topic Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question in Community Chat

Times Square New Year's Eve Question

Plaid Pants2 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:13:19 GMT

For years, I have watched the ball drop, and seen all of those people crowded in to Times Square.

They are predicting one million people there tomorrow night.

Can we say "claustrophobic"?

With few entrance points, and all those people crammed in to one spot, what do you do if you have to use the restroom?

Also, for as crowded as it is, it sure does clear out awfully fast. That always amazes me at how quickly the place empties.

Has anyone been to Times Square on New Year's Eve?

I have NO desire to be in Times Square on New Year's Eve, but have always wondered about those things.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

proudlyfromNJ — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:25:52 GMT

Well, yes, I was there in 1966! Crowded, but not like today. I was 18 and thought I would be a big shot and have a drink in a restaurant, as drinking age in NY at the time was 18. The rules were changed for NYE and you had to be 21. I wouldn't go today as it would be to crowded for me.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

emma bunting — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:26:01 GMT

@Plaid Pants2 wrote:
For years, I have watched the ball drop, and seen all of those people crowded in to Times Square.

They are predicting one million people there tomorrow night.

Can we say "claustrophobic"?

With few entrance points, and all those people crammed in to one spot, what do you do if you have to use the restroom?

Also, for as crowded as it is, it sure does clear out awfully fast. That always amazes me at how quickly the place empties.

Has anyone been to Times Square on New Year's Eve?

I have NO desire to be in Times Square on New Year's Eve, but have always wondered about those things.

What do you do if you have to use the restroom?......................Depends.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

muttmom — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:33:44 GMT

We are from the metropolitan area. My husband and I have been to Times Square on NYE. It was many years ago and back then there were not the security checkpoints. It was jam packed but it was just one of those things you did, just so you could say you were there. I did not drink anything all day, so did not need the rest room but I'm pretty sure back then you could come and go, pushing your way back to where your friends held a space.

Both our children did it with college friends.

I would never do it now, even if I were young.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

Cookie2025 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:30:08 GMT

I believe many of the attendees wear DIAPERS.

My Brother has been several times and that issue has been discussed.

He also stated he felt very secure being there too. He said there was security all over - obvious and not so much.

Us here - we will eat some seafood and enjoy watching the ball drop by the fireplace in the Lobby where I live and then head to someonesplace and watch fireworks at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore City.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

Ms X — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:33:02 GMT

I went once when a college friend from New York organized it. It is truly a pickpocket's dream! You are in the middle of this massive crowd being jostled around. I was afraid I'd get separated from my companions and end up lost. I'd wished we'd stayed at the restaurant on Long Island rather than go to Times Square. Talk about overrated!

By the way, we didn't wait around but instead got there not too long before the stupid ball dropped. That was before 9/11 and the extra security, though.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

GCR18 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:32:32 GMT

You have a couple bathroom choices.... don't drink anything until leaving or use an adult product. There are no bathrooms.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

newjerseygirl — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:35:03 GMT

It is very crowded and there are no bathrooms.

There are barricades set up like pens. Once you are in your spot you have to stay there. You have to get there early and stand for hours.

There is a lot of security.

Once the ball drops, that's it. There is nothing else to do. Since people have been standing there for hours, usually in the cold, they leave as quickly as they can to get warm and get to a bathroom.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

I am still oxox — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:36:19 GMT

Once you are in the pen you are then until the ball drops. I have lived in the NY area my entire life and never had the desire to do the Times Square thnng

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

PeterDM — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:39:07 GMT

It's more of a pain than anything. I lived in NYC for so long, but the only time I got close to Times Square on NYE was when I was still in college and visiting the city back in 1993. They shut down the side streets, so you can't get into Times Square after a certain point in the early evening. My friends and I went to see a Broadway show on 44th st. between Broadway and 8th. By the time the show let out, we couldn't get into Times Square. There were barricades at the end of the block. I think you have to get there early, and most people just go to the bathroom in cups that they bring with them. I would never choose to be there on NYE.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

haddon9 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:40:23 GMT

When I was younger I wanted to go but never did. One problem was the bathroom issue and it never occurred to me to use an adult diaper. Never knew that sort of thing existed when I was in my 20s plus Times Square and NYC was very bad back in the 70s.

Once the 80s came around I had kids. Now it just sounds like a miserable time to me....unless I could go into a nice private party overlooking the festivities.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

newjerseygirl — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:41:17 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
Once you are in the pen you are then until the ball drops. I have lived in the NY area my entire life and never had the desire to do the Times Square thnng

Exactly the same for me.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

handygal2 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:44:42 GMT

I have never been there on New Year's Eve, nor is that on my bucket list, LOL. I do know of people who have attended, and l've heard stories about them having to wear adult absorbent products, and the wet items freeze on a cold night, if you get my drift! I imagine it's terribly uncomfortable!

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

twinsister — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:55:33 GMT

@newjerseygirl wrote:
@I am still oxox wrote:
Once you are in the pen you are then until the ball drops. I have lived in the NY area my entire life and never had the desire to do the Times Square thnng

Exactly the same for me.

The same for me too!

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

Ceci — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 02:26:08 GMT

Born and raised in NYC. There are bars and restaurants all over the area. We always hung out in the bars, used their bathrooms and could freely go in and out. The City was always cold and sometimes snowy. Last time I went, we all rented a room in a hotel right in Times Square. We watched the ball drop from our window.

It is fun, much more so when you are young!

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

hckynutjohn — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 02:31:32 GMT

Any gathering of over the max of 18,000 people? Don't like huge crowds and that is why we quit going to Nascar Sprint Cup (were Winston Cup at the time) races. Too danged many people for my liking.

Went to 1 Nebraska football game, 80,000 people. Never again.

hckynut(john)

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

sandraskates — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 03:04:53 GMT

I lived on the East Coast for many years and always wanted to go and see this "live." But I couldn't get one friend to go with me in all that time. :-(

I know one person who went by himself one year and had no problems. I think he said that someone held his standing place and let him back if he had to use a bathroom.

If I was to do this now I think @Ceci 's way would be the way to - watching through a hotel window. I saw a story on the news about nearby restuarants that were offering packages that included the ability to watch the ball drop. The cheapest was approx. $500.

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

tedEbear — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 03:14:58 GMT

The cold never appealed to me. I am from west coast. The Police Chief said 6,000 cops in the crowd and snipers on the rooftops. That thought doesn't appeal to me either--tedEbear

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

fourpaws56 — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 03:23:07 GMT

never been, never cared to...I would rather lay on my couch with ny bottle of chocolate milk and watch the festivities...

Re: Times Square New Year's Eve Question

Stray — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 04:08:35 GMT

I have been there multiple times including y2k which was my last. The crowds were not as big years ago and easier to move around....I hung out in bars and stayed in a nearby hotel once so used the bathrooms there....I enjoyed the experience and people were fun and friendly....I am glad I did it when I did but have no desire to repeat the experience again