New York City on New Years Eve, anyone ever done?

[tinkerbell1967]

Has anyone ever done New York City on New Years eve? I'm not sure where to begin or even if you can get close to see the ball drop. I looked on line but it looks like the only way you can get to see anything is if you buy some very expensive package for New Years eve to see the ball drop? We have a hotel room right in times square so we are good there. Any pointers from anyone that has been??

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

Ha! I live in nyc and I avoid leaving my house that day bc it's so crazy! Obviously I've never done Times Square for the ball drop, but I can tell you that you have to be there in place by early, like before noon, bc after that they block the streets off and there's no coming or going.

 

[lizabu]

I always wonder what people do if they have to go to the bathroom.

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

I always wonder what people do if they have to go to the bathroom.

I've heard there are diapers involved..... But I'm sure that's not true for all, so I also wonder.

 

[CdnCarrie]

This is the DIS of NYC trip planning. I know they have a ton of info on NYE in NYC.

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowForum-g60763-i5-New_York_City_New_York.html

 

[clori]

My dh is from Midtown Manhattan. While we have stayed at his parents on New Years Eve and could walk to Times Square if we wanted none of us ever had the desire. I have done things like Halloween night in Salem, MA and the Fourth of July Boston Pops Concert/Fireworks in Boston but the idea of Times Square on NYE is not for me.

 

[Tozzie]

Has anyone ever done New York City on New Years eve? I'm not sure where to begin or even if you can get close to see the ball drop. I looked on line but it looks like the only way you can get to see anything is if you buy some very expensive package for New Years eve to see the ball drop? We have a hotel room right in times square so we are good there. Any pointers from anyone that has been??

I live in NYC and you couldn't pay me enough to go. It is usually cold, if you want to get up close you have to get there early in the morning you are put in pens and if you leave you might not be able to get back in. While large backpacks have been banned for a while watch for even tighter restrictions due to the bombing in Boston. Advice stay in your hotel room and watch it on TV

 

[aristocatz]

My friends went to NYC for the Macys parade at Thanksgiving a few years ago & they said it was the most disgusting experience of their lives. I cannot even imagine what NYE must be like. The only way I would do it is if I could afford one of those outrageously expensive packages at a hotel where i could watch it from my hotel room......which I would never be able to afford lol.

 

[Skippy918]

BTDT back in 98 and will never do it again. The crowds and drunk people were awful. We were so far back we couldn't see anything so we left.

 

[lisaviolet]

I've done it and loved it! However, I love the city so much that not much is a negative to me. Keep that in mind.

You must stay inside the barriers for hours (as in 9 hours ahead of time the police start yelling "in or out" - as in no in and out ). I got there about midday and couldn't stay because I had show tickets. In fact, I think my friend bought them for me because he was upset about me wanting to be in that crowd and figured out a way to stop me. He wouldn't even be in the city with those crowds, much less Times Square. Lovely manipulation.

So obviously I couldn't get back in no matter how hard I tried. And boy did I try!!

But I had a fabulous time. It was an exceptionally warm NYE - really mild (2011?). And I ended up in Central Park with the lovely fireworks show. You know how Disney kills all local firework shows for all of us - well these ones matched Disney. Absolutely exquisite.

And there was a midnight 5k? - 10k? in the park as well. So the park was festive and full.

Here are some pictures and the story of the day:

Scroll down - NYC starts at post #234

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2626545&page=16

________________________-

Have fun OP!!!

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

If you go to this website, they have a listing of various restaurants, hotels and rooftop bars that will be having NYE parties and events. This will be the first time since DH and I have been married that we'll be together for NYE, so I'm checking this list too!

http://newyearsevecentral.com/newyork/12-31-2013

 

[lisaviolet]

If you go to this website, they have a listing of various restaurants, hotels and rooftop bars that will be having NYE parties and events. This will be the first time since DH and I have been married that we'll be together for NYE, so I'm checking this list too!

http://newyearsevecentral.com/newyork/12-31-2013

That link makes me want to do a road trip.

 

[Tozzie]

My friends went to NYC for the Macys parade at Thanksgiving a few years ago & they said it was the most disgusting experience of their lives. I cannot even imagine what NYE must be like. The only way I would do it is if I could afford one of those outrageously expensive packages at a hotel where i could watch it from my hotel room......which I would never be able to afford lol.

I don't know where your friends were or what they considered "disgusting" and while you couldn't pay me to go to Times Square on NYE ( and that is because of the crazy crowds) I have been to the Thanksgiving Parade many times and there is nothing disgusting about it.

 

[java]

I don't know where your friends were or what they considered "disgusting" and while you couldn't pay me to go to Times Square on NYE ( and that is because of the crazy crowds) I have been to the Thanksgiving Parade many times and there is nothing disgusting about it.

Us too! I'm trying to figure out how to get there this year when I am cooking for about 15 people. We love that parade.

I remember one year many years ago(teen) we were trying to get to times square for the ball drop. We were running and I remember thinking we are gonna make it we are gonna make it. .....then heard the cheering in the distance. So no, I hav never seen the ball drop. But I spent all my teen/early 20's NYE's in the city.

Times Square on NYE is not for the faint of heart. And I'm claustrophobic so the whole crowd thing freaks me out.

 

[aprilgail2]

I've heard there are diapers involved..... But I'm sure that's not true for all, so I also wonder.

If you are lucky there are diapers involved-my friend had the back of her leg peed on by the guy behind her. I live in NY but you would not catch me anywhere near there New Years Eve!!

I don't know where your friends were or what they considered "disgusting" and while you couldn't pay me to go to Times Square on NYE ( and that is because of the crazy crowds) I have been to the Thanksgiving Parade many times and there is nothing disgusting about it.

I was wondering the same thing- the Parade is not disgusting at all, don't know what the heck they are talking about!

 

[phineasfan100]

I live about an hour from NYC and to be completely honest with you, just watch it on Channel 7 (ABC). You get a better view, more space, and the ability to leave and come back (bathroom/food). I have never gone into the city and probably never will.

 

[Tozzie]

Us too! I'm trying to figure out how to get there this year when I am cooking for about 15 people. We love that parade.

I remember one year many years ago(teen) we were trying to get to times square for the ball drop. We were running and I remember thinking we are gonna make it we are gonna make it. .....then heard the cheering in the distance. So no, I hav never seen the ball drop. But I spent all my teen/early 20's NYE's in the city.

Times Square on NYE is not for the faint of heart. And I'm claustrophobic so the whole crowd thing freaks me out.

EASY, HOw far do you live from Manhattan? schedule dinner for 7pm the parade is over by noon plenty of time to get home and cook or order from a dinner and pass it off as your own.

 

[PizzieDuster]

I always wonder what people do if they have to go to the bathroom.

ME TOO!!! I never see them on camera (the toilets LOL). I love watching NYC Times Square every News Years! I'm always wondering, don't they have to go? At a certain point, I'm sure they don't want to leave their spot.

Anyways, I enjoy watching everyone there in Times Square and the performances, etc., but from a party or from my home here in California.
I'm sure the locals have it down!!! I think of it as it must be their Rose Bowl Parade, but funner.

 

[shortbun]

I always wonder what people do if they have to go to the bathroom.

No toilets. Very difficult to get into the fenced off area which is blocks wide. Also, you don't have time to have dinner prior so you have to take snaks and plan to be hungry and dehydrated.

 

[mjkacmom]

ME TOO!!! I never see them on camera (the toilets LOL)..

It's because they are invisible! Nope, no toilets.