vstrip

Planning a "Big" Birthday celebration for the week before Christmas and taking family. Of course Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular is a must. Is it worth the extra (and how much is the extra$$) for the VIP Elite Reception? Thanks for any suggestions or comments. Also looking for a special birthday dinner to enjoy the view? Two teenage sons who are fun but not gourmet dinners. Boys have never been to NYC and it's been at least 15 years since I've been.

MrPep23

I can't tell you if it is worth the extra since I have never been, but I found some information on the Radio City Music Hall web site that might help.

Each VIP Elite Reception ticket costs $325.00.
This is as opposed to: $129 for regular VIP (VIP tickets also include free soda & popcorn), $95 for Prime, $77 for Orch/1st Mezz, $64 for 2nd Mezz, and $49 for 3rd Mezz.

This is what VIP Elite includes in case you did not know:

- The best seats in the house (first 5 rows in the Orchestra, Rows CC - GG, section 400)
- Private executive entrance to Radio City Music Hall
- Private reception (begins 1hr and 15 minutes prior to show time) in the Roxy Suite with a special appearance by two Rockettes and Santa Claus. Holiday hors d'oeuvres and open bar are available.
- Deluxe gift bag including the Christmas Spectacular Souvenir Book
- Complimentary soft drink or water and popcorn during the performance
- Private restroom access
- Personal usher to escort you and your guests to their seats
There are only 28 VIP Elite performances, they are pretty much every weekend before Christmas starting November 20.

Cicerone

IMO the first five rows in the orchestra in any theatre would NOT be the "best" seats or even good seats; too much neck craning, too loud, and most importantly you can't take in the perspective of the action on the entire stage. I think this would be doubly so for the Chistmas Show. You would want to be in the center seats in the middle of the orchestra for the best seats, IMO.

I am not sure two teenage boys have any interest in meeting Santa, and you may not have any interest in them meeting a Rockette?.Just an opinion, but for that kind of money per person, I would use the $200 difference between the VIP and Premier for an excellent dinner with good wine at a very nice restaurant in NYC, as I think it would be money better spent. I am thinking the Rainbow Room, certainly a more memorable experience IMO than meeting Santa and getting free popcorn.

Patrick

The last time I saw the Christmas Show I got tickets direct just after they first went on sale. We were about the sixth row center orchestra and the seats were great. Some like being back futher, but I like to really see. But when we got there the rows in front of us were blocked off and soon all these VIP people came in with their special "gifts" and filled those front rows. Unfortunately, you really can't see much of the stage from those first few rows as it is very high. As any action moves back on stage, it goes out of sight of those VIP seats. I sure wouldn't pay extra for them!

deborahk

I saw the show last year. I got the tickets probably 3-4 months ahead of time and had very good seats. We were probably 1/3 of the way back, in the center section and it was great. You wouldn't want to be too far back because it is a huge place and it's fun to be close up. We had no problem getting in and I'm just not sure it would be worth the extra money. The show may be enough in itself without all those extras-especially for teenage boys. Hope that helps.

Ozarksbill

I can't comment on ticket prices as we were with a special group last December. But I can recommend the Christmas Spectacular as being just that...lots of music, lights, color, costumes, dancing. It is more than just the Rockettes.

My opinion is that in this large auditorium being up front is no advantage...you want the bigger picture.
Yes, seats in orchestra would be fine.
You might include a tour of the Radio City Music Hall while you're at it. Since the boys have never been to the City some sightseeing might be in order.

Bill in Missouri [email protected]

djkbooks

We went with VIP seats one year. I wouldn't recommend spending the extra and would encourage you not to.

You don't need a special entrance (the regular entrance is just fine, line moves very quickly), private restrooms, or a special usher to get to your seats.

We thought the VIP seats were WAY too close (midway back in the orchestra was much better, even farther would have been just fine).

You pay a lot extra for the "complimentary" beverage and popcorn. We left with two bags of stuff we gave to some young kids on the way out.

If you have an American Express Gold Card, go to www.americanexpress.com/gce for priority seating.

Seagrill with windows on the skating rink at Rockefeller Center would be a nice place for dinner.

vstrip

thanks for all the great feedback - for sure we will just buy regular seats in a good location and use the extra dollars for a memorable dinner.