I need some help...

[aussie shaz]

Hi there. My sister and family have decided to have a holiday in the U.S. First time for them, so I said I'd try to help.
There's a couple of areas I'm not sure of as I haven't been, so would really appreciate any advise you may be able to give.
They are looking at going next October. Want to do a few days at Disney/LA, also Washington (I guess just to see the White House, Memorial etc.) Then New York (just to see New York), Orlando for Universal and Space Centre, then Las Vegas. (No Disney in Orlando)
I've only put it in this order because it makes sense to me, but if there's a better way, please advise. They have about 3 weeks, so I've though maybe 5 nights Anaheim, 3 Washington, 5 New York, 4 Orlando and 4 Las Vegas.
So I guess I need advise on accommodation for Washington, New York and Orlando. There are 2 adults, a 13yr old and a 16yr old.
Any ideas on what type of airfare? I thought MEL-LAX-MEL and then point to point for the rest.
Would you fly or train from Washington to New York?
Any other info you'd like to give would be wonderful.
Thanks

 

[LivingforDisney]

A lot of travelling for 3 weeks.
I would leave out Orlando and save that for another time.
Have a couple of nights in Hollywood on arrival, do Universal there, Anaheim.
Fly to NY , train to Washington and then fly to Vegas and home from there, if you can work out flights that way, not sure whether it would be expensive.

 

[AussieNSW]

Just a few suggestions although we flew from Sydney. Flying Qantas Syd(melb) - LAX -NewYork then catching a train to Washington DC then either train back to NewYork and fly to Orlando or fly from Wasington DC. This would depend on flights consider SouthWest airlines or Jet Blue both offer some free baggage. You could fly then to LasVegas then to Anaheim. Check on the flights you maybe able to fly into SNA which is closer to Disneyland. Then fly Qantas home from LAX. I think they call it an open jaw flight flying into one city and home from another.
A few things we learnt about the train. The earlier you book it the better the price. Try to get a train that starts in NewYork and ends in Washington DC it is less stressful with luggage and kids. There is a site I think it is seat 61 that talks all about train trips and gives some good advice. We used a service called a red cap to get our luggage onto the train at Washington DC this allows someone to load your luggage and you on the train before the rush. It was extremely helpful we had luggage and 3 kids.

 

[aussie shaz]

Thanks Living for Disney. I think they want to go to Orlando because my eldest nephew is really into Space travel and astronauts, so they want to visit Kennedy. I agree, it's a lot of moving around. I'll chat to her about it.
Thanks Aussie. I've never done that side of the U.S., and haven't done trains, so that's a real help. I think I'll get her to get the airfare from a travel agent, who may (or may not) know the best way to do the airfare.

 

[LivingforDisney]

It sure does get difficult, wanting to see everything and not enough time. Can they add extra days?
2013, we spent 3 days in Hollywood, then flew the red eye to NY, got in at 6.00am, we did this to save spending nearly a day travelling, checked in at hotel & spent the day exploring, we only had 4 days, saw everything we wanted in NY, but there is so much to do there.
Anyhow from there flew down to Orlando, pretty much that day was gone as well in travelling.
Though we had 14 nights in Orlando, then flew back to LA, another day of travel, stayed one night & flew home.
Pretty exhausted!!!
Try a few different travel agents & see what they come up with.
Btw, KSC was excellent, the Atlantis exhibition was quite amazing, also tell them to do a airboat ride, lots of fun.

 

[FencerGirl]

I think they want to go to Orlando because my eldest nephew is really into Space travel and astronauts, so they want to visit Kennedy.

There are 2 parts to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. One on the National Mall itself and one out in Chantilly, Virginia (about a 30-40 minute drive). Both have a lot of space related items. That might be enough to satisfy his interest without a side trip. That said, Kennedy Space Center is really cool.

 

[crazy Cat Lady]

I'd probably go LAX/Anahim-Orlando-Washington (train to NY) - NY- Vegas - LAX/Depart

Book all flights on the one ticket, internal point to points included so they have their bags included on the ticket. We were misinformed that we could "add" a flight after and wound up getting stung for additional baggage on our NYC - Vegas leg.

If they don't want to do WDW in Orlando, the Dulles Airport is just outside Washington (FencerGirl mentioned this above -http://www.si.edu/Museums/air-and-space-museum-udvar-hazy-center ) and it has the actual space shuttle etc there. I don't believe there is an enormous amount left to see and do at Kennedy (when researching for our trip last year most tours were being taken offline so we gave it a miss) and it is a long way to go for what would be a day tour of Kennedy.

If it were me I'd skip Orlando and spend a bit more time in Washington (we did 3 days in DC and it wasn't enough) and NY. If that is the case I'd go LA - Vegas - Washington (train to NY) - NY - fly home via LAX

The holiday inn Capitol (Washington) is just off the Mall and is walking distance to the Smithsonian Air & Space and most of the other monuments. Not a lot open at night for dinner though as it's a real government business area so after 5pm it kind of empties out. The international spy museum in DC was good as well.

We enjoy staying in Soho in NYC, but the holiday inn we've been using is closed for reburb and rebranding. By staying out of Times Square we got to see more of the city proper and we enjoyed that. The hop on hop off buses are great for getting around if they aren't up for the subway.

HTH

 

[FencerGirl]

crazy Cat Lady mentioned the Holiday Inn Capitol in Washington. We've also stayed there and it was fabulous. Eating is a challenge in that area in the evening, but the Metro is quite good.

Also, the Postal Museum is fun! It sounds dumb, but they have great displays, historic memorabilia, and free stamps for the kids!

 

[aussie shaz]

Thanks. Will pass on the suggestions.

 

[SafferMom]

We also stayed at Holiday Inn Capitol - was very good. My Ds and Dh actually enjoyed the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum more than KSC