US help.

[B772ER]

I'm planning a trip to USA East coast in late Nov 2014 for my family of 4 including 2 children age 13,14.

Basically we're travelling/driving from Orlando to New York but I don't know how to fill the gap for day #17,18,19. Any suggestions on where I can go during these few days? My children do not like museums nor historic monuments.
Any suggestions on "must do" places on east coast? Any other suggestions is also greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Day 1 Orlando SIN to Orlando
Day 2 Orlando Arrive Orlando
Day 3 Orlando Disney World
Day 4 Orlando Disney World
Day 5 Orlando Disney World
Day 6 Orlando Everglade National Park
Day 7 Orlando Disney World
Day 8 Orlando Disney World
Day 9 Orlando Universal Studio
Day 10 Orlando Universal Studio
Day 11 Orlando Universal Studio
Day 12 Tenneessee Great Smoky Mountain NP
Day 13 Tenneessee Great Smoky Mountain NP
Day 14 Tenneessee Great Smoky Mountain NP
Day 15 Virginia Blue Ridge Parkway
Day 16 Virginia Shanandoah
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20 New York
Day 21 New York
Day 22 New York New York to SIN

Easier to do Disney World in consecutive days with a break in between then Universal Studios. You will be tired out from 4 days of Disney and may not be able to enjoy Universal Studios fully.

There are 4 individual theme parks in Disney World (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Epcot) - one day each should be enough for that. You can either get the 4 day individual ticket or add US$60 for Park Hopper ticket which allows you to visit multiple theme parks on one day.

One day each at the Universal Studios theme parks (Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure) is sufficient.

Accommodation wise, if you stay at the Disney hotels there might be bundle deals which can make the entire Disney World trip cheaper. And there are direct and frequent shuttle buses to the different theme parks from the Disney hotels.

I also suggest a day trip to Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets (an hour away from NYC) if you are into outlet shopping

 

[patryn33]

@ vivienwangtc@singnet

I have to agree with B772ER, get a 5 day pass on disney if U really want to spend a day revisiting. 14-13 yrs old the magic may not be as strong as they as younger.

U may want to stop at Atlanta and visit coca-cola (http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/) or six flags (such rides are more fun than disney and universal)
https://www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia

U might want to consider Pittsburgh for a stopover, check out the Uni campus (home of Uni of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon) rest, and leave Hershey, PA. the drive from Lexington to Pittsburgh is like 6hrs, can eat the famous Pittsburgh sandwich (www.primantibros.com). if U go directly its 9hr+ drive. Pittsburgh is also home to the famous Heinz (U must have heard of Heinz ketchup) but U may not be interested in what they have to offer.

here is the link to the Google maps.
http://goo.gl/maps/Tc7pv

and my suggestion is like
Day 1 Orlando SIN to Orlando
Day 2 Orlando Arrive Orlando
Day 3 -7 Orlando Disney World
Day 8 Everglade National Park (stay near there not returning to Orlando as the drive is 3hrs 1 way!)
Day 9 Key west
Day 10 Miami
Day 11 Universal Orlando
Day 12 Atlanta GA
Day 13-14 Smokey Mountain
Day 15-16 Lexington KY
Day 17 Pittsburgh PA
Day 18-19 Hershey PA
Day 20-22 New York

in KY, good bourbon tour to see and experience something uniquely American.
- Buffalo Trace Dstillery
- Woodford reserve
- Heaven Hill Bourbon Distillery

for horse back riding - try http://champagnerun.com/lessons.htm

if your husband is interested in watches pittsburgh is home of http://www.koboldwatch.com/en
RGM (www.rgmwatches.com) are located near Hershey, PA

my advice to you is get a Hilton or Marriott rewards card its free and since U staying so many places U may get a deal.

 

[patryn33]

Hi Shiny,

Thanks for your advice. However, may i know how do i travel from Anaheim Disneyland to SD since i not driving. Advisable to take taxi? Will it be costly?

Thanks.

its is a nice site for U to do all your taxi price estimates
TaxiFareFinder - Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA, United States to San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA, United States using United States taxi rates

U can catch a bus down, San Diego to Anaheim Bus - from $20 - GotoBus
http://www.luxbusamerica.com/bus-to-san-diego-service.php

 

[vivienwangtc@singnet.com.]

patryn33, B772ER and Hisashuiburi :

Thank you so much for your advice and suggestions. Really appreciate it.

 

[Human A]

hi guys been lurking around this forum and find the info here really helpful. am planning to visit both coasts from 11 oct - early nov. Rough itinerary is to start with 2 days in SF, doing the triangle for 2 weeks and back at SF for a flight to the east coast.

But the sales force conference just have to take place on oct 13! Surely hotel rates will shoot up the weekend before the 13th? Will the experienced people here recommend starting my trip from the east first? The thing is, i dont wanna risk the Tioga Pass closure during the yosemite-death valley stretch towards the later part of oct.

And how reliable is the use of airbnb in sf? it will be a nightmare to have reservation cancelled by the host at the last min..if i am to start with sf on the weekend before the conference.

 

[zachary123]

Hi, I have some USD left, some NYC and Washington DC metrocards and a T-Mobile Sim card to let go, purely to convenience the next traveller. Have posted in travel bazaar. check if out if you need something for your trip

 

[zhuoboguy]

Dollar Car Rental

Read in this forum the recommendation to book with dollar from their UK site for vehicles rental. (for LAX- SFO) Wanted to check if any people here had recent dealings with Dollar at LAX and was the experience as horrible as all the horror stories i have read so far.

 

[Shiny Things]

But the sales force conference just have to take place on oct 13! Surely hotel rates will shoot up the weekend before the 13th? Will the experienced people here recommend starting my trip from the east first? The thing is, i dont wanna risk the Tioga Pass closure during the yosemite-death valley stretch towards the later part of oct.

Yes it will. Hotel rates go absolutely bonkers during Oracle Openworld, Cloudforce, all of the big conferences - the crappy little Holiday Inn near my house goes from $150 a night to $350 a night, and everyone on AirBnB jacks their rates up as well.

What you might want to do instead is skip the time in SF, and drive straight down to Monterey or Santa Cruz when you land at SFO, then go across from there to Yosemite. Do SF at the end of your trip.

And how reliable is the use of airbnb in sf? it will be a nightmare to have reservation cancelled by the host at the last min..if i am to start with sf on the weekend before the conference.

Errm... I personally don't like AirBnB much myself, though there's nothing actually wrong with it.

 

[the_dog]

Read in this forum the recommendation to book with dollar from their UK site for vehicles rental. (for LAX- SFO) Wanted to check if any people here had recent dealings with Dollar at LAX and was the experience as horrible as all the horror stories i have read so far.

I used Dollar at LAX in 2012 (maybe not recent enough for you) and it was quite ok. Prepaid international bookings have a separate queue and so I was the only one off the bus at the counter, was in the car less than 10 mins later. No hard sell on insurance, unlike some other Dollar locations I've been to.
Only negative was 300 miles later the car's warning lights came on saying one tyre losing air, but it could have been a nail. Since it was a slow leak, I just pumped the tyre up and it was fine until I returned the car. Returning the car was painless too.

 

[zhuoboguy]

I used Dollar at LAX in 2012 (maybe not recent enough for you) and it was quite ok. Prepaid international bookings have a separate queue and so I was the only one off the bus at the counter, was in the car less than 10 mins later. No hard sell on insurance, unlike some other Dollar locations I've been to.
Only negative was 300 miles later the car's warning lights came on saying one tyre losing air, but it could have been a nail. Since it was a slow leak, I just pumped the tyre up and it was fine until I returned the car. Returning the car was painless too.

Thanks! Thanks! Did you have to pay any one way charge if you drop off at a different location? And did you have to pay for the toll pass?

 

[the_dog]

I only rented from LAX and returned to LAX so can't help you there, sorry.

 

[fone]

And did you have to pay for the toll pass?

Having a toll pass is FOC, just request for one, if they have, they will give you a car with a toll pass. Using the toll pass will then incur additional fee, per usage. I cant remember the exact amount they charge, but it is at most a few bucks, saves you the trouble of stopping at the toll gate and sometimes even beating the long queue at toll entrances.

 

[Human A]

Sq currently has an open jaw sin-sfo, jfk-sin under its super deal, going for 2.1k during Oct-Nov period. Advisable to buy now or hold out for lower price? Hmmm

 

[califonia]

End Nov to Dec pricing is rising by the week! I suggest book early or wait for Aug Natas fair.

Sq currently has an open jaw sin-sfo, jfk-sin under its super deal, going for 2.1k during Oct-Nov period. Advisable to buy now or hold out for lower price? Hmmm

 

[califonia]

Hi Shiny,

I wonder if you can recommend some hotel for following stay? Budget US$200/n type. Preferably free parking as i found somel charge $40-50 per night for car parking.

1. SFO (was told to stay near airport and drive into city. Considering Hampton Inn Daly City)
2. Yosemeti
3. Las Vegas (this one we are spoil for choices, all looks great!)
4. LA (Considering Best Western Plus Park. Which is walking distance to Disneyland)
5. SD (this one I really have not idea. Hopefully some shopping near hotel)

Yes it will. Hotel rates go absolutely bonkers during Oracle Openworld, Cloudforce, all of the big conferences - the crappy little Holiday Inn near my house goes from $150 a night to $350 a night, and everyone on AirBnB jacks their rates up as well.

What you might want to do instead is skip the time in SF, and drive straight down to Monterey or Santa Cruz when you land at SFO, then go across from there to Yosemite. Do SF at the end of your trip.



Errm... I personally don't like AirBnB much myself, though there's nothing actually wrong with it.

 

[fone]

1. SFO (was told to stay near airport and drive into city. Considering Hampton Inn Daly City)
2. Yosemeti
3. Las Vegas (this one we are spoil for choices, all looks great!)
4. LA (Considering Best Western Plus Park. Which is walking distance to Disneyland)
5. SD (this one I really have not idea. Hopefully some shopping near hotel)

1) Where you going to visit? SFO Airport hotels seems to be not too cheap IMO, try other nearby areas to see if you can get better deals. They might also charge for parking too.

3) Depends if you are walking or driving. Should stay near the middle of the strip if walking. But ends of strips could offer better deals if driving.

4) Why not Disneyland hotel?

5) Same as (3). If you are driving, most shopping would be relatively near to hotels. Had a conference at a hotel, which had a mall right next to it. This area also have other hotels on other side of freeway.

 

[califonia]

Thanks Fone,

SFO probably Pier39, Golden Gate bridge, etc. I really don't know what to expect yet.

Any hotel names would be greatly appreciated.

Will not stay inside Disneyland. I have almost 5 nights in LA but probably spend a day each in Disney and CA.

1) Where you going to visit? SFO Airport hotels seems to be not too cheap IMO, try other nearby areas to see if you can get better deals. They might also charge for parking too.

3) Depends if you are walking or driving. Should stay near the middle of the strip if walking. But ends of strips could offer better deals if driving.

4) Why not Disneyland hotel?

5) Same as (3). If you are driving, most shopping would be relatively near to hotels. Had a conference at a hotel, which had a mall right next to it. This area also have other hotels on other side of freeway.

 

[sherry02]

Wat are the cities near to houston? I would like to go to ny city or sf or la. My first time in usa sooo there r many cities that I wan to go

 

[patryn33]

Wat are the cities near to houston? I would like to go to ny city or sf or la. My first time in usa sooo there r many cities that I wan to go

Check out map.google.com
Why just cities no national parks? There are more things in states other then cities

 

[Shiny Things]

Wat are the cities near to houston? I would like to go to ny city or sf or la. My first time in usa sooo there r many cities that I wan to go

Oh good god.

Let me show you a map.

That purple shape is Singapore, dropped on top of Houston - you'll see pretty clearly that the entire country of Singapore fits within the ring roads around greater Houston.

Now zoom out. No, further. No, further. Further again. Until you see the whole of the United States (and not even Alaska or Hawaii). See how small Singapore is?

The USA is absolutely huge. Flying from Seattle to Miami, or Los Angeles to New York (at opposite corners of the lower 48) is somewhere in the ballpark of Singapore to Tokyo or Singapore to Sydney.

There are basically no cities "near to Houston" if you're thinking of drive time. The closest big cities are Austin (which is 2.5 hours, and is actually great fun - it's like a little enclave of cool in the middle of redneck Texas) or San Antonio (3 hours).

Basically, you're going to have to fly. And if you're prepared to fly, you can see all sorts of absolutely incredible parts of the world.

First tip: skip the cities. Some of them are cool (San Francisco; New York; Miami Beach), but most of them are kind of bleah (Dallas, Los Angeles)... and really, the best bits of America are out in the national parks.

If you want to do the west coast (and you do, it's so much cooler than the east coast), fly to San Francisco, then drive east, up through the majestic Yosemite National Park, over the White Mountains where you can see trees that were alive four thousand years ago, down to Las Vegas because it's great fun, then up to the Grand Canyon and the lush Zion Canyon and the beautiful, remote, pristine Bryce Canyon National Park.