New York Or Orlando, Florida

[MessageMystery]

Hi,
We are thinking of doing our first trip to America next year sometime probably around June. We are weighing up two options at the moment New York or Orlando. It will be myself, DH, DS 17 and DD 3 travelling. Which would you recommend?

I don't know exactly, but I went to NYC this September and it was manic. I mean the tall towers, the road noise and the people. Too much and i live it london! But you may like that or want to feel that while on holiday.

If you want to smell cannabis everywhere then go to New York. It’s truly revolting. If you don’t, I’d avoid it and go to Florida. That said, I don’t know what their laws are on openly smoking it.

I’ve been to both and they are 2 completely different types of holidays, so depends what you’d like to do.

Does your 17 year old have a preference?

Would you prefer theme parks/water parks etc or a busy city break?

As above I’ve been to both so depends what you want . I went years ago though . New York was enough for a long weekend , would not want longer there, chaotic , busy , people really rude unless you were spending a lot of money , including police . Taxi drivers grunt rather than speak so no idea if they’ve understood where you want to go . Saw a few nice landmarks and Ellis Island but couldn’t wait to leave . Macy’s very disappointing , Bloomingdale’s very expensive . Orlando is obviously the theme parks so totally different.

I think I'm the only person who really found New York dreadful. Its absolutely stinks, it's dirty and horrendously noisy 24 hours a day. Central Park is just a fairly dull park, no where near as nice as any London park. The Highline literally a disused railway track that looks down on dirty urban streets.

So I'd go to Florida.

What’s your budget as America is a big place and there’s lots to see.
Happy to drive over there?
Interested in a road trip style or want just one base for the duration?
One, two or three weeks ?

I’ve been to both but they really are completely different types of holiday so like saying shall I eat a pear or a Yorkshire pudding.

I also found New York to be less enjoyable than I hoped. Cars beeping non-stop, super busy, mental health problems clearly visible on the streets, strong skunk smells everywhere. And tipping is out of control.

Id go to Florida but not Orlando. Head over to the west coast on the Gulf of Mexico, hire a car and explore. It’s stunning.

There’s nowhere like NYC on earth and id spend weeks there if I could. But it’s eye-wateringly expensive. I think the US is generally a lot pricier to Brits than previously but NYC is on another level.

Personally I’d not take a 3yo there, but wait until they’re older. Totally different type of holiday. Florida would be much more child-friendly. We took our then 3yo DS to Universal Studios; it had Minions, Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and all the Marvel superheroes. For us (and your older child), the Harry Potter world was absolutely amazing. We found 2 full days enough, and then went to St Pete’s beach to relax.

Depending on length of trip, you could add in side trips to the Everglades or even Miami (which the teen would love).

I’d also add that we love US road trips, but I think with your little one I really wouldn’t waste the opportunity to visit one of the theme parks. Realistically, your older one might not be holidaying with you much longer. New York is something that, when he’s an adult, and your DD is old enough to appreciate it, you’re more likely to be able to tempt him along to join you.

I think a 3yo would get more from Florida than NYC (of course children live there but tourist wise I don’t think a lot of the attractions would appeal to them). Aside from the theme parks I think the Kennedy Space Center is well worth a visit, and the Everglades.

You're brave travelling to the US at the moment. I suppose it will be cheaper than usual. Just make sure you have a burner phone rather than your usual one as the border patrol are taking phones and looking through them to see if there's anything bad about Trump. Also make sure you have confirmed accommodation for each night you'll be there.

That's a bit over dramatic. Have you been lately?
I have. As a tourist it feels exactly as it did 5/10 years ago.

I like both places but, as PP have said, totally different experiences. You really need to consider how long you are going for and what you want from a trip to get any advice.

I actually prefer Boston to NY for a city break, much less hectic and it might work better with your DC. Good for a wander, boat trips (whale watching) some decent museums and history. Maybe some sport watching. Only about 6 hours flight too.

I'm not sure New York with a 3yo would be the most enjoyable holiday. I'd say its better for adults and teens for a long weekend. We went for our honeymoon but then spent 5 days in Boston, which we preferred.

We're recently back from Orlando and had a great time. Getting through the airport is a breeze, border patrol did not take my phone 😅

Not NY with a 3YO. It’s the awkward age where they want to walk but can’t walk far. Too big to cart around in a sling doing what you want to do but not quite big enough to manage a full day without a stroller or want to do museums. If you want a city break I’d look at Chicago instead as it’s a lot more chilled, very kid friendly and if you go in summer you can combine with some chilled beach time. Or just go to Florida and do the theme parks which I’m sure both kids would enjoy in different ways but that’s a completely different type of holiday.

We have been to Florida twice in the past two years and NYC once, and definitely wouldn’t take a 3 year old to NYC in June. We went to NYC the first week in July and it was the hottest place I have been to in my life. The heat in the city is nothing like the heat when you’re in a beach resort, it was sticky and relentless. We couldn’t walk around for more than 30 mins during the day without needing to stop to go somewhere air conditioned to cool down. If you’re pushing a buggy too that would be miserable, and miserable for the toddler in the buggy.

Florida is a very different holiday and much more child friendly, but if you’re doing the Orlando theme parks it will be much more £££ than NYC. Florida will also be hotter than the sun in June and potentially rainy but at least they are more set up for the heat with water parks/pools at most hotels.

I’ve just come back from the US. No issues at the border (although we flew Aer Lingus so did US immigration in Dublin, which is always quicker). They barely looked at my passport and had no interest in my phone. You are asked to list your social media accounts on your ESTA but I actually didn’t bother and still had no problem. I don’t really post on anything other than Mumsnet though. I have heard of a journalist being refused entry even with a burner phone and deleted social media. Everything is very expensive there nowadays.

I’m not a big fan of New York, it is dirty and busy and expensive. The theatre can be amazing but with a small child you won’t be doing that, I assume. Have you considered Boston if you want a city experience? I’m biased, having lived there, but it is a much nicer city. It’s smaller, easy to get around but still with a lot to see. Nice day trips by train or boat as well. It also stinks of weed all the time. Both cities also have a rat problem.

Orlando is a great family destination, and there is lots to do in the parks and further afield. I’ve only been in winter so I don’t know what the weather or the crowds are like in June. We went at New Year when there were hardly any queues in Universal, relatively speaking. If your DS is comfortable doing so they could do the thrill rides as a single rider and skip much of the queue while you do smaller rides with your little one. I went with adult children and we quite often did single rider queues so we pretty much walked straight on to rides. We loved the Kennedy Space Center but probably it is not great for small children.

Agree this is over dramatic. Didn’t bat an eyelid when we arrived in NYC recently and didn’t see them holding up anyone else in the queue. Definitely didn’t see them searching phones. No one I know who has been to USA recently has had their phones searched or been questioned more than the usual ‘how long are you here for’.

Do not be taken in by over dramatic replies.

I was in the US two months ago and the officer barely also looked at my passport. He just wanted to make sure my ESTA was on the system. As long as your paperwork is in order you will be fine.

No-one asked to see mobile phones in the (very long) line or at the immigration booth.

New York with a 3yo would hellish.

Orlando is dull AF if you’re not into Disney.

Have you considered one of the national parks? The best of the USA for a tourist is outside its cites imho. You could try a ranch or the Grand Canyon or the blue mountains or Palm Springs. So, so much to see and do with DC who are really only going to both enjoy being outdoors if they’re to spend time together.

We went to Orlando at Easter this year and we were through border control in under five minutes, nobody asked to see my phone. If you fly with BA, you’ll fly into the new terminal at MCO but I think Virgin still fly into the old one which is a thousand times more chaotic.

I haven’t been to NYC so can’t comment on that, but we did Orlando in early June last year and the heat and humidity were off the scale. I’ll never forget the day we went to Hollywood Studios - it was 40 degrees and ridiculously uncomfortable. We had thunderstorms most days in the afternoons as well.

Florida, but it depends on what sort of holiday you want. New York is proper city break and might be a bit much for a 3 year old. Florida has theme parks, cape canaveral (maybe see a rocket launch) beautiful beaches and wildlife/snorkelling and food. Not sure how much time you have, but I’d do a few days at the theme parks and then head to the coast for an airbnb, maybe sanibel
or
anna Maria island. The food is great and it’s a
very laid back place.

These would be completely different holidays.
I probably wouldn’t go to Orlando unless I was going to visit the theme parks and that is a very expensive holiday. It might work well for the very different ages though.
NYC is a fantastic city, particularly if you love museums, shows and shopping. My teen loves it. I’m sure you’ll be able to find things for the 3 yr old to do but maybe not the same things that the 3 yr old would like.
What does your family do as a group of 4

I have just returned from Florida and did internal flights as well and not once did we see anything that looked like anyone being questioned about trump or any phone searches. There must be some I’m sure but it’s even sensationalised I think. I would be more concerned about the on going Government shutdown but hopefully for everyone’s sake it will have been resolved by then 🤞

The government shutdown has ended now, should be back to normal soon.