MyMidnightSun

Its not a case of not coming if they dont have a surprise guest, that would be very stupid wouldnt it?!. The point was this: for those now comtemplating not going for whatever personal reasons they may have surrounding the numerous changes to this event, having another guest announced could make the extra costing worthwhile again. People made their points and gave valid reasons for possibly no longer attending in the Alex postponed thread, and quite frankly we are getting rather annoyed that people seem to be missing the point completely or misconstruing what is being said. We are aware that guests cant be announced until contracts are back but going by certain posts made in various topics, one would be inclined to think they probably do have another guest sorted. So, if this is the case as lovely as a surprise guests would be, for this particular event we would have thought it would make much more financial sense to announce anyone if they are able to before the event. I agree completely. The choice of not going any more (like my friend and I have have so chosen to do) would have been completely reversed had ME decided to announce that they have a 'surprise guest'. Even if the name was not confirmed, but a confirmation that a surprise guest was coming, we would have attended. However, it's still speculation at the moment and hasn't been confirmed by the source, so we have decided to take the risk and not go and go instead on holiday somewhere else, both of us knowing full well that someone could turn up, and as lovely as it will be for all those attending, we have agreed that it doesn't bother us so much. We have fond memories of the other 3 cons we have been to, and would rather keep them happy memories than risk it and not have a fun as before time. If Charlie, who was my fave guest at the last con (he said my accent was awesome!! ), did go to ET4 not as a "guest" guest, but just as a "person", that would be okay with me still. I've already met him, I don't desperately have to meet him again. I do hope that everyone does have fun though!

Hilton use iBahn as an internet provider, so it's an outside company sourcing it. We use iBahn at my hotel, so if it's anything like our annoying contract, then internet is charged at £15 for 24 hours or £6 for one hours worth (that can only be used consecutively). It sucks price wise. Be careful if you go the dongle route though, because the charge may end up on your room bill. With iBahn, it won't let you connect through any other provider, but sometimes the dongles MAY slip through the gaps. FYI.

Question, in regards to not attending (adding this in here so that the forum doesn't become congested with threads). Obviously no refunds are allowed on the tickets. But are you allowed to sell your ticket, if you found someone who wanted it (or allowed to advertise that you have a ticket?) Many thanks!

Totally completely understand what you are saying here. Although one side of us is saying, well, it's out of control, these things happen, it's all part of the 'fun' of running a con, at the same time, it's quite a frustrating position for people, and not just for those who have to make the announcements about this (which would be so hard to do!!). I for one have had to do a lot of hair pulling just to make sure my money isn't wasted in coming this time round, it's not easy for those who have full time jobs to get the time off work, and the one thing that kept me in hope was seeing some of the big wigs like Peter and Alex and Cameron, all who (aparts from Peter) I've never met before. A lot of money is spent not just on thhe con itself, but on all the extras and it's costing me (and I know others as well) a lot out of our wages just to attend, especially with what I consider to be a poor line up of guests, when we can't cancel our tickets because of refund policies and such. Which on one hand I do understand, but the other hand is also quite sad and disappointed. I just hope that I'm not disappointed enough in this con to actually want to fork out more money for the 5th one, to meet the people. Frankly I'm now more interested in meeting the authors that are coming than the actual Twilight guests who have a bit part. Still, as said previously, all we can do is be proper and calm about it. Smiles all round!

No problem, glad to do my part to help. Plus I'm kind of critical about other hotels. Kind of in the blood now

Sorry, that's just me being all hotely Thanks for pointing it out. Yes, to clarify. IF you leave a CREDIT CARD imprint with the Front Desk, then they will take an AUTHORIZATION. They will NOT be taking actual money from the account. It's just a hold, so that the hotel knows that a) you won't run off without paying and that you have enough to pay for. If you leave a DEBIT CARD and they authorize it...well, send me a PM or look for the blonde Australian at the convention and I'll try and explain it to you and I'll go give Mr. Hilton a talking to. But they SHOULD NEVER authorize a debit card. If you hand over a debit card (or Solo card, or Maestro card), then make sure that you tell them ONLY to take the payment straight away. If you want, let them take a deposit for any extras, which they will then be legally bound to refund your debit card. I know it all sounds complicated, but it is simple. Sort of. And oh, the capital letters, I'm not shouting, lol, I'm just trying to let you know what is what. Again, as I said, any more questions about the hotel and I will be happy tto answer.

I would love to have Xavier at the con, so I am joining the pleas!!!! I've never met an Australian celebrity before. Which is funny, considering I am Australian. Or sad...one or the other.

You don't need the card that you reserved with. This is just as a guarentee only, so they are only holding it until you provide them with a method of payment. If that's cash, then you'll pay up front (same goes for a debit card). That way the hotel knows you aren't going to do a runner. They can't authorise the card that you reserved with, because that's illegal. What I would suggest is that if you are splitting the bill but aren't arriving with your roomie, than do take your credit card with you, and check in with that. They'll authorize the card for the total amount of the accommodation plus an amount for any extras (usually £50 per night). But that's all it is, an authorization. At the end or at any stage during the con, you can go down to reception and pay off the room accommodation and they'll take the credit card off. If you need to know anything else, feel free to ask me, I work in a Marriott so we have pretty much the same standards and rules as Hiltons

My guilty pleasure at the moment is the Blue Blood books. They are so easy to read and all about vampires in NYC If you want something to read with actual substance though, I'd suggest any of the Vampire Academy books, Morganville Vampires, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices. Uh huh.

It looks like I'm going National Express, though I'm thinking paying £10 extra for the train might be worth it. Last time we did the NE from Edinburgh and I spent the 7 hour journey getting better aquainted with the toilet. It was horrible! I'm sure that short distance journeys aren't so bad though!!

Just saying the word Megabus scares me. I think a 3 hour journey wouldd be fine, but just don't attempt an overnight London to Edinburgh trip. You'll want to pay for first class upgrades for the rest of your life!! I'm thinking of staying at the Ibis, is this relatively close to the NEC and the Aiport? I know that the Novotel and the Etap are right by the terminal, but I can't remember seeing the Ibis.

As much as I was looking forward to meeting Cameron Bright (all though it would be hard to stand next to a guy who is as old as your younger brother and has the exact same name!), I just hope the replacements are worth the replacing. Having guests that make five minute appearances in one out of three films in a series isn't really worth it - there are plenty of reoccuring characters that would be nice to have along! Although I can sympathise with the work committments...the number of things I've had to cancel due to work...

Name: Hannah Age (If you want to!) 20 Where you are from: Australia...okay, Scotland. Both? Been to ET1 or ET2, going to ET3 or Proms: All bar the Proms - nobody told me!! Gold, Silver or Standard: Standard Hotel: Unsure! Ticket Number: Dunno yet Looking for a roomie? Nope Hobbies : Music, dancing, reading, writing, travelling Music Taste: Indie, Alternative, Jazz, Classical, Old School, Rock, Musiccals Loves: Chocolate Hates: Peas Okay, quick question for those not staying at the Hilton. I missed out on booking a room for my compadre and moi, and I unfortunately have no contacts who work within Hilton premises anymore (Boooo) and thus currently have a) nowhere to stay and no idea where to stay. Where's everyone else shacking up? Birmingham and the NEC baffle me, we got lost even staying at the Hilton! What hotels are not too far away?

lol Digbeth that's the one! So Digbeth isn't some small village nowhere near Birmingham but just in the Brum county? Not to offend, but as I said, English locations and addresses confuse the hell out of me. So catching the bus that ends up in Brum at 17:55 would be no problem then? We'd have time to get to the Hilton for the ceremony, estimating that it will start around 6:30-7pm? (I'm going to take a leap of faith here and pray that the Hilton has porterage, otherwise they're not the family four star hoteliers I thought they were)

What time does the Opening Ceremony start? I was thinking that it was around the same time as ET2, but I can't remember if it was 6:30pm or 7pm. My friend and I are busing it from Edinburgh, and we're leaning towards the cheap option of coming at 9am arriving at 17:55 in Birmingham somewhere (Dighall, Digball, Digleith or something, I'm not good with English names lol), and will need to get to the NEC - we're staying at the Hilton and obviously need to check in etc before hand. If we come at this time, will we get to the NEC on time? Being Australian (with no sense of direction and a mutual dislike of public transport), I'm sure we'll end up halfway back to Edinburgh when we are supposed to be at the Hilton!!

About the fridges/mini bars... Ring up or on the day or arrival ask for the mini bar to be cleared out, that way any trigger charges won't be put on your account. I work in a hotel (of the same standard as the Hilton), so I'll be very surprised if they refuse to do that. Just explain you have items you want to keep in the fridge and don't want to be charged for things you won't be using. I'll be doing that, cos we are definately stocking up on the snacks! (Poundland anyone? Can't beat your faves for £1!!)

E4 or you can watch it online at gleetvguide.com - its got videos on there and the songs. Channel 4 repeats on Sunday arvos.

Bahaha that ads classic!! 'What? Has he been talking?' don't worry, I ate a whole bag of Maltesers by myself while watching The Piano this afternoon. And a tub of Pringles. Tsk tsk to me!

No! Do not subject yourself to the Megabus!!!! lol I did that - return nightbus - to London and it was horrible! Do you have a railcard at all? I've been quoted £67.75 or something for Edinburgh Wav to Brum International. thetrainline.com is great for it!! Never heard of the megatrain though, what's that all about? :)

Wondering if I am the only person who hasn`t seen this? Probably not - though you should! It's brilliant. Feel good TV show of the years! lol. The songs are amazing, I'm listening to Sweet Caroline that's covered by one of the guys, and its brilliant. I feel like waking up to whole world to sing with me!

Hey all!! Sorry to be the distractive and off the topic turner, but I just have on thing to say - GLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

See you on the shuttle bus! If it's free, it's worth trying to get it. Thanks for that info! Didn't really fancy walking to the Metropole and NEC!

YAY for ET3!! I can personally say I am looking forward to it A LOT. While it does feel somewhat disappointing logging on every now and again to find the same three guests on the Eclipse home page, its still three guests and I am way excited. These guests are taking time out to come and see US, which makes it even more worthwhile. And just think, all those guests spread out evenly would mean (in my way of thinking anyway) that there would be less excitement - especially if we knew who the guests were all by now. It'd be OOO yay so and so's! Now we have more anticipation people! So don't be disheartened. We've still got a whole month to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (WOOOOO)

This ASDA (and McDonalds ) seems close with a car, but what about walking distance? My friend and I have walked the whole of Paris and London, so we don't mind walking one bit. Unless of course, its like a 2 hour trek just to get there and back again!

I think its awesome! It may not be in Birmingham, but it's still a HILTON people! This hotel looks amazing! But not being or having been to the area, what shops and food outlets are around? Hilton or not, hotel food is very exxy!