if you had only 3 1/2 weeks where would you go in US that includes Disneyworld?

[CJ2001]

Hi All,

Been to LA, SF etc... want to go otherside this time and see DisneyWorld & New York. Have a few ideas like Boston, Chicago or Colorado.

Where is cost effective and time effective to go and recommended must see states that we dont have to do alot of internal flights for? Maybe to go to by train?

My kids are going to be 13 and 11 at the time so things that would interest them too.

Would love some advice

 

[kylieh]

Washington you could easily train to from NY. if you're comfortable with driving, perhaps drive to Orlando over a few days or so.

 

[Anne_Aus]

How long are you wanting to spend at DW?
NYC is a definite and I am biased towards Boston. But given the time restraints I would work out what is most important to you and the time you want in each place.

My first trip I spent a week at DW and 10 days in NYC and neither amount of time seemed long enough. Going with kids will be a bigger thing (I traveled solo) I am guessing they will have things they will definitely want to see

I am sure others with more experience and kids will weigh in and help piece it together

 

[CJ2001]

How long are you wanting to spend at DW?
NYC is a definite and I am biased towards Boston. But given the time restraints I would work out what is most important to you and the time you want in each place.

My first trip I spent a week at DW and 10 days in NYC and neither amount of time seemed long enough. Going with kids will be a bigger thing (I traveled solo) I am guessing they will have things they will definitely want to see

I am sure others with more experience and kids will weigh in and help piece it together

It is our first time to Disney World so looking at maybe 10 days Orlando & 6 or 7 nights New York.

My husband does not want to drive as he saw the highways in LA and has said hell NO! But he may be persuaded once we are there in the less busy cities

 

[CJ2001]

And yes New York is a definite aswell

 

[PrincessInOz]

New York, Boston, Washington, Quebec City, Toronto, Niagara Falls, New England - Bar Harbour, Arcadia.

Alternatively, see more of Florida. Miami, the Keys, Everglades, along either the Atlantic or Gulf Coast, Kennedy Space Centre; maybe a cruise?

 

[Royal Consort]

Another vote for Washington DC. It's such a beautiful place and I think it's one of those cities you really need to say you've visited.

The train journey from NY is quite enjoyable too and one of the highlights of my trip.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Yay for fun decisions!

I remember this time last year when I was at the stage of trying to decide how to spend my 3 1/2 weeks in the US. The options seemed endless.

After narrowing it down, it was a Caribbean cruise and WDW pulling me one way, and Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, and DL pulling me the other way. In the end WDW won, but mainly due to the cruise. I love cruising - it's my favourite way to travel. So I guess my suggestion to you is a cruise.

Other than that I can't be of much help as I have only been to 3 cities in the Eastern half of the States - Orlando, Memphis, and Detroit. I loved Memphis for Graceland and Detroit for the Henry Ford Museum, but I do think there are probably better places in the US to visit.

Whatever you choose, have fun. Oh, and don't underestimate how many days you'll need in Orlando. I have 14 nights and still don't have space to squeeze in many things I would like to do (Legoland, Discovery Cove, Kennedy Space Centre, Airboat Ride etc etc etc).

 

[australiankaren]

wdw..then fly to washington, then bus to NY..then bus to Boston
each bus trip is only about 2-4 hrs. Greyhound/peter pan Bus stations are in center of city.
easier, cheaper and better than flying.

I loved boston......

 

[Luisa]

I would start in New York, train to Philly then train again to Washington and fly to WDW. Disney is always last for me so I don't have to lug all my shopping around to other cities!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[australiankaren]

I would start in New York, train to Philly then train again to Washington and fly to WDW. Disney is always last for me so I don't have to lug all my shopping around to other cities!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

sounds good, i forgot re all the luggage from shopping at orlando outlets ...so start at Boston and head south...

 

[Franrose]

NYC and Washington DC: Soooo much to see and both easy to get around without a car.

 

[Toy Story]

On both our trips we have spend about 10 days in NYC - and could easily have stayed longer (we still have not been to Brooklyn).

I would factor in NY, Washington and Orlando - in the 3 and a half weeks and you will be doing well.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

On both our trips we have spend about 10 days in NYC - and could easily have stayed longer (we still have not been to Brooklyn).

I would factor in NY, Washington and Orlando - in the 3 and a half weeks and you will be doing well.

That is what we are doing in our 3 weeks. 10 days WDW, 2 at universal, 3 night cruise, Washington and New York. Not spending as long as I would ideally like in NY and Washington, but will go back, it just a taste. Really want to enjoy a Disney vacation with the kids at a relaxed pace.

 

[gogo65]

It really depends on your travel style.
We have been to the US 4times with kids, however there is so much of the world to see, I try to see as much as possible without being to rushed.
Of course you could spend the whole time in Florida, however to see the majority of things I think 10days in orlando is a good compromise to see the parks at a reasonable leisurely pace. 5 nights NYC is also sufficient to see the sights, again of course you could spend the whole time there.
A cruise would be a good way to relax a little if you like to have a relaxing holiday(I love to cruise as well and my kids are never bored on a cruise) Boston, Washington, niagra falls etc are all lovely places to see, realistically you only need a few days in each.
Like I said I like to see as much as I can without being to rushed( I have also done quick tours in Europe where you spend two nights in major cities you see The highlights, your rushed but you see a lot!) most cities in the world I think you can do 3-5 days in and if you don't go back then that's ok.
Good luck with the decisions, this really is the fun part

 

[CJ2001]

Thank you everyone for your helpful tips that has given me heaps of information to think over.

Was trying to figure out whether to go to Orlando first and they make way round to other places, but with this information think we should start out at New York then make our way round.

Thanks heaps for all your help

 

[Toy Story]

Thank you everyone for your helpful tips that has given me heaps of information to think over.

Was trying to figure out whether to go to Orlando first and they make way round to other places, but with this information think we should start out at New York then make our way round.

Thanks heaps for all your help

Definitely - we are normally so exhausted post Disney that we sleep the whole way home. Also museum visiting post Disney may be more difficult for holding the attention of children.

 

[aussiecookfamily]

In 2011 we did 3 1/2 weeks on the East Coast. We started at WDW for 14 nights - no way my Disney fanatic daughter would tolerate waiting to go there last! We gamely caught the Amtrak from Orlando to Washington - probably ended up costing more than flying by the time you got a sleeper, but we did get to see some of the countryside and avoided airports (which I hate like a passion). We had 6 nights in Washington - and I am with the rest this is a must do. There is heaps to do - and lots of kid friendly things - and better still most of it is free and accommodation is really cheap (check out the Holiday Inn Capital - right on the Mall and very reasonably priced, think we paid $99/night). We then caught the train up to NYC (3 hrs) for 4 nights and I have to say with the cold (December weather) and limited children friendly activities that was sufficient for our child (I of course could have happily spent a lot longer).

Any way you plan you will have a great time.

 

[CJ2001]

In 2011 we did 3 1/2 weeks on the East Coast. We started at WDW for 14 nights - no way my Disney fanatic daughter would tolerate waiting to go there last! We gamely caught the Amtrak from Orlando to Washington - probably ended up costing more than flying by the time you got a sleeper, but we did get to see some of the countryside and avoided airports (which I hate like a passion). We had 6 nights in Washington - and I am with the rest this is a must do. There is heaps to do - and lots of kid friendly things - and better still most of it is free and accommodation is really cheap (check out the Holiday Inn Capital - right on the Mall and very reasonably priced, think we paid $99/night). We then caught the train up to NYC (3 hrs) for 4 nights and I have to say with the cold (December weather) and limited children friendly activities that was sufficient for our child (I of course could have happily spent a lot longer).

Any way you plan you will have a great time.

Yep hate the airports too, thanks for the info. What did u think of Amtrak is it safe, where does luggage go? And when u bring carry on stuff can u secure that?

 

[izzybjenn]

I've travelled throughout the US. My now must go to:- New Orleans, New York and Washington. Driving wasn't hard gaps was a necessity!