Lakeside - Thurrock - UK

[jarvojnr]

Anyone going there? If so what time you planning on getting there?

[Gav2k]

I am! But not till after work so around 11.

[jarvojnr]

I hope to be long gone by then though still not sure what time to get there!

[20193]

I'll be there for opening time I think. More anxious than excited to be honest. I mean I've reserved one, but I can't help but worry if some mishap on the day stops me from getting one...

[jarvojnr]

I'll be there for opening time I think. More anxious than excited to be honest. I mean I've reserved one, but I can't help but worry if some mishap on the day stops me from getting one...

Are you getting there for 8 or earlier? Have you reserved?

[20193]

Are you getting there for 8 or earlier? Have you reserved?

Most likely before. The doors to the store open at 8. I spoke to Lakeside's control center and they are thinking about possibly opening the main door to allow people to queue outside the Apple Store from 7.15am. And yes I've reserved, I just hope that the whole "keep till the end of business day" actually means that.

[jarvojnr]

I think they're usually open from around then anyway for the cleaning staff etc to get in, if not one of the 'mazy corridors' doors should be open.

I have reserved too and was thinking of parking in one of the car parks by Burger King, using that main entrance and getting there for about 7.30. I'm not fussed about being first in the queue but would like to get in and out as quick as possible!

[Gav2k]

They open the gregs entrance first at around 6am

[LewisFielder]

You guys should come bluewater! It's accessible 24/7 ;)

[jarvojnr]

They open the gregs entrance first at around 6am

Theres a Gregs? Never knew that, where abouts? At the post office/Nat west end?

[Gav2k]

It's downstairs by costa coffee and hsbc

[jarvojnr]

It's downstairs by costa coffee and hsbc

Yeah thats where I thought, wasn't sure if it was a hsbc or a natwest. Thanks!

[Gav2k]

No problems.

[20193]

They open the gregs entrance first at around 6am

Really? Everyday? I was planning on parking in carpark 6 and queuing outside burger king until the doors opened. It's the closest to the Apple Store.

[Gav2k]

They open that side every day around 6am. Always have.

[20193]

They open that side every day around 6am. Always have.

And you can just walk right in? Maybe they'll change this for iPhone day. When I spoke to someone at the Apple Store about their iPad experience they said that the Burger King entrance was the one used, which is what I had planned the whole time. Now I'm torn...

[LewisFielder]

Wish I was going lakeside! Lots of macrumor guys there. Hardly any at bluewater, how about you all come to bluewater? Its open all night :)

[Gav2k]

The best way in is actually down the service road. Tbh if you havnt reserved I wouldn't bother showing up lol

[jarvojnr]

And you can just walk right in? Maybe they'll change this for iPhone day. When I spoke to someone at the Apple Store about their iPad experience they said that the Burger King entrance was the one used, which is what I had planned the whole time. Now I'm torn...

Thats what I was planning on too, I know someone who works for Lakeside (the centre rather then a shop in Lakeside) and see what he says. I'll post any info I find out.

[20193]

Thats what I was planning on too, I know someone who works for Lakeside (the centre rather then a shop in Lakeside) and see what he says. I'll post any info I find out.

Please do! Any tips are going to be much appreciated.

[lonfar]

What are the chances of getting an iPhone but havent reserve online? wanted to order online but didnt have right fund then it was backorder to 2nd then 14th...


Never been in a release date so what would i expect if i came early in the morning?

[sazza85]

I wanna get there for as early as I possibly can.

If you can find out where exactly is the best place to get in and at what time that'd be great!

I dont mind being there for 6am, might even be there before hand but not much before. I'm now having nightmares about over sleeping so I'm questioning if i'll even sleep that night haha.

[mactechey]

i dont have one reserved , so im wondering what time to get there , i dont even know where this greggs entrance is :/ , would like to meet up with someone if possible.


do you think i will be able to get one if i dont have one reserved ?

[20193]

i dont have one reserved , so im wondering what time to get there , i dont even know where this greggs entrance is :/ , would like to meet up with someone if possible.


do you think i will be able to get one if i dont have one reserved ?

This should help you find your way: Lakeside Map (http://www.lakeside.uk.com/sitefiles/Lakeside%20Store%20Guide%20-%20April.pdf)

As for getting one, no idea. Turn up early enough and I'm sure there's a possibility. I guess the best bet is to contact Lakeside management regularly and ask for advice and what they'll be doing in terms of doors opening early. Failing that, physically go to and queue outside the apple store for the remainder of the day Wednesday and see what happens come closing time?

[mactechey]

thanks for the reply 20193 i appreciate it , so what time you getting there mate ? what entrance you using then ?

[20193]

thanks for the reply 20193 i appreciate it , so what time you getting there mate ? what entrance you using then ?

Well it was originally 6, but it keeps getting earlier each day haha. I am actually considering driving by at midnight to analyse the queue situation...

I will personally be using the Burger King entrance as that was what I was told Apple used for the iPad launch, but I will most likely also check the Greggs entrance on arrival. It's all up in the air to be honest...

[mactechey]

haha , im gonna try and get there for around 6ish , i dont think there will be big ques at the lakeside one will there :/ , i think only at like the big apple stores like in london , or am i wrong , what were the que situations for the ipad then at lakeside ?


ohh so your using the burger king entrance , i dont even know where that is lol , i dont really go lakeside much , only once in a while lol.

[20193]

haha , im gonna try and get there for around 6ish , i dont think there will be big ques at the lakeside one will there :/ , i think only at like the big apple stores like in london , or am i wrong , what were the que situations for the ipad then at lakeside ?


ohh so your using the burger king entrance , i dont even know where that is lol , i dont really go lakeside much , only once in a while lol.

Well check that map it's good reference. I've printed and colour coded mine for quickness on the day. I have no idea what the iPad queues were like I didn't really ask but I'm certain they'll be a fair ol wave of people there as Lakeside has Apple Store, O2, 2 x CPW, P4U, Orange, Vodafone and more I've forgotten about. All I can say, is be prepared if you want one.

[mactechey]

hmm. any chance of meeting you somewhere on the day ? as you seem you know your way around. thats if we're going around the same kind of times.

[jarvojnr]

haha , im gonna try and get there for around 6ish , i dont think there will be big ques at the lakeside one will there :/ , i think only at like the big apple stores like in london , or am i wrong , what were the que situations for the ipad then at lakeside ?


ohh so your using the burger king entrance , i dont even know where that is lol , i dont really go lakeside much , only once in a while lol.

I'm also still undecided what time to arrive, thinking of 7 but I may get there earlier. Still planning on trying the Burger King doors!

As for the queues I'm pretty sure all the preorders went so I'm sure it will be pretty busy, but hopefully not as long as the bigger london stores!

[20193]

Just got off the phone with Lakeside management and they say that the car park and main entrances will be open from 7am on Thursday.

[mactechey]

thanks for that info 20193 , much appreciated . but im gonna be gettin there earlier than that probaly ,so would you reccommend i use the burger king one then ? what iphone 4 u guys gettin the 16GB or 32GB ?

[lonfar]

Did anyone ask how many they would have stock? i had talked to them on the phone and they said they didnt know :( had ask them how big was the ipad release which was about 150 so they be looking for more on this one

[20193]

Did anyone ask how many they would have stock? i had talked to them on the phone and they said they didnt know :( had ask them how big was the ipad release which was about 150 so they be looking for more on this one

I guess you have to look at it differently. The iPad is a luxury item. The iPhone is a phone, an item which is needed daily. I would imagine the amount of iPhones produced and sent to each apple retailer would be alot higher than the iPad launch. When I spoke to a member of the Apple Store they didn't disclose too much information, but I assume it's because they don't know themselves yet.

[lonfar]

I guess you have to look at it differently. The iPad is a luxury item. The iPhone is a phone, an item which is needed daily. I would imagine the amount of iPhones produced and sent to each apple retailer would be alot higher than the iPad launch. When I spoke to a member of the Apple Store they didn't disclose too much information, but I assume it's because they don't know themselves yet.

Your right :( guess i be arriving roughly 6ish since my dad got appointment and havent been to lakeside for 4 years, hopefully they have stock for all the people que'ing

[sazza85]

I'm leaving home between 5 and 5:30 which should get me there about 5:30/6am.

I'm going to drive around and look at the BK entrance and assess that as well as the one by Greggs, the BK entrance seems the most logical one but as it's been said that the one by Greggs opens at 6am I might stay there till 6am and see if this is indeed true.

The only thing I'm scared about is requiring to use the bathroom whilst in the queue lmao may sound stupid but oh well =/ can't convince no one to come with me, STILL.

Oh well, not long to gooooo wooooooooohoooooooooo :D

btw if anyone has a 32gb reserved and has decided they want a 16gb let me know! I think this scenario is highly doubtful but oh well, worth a shot!

[sazza85]

Edit: Emailed them and got a reply almost instantly.

Good Afternoon,

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

The best place to queue will be outside the Main Entrance by Debenhams
where Burger King is (car park 6). The doors will be open at 7am.

Regards *NAME*
Reception/Customer Care

Edit number 2: Asked about the other doors by greggs about them possibly be opening before 7 and got...

Anybody found wandering in the shopping centre before the main doors are
open will be asked to leave.

Regards *NAME*
Reception/Customer Care

[David87]

I'll be going to the Lakeside Apple Store to collect my reservation, but at around 6pm - gotta work to pay for the damn thing!

[jarvojnr]

Slept in this morning lol

Got to lakeside about 10.30, massive reservation, purchasing and o2 store queues.

Queued for 3 hours in the reservation queue before I finally got mine. My friend signed up to a new correct from vodafone in phones 4 u and was in and out in half hour.

Good luck to anyone yet to go!

[lonfar]

Pretty lame :( got there 6am waited 6 hour to buy the phone but not really what i wanted since i was 6 people away to get it until it all sold out instead got the 16gb so now i need to search a trader for the 32 :<

[20193]

How did everyone do?

I was one of the first in and out despite showing up at 5.30am. Thank god for reservations! Got a few donuts, tons of cookies and a bottle of water. Hope everyone elses was as successful...