Well I had to share the excitement! I am heading over to the states this Christmas on the 23rd and staying till the 2nd. This is our first trip to NYC and I am really really excited.
I know many people say it is madness going to Times Square and I think they are prob right, but the fact we are coming from the UK it really is something special to us.
We have booked into Olive Garden in times square for free bar and food (well in saying that it cost $250 each haha) then we hope to catch a glimpse of ball drop!
Anyways who will be thier? have you ever been? I know its freezinf and no toilets or alcohol etc.... we just want to live it once
Xxx Oh and when do you know what celebs will be thier? xxx was the clintons last year
They put up barricades like cattle pens to control the crowd. Once a pen is full, they start filling up the next pen. If you leave your pen, you don't get back in.
It may be cold, it may be warm. That time of year the weather has been all over the place.
Which celebrities are there isn't really important, as you probably won't get anywhere near them. There will be blocks and blocks and blocks of people, by the time you get done with dinner you will not be near the stage.
If it's cold, it will be much colder then you think. Standing for two, four, however many hours in one spot on cold pavement is way colder then if you were able to move around.
I say ignore what people tell you, we did, and go and have a blast. It's fun to be part of the crowd for it.
I cant wait to go. Our booking lets us out ten mins before ball drop so thankfully no need to stand in the cold
I hope
The celebs thing was more for my niece she has been so excited that I may see a famous american haha. Bless her! she goes over for tree lighting at christmas with her parents for this reason.
Anyways, Thank you for taking the time to post! I am sure we will have a blast xx
They put up barricades like cattle pens to control the crowd. Once a pen is full, they start filling up the next pen. If you leave your pen, you don't get back in.
It may be cold, it may be warm. That time of year the weather has been all over the place.
Which celebrities are there isn't really important, as you probably won't get anywhere near them. There will be blocks and blocks and blocks of people, by the time you get done with dinner you will not be near the stage.
If it's cold, it will be much colder then you think. Standing for two, four, however many hours in one spot on cold pavement is way colder then if you were able to move around.
I say ignore what people tell you, we did, and go and have a blast. It's fun to be part of the crowd for it.
On the other hand, as a 15 year NYer I would rather stand stark naked on the South Pole for New Years Eve than go to Time Square. I will be on my way to Sydney (yes summer time) on the 31st, as far as away from Times Square as I could possibly get. Until recently, I lived near the Times Square area (was so happy to get out of that area). Last New Years I was awoken around 5AM by the screams of a girl being beaten up by her drunken boyfriend.
You may at first be repulsed by this suggestion, but keep it in mind as the date gets closer: buy and wear DEPENDS (adult diapers). People are squeezed in like sardines for HOURS in order to be anywhere near to the center of Times Square - and - the porta pottis they have there will be absolutely disgusting. So, it would be good to have an alternative
At the very least, it'll be a funny story for all of you if you don't "need" them, and a quiet secret if you do.
hahahaa! That is so funny, we call them nappies and I have just felt sickness coming on at the thought of my bf in one haha!
Eh thanks so much fot the thought and it is a really good idea, but i think the people around us may have somthing to say about the stench ha.
Also to the person off to Oz...Amazing!
I always find it funny how we dont really appreciate what we have on our doorsteps. I guess because it is normal to us and all we know. For instance you would never EVER EVER catch me in Glasgow or Edinburgh New years Event because I just think it would be my idea of hell in the freezing cold waiting on midnight. Then the tables turn and I am this tourist thinking oh my god NY eve in one of the best cities in the world and it is becoming highlight of my trip. haha
Over here in UK NYC at christmas is like a dream. So expensive to do etc.. As you will prob find also with oz. Funny how my dream is your worst nightmare ha.....
Anyways I really hope you have a wonderful trip.... Sunshine and all
Mike, how did you enjoy it last year? You were their with your wife right? I think i looked at previous posts
Green Day by the way, is the band playing live in Times Square this year.
I say go and have a blast. Yes, there are a ton of people, but it's very orderly. It can be horribly cold, wet, windy, etc, but if it is you have reservations to be inside for most of it.
I'm guessing most people don't go year after year, but I'd also bet most people are thrilled they did go. We loved it.
Programs: UA 1K Global Services, SQ PPS, Hyatt Diamond, VS Silver
Posts: 2,206
I agree with Cordelli; don't listen to the naysayers and go and have a blast. If it is your one chance to experience NYE in Times Square I say do it! As a lifelong New Yorker I am the biggest advocate for the city and love to hear when people go out of their way to visit and to make their trips special.
NYC is at its best during the Christmas holiday season so do everything that you can, try to find the non-tourist places as well as the highlights and landmarks.
Please let me know if I can help answer any questions about your trip!
i am too (with my mother and gf) staying in NYC the NYE night.. flying in in the morning, and flying back home the next evening... staying in Holiday Inn Express (15 WEST 45TH STREET)...
still considering our options on what/where to do/celebrate the New Years..
Meducate, Thank you very much for taking the time to comment, I have posted on another well known forum and for some reason the responses I have had from native New Yorkers has been quite abrupt and rude to be honest. Saying I am pathetic etc for wanting to spend my New Years at a chain restaurant in Times Square.... Don't know how many times I tried to explain that I was going thier to the Olive Garden mainly for the location. It is so refreshing to see that not everyone looks at us tourists as "pests" and "predictable". You actually seem to realise that as a new yorker you are sooo privileged to have all these sites right on your door step. I have never been but it I am imagine it is the most wonderful city especially at Christmas... I am so happy to be part of it this year. It is costing an absolute fortune ha... but I know it will be worth every penny.
As for advice, I would love some.... On Christmas Eve we are hoping to do some bargain shopping. Named brands are so much more expensive here, do you have any tips??
Also we are going to the christmas spectacular on christmas day but would really like to see a show on broadway... Any suggestions....?
Finally, doing something less touristy would be fantastic, its really knowing what, I would love to hear your ideas
and I hope this does not sound too morbid, but like the rest of the world 9/11 is a tradgedy that still brings me to tears 8 years later. I really want to go and pay my respect at Christmas time... At ground zero but even lay some flowers for the closest fire station.... ?? is there one near? My partner is a bit unsure of this, but something that means alot to me. I knew no one affected that day but to visit such a city at a time like Christmas, it really brings it home how lucky we are, and just what NYC lost that day
Sorry for all my questions - Thank you again for your time
I have been doing alot of research on this haha - months in fact and I can share what I got...Not sure if it helps
Ok so we have booked the Olive garden as I said -This is located in 2 times square and on of the only few places that you get a view of the ball drop live at 12am. (This is not 100% guaranteed, but the owner did say 99% based on previous years) This ticket gets you into times square the areas that people queue from early morning to see. You can get past police with your ticket apparently from 6pm and there is a buffet and free bar (I say free its $250 each) the party starts with live music i believe then just before the ball drops - police allowing, the manager allows everyone out to welcome in the new year, then back in to party till about 1am (apparently).
We also looked at TGI's they also have a view of ball drop in times square, and they even shut off a part outside for everyone to go out and watch the ball drop live.... They have an open bar and food... They also have different entertainment on each floors and I think a big celebration with free chamapage at midnight. The problem for us was this was $399 per person and I could not afford to spend that unfortunately. I also know that a few hotels in that area (I am sure the marriot) have an even on but that is also about $500 I think (do not quote me, this is from memory)
Another option is the all access pass which guarantees entry into selected bars and clubs all night and access to watch ball drop live (this is 275 dollars, but I am not sure if your idea of a night out)
Another option that was suggested to me was a midnight party cruise on the Hudson on one of thier liners, five star and 7 course meal, entertainment etc.... This sounded beautiful, but we had hearts set on times square (I am sure this was about $275 each, but again please check)
Finally there is also fireworks in central park which everyone says is a beautiful display... That could be an option maybe.
Or if these aint what you are looking for then you could have a wonderful night wrapped up and spend it braving the NY weather in times square. I think this is a wonderful idea, but being Scottish and liking out alcohol we decided to book the olive garden and have the luxuary of a bathroom
Times square is completely free to access but remember as others have advised it is soooo cold and you must arrive very early to get a spot. There are no toilet facilities and no alcohol....
But all that aside I can only imagine the live atmosphere with the million ppl that gather thier.
I hope I have helped you, or someone else
Whatever you do - have a wonderful New Year (and trip)
Hellooo folks
) on the 31st, as far as away from Times Square as I could possibly get. Until recently, I lived near the Times Square area (was so happy to get out of that area). Last New Years I was awoken around 5AM by the screams of a girl being beaten up by her drunken boyfriend.
