gail

I would take a giant step back. It seems that the NASCAR parade is not really a parade, as has been researched by posters here. Perhaps it used to be a parade, perhaps family member misunderstood what it is.

Check back with family member to see if what it is is what she wants.

If not, file all this info and if she wants to see a show, pick a more weather-hospitable time in NYC.

vickib2

ok -- we now have reservations for two rooms at the Milford Plaza -- not particularly nice, but it will do. My cousin is thrilled at the idea of staying in the heart of the Theater District. The only thing that will make it better will be if we get to see those darn cars drive by!

My other two cousins say that I am stressing too much over this trip. Imagine that! : ) Moi? I just want to be sure everyone has a good time and that we anticipate any problems that we might have so that we can deal with them now.

Now I have to decide on a show - I think I'll wait a month before starting on that!

Thanks so much for all your help. You all got me to do an about-face once again!

Vicki

nytraveler

Sympathize with needing a break - but suggest that if you wait a month before booking a show you will have many fewer choices and may have to pay higher prices.

Suggest you go now to playbill.com to check out the options - then look at broadwaybox.com to see which are offering discounts. Buying tickets now ill give you the best choice of seats in any price range (and perhaps your only chance for hit shows).

paula1470

I'm with nytraveler. If you are going in Nov, you need to get those theater tickets now. I don't think that's anywhere near as difficult as deciding on a hotel. LOL

You mentioned Curtains. I think that would be a show that all would enjoy. I know broadwaybox has discounts on that show. Discounts do expire so I wouldn't waste too much time.

Dohlice

Keep checking the NASCAR website. Each car will probably be spending time at certain locations where you may be able to meet the driver or at least get a very close look at the car. Last time I noticed them here they were at a lot of the Modell’s sporting goods stores. That way if you miss the parade you can at least get something. I’m not a NASCAR fan myself but there are actually a lot of fans here.

I’m glad you’ll be staying in the city. I noticed you said you were here before during the summer. Traffic in/out of the city changes drastically in the summertime and you’re travel time could easily triple. (I’m dreading next Tues when everyone magically returns) I just saw Curtains and it was a great show. Very entertaining and very funny. Please do get tickets now if you are able to get them at a discount. You might be able to get them at the TKTS booth day-of but I went on a Tues and didn’t see a lot of empty seats, so I wouldn’t want you to miss it. If your cousin really doesn’t want a wheelchair consider at least one of those folding light stools. I’ve seen people sitting on them waiting for the light to change!

vickib2

Hi guys,

I'm still planning our trip. Cousin wants to go to Sardi's for dinner, and we're also thinking about going to the Christmas Show at Radio City. I'm wondering if the show is a touristy waste of time, or actually worth seeing? Any thoughts?

Sardi's gets fairly good comments on Trip Advisor, so I guess we'll go there for sure.

I think we've decided on Jersey Boys, with plans to purchase tickets this week.

I think this visit is going to cost more than any of my previous visits to New York! I can spend a whole day just walking, taking in the sights and taking pictures -- activities that are "free."

So, anyway...what do ya'll think of the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall?

Vicki

paula1470

I can't answer about the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall but just wanted to give you a few comments about Jersey Boys. As was mentioned previously, the show is sold out through the end of the year except for premium seat pricing and orchestra seats with partial view. I checked one of the dates you were looking for and saw that there were tickets in the back rows of the orchestra center section with partial view. I think in this theater it's just hard to see the things that happen up on the catwalk they have built for the set. You might be able to see if you lean forward. For this show I don't think you'll miss much. These seats are $116.50 plus handling charge. Just wanted to make sure you realized the situation with Jersey Boys and also you won't be able to get any discounts (obviously). If your group doesn't want to spend that much per ticket, then I think Curtains would be a good second choice. There are discounts for Curtains through www.broadwaybox.com.

paula1470

Looks like the current discount for Curtains is only good through Nov 16. On theatremania and playbill, the discounts are good through Sep 30. They will probably extend the discounts but you never know. Personally I would pay the money for Jersey Boys-I loved it and if that's what your cousin wants to see then that should be first choice.

I think it's great you are doing this for your cousin and if you have to spend a little extra money so that she can do the things she wants, then it's worth it. After all, it's a "once in a lifetime" trip for her.

Martrese

Vicki, Radio City itself is a wonder to behold and the Christmas Show is a nice treat. If you have the time to squeeze it in (and if the interest is there), I say Go for it! They offer backstage tours to show you how the place operates. It's quite a gorgeous theater.

vickib2

oh dear...what's "partial view"? I think I have read a discussion about this previously and will search it, but Paula, are you saying that we might miss seeing some things? We knew we'd have to buy premium tickets so that my cousin would not have to climb stairs. So "partial view" premium seats are the only tickets available?
Geez!
Vicki

ggreen

Vicki, I only just saw this post - and was relieved to see you've decided on a Manhattan hotel! I have actually taken a taxi from East Rutherford, NJ back into the city, because it was too late at night to take the bus. And it was $60, plus tip.

I also wanted to give you this link to a thread started by Fodor's Editor Katie_H, in case you hadn't seen it:
NYC Mini-Trip Report with Accessibility On the Brain
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35053542

I hope this helps!
ggreen

paula1470

Vicki-The partial view seats are the orchestra seats that are the regular orchestra price of $116.50. The only ones available until Jan 2008 are ones with partial view. There is a catwalk in some of the scenes where the action takes place up high but these scenes are short and most of the action takes place center stage. For the night I looked, the partial view seats were Row X but the seats were in the center. If I remember right the reason the view is limited is because the mezzanine hangs down over the back rows making it hard to see what's up high. You might be able to see it if you lean forward. I am sure there are others here who know a little bit more about the seating at the August Wilson Theatre.

As far as the Premium Seats, yes, they are available but the price during the week is $300 per ticket. These are in the center section closer to stage. Personally I just can't see spending that kind of money. That would be $1200 for four tickets. I don't think you'd miss that much with the partial view. Obviously these tickets are sold because seldom is there a performance that's not a sell out. If the seats are sold ahead of time, people line up to get last minute tickets for this show.

paula1470

meant to say if the tickets AREN'T sold out ahead of time, they are sold at last minute sales.

karameli

One more poster defying your instructions and suggesting you think about a hotel in the city. I know it's more expensive, and I know your (mobile) daughter had no problems with it. But you've emphasized your travel companion's mobility limitations. I used to commute from NJ into the city, and out of curiosity, I once tracked my commute with a pedometer -- my "easy" direct-train commute included almost a full mile of walking up and down stairs in the train stations. Will you have to connect buses? You may not want to wear your cousin out before she even gets to NYC. There are a ton of threads on here with inexpensive (and clean) options in NYC.

I don't know if any theaters that aren't fully accessible -- just pick the show you all want to see, call the box office to make sure it's accessible, and book it.

Once you're IN the city, mobility shouldn't be much of an issue. Flat streets, wide sidewalks, plenty of places to rest. It's really not a bad thing to be "forced" to slow down and enjoy New York. Have fun!

paula1470

karameli-If you had read all of this thread before you posted you would see that vicki has booked two rooms at the Milford Plaza. She had no problem with staying in the city, it was convincing her travel companions which she did.

paula1470

vicki-Any luck with Jersey Boy tickets? If you have questions about the partial view seating, start a new thread asking about partial view seats for Jersey Boys or at the August Wilson Theatre. Then some of our NY theatre experts can answer your questions better than me.

vickib2

Hi,

Here's an update on our trip to NYC being planned for the week after Thanksgiving:

My cousin (not the one who is mobility-challenged) bought four Jersey Boy tickets, through Playbill, for something like $126, including tax (each, of course). And these are NOT partial view. I'm not sure how she did this, since I had been told there were no regular-priced tickets left, except for partial view.
?
So, anyway, looks like we'll get to see Jersey Boys! Yea! I can't wait!

The show is the only "firm" plan we've got, so far. My cousin wants to dine at Sardis, so we do need to get those reservations. I guess we will plan that for our evening entertainment on the night we do not go to the show since I will want to savor the food and atmosphere and not rush off to the show (and I don't think we will want to wait until after the show to eat...unless...is it true that the Broadway actors go there to eat after the shows?)

On another note -- my daughter and I are going to New York this weekend! She won't be able to accompany us when my cousins and I go in November, so we've sort of decided on the spur of the moment to go up. We will be staying in East Rutherford, and I will report back honestly whether my initial impression of "this isn't so bad" is still valid.

Vicki

paula1470

Vicki-Glad you got tickets to Jersey Boys. You will love it. Would love to know how your cousin got those tickets. If you buy tickets through Playbill, it takes you directly to telecharge. And for your dates all I still saw was partial view. But either way, I don't think it matters, all the seats are fine. And if you find out your cousin's secret, let us know.