chew]

Hi RobE
Thank you so much for your useful advice! I will certainly bear these things in mind! Cheers!

[Sorcerer68]

1.Take the Metrolink from Anaheim to Union Station
2. Transfer to the Metro Red Line and get off at Universal City/Universal Studios.

It will cost you all of about $5.50 one way.

[samom02]

We actually just got back from visiting LA and took the Metro Red Line almost everyday. It is very convenient, and actually only costs $3 for a day pass so you can ride as many times as you want. Definitely use the public transport there. It was nice to not have to drive anywhere.

[Sorcerer68]

Metrolink costs more but the trains are GORGEOUS! I take the Red Line every day.