New Year's Eve in Times Square - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

12/07/2012 09:51:42 AM · #1

My wife, my 12 year old son, and I will be going to New York City for New Year's. We'll be there from Dec 27 through Dec 3.

The original plan was to be in Times Square for the infamous ball drop at midnight New Year's Eve.

However, the more I read about this online, it seems to be more trouble and hassle than it's worth.

The information I've seen says you should get there early in the day. You are herded into "pens" starting around 5:00 PM. There are no bathrooms. If you leave your area after a certain point you will not get back in. You can't bring backpacks (and by inference, I am assuming camera bags are also banned).

The general advice is to arrive early, don't drink or eat anything, and be prepared to be standing in a cramped area for several hours.

Can anyone verify this? Do you have any tips and tricks for making the most of the experience?

Or should we book a New Year's Eve cruise like this one and enjoy it from a distance?

Thanks in advance!

PennyStreet

Olympus OM-D E-M1

12/07/2012 10:08:09 AM · #2

With a family, book the cruise. Or go to the opera.
Unless you really really like crowds and/or you're young and really really drunk, the whole ball dropping thing will be a bust... WAY too many people. And at this point in time, WAY too much security.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

12/07/2012 10:13:59 AM · #3

its too late now, but next time try to get a room in the Hilton (or Marriot, cant remember which one) right in times square overlooking the area.

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

12/07/2012 12:01:21 PM · #4

We're at the Sheraton just off Times Square.

The party at the Marriott starts at $1000 person.

The cruise is sounding better all the time! ;-)

PennyStreet

Olympus OM-D E-M1

12/07/2012 12:10:51 PM · #5

Originally posted by scarbrd:

We're at the Sheraton just off Times Square.

The party at the Marriott starts at $1000 person.

The cruise is sounding better all the time! ;-)

You can party at the Marriot the next day:) Actually, the bar at the far end of the lobby area - 8th Floor, also serves food, has a great view and is a fun place to sit and relax when it's not crowded.

If they still barricade everything off like they have been on new year's eve your problem is going to be returning to the Times Sq area where your hotel is. So IDK.

Chinabun

Canon PowerShot SD990 IS

12/07/2012 02:04:48 PM · #6

it's true once you're in you cant go to the bathroom. my guy friends peed in bottles. not sure what the women do. i'd do it from a distance.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

12/07/2012 02:58:04 PM · #7

Originally posted by Chinabun:

it's true once you're in you cant go to the bathroom. my guy friends peed in bottles. not sure what the women do. i'd do it from a distance.

leg bag

HCvE

Fujifilm X-T1

Fujifilm XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 OIS

12/07/2012 03:02:18 PM · #8

wide skirt and rubber shoes

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/07/2012 04:13:08 PM · #9

Originally posted by Chinabun:

it's true once you're in you cant go to the bathroom. my guy friends peed in bottles. not sure what the women do. i'd do it from a distance.

Is this just because you like a challenge?

David: Go with the cruise.

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

12/07/2012 04:43:33 PM · #10

I did make reservations for the cruise.

The tough part is that when we made the plans we pictured the hole ball dropping thing at midnight and partying with all the revelers.

But the more I read the more it sounded like I am just too old for this. ;-)

Hopefully my kid won't be too disappointed.

We will probably go to Times Square early on and head over to the pier around 9:00. My hope is he will have had his fill of the Times Square experience and really enjoy the cruise and the fireworks.

Thanks for all the input.

We'll be there for a week.

Any other off-beat suggestions? Good off-Broadway show recommendations? Insider info on restaurants? Boutique shopping?

Much appreciated!

PennyStreet

Olympus OM-D E-M1

12/07/2012 04:50:37 PM · #11

Lion King! You won't be disappointed, promise.

Kelli

Canon EOS-D60

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/07/2012 04:55:16 PM · #12

//theater.nytimes.com/show/30813/The-Amazing-Max-and-The-Box-of-Interesting-Things/overview

12/07/2012 05:04:52 PM · #13

Originally posted by PennyStreet:

Lion King! You won't be disappointed, promise.

We saw the Broadway road show here in Houston and the production in Las Vegas. It is spectacular!