New York tips and discussion

[irisheyes123]

Wow great review luke I have never got the city pass must look into it for this trip as seems well worth it for what you get.... Im the same don't like shopping in NYC Its way too expensive We always go over to New jersey no sales tax on clothes or shoes I loved Madame Taussauds the wax works are really life like I also agree that top of the rock is much better than the Empire State Building...

 

[Sarah84]

Great post Luke thanks, we was going to get the NY passes but now think we'll get the explorer ones instead which look like they will work out better for us

 

[disney_princess_85]

Ok here is what I posted a while back:

Thanks Luke, really useful information there. Could I ask how you got from the airport to the Palace? I'm guessing a taxi is the most straightfoward and safest option?

You'll love NY, I went back in 2004, can't believe it was that long ago, so pre-digital camera, just walking around it great fun. I loved central park, don't do a carriage ride though they are a complete rip off. I really liked Ellis Island.

Thanks Claire.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Good luck with getting a decent price on a package.
We booked it DIY (flights with VA & Millenium hilton hotel) and are paying around £1000 for the two of us so hopefully you can find a good price too.
Are you going around easter? maybe thats bumping prices? if you look on thomas cook theres a code for £50 off which is TCSAVE50, also maybe virgin holidays they are having a sale atm and with 10% off, if i see anything else that might be useful to you, i will post it here

Sorry to jump in on this thread, just noticed where you're staying, Sarah. That's where I stayed in 2006 and it's a lovely lovely hotel! Right on Ground Zero! Rooms are lovely and big and you can get a great view in some of them! If and when I get to go back to NY (hopefully next year) I'd definitely stay here again

 

[luke]

Thanks Luke, really useful information there. Could I ask how you got from the airport to the Palace? I'm guessing a taxi is the most straightfoward and safest option?

We booked the ground transfers with expedia, was about £11 each ish I think or something. It's shared transfers, you hand in the printout at the desk (good instructions come on it) and then they call you when the shuttle comes (like a minivan).

Was easy as anything, quick and good value.

From the Palace to the airport we got one of the helpful doormen to get us a taxi - there's a flat rate of $45 from Manhatten to JFK (which excludes tolls, payable as you go through them - but our driver didn't seem to or at least didn't charge us anything) and our driver was great - quick, not dangerous - we gave him $55 which seemed decent

 

[Sarah84]

Sorry to jump in on this thread, just noticed where you're staying, Sarah. That's where I stayed in 2006 and it's a lovely lovely hotel! Right on Ground Zero! Rooms are lovely and big and you can get a great view in some of them! If and when I get to go back to NY (hopefully next year) I'd definitely stay here again

Glad to hear more positive feedback about it

 

[disney_princess_85]

We booked the ground transfers with expedia, was about £11 each ish I think or something. It's shared transfers, you hand in the printout at the desk (good instructions come on it) and then they call you when the shuttle comes (like a minivan).

Was easy as anything, quick and good value.

From the Palace to the airport we got one of the helpful doormen to get us a taxi - there's a flat rate of $45 from Manhatten to JFK (which excludes tolls, payable as you go through them - but our driver didn't seem to or at least didn't charge us anything) and our driver was great - quick, not dangerous - we gave him $55 which seemed decent

Thanks for the info. I read about the ground transfers when I booked the holiday with Expedia. Do you think I'll be able to add them to my booking?

 

[luke]

You should be able to. I booked mine a few weeks after the flight and hotel

 

[cherry-pops]

This thread is great, I've been looking at flights, hotels, attractions, packages and all sorts all day! I'm in a bit of a daze! lol.

Sorry to jump on this thread with my own questions, but.....is it best to set a budget for flights/hotels and stick to it? Also, is it best to book as a package or separate?

Thanks!

 

[disney_princess_85]

Just wondering if anyone knew of any decent grocery stores/supermarkets in the touristy parts? Luke, did you visit any near the palace?

Sorry to jump on this thread with my own questions, but.....is it best to set a budget for flights/hotels and stick to it? Also, is it best to book as a package or separate?

Don't be silly, this thread is for everyone!

My budget for flight+hotel was £700, which jumped to £800 when I found the hotel I wanted to stay at. I booked a package because DIY was more expensive at the time. It's always worth checking out both options. When are you thinking of going and how long for?

 

[tennisfan]

Just wondering if anyone knew of any decent grocery stores/supermarkets in the touristy parts? Luke, did you visit any near the palace?



Don't be silly, this thread is for everyone!

My budget for flight+hotel was £700, which jumped to £800 when I found the hotel I wanted to stay at. I booked a package because DIY was more expensive at the time. It's always worth checking out both options. When are you thinking of going and how long for?

We found the Duane Reade pharmacy stores stocked loads of food, drinks etc. We bought loads of snacks & drinks to leave in the room fridge

 

[disney_princess_85]

We found the Duane Reade pharmacy stores stocked loads of food, drinks etc. We bought loads of snacks & drinks to leave in the room fridge

Thank you Nikki, I'll check it out. Not long to go for you now! I bet you're so excited. Are you packed and organised?

 

[luke]

Hey Lauren,
was just about to recommend Duane Reade too, they even sell Ghiradelli!!
If you walk from the Palace towards Radio City Music Hall (not sure the exact street, it's the one that both the Palace and Radio City are on, maybe 51st) and there's a Duane Reade there

 

[disney_princess_85]

Hey Lauren,
was just about to recommend Duane Reade too, they even sell Ghiradelli!!
If you walk from the Palace towards Radio City Music Hall (not sure the exact street, it's the one that both the Palace and Radio City are on, maybe 51st) and there's a Duane Reade there

Hi Luke, thank you for the tip. Very helpful, as always!

 

[tennisfan]

Thank you Nikki, I'll check it out. Not long to go for you now! I bet you're so excited. Are you packed and organised?

I never get excited about hoildays until i'm there, although i'm really looking forward to this trip, I need it after a stressful year of work & training for my job. I will pack tomorrow, need to finish the washing & ironing first

 

[disney_princess_85]

I never get excited about hoildays until i'm there, although i'm really looking forward to this trip, I need it after a stressful year of work & training for my job. I will pack tomorrow, need to finish the washing & ironing first

I'm a bit like that, it doesn't feel real until you're there I suppose! I'm looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back. What are you doing on your first day?

 

[tennisfan]

I'm a bit like that, it doesn't feel real until you're there I suppose! I'm looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back. What are you doing on your first day?

Not really sure yet as my friend & I haven't had a chance to get together to plan, we have both written down what we want to do & will plan on the flight.

We land about lunch time, so by the time we get through immigration etc our hotel room will hopefully be ready. Probably get our barings & go pick up our NY passes. Saturday we are probably going to Woodbury Common shopping outlet

 

[disney_princess_85]

We land about lunch time, so by the time we get through immigration etc our hotel room will hopefully be ready. Probably get our barings & go pick up our NY passes. Saturday we are probably going to Woodbury Common shopping outlet

Sounds good.

Look at your ticker!! Are you leaving tonight then?

 

[tennisfan]

Sounds good.

Look at your ticker!! Are you leaving tonight then?

Not leaving till Friday, I put the right dates in to my ticker but it seems to have messed up

 

[disney_princess_85]

Not leaving till Friday, I put the right dates in to my ticker but it seems to have messed up

Ah. Still- not long to go!

I hope you'll report back with lots of information and pics!