My personal choice would be NY, but it's not my birthday. NY will be cold. We were there last December and last January nearly freezing.....and we're from Minnesota! That cold wind can really curtail walking around. It will also be quite expensive for a decent hotel. Consider your budget. The three places will be vastly different in cost. However, the strong GBP may make it all seem like a bargain for you. Having said that, I love NY in December. The holiday displays are pure joy....just magically romantic.

I do like DisneyWorld and the first week in December is a good time to be there regarding fewer people, however it will still be busy. You can easily spend a week there doing a different "land" each day and taking it easy. It will be much warmer than NY, but not laying by the pool warm most likely.

I, personally, get bored in Vegas in a day or two. As others have said, it's much farther to fly and not as varied.

Good luck and HB to your DH.

NYC - no contest.. the other two options are essentially 'amusement parks' of varying degrees. It will likely be cold in those locales as well. In addition, a direct, much quicker flight will serve you well due to the relative shortness of your stay.

For that time of year NYC is best choice. The Xmas tree is up, lots of shows, not too hot, not too cold, etc.
BTW, you could take a bus to Atlantic City to check out the casinos... that'll take care of your gambling bug.
Ifcourse Vegas is a better choice in Dec than in June-Aug as its not hot. But drive from Vegas to LA is too long.

It won't be busy at all in Las Vegas at that time of year. You'll find some cheap hotel rates. And cheap one-way flights to the LA area.

I saw your post saying that you would choose one of the three but I highly recommend going to both LV and Disneyland. Three days in Las Vegas is enough.

It is only a 4 hour drive from LV to LA and it is only about 48 minutes flying. You can buy a ticket today for LAS to Long Beach on jetBlue for $59 one-way (on Dec 19). Or, on the same day it is $69 to LAX. I would not be surprised if those fares dropped $10 or $20.

I suggest flying into LV on the 16th and then fly to LGB or LAX on Monday. Then back to home on the 22nd or 23rd.

LV, right before Christmas is very slow. Yes, better deals on hotels. I like the above suggestion of LA/LV combo. Or head to Disneyworld.

Have you thought about Mayan Riviera or the Caribbean?

It would be relatively cold in Las Vegas, maybe 55F for the high and could get to freezing overnight. Anaheim would be around 65F for a high and 55F for the lows (20 degrees warmer than NY).

I like the idea of Las Vegas then Disneyland. Even though cool that time of year it will likely be sunny. Could you fly into Vegas and out of LAX?

Nothing wrong with NYC at Christmas time. Coming from the UK would be the easiest logistically and shortest flights.

It's just these couldn't be a more different kinds of trips!

I say NEW YORK....especially since it is his "dream" & you love Home Alone, what could be more perfect???

New York would be my choice, hands down! I've never been there at Christmastime and would love to see the decorated windows, Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, all the sparkle of the holidays. Also wonderful museums and other sights to visit, as well as great restaurants, Broadway and so much more.

This is purely a personal preference suggestion, as I have no desire to go to any Disney destination, and Las Vegas is not high on my list either.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful first trip here and Happy 30th birthday to your husband.

Forgot to mention how wonderful the holiday shopping is in NY in December. I attended the shops at both Bryant Park and Union Square. The booths are all heated, so the weather isn't a factor. There is an ice rink in the middle of the one in Bryant Park. Lots of good food and people watching. There are a ton of booths with hand made art items for sale. Its all lit with twinkling lights at night. They are magical. There are also holiday markets at Columbus Circle and St. Barts and Grand Central Station.

http://www.essential-new-york-city-g...ay-market.html

The Bergdorf windows are worth a trip all unto themselves. Then there is the Rockettes' Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall and the Angel Tree at the Metropolitan Museum.

Yes...bundle up, cuddle up and go to NY. Its the place to be in December.

NYC, for sure. For all the reasons everybody has said.

I happen to really enjoy Las Vegas and visit it a few times a year, but it wouldn't be my recommendation for this trip, and I don't think it's the best place to go for a first trip to the US.

Disney World, I would not even consider. Save it for another time.

I wouldn't go to New York. If you're in the UK, London can't be that far away, and London and NY have a similiar feel. (I prefer London, myself, with its history, but the two are comparable.)

That leaves two very American experiences: Disneyworld and Las Vegas. You're not going to think that you're in anywhere else in either of these places (well, at least this Disney is *the* Disney).

I vote for Disney. Vegas would be nice, and you could daytrip to see the Grand Canyon, but a lot of people start feeling older at that 3-0 mark, and I think it would be a gentle reminder that growing older doesn't mean you have to lose your sense of fun. And if deep down he would love it, then that's even better. The weather should be fine.

Vegas is good, but it's not quite that much fun. I mean, it seems more stressful fun in a way. The casinos are huge, and at the end of the day you'll probably lose money at them and you have to pre-plan what shows you want to see. And then you've got the people shoving adult flyers at you and the smoke and noise and lights. Sensory overload. Vegas is the adult fun-the gambling and the drinks and the sex-but those can also be reminders of the bills you have to pay and the hangover you'll have and temptations of cheating on your spouse.

But Disney's like...oh! That ride looks fun! Let's go on that one! No hangover. No losing money. It just seems more playful.

So did you end up choosing New York? Looks like it based on your other post. I was going to suggest the Staybridge Suites there, a nice new hotel that's very contemporary with a kitchen, etc. but looks like your budget is much higher. Hope you guys have a wonderful trip!

NEW YORK!!!

Unless you love to gamble, Las Vegas is boring after a couple of hours.

Unless he's said, "yay Disney" forget it.

Go to NYC. Even if it's chilly there's plenty to do and a variety of that plenty to do. Vegas- one thing. Disney- one thing. After a day these things would be boring.

I love New York!

New York -- finest time to visit.

Disney World is appropriate for a third birthday, but not a thirtieth.

Vegas is pure kitsch with a veneer of vice.

Now from a guy's perspective

I remember when I was turning 30. For my birthday I definitely would have opted for Vegas. You're still young and haven't had kids yet, and you can still appreciate the wild nightlife that Vegas has to offer. See a spectacular Cirque du Soleil Show, gamble a little, and dance in the world class nightclubs. Sure, New York has great nightlife, but it is comparable to London. Vegas really is Disneyworld for adults when you understand it's totally manufactured nature. You're only young once.

Fly in and out of Los Angeles. Sample a little of the unique California life and go to Disneyland.

I'd save New York for your birthday or for another romantic occasion.

Leave Disneyworld for a few years down the road when you can take your kids.