The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade route for 2012 no longer includes Times Square, and the Times Square hotels are up in arms, fuming that they’ll lose millions of dollars.

Macy's Parade route map

The current route (including for the 2011 parade) comes down Central Park West, past Columbus Circle and then passes through 7th Avenue and Times Square before ending up at Macy’s Herald Square.

The new route (marked in blue on the map) takes the parade down 6th Avenue instead of 7th Avenue.

According to Mike Stengel, the area vice president for Marriott hotels, the route change is going to cause them to lose 2 to 3 million dollars at their two Times Square hotels  - Marriott Marquis Times Square and the Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square.

The parade allows the hotels to charge premium rates and 2-3 days minimum stays during the Thanksgiving weekend.

There are nearly 7000 hotel rooms where people gather to watch the parade go by. Without the parade, the demand for Thanksgiving weekend rooms will be lukewarm in Times Square.

The demand will shift to hotels that offer a view on the new route, like The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park, which has rooms overlooking Sixth Ave.

Stengel also tells DNAInfo that the lack of images of Times Square in the parade would cause tourists to stay away from the Big Apple and create a downturn in tourism.

The organizer of a Thanksgiving weekend Dental Convention that is expecting 58,000 attendees says many of his dentists won’t come now because their hotels will no longer have views of the parade.

The Times Square Alliance isn’t taking things lying down, and they organized a protest – by Spider-Man, Snoopy, Mr. Potato Head and other cartoon characters, to force Macy’s to put Times Square back on the route.

Macy's protest by Times Square Alliance Cartoon Squad

They’ve even organized a poll on Crain’s New York to send the message to Macy’s.

Photos – Macy’s, Times Square Alliance

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If you plan on being in New York for Thanksgiving, you can either slum it with the masses along the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route, or you can book in at one of the hotels along the route.

As it is, some of these 7th Avenue hotels in New York are quite popular with tourists. For Thanksgiving, they make it even more attractive with parade-view rooms, buffet breakfasts for the entire family and post-parade dinners.

Macy's Thanksgiving Parade NYC

Park Central New York: Midtown Manhattan hotel located directly across from Carnegie Hall. The parade passes right in front of the hotel. Three types of rooms are available – partial parade view rooms, single parade view rooms, and multiple parade view rooms.

This last one includes a corner vista from which the parade can be seen approaching and passing the hotel. Booking must include Nov 24 & 25. Package also includes options for brunch before the parade and pre-fixe dinner after it.

Marriott Marquis Times Square: Breakfast and parade viewing package for four people. Includes a special buffet breakfast and then you’re escorted to the Minskoff Theater for unparalleled views of the parade sweeping down 7th Avenue. Use promo code P54.

Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square: Overnight stay in a parade view suite plus buffet breakfast for four, complimentary parking for one car per night, and a 25% discount on the Thanksgiving Day buffet at the hotel’s restaurant. Their parade view suites are located on floors 20 – 29 and 36 – 41 and offer an aerial view of the parade. Valid Nov 21-29.

Wellington Hotel: They have a Thanksgiving package and separately also offer guaranteed parade view rooms. But these rooms may or may not be available with the Thanksgiving package, depending on availability. To get a guaranteed parade view room, you need to contact the hotel directly (call 212-247-3900 extension 500).

There are many more hotels which offer prime parade view rooms along 7th Ave, like the New York Renaissance Hotel, Sheraton New York, and The Manhattan at Times Square. These hotels don’t have Thanksgiving specials, but you can still get a parade-view room room along with one of their other holiday packages.

Photo courtesy Park Central Hotel

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Homewood Suites is putting up a quacky new float at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. As part of the celebration, Homewood guests have a chance to win parade tickets and a family trip to New York with a free stay at the Hilton Times Square.

Homewood Suites Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade float

From now through Oct 17, guests booking online with Homewood Suites will be entered for a chance to win a trip for four to New York City. Winner gets a 4 night-stay at the Hilton Times Square for a family of four, a $3,500 gift card to cover the travel costs, and VIP grandstand tickets for the parade. You can also enter the contest online without having to book a stay.

The 46 feet long Homewood Suites ‘On The Roll Again’ float depicts a family of ducks on a family getaway. The father duck, Lewis, is shown wearing a dapper hat and lugging a backpack, followed by mother duck Lois and the kids. As Lois gets her camera ready to capture the memories, the ducklings behind start flapping their wings from atop a wagon piled high with luggage.

Lewis the Duck is actually the Homewood Suites mascot, and they even have a children’s book series based on Lewis’ adventures. Three books currently available include “Lewis the Duck and His Long Trip,” “Lewis Goes to Canada,” and “Lewis Goes to Mexico.”

Amy Kule, producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, said in a statement that “Macy’s and Homewood Suites share a commitment to the whole family and this float promises to be a spectacular new addition to this year’s Parade line-up.”

In addition to the roomy ‘home-like’ studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens, the over 300 Homewood Suites locations also offer an on-site Suite Shop convenience store, complimentary grocery shopping services, a business center and laundry services.

All of this is in addition to the complimentary full hot breakfast and evening dinner and drinks, and complimentary high-speed internet in every Homewood Suites location in the US.

More info: http://HomewoodSuites.com/Macys & www.macys.com/parade

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