Anyone that's been to a launch at an Apple store inside a mall:

[Iphoneness]

I'm going to be at Nashville Green Hills Apple store, but have a question for anyone else that has been to and iPhone/iPad launch at an Apple store that's located in a mall. I'm sure different malls have different policies though.

How was the line formed? Did they let you sit in front of the mall before they opened? Did they not allow you on mall property overnight?

Only asking because I reserved a phone but am hearing that stores have upwards of 2,000 reservations and if they have more reservations than phones, I don't want to show up too late and not get one so I'm planning on staying there overnight.

 

[California King]

I've never been to an Apple launch inside a mall, but I think the best information you can get is by calling your local Apple store. I'm sure they get asked this question several times a day, so you can be sure your answer is accurate.

 

[elephunkman]

You should call your mall and apple store for policies regarding the 24th.

 

[scwinsett]

I'm going to be at Nashville Green Hills Apple store ... I'm planning on staying there overnight.

Let me know if you find anything out about Green Hills Mall specifically

 

[JustinP81]

I'm sure lines will start outside the mall, and will then, at some point in the morning, be allowed inside.

Of course, malls vary, so call sometime next week to find out.

 

[b166er]

I would absolutely call the mall customer service people.

Unless that apple store is brand new, they probably have handled a launch before and have a basic plan in place.

 

[jyax]

My experience with Washington Square Mall in Tigard, Oregon:

Before mall doors opened line started outside the mall. There were papers taped to the inside of the doors stating that the particular doors are where people should start lining up.

They opened the mall about an hour before the Apple store opened. Let people in to wait in a marked off area in front of the apple store. Shortly after employees started coming out and offering coffee runs to the starbucks in the mall, juices and pastries.

About 20 minutes (iirc) before the store was supposed to open they started letting people in to buy their iphones.

 

[mikemanblah]

My experience in Salem, New Hampshire (Ipad 3g)
There were the ropes shaped like what is looks like at a amusement park for a while, then it just extended to a line. There was free wifi so i just sat down and went on my laptop. They closed from 4-5pm to get ready, then they opened the doors and people helped us order it while showing us a walkthrough.