Our Trick AND Treat- DD's Surprise Bday Trip! 11/4 Get Movin'

Glad you are having a great time! I was just going through all the photos I took last night and deleting and uploading to order. Can't wait to hear all about it!
 
We had a great trip to NY. Can’t wait to take Aisling back and see more of the touristy things. She was just in awe of everything.

Part of the adventure was getting there. I’ve developed both carsickness AND anxiety about other cars hitting me when I’m a passenger (ya, I get it…I have control issues). I was NOT looking forward to driving 4 hours each way to NYC. I looked into flying- which we’ve done before. I looked into Amtrak which was more expensive than flying. I just couldn’t justify the cost of either. So I was talking to a foster mother I work with who’s daughter lives in NYC and she suggested taking a bus. This originally turned me off because apparently, I’m a public transportation snob. The prospect of a bus kinda grossed me out. But not as much as the thought of driving both ways myself.

So we decided to take Bolt Bus. And let me tell you…I would do it again in a minute. It was extremely clean, on-time, had free Wi-Fi, and plugs in all the seats. Plus it was $66 RT for the 3 of us. I figured gas would have cost about $60 and parking at our hotel was $55/night. Needless to say $66 was a way better option. BUT to take a bus from my house means driving to the commuter rail, parking at the commuter rail station, taking the commuter rail to North Station (The Boston Garden for you out-of-towners), walking across the street to jump on the Green Line, Green Line to Red Line, walk out of Red Line station into South Station, walking next door to the bus terminal, and then hopping on the Bolt. Ya…little bit of a process with a 5 year old and all her necessities in tow!!

I only took a pic on the first leg…the commuter rail

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I would have taken pics on the bus but I was so sick that I forgot. Totally forgot to take my Dramamine BEFORE we got on the bus. An hour later just doesn’t cut it. So I mostly just played on the computer and read a book- which I bought at the bus station when I realized that I didn’t have a book.

Aisling was so well behaved on the bus. She mostly just watched her DVD player which didn’t die after one movie due to the fab plugs in the seats. She had lunch and that was about it. She did NOT nap along the way as we had hoped because we knew that we’d be out late for the show. Instead she fell asleep the SECOND we pulled off the bridge into the city. Needless to say, she wasn’t happy when we had to wake her up a couple of minutes later to walk 11 blocks to the hotel with all our STUFF. She was especially upset that we were making her hold our hands!!! Too bad kid, this is the city!
As we were approaching Times Square and she could see that our hotel was literally next door to that huge Toys R Us, the mood immediately changed. A Toys R Us “in” your hotel (or so she thought!!!) This was like heaven on earth!

By the way, I must at this time give props to Jen (jen1023) for giving me such a great tip on the hotel rate :worship:. We stayed at the Millennium Broadway, which is right in Times Square for $173 including all the taxes. The room is normally about $350/night. I did point out to Randy that we are staying at POP for 4 nights in October and it’s not costing much more than one night in NY!!!

Here is the hotel

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And our room

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Aisling had to throw open the curtains and check out the view

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We could see right onto Times Square from our room. Aisling thought it would be fun later in the night to get completely undressed and stand in that window. I’m surprised we didn’t get arrested. :scared1:

The first order of business was getting freshened up and down to that Toys R Us to ride the Ferris Wheel. I was more than happy to be the photographer. Which reminds me, those photopass photographers like to take your pic but NY is insane. Seriously, they took a pic of us walking into the store. Why would anyone want a picture of them in a toy store??? :confused3

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Randy realizing up far up they were!!! :scared1:

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After the ride, Aisling had to check out the store. I reminded her that we had Toys R Us stores in Mass but she wasn’t hearing it. This one was “huge” and that’s all that mattered. I did enjoy the Barbie section

Overpriced Barbie anyone???

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I wanted that Elphaba Barbie but they were out of her

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After that, everyone was getting a bit hungry (read: cranky) so we headed back to the hotel to get changed for dinner and a show!

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(I’m going to photoshop those to make one picture of both of them looking at me!!!)
 
So back to hotel we went to get changed. Even Chrissa had to put on her finery

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We decided to go to Ellen’s Stardust Diner for Dinner. Jen had recommended that as well and she hadn’t steered us wrong with the hotel so away we went. I figured Aisling would love the singing waitstaff. At first she was terrified of them. She thought they were too loud. But get some chocolate milk into that girl and she was all about the show. She made me take pictures every time the waiters got on the tables to sing.

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The House Martini

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Here is our waiter…who was quite good. Apparently, he’s starting in the Lion King next week

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Aisling had pasta with butter. …which you will see all over her dress in the rest of the pictures for the night!!!

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Here is some Times Square action

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After dinner, Aisling had to ride on Daddy’s shoulders to get a closer view of those buildings. So glad that I don’t have the arm/back strength to hold her that way!!! ;)

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Look Ma, I’m on Broadway!!!

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Getting to meet a nice horse

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And finally…onto the show

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Aisling checking out the Theatre

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Ya, there’s that butter!!!

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For LL…had to get a light fixture in there somehow. Although I did get yelled at for using my camera inside!!!

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The show really was good. I loved it. We had 2nd row center orchestra so we were up close and personal with the cast. Aisling’s favorite characters were Flotsam and Jetsam. She thought they were hilarious. I was most impressed with that kid who plays Flounder. What a talented young man. That kid could sing. So then I was distracted for part of the show thinking what that kid’s life must be like.

After the show, I had a very tired little Mermaid to get to sleep. So a brief hop skip and a jump through Times Square back to the hotel and 30 minutes later, I had two sleeping babies next to me. I stayed up to watch something…couldn’t have been too good.

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Aisling was more excited about today than she was to go see Little Mermaid. AG Place NY!!! Now we have an AG Place here in “Boston” (nowhere near Boston but whatever). However, AG Place NY had a doll hospital. Aisling was so excited to see it that I was afraid that she might hurt Chrissa to check it out. (In reality, you can’t see anything…it’s a counter…all the “surgery” is done in the back so that mommies won’t worry!!!) ;)

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You like those nice clogs Chrissa is wearing??? Well enjoy them because they are gone. Or I should say 1 is gone! We got to the store and Aisling noticed it was missing. Randy jogged 5 blocks back to hotel but of course didn’t find it. In the meantime, I took some pics of Aisling and Chrissa outside the store

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Look Chrissa has her own billboard

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The store opened at 10am and we were there. First order of business was straight up to the photo studio. AG Boston doesn’t have this so we needed to check it out. I kept it as a surprise for Aisling. She was so excited when she saw it. We were the first people up there so we got right in. NOTE: if you are going to do this. Don’t dress your child/doll in green. They use green screen. They color-corrected our pics and you couldn’t tell at all but it would be easier just to wear something else.

The photographer kept commenting how much Aisling looks like Chrissa. Aisling being Aisling pointed out that their looks were not all they had in common- they also both like swimming, crafts, and sewing!!! The woman just cracked up!

Aisling is so excited that she’s on the cover a magazine (I won’t be the person who going to dash my child’s dream and point out that they just put another cover over the real magazine…I’ll leave that for my MIL- who did just that as soon as we got home) :headache:

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Next was running up and down all 4 floors 5 or 6 times to check out every last thing before we decided what to get. She ended up picking Chrissa’s swim team gear. Ironic purchase for a doll who can’t go in water. :rotfl2:

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Look mom…they have AG sewing machines!!!!!

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After only an hour, we were out of the store!
 

We were heading to the World of Disney Store when Aisling decided that she needed to eat and NOW.

And she knew exactly what she wanted. A hot dog from the vendors. I really think THIS is what impressed Aisling the most about New York. Hot dogs on every corner!!!

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She checked out some tall buildings while eating

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After that, she could care less about World of Disney- so we took her to Rockefeller Center instead and check out some more sights along the way. Plus as a person who’s husband works for GE and brother works for NBC, I feel that I should support this general area of NY!

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Cleaning up after the Today Show

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About this time, those of us who didn’t want to eat from hot dog vendors were getting pretty hungry. So we went to the little deli next to our hotel. Let me tell ya, this place had the most impressive salad bar I’ve ever seen. It had a hot and cold bar, fruit and yogurt bar, dessert bar, and a coffee bar. So if you are ever in Times Square and looking for something quick and NOT that overpriced…check out this place

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And that was about all for our trip. We headed back to the hotel to eat our lunch and pack up for the long journey back. Aisling immediately announced that next time we go to NY…we have to stay for at least 2 nights!!! And I agree!!!
 
Hi I just found your PTR and it looks like we'll be at WDW at the same time. Our dates are 10/24-10/31 staying at POFQ. We're planning on doing MNSSHP on either 10/25 or 10/27. I'm waiting for TGM to post his best days chart before we decide. So did you get your tickets yet?? It looks like they went on sale yesterday.
 
Awesome photos...you've got me so excited for Sunday!! :woohoo:

Too bad you couldn't take pictues of the theater, if not the show.

I'm laughing that Aisling was thrilled with the "dirt water dog!"

Only an hour shopping at AG? LOL, my DD and her cousin kept us in there for the entire afternoon! :lmao:

Thanks for the mini-TR, it was so much fun!


Kathy
 
Just a quick drive-by post to say thanks for the shout-out and to say I am so glad that you liked the hotel and Ellen's. Sounds like a great trip!
 
Oh My! I really want to go to NYC now. I have never been and I really want to go see a show. Sigh. I think you should take me next time, I'd really like to go to AG too. :rolleyes1
 
How did you get out of the AG store in a hour?:confused3

Aisling's magazine cover is adorable!!!!!!!
 
Hi I just found your PTR and it looks like we'll be at WDW at the same time. Our dates are 10/24-10/31 staying at POFQ. We're planning on doing MNSSHP on either 10/25 or 10/27. I'm waiting for TGM to post his best days chart before we decide. So did you get your tickets yet?? It looks like they went on sale yesterday.

:welcome: Thanks for reading. My DD's birthday is on the 24th! We arrive on the 23rd. We plan to go to MNSSHP on the 25th. I think the Sunday parties tend to be the least crowded because a lot of people end their trips on Sunday. But we went on a Friday night last year and it wasn't crowded at all! I haven't bought tickets yet. I need to get on that this weekend!

Awesome photos...you've got me so excited for Sunday!! :woohoo:

Too bad you couldn't take pictues of the theater, if not the show.

I'm laughing that Aisling was thrilled with the "dirt water dog!"

Only an hour shopping at AG? LOL, my DD and her cousin kept us in there for the entire afternoon! :lmao:

Thanks for the mini-TR, it was so much fun!


Kathy

Well since we had already done a lot of what AG has to offer an hour was a LOT. She kept changing what she wanted and then would decide she wanted something on a whole other floor!

I wish I could have taken pics of the show. I kept thinking "hey I have a DSLR and wouldn't be using a flash...why can't I take a couple!"

Just a quick drive-by post to say thanks for the shout-out and to say I am so glad that you liked the hotel and Ellen's. Sounds like a great trip!

Thanks again :worship:

Oh My! I really want to go to NYC now. I have never been and I really want to go see a show. Sigh. I think you should take me next time, I'd really like to go to AG too. :rolleyes1

You should come with us next time! Randy loved the show but it truly was a girly couple of days!!!

How did you get out of the AG store in a hour?:confused3

Aisling's magazine cover is adorable!!!!!!!

Again, she we've done the hair salon and cafe here, we didn't need to stay long. :ssst: got two little souvies for Morgan!!!

Oh and thank you for getting yelled at for that beautiful light picture! :hug:

No problem...I saw it and thought immediately that I had to take that pic for you.
 
I love the NY trip report. That is on my list to go to soon. I have alot of requirements for NY so I think it'll have to be a June/July trip. Maybe next year! I'll be coming to the experts for advice for sure!
 
I love the NY trip report. That is on my list to go to soon. I have alot of requirements for NY so I think it'll have to be a June/July trip. Maybe next year! I'll be coming to the experts for advice for sure!

You mean like touristy requirements? ya, we have to do that next time now we know that Aisling liked it.
 
I need to go catch up with the PTR! I saw you where heading there 10/23 when are you leaving we will be there 11/1-11/7. I will be in Tampa a few days earlier with family but I may have to convince them we need to go to WDW a few days earlier. i just can't be THAT close and no be there!:rotfl2:

Ok going back to read:thumbsup2

Ok just read your NYC trip! How fun!!!!!! I am shocked you made it out of AG place in only an hour! Last time we went to the one in Chicago Nikki took 2 hours! Poor Pa and Kyle waited outside the whole time!

Great pictures! Did you guys at least get a NYC pretzel from a vendor? YUMMY!

Growing up in NJ going to NYC was no biggie but seeing it through your little girls eyes was so cute!!!!!!
 
Great pictures! Did you guys at least get a NYC pretzel from a vendor? YUMMY!


Aisling and I did split a pretzel too at some point. YUMMMMMMM!!!! Starting SouthBeach again on Monday so might as well got out with a bang!!! ;)
 
WOOO HOOOO just booked my airfare for October. SW finally went under $200 a person so I booked it!!!


:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:
 
How come I didn't know about this pre-trippie? Don't I get to be in on the planning? I might just have to go off and pout!!!

Uhhhhh......I feel soooo bad....how did I miss this???? I just found this thread today....three months after you started....I have been following on facebook.....and I had no idea you were doing a pre-trippie?!

Soooo, I loved your trip with pics to NYC. I am too askeered to go to the city. But it looked like you had a great time!!!! I would have strangled your MIL for ruining the cover page thingy...seriously....what's that point of saying such mean things...I vote for not visiting her at all! And when she asks why...tell her her rude comments hurt! Ok vent over...grrrrrr!


So congrats on your airfare!!! We booked a few weeks ago on a new carrier that is coming to our local airport. Well, the carrier isn't new, just that its now at our local airport.

So what else is on your to do list??? How are the customs coming along? I have to start again on mine. I stopped while completing the big give and birthday gifts. Oh and now we have the super secret sewing club outfit...but after that I will get going again.

Are you getting a stroller? Or do you just get one at the park? Or does Aisling walk the whole time? Where are you staying again??? Who are you meeting with??? Come on girl...we need details!!! :rotfl:;)
 

Uhhhhh......I feel soooo bad....how did I miss this???? I just found this thread today....three months after you started....I have been following on facebook.....and I had no idea you were doing a pre-trippie?!

Soooo, I loved your trip with pics to NYC. I am too askeered to go to the city. But it looked like you had a great time!!!! I would have strangled your MIL for ruining the cover page thingy...seriously....what's that point of saying such mean things...I vote for not visiting her at all! And when she asks why...tell her her rude comments hurt! Ok vent over...grrrrrr!


So congrats on your airfare!!! We booked a few weeks ago on a new carrier that is coming to our local airport. Well, the carrier isn't new, just that its now at our local airport.

So what else is on your to do list??? How are the customs coming along? I have to start again on mine. I stopped while completing the big give and birthday gifts. Oh and now we have the super secret sewing club outfit...but after that I will get going again.

Are you getting a stroller? Or do you just get one at the park? Or does Aisling walk the whole time? Where are you staying again??? Who are you meeting with??? Come on girl...we need details!!! :rotfl:;)

Guess I didn't advertise enough on the Disboutique that I was doing a PTR!! I haven't sewn a thing yet :scared1: But since are only going for 5 days and we are re-using two customs from last year, I really don't have a ton to do.

We have a Maclaren Triumph so we will bring that. Aisling will probably need it at night. I'd rather not deal with the meltdown if she gets too tired to walk. And I'm definitely not paying park rental prices.

I do have to put my list together again of everyone is going that week. Right now I know that Kathy (Kjbrown), Crystal (Tinka_Belle), Kelly (kstgelais), and Laura (abc123mom) are planning on going that week.

So why are you scared of the city? Just the number of people? Or getting lost?

WOOO HOOOOO for flight!!

Do you always fly Southwest?

We have been flying JetBlue for a couple of years now but when JetBlue got rid of their "no change fee" policy and started charging for baggage, I decided to do SW. I've flown SW a bunch of times, including to MCO in February. With Aisling it was nice to have the tvs and to be able to check in at the hotel but not at the additional costs. :rolleyes:
 












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