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NYC Subway time, Waldorf to World Trade Center Memorial

NYC Subway time, Waldorf to World Trade Center Memorial

Old Nov 15th, 2011, 04:53 AM
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NYC Subway time, Waldorf to World Trade Center Memorial

We are taking a group of 75 students to NYC in early December and one of the committee members has made reservations for them to visit the WTCM at 12:30 p.m. , departing from the Waldorf to travel to the memorial. (We're not staying at the Waldorf, but will be there later that day for a reception.)

She called the Waldorf and asked how long it would take if they took the subway from the hotel to the Trade Center, and was told approximately 45 minutes. I'm not sure if they discussed the express vs. the local, but that seems like a very long trip to me. I've ridden the subway from the Upper West Side to Battery Park at mid-day on a Friday, for instance, and it didn't take anywhere near that long. Reactions?
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 05:17 AM
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You need to allow 45 minutes for several reasons. 1) You may have to wait up to 9 minutes for a train. 2) Herding 75 students simply takes longer than taking a group of 4. 3) The train that goes down there (to Fulton Street) is actually the 4 or 5, not the 6, so you will have to change trains at either Grand Central, Union Square, or Brooklyn Bridge, and the Waldorf, which is close to the 51st/Park subway stop on the 6 line is a local-only station. 4) You still need to walk to the entrance to the site from the subway, at least another 10 to 15 minutes with a group of 75.

If it were me, I'd leave an hour before the scheduled entry, but you ought to be able to make it in 45 minutes if the students already have Metro cards and if you don't tarry. The best way to travel with such a large group is to break them up into much smaller groups of no more than 8 rather than trying, as many schools do, to get 75 students together on a crowded subway platform. Regroup at a pre-determined spot once you arrive at Fulton and can get out of the train. I'd recommend next to the main entry for Century 21 since it's on a side street that isn't usually crazily busy. That's about halfway between Fulton and the WTC Memorial entry.

For all these reasons
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 05:18 AM
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HopStop guesses 32 minutes... allowing for lunchtime/tourist congestion, 45 sounds about right.

http://www.hopstop.com/?tid=hq632hwrhrmonjbs
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 05:23 AM
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When you factor in the walk to the subway from the hotel, and the walk to the Memorial from the subway - and the size of your group, I'd say that sounds about right. You don't want to feel rushed and like you are going to be late. You'd take the 6 from 51st (closest to hotel) and transfer to the 4 or 5 at Grand Central - taking that to Fulton Street.
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 05:27 AM
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Having read Doug's reply, I totally agree and would suggest you allot 1 hour to comfortably get everyone there without a lot of stress.
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 05:40 AM
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Thanks for the information! It is very helpful.
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 06:02 AM
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Will the students have MetroCards before they head to the subway stattion? If not, that will take a long time for 75 kids.

I would also advise that students know the subway stop before Fulton Street, so they can be properly herded. If they are taking the 4,5 it will be Brooklyn Bridge. Also they will probably be in different cars, unless a very empty train comes through.

Personally, I would leave 11:30 and walk the group to Grand Central rather than wait for a local and change.

I would also recommend some sort of buddy system complete with knowledge of the cell phone numbers of others. And I would also recommend holding hands but if they are high school or college kids, they are probably doing that already.
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 06:49 AM
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While the #6 local train can be entered down the block from Waldorf, Lexington Ave side, I would also suggest you walk south on Park or Lexington Aves to the Grand Central Station to catch the #4 or #5 Express to Fulton Street.

Break the 75/students into smaller groups, each with a leader with full instructions, and the mobile #s for contact.

There are a number of exits to the street once at the Fulton St. station, so suggest you use the one in the center, and once upstairs gather the groups and walk the short block to the site and then to the Memorial area.
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 07:48 AM
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Please advise us all exactly when this is taking place. I don't want to be on the subway landing when the transfer of 75 students takes place. LOL

I agree with Auduchamp that walking to Grand Central to avoid a change makes a lot of sense! Plus it makes for a nice walk and seeing a great landmark, assuming they aren't passing through Grand Central otherwise!
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 08:13 AM
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I would suggest getting the train #6 at 51st and Lex and take it to City Hall and simply walk from there to the Trade Center it's just a few blocks away. That way no need to change trains and take the chance that someone gets lost, the last stop on the train is City Hall, so everyone has to get off.

From there walk down Broadway, and you will see St. Pau's Chapel and another stop for you maybe on your way back from the WTC, a wonderful memorial to 9/11. Many of the first reponders slept/ate at St. Pauls.

The kids might enjoy an evening at Bryant Park, for some Christmas shopping and Ice Skating. Bring skates and the admission is free.

Hope you and the kids enjoy your visit to The City.
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 10:48 AM
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I like the idea of them going to Grand Central to catch the express, plus Grand Central is so beautiful, especially at this time of year!

The students are mostly juniors & seniors in college, so I don't think the hand holding suggestion would work, although it made me laugh out loud!

I'm not the one in charge, just the person who gets to do some of the logistics of the travel. If it were me, I'd probably tell them, "Okay - here's when you need to be at the WTC memorial. Figure out a way to get there, etc."

This trip is mostly to introduce them to alumni who work in the area and give the students an idea of what it would be like to live and work in the city. If we wanted to be realistic, we wouldn't "hold their hand" throughout the whole time!
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 12:09 PM
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If you do go to Grand Central, you will pass through the Main Concourse and you can ask you students what is wrong with the Beaux Arts ceiling.

1. The stars are out during the day; and
2. The images are backwards as seen from Earth. They are supposed to be seen from God's perspective, if you are a believer.
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 12:12 PM
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Twina

You could also suggest they give kids harnesses that the use to keep pre-schoolers together when they go for a walk; they look like baby oxen. Or you could give them neon colored T-shirts with the name and phone number of the school like they do for the thrid graders.
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 02:02 PM
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Aduchamp - yeah, that will work....
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Old Nov 15th, 2011, 02:36 PM
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Dumb question - if you are only going to the Waldorf afterwards, where are you actually starting from.
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Old Nov 29th, 2011, 06:35 AM
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SueNY - Our charter bus is depositing us at the Waldorf so that the students can drop off their business attire (being kept in a room provided by the Waldorf) to change into later in the day prior to the alumni/student reception.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2011, 11:53 AM
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I agree with the spacing of your group along the subway platform so that they board in several subway cars rather than trying to get into one BUT I would sincerely recommend that you walk up Lexington Avenue to East 53rd St and take a downtown E train to the last stop (World Trade Center) rather than taking the 6 and then the 4 or 5.

If you decide to go this way, just know that when you get to the WTC stop use the exit at the front of the platform, go thru the turnstiles and use the stairs to the street on the left. That will let you out by St. Paul's Chapel. Walk along Church St, past the Millenium Hilton Hotel, past the Century 21 Department store, past 1 Liberty Plaza and Zuccotti Park (wave to any "Occupy Wall St" protesters who may be in the park) to Cedar Street. Cross over Church St/Trinity Place to the other side, walk on Cedar St, past the Burger King on the corner for about 2 blocks, make a left and go 1 1/2 block to the entrance area to the WTCM.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2011, 11:55 AM
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I forgot to mention that the trip on the E train from 53rd St/Lexington Av station to the WTC station is about 22 minutes.
Allow time for walking to/from the Waldorf and waiting fro the train.
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