TR: USA Summer 2017 New York DC Boston Niagara D23 Expo!

lffam

Disney/Marvel Nutty Dad
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Well here we are again, this time a 30 day adventure starting with NYC, then Washington DC, Boston, Niagara Falls, NYC encore and Disneyland with D23 Expo as the cherry on top.

x2CmBGy.jpg


m6Um6oh.png


After a long pre-trip and planning period, much of which is documented in this PT report , it was T-1 and we were almost ready for departure.

The animals new something was going on the night before when the final packing was happening.

Sa2WNcv.jpg


Someone trying to come along
OvakyDd.jpg

Zg2Or79.jpg



<Table of Contents>

Day 1 :
 
Last edited:
T-0 : Day 1 Brisbane > LAX > JFK

We all got to bed earlier than we thought we would, though I’m not sure how well we slept. The next morning, our car was picking us up at 7:30am and was meant to be a mini van to be able to fit our luggage. A large sedan turned up and we ended up having to have one suitcase in the back seat between DW & DS. This wasn’t ideal but we didn’t have much choice at that stage. We got there ok and checked in quickly and were given our Express security & Immigration cards which got us through really quickly and we headed for the Qantas lounge.

I had read that this was a new lounge so I had some high expectations. Overall it was a nice lounge, though not really as big as I was expecting. It is two levels , however to make the space aspect a little more cramped, they had blocked off almost a third of the upstairs lounge for a “government delegation”. Food on offer was a good selection of hot and cold breakfast fare, Bacon, Scrambled eggs, croissants, pastries toast etc etc. The bar was serving some lemon spritzers which was a little different.

dHk9las.jpg


SbZ1tKn.jpg


Ct0mk6c.jpg


QTCsspg.jpg


Not our plane
v6okRxn.jpg


W5VBzOr.jpg


8ITWjf1.jpg

7lrnTv9.jpg


We had a relaxing wait and the excitement was starting to build. The government delegation turned out to be the Qld Premier and her entourage and also the ex Labor treasure Wayne Swan who also turned out to be on our plane.

It was approaching the time that we thought we would wander down to the depature gate. As we got out of the lounge and started to walk towards the gate, we heard a call over the PA for our flight and they were paging certain passengers. They called DS name. We all looked at each other with a bit of apprehension and wondered what that was about. I must admit I did get a little worried, but we hightailed it to the gate and approached the security. We advised that DS was called over the PA and they said that he was randomly selected for a Homeland security check which included an explosives test and pat down. They said that pax are selected randomly and they are not advised the age of the paxs so it was just routine. They allowed me to go with DS as the check was done to the side and behind the main check in area. It was all straight forward and didn’t take long at all. DW had already passed through the check-in and was waiting for us. Within a few minutes we all exhaled and were boarding the flight, ready to start this new adventure.

Settled into our seats nicely at the front section of the plane. Last time we flew Qantas to US we were in the upper deck and really loved it. This time the upper deck was all full so we got the front section and took row 3. The seat config is 2x2x2 in the section of the plane. The middle two seats each had unhindered access to the aisle left and right so it is a nice set up. DS & DW had the window and aisle 3A&B and I was on just across the aisle in 3E.

b6rfdXp.png


DS did his little trick of giving the cabin staff a box of treats (Tim Tam Bites) which they really appreciated.

Some refreshments and drinks before take-off and then we were away on time. Food and service on board was great. We were served a full 3 course meal a few hours in and also a hot breakfast before arriving in LAX.

nK0gTq0.jpg


Dinner Menu
zKiISc3.jpg


H98mdOt.jpg


mLU1phj.jpg


3HwUEuH.jpg


9NqfGXZ.jpg

OR5CGjU.jpg

VXSeXkc.jpg



Eventually we arrived in LA. Got through immigration using the automated machines. Only took about 10mins. Baggage was out quickly and then we had to make our way to transit area, where we rechecked our bags for NYC flight. Through security again, which was short and painless. Then off to the Oneworld lounge.

The NYC flight was delayed a little and we boarded about 30 mins late, but then on board we were delayed again, and didn’t end up leaving till about an hour late. It was a 4hr 20min flight with lunch served. There is a 2 hour time zone difference, we landed about 5:30pm from memory.

We got off the plane and into the luggage claim area of terminal 7 at JFK. This was a really small area and with a full 747 of passengers it was pretty close quarters. Luggage came out in 15mins or so. We went out to the main terminal and was expecting to see our transfer waiting for us, like they have done every other trip. Long story short, they weren’t and phone calls to them couldn’t locate the, so we ended up catching a cab to the hotel which took about an hour. Traffic was really quite bad, or at least seemed bad for what was 5:30 on a Saturday afternoon.

Finally arrived at the hotel which by now it was 24 hours since we had left home for the first flight, so we were all pretty beat, but thankfully DS was feeling a lot better . We did have an issue at check in with the room they allocated us, wasn’t the the room we had booked. They could change it but not till tomorrow. We just wanted to get to the room. We unwound a little. DS had been drinking some water again and keeping it all down so that was a relief for all. We had a light dinner from a café next to the hotel. Watched some TV and all went to bed looking forward to a good nights sleep.
 
Last edited:
Day 2 Part 1: NYC Central Park

We all woke early about 5:45am well rested and eager to get out and about. DS was feeling good, with no effects of his previous bout of travel sickness so we were all relieved at that. We had bought some croissants and bagels from the markets across the road so ate them in the apartment and then decided to walk down to Central Park. The park is about 2 blocks from the hotel we stay at.

I can’t tell anyone who hasn't seen this park how expansive or how much of a stark contrast to Manhattan it is, you just wouldn't believe me unless you saw it for yourself. Last time we were in NYC we went to the park almost everyday. And last time we were in NYC it was winter, so the weather and the landscape of the park is so different. Weatherwise, this was a Brisbane Summer it was high 20s with some humidity. We were right at home. We strolled around for about 3-4 hours or over 10,000 steps according to my fitbit

Walking to Central Park
lQZhN8u.jpg


AaKUEW4.jpg


zbh4La5.jpg


NlmS0nw.jpg


JZ9kief.jpg


The contrast of Skyscrapers and the greenspace
kgzLz9B.jpg


Outside the "Dakota" where Yoko Ono lives
OYXjf61.jpg


gAMdsxP.jpg


iKXQUTU.jpg


mlO6MpG.jpg


xMT4xaP.jpg


64BYEOn.jpg


Pdm0eCk.jpg


UChESUf.jpg


BT0bGb8.jpg


zvHYruJ.jpg


uT1ebdD.jpg


m15hjJS.jpg

tuyGZoZ.jpg
 
Last edited:


Day 2 Part 2

After Central Park in the morning, we went downtown to 30 Rock, also know as The Rockefeller Center. We were doing the NBC Studio Tour. We had done it last time and while it hasn't really changed at all , there was one difference which made it worthwhile. We actually got to go to the Jimmy Fallon Set, which was very very cool. Both Connor and I are big Jimmy fans so seeing the set was a great buzz for us. Unfortunately there was no photography allowed on the tour at all, so we only have our memories to share. We also looked around Time Square. I must say it doesn't really do much for me, Time Square, I'd seen last time and we went back this time mainly to see what tickets we could get for any shows at last minute, but I am not in any rush to go back there again. Maybe that's the tourist snob in me coming out, but it really doesn't do anything for me ! Well anyway here are some more pictures from the rest of day 2 in NYC. Oh and take a look at what we had for dinner, and for lunch the next day!


seric11.jpg


P4spEF3.jpg


kIUxNvG.jpg


3qbEQMZ.jpg


Jv9Le7Q.jpg


Shakespeare in the Park
ewYuWzf.jpg


WPHHnOe.jpg


KQJaY6T.jpg


uErAKEQ.jpg


hRbMtW8.jpg


rzBAwF1.jpg


RJUzt0e.jpg


Times Square with the "dropped" ball
Okk4Nca.jpg


ih3Ncpq.jpg


4P1fQkN.jpg


This is the building which was used for the external shots for Aaron Sorkin's TV show "The Newsroom" which I am a big fan of.
MiID8mI.jpg


4ykqFjw.jpg


S4jJsDr.jpg


mO8hmGA.jpg


At the NBC Experience Store
TEANlkD.jpg


lxAgcnb.jpg


Ug4J0Dg.jpg


xVTTUBo.jpg


TMolFjG.jpg


6nu2BbF.jpg


ulBxLqJ.jpg


6RDvp3u.jpg


Pricey!
SjQ4dlc.jpg



DS was making out that he was going in for Employee Registration (sign above)
aHnuJCR.jpg


bI0QjiN.jpg


HRdvQs5.jpg


FPtZ0fJ.jpg


An Alice mural in the subway on 72nd
3CgOoIh.jpg

cmaSvKg.jpg


Our dinner & lunch the next day
P5GXVFt.jpg
 
Last edited:
Yay!!!! Trip Report!!!

Your cats and dog are so cute! Bet the missed you whilst you were gone. At least they can keep each other company (and hopefully not get up to any mischief) whilst you and the family are away :)

Love the photos of the park, everything is so green! I agree, until you see Central Park for yourself, its hard to explain to others how amazing it is, all this greenery from seemingly nowhere.
 


Hey Lffam. I think I read somewhere that you are a points hacker (is that what they are called?!) Got any tips for maximising point earn and booking the flights?
 
Hey Lffam. I think I read somewhere that you are a points hacker (is that what they are called?!) Got any tips for maximising point earn and booking the flights?

Hi Zosha - well yes I guess you could say that!. Points have served us very well for our last three trips. Point accumulation is relatively easy. Look for credit cards which large points sign-on bonus. I think Virgin have a 120,000 point card going at the moment, Amex have 100,000 QF points. But you dont get these for free, there will always be an annual fee on cards with these type of bonus and usually a minimum spend, so you have to work out if they suit you spending patterns. Outside of this getting a credit card which gives you a good earn rate is key also and using it for the majority of your spending where practicably. I say where practicable as sometimes its cheaper to pay cash or DD rather than credit card , so you need to decide whats best for you.

The next thing which makes booking easier is having Status with the airline you are looking to book with. While not 100% essential, it certainly makes things a lot easier when you are a high status flyer. Gold or preferably Platinum. this usually gives you access to more reward seats and in some cases even you may be able to request seats to be released. It isn't a science, so everyone experience can be different and what may have worked for you in the past may not work again. Availability of reward seats can be scarce and can change quickly. generally if you can be flexible with your dates, traveling outside of peak times then you have a better chance that peak with steadfast dates. That said, we got 3 J class seats at start of summer School holidays 2015 and returned early Jan 2016 . But we do put that down to being pretty lucky !

there are some other tips if you want to know just PM and I'm happy to share.
 
as I mentioned earlier, we did the NBC Studio Tour. Here is the video of the "Tonight Show" that you get to make at the end. DS got to be the Host again :)

 
Day 3 Part 1

Today started out with croissants and bagels in our apartment for a quick breakfast. We then started a self guided walking tour that DS wanted to do of various sites that have been used in Marvel movies. He is creating a post and video about it so I won't give any spoilers out!

It was forecast to storm from about 12pm onward so we didn't want to be too far away and be caught out in it. We did take a walk through Central Park to get to the Upper East side. We ventured along 5th Ave, Madison Ave and Park Ave. We saw where Jackie Kennedy Onassis used to live. We went to the Met, though only in the foyer and also the Guggenheim. till DS said that it was time to "Van Gogh" and we left.

Uimg4fx.jpg


9hCNnNf.jpg


WZBF92I.jpg


F3wFcRQ.jpg


PUtG1LO.jpg


CTb62rZ.jpg


7fgdy04.jpg


The Met
VfradpH.jpg


cWLnlNp.jpg


nlGaDkz.jpg


mIGCO5e.jpg


Ks2ksHP.jpg


Jackie Kennedy Onassis' Apartment building
O7JkCQH.jpg


iyHDFb4.jpg


Jackie Kennedy Onassis' Apartment building
wO7fxyL.jpg


The Guggenheim - I thought it looked like a carp park from this vantage point! Sorry Mr Guggenheim!
lXXNcDS.jpg


2Lo257g.jpg


5Jc0QXb.jpg


Looking up at the Guggenheim
NQKsWps.jpg


DmYvDTT.jpg
 
Last edited:
Day 3 Part 2

After that, we made our way to Grand Central Station which on the inside look so much different from the outside. A really impressive space and worth seeing. The weather was still ok so we made our way to the United Nations Building, which we didn't get to go to last time. From their we decided to Uber it back to the hotel and got back around 4pm about an hour before a storm came through NYC. It was forecast to be quite bad, but where we were didn't get it too bad, though other parts of the city did from all reports.

ruADcOI.jpg


Ms15fn5.jpg


an7KPeK.jpg


vRsxgh4.jpg


Zz2ttAi.jpg


yfMJR9G.jpg


JVFJa59.jpg


48YIeEg.jpg


MOXrHR7.jpg


5zsYC1s.jpg


yFjQF1m.jpg


4fKRVXj.jpg


2V2JG2f.jpg


hYuV7l8.jpg


tFa1oWY.jpg


wDTudtj.jpg


rNQ5DTs.jpg


dFVApF0.jpg


qoZWnVh.jpg


7Lf3vwa.jpg


ph6VfFd.jpg


Bxoe7FR.jpg
 
Day 4 The High Line

Some things stop holidays. Today started off with watching the State Of Origin (game 2)on a livestream we found.

EPPizAB.jpg


3 very happy Queenslanders at full time that’s for sure.


After calming down, having some breakfast in the apartment, we went for a walk along the High Line. To get there we caught the subway to 14th St and walked through the Meat Packing District. There is a lot of construction happening all around the area of the Meat Packing District, so I’m sure next time we come here it will be quite different.

x3ODG0m.jpg


iKi6zQK.jpg


3MqcRoQ.jpg


mZrQRk6.jpg


ldoDh3Q.jpg


n5VeXy7.jpg


R1klYsR.jpg


The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. It runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues.

BcBrUZW.jpg


kPJcwBQ.jpg


I really wasn’t too sure what to expect, I’d heard a bit about it prior to our trip last time but we didn’t make it there last time. This time it was something we wanted to get to and are really glad we did. It was a great walk with some interesting vantage points to view various parts of the city that you would normally see from that view.

There was some really contrasting views of the the city in the background with green space and plants in the foreground which given the concrete jungle nature of Manhattan, is quite a contrast. I think this is why we love Central Park so much, its such a polar opposite to most of what you see here.

UVhHoHB.jpg


4YoacLp.jpg


trr5LIJ.jpg


Talking Platypus!
Cc8skLW.jpg


4zB8k3G.jpg



yRhVVtJ.jpg


Trying to work out how to Play Chess Relatives
r7XF9Wk.jpg


YDREVwI.jpg


tFa1oWY.jpg


UFaMpeq.jpg


jw9jybA.jpg


myVZOjG.jpg


cNiK7uM.jpg


yOhvwY5.jpg


peMbODC.jpg


Rather odd looking building
Ga2C0VW.jpg


oc97dRa.jpg


6DY4pRL.jpg


6PhYy84.jpg


2ypDwue.jpg
 
Last edited:
Day 4 The High Line Part 2

The different ends of the High Line are quite different. You can see the photos from the previous post that I took from the start, the area around it , while there was construction happening , there was still shops/restaurants around it and open. At the other end, near the Hudson River, its is full on construction with very little around it. We walked a while before we found occupied shops/diners etcs. I’m glad we started at the end that we did, because I think even walking to the Hudson River end I might have been giving the whole walk a second thought. It was just a really different feel to the other end I thought.

Bird baths
IS5M4Ze.jpg


Empire State Building
LDnreoV.jpg


DS & DW were looking at a vertical carpark and trying to work out how it worked
WcS0hot.jpg


pqgZQhg.jpg


U126sRG.jpg


The Vertical carpark
bbWppi7.jpg


Epj8qe1.jpg


You can take the boys out of QLD but you can't take the Queenslander out of the boys!
uJOgYs7.jpg


Yqfiq6R.jpg


1LIhk1F.jpg


I love the juxtaposition of the greenery and the skyscrapers
f07hik5.jpg


MK57Azt.jpg


This was the "hurry up already Dad" pose
t83C4zq.jpg


pUEdQf5.jpg


We had looked to stay here at the New Yorker. So glad we stuck with the tried and true Beacon. This area where the New Yorker was wasn't really that appealing to us
srQZewI.jpg



We had some lunch at a diner we found and then made our way back to The Lincoln Center TKTS venue where we bought out discounted Broadway tickets. We saw School of Rock, what a great show it was, totally recommend it so much fun and such talented performers especially the kids

mHGSd0s.jpg


aB7WsTZ.jpg


uLUujyP.jpg


swG79yN.jpg


ZzQhMIz.jpg


hYEMN86.jpg


FdlaogB.jpg


w9Zlsie.jpg


msPN8di.jpg


ON28HV8.jpg



That evening we went to see School of Rock. it was FANTASTIC! the kids are so talented, totally recommend seeing it if you get the chance.

YtHGO6M.jpg


IJgwapo.jpg


p3008Aq.jpg


3ozyNGI.jpg


We were seated early, it was a full house come showtime
u9q184F.jpg
 
Last edited:
Day 5

This was a bit of a chill day for us. We started off with breakfast at a local place then headed to the movies to see Wonder Woman. About an hour into the movie, the water sprung a leak through the ceiling at the cinemas so they had to evacuate the cinema and so we didn’t get to see the end ! We went back to the hotel for a while and then we headed back to the movies again later in the afternoon as they had given us each 2 free tickets to come again because of the earlier mishap!

We did see Hank Azaria , he was in our movie session, with who I assume is his wife and child , we followed them out, but didn't stalk them at all !
 
Day 6 Part 1

Today was a day of the Villages. We trekked our way through the West, Greenwich and East Villages . All these areas have such a different look and feel to what we have seen both uptown and downtown Manhattan. The best comparison we could think of was a bit like West End, Brisbane, only a lot larger with a very wide range of both retail shops, boutiques , specialist shops and cuisine. Our first couple of stops were apartments that have been used in a couple of well known TV shows. I’ll just post the photos and see if you can guess which ones! We also scouted out another Marvel Movie site for DS, but that will stay tight lipped till he releases his video when he’s done.

Lunch was at a pizza place that was recommended to us by one of the Qantas Cabin Crew. Bleecker St Pizza (http://bleeckerstreetpizza.com/) it was great, nothing fancy premises wise, paper plates and all, but the pizza slices were awesome, definitely recommend it if you are down this part of the city.

Does the building in the background look familiar to any of our "Friends"? :)
3sT3GzM.jpg


GEaJKzt.jpg


How about this apartment "in the City"?
whUNqCT.jpg


paE02m2.jpg


GRsnwfV.jpg


Rr8Hfc9.jpg


ppWX0pM.jpg


DdyqcDs.jpg


TiKdtxa.jpg


rmCzI7o.jpg


ouEgKDL.jpg


kRZivP8.jpg


WOty0pR.jpg


VZEwvK2.jpg


6cCuM2D.jpg


XTs7JPG.jpg


Bleecker St Pizza
v9fKZIf.jpg


2NSvY2k.jpg


fjfzxK2.jpg


MQTGTPV.jpg


pVjI6hh.jpg


dHbYHGa.jpg


After this we felt like a coffee and cold drink. We found an Aussie Bluestone Lane Café near bye and while not a Melbourne quality coffee, certainly 1000% better than what you normally get from anyone else here. I couldn’t miss the Iced Milo and this one was nicer than the one I had from the Bluestone near the Guggenheim a few days early as the previous one was a little stingy with the amount of milo they used but this one heaped it in!

Bluestone Lane Cafe
uGzp5jF.jpg


Iced Milo!
Ec3KIQi.jpg


l60mAYk.jpg
 
Day 6 Part 2

We then headed to Washington Square Park which is down near New York University. A really nice space on a warm day lots of people out enjoy the weather even playing chess on the outdoor chess tables.

Z9lPQcL.jpg


zhcWhk0.jpg


6Q1F0Fg.jpg


C1Z0s7X.jpg


zHEMHCU.jpg


GqjaSeZ.jpg


hPM4iqk.jpg


4HuMoRW.jpg


dtfn7tI.jpg


TuY4yJB.jpg


OdLf48C.jpg


oPDc9z5.jpg


Chess in the park
lfUaOJp.jpg


I just have to play with depth of field when I shoot a chess board!
rm8ZNSc.jpg


28LCxML.jpg


Watching...
MvzF7D5.jpg


J7qiywv.jpg


l3TOqFd.jpg


Gb2xPW4.jpg


In the afternoon, I went for a walk down towards the river to take a few photos while DW & DS had some chill time at the hotel.

The were filming a movie called "Puzzle"
W7HPPaL.jpg


The Restroom trailer
gu7YWnt.jpg


UcZP5wg.jpg


OTtScsA.jpg


kMmnCMV.jpg


fmDSJHD.jpg


wCy7Ezb.jpg


RDIABQI.jpg


ucWx8xJ.jpg


6EDSi8k.jpg


dCyn6Xx.jpg


VHJvrM0.jpg


7aJLhBR.jpg
 
I love your trip reports. I have lived just 4 hours from NYC all my life and have only been there once when I was 18 (a long time ago lol). Your pictures remind me of what I have been missing all these years. It looks like a city to explore.

I'm curious as to Boston being at the bottom of your list of places visited this trip. I look forward to that part of your report. I live just outside Boston and am always interested in people's take of the city.
 
I love your trip reports. I have lived just 4 hours from NYC all my life and have only been there once when I was 18 (a long time ago lol). Your pictures remind me of what I have been missing all these years. It looks like a city to explore.

I'm curious as to Boston being at the bottom of your list of places visited this trip. I look forward to that part of your report. I live just outside Boston and am always interested in people's take of the city.

Thanks ! I am glad you like them! We just love New York and would happily go back in a heartbeat, such a fantastic city to visit.

I feel like I've given Boston a tough wrap, but someplace has to be at the bottom of the list I suppose. It just wasn't really what we expected or more specificity, we expected more. Perhaps it was our choice of activities or something else I'm not sure. That said there was certainly enjoyable parts of coming to Boston. In some ways it seemed a lot like our own city. But I'll go into it more in that part of the report.
 
I forgot to post on the High Line post that I treated myself to these High Line Cuff links. I have a bit of a thing for cuff links!

9YSwUhc.jpg
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!










Top