Can I sneak in a NYC parking question on the Transportation board? UPDATE I survived!

[aboveH20]

Okay, I realize this has nothing to do with Disney, other than I'm headed to New York where they replaced the super Fifth Ave Disney store with the mediocre Times Square Disney store.

I'm heading down to NYC on Sunday night to pick up my son (not that it's relevant to the story, but he'll be working on an independent film shoot) about 10 PM. I'm picking up him, a friend, and some film equipment in the West 80s. On street parking is hit or miss. I've googled and found a parking garage relatively close to where I'll be picking him up.

It's always hard for me to judge how long the drive from my house takes, but it's roughly three hours. He's not entirely sure when he'll be done and I'm not entirely sure how long the trip will take me but I'll plan to get there between 9 and 9:30. Not being very familiar with New York and especially not driving or parking in New York, my question is should I just aim for my destination and keep circling? Is there any place in the "West 80s" where I can park and sit in my car that is safe at night? If I take my car to the garage I'm not sure where I would go then. (I guess I should google Starbucks.)

Is my question clear? Bottom line, how do I safely manage the time between when I arrive in NY and when my son is ready.

Thank you!

 

[goofy4tink]

Well, all I can say is that it's all a grid. So, you should be able to circle the area pretty well. I have been there in a car....parked in a garage close to our hotel..so, not much help with other parking areas.

 

[aboveH20]

Well, all I can say is that it's all a grid. So, you should be able to circle the area pretty well. I have been there in a car....parked in a garage close to our hotel..so, not much help with other parking areas.

Thank goodness it's a grid. I hate to spend an hour or two just driving in rectangles (better than circles ) but I'm just not sure what I'd do in that area if I parked in a garage and don't know how safe I'd feel just sitting ing my car.

Help.

Anyone?

 

[aboveH20]

I guess this wasn't the right place to ask what to do, but I still haven't figured out a way to be safe between when I arrive in NYC tomorrow night and when I pick up my son.

Wish me luck!

 

[disneymom06]

All of the Parking garages in NYC that I have used are valet. You are not able to sit and wait, so driving around may be your best option.

 

[aboveH20]

All of the Parking garages in NYC that I have used are valet. You are not able to sit and wait, so driving around may be your best option.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I just called the garage that is closest to the pickup location and he said the same thing and also said that Sunday night they might not have space available..

I looked into getting a ticket for Newsies, they have some available for Sunday, but then I still have the problem of what to do and where to do it while waiting for them to finish. Since it's a film shoot, 10 could turn into 11:30.

I'm coming from upstate NY and found out that the last rest area on the Thruway is 44 minutes from the pickup location. I may wait there and have my son call an hour ahead of time.

I'll be glad when this is over. (Tuesday night I take his firend and their equipment back to NY and my son flies back to LA early Wednesday.)

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I just called the garage that is closest to the pickup location and he said the same thing and also said that Sunday night they might not have space available..

I looked into getting a ticket for Newsies, they have some available for Sunday, but then I still have the problem of what to do and where to do it while waiting for them to finish. Since it's a film shoot, 10 could turn into 11:30.

I'm coming from upstate NY and found out that the last rest area on the Thruway is 44 minutes from the pickup location. I may wait there and have my son call an hour ahead of time.

I'll be glad when this is over. (Tuesday night I take his firend and their equipment back to NY and my son flies back to LA early Wednesday.)

This is what we do for cruise pickup from Manhattan pier. Our driver sits in NJ side not sure where, then comes through the tunnel when we are through customs.

 

[aboveH20]

Just thought I'd post an update because I'm always curious when someone posts a dilemma how the story ends.

GPS said the trip would take 2 hours and 46 minutes. I left home five hours before pick up time. Stopped for gas and McDonalds and was on my way.

Saw 14 deer (16 if you include the two who were "sleeping" by the side of the road). More traffic than I expected, but not bad. Stopped at the last rest stop on the Thruway. It was 7:45 and and I didn't need to be in NYC until 10, so basically took a very long time drinking a frappe.

GPS was great on the trip. I love how Mabel tells which side the exit will be on because a number of times it was a left side exit. She only had to recalculate once. When I got off Riverside Drive I thought she wanted me to turn right right away, but I guess I was supposed to cross over a couple streets before turning. It was the only time I upset her.

Got to my "W 80s street" and found a parking place right across the street from the pick up location. Well, two buildings down and across the street but it couldn't have been much more convenient AND it was a good size parking spot so I backed my Honda in between a Jaguar and a Jeep. I'd love to know how long the spot was available -- 10 seconds? a minute? I can't imagine it was empty for much longer than that.

I sat for a minute or two, then got up my courage to get out of the car and double check that there wasn't a hydrant, curb cutout, handicapped sign or anything else. Nope. I was good.

Don't you just love happy endings?

Thanks again to those who replied. We do the reverse trip tomorrow night but then it's just drop off so no problem with getting there early and wondering what to do.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Thanks for the updat! Huge headache adverted!
Glad the 16 deer stayed out of the roadway too.
Good luck with the flip travel!

 

[aboveH20]

Thanks for the updat! Huge headache adverted!
Glad the 16 deer stayed out of the roadway too.
Good luck with the flip travel!

Thanks for your concern.

The trip down was a cakewalk compared to the return trip. We (my husband came for the return to help move equipment so our son could stay home and finish up a few things before flying out this AM at 7). It started snowing here (upstate NY) about 6 and was snowing pretty hard on the way to NYC -- we left at 8 PM. I had cruise control set for 54 most of the way but a lot of cars passed me and a lot of trucks gave us a good spraying when they barreled past. I kept hoping for the snow to end but it was still coming down in NYC. On top of the snow, it was dark! I was glad I had just done the trip on Sunday so things were somewhat familiar.

There was a big delay on the George Washington bridge, but we finally made it. No parking spot this time, but I double parked while "the men" unloaded the car. Fortunately the snow lasted only about 45 minutes on the way home and no bridge issues.

We got home at 3:15 and I set my alarm for 5:10 to take my son to the airport -- after which I went back to bed!

I think I'm headed over to the DVC boards (we're not owners) to relive our trip to Aulani in February.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Thanks for your concern.

The trip down was a cakewalk compared to the return trip. We (my husband came for the return to help move equipment so our son could stay home and finish up a few things before flying out this AM at 7). It started snowing here (upstate NY) about 6 and was snowing pretty hard on the way to NYC -- we left at 8 PM. I had cruise control set for 54 most of the way but a lot of cars passed me and a lot of trucks gave us a good spraying when they barreled past. I kept hoping for the snow to end but it was still coming down in NYC. On top of the snow, it was dark! I was glad I had just done the trip on Sunday so things were somewhat familiar.

There was a big delay on the George Washington bridge, but we finally made it. No parking spot this time, but I double parked while "the men" unloaded the car. Fortunately the snow lasted only about 45 minutes on the way home and no bridge issues.

We got home at 3:15 and I set my alarm for 5:10 to take my son to the airport -- after which I went back to bed!

I think I'm headed over to the DVC boards (we're not owners) to relive our trip to Aulani in February.

Glad you turned out okay on the trip, it was a mess up our. Way too. I hate the truckers spraying slush on my windshield blinding me.

I love reading trip reports when stressed out or depressed, very soothing.
Reliving the great memories is always joyful.

Glad you got home safe and slept!