Hear YE Hear Ye... DBL groupies get together NYC!!!

[saqsay1]

Hello everyone! It has been mentioned that a get together in NYC is desired for all us DBL groupies..... I suppose what we should do next, is find out when would be convenient for all of us. Especially David as he will have to make room for all of us in his home  . Okay, just kidding D, but seriously folks.... lets do this! Any suggestions on time of the year?  After we figure this out, we can start looking at hotels and such.....Sound off EVERYONE!!!!

[clgwli]

I would be in for sure as long as I can!  Only bad time for me is between Thanksgiving and New Years.  Super busy time.  Otherwise I just have specific birthdays to worry about in general.  As long as my husband gets time off to watch my son I'm pretty able to do things.

[DiamondsAreForever]

Not too much of an issue for me.  Just certain bdays and a vacation at the end of October for a week.  I'm only 65 miles away.

[GIAGirl]

I might could make something work....you guys pick. 

[Diamondsbylauren]

Sounds fun!!!

If this does come to pass, we'll make sure everyone is staying at good hotels.
there are some expensive big ones within a few blocks- Marriott, Sheraton, Waldorf Astoria.
A lovely young couple came here from Europe recently- got their DBL rings, and got married in Central Park.
They stayed at the Waldorf for $350 a night ( that's cheap believe it or not)
The big name guys in Times Square are about that price as well.
There's places uptown that are in the $150 range- but the rooms are reeeeeely teenie.
But clean- and the places I'm thinking of are in cool neighborhoods on the Upper West Side.

[clgwli]

Those $150/night for a matchbox rooms are what scare me about NYC.  I'd rather pay $350 and stay at the Waldorf.  I always thought that would be worth it.  Plus ever once in a while I like to go crazy and spoil myself. 

I really was finding some great deals on hotels in general and some people say if you aren't picky but want a 4 or 5 star hotels there are good ways to get them for $150-200/night.

[saqsay1]

I'm thinking Waldorf too... even if only for 1-2 nights. I like to spoil myself once in awhile, besides that would give me bragging rights 

[sherylsbuys]

For those wanting to stay at the Marriott near DBL, I can check and see what the rate is for my discount code.  It is a really nice hotel.  Any time this fall would be good for me.

[saqsay1]

 I am thinking fall might be nice too.  Does anyone know when or if there is an off season in NYC? best time for good rates on hotels etc...?

[shiba]

Somehow I think if my hubby heard I was meeting a bunch of diamond junkies in NY that he might lock me in the closet.  

We went in the fall and it seemed to be a little more off season.  There were a number of shows on hiatus and a few dark theaters.

[oldmancoyote]

The OMC family will join too - if they can manage the logistics (intercontinental flight with two small school-going ones and two large dogs to lodge somewhere)!

Trying to plan around us will be way too difficult, so you set the date and we'll try to flex in.

[Mrs Mitchell]

If I can possibly swing it, I'll be there! 

[saqsay1]

So far October looks promising? Daf you are free up until when in October?

[clgwli]

October 7th is one of the bad days for me.  I wouldn't want to miss Halloween either with my son.  Otherwise that month is very good.

[clgwli]

I just wanted, for reference as a bad time as well for many Roshashana is Thursday, September 29 (I know not October but wanted to toss it out since it is close to then) and Saturday, October 8 is Yom Kippur

[clgwli]

I'll be done posting again I promise.  I was looking at the best time of year to go to NYC and unfortunately October is supposed to be a super busy time of year.  Looking at prices of rooms rack rate I can see that's true.  July or August had some of the best prices.  Then waiting until way early spring is pretty cheap too.

Somehow I had in my head that fall wouldn't be as busy but apparently it is the 2nd highest cost time of year to go (with the holidays only being more espensive).

Just had to toss that out as a real thought.  Doing it only on a few months notice isn't always easy for some, but it is among the cheaper prices.  Airline prices for me are the same for August as they are October.

[ah2bqat]

 

I probably won't be able to make it, although I will surely try.  I may, or may not, have a job by then; and if it is a contract, then probably not.  Oh, how I hope things can work out and I can go!  - but won't that disrupt David's business to have an entire gaggle of us descend on DBL en masse?  Of course, I'm not at all sure there is a time of year when business is less than crazy for him.   

What a hoot such a grouping would be!  I'll just watch from the sidelines and hold my breath with hope until much later. 

[oldmancoyote]

August until 23rd would be OK for the OMC troops, as would October 15-25 inclusive.

[clgwli]

Either of those work for me as well.  October was more $$ with rooms but my son would also be in school which means less time off for the hubby.  August was cheaper but would require my husband to take full days off to take care of our son.  He's fine with that idea though.  I know my dad could help out too.

He's given me the green light to go no matter when

[Sanchica27]

August would be great for me, I'm off for the summer and live about 40 minutes away so it's all good!

[clgwli]

Sanchica if you don't mind me asking are you a student or a teacher or something else?

Your post reminded me that I had one day in August that is bad, but it's on the last weekend.  A family member is finishing their grad school degree and I want to go to their graduation

[saqsay1]

I kind of like the october idea because it's cooler. Isn't NYC hot in august?  airfare for me is the same either way. In fact, I have been looking into amtrack. It would take 28 hrs to get there, but I have always enjoyed traveling by train.

[clgwli]

I was about the weather too since August here can be brutal.  Seems NYC is much more moderate in tempurature than here.  We've dropped to the 70s this week and I feel downright cold for June!

http://www.ny.com/general/weather.html

It also seems that the temps in October could be more moderate than here as well.  October here is very touchy.  When we got married, it was in the mid 60s during the day but that night it snowed    I'm glad we went to FL for our honeymoon as we had a very cold snap come through.

Either way the average temps for both look good.  We are used to 90s+ here with high humidity in August so low 80s would feel cool to me.  October weather doesn't matter either way to me since we could be warm or cold.

Really for me I am not sure that either month matters.  I think whichever is easiest for most I will be happy with.  There are good and bad to both months for me at least, but the pros and cons are equal.

I looked into amtrack as well.  It would take me 2 hours to drive there and 12-15 hours to travel.  Same price too (unless I want just a seat the whole time) and travel without wifi.  I think I'd rather fly.

I admit I am getting so excited.  Whenever we pick a date I figure I should schedule a manicure for a day or so before so they look good in the pics with rings LOL

[sherylsbuys]

How about Labor Day weekend (Labor Day in the US is Monday, Sept 5th)?

[saqsay1]

That would be okay except for the fact it is a holiday weekend and the rates will probably be higher, hotels fuller and airports a lot more busy....... While I'm flexible, I would rather not do a holiday weekend.