u/AlternativeAble5109

I'm planning a holiday to the USA next August (2027) and am looking at Virgin Atlantic direct flights from London to LAX return. Having never travelled that route with that airline before, I have no idea what's reasonable and get conflicting advice from different sources. About a month ago, I saw flights for £600 (c.$800) including checked baggage but they're now about £750 (c.$1,000). Clearly, the cheaper fare bucket tickets sold out. So, my questions are:

Is £750 reasonable and should I just book? Or, given I'm still 10 months out, is it worth waiting for a cheaper fare bucket to reopen? Does that happen or will they only get more expensive?

I am planning a monster holiday to the US in August '27 and, not having been there before, I need some better informed people to look it over and offer any advice, tips, dos/don'ts, must sees, places to avoid etc. and I'm open to all feedback: hotels, restaurants, routes and traffic, sights and attractions. We are a family of four from the UK: me (dad) and three daughters (18, 16 and 10). Here's the itinerary:

Day 1: arrive LAX, pick up rental car drive to Anaheim.

Day 2: rest day, getting over jet lag, etc.

Days 3 & 4: Disneyland and DCA

Days 5 & 6: Drive to Grand Canyon staying overnight along the way somewhere. Probably Lake Havasu City as it looks mid-point. Daughter wants to ride through the Texas Dip (movie reference!) so there's a bit of a detour on day 5. Day 6 will then be onwards to Grand Canyon via old Route 66. 2 nights in GC.

Day 7: Grand Canyon

Day 8: Drive to Monument Valley. Will probably detour via Four Corners Monument and come into Monument Valley via Bluff/Mexican Hat. That's going to be quite a drive but the longest of the trip, I think. Will then spend 2 nights probably at The View hotel in one of their cabins.

Day 9: MV

Day 10: Drive to Zion Nat Park with a stop at Horsehoe Bend and maybe a visit to Antelope Canyon. Looking at 2 nights in Cable Mountain Lodge because it's right at the entrance to the Park. Is the shuttle from Springdale a hassle otherwise?

Day 11: Zion Nat Park

Day 12: Drive to Las Vegas via Valley of Fire Nat Park.

Days 13 & 14: Las Vegas. Ideas welcome here, given we won't be gambling! Would like to see a show. Also would like to stay in a hotel somewhere near the Strip for the experience.

Day 15: Drive to Death Valley (maybe via Area 51? One daughter really wants to see it but I'm not sure there's much to see!). Probably stay at the Ranch (2 nights).

Day 16: DV Nat Park

Day 17: Drive to LA.

Days 18-28: 10 days in LA to do all that needs doing. This is likely going to take in Hollywood (WoF, Sign), Academy Museum, Griffith Park and Observatory, Universal, Warner Bros, Santa Monica/Boardwalk/pier, day trip to Malibu, Dodgers game (or Rams/Chargers preseason game as I am a massive NFL fan!). This 10 days allows for us not to pack too much into single days and also have some rest days, I hope. I'm planning on getting an AirBnB for these 10 days as it makes sense given how long it is and everyone can relax in their own rooms. Given the sights we'd like to see and ages of kids etc. I would really like some recommendations on what areas to stay in. I've gone back and forth over this and am not really sure. There are some nice looking places in the hills between Hollywood and Studio City but then, is Santa Monica better?

Day 29: Fly home. I'm also flexible in extending this out by a day or two depending on anything I've missed that I must see.

This will essentially be from the beginning to end of August next year. Budget for everything (flights, car hire, accom, food, spending/activities) is c.£25-30k ($33-40k). I have some deals, miles, tier points etc that I can use on car hire and some hotels to make it easier. I've tried to make the itinerary with minimal single night stays as that will be too exhausting.

All thoughts on any aspects of this would be really welcome.