New Years Eve Ball Drop Times Square New York

 

The New Years Eve Ball  Drop is an annual event that takes place in Times Square. I am sure we have all watched it on TV. It looks so much fun that you wanna be there. Anderson Cooper is live on CNN and  they make it so interesting and special.  You could watch it in a hotel or apartment balcony in Times Square for sure. But this is one event  that you need to get the full experience staying out in the cold with all the tourists from all over the world. 

New York attracts tourists from all over the world on any given time. New York's tourism has grown in record numbers compared to any where else in the world. Domestic tourists makes up the majority. 2019 alone New York welcomed 65 million tourists and four percent higher than the previous year. Holidays are a great time to visit New York. The Christmas lights and decorations on sidewalks brings you the joy and the spirit of Christmas. It is so full of fun. New York is a fun city any day! 

The Christmas Tree and Ice Skating at the Rockefeller center are some of the main attractions and things we have seen in many movies. These areas are so crowded during this time and it is hard not to hit someone while walking. New Yorkers are used to and they wouldn't even apologize. It is strange for it to happen to you. I found it pretty safe with all that crowd. One must always look out for pick pockets.

Since it is so busy during this time of the year, it is hard to get hotel rooms if you don't book in advance. One of the best things you could do is to get a hotel in New Jersey, Clifton area and commute by bus. It is not very far and the busses run every so often to the terminals and then you can take the subway to where you need to go.

How to Prepare for this evening

The events that takes place from dawn of December 31st to NewYears Eve as follows. In order to get a good spot, the earlier you get there is better. As it is based on first come first serve basis. There is no charge. The New Years Eve event tickets that gets advertise is for hotels and other indoor places. As Times Square begins to see more and more people the the police would clear the first block on the street close to the stage and barricade the space. Then they begin to let people in to this space after  a security checks, just like at the airport. You are not allowed with backpacks or bags. They are very strict and tight with security. Once you are in and that block is full, it is closed and you are not allowed to go out. 

This process takes place until all roads are filled and barricaded. Here's the kicker, you may have entered one of the area barricades at 10am and you will have to wait until mid night to see the ball drop. A New Yorker would tell you to go around 4pm. You won't be in a place visible to the Ball. So go early. The temperature outside could be anywhere from 30's to the 40's. I bundled up with my ski gear. Just in case it rained. I also took hand warmers, water and sandwiches in a plastic bag. Now the question is how do you go to the bathroom. You don't. There are Porte-Potties in place at certain locations but you wouldn't know the locations. Even if you knew you will have to talk to a police before you leave and they may escort you if you are lucky. The locals I spoke to suggested adult diapers. Or they said hold it. Avoid the morning coffee or tea if you don't want trouble. The side walk is open but you cannot leave. 

You are caged in and there and there is no entertainment. Around six in the evening they would play music from a couple artist who would perform that evening. You will hear the same songs over and over again until midnight. Planet Fitness sponsors the event and they provide with hats and other goodies. It is a struggle to get them as it is distributed along the sidewalk. If you happen to be in the middle, you have to make it to the side. Occasionally you see restaurants around there selling hot chocolate and other beverages. The waiters would walk with trays with drinks and other food. 

As it gets closer to midnight every hour the ball drops with a count down. During this time there are speakers and artists performing on the stage. It begins to get interesting and it also gets colder by the minute. Ten seconds before mid night the final countdown begins. The excitement at that time is all worth the wait, the suffering without going to the bathroom and waiting in the cold. 

The Final count down

 

The confetti

After Party

When the ball has dropped and it is the New Year!!! Friends gather to celebrate the 1st of the year. This is a very joyous moment. People calling their loved ones, couple hugging and kissing, people taking photos and selfies. It is so emotional  and fun at the same time. This goes on into dawn.

You would imagine that there is a street party with entertainments. Unfortunately there is nothing. The crowd disperses, the street vendors are back in business, streets are slowing getting opened and the cleaning crew gets busy cleaning. You are almost freezing looking for an Uber or taxi to get out. All that is so worth it!!!! 

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