January 7, 2012-- 7 night Western on the Magic!

[RexIsaTurtle]

Need help please.
Ok....I have sent am email to the hotel where I will be staying but they havent answered me back yet.


So, I thought I would reprint some of the email out to all of you in hopes there is a kind soul out there who knows some of ther answers to my Goofy questions so I can move my NYC adventure a little but forward.


Without further adieu, here is part of the email:



In relation to the Sheraton Hotel
811 7th ave at 52 st
ny, ny 10019
212-581-1000

I am wondering where/what are the names of the Spa retreats locations that you would recommend??


i am looking for like a sweedish massage, hot rocks on your back type up to 4 hours of pure relaxation on am of Sept 10th as I will be wrapping up a very long but fun very first trip into your state.


Also, how far away is the West, East Village, Hells Kitchen areas?? Approx how much for a round trip for a taxi from each location...from the Sheraton hotel (I am trying to set up some add on's for Sept 5th and Sept 10th).




Thanks!!

First of all, are you going to be on this cruise? If you are lets plan a time to talk! I'll be able to give you much better recs when I know your tastes more. I'll give you generic recommendations for now.

Spa: My personal favorite it Bunya CitiSpa. Though it can get very expensive, it's not bad compared to many of the fancy "famous" ones in midtown and I personally think it's a lot better. When looking for a spa stick to downtown where quality is not determined by the price tag. If you're adventurous there are always groupons available for spas. The best hot-stone massage I've ever had was at the "spa" about a door over and above Cafe Palermo (absolute best cannolis) on Mulberry. Chinatown, although not spa-ish, is unbeatable as long as you remember to check the place out on yelp before booking your ressie.

Location: Good thing about your hotel is you're practically in Hells Kitchen! Walk one block west. I actually work at 52nd and 8th so if you need any suggestions feel free to ask. One thing to know about staying in midtown-dont act like a tourist when in midtown. Most people in midtown, until you get farther over to the heart of hells kitchen where most tourists dont go, are there to work. They have no interest in dealing with people stopping in the middle of the sidewalk or taking pictures. (sorry that i'm one of those)

That being said, feel free to be a tourist in the village! I live in the west village (perfect combo for your question right?) and have to say it will take you about 15 minutes door to door to get from your hotel to W. 4th St. which is the heart of the village on the AC. To get the the west village take the 1 train from 49th and 7th to Christopher St. (15 min), to the east take the NQR from 49th and broadway then walk east a bit (15 min). The NQR actually lets you if in Greenwich, the official entrance to the east village is at Astor Place (when you get out of the subway you'll see a giant cube).

What were you thinking of doing? Just make sure you get some Artichoke Pizza and get a Magnolia Cupcake!

 

[knewton64]

First of all, are you going to be on this cruise? If you are lets plan a time to talk! I'll be able to give you much better recs when I know your tastes more. I'll give you generic recommendations for now.

Spa: My personal favorite it Bunya CitiSpa. Though it can get very expensive, it's not bad compared to many of the fancy "famous" ones in midtown and I personally think it's a lot better. When looking for a spa stick to downtown where quality is not determined by the price tag. If you're adventurous there are always groupons available for spas. The best hot-stone massage I've ever had was at the "spa" about a door over and above Cafe Palermo (absolute best cannolis) on Mulberry. Chinatown, although not spa-ish, is unbeatable as long as you remember to check the place out on yelp before booking your ressie.

Location: Good thing about your hotel is you're practically in Hells Kitchen! Walk one block west. I actually work at 52nd and 8th so if you need any suggestions feel free to ask. One thing to know about staying in midtown-dont act like a tourist when in midtown. Most people in midtown, until you get farther over to the heart of hells kitchen where most tourists dont go, are there to work. They have no interest in dealing with people stopping in the middle of the sidewalk or taking pictures. (sorry that i'm one of those)

That being said, feel free to be a tourist in the village! I live in the west village (perfect combo for your question right?) and have to say it will take you about 15 minutes door to door to get from your hotel to W. 4th St. which is the heart of the village on the AC. To get the the west village take the 1 train from 49th and 7th to Christopher St. (15 min), to the east take the NQR from 49th and broadway then walk east a bit (15 min). The NQR actually lets you if in Greenwich, the official entrance to the east village is at Astor Place (when you get out of the subway you'll see a giant cube).

What were you thinking of doing? Just make sure you get some Artichoke Pizza and get a Magnolia Cupcake!

OUR DISNEY ADVENTURE BEGINS!!


ANYWHO -




about NYC:

A hhuuggee thank you for your initial response about all things NYC.


Yes, I will be camped out in cabin#2068 during this DCL cruise and it would be kind for you and I to talk a wee bit more about what's up w/NYC.

For
I will be there in NYC for about 6 days (Sept 2012) as one of the things I didn't get a chance to do while out in LA last April (for ABD's "Backstage Magic" tour) was to see a taping of Jimmy Kimmel live.
I enstead opted to WALK from the Renaissance hotel to Pinks and back!!....


**** THAT"S A 1.4 MILE WALK ****



- EACH WAY -

okokokokokokokokok.....but it was the BEST hotdog I have ever tasted!!


OR WAS IT????


So, I am now out on a quest to see what NYC has to offer in foods (for my next adventure) that are unique to their area, see a taping of a tv show at NBC studios, VISIT THE DISNEY STORE in Times Square, go on some sort of a food tour of NYC (like a walking pizza tour, or??),

and a few other things but in general, just me hitting the ground running while walking away with a pocket full of wonderful memories.



I have started a pre-trip report listed below in my signature. Feel free to follow along if ya like. It will really begin to take shape after I get back from this DCL vacation.
And yes, I have written down the Bunya Citispa (spas are a great way to end any adventure) and the food items u have suggested.


CYA on the cruise ship
& again, thank you for your kindness.


T.T.F.N.

 

[Kernandi]

Hey maybe we can hook up during our embarkment meet up!
I doubt that my daughter Kim (14) will be with me, but ya just never know. It is our 5th cruise with DCL and she knows her way around and what she will be doing (and it doesn't look like it'll be with us!) lol.
I am just getting my FEs ready as we are leaving Ontario on the 1st and will be staying in Florida and then heading to Port Canaveral the night before our cruise. we are staying overnight at the Marriott Residence Inn hotel. It has a hertz drop off and we'll catch their shuttle to the port.

can't wait..........

Monica, Mike & Kim (14)

This is our first cruise. We are pretty excited, but also feel a bit like we still don't know what we are doing!

 

[RexIsaTurtle]

This is our first cruise. We are pretty excited, but also feel a bit like we still don't know what we are doing!

Same. I feel like I'm going to forget something critical.

 

[Trekker]

Same. I feel like I'm going to forget something critical.

As long as you remember to relax and enjoy yourself you will be fine!

There is nothing that critical that you could forget . . . . .

The main thing for me when going anywhere is to remember medications if anyone is taking any - they are tough to replace if you forget them - anything else - you can buy if you forget it!

 

[Fawn]

Hey Trekker...the girls and I will be there!

For those on their first cruise, don't sweat it! Remember that our first stop is Key West...so anything you forget you can pick up there!

Best advice I ever got for when you get on a new ship...go from one end of the ship to the other, floor by floor (don't bother with floors that are just cabins). It helps get you acclimated to the ship very quickly, and it doesn't take more than 30 or 45 minutes. We do it as soon as we finish lunch that first day.

Other than that, be at the port on time...and don't forget the Dis Meet! It can really make a difference running into friendly faces throughout the week.

Can't believe it's almost here...I have so much to do, but whatever happens I will be on that ship!!!

We're flying down on the 5th and staying at the Radisson...anyone else?

 

[RexIsaTurtle]

Thanks Trekker and Fawn! I worry about everything, until I'm on vacation that is.

We're headed down the morning of the 2nd. Doing a B2B. Anyone else doing the same?

 

[Jamesfam]

Can't believe it's only a little more then a week till the cruise
We're actually heading down this sunday and going to Universal one day, and Disney for a few days Everyone have safe travels and we'll see you soon!!

 

[PixieDoodles]

We're off and running Roadtripin' down the I95 and plan to hit all the crazy attractions along the way. We're going to visit Univarsal so the kids can see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, then onto the Disney parks.

See all of you on the 7th! Our boarding time is between 2:30 - 3:30 so we may be late for the dismeet but we'll try our best. It's all so exciting to see all this planning come to a head

I have no wifi access until we hit Orlando so I'm offline for a few days. Not sure if I'll go into withdrawl or if it will be a refreshing break

Wish us luck, freezing rain is scheduled for tomorrow, Canadian or not - freezing rain stinks!

 

[Trekker]

We are flying down on Friday the 6th - staying at Pop Century - spending the evening at DTD and using DCL transfers from resort to port on Saturday!

 

[Kernandi]

Hey Trekker...the girls and I will be there!

For those on their first cruise, don't sweat it! Remember that our first stop is Key West...so anything you forget you can pick up there!

Best advice I ever got for when you get on a new ship...go from one end of the ship to the other, floor by floor (don't bother with floors that are just cabins). It helps get you acclimated to the ship very quickly, and it doesn't take more than 30 or 45 minutes. We do it as soon as we finish lunch that first day.

Other than that, be at the port on time...and don't forget the Dis Meet! It can really make a difference running into friendly faces throughout the week.

Can't believe it's almost here...I have so much to do, but whatever happens I will be on that ship!!!

We're flying down on the 5th and staying at the Radisson...anyone else?

I appreciate all the advice too... so if I am "directionally challenged", do you think just walking the ship on my own is enough or should I take the official tour? If I do the official tour, I think it might be at the same time as the DIS meet. And is there a way I am going to know YOU guys are our meet? I am afraid to walk up to some strange group of people and look like a complete idiot!

 

[Fawn]

I appreciate all the advice too... so if I am "directionally challenged", do you think just walking the ship on my own is enough or should I take the official tour? If I do the official tour, I think it might be at the same time as the DIS meet. And is there a way I am going to know YOU guys are our meet? I am afraid to walk up to some strange group of people and look like a complete idiot!

At some point, I am likely to be dancing with Donald Duck or Goofy. So I'm thinking that looking silly is already a done deal!

Seriously, walk the ship yourself. We find it incredibly helpful...we peek in all the public rooms and restaurants as we go...it's actually fun! I imagine the official tour is very nice, too...just never did it.

At all the Dis Meets we've been to, I've never encountered another large group in the Promenade Lounge. I think you'll be fine. Just stand there looking confused, and I bet someone calls you over.

 

[Kernandi]

At some point, I am likely to be dancing with Donald Duck or Goofy. So I'm thinking that looking silly is already a done deal!

Seriously, walk the ship yourself. We find it incredibly helpful...we peek in all the public rooms and restaurants as we go...it's actually fun! I imagine the official tour is very nice, too...just never did it.

At all the Dis Meets we've been to, I've never encountered another large group in the Promenade Lounge. I think you'll be fine. Just stand there looking confused, and I bet someone calls you over.

Thanks!
You guys rock.

 

[knewton64]

At some point, I am likely to be dancing with Donald Duck or Goofy. So I'm thinking that looking silly is already a done deal!

Seriously, walk the ship yourself. We find it incredibly helpful...we peek in all the public rooms and restaurants as we go...it's actually fun! I imagine the official tour is very nice, too...just never did it.

At all the Dis Meets we've been to, I've never encountered another large group in the Promenade Lounge. I think you'll be fine. Just stand there looking confused, and I bet someone calls you over.

Hey.....there is nothing like dancing the HULA with Lilo and Stitch!!


Talk about a YOU TUBE MOMENT
But, hey....its a vacation.



DISmeets: Knowing me, I will be the one walking up to you and saying, "DISmeets??"




T.T.F.N.

 

[Fawn]

Happy New Year's everyone! I can't believe it's 2012!!! Woohoo!!

 

[Kernandi]

We leave Minnesota in 5 days!!! I can't think about anything else...

 

[DeeLee]

We leave Minnesota in 5 days!!! I can't think about anything else...

We leave on Tue. I so cant wait! It is hard to think about anything else.

 

[knewton64]

We leave Minnesota in 5 days!!! I can't think about anything else...

during our day there = high of 76 degrees.





T.T.F.N.

 

[Kernandi]

during our day there = high of 76 degrees.





T.T.F.N.

That sounds so awesome!!!

 

[Trekker]

I just wanted to post something to see my countdown!