Best time to arrive?

[Diabolik]

I've never been to an event dedicated to one specific show before but can relate to SM events due to LFCC etc.

 

That being said, I'm sure it's not going to be as busy nor will there be a need to queue at stupid o'clock for those all important VQ's - do you think I'm right?

 

I'm just a regular guest, not having bought a package pass, so even were I there early the package guests would get priority over me.

 

What does everyone else think about this - surely as we are only a week away, thoughts are turning to what time to arrive at the venue????

[Raylenth]

That's tough to answer. The queues should go in fairly quickly as you all have your tickets so they just need to be scanned on the door. Most of the package holders will register Friday I guess and Gold and above don't need VQ's so that cuts down on the number of people who will be trying to get them. As you say there probably won't be the LFCC kind of numbers attending.

 

I'd guess it depends on who your main wants are and if you are there for both days or just 1. If you want everyone and will only be there for 1 day I'd prefer to go early to make sure I didn't miss out. I'd guess about 7.30/8am? If you are there both days you have more chance. Personally I'd probably get there at the times suggested (but i'd be neareas personally I prefer to just get there rather than be stressing about 'what if the train is delayed' ect.

 

Edited for: the website says

Saturday: 9am to 6pm (Registration open from 8am)

Sunday: 9am to 6pm (Registration open from 8am)

 

I don't know if the registration bit is just for the silver and above tickets, not sure if the day/weekend holders need to register.

Edited April 16, 2015 by Raylenth

[Diabolik]

Thanks Raylenth! Some great advice there!

[BigBlue]

Just some heads up for Sunday: there is the London marathon on Sunday (with part of the events surrounding it taking place in another part of the excel) and public transport might be delayed, roads closed off, etc. It's probably wise to take that into concideration and allow for more time to get to the excel (I'd say about an hour extra to be safe), especially if you have a bit of a commute to get there.

 

Apart from that I can safely say from my experience that the British are by far the best when it comes to organising big crowds and queues!

[MildGrooveOn]

Thabks for the marathon mention! I would have had no idea!

[scullymd]

And for those with a package (I'm Gold), what's the best time to arrive on Friday? I read somewhere package tickets where already numbered (or I understood that), and that entry to photoshoots, etc. may be regulated by this number in case there are mayor problems with the queue order... Is that so or will that number depend on the moment we register??? Maybe a mod could answer this...

[Raylenth]

Re the time to arrive, it's entierly up to you scully. There are no activities as such on Friday but the hall is open 6pm - 8pm so you can go in then and look at the exhibits and vendors stalls if they are open for selling on Friday. We can't advise how long the registration process will take but it shouldn't be long and really depends on how many people turn up to register at the same time. Just be warned if you register at 2pm and want to go in at 6, you'll have to find something to do for 4 hours or bring a book. If you are staying locally it won't be a big deal as you can just go back to your room.

 

Re your ticket number. Nothing has been officially said as far as I am aware but I think the tickets will be numbered in case they need to subdivide entry further than the Groups, and yes do depend on when you purchased your ticket rather than when you register - the later you purchased/upgraded the higher your ticket number will be. Those who got their tickets in the first few minutes after they went on sale will have the lowest numbers. This is effectively an unnofficial 'benefit' to those who pay early and thus provide the funding for the show to finance itself.

 

Photo shoots are run in Group order but it may be that when we get to them we have to go through in number order, the same is possible with the Talk and Auto queues/entry if they are very busy.

[scullymd]

Re the time to arrive, it's entierly up to you scully. There are no activities as such on Friday but the hall is open 6pm - 8pm so you can go in then and look at the exhibits and vendors stalls if they are open for selling on Friday. We can't advise how long the registration process will take but it shouldn't be long and really depends on how many people turn up to register at the same time. Just be warned if you register at 2pm and want to go in at 6, you'll have to find something to do for 4 hours or bring a book. If you are staying locally it won't be a big deal as you can just go back to your room.

 

Re your ticket number. Nothing has been officially said as far as I am aware but I think the tickets will be numbered in case they need to subdivide entry further than the Groups, and yes do depend on when you purchased your ticket rather than when you register - the later you purchased/upgraded the higher your ticket number will be. Those who got their tickets in the first few minutes after they went on sale will have the lowest numbers. This is effectively an unnofficial 'benefit' to those who pay early and thus provide the funding for the show to finance itself.

 

Photo shoots are run in Group order but it may be that when we get to them we have to go through in number order, the same is possible with the Talk and Auto queues/entry if they are very busy.

 

Thank you very much for your answer!!!!