People Who’ve Been to the Times Square Ball Drop Are Warning Others: ‘Glad I Did It—But Never Again’
For decades, ringing in the New Year at Times Square has been treated like a bucket-list rite of passage. Millions watch the ball drop on TV each year, and thousands brave the cold to experience it in person.
But when Reddit users who’ve actually been there were asked why they went, and whether it was worth it, the answers were surprisingly blunt.
Across hundreds of responses, one theme came up again and again: the reality is nothing like the broadcast.
“The Miserable Low Point of the Trip”
Many people said they went when they were younger, expecting a massive party atmosphere — and instead found hours of discomfort.
“I was in college and a bunch of friends and I drove 800 miles,” one user wrote. “We stood in the cold for hours and watched the ball drop and then just wanted to get back to our room. The trip was fun overall. The Times Square event was the miserable low point of the experience.”
Others echoed that sentiment, calling it “underwhelming,” “overrated,” and something that looks far better on TV than in real life.
One commenter summed it up bluntly: “I saw a tiny ball drop and I couldn’t f—ing breathe.”
No Bathrooms, No Re-Entry, and No Escape
What shocked many first-timers most wasn’t the cold — it was the logistics.
Once you’re inside the security perimeter, leaving often means you can’t come back. And bathrooms? Essentially nonexistent.
“They do not,” one user replied when asked if there were portable toilets. “You are forced into a little corral thing. You can leave but you can’t come back.”
That reality led to one of the most disturbing recurring themes in the thread: adult diapers and improvised bathroom solutions.
Multiple commenters described people wearing diapers, using pee pads, or worse. One recalled seeing a man interviewed on live TV who casually explained that he was wearing absorbent pads — and that most people simply throw them on the ground afterward.
“Times Square,” another user joked darkly, “start 2026 with a UTI.”
Crowd Crush Fears Haven’t Gone Away
Beyond discomfort, some longtime New Yorkers and past attendees raised serious safety concerns.
One person who went in the 1980s described crowd pressure so intense that if someone fell, it triggered a chain reaction of people collapsing, with broken bottles underfoot. Others referenced modern fears of crowd crush, noting that tightly packed spaces can become dangerous fast.
“I got claustrophobic just reading this,” one commenter admitted.
The Exception: If You’re Not on the Street
While most street-level experiences were described as miserable, a smaller group said the night can be incredible — if you’re indoors or have special access.
People who attended through hotels, private parties, or by helping with the famous confetti drop described warm spaces, bathrooms, alcohol, and the ability to step outside just before midnight.
“That was an absolute blast,” one person wrote after describing rooftop access and police escorts. “Wouldn’t do it any other way though.”
Several commenters agreed: the only way they’d ever consider Times Square on New Year’s Eve again is from above — or behind a door.
“Every City Does New Year’s Better Than We Do”
Perhaps the most telling criticism came from New Yorkers themselves.
“I’ve lived here my entire life,” one user wrote. “This is the greatest city in the world… and I’m also a firm believer that every single city in the world does New Year’s Eve better than we do.”
Others pointed out that many locals actively avoid the area, preferring smaller gatherings, bars, or even staying home.
So… Is It Worth It?
For most people who’ve done it, the answer is complicated.
They don’t necessarily regret going — but almost none would repeat it.
As one commenter put it: “If you want the experience at home, turn on the AC, lock yourself in a small closet for six hours, and don’t use the bathroom.”
Another summed it up more kindly: “Glad I can say I did it. Never ever again.”
For anyone still set on traveling for New Year’s Eve, there are far less punishing ways to celebrate. A recent WalletHub analysis breaks down which U.S. cities actually deliver when it comes to ringing in the new year — without hours of standing, freezing, or questionable bathroom logistics. And for travelers who’ve already learned a few hard lessons the long way, another conversation has people openly sharing the destinations they swear they’ll never return to, sparking a surprisingly heated debate about what’s worth the hype and what isn’t.
These Are the Best U.S. Cities to Celebrate New Year’s Eve, According to WalletHub
Ringing in the new year doesn’t have to mean freezing in Times Square or blowing your entire travel budget on one night out.
Read more: These Are the Best U.S. Cities to Celebrate New Year’s Eve, According to WalletHub
Travelers Are Sharing the Places They’d Never Visit Again — and the Answers Sparked Heated Debate
A simple question posted online sparked an unexpectedly intense discussion: Where would you never travel to again?
Read more: Travelers Are Sharing the Places They’d Never Visit Again — and the Answers Sparked Heated Debate
These famous places are not worth visiting, according to the internet
A viral thread recently asked, “What’s a famous place not worth visiting?” and while one commenter wisely said, “There is no such place—go see for yourself,” that didn’t stop hundreds of others from chiming in with some surprisingly spicy takes.
Read more: These famous places are not worth visiting, according to the internet
10 Cities That Impressed Travelers Way More Than Expected in 2025
A new study reveals which destinations left visitors pleasantly surprised this year.
Read more: 10 Cities That Impressed Travelers Way More Than Expected in 2025
The 20 Most Boring Tourist Attractions in the U.S., Ranked
A new study by analyzed over 1,100 U.S. attractions on TripAdvisor and looked for boredom-related words like “boring,” “dull,” and “underwhelming.” The result? A list of places that tourists were most disappointed by, scaled by complaints per 1,000 reviews for fairness.
Read more: The 20 Most Boring Tourist Attractions in the U.S., Ranked
