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'Depends': Times Square Revelers Talk About How And Why They're Waiting 14+ Hours For New Year's Eve
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 31, 2018
Modified Dec 31, 2018
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By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 31, 2018
Modified Dec 31, 2018
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In spite of a wet and windy forecast, thousands of dedicated New Year's Eve enthusiasts flocked to the Times Square this morning, in hopes of snagging prime spots to watch the New Year's Eve ball officially call the beginning of 2019. And these are real die-hards: There are no portable bathrooms and people can't return to their original viewing spots if they happen to leave (in search of food, facilities, etc.).
"That's a good question," Tim Miller replied to a question about his bathroom plan. "Depends... depends whether or not I'll answer that question.. so I think I just did."
He is visiting New York with his two daughters, ages 14 and 28, from Georgia. Their trip has been a year in the making, with them planning hotel rooms and airline tickets. They're in Times Square for New Year's Eve "this is where it's all happening," Miller said.
The Millers made friends with Sarah Watkins and her mother. Watkins, of Florida, confessed, "We're trying not to eat so we don't have to leave."
"No Depends," her mother added.
"We wanted come to New York for the experience—it's more of a bucket list idea," Watkins explained, noting that the chaos was "something" else. (Also on their bucket list for NYC: Seeing the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and the Rockettes.)
While it's unclear whether the NYPD's estimates are truly accurate, there was definitely a mass of people at the "Crossroads of the World." Just some we spoke to were from Spain, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Paris, London, Argentina, New Orleans, St. Louis, Winnipeg, Toronto, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Colombia. "We don’t want people to tell us what it’s like. We want to experience it ourselves," Gisela of Mexico said.
British tourist Lara and Lillie said, "We saw the film years New Year's Eve years ago and knew one day we had to do it fir ourselves."
"We drove here in my 18-wheeler truck, sleeping inside the cab instead of a hotel," Mikey, who was with wife Amanda, from Indianapolis said. They arrived at 8:30 am.
Even if people didn't bring food, one Domino's pizza employee was selling pies for $25 apiece. He sold all four in five minutes.
One item that was forbidden, with no vendors offering them, was the highly coveted umbrella: A Times Square Alliance worker estimated he had collected 300 by 11 a.m.
Passing the time for 14 hours requires supplies. Hunter and Caroline from St. Louis, who also arrived at 8:30 am, brought a mini Jenga game to keep them entertained all day. Hunter said, "I'm going to Med School next year, so this is my last chance. It’s iconic!"
"We have food, phones, back-up battery chargers, and our Nintendo Switch," Yagaz Dharkanat said, from his spot in the middle of Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets. The 22-year-old from Springfield, NJ convinced three of his friends to come to Times Square. Although he's been planning this trip for months, when asked whether he had a bathroom plan, he admitted, "Absolutely not. I have no clue what to do. Wish for the best."
"Some of us are prepared," his friend Michael Signorelli, also 22, interjected. "I've prepared. That's all I need to say."
Additional reporting by Scott Lynch
Tagged
Times Square
times square New Year’s Eve
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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