Apple Store London to open November 21

[MacRumors]

As first reported (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/02/20040212232959.shtml) in February, Apple will open a retail store in London this year. The first European Apple Store will open in London on November 20, making it the third non-U.S. Apple Store, the others being in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan.

In Tuesday's press event, Steve Jobs reported that Apple's 93 stores had had 24 million visitors in the fiscal year and brought in $1.2 billion in revenues. The new London store and Apple's six new mini stores (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/10/20041014185811.shtml) will add to Apple's retail presence.

[XIII]

I'm gonna go to the opening if I can... Will there be lucky bags, anyone? What do you think?

[dontmatter]

two tokyo area, one london, rumors of other london locations... wonder why apple does a few close to eachother, instead of trying spread them out and then increase density?

[Loge]

I think it is Nov 20 actually. It clearly makes more sense to open on the Saturday rather than the Sunday.

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/

Lucky bags on the 20th; Steriogram perform live on the 21st.

Anyway great news that this is finally here :D

[From Doctor Q: Correction made. Thanks!]

[Loge]

two tokyo area, one london, rumors of other london locations... wonder why apple does a few close to eachother, instead of trying spread them out and then increase density?

What rumours of other London locations do you know of ?

[AmigoMac]

2005 Germany!! Yes!! :rolleyes:

[MacsRgr8]

Yes!

I am hopping over to London for that weekend (was aiming for the 20th November opening, as mentioned on MacWorld.co.uk some time ago), so I'll be there!

[quidire]

If anyone goes there and can offer a opening day T shirt to sell, I'd like to buy.

Its unlikely that any of you won't want yours, but others you meet there may be willing to part with theirs for a price.

Please email me at quidire (at) gmail (dot) com

-RS

[Veldek]

2005 Germany!! Yes!! :rolleyes:

Here’s hoping for Hamburg ;)

[hob]

I'm going home (to London) from Uni this weekend... I've decided when I'm going home again!! I will insist on a lucky bag or i'll just take a big bin-liner and fill it up myself...!

Hob

[CrackedButter]

I yhave already booked time off for the event at work, i'm a coming! Bringing the missus as well x2 the goodie bag fun. If anybody wants to meet up give me a PM.

[Sayhey]

What rumours of other London locations do you know of ?

I don't know about other London locations but there is this about other locations in the UK.

Apple's plans to open a retail outlet on London's Regent Street are well-known. The company is also now hiring staff to run an outlet in Birmingham, and revealed that it intends opening other stores in the UK and Japan over the next 12 months.

A source told Macworld that, in addition to London and Birmingham, Apple is rumoured to be considering: Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton and Southampton.

Macworld UK (http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=9890)

And yes, as I posted in a previous thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1102629#post1102629) and you have also pointed out it is the 20th - not the 21st that is the opening date.

[elzo]

I'm going to the store in the morning and MacExpo in the afternoon, which is in Islington - so not that far away.

[MacMyDay]

I think it is Nov 20 actually. It clearly makes more sense to open on the Saturday rather than the Sunday.

http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet/

Lucky bags on the 20th; Steriogram perform live on the 21st.

Anyway great news that this is finally here :D

It certainly does. And the 20th is my 18th. Anyone care to buy me an iPod Photo?

[combatcolin]

Check out the QT movie from the opening of the Oskaka store.

http://www.esm.psu.edu/Faculty/Gray/movies.html

Takes a while to load, even with BB as it lods the entire file rather than streaming it, worth it .

[MacsRgr8]

I think it is Nov 20 actually. It clearly makes more sense to open on the Saturday rather than the Sunday.


I think I heard Steve say the 20th in his speech
Stream (http://stream.apple.akadns.net/)

[asif786]

It is the 20th, it's been common knowledge for a while now.

www.apple.com/uk/retail/regentstreet

See, says 20th. Also, look on the page for info about goody bags - I think they're going to be £200 but im too lazy to load up the page again :p

I really want to queue up, but it's sooo frikkin cold I dont know if I wanna. It's like I gotta wear 5 layers to come out of the house and stay warm these days :(

Anyway, anyone else looking forward to seeing the iPod photo when it's there? I cant wait to see it :D

[captain kirk]

correct me if i'm wrong but macexpo isn't until the week after.

[Damien]

does anyone know what lucky bags usually contain?

[rdowns]

does anyone know what lucky bags usually contain?

From a post where someone was selling theirs:

Apple Airport Extreme Base Station
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Apple Wireless Mouse
Apple iLife 04
Apple Keynote
Apple .Mac
D-Link Bluetooth USB Adapter
10% Gift Card on one time purchase(s) made at any Apple store

As I recall, a few had iPods instead of the Airport Base Stations.

[Mustafa]

correct me if i'm wrong but macexpo isn't until the week after.

You're wrong.

[MacMyDay]

See, says 20th. Also, look on the page for info about goody bags - I think they're going to be £200 but im too lazy to load up the page again :p


"and you can snap up a Lucky Bag with an estimated value of over £700 for just £249."

[dobbin]

does anyone know what lucky bags usually contain?

I'm hoping mine will have a 60Gb iPod Photo in it :D :D :D

How many bags do they usually sell? Do I need to queue for hours before it opens to get one? What time do you think we need to arrive to get near the front of the queue?

How exciting - I think I may plan a trip to London that Day!

[CTerry]

Ahh well Im not gonna be in London then but Im gonna be there on the 31st. I wonder if me gf would mind spending the entire day praying to the great Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ives Gods of great design and beautiful hardware!

[surfsofa]

So, who's camping-out then? :p

[MacMyDay]

Ahh well Im not gonna be in London then but Im gonna be there on the 31st. I wonder if me gf would mind spending the entire day praying to the great Steve Jobs and Jonathan Ives Gods of great design and beautiful hardware!

Only if you don't mind being the ex-boyfriend

[MacMyDay]

So, who's camping-out then? :p

In London!? Are you insane? You can get murdered for less these days

[AmigoMac]

Here’s hoping for Hamburg ;)

Yes, sure, but not before the big apple store in Köln, hey Düsseldorf would be far better but I can drive 10 more minutes

[robbieduncan]

Typical. I'm going to be in Aberdeen that weekend and I can't be there.

[Mord]

i shall be there with my ibook and an ethernet hub, if anyones up for a mac lan battle with whichever game they like (warcarft 3, somthing like that)

(damn £249 , where am i going to get that type of money edit:i have that kind of money now :D)

[Sabbath]

Sounds like quite few people are going, I wonder what time I will have to get there to be in the first 300. I was just thinking of queing from about 6am, I hope I won't hae to revise that time forward, or we may just have to make a night out of it!

[Diatribe]

Yes, sure, but not before the big apple store in Köln, hey Düsseldorf would be far better but I can drive 10 more minutes

Lol. Keep on dreaming. :p :D

Here’s hoping for Hamburg ;)

Either Berlin, Munich or Hamburg will get one. I think Apple will go for the one with the biggest population, Berlin. It's nice that I just happen to live there. :D

[XIII]

i shall be there with my ibook and an ethernet hub, if anyones up for a mac lan battle with whichever game they like (warcarft 3, somthing like that)

(damn £249 , where am i going to get that type of money)

I'll be there, buying a lucky bag :)
:o

I have to buy it and then sell it though, as I need the money. My idea is to queue, get the bag, if I get lucky and get an iPod or anything, I keep it :) and then sell the rest for more the £250. Result: Free iPod! I'M LOVING IT!

[XIII]

So, who's camping-out then? :p

I will... :) There will be loads of peeps there :p

[Veldek]

Either Berlin, Munich or Hamburg will get one. I think Apple will go for the one with the biggest population, Berlin. It's nice that I just happen to live there. :D

Yes, Berlin would be my guess, too.

[Diatribe]

Yes, Berlin would be my guess, too.

I'd camp for a surprise bag too. :D

Where do you live?

[johnnyjibbs]

two tokyo area, one london, rumors of other london locations... wonder why apple does a few close to eachother, instead of trying spread them out and then increase density?
There are no other "London locations"! There is one confirmed for Birmingham - Britain's 2nd largest city, but that is in the middle of the country. OK, so it's only about 2 hours from London, but we are a small country! There are rumours of a Manchester store too, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a Leeds store, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Newcastle. Then maybe mini stores eventually in places such as Chelmsford, Sheffield, Oxford, Cambridge, etc.

-
I'm going to try and get to the London store opening day - it's only about 1 hour from my house. It would be nice to have some goody bags but I'd have thought that sort of thing would be reserved for those willing to camp overnight outside - not for me! I know MacFormat is doing a competition whereby they will buy the first person in the queue a new Mac or two but I think you have to apply for that in the mag.

I can't wait. I think this is just what Britain needs. People will wander into this store (and subsequent ones when they open) and be blown away by the merchandise. I'm lucky enough to have visited a couple of US Apple Stores and I can say they are much better than specialist reseller outfits. I love the way you can just go and play on them without someone breathing down your neck, treating you as if you're about to nick the computer (like in Dixons, Currys or PC World for example). I remember being in San Francisco and using the Apple store as a place to check our emails! I took a few pictures in-store but some security guy came up to me and went "No pictures", Thunderbirds style!

[Sabbath]

I'm trying to decide about camping, I wouldn't mind if it wasn't the middle of November on a Friday night, especially with my PB, DVcam etc. But then I would have to pay for a hotel otherwise, and may not get a luckyt bag hmmm.

Maybe I could just may a homeless person to hold my place :D

[littlejim]

I'll be there ... first thing.

I'll be wearing a red rose in my lapel!

Then off to MacWorld.

Man Alive ... who needs Christmas day!

[TopCatz]

Aargh! I've not been out the country for 3 years but I'm going to LA on the 20th! Damn. And I was excited to look at the Grove Store in LA and all... at least I'm going to Jonathan Ive's talk at the Design Museum tomorrow! :cool:

[GonzoRob]

ok,
I got my ipod nicked when travelling ... im getting 250 quid back from the ins. company in a few days - is it worth the gamble ?
What is usually in the lucky bags?- im only really looking for hardware
If i spend 250 quid and get a copy of MS Office (and i dont even own a mac - waiting for new PB's) ... then im going to be a little pissed

buuut
if there is a 12" ibook in the bottom of it .. then i'll be happy as a pig in ****

so .. what's usually in them

and i know its not "luck" ....

:)

Rob

[mdetry]

Can anyone explain what´s the logic of openening 100 stores in the US and NO one in :

- Paris
- Berlin
- Frankfurt
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Brussels
- Amsterdam
- Milan
- Rome

and I could still add like 10 more.

Come on...if you could manage to arrange with all the record records...it should not be that dificult to hire a place and set-up a store...for sure much easier than the Itunes arrangement.

I think Apple Stores where people can really look at Macs and can ask a sales people that knows what´s hes talking about really can do a LOT for Mac business.

[Veldek]

I'd camp for a surprise bag too. :D

Where do you live?

I live in a town near Hamburg. That has to be reason enough for Apple to go there, doesn’t it? :p

[Jaz]

Can anyone explain what´s the logic of openening 100 stores in the US and NO one in :

- Paris
- Berlin
- Frankfurt
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Brussels
- Amsterdam
- Milan
- Rome

and I could still add like 10 more.

Come on...if you could manage to arrange with all the record records...it should not be that dificult to hire a place and set-up a store...for sure much easier than the Itunes arrangement.

I think Apple Stores where people can really look at Macs and can ask a sales people that knows what´s hes talking about really can do a LOT for Mac business.

Some over here would be nice too. Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne ... all we get in the entire Pacific region is Japan.

[Diatribe]

I live in a town near Hamburg. That has to be reason enough for Apple to go there, doesn’t it? :p

Definitely. Then I could go when I visit my grandma. ;)
But I'd like one in Berlin first, nevertheless.

[Diatribe]

Can anyone explain what´s the logic of openening 100 stores in the US and NO one in :

- Paris
- Berlin
- Frankfurt
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Brussels
- Amsterdam
- Milan
- Rome

and I could still add like 10 more.

Come on...if you could manage to arrange with all the record records...it should not be that dificult to hire a place and set-up a store...for sure much easier than the Itunes arrangement.

I think Apple Stores where people can really look at Macs and can ask a sales people that knows what´s hes talking about really can do a LOT for Mac business.

I agree there are a lot more places Apple should go to but it makes more sense from a business point of view to saturate one market first and then move on to the others.

[sebisworld]

Yes, sure, but not before the big apple store in Köln, hey Düsseldorf would be far better but I can drive 10 more minutes

Are you guys just having fun or do you know for sure that there will be a store in 05? And if it's true, I'm also all for the best city Germany has to offer*


* Hamburg

[MacRy]

I'm hoping that the new stores will have some Apple merchandise like badges and cups and the like because you just can't get them over here in the UK. I take it the US stores have these kind of things?

[MacsRgr8]

Don't forget that local resellers don't like the Apple Stores coming.... especially as these stores are ususally placed in great places.

Over here in Holland they have launched a couple of "Apple Centres" in some of the larger (eh.. by our standards) cities.
These are stores which look alot like the Apple Stores, but are run by the larger local resellers. I think Apple has helped finance the stores but also gave them guidelines (or forced it....) how to arrange the interior.

So, we have Apple Store look-alikes. :D

[AmigoMac]

Gentlemen, I hope you are not serious ... :mad:

NRW is a better place for an apple store ...

;)

:D

in Germany : Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Hannover... oh Hamburg! :p

[n1gth]

OK, so there'll be a lot of us there... let's bring snacks to share as we wait. I'll be there from 7:30am with biscuits (home-made by g/f!) and hot cocoa (gonna be freeeezing).... :).

[johnnyjibbs]

It'll be interesting that people we have been talking to regularly on this forum will all be together in the one shop - yet most of us will not know who anyone is! Maybe we should all where some sort of MacRumors identifier.. :p

I expect I'll be there a little later than many of you. My parents will be giving me a lift in and I'm sure they won't want to get up that early to visit an Apple shop! Ok, so I could get the train separately but.. :D

[Veldek]

Are you guys just having fun or do you know for sure that there will be a store in 05? And if it's true, I'm also all for the best city Germany has to offer*


* Hamburg

Well, sorry, but we’re only kidding. But your taste honors you, so listen to him, Apple!

[Veldek]

It'll be interesting that people we have been talking to regularly on this forum will all be together in the one shop - yet most of us will not know who anyone is! Maybe we should all where some sort of MacRumors identifier.. :p

Yeah, we have to be creative and make ourselves a MR t-shirt, then everyone will recognize each other.

[brap]

Hmm... sure I have something booked down for that weekend :confused:
I'll prolly be a major loner, actually, my missus has mandatory work on Saturdays. Ah well!

I'll definitely try to get, though. What kind of time would it be sensible to get there? Should I bring my spare battery? :o

I think rather than a MR identifier, there should be a photo thread dedicated to every weirdo we're likely to meet Nov. 20...
[edit: though thinking about it, it'd be cool to have 20 or 30 people turn up with MR aliases scribbled in black marker all over their t-shirts!]

[MacsRgr8]

OK, so there'll be a lot of us there... let's bring snacks to share as we wait. I'll be there from 7:30am with biscuits (home-made by g/f!) and hot cocoa (gonna be freeeezing).... :).

Hmm... that's tempting! :)

Won't be able to make 7:30.... but I'll be there around 9:30. It'll probably be stupendously busy then. :rolleyes:

Now, what would be a good MacRumors sign...?

"Gimme those biscuits and hot cocoa!" :D

[Diatribe]

Are you guys just having fun or do you know for sure that there will be a store in 05? And if it's true, I'm also all for the best city Germany has to offer*


* Hamburg

Please tell me you are kidding. :eek: :p

[Diatribe]

Yeah, we have to be creative and make ourselves a MR t-shirt, then everyone will recognize each other.

If there'll be ever a store in Berlin or Hamburg I promise I'll walk around in a MR t-shirt.

[littlejim]

OK, so there'll be a lot of us there... let's bring snacks to share as we wait. I'll be there from 7:30am with biscuits (home-made by g/f!) and hot cocoa (gonna be freeeezing).... :).

I'll bring my Powerbook 12" ... that'll get hot enough to keep the whole queue warm :)

[johnnyjibbs]

I'm sure I can incorporate the MacRumors logo into something I'm wearing.. :D Obviously if Arn doesn't mind!

[XIII]

Aargh! I've not been out the country for 3 years but I'm going to LA on the 20th! Damn. And I was excited to look at the Grove Store in LA and all... at least I'm going to Jonathan Ive's talk at the Design Museum tomorrow! :cool:

Did you have to pre book to go to the talk? If its a turn up thing, then I'll go... :) If not, I'm screwed...
:o

[~Shard~]

Good news, it's nice to see Apple expanding to non-US locations. London doesn't come as a surprise of course, as Apple is targeting the larger cities, but it will be nice to see them expand further into major areas which might not be "world capitals". And bring a store to Canada. ;)

So yah, definitely great news - a have a few friends in London who will definitely be checking it out when it opens!

[XIII]

Hmm... that's tempting! :)

Won't be able to make 7:30.... but I'll be there around 9:30. It'll probably be stupendously busy then. :rolleyes:

Now, what would be a good MacRumors sign...?

"Gimme those biscuits and hot cocoa!" :D

Ah - I have the minor problem of school. Which means the earliest I can get there is about 6pm. Now - be serious, will I be far enough into the line for a lucky bag...
;) Cos if not, then that one WASTED day of queuing... :p

Btw, I walked past the store place the other day... Looks very swish, nice new glass at the top of the arches... I'm not sure what the queuers accomodation is like though... :confused:

[GonzoRob]

i'll be there.....

i dont own a mac, a probably won't get one till the PBG5/duel's .. but i do like a show

i also have 250 quid burning a hole in my pocket ..the lucky bags are so tempting
.. been checking out the reported contents .. they seem to be mostly wireless k/b's bluetooth dongles .. 1 in 6 aparently has an ipod .. oh yeah .. and software

i was just hoping for a cheap ibook :P


i dont know .. no doubt the crowd, the hype and my lack of will power will probably lead to my recently paid off credit card being pulled out

R

[TopCatz]

Did you have to pre book to go to the talk? If its a turn up thing, then I'll go... :) If not, I'm screwed...
:o

Pre-book I'm afraid. There is a long waiting list as well apparently but you can try calling the Museum on 020 7940 8783 just in case...
Will try and get pics if poss

[n1gth]

OK, I'll wear a brown woolie hat with a home made MR sign (if allowed :D ) on the front. And I'll have a bag of biscuits...

I'm worried by the earlier posts... when I said 7:30am I meant on the Saturday - are people actually getting there at 6pm on the Friday???? :eek:

[TopCatz]

IF Jon Ive is in the mood for autographs tomorrow, any idea what to use to get an iPod (white) signed on the back - anyone know if a normal black marker or anything else will work? I don't have a portable laser etching machine unfortunately..

[brap]

I'm worried by the earlier posts... when I said 7:30am I meant on the Saturday - are people actually getting there at 6pm on the Friday???? :eek:
Meh, I can't get there until after 8am... the coaches don't run frequently enough :(

Sure if there aren't any lucky bags left that £250 could go a long way toward getting some sorrows very much drowned.

[liketom]

OK, I'll wear a brown woolie hat with a home made MR sign (if allowed :D ) on the front. And I'll have a bag of biscuits...

I'm worried by the earlier posts... when I said 7:30am I meant on the Saturday - are people actually getting there at 6pm on the Friday???? :eek:


thats a cunning idea a macrumors logo on your hat , is there a high res pic of the MR logo anywhere what we can use ?

[Doctor Q]

I agree there are a lot more places Apple should go to but it makes more sense from a business point of view to saturate one market first and then move on to the others.Why? I don't understand how an intentional delay would be stategic. How could one more store in California be better for business than the first store in Paris?

Or is there a technical reason? Do they really not have the resources to open a dozen more international stores? I can understand that it took a lot of legal wrangling (and therefore time) to set up the EU iTunes Music Stores, but how hard is it to open a retail store? Starbucks seems to have no problem. In fact, Starbucks said this month that they will triple the number of stores worldwide. So why is it hard, or smart, for Apple to still have so few non-U.S. brick and mortar stores?

[gekko513]

It's not that difficult to understand why Apple opens stores in clusters rather than going for maximum spread. It's because the costs of logistics is significantly smaller per store when there are several stores in one country/area.

[Diatribe]

Why? I don't understand how an intentional delay would be stategic. How could one more store in California be better for business than the first store in Paris?

Or is there a technical reason? Do they really not have the resources to open a dozen more international stores? I can understand that it took a lot of legal wrangling (and therefore time) to set up the EU iTunes Music Stores, but how hard is it to open a retail store? Starbucks seems to have no problem. In fact, Starbucks said this month that they will triple the number of stores worldwide. So why is it hard, or smart, for Apple to still have so few non-U.S. brick and mortar stores?

There are a couple of reasons for this. One is logistics, one is money. It is cheaper to open a cpuple of stores in one country than one in a couple countries.
The concept of the stores may be the same but the execution is different for each country. On top of that Apple has to establish a supply chain, etc., etc.
Doing this country by country is just more economical. Another point is that ATM Apple has no idea how this stores will be perceived outside the US so if it flops they could leave it at one country too.
There are many more reasons but these are the most crucial ones.

[asif786]

hey guys,

got a couple of things to say :D

firstly, and this is aimed at the other europeans, i think the reason why apple is not opening more stores abroad is because they want to get the perfect spots. Gary, from ifoAppleStore.com went to paris recently and said that space on the Champs Elysees (where apple is most likely going to locate their first store) is very scarce. Apple wont open a multi-million dollar store in a half-ass location just because of time. Be patient, once Apple finds the right location in your area, you'll get a store.

(i can say that because our one is opening next month :P :D)

secondly, on the night of the london store opening, it's going to be mighty cold. I was thinking we could get around 80 people to chip in £1 each, and then buy a copy of microsoft windows xp. then, at night, to keep us warm, we could put it in a bin, light it and then sit around it - perfect, using MS windoze as a camp fire :D

of course, then i realised some people might not want to waste £1, and also I think it might be a criminal offence to light a campfire in the middle of the street :( :(

Oh well, would've been cool/funny!

--asif

[XIII]

OK, I'll wear a brown woolie hat with a home made MR sign (if allowed :D ) on the front. And I'll have a bag of biscuits...

I'm worried by the earlier posts... when I said 7:30am I meant on the Saturday - are people actually getting there at 6pm on the Friday???? :eek:

I was always planning to be there on the friday... :) Then your guarenteed a lucky bag... I'm not taking any chances :p I'll bring BISCUITS
:eek:

Yeah - I always thought Friday, If you want a lucky bag. From what the guy says on ifoAppleStore... :)

Thoughts?

[MacsRgr8]

hey guys,

secondly, on the night of the london store opening, it's going to be mighty cold. I was thinking we could get around 80 people to chip in £1 each, and then buy a copy of microsoft windows xp. then, at night, to keep us warm, we could put it in a bin, light it and then sit around it - perfect, using MS windoze as a camp fire :D

--asif

Gr8 idea!

We could make a hell of a fire by burning the install manuals too! ;)

[XIII]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Are you coming on Friday night then...? I don't want to be the only one... :( :eek:

[littlejim]

Gr8 idea!

We could make a hell of a fire by burning the install manuals too! ;)
Now if only someone could bring Bill Gates ...

[n1gth]

I was always planning to be there on the friday... :) Then your guarenteed a lucky bag... I'm not taking any chances :p I'll bring BISCUITS
:eek:

Yeah - I always thought Friday, If you want a lucky bag. From what the guy says on ifoAppleStore... :)

Thoughts?

Fair enough - I don't really want a LB (don't need wireless stuff yet) - I'm going to get a couple of iSights and an iPod. Then again, if there's any left you never know :rolleyes:

The real reason I think we're all going is the free t-shirt - come on!!! :D

Seriously though, it's pretty amazing - having been an frenzied advocate since having a Mac Plus (and Qisk) [Hypercard!!!] in 1988, it's been like supporting a soccer team only you and a few others know play the best football, and who never get anywhere in the UK at least.

Now it's like the team have got into the Champions League, and we're on the way to the final...

[ntg]

secondly, on the night of the london store opening, it's going to be mighty cold. I was thinking we could get around 80 people to chip in £1 each, and then buy a copy of microsoft windows xp. then, at night, to keep us warm, we could put it in a bin, light it and then sit around it - perfect, using MS windoze as a camp fire :D

of course, then i realised some people might not want to waste £1, and also I think it might be a criminal offence to light a campfire in the middle of the street :( :(

Oh well, would've been cool/funny!

--asif

Is soooooo tempting, but I'm sure there must be a bye-law about the stench of B/S on the streets of London!!

I'll be there later in the morning, 'though, so look forward to bumping into a few people there (which is all it will be, unless we work out a dodgy handshake or something!)

Nig. :D

[ASP272]

You know, Europe's great and all, but what about Nashville! Come on Apple!

[XIII]

Fair enough - I don't really want a LB (don't need wireless stuff yet) - I'm going to get a couple of iSights and an iPod. Then again, if there's any left you never know :rolleyes:

The real reason I think we're all going is the free t-shirt - come on!!! :D

Seriously though, it's pretty amazing - having been an frenzied advocate since having a Mac Plus (and Qisk) [Hypercard!!!] in 1988, it's been like supporting a soccer team only you and a few others know play the best football, and who never get anywhere in the UK at least.

Now it's like the team have got into the Champions League, and we're on the way to the final...

I'll tell you the main reason I'm getting a LB... For profits. I'm only a kid, and don't just have loads of money :) So, with the estimated value of the LB's at £700, apple say, and you can get them for £250, thats one hellova profit ;). If I sell it with 25% off, I make £300. Also, you may strike "lucky" and get an iPod... :o

[displaced]

I'll be there :) Reckoning on 7am-ish Saturday. I'm gonna keep the £250 available anyway -- if I don't get a Lucky Bag, I'll have to treat myself to something instead.

See everyone there! I'm gonna be the one jealously looking at people wheeling away their brand-spanking-new iBooks, PowerBooks, iMacs, eMacs and PowerMacs.

So... with £250, I wonder what to get... iPod mini? iSight? Bluetooth keyboard + mouse? Airport Extreme? Life-size cardboard cut-outs of Steve Jobs, Phil Schiller and Nancy Heinen? Dolls of Schiller which shout "EXTREME!" when you pull the string?

Choices, choices...

[sushi]

two tokyo area
Actually, the stores are in separate locations: Tokyo and Osaka.

Sushi

[Ugg]

Yes, sure, but not before the big apple store in Köln, hey Düsseldorf would be far better but I can drive 10 more minutes

Hmmm, what's the chance there will be an Apple Store Cologne in time for the June 2005 MacExpo? Wishful thinking probably but it would be a great time for a launch or maybe cebit?

[XIII]

I'll be there :) Reckoning on 7am-ish Saturday. I'm gonna keep the £250 available anyway -- if I don't get a Lucky Bag, I'll have to treat myself to something instead.

See everyone there! I'm gonna be the one jealously looking at people wheeling away their brand-spanking-new iBooks, PowerBooks, iMacs, eMacs and PowerMacs.

So... with £250, I wonder what to get... iPod mini? iSight? Bluetooth keyboard + mouse? Airport Extreme? Life-size cardboard cut-outs of Steve Jobs, Phil Schiller and Nancy Heinen? Dolls of Schiller which shout "EXTREME!" when you pull the string?

Choices, choices...

Hey! I live in Kent too :) Where abouts are you? And are you planning on going there by train?

[AmigoMac]

Hmmm, what's the chance there will be an Apple Store Cologne in time for the June 2005 MacExpo? Wishful thinking probably but it would be a great time for a launch or maybe cebit?

to be honest I can see an apple store in Cologne (Köln) in jun 2006, before the world championship and after Mac expo, it will be awesome, it's the only place where apple has been most mentioned in the last years, photokina is also there, no reason to look to the north ;) ... no cebit, it's a toys show for apple, nothing related to them...

[mpw]

Big question is; Will Megan be there?

[crakly]

This will be awesome if we all meet up - will be great to put faces to avatars!

I'm gonna try and be there for 6-7am is anyone seriously going to camp?!?
Everyone should bring an apple with the MacRumors logo carved into it - we can eat them when we get hungry as well.

Micro$oft bonfire is a great idea - I've got some old Windows training books (and you know how big they need to be) which should provide plenty of heat.

[virividox]

woo hoo!@!!

[asif786]

Ok,

I dont know when I want to get there now :( I could get the train at like 5am or whenever they start running (central line?) and get there for 5.45 - but I was initially intending on camping overnight.

I reckon it would be cool - if we try and get a MR gathering there on friday night, we can get a great discussion going on, light our fire, should be cool. I cant see any trouble happening if there's a group of us together.

Of course, there's bound to be some drunk people walking around on a friday night, but hey, who cares!

re: the fire - imagine if it got out of control and set the apple store on fire! lol, we'd be ousted from the mac community! :eek:

[johnnyjibbs]

Oh I want to be there early! What time will the store be opening? 8am? 9am? I might be able to be there for around 9-10am but there'll be massive queues. I really CAN'T afford a lucky bag if they are doing them, alhtough they do sound like a really good idea. Maybe in a couple of years I'll be able to afford to blow money on things like this.... damn student debt :p

I wasn't going to bring my PowerBook suppose I could do. Is everyone else bringing iBooks/PowerBooks/iPods?

EDIT: Any word on Apple store employees bringing round breakfast muffins for early goers? Maybe I should just go and take that 5am train...

[Giantred]

Now the only question is.....

Dose Steve like us all here at MacRumors? cause If he dose I bet he would be happy to throw the match on the bon-fire:D.

Corey :D


P.S.

Since We have a little less then a month, I would be happy to send my 5 dull laptops over for kindling.

[asif786]

EDIT: Any word on Apple store employees bringing round breakfast muffins for early goers? Maybe I should just go and take that 5am train...

I'm happy to sponsor breakfast :D

I have an order of 100 Krispy Kreme donuts at Harrods- the problem is that store opens at 10am and thats the time of the opening. I need to find out if I can collect them earlier (i.e. 9am) for the first 100 ppl in line or whatever.

:)

[Applespider]

Krispy Kremes for breakfast - sounds like a great idea!

I'm a 'wait and see what the weather is' girl. If it's dry, there's a good chance I'll do the overnight thing (hell, there are bars open til 3 that we can tag team in and out the queue for!) and I believe the Starbucks round the corner opens at 7am for lots of coffees (should we warn them to get extra baristas in?)

If it's hosing down, then perhaps not!

[joeboy_45101]

When are they going to open one in Dayton, OH. I need a better job.

[johnnyjibbs]

Cool! I doubt I'll be one of the first 100 though - judging by the opening of the Japanese stores (ok so they go crazy on launches like this) - they'll be about 1000 just camping out :D

I reckon it's going to be huge, and then even non-Apple fans will come over to see what all the fuss is about!

[XIII]

Ok,

I dont know when I want to get there now :( I could get the train at like 5am or whenever they start running (central line?) and get there for 5.45 - but I was initially intending on camping overnight.

I reckon it would be cool - if we try and get a MR gathering there on friday night, we can get a great discussion going on, light our fire, should be cool. I cant see any trouble happening if there's a group of us together.

Of course, there's bound to be some drunk people walking around on a friday night, but hey, who cares!

re: the fire - imagine if it got out of control and set the apple store on fire! lol, we'd be ousted from the mac community! :eek:

Im in the same position as you, but am going to camp out for a lucky bag :) It'd be awesome to get a discussion going... You know at the last store opening there were apple security men? They'll sort out the drunks... Read more at www.ifoapplestore.com and read about San Fransisco.

[cuggles]

I'm definately considering doing the camp out for the store opening, if there's a group trouble should be minimal, would be great to get together with like minded maccers :)

<< must have lucky bag >>

[XIII]

w00t! Not just gonna be me... :p

[Doctor Q]

How many going to the London store opening have been to stores in other countries, or a grand opening of one? I know some people tried to visit all the Apple stores in California or go to multiple store openings, but it's a bit harder to do internationally.

[paulman]

I really wanna get a goody bag and hopefully the t shirt but i'm not gonna camp out all night! prob get the first tube and arrive by half 6. Going on previous experiences by people who have been to openings will this get me the t shirt and be able to buy the goody bag?

Also, any guesses on whats in the bag? My guess would be airport stuff, keynote, that webcam thing. hopefully final cut express!!! cool!

Does anyone reckon they'll be discounts to people who buy a mac on the day? Cos i'm def gonna put off my purchase till then!

can't wait!!!

[XIII]

paul: 6:30 may be pushing it, according to ifoapplestore. Last time, there was a 10% discount card in the lucky bags, so if you get one, then you can use it as a discount on the day (or any other day). Like I said, its all at www.ifoapplestore.com. Look at the SF store opening report, he says how many were in line at certain times, and what he got in the bag, and a pic of the stuff. Its all good.

[GonzoRob]

i might go out the night before.. get ****-faced .. and not sleep

fun for the whole family


Rob

[Esben]

I was planning on going to London for the weekend to be there for the opening... Besides a trip to London would be quite nice.
Unfortunately I'm preparing for my exams that weekend. No fair! I want to go! :´-(
Well I hope all of you will enjoy yourselves... I'll be thinking of you all here in Copenhagen where I'm hoping for an Apple store (Who am I kidding?... Denmark is probably the last place in the world Apple will set up their business)

[Applespider]

How many going to the London store opening have been to stores in other countries, or a grand opening of one?

Haven't been to any grand openings but have been into San Francisco, Chicago (Michigan Ave and Woodfield Mall) and Houston. My friends now leave me at the door when we see one in the mall since they have no interest at all...

[XIII]

Ha ha. That sounds exactly like me... :) Hey, who needs friends anyway... ;)

[takao]

hmmm apple store munich..that would be tempting for a visit .. 2h oiurs via train..should be doable ...if there only was one... but i guess germany will get stores after france ;)

[asif786]

Cool, seems like there's a good group of people coming :)

I'm gonna camp out - and so should you guys! we're too conservative here in London- if we dont try it, we'll never know...so I'm gonna do it :)

johnyjibbs : dont be so frikkin lazy :P you live in essex, not far, so..yeah..thats it :P

Besides, Regent Street isnt like soho- it's generally safe, we;ll be OK. I Just hope the pavements are wide enough to accomodate us and the friday evening rush! :o

RE: Security guards - I hope we get cool security guards with apple t-shirts too :D (maybe one of us should try a break in, as thats what triggered apple to employ guards in SF :D)

[johnnyjibbs]

How many going to the London store opening have been to stores in other countries, or a grand opening of one? I know some people tried to visit all the Apple stores in California or go to multiple store openings, but it's a bit harder to do internationally.
I went to California this April and managed to get to the Third Street Promenade and Pasadena stores, oh yeah, and the big new one off Union Square in San Fran. The Pasadena one was a nice little lucky find..!

I've had no experience of openings though of any kind. I've never even been to Game at midnight on launch day for a new games console.. :(

Asif786: I'd really like to go, but my parents will think I'm a little too mad! Plus, I'm not sure how good it would be to be sitting out in the middle of London (ok a posh bit) on a Friday night - we'll be laughed at, if nothing else. Mind you, I suppose we could all go out on the lash first.. :D

[AmigoMac]

but i guess germany will get stores after france ;)

Sadly, it's also my point...

[syclone]

I'll be there at the opening. I'm actually thinking about camping out, or just spending all night in Leicester Square and walking over when the sun starts to come up.

[aswitcher]

Asif786: I'd really like to go, but my parents will think I'm a little too mad! Plus, I'm not sure how good it would be to be sitting out in the middle of London (ok a posh bit) on a Friday night - we'll be laughed at, if nothing else. Mind you, I suppose we could all go out on the lash first.. :D


I think Apple throw on some security (and local police) and barriers to help make the experience a fun one. Also WiFi from the store allows people to get on the net for a bit and send photos etc to ezines of whats going on. Plus the media in the morning.

Late November in London will be a bit trying I guess. Especially if its wet.

You can always do the early to bed, early to rise thing, but aim for damn early to assure yourself a shirt - like 4am.

[aswitcher]

Cool! I doubt I'll be one of the first 100 though - judging by the opening of the Japanese stores (ok so they go crazy on launches like this) - they'll be about 1000 just camping out :D

I reckon it's going to be huge, and then even non-Apple fans will come over to see what all the fuss is about!

I expect being London that the first in line will be there early Thursday morning, ready to weather 2 nights.

[asif786]

I expect being London that the first in line will be there early Thursday morning, ready to weather 2 nights.

to be honest, i dont think that's possible. at the moment its soo cold in london, it's gonna be worse in november.

i'm keen to see how they advertise the store. i hope to god that oxford st. station is plastered with ads :)

i dont know if it's because im sad/a bit of a freak or because im a machead, but i just *love* seeing apple ads. it's just cool. :)

[johnnyjibbs]

I think Apple throw on some security (and local police) and barriers to help make the experience a fun one. Also WiFi from the store allows people to get on the net for a bit and send photos etc to ezines of whats going on. Plus the media in the morning.

Late November in London will be a bit trying I guess. Especially if its wet.

You can always do the early to bed, early to rise thing, but aim for damn early to assure yourself a shirt - like 4am.
It's tempting to go the night before and just stay up, but I might have to drink several red bulls if I've just come back from work!

And my PowerBook battery only lasts about 3.5 hours with AirPort on - will they have plug sockets extended out of the store for us to plug into? :D :D

I guess I could aim to get there in the early hours but the tube doesn't run through the night I don't think so it'll be a bit of a bitch to get there. I suppose I could walk from Liverpool Street to Regent Street - might kill some hours :eek:

[aswitcher]

It's tempting to go the night before and just stay up, but I might have to drink several red bulls if I've just come back from work!

And my PowerBook battery only lasts about 3.5 hours with AirPort on - will they have plug sockets extended out of the store for us to plug into? :D :D

I guess I could aim to get there in the early hours but the tube doesn't run through the night I don't think so it'll be a bit of a bitch to get there. I suppose I could walk from Liverpool Street to Regent Street - might kill some hours :eek:

What would be nice of Apple is if they put up a few of those all weather gas powered giant heat mushroom things along the first 20-30 meters.

As for power, best to check out the nearest 24hour coffee places (StarBucks?) and maybe talk the manager about getting access to a powerboard during the night, so people can take turns at recharing, caffinating and going to the loo.

[CrackedButter]

How many going to the London store opening have been to stores in other countries, or a grand opening of one? I know some people tried to visit all the Apple stores in California or go to multiple store openings, but it's a bit harder to do internationally.

I've had already done the Tokyo one... London is on my hit list next.

[Applespider]

What would be nice of Apple is if they put up a few of those all weather gas powered giant heat mushroom things along the first 20-30 meters.

John Lewis is just around the corner - I guess someone could pop in and buy one on the Friday and take it back on the Saturday afternoon? :eek:


I suppose I could walk from Liverpool Street to Regent Street - might kill some hours

You just hop on an N8 bus - all the way from Liverpool St Station to Oxford Circus for £1 - much easier!

[XIII]

Cool, seems like there's a good group of people coming :)

I'm gonna camp out - and so should you guys! we're too conservative here in London- if we dont try it, we'll never know...so I'm gonna do it :)

johnyjibbs : dont be so frikkin lazy :P you live in essex, not far, so..yeah..thats it :P

Besides, Regent Street isnt like soho- it's generally safe, we;ll be OK. I Just hope the pavements are wide enough to accomodate us and the friday evening rush! :o

RE: Security guards - I hope we get cool security guards with apple t-shirts too :D (maybe one of us should try a break in, as thats what triggered apple to employ guards in SF :D)

Sounds cool. I'll meet up, despite my parents thinking I'm crazy... What time are you gonna be there...? I have school to do first... So I can prob only do 5-6pm ish... Anyone any views?

[XIII]

Cool, seems like there's a good group of people coming :)

I'm gonna camp out - and so should you guys! we're too conservative here in London- if we dont try it, we'll never know...so I'm gonna do it :)

johnyjibbs : dont be so frikkin lazy :P you live in essex, not far, so..yeah..thats it :P

Besides, Regent Street isnt like soho- it's generally safe, we;ll be OK. I Just hope the pavements are wide enough to accomodate us and the friday evening rush! :o

RE: Security guards - I hope we get cool security guards with apple t-shirts too :D (maybe one of us should try a break in, as thats what triggered apple to employ guards in SF :D)

When are we going to meet up...? Time wise when do we need to be there? I can't do before %pm - 6pm because of school... :(

[displaced]

Hey! I live in Kent too :) Where abouts are you? And are you planning on going there by train?

Orpington (N.W. Kent, just inside the M25. Technically London Borough of Bromley, but we were Kent for a long time before Bromley expanded).

And... yes. That Orpington. The one in the Honda advert. (http://www.honda.co.uk/multimedia/index.html)

Will be heading up by train. Either to Charing Cross or Victoria, whichever train leaves first.

[XIII]

Yeah, yeah - I know Orpington... Its the stop after 7oaks.. :p I'll be going up by train, from Tonbridge...

[paperkirin]

Arrgh, damn all you southerners! I have to live with the complete lack of Apple presence in East Yorkshire, dammit! Though I could visit my sister... don't think she'd enjoy camping out, tho'. :( Ah, well, maybe Birmingham, since I can actually visit there for a weekend... might be able to pursuade Dad to come, with his credit card, w00t!

Anyway, the reason Apple holds openings like this is because, after multiple nights of staying up in the street, you're too addled as the Apple Store staff lead you into the store, pressing goody bags into one hand while they take your credit card with the other, adding "Would you like a dual-2.5GHz Powermac with that?"

[XIII]

"...Yeah, yeah, whatever... I just need that Goodie Bag..." "£3300." "Yeah, ok, whatever... Cheers ma.... £3300!!"

[xcalibur]

Do we know how many lucky bags there are gonna be? The Apple site says 2500 free t-shirts but gives no indication of the number of lucky bags.

[caveman_uk]

I'd just like to say that if the Regent Street store is anything like this one (Ginza) it's gonna be cool.

...I'm on holiday BTW!

PS This Japanese keyboard is really annoying...all the punctuation is in a different place...aaaarrrrggggghhhhh!

[hob]

Orpington (N.W. Kent, just inside the M25. Technically London Borough of Bromley, but we were Kent for a long time before Bromley expanded).

And... yes. That Orpington. The one in the Honda advert. (http://www.honda.co.uk/multimedia/index.html)

Will be heading up by train. Either to Charing Cross or Victoria, whichever train leaves first.

Heyyy! I live there too! That goddamn honda advert was only on twice, but I watched both times :P

I'll PM you about details n stuff?

Hob

[Applespider]

Do we know how many lucky bags there are gonna be? The Apple site says 2500 free t-shirts but gives no indication of the number of lucky bags.

I thought it said 300 bags at £250 each which considering the US ones were $249/299 without sales tax is quite a bit. There had better be twice as much inside them!

[britboy]

Ok, just checked my walking diary, and I have nothing planned for that weekend. I plan to start queuing from around 10pm friday night. I'll probably bring some kind of MR marker like my frosted mug.......hmmmmm.....filled with hot-chocolate.

See you there!

[Chappers]

Grand Opening - November 20th
Be the first to discover the most exciting retail experience in Europe. We’ll be giving away free T-shirts to the first 2,500 people through the doors; there’s a digital lifestyle collection worth over £2,000 to be won; and you can snap up a Lucky Bag with an estimated value of over £700 for just £249.

Is what it says on Apple.com

[XIII]

The last time apple did bags, they did 200, then upped it to 250, for $250. So I need to be one of the first 200 in queue... :)

[Chappers]

I am a lucky man reason 1. - my wife who is not a mac addict has said "We can go and camp out and then later go to the macexpo"
Reason 2. -I get free tickets for the expo.
It will cost me a show and a hotel for the Saturday night but its gotta be worth it.

[Mord]

whoohoo, my dad says i can go and i can take £250 :D.

i may take a tent and get there at around 6 friday night.

if there's a wireless hot spot around i'll keep you all posted from my ibook.

now, there are a few problems that need sorting out.

how will mac rumors people know what the other mac rumors people look like, we could do a pictures of people going to the london store thread, or we could wear badges, any other ideas.

second off, chairs i have 3 fold up ones which i'll be takeing and lending two of them to poor souls that forgot to take one, i'll also be wearing four layers of cloths.

and last off laptop power, if were going to be there with ibook's/powerbooks at most the batterys will last 5 hours which is not really enough for a wait that long, anyone got any ideas about how to charge them?

[Chappers]

Also discovered when trying to find out about the lucky bag contents that the free T-shirts are selling quite nicely on e-bay for around $200. Wow - even more glad the wifes coming now!!!!!

[johnnyjibbs]

I wish I had £250 to spend! Still, hopefully I'll be able to bag a free t-shirt. Being the first store to open, I wonder if Steve will pay a visit? :cool:

[johnnyjibbs]

Also discovered when trying to find out about the lucky bag contents that the free T-shirts a selling quite nicely on e-bay for around $200. Wow - even more glad the wifes coming now!!!!!
I guess, if you can be one of the lucky few through the door, it's worth stumping up the £250 for a nice little investment! Problem is, the goody bag is probably full of stuff you want to keep but can't afford to keep! :p

[adgrimes]

Is there anyone from down south who wants to travel together and camp overnight?
Im thinking of booking the day off work and just going up early evening, eating, drinking, then coming back the next day...
I also drive, so if anyone in the southern region wants to travel together, I could meet them wherever, and we could make our way from there...

Anyone interested in this?

Cheers

Adam

[XIII]

whoohoo, my dad says i can go and i can take £250 :D.

i may take a tent and get there at around 6 friday night.

if there's a wireless hot spot around i'll keep you all posted from my ibook.

now, there are a few problems that need sorting out.

how will mac rumors people know what the other mac rumors people look like, we could do a pictures of people going to the london store thread, or we could wear badges, any other ideas.

second off, chairs i have 3 fold up ones which i'll be takeing and lending two of them to poor souls that forgot to take one, i'll also be wearing four layers of cloths.

and last off laptop power, if were going to be there with ibook's/powerbooks at most the batterys will last 5 hours which is not really enough for a wait that long, anyone got any ideas about how to charge them?

Thats cool, I'd like to meet up with some people here... :) I'll take a couple of extra chairs, and then look like a fool when everyone already has one, and I'm stuck with carrying three around... :rolleyes: I know, about laptop power, the guy on ifoAppleStore powers his from his car... I'm not old enough to drive, so thats the problem... There was talk earlier on in this thread of getting a shop owner to hook us up to some power... Not sure if that would work... ;)

6pm sounds good :) I'd do that... just have to make sure I'm there 5 mins before you to get that place in front of you in the line... ;) I think a meet ups a good idea.... Bet I'm the youngest there though... :rolleyes:

[Chappers]

From general talk on various sites - I think I'm off to London tomorrow!!!!!

[XIII]

ermmmmm... Why tommorow? Gonna get in the queue early...? :o

[Mord]

i started a thread in the community discussion,

it turns out i can go at 3PM as I have free lesson on that day, if were haveing a meet up we should have number stickers so we can move about the line without looseing our place, but i will have a base camp :o.

how old are you?, i'm 16.

i'll put my mac rumors design ibook together today, has anyone got a large good quality logo that i can use?

[XIII]

Im currently 13... Knew I'd be the youngest... 14 in January... Damn! You'll be there before me... I think 6 will still be fine though... :)

[johnnyjibbs]

Im currently 13... Knew I'd be the youngest... 14 in January... Damn! You'll be there before me... I think 6 will still be fine though... :)
In January your screen name will be out-of-date ;) Unless it's a reference to that cartoon shooting game of course.

[XIII]

In January your screen name will be out-of-date ;) Unless it's a reference to that cartoon shooting game of course.

Ha ha! Its a slight reference to that cartoon shooting game (fun :)) and a slight refernec to my age... Clever, eh... ;)? The only problem is, yeah, it does go out of date. I really want my name I use in other forums, "Jack" just my name... Probably taken here... :( Ah well, nice observation... ;)

[iJoe]

I'm gonna pay a visit around 12 probably. Sure I'd love to get a T and a lucky bag, but oh well...

[FireArse]

Im gonna be coming down by car - gonna need to be able to keep warm somehow.....but where to park? Anybody? :confused:

[Mord]

parking in regent street, are you insane it would cost like £100 for the day.

take the tube and camp, it's the only way.

[Chappers]

ermmmmm... Why tommorow? Gonna get in the queue early...? :o

Exactly.

I was joking about tomorrow. I think I'll wait a week.

[toughboy]

Can anyone explain what´s the logic of openening 100 stores in the US and NO one in :

- Paris
- Berlin
- Frankfurt
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Brussels
- Amsterdam
- Milan
- Rome

and I could still add like 10 more.

Come on...if you could manage to arrange with all the record records...it should not be that dificult to hire a place and set-up a store...for sure much easier than the Itunes arrangement.

I think Apple Stores where people can really look at Macs and can ask a sales people that knows what´s hes talking about really can do a LOT for Mac business.

and Istanbul... over 12 million people population, and being really close to Balkan countries, Istanbul would be a great choice..

[toughboy]

Is there anyone from down south who wants to travel together and camp overnight?
Im thinking of booking the day off work and just going up early evening, eating, drinking, then coming back the next day...
I also drive, so if anyone in the southern region wants to travel together, I could meet them wherever, and we could make our way from there...

Anyone interested in this?

Cheers

Adam

I wished I could take Visa and come to UK and camp with you and live the store opening.... british council here is just a b*tch, they are so hard on giving visas to people...

[Chappers]

I wished I could take Visa and come to UK and camp with you and live the store opening.... british council here is just a b*tch, they are so hard on giving visas to people...

No argument with you there - they treat people like ******.

Send you photos if you want.

As for Istanbul (what happened to Izmir) nice idea -but has the Mac market improved in Turkey?

[m4rc]

Fires? Tents? Running powerbook from the car? Are you all mad!

Seriously guys, this is Regent Street, you won't get away with lighting a fire, and I doubt you will be allowed a tent! As for running your computer from you car, only if the lead is a mile or so long! You can't park outside.

I have some mates in the Met and they are checking to see if Apple have requested any Police presence for the night before. If not, they will keep an eye and respond depending on the amount of people - if needed for safety they will stick around, if Apple are providing security they will just keep an eye.

Looks fun, but I will go up in the New year when it has all quietened down a bit!

[XIII]

Seriously, there WILL be tents, and people WILL be expecting that. look at ifoAppleStore and look at the other store openings... :rolleyes:

[toughboy]

No argument with you there - they treat people like ******.

Send you photos if you want.

As for Istanbul (what happened to Izmir) nice idea -but has the Mac market improved in Turkey?

Well I'd love to have photos.. why dont we post them in this thread, or any other thread, so other people like us can see the opening too.. :o

Mac market has improved giganticly in Turkey with the latest iBook campaign and release of iPod Minis.. most of the Mac-community is in Istanbul by the way, because of the population and because macintosh is seen to be a graphic designer's computer in Turkey, and most of the designers live in Istanbul..

[Chimera]

Hey everyone, first post on here but have been a reader for years,

Anyway i'm planning to go to the opening with a friend and was thinking of being there by 5pm(ish) on firday, but we were just thinking about taking some food, water, caffeine pills, lots of layers of clothing and maybe be extravegant with a cushion,

but reading most of you guys seem set on tents. Is this what msot people are doing?, and are you planning on taking these any the fold up chairs into the store too?

Thanks for any advice

Frank

[asif786]

Hey everyone, first post on here but have been a reader for years,

Anyway i'm planning to go to the opening with a friend and was thinking of being there by 5pm(ish) on firday, but we were just thinking about taking some food, water, caffeine pills, lots of layers of clothing and maybe be extravegant with a cushion,

but reading most of you guys seem set on tents. Is this what msot people are doing?, and are you planning on taking these any the fold up chairs into the store too?

Thanks for any advice

Frank

Frank,

I think it's only Hector thats taking a tent (:P). I think people generally just bring chairs, power and laptops and sit around, discuss etc.

In terms of fold up chairs, I dont know how much they are but I would assume it's safe to leave it outside the store while you browse (?), I dont know.. I think people generally tend to keep an eye on eachother's stuff - especially the overnighters.

[utkucan]

i have a bit of a clash - i'm queing for interpol which is also on 20 nov from friday night. :(

i'd love to do the whole night before thing tho

[silvergunuk]

Wahey i've just been emailed telling me the date and time to have my interview and test at the apple store bullring here in the uk! Quality nice. Anyone else attending?

[AmuNRe]

I'm from Germany and plan on spending the night in front of the Apple Store because that's the cheapest way for me.

Problem: I'm under 18. I don't need somebody taking responsibility for me or something like that. I just wanted to check if there are more campers, so I'm not alone there and the police won't take me with them.

[asif786]

I'm from Germany and plan on spending the night in front of the Apple Store because that's the cheapest way for me.

Problem: I'm under 18. I don't need somebody taking responsibility for me or something like that. I just wanted to check if there are more campers, so I'm not alone there and the police won't take me with them.


Hey man, don't worry, you'll be fine :)

I think Gary Allen from ifoAppleStore.com will definitely be there + 'Hector' from here too, so you wont be alone!

Let's not forget that MacRumors only represents a small amount of UK mac users, there's bound to be loads of overnighters!

--Asif

[AmuNRe]

ok - wonderful

Looking forward to "the event you don't want to miss"

[XIII]

Hey man, don't worry, you'll be fine :)

I think Gary Allen from ifoAppleStore.com will definitely be there + 'Hector' from here too, so you wont be alone!

Let's not forget that MacRumors only represents a small amount of UK mac users, there's bound to be loads of overnighters!

--Asif

cough.. cough.. Jack... cough... cough...

[SpaceMagic]

It certainly does. And the 20th is my 18th. Anyone care to buy me an iPod Photo?

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

November 20th is MY 18th too! We should really really have a get together there! Party lunch! Apple pay :p

I'm buying a lucky bag.

I'm in cardiff, coming up on train... wonder what time people'll be queuing?

[cuggles]

Well I'm intending to get there about 20:00 on Friday evening, from other posts it looks like I won't be first, but as long as I'm in the first 300 ;-)

I'll be coming down from Cambridge on the train, hence why I have to 'camp out' otherwise with the way public transport (doesn't) work I wouldn't get there until like 08:00 on Saturday morning and that would be baaaaaad!!

cuggs.

[richardthomas78]

So if I turned up at 8:00am on Saturday, what are my chances of picking up a lucky bag?! I guess I'd be lucky to get a T-shirt arriving that late in the day... :eek:

[XIII]

Yeah... thats about right I'd say... ;)

[cuggles]

So if I turned up at 8:00am on Saturday, what are my chances of picking up a lucky bag?! I guess I'd be lucky to get a T-shirt arriving that late in the day... :eek:

I would imagine some close to 0% chance if u arrive that late.....

But seriously, I imagine your chances are indeed pretty much nil if arriving at that time. I'd like to think that you would get a t-shirt though...

Cuggs

[johnnyjibbs]

I'm still debating when to go. Really, I couldn't get there until early on Saturday but there is something tempting to be hardcore. I certainly want to try for a T-shirt - there's 2500 of them - but then there are enough die-hard Apple fans around :p

[applemacmad]

Hi guys, im new here!

Me and my mate are going to get there about 9 o'clock pm on the friday, so ill see some of you there!

btw, how do you change your avatar? in the control panel theres no option to turn it on, it just says "do not use an avatar"

[XIII]

You are allowed an avatar when you have posted 500 times... get going... ;)

[cheekyspanky]

I really want to be there, and Im thinking with the way public transport is I'll end up arriving around 12.30 - 1am. Will that be early enough for a lucky bag?

[Benr]

Well my first post, after finding this thread on Google...and spending the last 10 minutes or so reading it...

I'm planning to go to the opening, but before this not as early as the night before !

Would I be welcome to join you guys & girls in the queue...??!

Having seen a selection of times, what times are people hoping to get there...?

(Most of my friends still mock me for using Macs and so don't want to go to the opening !)

Cheers,
Ben

[applemacmad]

500 posts? thats just mad! lol

also, if your under 16 can the police take you off the streets? 'cos im only 14

[johnnyjibbs]

also, if your under 16 can the police take you off the streets? 'cos im only 14
Doubt it, but they wouldn't know you weren't with a guardian. Put it this way: on a Friday night in Britain, the police will have more to worry about than a few (or a lot of ;) ) Mac fanatics waiting for a shop to open. I'm sure Apple will have its own security anyway, and anyone causing any trouble or hassle will be removed from the area.

[applemacmad]

suppose so, nothings going to stop me from going though!

(2 posts down, 498 to go!)

[asif786]

It's just a 20 min commute for me to get to the store, so I think I'll assess the situation throughout the day and then choose when I want to join the queue.

My parents are going to Hong Kong on tuesday morning and I'm desperately trying to get an iMac G5 - Half of the walls in my house are covered with iMac G5 pictures/posters/reviews.

I tried going the subtle way - little hints etc, but it didnt work :( Now I gotta see if the 'mass-marketing' method works :o

[gunpowda]

I'm a mac fan, but don't own one. What I'd really like is an iPod, but it looks like the chances of grabbing an iPod in a goodie bag are low.

Wonder what the chance of getting the iPod and the iPod mini in one bag are? :) The 'special surprise' they mention is intriguing. And it looks like people are going to be camping out really early on Saturday, in the freezing London cold for even the remotest chance at obtaining one of these legendary bags. Blah.

[FireArse]

Never thought id go camping in the middle of London!!

Sounds like a mini adventure! The people who normally walk the streets around that time won't know whats going on!!!

Is there gonna be some kinda orderly queue, or is there just gonna be a big group of people sat infront of the doors? I hope there'll be security making sure the people who came first get throught the doors first, i dont want some idiot coming in at half 9am on saturday walking past me if Ive been waiting for like 12 hours overnight.

il screw if i miss out on a lucky bag or a free t-shirt cos some twat jumps the queue. Apple staff: please make it fair, alot of people will be making a lot of effort for this day!!

FireArse (hoping for a photo iPod in his lucky bag!!)

[Hlau]

I didn't have time to read the whole thread so sorry if this has been asked before, but does anyone know if they would do HE Educational discounts at the London Apple Store? Last summer I happened at Osaka a few days after the opening, I was quite disappointed that I didn't have anything to buy.

[mattmook]

Never thought id go camping in the middle of London!!

Sounds like a mini adventure! The people who normally walk the streets around that time won't know whats going on!!!

Hi to everyone... like some of the other ppl here, this is my first post here, I've usually just commented on articles on the MacUser site, but having seen how weird everyone is here think I'm gonna have to change boards.

All you guys are completely mad, so naturally I'll see everyone there! I'll be the one playing computer games on my iBook with an N64 controller :) It'll certainly be an odd night out. Not really sure what time I'm gonna get there, originally was gonna be 6 am on saturday but now it will be an all-nighter. Coming from work down in Surrey (near to Reigate) so won't be there too early, probably around 7 pm, unless I take a half day. I think I'll have to take a large bag full of food, so if you see me eating away just say hi and nick some of my stuff (just the food mind).

I guess it doesn't bother me too much if I don't get a goodie bag, what can I say, I work and there are really only a few things I wouldn't mind having... a wireless mouse and another AirPort Express (those things rule), so anything else is just a bonus to be sold on to the people at the back of the queue for a marked up price!

[Doctor Q]

Is there gonna be some kinda orderly queue, or is there just gonna be a big group of people sat infront of the doors? I hope there'll be security making sure the people who came first get throught the doors first, i dont want some idiot coming in at half 9am on saturday walking past me if Ive been waiting for like 12 hours overnight.I predict it will be orderly. Why? Because I'm been to store openings in the U.S. and they were orderly, and because Apple had a crew of line-watchers, and because Mac enthusiasts are more sensible than the general public (how many fatal tramplings have you heard of at Macworld Expos?), and, finally, because the British are more civilized than Americans, having been at it much longer! :)

[hob]

I predict it will be orderly. Why? Because I'm been to store openings in the U.S. and they were orderly, and because Apple had a crew of line-watchers, and because Mac enthusiasts are more sensible than the general public (how many fatal tramplings have you heard of at Macworld Expos?), and, finally, because the British are more civilized than Americans, having been at it much longer! :)

Hmmm... British are more civilised than the americans? Maybe they should get Grant Mitchel to stand at the top of the glass staircase encouraging people who've been up there too long to "get down 'em stairs"... then with a cheerful "I'm not telling you again" a helpful push in the right direction...!

Nah... I'm sure it'll be ok, but as much as a fan as I am there is no way in friggin heck I'm gonna sit on a pavement all night. I'll leave home at 6am, get there for 6.30 and probably be in the first 100 i hope!

Hob

(sorry, don't know where the grant mitchel thing came from)

[FireArse]

MatMook, what do you do? I live in Leverstock Green in Hemel, but I went to school in St. Albans. I do everything there, if you fancy going together???

I have another friend who might be interested in going overnight too (from Smallford) give us a shout!!

What a small world.

FireArse

[mattmook]

MatMook, what do you do? I live in Leverstock Green in Hemel, but I went to school in St. Albans. I do everything there, if you fancy going together???

I have another friend who might be interested in going overnight too (from Smallford) give us a shout!!

What a small world.

FireArse

Possibly... I haven't thought about my plans too properly yet.

Currently I work down in Surrey, just north of Reigate. During the week I live down in Sutton but am back up in St Albans most weekends where I went to secondary school (St Albans School).

As I've taken a half day holiday on the Friday I may head up to St Albans first to sort my stuff out although I think I am going to buy food supplies when I'm in London. I probably wouldn't be ready to leave St Albans till around 4.30-5pm if I did go back. I am in two minds about this though - if I just stay in Sutton I can get a few hours sleep before heading off!

What time were u thinking of leaving?

I was thinking of taking some dvds with me... Lord of the Rings Trilogy Extended Editions in one sitting anyone? I'm not really sure I'd be able to last it out and I certainly know my laptop batteries won't last!

[Ralfy]

Just to save you all some time.

After checking this thread and seeing what time all you guys are planning to arrive, me and my 299 mates are planning to get there about 6pm on Friday (that's Friday the 12th November).

[XIII]

500 posts? thats just mad! lol

also, if your under 16 can the police take you off the streets? 'cos im only 14

Yeah... I'm 13... So... Yeah :)

[XIII]

I was thinking of taking some dvds with me... Lord of the Rings Trilogy Extended Editions in one sitting anyone? I'm not really sure I'd be able to last it out and I certainly know my laptop batteries won't last!

Mmmmmm... One sitting...

Just for whoever has been asking, I'm gonna aim to be there at about 6pm.

[mattmook]

Just for whoever has been asking, I'm gonna aim to be there at about 6pm.

I'll just have to get there even earlier so you guys are somewhere near the back then - not sure I'd really want to wait any longer though! I'm impressed I'm even serious about getting there at anytime the night before though :)

[Applespider]

I've never thought of myself as an old fart but guess I must be since I'm surprised that the parents of under-16s are happy to allow their kids to camp out overnight in central London without any form of supervision/care that they know of. I know if I had kids that I'd be unlikely to let them unless they were going with an adult I knew and trusted. Not because I wouldn't trust my kids but because I'd be wary of others.

Heck, I'm slightly cautious about the idea of spending the night in Regent St (and I wouldn't be considering it without a buddy to join me) given that I've wandered around during/after nights out in that area and you never know who you might meet/see/need to avoid. Sure we're presuming that there will be lots of Apple fans and that all Apple fans there will be shiny happy people (if a little deranged for being there so early! :o ) but I'm still surprised.

[Winston Smith]

Ditto Applespider above, I too will be going but I'm cautious of the overnight idea. If my kid was an early teen the overnight idea would be a definite no, no.

[stevehaslip]

do you think that if i turn up and queue at 9am i will be able to get a t-shirt? (be one of the first 2500?) i'll be happy if i can just get a t-shirt:D:D

[asif786]

Ok, I'm only 16, so...yeah :)

If I get an iMac G5 (I'm finding out in the next 12 hours if my parents are gonna agree or not, fingers crossed!), then I'll probably be queue for a lucky bag :D

With regards to 13 year olds - yeah, I'm surprised! Mind you, us mac people are generally nice (lol :cool: ) so I'm sure their parents arent too worried.

[webmatthijs]

Gr8 idea!

We could make a hell of a fire by burning the install manuals too! ;)


not only the manuals, why dont we get a few windowz pcs from the scrapyard and put them ablaze! seeing the quality of MS the pc's are made of cardboard!

[Mord]

The Lucky Bag Promotion is a promotion in which 300 promotional bags will be offered for sale at the Apple Store, Regent Street, for the sum of £249 and the promotional Lucky Bags will contain both Apple branded and Mac Compatible product(s) with a combined value of no less than £705.

This offer will be open to purchasers from November 20th, 2004, until the 300 Lucky Bags have sold out.

The Lucky Bag will be chosen at random by the purchaser from the selection available for sale and will become the property of the purchaser once the purchase price has been paid.

Customers may only purchase one Lucky Bag per day until the promotion ends or supplies run out.

The Lucky Bags may contain a selection of the following items in any combination: Airport Express, Wireless Mouse, Wireless Keyboard, D-Link, Keynote, .Mac, iLife, iSight Camera, 20GB iPod, Silver iPod Mini, JBL on Tour, GarageBand Jam Pack, Limited Edition iPod Case, Limited Edition iPod Mini Case, ProCare, 10% off coupon, Insider’s Guide to London DVD or a World Book Encyclopedia.


now if you work out some maths to the minimum swag you get it turns out pretty good

[FireArse]

Thanks Hector for the Lucky-bag details.....

Sounds to me like the first 200 people will get the free T-Shirt, AND get thier credit cards out for the Lucky bags - those bags will go for sure in the first hour.

I might go past the building works this week, Regents Street aint that far from Hammersmith......

10% off will help with the purchase of my G5.....wonder if that works WITH the student discount....now that i would have to check before i get the lucky bag....

i bloody hope it dont rain, we've been ok rain-wise recently, if it rains, there goes the idea of LOTR eh boys?

Anyway, any girls planning on joing us? (worth a go!)

FireArse

[XIII]

Ok, I'm only 16, so...yeah :)

If I get an iMac G5 (I'm finding out in the next 12 hours if my parents are gonna agree or not, fingers crossed!), then I'll probably be queue for a lucky bag :D

With regards to 13 year olds - yeah, I'm surprised! Mind you, us mac people are generally nice (lol :cool: ) so I'm sure their parents arent too worried.

My parents want me going with someone they know... Essentially an adult, but they're quite good humored, and said the only person mad enough to go is my uncle (who has a PB 12inch :)) but he's out of the country... So i'll find a friend and be fine... ;) Also, there will be apple security there...

That applies to ALL you 13 year olds... Yeah. All of you. ;)

[Mord]

i got a friend coming who is a mac user but not in the enthusiastic way we are,

i'll be there at 2:30PM with my ibook £250 and a couple of chairs, it seems i'll be there earlier than anyone else, so i hope we can get some kind of ticket thing to keep our places if we crowd around someone's 17" powerbook for a good dvd.

i have 10.4 on my ibook so if anyone wants a poke around feel free, but keep it low key as it's not a legit copy.

[XIII]

Cool. 2.30 pm... :eek:

Jeez... :p I'll be there at 6...

[Mord]

oh anf with the lucky bags assuming you get all the small stuff like the software and keyboards you are guaranteed to get an ipod, a mini, an airport express or an isight. naturally you wont get ALL the sucky stuff you should get two maybe three of the above seeing as you get like 8 items max (going on previous lucky bag reports)

also how about a pocket tanks tournament, the ultimate lesson wasting laptop game, i have near mastered it, and have not had a miss in a long time with the super laser, and i'm pretty damn goof with the sniper.

[FireArse]

Guys,

Just reading about those 30' Displays. I think the creme de la creme of the store has got to be a few 2.5GHz G5's setup with nVidia 6800's each with twin 30' displays.

Thats gotta be a lot of pricey apple gear on a desk.....should be a sight for sore eyes after waiting overnight for the opening!

IF its dry on Friday night, we'll all be thinking "and we just saw LOTR on a 12' PBook screen!!!"

Boy do i wish i won the lottery! :D

FireArse

[sebgate20]

I would get to the story early but I'm staying at the Hilton Islington and the idea of a fry-up breakfast is better than waiting on Regents Street from 8am!

What will the queue be like (do you imagine?) at around 9am? Also, I'm 15 and I was wondering whether any other Mac users of my age want to meet up somewhere. PM me if you are interested!!

Are people going Store --> MacExpo or MacExpo ---> Store? Is it true Steve J. is opening the store? If so, I'm going there first!

Seb

[elzo]

MacExpo then the store. I think it's open to 9:00pm on Saturday, so will be going after MacExpo.

[mattmook]

MacExpo then the store. I think it's open to 9:00pm on Saturday, so will be going after MacExpo.

Yup, the expo is open 10 am - 5 pm and the store 10 am - 9 pm.

As I'm sleeping rough I guess I may go to the expo afterwards and find somewhere to recharge my batteries.

Not sure I have a ticket though, I did apply way back for one of the free ones but haven't heard anything about it since so I guess I must have missed out. Anyone here have a spare ticket they don't mind giving me?

[mattmook]

Just wondering who else is thinking about taking a laptop with them and how much battery life they're going to have.

I'll have my iBook G4 (only 12.1" mind) with 2 batteries and a couple of iPods for entertainment. This is assuming my iPod Photo arrives in time. So if anybody wants a play with it they can feel free.

[Mac Geek]

Hi, just registered.

I'm planning to be in the queue early enough to grab a Lucky Bag. Not sure how early that'll be... perhaps 7am? I've found a webcam for Regent Street (http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/travel/jamcams/camloco/547451.shtml) , but I can't see if the store is in view (I had hoped to check it constantly at a friends house then rush there as soon as people arrived!). British weather being what it is this time of year, I'll be packing wet weather gear!

[asif786]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/travel/jamcams/camloco/547452.shtml

That's the right one. The Apple store is the one on the right with the four arches..

Edit: wooah, it look's like they've taken the Black Plywood down :D May have to pop by in a few minsthe store in a few mins to see how it looks. :D

[Mac Geek]

...look's like they've taken the Black Plywood down :D May have to pop by in a few minsthe store in a few mins to see how it looks. :D

Don't forget your camera! ;)

[mattmook]

I'm planning to be in the queue early enough to grab a Lucky Bag. Not sure how early that'll be... perhaps 7am?

It's kinda hard to judge really. I intially looked in to getting there for 6 am which would be the earliest time I could get there because the underground doesn't start running until around 5.00 am (but that means central london stations don't get trains till ~5.30). Any amount of time before 7 would be a real bonus I would say.

If there is net access there I'll try and post updates on this forum under this thread assumming my batteries hold out long enough. Alternatively you could always phone one of the few who are staying the night what the situation is like in the morning to see if it is worth coming down and if you're likely to get a lucky bag or not - that would mean you'd still have to be awake early though to check up!

[Mac Geek]

I don't think I'll take my PowerBook, just my iPod and digicam. Would anyone be interested in posting pictures taken by my Nokia 6230 and sent via MMS? I'd need your number to send them though, of course (you may not feel comfortable about this).

[MemphisSoulStew]

I was planning on getting there at about 6am on the day with - in order of importance - a warm parka wrapped around me and thick socks and warm boots on my feet (it'll be November in London), a folding chair, a big flask of coffee and a bag of Tesco jammy donuts, my PB and a camera.

I'd like a lucky bag but if I don't get one it won't be the end of the world. I'm certainly not camping overnight to get one (it'll be November in London), but can we really imagine there'll be 300 Mac lovers camping out overnight?

I've got to go to work that afternoon so I won't have much time to hang around - just get in, get my lucky bag (I will get one ... must be positive...) and T-shirt, get the CoD expansion pack if it's out, and take in the general loveliness of the new store, and get out.

I've been to Apple Stores in Memphis and Tampa, both of which were very nice, and I can see myself spending a lot of time in Regent Street.

[mattmook]

I don't think I'll take my PowerBook, just my iPod and digicam. Would anyone be interested in posting pictures taken by my Nokia 6230 and sent via MMS? I'd need your number to send them though, of course (you may not feel comfortable about this).

If there is a usable wireless network you can just connect ur phone to my laptop via bluetooth to bung photos on the web. Is there any special software needed to do such a thing?

[Benr]

Failing the lack of wireless network far enough outside, I'll have GPRS over bluetooth, a little slow, but for the odd MMS, should be fine for uploads...

Thats dependent on the time I decide to go...I'm supposed to be working an event, so might head over about for about 2am, or get work off and head over in the early evening...

Cheers,
Ben

[Mac Geek]

If there is a usable wireless network you can just connect ur phone to my laptop via bluetooth to bung photos on the web. Is there any special software needed to do such a thing?

The only special software you need is Mac OS X! ;)

[asif786]

Don't forget your camera! ;)


Hey,

I went there - wow!

Now just the windows are covered in black wood, and on the outside arches (2 of the four) there is an apple logo and the text 'Grand opening, nov20th 10am' and text saying apple.com/uk

There store has *major* activity in it. There were soooo many builders there at around 4pm. I managed to get a look in and saw a *lot* of glass and the typical glass bridge etc. The store is very very very bright, even with the windows blacked out. tis crazy! :)

If my parents dont mind me blowing £250 on the lucky bag then I guess I may have to camp out, or I may just go there at like 5.30am on saturday. depends :)

[Bozola]

Just walked by it.. looks like they got a LOT OF WORK to do!

Frederic (Lives in Seattle, Visiting London)

[asif786]

Just walked by it.. looks like they got a LOT OF WORK to do!

Frederic (Lives in Seattle, Visiting London)

Looks great though doesn't it? Must look better at night :)

How are you enjoying London btw? Will you be joining us at the opening?

Sidenot: The Regent Street christmas lights are this year sponsored by the incredibles - I wonder if Steve had anything to do with this? When the lights are turned on they will display characters from the film

[Bozola]

It looks nice, although the stark stainless steel front would be outta place there.

Looks as big as the one in Tokyo that I saw back in Jan.

London is nice. only here for 3 days. Won't be there for the opening.. but was there for the opening at the bellevue square store in Wash. (Closest store to the Microsoft Campus!!!!) Still have my jaguar dog tags!!!

Frederic

[Doctor Q]

It's not too soon to post some photos so we can see how things are progressing (or not).

[asif786]

unfortunately my parents have taken the digicam at the moment, so I dont have a camera to take photos with - plus I'm no good at things like that :o lol

Perhaps someone else can stop by the store tomorrow and take some pictures?

[FireArse]

Guys,

Im going to the States on the 8th, will be back on the 18th, ready to curl up in a ball for the 19th/20th on Regent's Street. :)

Im picking up my mates Digital Camera to take with me to the states, I guess i can make a HUGE detour to Town and take y'all a few pics of the building site!!

My problem will be getting them online here, if i come online at about 10/11PM UK time, would someone give me hand?!

FireArse

p.s. il take some photos of the Pheonix apple store, cos i honestly have no idea what to expect from the London store!

[Chappers]

Gotta get a T-Shirt (two if the wife is with me) the one below from a mini store got $500.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=171&item=5134292841&rd=1

[wdlove]

Gotta get a T-Shirt (two if the wife is with me) the one below from a mini store got $500.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=171&item=5134292841&rd=1

I didn't realize that the T-Shirts from an Apple Store opening was that valuable. Mine is in a clear plastic tube, so makes it even nicer to display. Currently have three of them.

[mattmook]

I didn't realize that the T-Shirts from an Apple Store opening was that valuable. Mine is in a clear plastic tube, so makes it even nicer to display. Currently have three of them.

The eBay item lists that there were only 500 t-shirts of that type whereas for the London store there will be 2500. Of course this is a larger and more important store than that mini store so our shirts could be worth even more ;-)

[jrwo]

Just joined to say I'll probably be joining the merry queue on Friday night with my sister and a wireless iBook. I've not spotted anyone on this or other forums suggesting a bunch of numbered stickers to let the overnight queue be a bit more sociable - is this the sort of thing that usually happens? Happy to volunteer, if so...

[asif786]

Just joined to say I'll probably be joining the merry queue on Friday night with my sister and a wireless iBook. I've not spotted anyone on this or other forums suggesting a bunch of numbered stickers to let the overnight queue be a bit more sociable - is this the sort of thing that usually happens? Happy to volunteer, if so...


Yeah, I reckon this might be a cool idea- the line can be a bit hectic - especially when lucky bags are involved..

It'd be a cool idea to make stickers, but then say someone came and joined queue at 9pm and then came back at 9am the next morning with their sticker - that wouldn't really be fair on those who waited..:S unless there's any other solution?

P.S. I dont know why, but I'm sooo excited for this store to open - passed by and saw the glass staircase today - was amaazing!

[Doctor Q]

Apple gave out a few priority numbers at the Santa Monica (California) store opening, but then gave up. Maybe they decided it wasn't necessary. The line was already organized, with a few people saving places, but no real cheating that I saw. I hope it goes that well in London and you don't need any formal system for keeping your places in line.

[MemphisSoulStew]

Apple gave out a few priority numbers at the Santa Monica (California) store opening, but then gave up. Maybe they decided it wasn't necessary. The line was already organized, with a few people saving places, but no real cheating that I saw. I hope it goes that well in London and you don't need any formal system for keeping your places in line.

If there's one thing we Brits are good at it's orderly queueing...

[mattmook]

P.S. I dont know why, but I'm sooo excited for this store to open - passed by and saw the glass staircase today - was amaazing!

Weird isn't it, I'm not sure why I'm excited either! The store does look good and the guys were still working hard when I walked by at around 7pm last night - shame I didn't have a camera with me.

Although the floor space is the same as Ginza as it is on fewer floors it looks as thought it'll be so much better IMO.

[mattmook]

Apple gave out a few priority numbers at the Santa Monica (California) store opening, but then gave up. Maybe they decided it wasn't necessary. The line was already organized, with a few people saving places, but no real cheating that I saw. I hope it goes that well in London and you don't need any formal system for keeping your places in line.

I don't care that much if people push in front of me as long as I still get a lucky bag. It certainly wouldn't be good to be pushed out of the first 300! Personally I can't see that happening with me camping on the streets. I'm sure I'll be well within the top 20. Btw, anyone care to guess how many ppl they think will stay the night?

[asif786]

I don't care that much if people push in front of me as long as I still get a lucky bag. It certainly wouldn't be good to be pushed out of the first 300! Personally I can't see that happening with me camping on the streets. I'm sure I'll be well within the top 20. Btw, anyone care to guess how many ppl they think will stay the night?


I'm dont know how many people will camp overnight, but I think that the line at opening time will definitely snake right down to piccadilly (sp?) and back up regents street again.

In terms of why I'm excited - I'm bringing some friends/relatives with me to the store on Sunday (when steriogram are there) and I hope it will show them just how cool a company apple is - hopefully they will be taken aback by the store (a damned spiral staircase would've helped - grrrr), and buy a few iPods or something :D

[mattmook]

If there's one thing we Brits are good at it's orderly queueing...

I'd have to say the Japanese are far better - compare getting a train here to over there and you'll see what I mean. We british just enjoy joining the back of long queues for no particular reason.

[Mac Geek]

Oh dear... seems more and more people are preparing to start queuing on Friday night! I really don't think I can be bothered to start any earlier than the morning. :( And I soooo wanted a Lucky Bag! Ho-hum.

[cheekyspanky]

Just wondering, what happens regarding going to the toilet?! People have been talking about going to get coffee and stuff, but shouldn't it be when you leave the queue you rejoin at the back?

[Mac Geek]

I thought the people in-front and behind you 'saved' your space while you were away. That way:

i) no lost spaces
ii) no unsightly puddles
iii) you actually talk to people in the queue (and make new friends?)
iv) you get to stretch your legs and build up some warmth
v) you can take some wide-angle shots of the queue growing bigger and bigger.

(All this from someone who, besides being British, hates queuing!)

I'll do you a deal. If I'm in the queue and need to leave for coffee/food, I'll buy the people who save my space a coffee to have on my return. :)

[mattmook]

I'll do you a deal. If I'm in the queue and need to leave for coffee/food, I'll buy the people who save my space a coffee to have on my return. :)

Suits me :) Not sure I could cope with staying in the same spot for more than 5 minutes anyway plus got to try and work out who all you people really are ;-)

Just wondering, what happens regarding going to the toilet?!

Has anybody actually thought about where there are any toilets, especially early in the morning before anything is open?

I'm gonna send an e-mail to london travel to see what suggestions they can come up with - but I somehow doubt they'll be any use.

[Mac Geek]

Has anybody actually thought about where there are any toilets, especially early in the morning before anything is open?

I'm gonna send an e-mail to london travel to see what suggestions they can come up with - but I somehow doubt they'll be any use.

Also, can you tell me where the nearest Coffee shops are? I don't know London at all!

[dodonutter]

Hi All, first post on macrumors!

Me and a friend are going to be camping out 19/20th along with all you other nutters. So when do you think the line is going to go 300+? I think were going to the expo then food then off to set up our camping location.

Anyone got a portable generator btw...mite be useful!!

--Dodo :D

[XIII]

Suits me :) Not sure I could cope with staying in the same spot for more than 5 minutes anyway plus got to try and work out who all you people really are ;-)

All I have is a tatoo on my back... Its the only clue to my idnetity after I lost my memory... The tatoo reads "XIII"... :o

[flappo]

as much as i love apple , there's NO way i'm gonna queue up all nite just for a store to open

jeez

[pashazade]

Taken this lunchtime, was hard to get pictures with all the traffic!

[~Shard~]

I thought the people in-front and behind you 'saved' your space while you were away. That way:

i) no lost spaces
ii) no unsightly puddles
iii) you actually talk to people in the queue (and make new friends?)
iv) you get to stretch your legs and build up some warmth
v) you can take some wide-angle shots of the queue growing bigger and bigger.

(All this from someone who, besides being British, hates queuing!)

I'll do you a deal. If I'm in the queue and need to leave for coffee/food, I'll buy the people who save my space a coffee to have on my return. :)

Wow, some people are putting way too much thought and effort into this... It's just a store!!! :p :cool:

[asif786]

Wow, some people are putting way too much thought and effort into this... It's just a store!!! :p :cool:


Hey just cos Canada doesn't have a store :p lol

[jrwo]

Yeah, I reckon this might be a cool idea- the line can be a bit hectic - especially when lucky bags are involved..

It'd be a cool idea to make stickers, but then say someone came and joined queue at 9pm and then came back at 9am the next morning with their sticker - that wouldn't really be fair on those who waited..:S unless there's any other solution?


Roll call at 4am. :) And yes, it's nowhere near ideal, but might be a handy addition to the usual well-mannered queuing. ;)

It could also be handy if anyone's blogging live from the queue - an 8am "200 down, get here quickly if you're coming" might be welcome.

[~Shard~]

Hey just cos Canada doesn't have a store :p lol

... Which is really a moot point, because if we did have a store it would be in Toronto (which is what the signs are pointing towards), and I wouldn't be going to the opening because I don't feel like driving 30 hours east. ;) :cool:

[Applespider]

Has anybody actually thought about where there are any toilets, especially early in the morning before anything is open?

Have pondered this myself. There are some very late night cafes open near Leicester Square who presumably also keep their loos open - and I'm sure that at least one of the McDs/BKs around that area must be a 24 hour one - remember that clubs are open til 3 so there must be loos.

For the guys, there are a few of the 'portable' urinals that rise out of the ground at various spots in the West End. Being a girl, I've never taken particular notice though so can't draw a map of them.

Coffee shops. There is a Starbucks just round the corner but it only opens at 7am. There is a 24 hour coffee shop on Frith St but it's a 5-10 minute walk there.

[dodonutter]

Have pondered this myself. There are some very late night cafes open near Leicester Square who presumably also keep their loos open - and I'm sure that at least one of the McDs/BKs around that area must be a 24 hour one - remember that clubs are open til 3 so there must be loos.

For the guys, there are a few of the 'portable' urinals that rise out of the ground at various spots in the West End. Being a girl, I've never taken particular notice though so can't draw a map of them.

Coffee shops. There is a Starbucks just round the corner but it only opens at 7am. There is a 24 hour coffee shop on Frith St but it's a 5-10 minute walk there.

Are you camping then? sound like a good person to have around!

[asif786]

Have pondered this myself. There are some very late night cafes open near Leicester Square who presumably also keep their loos open - and I'm sure that at least one of the McDs/BKs around that area must be a 24 hour one - remember that clubs are open til 3 so there must be loos.

For the guys, there are a few of the 'portable' urinals that rise out of the ground at various spots in the West End. Being a girl, I've never taken particular notice though so can't draw a map of them.

Coffee shops. There is a Starbucks just round the corner but it only opens at 7am. There is a 24 hour coffee shop on Frith St but it's a 5-10 minute walk there.

Wel, if you're prepared for a 3/4 min walk, there's one of those portable toilets opposite selfridges. They are suitable for women btw, but you have to pay like 20p I think to use it. Plus they have a really cool electronic sliding door ;)

[XIII]

ha ha... nice pics whoever posted them... ;)

[dodonutter]

Excellent, Loos and coffee within 5(ish) minutes walking distance. Looks like there may be a few trips for supplies. Wheres the nearest place for breakfast or just plain food??

[FireArse]

This is gonna be one MAD night.

I really do hope it wont be that cold, and that its dry. Which side of the doors is the queue gonna be? Oxford Street side, or the Piccadilly Circus side?

I told my mum about my plans - she thinks im mad, but I hope it'll be worth it. Does anyone know if the 10% card works WITH Student Discount? This is assuming the Regent Street Store gives the Student discount like the USA stores. I'll bring ALL my Student paperwork and make sure il have my Uni ID card!

MatMook, are you going from work or St. Albans? People wont have much trouble finding out who i am, i have a t-shirt with FIREARSE and the number '10' written on it!!

if i go there and i find out 300 people are already there, il simply take a few pictures and make my way home, i wanna stay up all night for a Lucky bag, not just a T-Shirt!

F