For you NYC Disers -- help please

[TLHB70]

DH just told me last night that he wants to take our family to NYC Christmas weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He and I have been once before, just the two of us, no kids. We always said that we wanted to go back and bring the kids to see the highlights.......FAO, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Ground Zero, etc. I have also told DH many times before that I would like to see NYC at Christmas time with all of the decorations. Well, last night he totally surprised me. He said that he wants to look at flying there on Dec. 21 and returning Dec. 24!!!!!!! We have no family Christmas obligations that weekend or the 24th so we could actually do it. I just think that this specific weekend would be crowded and too crazy there. Am I right? He said that this way we could let the kids see the sites and we would be able to see the lights as well. He also said that he would like to see a Broadway show while there. We love seeing them when they come to Charlotte. We, of course, have never seen one there. We would love to see Mary Poppins. However, I told him that I am sure that it is too late to get tickets for that weekend. I assume that they are all gone since it is such short notice.
Please give me your opinions. I love that DH wants to do this!!!!!! I just wonder if it is do-able...............

 

[ckay87]

DH just told me last night that he wants to take our family to NYC Christmas weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He and I have been once before, just the two of us, no kids. We always said that we wanted to go back and bring the kids to see the highlights.......FAO, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Ground Zero, etc. I have also told DH many times before that I would like to see NYC at Christmas time with all of the decorations. Well, last night he totally surprised me. He said that he wants to look at flying there on Dec. 21 and returning Dec. 24!!!!!!! We have no family Christmas obligations that weekend or the 24th so we could actually do it. I just think that this specific weekend would be crowded and too crazy there. Am I right? He said that this way we could let the kids see the sites and we would be able to see the lights as well. He also said that he would like to see a Broadway show while there. We love seeing them when they come to Charlotte. We, of course, have never seen one there. We would love to see Mary Poppins. However, I told him that I am sure that it is too late to get tickets for that weekend. I assume that they are all gone since it is such short notice.
Please give me your opinions. I love that DH wants to do this!!!!!! I just wonder if it is do-able...............

Well, yea, it will be crowded. Super crazy crowded. Probably not what you want to hear. But the whole month of December is that way, especially the weekends. Times Square, for example, can be impassable. A complete pedestrian standstill.

I personally love NYC on a Wednesday in February. Everyone is at work and nobody is interested in being a tourist. The place is mine, mine, mine.

But then there is no Christmas. I haven't seen Christmas in NYC for years and I continue to miss it. If you can take it... go for it! As someone who visits WDW in the summer, I don't ever like to ever discourage someone from doing something because of the time of year.

Edited to add....if you can find things to do outside of the theater district, you will find some relief. Do a Disney-like touring plan, such as seeing things mid-town during off hours - early morning or later at night. Head elsewhere during peak hours.

 

[DznyLvr2005]

I'm not too sure about seeing Mary Poppins on a weekend, but maybe during the week you can. We had tickets months in advance because we wanted to see it on a Saturday, so we had to wait months.
Other than that, maybe you can catch the Radio City Xmas Show. Do the NBC studios tour, that's always fun. It shoudn't be any more crowded than normal around this time of year.
Also check out the World of Disney Store NYC.. It's huge!

 

[KariC]

We just went with our 3 kids (and my parents) and had an awesome time. we did do radio city show (that was the reason for the whole trip), so if you go....one of the pairs skaters is our cousin and his gf.

one of our faves was going to lombardi's in little italy for pizza (1st pizzeria in the usa). we didn't do broadway shows due to strike, but we also missed other things due to time constraints. with a baby, you can't do commando touring (i tried.....)

just go! it'll be fun.

 

[Forevryoung]

Personally, I would skip Ground Zero for a few reasons the first one being is that it is completely out of your way (if you do the other things on your list) and you have a limited amount of time.

See the Museum of Natural History (LOVE the Hayden Planetarium) instead, it's across the street from Central Park. Try skating at Wolman Rink. See the windows of Macy's, Bloomingdales, Bergdoff's, Lord and Taylor... there are so many!


However, take my suggestion with a grain of salt, I will never ever ever "visit" Ground Zero. Too many connections and memories that I would rather keep buried. There are many people (tourists) who visit.

 

[TLHB70]

I had a feeling tickets to a show would be impossible to get.

Ice skating would be lots of fun!!!!!!!!! DDs would love it!!!!!! Checking out all of the windows is definitely a must if we do end up going.

DH wants to talk about it and decide tonight. He said that he wants to book flighs ASAP. How about the week of Christmas? Would the crowds be any better if we left Dec. 26 and came home on Dec. 29? Probably not, right? I figure that people are coming in to make it for the New Year's Eve celebration.

 

[malibuconlee]

Is the strike still going on that is affecting the Broadway shows? You may want to check that out. However I do remember seeing on TV over Thanksgiving that many off-Broadway productions are still in full swing.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I just went the past 2 weekends to NYC, the first without kids (to see Wicked, which was cancelled b/c of the strike) and the second with the whole family. I can tell you my kids love the Museum of Natural History (especially if they've seen Night at the Museum) and walking through Central Park to the Central Park Zoo. It's small but adorable. And cheap!

As for the shows, the strike is over as of today. We did not have tix to anything but at the hotel concierge we got tix to see "the Grinch"...you pay a broker fee but we got same day, great seats. Just depends on how much you are willing to spend.

My kids also went to the Nintendo World store, American Girl store, Toys R Us, and walked around a lot. We went to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Ctr) instead of the Empire State since a friends told me the ESB was under a lot of construction and was a mess to get through. I loved the Top of the Rock, you can see the ESB really well and all of Central Park.
We didn't have time to do the Statue of Liberty, maybe next time.
Kids find all of NYC so fascinating; it's so big and busy. Just stand on a streetcorner in Times Square and let them take it all in!
Have fun!

 

[TLHB70]

I just went the past 2 weekends to NYC, the first without kids (to see Wicked, which was cancelled b/c of the strike) and the second with the whole family. I can tell you my kids love the Museum of Natural History (especially if they've seen Night at the Museum) and walking through Central Park to the Central Park Zoo. It's small but adorable. And cheap!

As for the shows, the strike is over as of today. We did not have tix to anything but at the hotel concierge we got tix to see "the Grinch"...you pay a broker fee but we got same day, great seats. Just depends on how much you are willing to spend.

My kids also went to the Nintendo World store, American Girl store, Toys R Us, and walked around a lot. We went to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Ctr) instead of the Empire State since a friends told me the ESB was under a lot of construction and was a mess to get through. I loved the Top of the Rock, you can see the ESB really well and all of Central Park.
We didn't have time to do the Statue of Liberty, maybe next time.
Kids find all of NYC so fascinating; it's so big and busy. Just stand on a streetcorner in Times Square and let them take it all in!
Have fun!

Great tips! Thanks so much!!!!!!
I plan to let DH read all of this when he gets home.

 

[babieemelly]

Hi! Yes, the city will be insanely crowded the week of Christmas, but it's doable. You'd be better off going the weekend before Christmas than the weekend after since the crowds only grow as it gets closer to New Years Eve.

The Broadway strike ended yesterday so I'd still try to get tickets. It's going to be hard now since you normally need to get tickets a few months in advance for good seats, and now everyone's rushing to get new tickets after their shows during the strike were refunded. Look around online for tickets (telecharge.com) and you may get lucky.

When it comes to the stores, they're the best around the holidays! The window displays themselves are something to see. Just get there EARLY. We went to the World of Disney, FAO Schwartz and Toys R Us Times Square two weekends after Thanksgiving last year and there were actual lines just to get into the stores. It was insane and I can't imagine it being any better so close to Christmas. We got there early and got right in, though, so just get there early and you shouldn't have a problem.

Definitely check out the Top of the Rock! It's located on top of 30 Rock, the NBC/GE building, and the view's AMAZING! There are so many fun surprises inside that make the cost ($18) completely worth it, and I can't rave enough about the elevator ride to the top. I won't give it away, but it's definitely unique! The view out over the city and directly across to the Empire State Building is gorgeous. It's a ton of fun!

I'd skip the NBC studio tour. My dad works at NBC and nothing's been going on since the writer's strike. Being so close to the holidays there really won't be anything going on, except for a few news shows. It's not worth it. You could always stand out in Rockefeller Plaza to watch the Today Show, but if it's cold it's not that much fun. DEFINITELY go to the Museum of Natural History, though, it's one of my absolute favorite places in the world. It's huge and full of so many amazing things that it really is magical. It's been my favorite since I was little! There are lots of great museums to check out - The MET (the greatest art museum around), MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) and the Guggenheim. All are fantastic. There's also the Times Square attractions to check out - Madame Tussauds, Ripley's, and the Sony Wonder Technology Lab (it's free!). They're all pretty touristy but definitely fun.

Don't miss Central Park which is beautiful during the holidays. Skating at Wollman Rink is cheaper and less crowded than in Rockefeller Center, and the lights in the trees are gorgeous. If you're looking for a fancy dinner, you can't beat Tavern on the Green right there in Central Park. My dad's NBC Christmas party is there every winter and it's incredible. The restaurant is more gorgeous than ever around the holidays, with great food and spectatcular decorations.

For more restaurant tips, don't miss Ellen's Stardust Diner! I recommend it to anyone and everyone because it really can't be beat. It's the only themed restaurant worth going to in the city. It's set up like an old 50s diner and they play scened from famous musicals on a big screen while the waiters and waitresses sing as they take your order! They're all either on Broadway or between shows so they all have amazing voices. The food's ridiculously good, too! Skip the rest of the themed restaurants - Mars 2112, Jekyll and Hydes, Planet Hollywood, etc. They're all WAY overpriced and the food's gross. Also, if you're looking for good Italian you can't beat Daniella's Trattoria!

There's so much to do around here during the holidays that it would definitely be worth it, even with crowds. Let us know what you decide!

 

[Robinrs]

Have a great time. I love my city during Christmastime and you've given me the tickle to go back...

 

[clori]

How old are your kids? Dh's family lives in midtown Manhatten so we visit a few times a year. I like to do some touristy things but dh thinks of it as a visit to see family since he grew up there. This year my girls are 3 and 7 and we are deliberately skipping Christmas to New Years week due to the crowds. I could handle it with the 7 year old but not with my 3 year old.

My kids absolutely love Sony Wonder Technogogy Lab, the train display at Citicorps Mall etc. We were in NYC for Veterans Day weekend and did two touristy things that the kids loved. We ate at Mars2112 which is a tremed restaurant that pretends to be Mars. While it isn't great food the kids enjoyed it. For breakfast we went to Ellens Stardust Diner which has singing waitstaff. While we weren't there for a show it was the first weekend of the strike. DD7 and I loved Mary Poppins which we saw in Nov 2006. My dd loves to go to American Girl but over Veterans Day when we were on the bus the line to get in was a couple of hundred people long. We tend to do the big touristy things on non holiday visits. My kids also love the ferris wheel and giant dinasour at Toys R US. With all the different things to do in NYC the absolute favorite thing for my kids is to go to the local playground near grandpas which is close to the U.N.

 

[Terry36]

My daughter and I are going the weekend of the 15th...I can not wait.

 

[ptrbryant]

We'll be there next week for 3 days, then down to Philadelphia to see family. I was looking for tix for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, but the cheapest weekday tickets I could find were $90 a piece...please tell me I can do better and where that may be!

We're planning on doing MOMA and were going to do the NBC tour, but a previous poster mentioned it being dull with the writers' strike going on---something I hadn't thought of, so I need some suggestions to replace that bit!

Thanks!

Karla B.

 

[babieemelly]

We're planning on doing MOMA and were going to do the NBC tour, but a previous poster mentioned it being dull with the writers' strike going on---something I hadn't thought of, so I need some suggestions to replace that bit!

Hi Karla! We were up there this past weekend and there's really nothing going on. The tour's pretty expensive for what you actually get to see on a good day (all the employees always laugh over the price of the tour for the little they show you) and with the strike going on there's even less to see. You'd get to see the sets and everything, but it's not as much fun as when Conan's there and the SNL rehearsals are going on.

Go to the Top of the Rock! I'm telling you, it's the best! We went at night and the view was out of this world. You won't regret it, I promise you. You could also walk around Central Park (the horse-drawn carriage rides are really nice this time of year!) or go to Madame Tussaud's which is kind of expensive but really a lot of fun.

 

[bluefairy13]

Just remember that things like the statue of liberty and the empire state building will take A LOT of time and you should plan your days accordingly. I hadn't gone to the top of the Empire State building for years and went on a normal Saturday because MIL wanted to go and OMG! It took us 4 hours just standing in the horrible lines from floor to floor. I think you really have to want to do that! It wasn't much fun!

 

[Regina]

It's going to be crazy, scary crowded around Rockefeller Center and the theater district.

Here's the link to the site we usually use for theater deals: http://www.broadwaybox.com/

If you can't get Mary Poppins, I recommend Hairspray or Legally Blonde. We also loved Spamalot but we're Monty Python fans.

If you do Top of the Rock, you're better off making a reservation for the time you want.

You're picking a super busy time. As long as crowds don't freak you out, you should be fine and there's no shortage of things to see and do.

As for us, I'm doing this since we have tix to The Little Mermaid on the 14th. YAY!! THE STRIKE IS OVER!!!

 

[bluefairy13]

As for us, I'm doing this since we have tix to The Little Mermaid on the 14th. YAY!! THE STRIKE IS OVER!!!

We're going the 11th!

 

[JoyG]

Has anyone bought tickets for Rockettes or Broadway from www.ticketnetwork.com? Are they reputable or not? Thanks

 

[Maryr1]

Hi! Last year we went the weekend before Christmas as it was the only weekend we could get a hotel. I will mention the price was a lot cheaper than the 2 weekends earlier than that. The city was very quiet-we had no problem at all getting tickets for shows, we skated at Rockerfeller Center, we ate at great restaurants. We had such a great time that last month we decided to do it again. We got tickets for Mary Poppins and Cirqu de Soliel and are staying in Times Square. The hotels were all avaiable and we had our pick. They also were cheaper than the earlier weekends in December. It is uaually quieter than the other weekend just before and after Christmas. It was definetly quieter than the weekdays after the 25th. Have fun and enjoy!