Have you regretted getting New York CityPASS?
Jun 19th, 2012, 08:19 PM
#1
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Have you regretted getting New York CityPASS?
I'm leaning towards getting the New York CityPASS and am interested in experience anyone who has gotten one had.
I like the idea of not nickel and dimeing each tourist attraction, especially with 4 kids. Also, if there is a way to get in a shorter line - I'm all for it. Plus I'm wondering if it will encourage us to visit some places that we might not have if it weren't already included like the Terra Cotta soldiers.
My main question is - does anyone feel it wasn't worth it?
I like the idea of not nickel and dimeing each tourist attraction, especially with 4 kids. Also, if there is a way to get in a shorter line - I'm all for it. Plus I'm wondering if it will encourage us to visit some places that we might not have if it weren't already included like the Terra Cotta soldiers.
My main question is - does anyone feel it wasn't worth it?
Jun 19th, 2012, 08:21 PM
#2
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crap, I meant NewYorkPass: http://www.newyorkpass.com/prices.aspx
Jun 20th, 2012, 03:10 AM
#3
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It's very difficult to make these passes pay - you really need to rush around to get to enough places to cover the cost. Also, the not waiting on line benefit is often illusory. There really aren't many places where there are lines. Primarily SoL - which isn't open now - and advance ferry tickets can be bought from National Park Service. It does get you past the ticket buyers line for ESB (although I think ToTR is better) - but you still have to wait on one long line for the first elevator ride and then another long line for the second elevator to the top level.
Is all that money worth not waiting behind 3 or 4 people to get into a museum?
Is all that money worth not waiting behind 3 or 4 people to get into a museum?
Jun 20th, 2012, 05:17 AM
#4
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They can be a good deal if you get the 7-day pass and can get it at a steep discount, as is sometimes the case. But paying full price is not a good deal, nor is any pass for less than 7 days; the one-day pass is the absolutely worst value. And with 4 kids I think it's going to be virtually impossible to get your money's worth. I can't imagine you're going to be able to hit more than 2 expensive attractions in any given day, and you really need to hit 3 in order to get a lot out of the pass if you buy the 4-day version. These passes are currently on sale, though not a great sale.
You don't really save that much time in lines except at the Empire State Building (not recommended), and you can do that yourself by buying tickets in advance.
In order to figure out if it's worth the cost, just put together a list of the major attractions you want to see and their prices. See if your cash outlay would exceed the cost of the pass, and then buy if it does. But don't expect a huge savings in waiting times. And if you go to the Museum of Natural History, you can pay whatever you wish ($1 each if you want to) and just pay for the planetarium show.
You don't really save that much time in lines except at the Empire State Building (not recommended), and you can do that yourself by buying tickets in advance.
In order to figure out if it's worth the cost, just put together a list of the major attractions you want to see and their prices. See if your cash outlay would exceed the cost of the pass, and then buy if it does. But don't expect a huge savings in waiting times. And if you go to the Museum of Natural History, you can pay whatever you wish ($1 each if you want to) and just pay for the planetarium show.
Jun 20th, 2012, 07:25 AM
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We used it a few years ago and it was great for us. We have 4 kids as well. I think we got a 3 day pass. We did run around a lot to make it worth it, but I think that is part of the fun. We toured Radio City, Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center , Circle Line Tour and saw the Bodies Exphibit. We wouldn't have done those things without the pass. We also hit the biggies like the Museum of NH, Statue o Liberty and Empire State Blg, but we felt like the pass gave us the chance to see other things for "free". We did get a good deal on the passes as well, so it seemed like a no-brainer. You certainly have to be on the move to make it worthwhile.
Jul 11th, 2012, 03:12 AM
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Absolutely LOVE my NYPASS. We are on day 6 and have gotten more than double our money's worth. We did the 7 day with 3 day HOHO bus. We've really enjoyed the HoHo bus too. I can see why natives don't like them, but as a tourist it really is convenient.
Jul 11th, 2012, 05:02 AM
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Hi Stephanie. I couldn't be happier that you are enjoying your trip, your hotel, and your NY Pass. The reason we natives don't like them is that they are too expensive ... certainly for the ones that last less than 3 days, but if you are particularly energetic travelers, then you can see lots of attractions. If you feel you are getting your money's worth that's all that matters.
