Plus there is heavy crowd control with barriers around the entire block surrounding the Museum of Natural History where the balloons are inflated on 77th and 81st Streets. If you don't approach from the proper direction, you could end up walking very long blocks to get to the only entrance to view the balloons. Last year this entrance was located at Columbus Avenue at 79th. It was an uncomfortable crush of people at 5PM.

Oh well, was hoping to take some pictures but sounds like it will be a mob scene.

If you arrive earlier than 5PM you may have more photo opportunities--and some daylight as well. The balloons were already inflated by 5PM and are squished under nets tethered to the ground.