UPDATED: The start of a TR - slowly writing blog, new posts up

[shushh]

ehsmum, was it hard to find the carriage rides? There were a few different pick up points online and I wasn't sure if it made a difference. Do you mind sharing where you got on the carriage? Also pleased to confirm that the carriages do take 5! Some sites mentioned that it only takes 4...

 

[Jade+3]

Hurray jade +3!!!! That's exciting!

Sorry I appear to hijack everyone's thread...

You are being a social butterfly this evening!

 

[shushh]

You are being a social butterfly this evening!

I don't know how PrincessInOz does this! I can't keep up...I'm getting dizzy!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I don't know how PrincessInOz does this! I can't keep up...I'm getting dizzy!

It's an art form.....

 

[ehsmum]

Another Project Runway fan here.....

I see you actually found some more modern art in the park! Those twistees your kids are playing on look fun.

Mary Poppins would have been fantastic to see in NYC! Did you buy the tickets in advance or when you got there?

And I love going to 9th Avenue for food. It never fails to disappoint.

I bought the tickets online using a Mousesavers discount code. I had subscribed to mousesavers and checked their weekly emails for discounts. Eventually they offered a "buy one, get the 2nd ticket for $20" deal. It worked out at around US$75pp

I am really enjoying your blog - especially as DH has just said yes to New York! Just have to work out the budget.

Woo!!!

ehsmum, was it hard to find the carriage rides? There were a few different pick up points online and I wasn't sure if it made a difference. Do you mind sharing where you got on the carriage? Also pleased to confirm that the carriages do take 5! Some sites mentioned that it only takes 4...

The carriages only left from one spot - the south entrance between 5th & 6th Ave (near The Plaza Hotel) and they just do the one route. We actually wanted our carriage driver to take us a different way as we'd already walked the set route, but he said they're not allowed to. It was $50 plus tip for 20 minutes. I had also read that it was maximum 4 people per carriage but it wasn't a problem for all 5 of us to fit in.

 

[5ofus]

Great blog ehsmum!

My DH isn't interested in visiting NY at all, and I'm flat out getting a cruise out of him right now. I have five years to work on him though You make it sound like so much fun.

How did you find navigating NYC with the kids? Mine will be two years younger than yours when we go (8,6 and 4) and I'm concerned about the crowds with the two little ones.

Once again, thanks for posting!

 

[Jade+3]

How did you find navigating NYC with the kids? Mine will be two years younger than yours when we go (8,6 and 4) and I'm concerned about the crowds with the two little ones.

I would love to know your thoughts on this too. Mine will be 6, 5 and 2, so I will probably have the dreaded stroller.

 

[ehsmum]

Great blog ehsmum!

My DH isn't interested in visiting NY at all, and I'm flat out getting a cruise out of him right now. I have five years to work on him though You make it sound like so much fun.

How did you find navigating NYC with the kids? Mine will be two years younger than yours when we go (8,6 and 4) and I'm concerned about the crowds with the two little ones.

Once again, thanks for posting!

I would love to know your thoughts on this too. Mine will be 6, 5 and 2, so I will probably have the dreaded stroller.

The only place that I think would be a problem is Times Square, especially on the weekend. That place was packed! And if the crowd is going in the opposite direction, then you get nowhere fast. Nothing different to Main Street USA at Disney though .

If you're not in a rush it shouldn't be a problem. Allow plenty of time to get to tours/shows. Don't try to get anywhere in peak hour and don't be afraid to use the subway and the buses.

As for the stroller, I'm not sure how you will go with all the security checkpoints and lines. You'd probably be best to get something lightweight that you could fold and carry easily.

 

[ehsmum]

I've posted our last day in NYC, but don't get too excited as it was a pretty boring day!

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-york-day-10.html

Now on to Washington DC!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sounds like normal life in New Joisey!

Did you daughter enjoy her dancing trip?

 

[aussietravellers]

Wow sounds like a very long exhausting day! Have really enjoyed reading about your NY adventures. Looking forward to Washington.

 

[ehsmum]

Sounds like normal life in New Joisey!

Did you daughter enjoy her dancing trip?

She did, thanks . It was totally different then what she's used to and very overwhelming, but a great experience.

Wow sounds like a very long exhausting day! Have really enjoyed reading about your NY adventures. Looking forward to Washington.

It was exhausting and I wasn't in the best mood because I felt like we were wasting a day. It was a good experience for DD though.

First day in Washington is up

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2010/10/washington-dc.html

 

[shushh]

It must have been so exciting to travel all that way to compete! But I think I would be rather frustrated too as a spectator mum

Union station does look beautiful! We've booked our slots for the visitor centre as well as the washington monument and we'll just wing the rest. Would love to know where else you went for meals. I suppose I should wait until the next post!

 

[ehsmum]

There was more dancing in Orlando and I was very annoyed at it interfering with my Disney time!

Do you actually have a tour of the White House booked? I didn't realise you could even do that, so didn't look into it early enough but I think that would be really cool. The Visitor Center was okay, but nothing like the real thing (and we didn't need to book that, anyone can go in just like the other museums).

Next post

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2010/10/washington-dc-day-2.html

 

[PrincessInOz]

Washington DC looks like a great place to visit. DH went years ago and we keep talking about going but have never made it. I think I'm going to start talking about it again......

Your daughter is obviously better - but I wondered if she got the bug bad?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[ehsmum]

I forgot to say that she was fine by the next morning, thank goodness. I think it was just a 24 hour thing and she didn't seem to get the worst of it.

DC is gorgeous! 2 days wasn't enough but I'm glad we got to see the little bit that we did. The rest of our group went straight to Orlando from NYC so taking in Washington meant us losing 2 days at Disney, but it was worth it. I'd love to visit again and see some more .

Thanks for reading .

 

[aussietravellers]

I've loved reading about your DC trip. I haven't been there before and I'm kind of wishing that we had added a couple of days there this trip!

Next time

 

[ehsmum]

I'd actually like to do a lot more of the East Coast - Boston, New England etc and if we do that I'd definitely do DC again. It's on the wishlist!

Next post:

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2010/10/orlando.html

 

[Mum from oz]

Whew, just caught up! Loved your NY visit, makes me want to go now Can't wait to hear all about WDW!

 

[ehsmum]

Thanks for reading, Mum_from_Oz!

Another post:

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2010/10/orlando-day-2.html