“Can We Go Home Yet??” - A Day Trip into NYC! - COMPLETE! - UPDATED 10/27 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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“Can We Go Home Yet??” - A Day Trip into NYC! - COMPLETE! - UPDATED 10/27
“Can We Go Home Yet??” - A Day Trip into NYC!
This trip came about as we’ve been wanting to take the kids into the city for quite some time. We pass the skyline numerous times each year as we’re going over the Whitestone Bridge to Long Island to visit the in-laws, with hopes of “Yeah, we still haven’t gone into the city and need to do that”! Well the time finally came on Columbus Day weekend.
It was a soccer free weekend for us, which meant we could focus on something else instead of spending the entire Saturday at the soccer fields! Plus the kids have Monday off (DH did not but he took a vacation day). Into NYC we go, and hopefully we’d have a great time!
Alexa wanted to see the Empire State Building, so online I went to pre-purchase tickets. Thankfully Colin was free, as it was $54 for the 3 of us It would have cost another $50 to go to the tippity top, instead of just the 86th floor I think I’ll save my money (stay tuned on whether or not that was the right decision). I also bought the train tickets online as well for the LIRR. It was disappointing to see they no longer had an express train from the stop we take Of course, it’s been 10 years since the last time Matt and I went into the city from that station, so I guess I should have expected changes
The master plan was to hit the Empire State building first, before the crowds did. Next up would be Times Square, followed by a walk up to Rockefeller Plaza and then a pit stop at the Disney Store on 5th Avenue. Maybe squeeze some time in at Central Park as well. Maybe I’m asking too much
Here we go……….
It was another beautiful fall weekend in NYC (ok, it felt like summer). I think the forecast was for 85 degrees in the city. Thankfully this allowed us not to have to carry any jackets or other bulky items with us! We brought the stroller for Colin. Yes, he’s 5, but he’s tiny, and we knew he’d never make it with all the walking. Alexa on the other hand, is 55 pounds and too big for a stroller now. She’d have no choice but to walk. Or walk and pout as was most the case!
The train ride was uneventful. Thankfully we get on the first stop, so we had our choice of seats. Since we had to stop at every station, the train really filled up by the time we got to Queens. I guess maybe going on a holiday weekend might not have been the best of plans?? We made it to Penn Station unscathed, and headed up to street level. I didn’t have the maps out, and let DH navigate. Poor choice. He starts walking in one direction thinking it’s that way. But all the BIG buildings are behind us, I think we’re going the wrong way? Oh well, I guess you’re right
On the Train
Once turned around, we were staring right at the Empire State Building. Now that wasn’t too hard It was just up a couple blocks, and we were there. Now since the day was going to be so warm, there was fog early in the day that was in the process of burning off. Most of it had, so we just decided to bite the bullet and head upstairs to the observatory now, as the crowds were still light.
Thankfully I had the tickets bought online. I never saw the ticket office We had to go up to the 2nd floor, then wait in a line, then a fast ride up to the 80th floor, where you had to wait in another line. Plus, they take your picture and put the NYC skyline in the background. We found NYC to be more touristy than WDW Take your picture here, take it there, over here. They must have studied Disney extensively
I digress……finally we made it up to the 86th floor (after being human sardines in the last elevator). We made our way outside, and while the view was still a big foggy/hazy, you could see most everything.
I think it was after that shot of the kids that it started……Is it time to go back to Grandma’s yet? Of course, I was patting myself on the back for not spending the extra $50 to get all the way to the top We said no, it’s not time to go back, grin and bear it. I wanted to take more pictures!
His expression says it all, doesn’t it??
Finally done with my pictures, we headed inside to the gift shop. Say gift shop to my kids, and their mood perks up immediately Of course, I wasn’t willing to spend an arm and a leg in here But what a find…..there were nameplates with kids names on them. Now, we can NEVER find Alexa. It’s Alexandra, or Alexis, never Alexa. But our luck was changing. It was a street sign, that said Alexa Way on it, and had the NYC skyline in the background SOLD. And thankfully they also had a Colin Place. SOLD again! For a grand total of $13 for both The trip to the Empire State building was saved by the signs!!
We made our way back down the first elevator to the 80th floor. That’s where they queued you thru (in fine Disney fashion) to pick up the photo they took of you and try to get you to buy it. It was actually a great picture of us, but I just balked at the $25 price tag So no picture Back to the other elevator, and we were back to the 2nd floor, and soon ground floor. DH had to use the facilites, but can’t find any on the first floor, and learns he’d have to go thru security again in order to use them. NOTE to those traveler’s with small bladders in NYC……..use the restroom when you see one, because you might not see another for a while
Back out on the street (where it was starting to hop), the posted wait time was now over an hour to go to the top. This is where my planning paid off We really didn’t have to wait at all, just walk thru the queues And thankfully there was a Starbucks on the corner, so DH could use their facilities (and made sure Colin did as well)!
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Marnie, you are a brave woman taking two small children to NYC. I've been there on business plenty of times and have seen many a whiny, tired child who just doesn't want to be there. Hopefully your touring perks up without hitting too many more gift shops.
Sounds like a great start...pictures were really nice. It is so funny becuase living in NYC all my life the last time I was at the Empire State Building was...maybe when I was 8...lol
I walk past it all the time but even my kids have no urge...guess when it is something in thier backyard it is considered "BORING"...
I however did excite them with a trip to the Natural History Mueseum (with a detour at the Disney Store - don't ask I still find it hard that no matter where in the city we are we must detour at the Disney store... )
Excited to hear about your Times Square Afternoon...
I love your pictures. NYC is one place I'd love to see. DD wants to go to the area where the WTC towers once stood. I don't know if I could have went outside to the observation deck there-my fear of heights has gotten so bad I would have had a major anxiety attack!! I can fly all over the world but thinking of going outside that far off the ground would make me vomit in a minute.
I'll be waiting to read your next update!! Hope you hurry back soon with more!
You said..."my fear of heights has gotten so bad I would have had a major anxiety attack!! I can fly all over the world but thinking of going outside that far off the ground would make me vomit in a minute.my fear of heights has gotten so bad I would have had a major anxiety attack!! I can fly all over the world but thinking of going outside that far off the ground would make me vomit in a minute."I know the feeling...I was never scared of heights until 9/11 and since then I chose to remain close to the ground...
Even when I was looking for my new job...I had anxiety about what I would do if I got offered a job on the 80 something floor....I could just picture myelf turning down a better paying job becuase of the floor of the office...
SOme angels must have been looking my way becuase my new job...3rd floor (and they also have offices on the 6th floor - that I can handle.... )
Great start Marnie - you're bringing back a lot of fond memories of New York and I can't wait to read more, especially with our planned day there at the start of our fall 2008 trip...
I am enjoying reading about your trip into NYC Marnie!! I will be making my first trip Feb 6 to see the Lion King. Though it will be a bit cold when I go.
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It would have cost another $50 to go to the tippity top, instead of just the 86th floor 
I think I’ll save my money (stay tuned on whether or not that was the right decision). I also bought the train tickets online as well for the LIRR. It was disappointing to see they no longer had an express train from the stop we take 
Of course, it’s been 10 years since the last time Matt and I went into the city from that station, so I guess I should have expected changes 
It was just up a couple blocks, and we were there. Now since the day was going to be so warm, there was fog early in the day that was in the process of burning off. Most of it had, so we just decided to bite the bullet and head upstairs to the observatory now, as the crowds were still light.
We had to go up to the 2nd floor, then wait in a line, then a fast ride up to the 80th floor, where you had to wait in another line. Plus, they take your picture and put the NYC skyline in the background. We found NYC to be more touristy than WDW 
We said no, it’s not time to go back, grin and bear it. I wanted to take more pictures!
SOLD. And thankfully they also had a Colin Place. SOLD again! For a grand total of $13 for both 
Back to the other elevator, and we were back to the 2nd floor, and soon ground floor. DH had to use the facilites, but can’t find any on the first floor, and learns he’d have to go thru security again in order to use them. NOTE to those traveler’s with small bladders in NYC……..use the restroom when you see one, because you might not see another for a while 
And thankfully there was a Starbucks on the corner, so DH could use their facilities (and made sure Colin did as well)!
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