NYC help Christmas Surprise

[tiggeraholic]

We are sending our girls, ages 24 and 20 to NYC January 2 thru 5 as their Christmas present. It is a surprise and I had to coordinate between one going back to college and the other going back to teach high school.

I am looking for decent hotels in the theatre district/Times Square area. Any suggestions?

We are also giving them tickets to two shows. Do I just give them money and have them buy hem the day of or just buy ahead of time? We are thinking of two of the following Wicked, Newsies, Cinderella, Chicago or Lion King. Can anyone give me their pick of those show for two twenty something year old girls? I would like them to open something up on Christmas Day.

TIA

 

[clh2]

I would highly recommend the Roosevelt Hotel - very centrally located to Times Square (about 10-15 minute walk). We stayed there last December, and found the area to be very safe even at night. (Although - always be cautious!) The hotel was beautiful, recently renovated, but true to the original style of the hotel.

It was about a 15-20 minute walk to the Broadway area.

If you are looking to give them tickets to do 2-shows - I would pick one out and get tickets in advance. Newsies was PHENOMONAL, and that would be my recommendation. My daughter was 18 at the time we went, and she would recommend this show as well. We've not seen Chicago or Cinderella of the shows you've listed. And - keep in mind - not all the "blockbuster shows" like Newsies will have tickets for sale through the 1/2 price places.

Then I would give them the money to either do something else - or get tickets for another production through the half price tickets places.

I don't know if Jimmy Fallon would be taping that close to a holiday. We saw a taping of a show when we were in town - LOVED IT! And it was free!

They will have a ball!

 

[elgerber]

We are sending our girls, ages 24 and 20 to NYC January 2 thru 5 as their Christmas present. It is a surprise and I had to coordinate between one going back to college and the other going back to teach high school.

I am looking for decent hotels in the theatre district/Times Square area. Any suggestions?

We are also giving them tickets to two shows. Do I just give them money and have them buy hem the day of or just buy ahead of time? We are thinking of two of the following Wicked, Newsies, Cinderella, Chicago or Lion King. Can anyone give me their pick of those show for two twenty something year old girls? I would like them to open something up on Christmas Day.

TIA

I can't help with hotels, but Wicked would be my first choice for show tickets (seeing it for the 5th time next weekend)! The Lion King is also excellent, and I have heard wonderful things about Newsies. Chicago, I actually prefer the film to the stage show, oddly.

 

[tiggeraholic]

Thank you I will go look at the Roosevelt hotel now. Please keep suggestions coming ! I tried calling for Jimmy Fallon tickets but they are only doing October and November now. I filled out a form for the View but they said there is a one year wait for those and I sent in a postcard for Kelly and Michael but Jimmy Fallon would be their top tv show to watch,

 

[NOLA_Tink]

There's a safely located Holiday Inn Express that's just 10 min walk from Time Square. Plus, it has renovated rooms & a free breakfast buffet: http://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/new-york-city/nycws/hoteldetail. Disboarder Rupert B Puppenstein also has a very helpful link in her signature for a family/friend discount. Also, check out restaurant.com for Newsies & Wicked NYC pacakges. They don't have any Jan dates listed yet, but probably will within the next few months.

 

[clh2]

Thank you I will go look at the Roosevelt hotel now. Please keep suggestions coming ! I tried calling for Jimmy Fallon tickets but they are only doing October and November now. I filled out a form for the View but they said there is a one year wait for those and I sent in a postcard for Kelly and Michael but Jimmy Fallon would be their top tv show to watch,

Call the Jimmy Fallon show ticket line about once a week. As they start to release tickets closer to "your" dates, call more often. Last year - the tickets that included the week before Christmas were "opened" up on November 12.

 

[Soupermom]

I was in NYC in June with three teens; first visit for all of us. We stayed at the TRYP, about a 15 minute walk from the theater district and one block from the metro station. I searched from months ahead of time and read reviews on Trip Advisor (which I highly recommend); it was the best value I could find for four adults (the boys are both over 6 feet). It was super clean and the room was HUGE and comfy; it was next to a police station too (but still quiet). . We would all stay there again. We saw The Lion King and all three kids thanked me repeatedly during/after the performance for taking them. Definitely get your tickets ASAP. I would also recommend they download the HopStop and TripAdvisor Apps to their phones before they go. We used these throughout the day for subway schedules and restaurants reviews. PM me if you have any other questions. I'd be happy to help. We had a blast and did everything on a budget (as much as possible in NYC!).

 

[mjkacmom]

Wicked and Newsies, followed by Lion King.

 

[meajuly5]

Busy time of year so I would buy tickets in advance. I actually dislike staying in Times Square even if going to theater that time of year because it is way too crowded. The hotels are mobbed and it can miserable to get around. I prefer to just go In and out for shows. Not sure wha your budget is. I like the location of the Loews hotel as you can walk to a lot but it is a little pricey. The Hilton and midtown Marriott are well situated. I liked the Essex house for location as well and had two beautiful rooms there and one meh one.

 

[quentina]

I can't help with hotels, but Wicked would be my first choice for show tickets (seeing it for the 5th time next weekend)! The Lion King is also excellent, and I have heard wonderful things about Newsies. Chicago, I actually prefer the film to the stage show, oddly.

Agree---Wicked would be my number 1 also. Here is my tip of the day...in the first 8 or 10 rows, they call the end seats (seats 1 and 2) obstructed view. They are about 60$ cheaper than seat 3. The only obstruction that I can determine is if something was moving from the back of the stage, you would not see it moving up...just when it was settled. I will be buying these seats each time I go!

Wicked was by far that best show I have ever seen....it was AMAZING!!!

 

[pintamino]

We are sending our girls, ages 24 and 20 to NYC January 2 thru 5 as their Christmas present. It is a surprise and I had to coordinate between one going back to college and the other going back to teach high school.

I am looking for decent hotels in the theatre district/Times Square area. Any suggestions?

We are also giving them tickets to two shows. Do I just give them money and have them buy hem the day of or just buy ahead of time? We are thinking of two of the following Wicked, Newsies, Cinderella, Chicago or Lion King. Can anyone give me their pick of those show for two twenty something year old girls? I would like them to open something up on Christmas Day.

TIA

My BFF and I just bought tickets to The Glass Menagerie - limited run (only until end of Feb, and that's the extended date), but very "in" right now and getting rave reviews. Your girls could also student ticket rush to a bunch of productions based on when they're there and one still being a college student.

 

[ElenaRN]

I've seen Wicked more times than I can count. It is my favorite show I have EVER seen.
I've also see Lion King multiple times. It hast the Disney thing going for it, but the costumes and set design alone are worth the price of admission.

 

[Maddie2]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express/Herald Square in July and really liked it. Very near Penn Station, Macy's and the Empire State Bldg. Easily walkable to Times Square. It's located on 36th between 5th & 6th. Even includes breakfast and for NYC that is a rarity!

I would agree that you should prepurchase tickets. That is a busy time of year and the girls would waste so much time if they had to track down tickets.

Lucky girls! Great parents!

 

[Gracie09]

The jewel overlooking Rockefeller. She and I stayed there last month. Very clean and safe. Rooms a tad on the small size but no big deal. Walked to Times Square and areas around Rockefeller.

 

[Gracie09]

And we saw once. It was fabulous! If you get those tickets have them get there early . The cast performs before the show and they can go on stage to the bar that's set up

 

[HulaHoopy]

I saw Chicago in May and would not recommend it. There were no scenery changes, it was just blah.

 

[krcit]

I think they would like Rock of Ages. My daughters loved that and Wicked.

 

[elgerber]

I think they would like Rock of Ages. My daughters loved that and Wicked.

Agreed, Rock of Ages is fantastic!!!

 

[NYCDiane]

We are sending our girls, ages 24 and 20 to NYC January 2 thru 5 as their Christmas present. It is a surprise and I had to coordinate between one going back to college and the other going back to teach high school.

I am looking for decent hotels in the theatre district/Times Square area. Any suggestions?

We are also giving them tickets to two shows. Do I just give them money and have them buy hem the day of or just buy ahead of time? We are thinking of two of the following Wicked, Newsies, Cinderella, Chicago or Lion King. Can anyone give me their pick of those show for two twenty something year old girls? I would like them to open something up on Christmas Day.

TIA

Wicked tix are in high demand but you may still be able to get them. Newsies is supposed to be excellent --- you can get discounted tix on BroadwayBox.com. Chicago, they can get rush tickets on the day of for $37. Check out these websites:

www.Broadway.org
www.BroadwayBox.com
www.Playbill.com

For decent hotels, I would check out Expedia or any of the other travel sites for decent prices. Look at the reviews about the hotel to make sure you're getting a good, clean, safe place.

I understand they're only staying 3 days but when they get there, they should get a weekly unlimited MetroCard. They'll be able to take the bus/subway as much as they want without having to worry about how much money is on their card. I'm sure they're going to want to check out Central Park, the Village, Washington Square Park, Union Square, museums, etc etc etc.

They may also consider a City Pass: http://www.citypass.com/new-york

 

[shoes99]

There is a Disney Visa code for Newsies but it is only good thru Nov 20th.
I just purchased 2 tickets for a 11/13 2:00 Mat for $166.70 for two, front mezz. Regular price was $136 for one. The Disney Visa Code is M and the first four digits of your Disney Visa.
Theatermania also has a discount code of FTHM..
Michele