New York tips and discussion

[scottishgirl87]

Yayyyyyy! I have a new ticker

Don't have it all booked yet but we have the cruise part done! So I will most likely be looking to keep this thread alive

Quick question.....how far in advance have people booked their hotels?? My dad is convinced he should book our NY hotel asap "incase they fill up", whereas I know there's always gonna be a room available somewhere so I'd rather wait until say January for any potential offers!

 

[irisheyes123]

I normally pre book with hotel don't pay anything use credit card as security and then watch to see if they go down if they do I re book and If they go up then I have saved money lol

 

[scottishgirl87]

I normally pre book with hotel don't pay anything use credit card as security and then watch to see if they go down if they do I re book and If they go up then I have saved money lol

Good idea actually, I always forget you have better T's & C's with American hotels than here generally.

Although seeing as my dad is booking it he's unfortunately been let loose on a travel agents LOL Our cruise is booked through Thomas Cook as they were actually quite a bit cheaper than Royal Caribbean direct, but the woman in Thomas Cook has now offered to get my dad a price for the flights and hotel part of our NY stay.

After booking Florida all by myself this year I really loved the freedom and control I had of our bookings so I would really rather just do the same for New York. But I'll guess I'll just have to see what happens!

So far hotel prices seem extortionate but I know it's a little too early for deals.

 

[gemmybear83]

We are going to New York next September for 4 days and then onto Orlando, nothing is booked yet - only the hotel for the WDW bit!

I think I will need all your help with hotels - I have no idea where to start!

 

[scottishgirl87]

We are going to New York next September for 4 days and then onto Orlando, nothing is booked yet - only the hotel for the WDW bit!

I think I will need all your help with hotels - I have no idea where to start!

Ohhh we can help each other as I'm at a total loss myself!

The last time I went we stayed at the Millenium Hilton which is right on Ground Zero, in the Financial District. And we it! I would happily go back there but alot of reports say due to the construction on Ground Zero there's alot of noise, etc. Tbh, it's still an option and they were working on it back in 2006 when we went as well.

I'm not sure if I want to be more "part of the action" this time, but have read people say stay a little further out of Times Square as it's manic so I don't know

Really love the look of the New York Palace you're all talking about but at the moment it's out of our budget Will be keeping an eye on any offers though!

 

[gemmybear83]

Ohhh we can help each other as I'm at a total loss myself!

The last time I went we stayed at the Millenium Hilton which is right on Ground Zero, in the Financial District. And we it! I would happily go back there but alot of reports say due to the construction on Ground Zero there's alot of noise, etc. Tbh, it's still an option and they were working on it back in 2006 when we went as well.

I'm not sure if I want to be more "part of the action" this time, but have read people say stay a little further out of Times Square as it's manic so I don't know

Really love the look of the New York Palace you're all talking about but at the moment it's out of our budget Will be keeping an eye on any offers though!

The only thing I have decided is I dont want to stay next to Time Square as it looks manic and too touristy!!

Going to hang on to book a hotel in January to try and get a good rate in the sales, would love to stay at the palace if a gold rate comes up!

 

[irisheyes123]

We stay in times square when we go don't find it too bad we even drive and traffic is not too bad but we do go in march so it is much quieter anyway lol.... Ive also stayed in the Millenium Hilton by ground zero I have to say its a fab hotel

 

[scottishgirl87]

The only thing I have decided is I dont want to stay next to Time Square as it looks manic and too touristy!!

Going to hang on to book a hotel in January to try and get a good rate in the sales, would love to stay at the palace if a gold rate comes up!

Same here I'm going to keep an eye out for good offers on Travel Zoo, etc.

We stay in times square when we go don't find it too bad we even drive and traffic is not too bad but we do go in march so it is much quieter anyway lol.... Ive also stayed in the Millenium Hilton by ground zero I have to say its a fab hotel

Ohh it's March I'm going Checked and we're on our cruise on St. Patrick's Day so that's not a problem (although I'd have quite liked to have seen it).

Decisions, decisions.....I think once we decide where we'd like to be based this time it'll be easier to narrow down hotel options

 

[wideeyes]

Our flights were exactly £450 each with AA. We go in less than a month and I think we booked in April. (For once I didn't make the booking, it is all in my sisters name and she has all the paper work)

 

[wideeyes]

We didn't bother with a taxi last time, we got the AirTrain. This travels to Jamaica Station (around 10 minutes from JFK) and you then swap to the subway system. It costs $5 per person to Jamaica Station. Subway prices vary- we bought weekly tickets, which were $27 each.

I can't recommend the AirTrain enough- it was really quick and easy to use and we were in our Midtown Manhattan hotel within 40 minutes of leaving JFK.

I will have to look into that, my sister is a student and so is economical with her money and won't spend $45 on a taxi if she doesn't have too.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I will have to look into that, my sister is a student and so is economical with her money and won't spend $45 on a taxi if she doesn't have too.

Hope you have a great time, Claire!

Can I ask where your staying?? You'll need to report back on if it's good or not!

 

[wideeyes]

We are staying at the Roosevelt, doesn't have good reviews at all however not worrying about it as we will be hardly in our room anyway, we will be out most of the day and night. . We are celebrating my sisters 21st birthday.

 

[disney_princess_85]

For those of you mentioning the Palace, I thoroughly recommend it! Yes, it's quite expensive but it's worth it. Can't wait to stay there again in April.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I have a quick question for those who have bought the New York Pass. I think this might be a better deal for us than the Explorer Pass, BUT, do either of these include going up to the Statue of Liberty crown?? They both state "Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Museum Ferry Ticket" but unsure if that includes the crown or not?

Last time I went to NY the Statue of Liberty was still closed due to September 11th so would like to fit it in this time.

Also, if anyone has any information about getting from NYC to Six Flags Great America (New Jersey) it'd be greatly appreciated! Boyfriend and I are coaster junkies so will definitely be hitting Six Flags for Kingda Ka which is the tallest and fastest coaster in the World

 

[kieras nana]

it doesn't include crown access,this has to be purchased seperately.
we have our crown access booked,for oct,think i need to start getting fitter or il'l be waiting,at the bottom!
tracy

 

[tennisfan]

I can not recommend the NY pass enough, its very good value for money we did loads through it when we went this year. My advice is to try & hold off buying it until a holiday in the US as they tend to have a sale on the price. I got a 3 day one for £70 due to Thanksgiving

 

[scottishgirl87]

Thanks for the info kieras nana and Nikki It's currently on offer at 2008 prices until tomorrow so just now works out at £79! Think we'll wait a couple of months to purchase though.

Went on a bit of a hotel hunt earlier! Can't believe the differences in prices between website and so far Travel Republic has been cheapest for every single hotel I've looked at!

I even found the New York Palace Luke and Lauren have raved about for £636.92 for 3 nights. Would you guys say this was a good price for it??

I'm at a bit of a loss anyway as my dad has offered no insight as to what him and my mum's hotel preferences are so I'm just kind of doing a general search so far!

 

[irisheyes123]

Also, if anyone has any information about getting from NYC to Six Flags Great America (New Jersey) it'd be greatly appreciated! Boyfriend and I are coaster junkies so will definitely be hitting Six Flags for Kingda Ka which is the tallest and fastest coaster in the World

You should be able to get a bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd street I read online its bus #308 I don't know if it opens year round as we have been in nyc in feb/march and it was closed

 

[scottishgirl87]

You should be able to get a bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd street I read online its bus #308 I don't know if it opens year round as we have been in nyc in feb/march and it was closed

Awww man I hope it's open! Theme Park Insider says "March through Labor Day". Fingers crossed.

 

[petals]

Ok, since my earlier post I've discovered that Virgin Holidays do packages to NY and the deposit is only £300! They have some pretty good offers on. If we want to go from Manchester, the flights are with Delta (direct). I've never flown with Delta so I don't know how good they are. Any opinions?

I flew to Florida twice with Delta can't fault them!

We are staying at the Roosevelt, doesn't have good reviews at all however not worrying about it as we will be hardly in our room anyway, we will be out most of the day and night. . We are celebrating my sisters 21st birthday.

When are you going we're staying there as well this year


Cool thread btw... Going to New York for a few days before we head home after Disney! Luvin the pics here