If you're in Times Square on New Year's Eve and lucky to get a spot close enough to the action, you'll see a ball with some newly-designed crystal plates — NY1's Michael Scotto went to the top of One Times Square and took a look.

Workers stood high above the crossroads of the world and placed the final Waterford Crystal panels on the spruced-up Times Square ball.

In just a few days, around one million people will be packed into the area, with their necks craned to the sky, waiting to see the ball-drop mark the start of 2016.

"It's an amazing time, and it's a time  for a kind of reset for all of us because no matter how, what year it is, it's always a little crazy, and this year we've had a lot of violence, a lot of division and so this is time when people come together as one," said Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance.

For generations, the ball has been helping people do just that. The one that will be used Thursday night weighs nearly six tons and contains almost 2,700 crystal panels that will be illuminated by over 32,000 LEDs.

"It's like this faceted starburst effect, reaching for the stars," said Tom Brennan, a master artisan with Waterford Crystal. "But the one thing that I see is an Irish sunrise because it brings me back to my hometown."

The ball will be hoisted to the top of a giant pole at 6 p.m. New Year's Eve. And then at 11:59, Mayor Bill de Blasio will push a button, setting the ball drop in motion. 

Security, as always, will be tight this year. That means no bags and no alcohol.

Those rules and the massive crowds are why people have mixed feelings about attending the world's most famous New Year's celebration.

"No locals around here," said one. "It's everybody else coming in. It's gonna be packed. I can get a much better view on my TV."

"Too crazy," said another. "I would never do that, absolutely not. I'd rather work and then at 12 o'clock kiss her and then I'll be happy."

"I hope to be in Times Square because it'll be exciting," said a third. "It's extraordinary to be here and spend New Year's Eve with so many millions of people."

So, if you are coming and you want a good view of the famous ball, you better arrive early.

More than a billion people worldwide are expected to watch the broadcast of the event. And of course you can tune in to NY1 Thursday night for live coverage from the celebration. As the ball drops, we'll let you enjoy the sights and sounds without commentary. Our New Year's Special starts at 11 p.m. Thursday.