It was a great day, although a touch chilly and windy. The time was early... for me. It was also spring break for a lot of schools. Unbeknownst to us climbers, the Ford Mustang was already at the top for a car show special. Needless to say, although arriving early, there was a two hour wait to get in.
The hotel did not have access to Express tickets that allow priority and fast access. Those have to be gotten online. The line was dense, wrapping around two sides of the building. Remember, the Empire State Building has its own zip code.
The online site states "The Empire State Building is not in any way affiliated with the street sales agents, who approach visitors outside the building." Upgrades were gotten from street agents, for the Skyride. (Adventurers sometimes have to step out onto a limb.) This ticket gets you in right away to another event first, a simulated tour of the building and interesting sites of New York, and then right into the line inside the building. This is actually priority access privileges to the 86th Floor Observatory Deck, cutting time off the climb.
The top of the Empire State Building was originally designed for mooring zeppelins (airships), but no one ever actually receives that upgrade. The line inside the building is also thought provoking. However, this line has an electronically guided tour with pictures and headphones winding past exhibits. (There really is a test at the end but taking it is optional.) The guided tour is interesting, especially for history buffs and those in the game for more than just getting to the top.
The Australian competitor, Paul Crake, climbed the first 86 floors at 9 minutes and 33 seconds and holds that record. (The upgrade itself was probably around that for time.) Once through the tour, troops line up at the elevator for the top. Almost to the peak, climbers get off that elevator and into a line for another elevator for the very "tippity" top. Tough enough to opt for the stairs for the last six floors? Climbers may actually want to pace themselves. Strangely enough, the altitude was starting to take its toll.
This is the first building to have 100 floors, but it actually has 102 floors. Views from the top are stunning. The 50th Anniversary 2015 Ford Mustang had made it days before our party. We take selfies, and photos, hanging our phone cameras precariously out at high atmospheres pointing down at the city. Seeing cabs running down the streets looking like matchboxes, a sense of achievement, of arriving, expands within. Once documentation is done, back into the line for the elevator, past the gift shop. They sell a photo snapped somewhere on the climb. Memory fails me now where that is.
We had nearly lost two people in our long journey to the top but all made it. Successful climbers went back about life with a free 50th Anniversary Ford Mustang carry bag as a proud trophy.
Next climb we will know to get tickets online first. "All online ticket buyers can skip the ticket line at the entrance and go straight to the observation deck." The official site recommends times to visit that are busy. Time of year and holiday schedules can affect this as well.
Climbers taking this challenge have to have the time for it and it IS fun. Climbing tips accepted for the next time. Our party will be taking on Top of the Rock!
Empire State Building Official Site:
http://www.esbnyc.com/observatory_visitors_tips.asp
Ticket Prices at Official Site
http://www.esbnyc.com/buy_tickets.asp
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