Blackthorn

Merry Christmas morning everyone!

I'm considering a couple of choices for this New Years's Eve and one of them is visiting Times Square for the drop of the big crystal ball. Has anyone ever done this?

If you have any tips about how best to enjoy this with several million of my closest friends I'd appreciate it. I'm thinking being four floors up above the melee in the Marriott Marquis would be a good plan... but that's not really experiencing the magic of Times Square.

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eribrav

I went once when I was a teenager (let's just say that was a while ago). I think it's probably something everyone should do once. Having done it, I'm also certain it's not anything I want to do ever again.

I'm not sure how the hotel angle would work out, but I can guarantee you that you won't see much of anything from the 4th floor of the Marriott. You will end up out among the throngs. I just remember standing around for a long, long, LONG time, being very cold, and then feeling anti-climactic when the ball dropped and it was all over.

The idea of being in my warm house, next to the blazing fire, with good company enjoying good food is where my tastes lie now.

ARTelevision

Did it once. Good thing to do once. Walk out and walk in. Not really as big a deal as you might think. It was orderly and uneventful.

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Cynthetiq

I've done it 3 times.... Once was the only time I ever planned on going, a couple times I just wound up there somehow.

If you get there early so that you are near the ABC and MTV Studios you'll get some good views. Especially now that the MTV HD screen is there. The only caveat is that you cannot leave to go to the bathroom.

I don't know if you can bring bags this year, but definitely no bottles. They usually hand out plastic cups to pour your beer into.

Bring what you bring. You cannot leave, if you do you're done and will be sent back to the back of the groups which sometimes have extended close to 57th street.

One time I timed crossing the street from a subway station (49th N/R) to cross right when the ball hit which then they open up all the pens of people. That took a little planning but we did that because they were trying to make us go all the way back to 57th street.

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MikeyChalupa

My wife and I went for the millenium. I grew up on Long Island and had never been there, so we figured then was as good a time as any. As I remember, by 4-5PM Times Square was already full closed off. So we ended up in Columbus Circle, which was pretty packed too, and had a great time there. We went back and made it into Times Square for 2001, but she was pregnant at that time, and had to pee every 5 minutes, plus it was bitter cold, so around 10:30 we left and headed back to Great Neck and caught the ball drop on TV. Haven't been back since, finding a sitter is pretty hard on New Year's Eve.

-Mikey

maleficent

Been there once, I agree it's something everyone should do once in their life, it's not someething I would ever do again. The plus this year, it's supposed to be in thr 50s come New Years Eve, so standing out in the cold won't be so bad.

The rotating bar at the Marriot is a great place to watch (I thought it was the 8th floor though) but I also thought they were sold out of tickets months ago...

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vanblah

I did it about 15 years ago. It reminded me of every other New Year's Eve event I've been to in any other city ... except that there were half a gazillion people pushing on us from every direction; and you stand around and talk to complete strangers who are also not native New Yorkers.

The ball drops and chaos ensues for a few hours while people roam the streets looking for a way out.

Unless you have already booked a hotel, forget about it. Park in New Jersey and take the subway ... it's cheaper.

biznatch

Did it two years ago...coudln't close to times sq. there were so many people, I was squished...
But If you're gonna go with friends, cuff yourselves together...because or else you will get pushed away from them.

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rumor has it that we're going to have to listen to Regis all frickin night because Dick CLark is in the hospital. How much does that blow?!?!?! Regis is more annoying than a 4 year old kid after eating a pound of powdered kool-aid.