TKTS Questions

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:28am

I was in NYC back in 2003 and we used TKTS but it was so long ago i dont remember much about the best way to utilize it.

I know that Matinee performances on Wednesdays sell from 10 - 2, and evening shows from 3 - 8.

However, lets say, I wanna go see a night show on a wednesday. Ok... so for that, the booth is open from 3 - 8. How early should I get to the booth in order to get great seats? When do the lines start forming for the 3 - 8 sales?

at 3? at 2? way earlier?

I remember last time we just kind of strolled by around 11-ish, made the long line, and ended up getting decent tickets for about $40, but i want to get GOOD seats this time... how early should I get there?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:31am

Depends on the time of year.

Considering that there are 12 windows under the Mariott, you could stroll up at 1:55 and get a great seat to certain shows.

It goes very fast now.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:33am

oh sweet! I remember the last time we waited in line for like 45 min and when we got the the booth they only had a few tickets left. for $40. and we snatched them up.

but there were only 3 or 4 windows open.

Will TKTS still be at the Marriott by July? when is the new site scheduled to open?

So I should show up 1 hour earlier than the 3pm time in order to get some good tix?

[parker russel]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:44am

at the speed they're going TKTS will probably still be at the Marriott in 2010.

That being said, if you're coming in July I'd get there earlier. July is typically really really really busy. And the earlier you get there the better your seats will be. You'll wait in line a bit but you'll get better seats. Wednesday nights aren't too busy, so I'd recomend getting there around 2:30, or wait til the line dies down at about 4. It gets busy again at 4:30 (cuz thats when the matinee lets out).

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:51am

sweet. well if ticket sales open at 3pm for the night shows, then getting there at 2:30 isnt a big deal at all. thats only 30 min early.

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:57am

I wouldn't go to the TKTS in Times Square early. If you're eager to get your tickets, and if you're going to be downtown, try the TKTS office by South Street Seaport. It opens at 11AM or noon...

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 10:58am

does it sell for the same shows? only earlier than times square? i didnt know that

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:03am

Yes, it's the same shows. They even sell matinee tickets the day before (ie Wednesday matinee tickets available on Tuesday).

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:03am

it seems that the southseas locations sells tickets for matinee shows the day before?? that seems like a huge advantage. i never knew this...

does this location get really crowded?

do they offer the same tickets and seats as the times square location?

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:05am

I've purchased tickets at both locations, and I will say the line moves fairly quickly at both, although there seems to be less people at the South Street Seaport location. I like the idea of being able to purchase matinee tickets the day before.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:09am

that sounds great doesnt it dottie? thats why im wondering if they offer the exact same tickets? do they offer the same seats you can find in times square... or do they only sell tickets for certain areas of the theater...

because a day early is a huge advantage i would think.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 3/1/07 at 11:14am

I always wondered the same thing about the tickets that they sell. I can't ever recall getting a really bad seat from either TKTS location. I even got a great seat to Tarzan last time I was in town. By the time I got to the TKTS both (after losing the Wicked lottery) no one was in line (plus it was like 15 degrees out).

In your case, I definitely think you're at an advantage purchasing matinee tickets a day ahead. It gives you an extra block of time to explore the city.