Orland Park, IL

[Star-fire]

Anyone heading there I have a reservation there, but getting there early to be safe!

[KPEN7]

i have a reservation as well but will be there for the opening just in case. I recently cracked the screen on my iPhone 3g so i cannot wait any longer

[Star-fire]

Any idea when they well let us in the mall?

[BearsFan34]

I got my reservation. Two, actually. Hoping I can leave there with the 32GB I reserved plus another one for another member of my Family Talk Plan.

Have no idea what time they'll let us in the mall, but I'm a little scared. I know there are two lines, but I don't think I'm going to take any chances. Going to get there in the middle of the night probably. Will wait in the car if need be, or at work...which is nearby.

Or is the thought that the crowds won't be that large at the mall? I dunno. I was there for the 3GS launch, was just a short line inside the mall…

[DonnieZ]

Subscribed.

I too have a reservation and I'd like to know what the mall situation is. What doors open first? What time are you all planning on arriving?

I already took the day off of work, however I'd like to be able to enjoy part of it too and not spend all day in the mall Chose Orland over Oakbrook in case there's bad weather.

[Star-fire]

Yeah I got my 3GS there and I pretty much walked in and walked out, last time I stood in line was the launch of the original iphone!

I was planning on getting there around 5:30am

[BearsFan34]

Originally Posted by DonnieZ

Subscribed.

I too have a reservation and I'd like to know what the mall situation is. What doors open first? What time are you all planning on arriving?

I already took the day off of work, however I'd like to be able to enjoy part of it too and not spend all day in the mall Chose Orland over Oakbrook in case there's bad weather.

Unfortunately, I don't have the answer to the door opening time. I can say that I arrived at Orland Square Mall a bit after 6 AM for the 3GS opening & I walked right in. This event should have significantly more people though…so am hoping they open by at least 5 AM.

Good point about the weather. After visiting this forum, I wished I'd reserved at the Naperville store, as I have yet to see a thread for that store. But the weather might be an issue, so I'd much rather wait indoors.

Not sure what exact time I'll get there yet. Was thinking about a 5:30 AM arrival, but I do have to work that day...so maybe earlier? I would like to be one of the first 100…if possible. I know I have the reservation, but am still worried about the line. Maybe I don't need to be; I dunno. Am thinking the crowd is gonna be big.

[Star-fire]

Yeah I though about Naperville and Oakbrook too, though Orland is the closest for me. I don't think we will have a problem if we are there in the morning, I'm going early to maybe hope for a white one

I might stop in there tomorrow to find out when they will let people in the mall.

[DPA]

For the iPad launch in March at Orland Square the doors opened at 7AM for the 9AM launch. For the 3GS launch, the doors opened at the same time for a 7AM launch so we went at about 6:55 to walk from outside to the Apple store. I think they'll be opening them at the same time. For those who have reserved iPhone 4's and those who are walk-ins, there will be only one line and it will separate at the beginning of the line, or at least that's how it worked for the iPad a few months back.

I, too, will be at the Orland Square location. The line wasn't bad for the 3GS last year but that wasn't as major of a release as the iPhone 4 is going to be. The iPad was about equivalent or slightly longer than iPhone 3G line. For the 3G, I got there around 7:30, not anticipating the huge line and ended up waiting for 4 hours, including 2 activation server crashes which, as you probably know, set us line-waiters back about 30 minutes each time they went down. I learned my lesson and got there earlier for the 3GS line which arriving at 5:30 put me about 15th in the one line for both reservations and walk-ins.

Hopefully some info from someone who's been at the Orland Square Apple for all it's launches since it's opening will help. Hope to see you all and a few (hundred) more alike us there dark and early Thursday morning!!

[BearsFan34]

Found the following on another forum; it could easily be ‘shopped, I know, but am hoping the “two lines” directive is followed.

http://snapplr.com/snap/0t2x

[DPA]

Originally Posted by BearsFan34

Found the following on another forum; it could easily be ‘shopped, I know, but am hoping the “two lines” directive is followed.

http://snapplr.com/snap/0t2x

That looks very sketchy to me. I checked the metadata of the PNG but since it's a PNG it doesn't carry a whole lot of data like JPEGs would. Plus, metadata can be easily cleared by someone who knows what they're doing. The verbiage, font, lack of graphics, lack of introduction, upon other things leads me to believe that this is a fake.

For example, cash should be accepted at the iPhone 4 launch because Apple recently abolished their cash only policy (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/05/19/...or-ipad-sales/). I'm not sure whether Apple plans to extend this abolishment for all future launches or revive the policy.

If and when this was sent out, why would it be sent only to this person. I have seen no other reports of this email. It seems like something Apple would send to all people who have reserved an iPhone 4. But yet it covers protocol for walk-ins as well. The email seems to me to cover too much. In my experience with Apple, a corporate email would not say "Please be respectful of surrounding properties." It sounds too much like rules. In past launches, nothing I have read from Apple has ever mentioned waiting in line before the store opens. Although they expect that and everyone knows it will happen, I have never seen them publicly acknowledge it. The entire verbiage of #2 really puts doubt in my mind.

[BearsFan34]

Originally Posted by DPA

That looks very sketchy to me. I checked the metadata of the PNG but since it's a PNG it doesn't carry a whole lot of data like JPEGs would. Plus, metadata can be easily cleared by someone who knows what they're doing. The verbiage, font, lack of graphics, lack of introduction, upon other things leads me to believe that this is a fake.

For example, cash should be accepted at the iPhone 4 launch because Apple recently abolished their cash only policy (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/05/19/...or-ipad-sales/). I'm not sure whether Apple plans to extend this abolishment for all future launches or revive the policy.

If and when this was sent out, why would it be sent only to this person. I have seen no other reports of this email. It seems like something Apple would send to all people who have reserved an iPhone 4. But yet it covers protocol for walk-ins as well. The email seems to me to cover too much. In my experience with Apple, a corporate email would not say "Please be respectful of surrounding properties." It sounds too much like rules. In past launches, nothing I have read from Apple has ever mentioned waiting in line before the store opens. Although they expect that and everyone knows it will happen, I have never seen them publicly acknowledge it. The entire verbiage of #2 really puts doubt in my mind.

Rats. What you say makes sense. There goes my hopes for not spending a half-day there. Looks like I'll be pulling some kind of all-nighter, exactly what I was trying to avoid.

[DPA]

When I was there for the iPad launch, the line was separated at the beginning. They didn't even check in reservations. They only time I've seen them actually check in your name to see if you reserved was for the 3G. They had a long list of people who reserved and were highlighting their names as they went down the line of people and asked if they reserved. For the iPad WiFi, they checked you in and saw what device you reserved in the store once you were paired with a specialist. Then you couldn't change your device (for the 3G and 3GS you could) or want to get another one. If you were in the front of the line like I was, you might as well have went to the walk-in line because then you could get as many as the limit allowed in whatever capacity you wanted. For the iPad 3G launch, they went through the line (employees, that is) with their iPod Touches loaded with 'internal use only' apps on them and asked if you reserved or not. If yes, they tapped one icon, if no they tapped another. No capacity check, no name taking, no verification. I asked if they needed my name or any ID but they said, "No, we are just checking how many people we have with the amount of stock we have". I'm not sure if this was the same for all stores, but since we are all interesting in the Orland Square location, this should shed some helpful light. It seems they revise or totally chance their policy for reservations each launch. Some are definitely better than others.

For purely interest's purpose: I was at the Orland Sq. location today going to buy a 3GS at the discounted prices for my sister when I was told they were completely out of iPhones. I'm sure this did not include the remanufactured replacement devices but I was shocked that they would be out and presumably not receiving any more shipments of the 16GB or 32GB models this far from the launch. I'm sure there will be plenty of people wanting to buy the 16GB or 32GB models for the discounted prices and not wait for the $99 8GB because of the extra capacity.

[DonnieZ]

Originally Posted by DPA

When I was there for the iPad launch, the line was separated at the beginning. They didn't even check in reservations. They only time I've seen them actually check in your name to see if you reserved was for the 3G. They had a long list of people who reserved and were highlighting their names as they went down the line of people and asked if they reserved. For the iPad WiFi, they checked you in and saw what device you reserved in the store once you were paired with a specialist. Then you couldn't change your device (for the 3G and 3GS you could) or want to get another one. If you were in the front of the line like I was, you might as well have went to the walk-in line because then you could get as many as the limit allowed in whatever capacity you wanted. For the iPad 3G launch, they went through the line (employees, that is) with their iPod Touches loaded with 'internal use only' apps on them and asked if you reserved or not. If yes, they tapped one icon, if no they tapped another. No capacity check, no name taking, no verification. I asked if they needed my name or any ID but they said, "No, we are just checking how many people we have with the amount of stock we have". I'm not sure if this was the same for all stores, but since we are all interesting in the Orland Square location, this should shed some helpful light. It seems they revise or totally chance their policy for reservations each launch. Some are definitely better than others.

This process sounds dumb. Reservations should be handled prior to "walk-in" customers. I have a bad feeling that this might be like the 3G launch and the iPhone 4 launch with the AT&T activation server taking a dump quite frequently, resulting in much longer lines. It should take no more than 10 minutes once you are paired up with a rep to be on your way with your new phone(s).

If there is walk-in stock, I would think that reservation people who decide that they want to change from 16/32 to the other option should be able to. It's not like what you changed from is not going to sell.

[revelationary]

My 3g touchscreen stopped working today. I tried all day to make a reservation on the 15th, but wasn't ever able to get through until all reservations were taken (and delivery wasn't available until the middle of July). So I guess I'll have to hope I can get a walk in phone... ugh.

Anyone have a guess as to how many phones they'll have for walk ins? And should I plan on being there Wednesday evening already, or will I be safe waiting until 3 or 4 am on Thursday morning?

[KPEN7]

i went into the store yesterday to buy my MacBook Pro for college and both of the employees i talked to said that if you have a reservation they will hold your iPhone all day and will not sell it to a walk-in. So when i go to the apple store around noon on Thursday i expect my iPhone to be there

[DonnieZ]

Originally Posted by KPEN7

i went into the store yesterday to buy my MacBook Pro for college and both of the employees i talked to said that if you have a reservation they will hold your iPhone all day and will not sell it to a walk-in. So when i go to the apple store around noon on Thursday i expect my iPhone to be there

Expect there to be a line as well :-)

[Star-fire]

Mall said they will open the doors at 7AM, so we'll be outside I guess.

[BearsFan34]

Originally Posted by DonnieZ

This process sounds dumb. Reservations should be handled prior to "walk-in" customers. I have a bad feeling that this might be like the 3G launch and the iPhone 4 launch with the AT&T activation server taking a dump quite frequently, resulting in much longer lines. It should take no more than 10 minutes once you are paired up with a rep to be on your way with your new phone(s).

If there is walk-in stock, I would think that reservation people who decide that they want to change from 16/32 to the other option should be able to. It's not like what you changed from is not going to sell.

I agree that this sounds dumb, but it sounds oddly familiar. At least at the Orland Square store for the 3GS; I remember just one line.

I don't like this at all either. It makes "sense" in that everyone with a reservation ends up with their iPhone(s), but it would be "nice" to at least get a bit of "priority" as one with a reservation. I understand that such a thing may seem "unfair" to someone who simply couldn't get through online to make the reservation, but for those of us that did...unless we get there at the crack of dawn, those with reservations are forced to wait behind those WITHOUT reservations...and that seems unfair to me. I'm all for walk-ins getting their shot, but those with reservations shouldn't be penalized in this way...IMHO.

But if that's the way it is, so be it. Guess I'll just show up early.

[DonnieZ]

Originally Posted by Star-fire

Mall said they will open the doors at 7AM, so we'll be outside I guess.

Any idea which doors at the mall are going to be open? The closest mall entrance is probably the one by lenscrafters? (Not that familiar with Orland Square, unfortunately Louis Joliet is my "home mall") Maybe enter through Carson's?

[KPEN7]

Originally Posted by DonnieZ

Any idea which doors at the mall are going to be open? The closest mall entrance is probably the one by lenscrafters? (Not that familiar with Orland Square, unfortunately Louis Joliet is my "home mall") Maybe enter through Carson's?

The closest entrance i believe is the set of doors directly across from that store that sells all those neon beer signs and bar memoribilia. The doors are located right by the wetzels pretzels and like a manicure shop.

[DonnieZ]

Ok. It sounds dumb, but even getting 10 spots ahead in line could mean an hour less of waiting. Even with some people receiving their phones tomorrow, I'm expecting another repeat of the iPhone 3G saga with huge delays due to activation server crashes.

[CaucasionInvasn]

Originally Posted by Star-fire

Mall said they will open the doors at 7AM, so we'll be outside I guess.

May i ask who told you this. I honestly don't know whether to get there at 1 or 2 or 5 or 6. Do you think people will be waiting at the mall entrance or in there cars. Also the run to the apple store will be crazy. There will not be any order to it, or thats what i think.

[DPA]

There WILL be order in the transition from outside to in front of the Apple Store. They will be letting us in at 7AM or a few minutes before so we have time to settle in line inside the mall and go through the traditional running, clapping and high fives. Anyone who cuts in line, runs to the store and/or disobeys security's instructions will be ejected from the mall for the rest of the day and their reservation (if they had one) will be forfeited. Multiple security guards lead the line from the doors to the Apple Store. For the iPad line formation, it was changed to go down the center of the hall and not line up to the left (if you were facing the store) down Coach, Build a Bear, Gap, Forever 21, etc. I have called the Apple Store and the mall directly and have been told that the doors will be opened at 7AM. The only doors being opened are those between sections C and D of the lower level of the mall. In relative location, this would be between Carson Pirie Scott and Sears. This is a mall entrance, not a department store entrance.

As for lines, it is my understanding and presumption from participation in all other lines at this Apple Store that there will be two lines, obviously one for walk-ins and one for reservations. The two lines will be fed into the store at the same time based on Specialist availability. The reservation line will not have priority over the walk-in line. The sole purpose of these two lines is that one is guaranteed a device and the other is not. Having a reservation does not mean you are going to be served before a walk-in who was in front of you in line, because you probably won't unless you are put ahead of him/her when the line separates.

[CaucasionInvasn]

Originally Posted by DPA

There WILL be order in the transition from outside to in front of the Apple Store. They will be letting us in at 7AM or a few minutes before so we have time to settle in line inside the mall and go through the traditional running, clapping and high fives. Anyone who cuts in line, runs to the store and/or disobeys security's instructions will be ejected from the mall for the rest of the day and their reservation (if they had one) will be forfeited. Multiple security guards lead the line from the doors to the Apple Store. For the iPad line formation, it was changed to go down the center of the hall and not line up to the left (if you were facing the store) down Coach, Build a Bear, Gap, Forever 21, etc. I have called the Apple Store and the mall directly and have been told that the doors will be opened at 7AM. The only doors being opened are those between sections C and D of the lower level of the mall. In relative location, this would be between Carson Pirie Scott and Sears. This is a mall entrance, not a department store entrance.

As for lines, it is my understanding and presumption from participation in all other lines at this Apple Store that there will be two lines, obviously one for walk-ins and one for reservations. The two lines will be fed into the store at the same time based on Specialist availability. The reservation line will not have priority over the walk-in line. The sole purpose of these two lines is that one is guaranteed a device and the other is not. Having a reservation does not mean you are going to be served before a walk-in who was in front of you in line, because you probably won't unless you are put ahead of him/her when the line separates.

wow your a lifesaver. thanks! so to my understanding there will only be one door opened. and thats between carson and sears. just making sure cause it would be terrible to be at the wrong door. so i guess instead of waiting in the car i will wait at that door with a chair? is that what other people do? and whew, its nice to know there will be an order to it, thats good news. so in your honest opinion what time do you think people will start lining up? again thanks for all your help.