OT - need help with a trip to NYC

[Twingle]

I posted this on the CB, but didn't get any responses, so thought I'd try here since if memory serves some of the more active members on this thread live in/by NYC.

My son won tickets to see JK Rowling at Carnegie Hall on October 19th. I used to live in NYC, but haven't been there since right before 9/11, and have no clue as to some of the hotels that would be good to stay at in the theater district.

We're flying into JFK, and I'm planning on just taking a cab to the hotel - then we can walk or take the subway to Carnegie.

Thanks for any help!

 

[RickinNYC]

Carnegie is at 57th and 7th.

There's a Hilton Hotel at 53rd and 6th Avenue which is just a few blocks and an easy super quick walk away. This particular hotel is also walking distance from all the shopping on 5th Avenue, as well as walkable to Times Square, Central Park, the theater district, and tons more. Simply for the sake of convenience, that's what I'd suggest.

Be aware that the rooms are pretty $$ but the hotel is nice and very convenient.

 

[RickinNYC]

FYI, if you want to take a car service from the airport to the hotel, the one most reliable is the Sevens. 212-777-7777 I believe a one way fare from the airport into Manhattan is $50, which is not much more than what you'd pay for a cab and the ride is much nicer.

 

[Twingle]

Thanks so much for the help - I really appreciate that!

I found an amazing rate at the Le Parker Meridien, so I've gone ahead and booked that.

Also, thanks for the tip on the car service - cab rides in NYC are an experience not to be missed , but I do like the idea of taking a car service to and from the airport. If I'm remembering correctly, it's about a 40 minute ride from JFK to Manhatten, depending on traffic. Is that still about right? I want to make sure I allow plenty of time for our return trip.

Thank you again for your help!

 

[EWR2AUS]

JFK is about 40 minutes under what is usually a best case scenario. (no midtown traffic and no traffic in Queens).. It can take much longer, at times, as well.

If you can, make sure you check out the Burger Shack at Le Parker. Its a blast.

 

[Twingle]

EWR2AUS - thanks for the info about the traffic. Our flight out of JFK on Saturday is at 5:25, JetBlue. I was planning on leaving the hotel by 2:00, to allow plenty of time for traffic and security at the airport. Do you think that is enough time? I've gotten way too spoiled using ME at Disney, and just being told to get on my bus at xx time.

We've heard about the Burger Shack - we're planning on having dinner there Friday night. I think my son will really enjoy it!

Thanks again the info, and any help!

 

[verticalchaos]

There's also subway service to JFK ~ I LOVE it!! $7.00 and you're there!!

 

[Twingle]

verticalchaos - from what I could tell on the subway maps, I would have to change subways (subway trains? how would I even say that?) several times. Is that not the case?

 

[EWR2AUS]

You should be ok if you leave at 2:00. I would check in online at the hotel, just in case.

If you want to take the AirTrain to JFK, I would suggest taking a cab to Penn Station and then hopping on LIRR (Long Island Rail Road, in case you've forgotten the lingo) to Jamaica. At Jamaica you just go upstairs and get on the AirTrain and in, I think, 2 or 3 stops you are at JFK.

When my BF lived in Atlanta and I was flying out of JFK a lot, I used the AirTrain all the time. The benefit is you don't have to worry about traffic and its cheap. It can be a little challenging to navigate if you have a TON of bags.

 

[Twingle]

EWR2AUS - so helpful! Thank you And, because I'm totally green when it comes to staying at hotels far from home, do you mind telling me how I would check-in online at the hotel? I do not have a laptop - would that be something the front desk could help me with?

Apparently I'm way to spoiled with either driving to my hotels or staying on Disney sites that pre-board me.

Thank you again!

 

[EWR2AUS]

Disney really does make it easy, don't they! When I travel on business, I frequently find myself becoming frustrated when its not that easy.

To check in at the hotel, just ask the hotel concierge to check you in. On most airlines, if you give him or her your confirmation numbers and last names, they can check you and will print your boarding passes. Tons of people fly JetBlue into NYC, so I'm sure they will know exactly what to do.

Generally, you should expect the concierge staff at a full service hotel such as the Parker to be able to do just about anything you need them to.

Have fun!

 

[padalyn]

EWR2AUS - thanks for the info about the traffic. Our flight out of JFK on Saturday is at 5:25, JetBlue. I was planning on leaving the hotel by 2:00, to allow plenty of time for traffic and security at the airport. Do you think that is enough time? I've gotten way too spoiled using ME at Disney, and just being told to get on my bus at xx time.

We've heard about the Burger Shack - we're planning on having dinner there Friday night. I think my son will really enjoy it!

Thanks again the info, and any help!

Jet Blue has their own terminal - the check in and security is pretty fast. We leave about 3.5 hours before the flight and are fine. (We have an hour drive to get there, then parking...now we fly out of Newark!) Jet Blue's terminal is 7 if that is any help.

That terminal is Wi-Fi hot and free. There are a couple of restaurants once past the security check point. The elevator is behind the escalator (spelling??) if you have a lot of misc stuff. The tunnel to the final security is upstairs, I find the luggage check-in at the curb is the fastest at JFK.

 

[UrsulaDave]

OP --

You will LOVE the Le Parker Meridien!!! I've stayed there and absolutely adored it. Plus it is a bit north of Times Square and all that madness, which sounds like exactly where you need to be.

Have a GREAT time!


-- Dave

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Thanks for the tip on the car service. I have a friend that will be in NYC for almost a week. She flies out Sunday. She has never been before. I believe she is at the Hampton Inn in Manhattan.

I keep trying to talk her into visiting the WOD NYC store, but she keeps shaking her head and laughing everytime that I mention it. Some people have no idea how lucky they are.

 

[Twingle]

EWR2AUS - thank you for all the help with the boarding info, you were exactly right. I contacted the hotel directly, and then can preboard me with a drivers license and my confirmation number, so one less thing to worry about there.

Padalyn - thanks for the information about travel time from Manhatten to JFK, always good to know. AND, for the information about the airport itself. Luckily we don't have any luggage to check, just carry-on.

UrsulaDave - thanks for posting! Glad to know you had a positive experience at the Le Parker Meridien! We're really excited.

Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan - totally know what you mean about the WOD NYC store. I think we have to go, just because we'll be so close!

A big thank you to everyone that posted on this thread - it was so great to get such helpful information on the DIS boards, even though it wasn't Disney related!

 

[ILuvDVC2]

OP --

You will LOVE the Le Parker Meridien!!! I've stayed there and absolutely adored it. Plus it is a bit north of Times Square and all that madness, which sounds like exactly where you need to be.

Have a GREAT time!


-- Dave

Also to the OP --

My first stay at Le Parker Meridien they asked if it was my first time staying at the hotel, and when I said that it was, they upgraded me to the "junior suite" which was very cool! It only had one bed (king size) but it was a great room. Who knows... they may upgrade you if you ask!

Enjoy our fair city!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

OMG, my friend went to the WOD in NYC and broke the bank on pins. She didn't get her picture taken with Jasmine or Jafar because the lines were too long, but she had a great time looking at all the stuff in the gallery. She picked up a few pins that I have wanted for awhile, so I'm happy. lol

 

[colleen3]

If you have not chosen your seats yet for your flight tomorrow, my girlfriend is a New Yorker and I have flown in to Queens a couple of times from DC, although I usually just trek up the Jersey TP in my poor Honda Civic with 300,000 on it. My sister and nephew flew in last December to visit, and I told her to ask the flight attendant (or the customer service person who assigns seats) which side of the airplane has the best view when you fly over Manhattan. One side, and I don't remember which, gets an amazing view from the sky when the airplane turns over the city at an angle for the landing pattern, and the other side of the plane gets a views of the sky. My nephew got a seat on the "good" side, and it was the first time he flew into New York and my sister was very grateful for the advice.

 

[Twingle]

Thanks for all the help everyone - we're leaving in about sixteen hours

Le Parker has been awesome to deal with, very friendly and helpful.

Colleen3, thanks for the tip! I had no idea there was a "good" side. We already have our seats, so we'll see what we end up with!

 

[Twingle]

Hi everyone - we're back home, and thank you so much for all your help.

Flight was delayed out of Washington, D.C., so we didn't end up to JFK until after 4:00, but had no problem getting to Le Parker. The hotel was very nice, my son thought the lobby area looked like a museum.

The J.K. Rowling event at Carneigie was wonderful - I noticed that there is already a thread about how Dumbledore is Gay, but she said it in a very positive, respectful way, and the crowds reaction was very good - I was pleased about that.

Saturday we did most of the usual "torist" stuff, my son thought NYC was a blast, and can't wait to go back. By the time we left he was a pro at hailing taxies

Thank you again for all your help - really made our trip run much smoother!