I'm going to the Oscars on Sunday (I was one of the people who got a bleacher seat.). Since I don't drive and the Oscars go late enough so that I can't catch a train back to Riverside, CA ( and cannot feasibly get a motel/hotel room in Los Angeles due to money concerns), I've planned to do the following:
Take the 5:53am SWC from Riverside, then take a Redline subway to Hollywood and walk to Hollywood and Highland where the Kodak theater is.
Then after the show, take the Red Line back to Union Station and sleep in the lobby. Then take the first morning Metrolink train back to Riverside since I have a 9am college class that I do not want to miss.
What do you guys think? Is it safe to sleep in LAUS? Does security bother those who are doing so? It is truly a once in a lifetime event to go to the Oscars and sit in those seats since the Academy went to using random drawings to choose the people who will be sitting in those bleacher seats (They recieved over 20,000 applications and picked 300 or so people out of that randomly.) and I do not know how else to arrange things so that I may go and get home safely.
Thanks
Posted by Room Service (Member # 2405) on :
quote:...take the Red Line back to Union Station and sleep in the lobby...
Say hi to Joan and Melissa for us!
They usually crash by the doors to the Thru-way Buses.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Lucky you on the Oscars invite. John Stewart is one of my favorite people on television these days.
You may have already thought to investigate this but, as a student, is there the possibility of getting space at a Youth Hostel near LAUS Sunday night? Don't know if there is one but I think there is a good chance station security would hassle you if you tried to nap during the wee hours in the waiting room.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
Had you investigated the possibility of bus transportation In some areas busses run all night. They do in my area. It is very exciting ..have a really "fun" evening and let us know how things worked out.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Congratulations on getting the bleacher seat. It should be a great show even if it rains as predicted.
I very much doubt you'd be able to sleep in the lobby (or anywhere else) of LAUPT. When I passed through there last Sunday there was a level of secuity, including with dogs, that I've never seen before.
I'm not sure if there are any hostels near the terminal but I would bet that you could find something in the Hollywood Area.
I'd also consider following up bus service to the Riverside Area.
Best,
Frank in sunny, for now, SBA
Posted by aviva_dawn (Member # 4229) on :
The last bus to Riverside (on Greyhound) leaves at 6:45 pm....who knows why?
I checked with the Hostels in Hollywood and LA as listed on several websites and they won't allow guests from in-state to stay there.
I don't know what to do! I have enough money for the SWC/Metrolink home and a day pass on MTA to use the Red Line, but that's all.
Thanks though for your suggestions thus far, I'll keep looking for other alternatives.
Posted by train lady (Member # 3920) on :
do you know anyone in LA with whom you could stay? How about friends from College. Does anyone have family living there who could put you up for a night? When our kids were in College we often put up their friends over night when they were in town for something or other. Is there a Travelors Aide of some sort at the station or at the airport? They may be able to help you
Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :
Well it sounds like you will not have any luck staying in Los Angeles, or getting back before Monday. I suppose your last shot is to call Union Station directly to ask them about a "sleeping" policy...
Amtrak Los Angeles (213)683-6729
Good Luck! Anton
Posted by aviva_dawn (Member # 4229) on :
I called Amtrak and the guy that I spoke to simply told me to make sure that I had some form of a ticket and other than being hassled every five seconds, security should let me stay put and not kick me out of there. I'll just nap on the bleachers before the stars come out, on the way home to Riverside and on the train to Los Angeles. I do know that I'll need to go to bed very early on Monday night though.
So I'll take my chances with staying at Union Station. I'll just bring a textbook and study away.
To answer your question train lady, I don't know anyone in Los Angeles. They have a traveler's aid at Union Station,and I'll see if they can help me at all.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
How long are you planning on sticking around after the show starts at 5PM? You could catch the SWC at 6:45PM and be in Riverside at about 8PM. I didn't realize that only the San Bernardino Line of Metrolink offers weekend service.
I was glad to hear that as long as you have a ticket you won't be hassled but it will be a long night. Those big leather upholstered chairs are pretty comfy but there really is nowhere to stretch out except the floor. I think you'll be fine as long as you let the Security folks know what your plan is.
According to todays LA Times the Hollywood/Highland Red Line station will be closed starting at 6PM tonight. You'll need to figure out which stop before or after is closer for you.
Let us know how this went for you.
Frank in cool, sunny SBA
Posted by aviva_dawn (Member # 4229) on :
I've got everything handled!
I knew about the stop closures for a while and have decided that I will walk from the Hollywood and Vine Red Line Stop to Hollywood and Highland (a seven block walk isn't much being that I run two miles a day every day.) and walk back after the show is over. With there being an increased security and police presence in the area at that time, I feel okay doing it.
The issue was more that KABC7 has invited all of those in the bleacher seats to their viewing party in the El Capitan theater across the street from the Kodak theater. I was planning to go so I wouldn't miss watching the ceremony, being that no one that I know could TIVO or tape it for me.
I'll keep you guys updated.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
It sounds like a great time! Enjoy!
Frank in cold, clear SBA
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Well Ms. Dawn, I would say after that adventure, you are ready to CRASH Posted by aviva_dawn (Member # 4229) on :
Everything went fine. Security didn't even say a word to me....although they spent quite a bit of time talking to others in the station. I did doze off from time to time for a moment, but spent most of the night reading and the last hour and a half before leaving for my train chatting with two fellow railfans about AMTRAK and the current state of things. Perhaps the fact that I was wearing business casual attire had something to do with why I was left to my own devices.
Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :
Glad it worked out! Excellent planning is always the key. Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
Did you get to the El Capitan theater? I was hoping you'd get to a party too.
The bleacher folk should have been INSIDE the theater, if you ask me; I think they would have given Jon Stewart a better welcome! The inside audience seemed like it was on prozac or something. I don't think I will watch any more.
Posted by aviva_dawn (Member # 4229) on :
Yes, I was in the El Capitan. I was also interviewed on Channel 7 in Los Angeles while in the El Capitan.
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