Top of the Rock.....anyone been up yet?

Counting the days and hours before MrsB & I hit NYC

Anyone tried the new Rockefeller 'Top of the Rock' observatory yet?
and if so, is it better than the Empire State Building? - I know the queues can be a real pain at the ESB

Jon

I told a friend about this, and he went last week, and he loved it.

http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/

I'm booking in advance for when I go in March. It sounds like their time ticketing reduces the wait time too.

Having done both very recently - ESB on 16/10 and The Rock on 10/11 - I would without a doubt suggest you do the Rock.
15 min wait (timed tickets) for the Rock compared to a near 1hr wait for the ESB. The Rock view is better of Upper Manhattan - particularly Central Park which is stunning. Where as the ESB view of lower Manhattan is better (assuming you can get the elbows of the hundreds of other people up there out of your eye!!)

One thing that really ticked me off about the ESB is how tacky it is. We were forced to Q for a picture against a cardboard Statue of Liberty - I think!! It could've been an ESB, I just wasn't prepared to hang about to find out!

It's great to do the Rock then finish off with some ice skating at Rock Plaza

Thanks paddy & locutus [y]

Will probably try the ESB early morning when the queues shouldn't be too bad. Have just booked online for the Rock, timed ticket for 4.30 so should just about see it getting dark and the amazing light show that is Manhattan.