The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 10

[PNO4TE]

Wow. Thanks to all for the plethora of info on NYC. Y'all are terrific! Question on hotels. The Doubletree Suites in Times Square can fit 5 in one room. Is this a good hotel, or should I just get 2 rooms at the Marriott Marquis (seems to be the first choice of most)?

It is a good hotel

 

[PNO4TE]

We just had such a nice day. There is a local airport with a restaurant directly over the runway to watch the planes take off and land. We saw tons of bi-planes, small jets, and even a mid-size (40 seater) jet take off. It was a surprise for the kids meeting John for lunch and then going. Despite the 100 temp, we loved it! Then we went to John's new office bldg and got to see his corner/window office. It was a wonderful day. I took a few pictures, and I'll post them later.

We have eaten at a couple of 94th Aero Squadron Restaurants that sound similar to this! My DH loved it! I bet the trips had a ball.

 

[Tammi67]

Wow, it's quiet tonight..the last post was an hour ago. That almost never happens!

Tomorrow I will be in all day packing for our Niagara trip. Just to let you all know that I will be gone from Saturday thru Tuesday..I should be back on the DIS Wednesday.

Have a great trip, Anne Marie. We are going up to Niagara on the 2nd, so let me know what's a hit and what's a miss.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hi everyone-
Just posting to say hello and i am all caught up! I was lucky you all werent too chatty!
I did nothing tonight but sit outside and read, it was great!
I have work tomorrow and then homework on saturday...another fun weekend! have a great weekend guys!

 

[PNO4TE]

Elin,
I sent Thomas out today. You should get him priority on Saturday.

Thanks, Terry. We will take VERY good care of him, I proimise!

 

[Steffy]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAULA, YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON!


​

Janet, love your new signature! great pictures.

 

[mommykds]

Have a great trip, Anne Marie. We are going up to Niagara on the 2nd, so let me know what's a hit and what's a miss.

Will do Tammi!

 

[PNO4TE]

Have a good trip, Anne Marie!

 

[Steffy]

So Steve said we can go to NYC with him - but NO Duck Tour

I guess we would have to do that while he is working!!

He is going to check on his dates - he really is a pretty good sport!!

Okey dokey. Where there is a Duck Tour, I must have a quacker!!!

I love NYC..... And Steve is a great sport..... and a real gentleman....

 

[tinknme]

I agree! Have a fun & safe trip!

Wow, it's quiet tonight..the last post was an hour ago. That almost never happens!

Tomorrow I will be in all day packing for our Niagara trip. Just to let you all know that I will be gone from Saturday thru Tuesday..I should be back on the DIS Wednesday.

 

[tinknme]

Thank you

Janet, love your new signature! great pictures.

 

[triplefigs]

It is a good hotel

I think that'll be our first choice. We can get a 2 bdr suite with 2 dbl beds and a fold out sofa. If we were going this year for 6 nights, to get a suite overlooking Times Square would cost $3800 for all 5 of us including tax. That's a regular rate. I haven't checked to see about AAA. Doesn't sound too bad for NYC Times Square at Thanksgiving!

 

[Steffy]

Anne Marie,

I have a question about American Girl Place. We are thinking for Emma's birthday that Emma and I head up there for the day. We will be taking the train up and back. The first train would put us into Penn Station around 8:45am. I am wondering how long I would need to plan for the day. I am pretty sure we are going to get the Day at American Girl Package which includes lunch, the show and a photo shoot. Also do you think it is too late for November reservations?

I'm not Anne Marie, but I will share our experience...

We arrived at 3:30 and the show started at 4:00. We zipped to the theater and watched the show. It was very interesting. It told the story of each American Girl.

Then we zipped downstiars to get her doll's hair done. They don't take appointments. Walk up only. Then we shopped a bit. Then we went for the photo shoot. Picked pictures. Shopped a bit, just looked around at all of the stuff. Lots of fun. Waited for our package to print. FYI, the picture included is a magazine cover on a real AG magazine. The other pics, you must pay for......

Then we had dinner at 7 something If I had it to do over, I would have loved to have had the earlier dinner at 5 something, but when I made my reservations, they told me I might not have time considering we had a 4:00 show. If we did the show at that time, we wouldn't have had time to do the hair. But by the time I called for reservations, that was the only show that had room.

We called about 4 months in advance and all the best times were taken...

You have to pay the at the time of booking. It was expensive. ($280 comes to mind) The girls get $120.00 American Girl dollars. Boy they went quick!!!!!

It was an awesome experience though, and I was so glad to have shared it with my DD and DGD....

BTW, my daughter left with what they called a Santa bag.

 

[mommykds]

Thanks everyone!!!!!

Janet, I loveyour new picture of the boys.

Denise, give me $1000 & you can stay at my house!

 

[legalslave]

Hi all! I really have nothing exciting to say except: This is my

1000th post.

 

[mommykds]

Hi all! I really have nothing exciting to say except: This is my

1000th post.

June!

 

[Tammi67]

Hi all! I really have nothing exciting to say except: This is my

1000th post.

WOOHOO!!

 

[legalslave]

Oh yeah, besides 1000 posts, my ME tags came today!

 

[Steffy]

Well you hit everything except the World of Disney store! Here is my suggestions.

Empire State building. You must get there at opening! We were there in December. The line doesn't look long however it was deceiving because the line goes so far & then you can't see anymore past the "next room". We thought we were on a short-ish line but we ended up waiting 2 1/2 hours with 3 kiddies...no pretty. We didn't know where the end of the line was so we had no idea how much longer the wait was...go early!!!!!!!!

Ground Zero is downtown...not walking distance from Times Square (I have walked it but not with the 3 kids) You would need to take a cab...I love NY but I have never (& will not) put my kids on the subway JMHO. Get a yellow cab with a medalion on the hood not a gypsy driver (black town cars & the like) There is no memorial there yet.

The rockerfeller Christmas tree is usually lit the first Tuesday of December however the lights in the stores may be up. The best place to see the windows is at Lord & Taylor. Each year there is a theme to the window displays & they are lovely. L&T is on 39th & 5th. Santa will be at Macy's the day after Thanksgiving. Macy's also has the Percy the Penquin show for kids (corny but the kids like it).

Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island. We have never been as a family but Katie just had a school trip to Ellis Island & Dana chaperoned & they had a great time.

American Girl (our girls home away from home! ) they have been celebrating their birthdays there for 3 years in a row now. Check out there website for show/lunch time & make reservation early especially since its during a busy time...Just to let you know I make my Dec ressies in June/July to be sure of the times/shows I want.

Toys R Us...gets very & I mean very packed right at the time as people are shopping for the holidays. It is worth a trip though. In the front of the store there is a huge-o ferris wheel inside the store the kids can ride. Each car has a theme (barbie, toy story, etc) There is a life size T-Rex in the back that growls & moves. Also a life size barbie house with what else? Barbie merchandise. Haven't been to FAO in a long time since its farther down on 5th towards Central Park (near the Plaza hotel).

Everything on your list looks great & fun..just call for ressies early & get out touring early & you will get to see alot & have a great time!

ETA: If you are looking for a fun restaurant for the kids Planet Hollywood has always provided us with good service, good food, more importantly good coffee! PH is in Times Square. I do not suggest Hard Rock Cafe (horrible food & worse service) or Mars 2112. Microwaved food & scary servers

Also I checked with Dana & he said Marriott Marquis & the "W" were very nice to stay at ...do not stay at the hotel Edison.

Anne Marie,

I agree with everything on this list with one suggestion. I would go to the Empire State Building in the evening. And I would buy my tickets online. Here's why. The tours and tour buses are going during the day. That's why the line is so gawdawful long. And as you say, the line is deceiving. If there is a line outside, the line inside is 3 times as long.. (think Great Movie Ride, if the line is all the way outside, forget it!!!)

Plus, there are two lines. One line for tickets and then anothe huge line to get the elevator. If you already have tickets, you bypass one 45 minute minimun line. IMHO....

If you go after 6:00, and already have your ticket, you won't have to wait. At least, this has been my experience. Plus the view is downright stunning.

 

[Steffy]

I keep editing my last post because I keep thinking of other things..

Today show. You can also be on t.v. if you are in the plaza. Right behind where the tree (rock center) is. There is a little plaza where you can walk in the street (1 block long) that is where all the today folks come out to say hi to the crowd.
Nintendo World is over there if the boys like video games.

Also no matter your religion, St. Patrick's Cathderal has some beautiful architecture & statues inside. We usually go for mass but you can also go in & sight see. NY St. Pat's is bigger than the one in Dublin. The church is right across from Rock center on 5th ave.

If you want to attend mass, you have to have a ticket....

It is gorgeous.....