London Eye Fireworks - have you been?

[Diamond345]

Could anyone share what their experience of going to the london eye fireworks was like?

Was it difficult to get a ticket? Are there any good spots to view without a ticket?

What was it like commuting there and back in terms of crowds and transport? Just debating wether to go in future!

Went a long, long time ago before it was ticketed.

A colleague went last night (with a ticket) and queued for about 5 hours but they stopped letting people in. He’s furious.

We ended up walking miles to get back home (lived in south west London) because the queues for transport were horrific.

@OneMoreTime23 what time did you get there and are you “penned” in when you arrived?
How do you manage going to loo, food etc.?
Thanks @Diamond345 for the thread - was going to start one about just this!

I’m talking 20 years ago but I think we were there from about 4pm? Absolutely no chance of food or toilets from what I remember. It may be different now.

Yes, penned in.

Nightmare. They're in the sky. Can't you watch from the other bank without all the faffing?

You can see them from all sorts of places! We used to stand on my sister’s roof (6th floor) in SW6 instead!

You couldn't pay me enough to do it again. You are penned in. No toilets / food / drink. It's a crush and getting home is a nightmare. You can see the queues at Waterloo last night on TikTok.

We went for the Milennium. All I remember is walking for miles to get home.

We went last night
Can buy tickets online and i think they come out in Nov. By the time i got round to it only red zone were available. They advise you to get there around 9.
Entry was smooth and well signposted (our recommended station for entry was blackfriars).
Plenty of toilets and some food outlets and a lot of litter unfortunately due to lack of bins (really remembered Japan and wished i had taken some bags for my rubbish). The junk food was the worst i had so would advise eating before you go.

We didn't have the best view as saw the London eye from the aide but could see big ben and the fireworks well without getting squashed.

There was music playing but i wouldn't say the atmosphere was great. A bit meh

They have enough marshalls but from all over the country who were not able to advise you about how to get home. I feel this is something people should be able to plan but no information available on TFL website.

We had to take national rail from Charing Cross station but only realised you cant enter from front entrance after we reached there (short walk). But managed to get to the station via another entrance and get on the train immediately. Train also went faster than usual so arrived home in Kent by 0115.

I am pleased we went but don't think we will do it again

The only time I saw them was when ex and I did a dinner cruise. I have to say, that was a really good night. I don't think it was crazily expensive from memory but I don't know about now, this was about 6 years ago. But basically you had dinner then close to midnight the boat stopped near the fireworks. Had a brilliant view, in comfort! There was also music/dancing. I would recommend it if it's affordable. No way could I queue up and stand there crammed in for hours.

@chopc did you have to show ID when you entered the ticketed area?

On the radio this morning they were comparing the requirement to show ID for a fireworks display wiith the event organiser's (Mayor of London) stance on voter ID.

Then a listener called in to say he had tickets, queued for hours but couldn't get in and Waterloo Bridge was dangerously packed and plod did a disappearing act.

I did it last night.

Blue zone -opposite the eye

Bought back in November when released

Arrived 10ish and had sone horrible crushes to get in. So many people trying to get in without tickets and no clear way of being in a line to get tickets checked.

Once in (11.15) there was food and tons of loos and we got a spot very central and raised up -I s as n not sure if people were supposed to be there but plenty of people were (a building entrance). Meant we could sit down waiting then stand on our ledge to watch. We brought in some vans to drink.

Easy to get out when over, we walked to Pimlico so 15 mins?

Not sure I'd do again due to crush getting in. But fireworks impressive! And very very loud!

We paid £20 each.

I took ID but not checked (but I am a muddled aged woman so maybe a factor)

I did Waterloo bridge 7-8 years ago and it was very empty then, most people on one side of bridge so we lent against the other bridge side whilst waiting.

Soz if I am the New Year’s Eve equivalent of the Grinch, but I really don’t understand what’s different about battling crowds and expense of visiting London on that day of the year when you could simply watch the same fireworks on the news!!

Went in 2011. Not ticketed then. Had good spot opposite eye, then as the fireworks started the people in front of us all hopped on their friends backs for better pics and blocked our view.

Its much better on tv. Honestly.

@TheThingIsYeah they said it was a requirement but no one checked ID

Perhaps it depends on the entrance as my entry experience was different to the other poster who went last night.

@FlyingSoap most things are available virtually- why do you actually leave your house to do /see anything?