The overwhelming crowds at the Times Square ball drop have a major downside: the need for, well, diapers. Attendees are reportedly wearing up to four layers of Depen’s adult diapers, which vendors are selling for $50 a pair. Once you’re inside, it’s nearly impossible to leave for a bathroom break, according to sellers.
Orlando Mendez, 38, who was selling adult underwear on Sixth Avenue, jokingly remarked, “It’s funny until it’s not funny,” adding that desperation drives the price. “There are no toilets there at all. Once you’re in, it’s a real problem,” he explained.
By noon on New Year’s Eve, Mendez had discreetly sold two sets of diapers to women, charging them the steep price. “Surprisingly, many people are already wearing diapers,” he noted, suggesting that both newcomers and seasoned attendees understand the necessity.
As thousands gathered for the annual event, anticipation mingled with anxiety due to the cold, with forecasts predicting the chilliest December 31st in New York since 2017. One seller even shared that a customer admitted to wearing four adult diapers already.
Mendez mentioned his experience selling Christmas trees earlier in the season had led him to this new venture. “I thought this was the next holiday,” he said, reflecting the hustle and bustle of the city.
Kimberly Myers, 55, a kindergarten teacher from Santa Monica, prepared meticulously for the event. Besides her diaper, she brought an extra one along with a panty liner. She also packed supplies for the cold, like trail mix, pain relief, thermal leggings, and Tums.
Though she felt ready, she expressed some nerves. “The temperature this morning was about 25 degrees,” she noted. Yet, her excitement was palpable: “As a little girl, I watched the ball drop on TV every year and kept saying I had to do it someday.”
