Who's going to void in (not fake) London?

[Smiley0884]

That's so awesome walei!!!! Congrats!!! How exciting to win a contest to the olympics! I don't really enter contests, but maybe I will now...someone's gotta win Have fun on your trip!

[Braulio]

Congratulations Allezfred and yes that means 10,000 meter finals, heats for the 100m (women) and lots of heats, qualifying rounds

[poths]

Just got some more tickets. First night of athletics! Wheeee!

How!!! SO jealous!

[allezfred]

How!!! SO jealous!

The official ticketing site. Mega , but wheee!

[*Jen*]

I'll be voiding around the city, but don't have any tickets. I missed out and now they're far too expensive.

I'm looking forward to the atmosphere - this will be my second summer olympics. However, I am SO glad that I live within walking distance from work. Make no mistake - if the jubilee celebrations and current scenes at Gatwick and Heathrow are anything to go by, it's going to be HELL on the transport front Allow extra time, those of you with tickets.

The city is going to be pumping! Can't wait

[JasperBoy]

I just left London and it is starting to get really crazy. Security everywhere, road closures arould Liverpool St Station. The crowds are no worse than usual, but then the Os have not started yet. We got in to all the tourist sites with no problem. I hope all the tube upgrades and road repairs are complete soon, or it will be chaos
Fly home tomorrow morning from Heathrow, after taking the overnight coach from Norwich.

[*Jen*]

I just left London and it is starting to get really crazy. Security everywhere, road closures arould Liverpool St Station. The crowds are no worse than usual, but then the Os have not started yet. We got in to all the tourist sites with no problem. I hope all the tube upgrades and road repairs are complete soon, or it will be chaos
Fly home tomorrow morning from Heathrow, after taking the overnight coach from Norwich.

It's been this way since May It'a a big year for London, with the Jubillee and Olympics, as well as the usual events (London Pride, Wimbledon) and it's just insane.

I don't believe the tube upgrades will be finished They were supposed to be, but there was an article in the paper about a month ago saying there was no hope of it They won't have all the works going on during the Olympics though, which will be an enormous help. No closures, etc.

It's going to be absolute chaos - all Londoners are sure of it. The Jubilee weekend was utter chaos, and they were significantly fewer people in town for it. Hopefully though, knowing how bad it's going to be, people will be patient and stay away if they can.

[kylet3]

It's been this way since May It'a a big year for London, with the Jubillee and Olympics, as well as the usual events (London Pride, Wimbledon) and it's just insane.

I don't believe the tube upgrades will be finished They were supposed to be, but there was an article in the paper about a month ago saying there was no hope of it They won't have all the works going on during the Olympics though, which will be an enormous help. No closures, etc.

It's going to be absolute chaos - all Londoners are sure of it. The Jubilee weekend was utter chaos, and they were significantly fewer people in town for it. Hopefully though, knowing how bad it's going to be, people will be patient and stay away if they can.

This is why I am staying home in Canada. As much as I absolutely adore London, 30 million extra people on an already strained system is just too much for me to try and handle, It's going to be nuts

[allezfred]

What makes you think they'll be 30 million extra people?

[kylet3]

What makes you think they'll be 30 million extra people?

That's what I was told my tour guide when I was there, so that's what I was going off of, I haven't really seen any estimates for how many extra people they're expecting. Either way though, the transit system is going to be extremely strained I adore London but me in massive crowds, I'm not a huge fan of it, so I'm glad to watch the games from my TV

[allezfred]

There are only about 100,000 hotel rooms in London. Now of course some people may be staying with friends etc, but I still don't see how anyone could come up with a figure of 30 million (ie half the population of the UK ).

[kylet3]

There are only about 100,000 hotel rooms in London. Now of course some people may be staying with friends etc, but I still don't see how anyone could come up with a figure of 30 million (ie half the population of the UK ).

Haha True enough I suppose, though this was the same one who told us it would take 45 minutes one way to get to Abbey Road at St. John's Wood from our hotel at Russell Square... It took us less than half that...

Either way, I'd still be expecting probably a few extra million people to descend on London. There's going to be massive line-ups and pressure and gridlock on the entire system. When I went it was in mid-late September, it was off season and while it wasn't too bad for line-ups at the biggest tourist attractions, there were still times on the tube during rush hour when we were crammed in there like sardines. Granted I've been a public transit user for 17 years so I was used to it, but some poeple might be a bit overwhelmed. I think it's going to be mass chaos either way.

[allezfred]

Of course it's going to be crowded. It's the Olympics, the biggest sporting event on the planet. Leave plenty of extra time to get from A to B innit.

[*Jen*]

What makes you think they'll be 30 million extra people?

That's what I was told my tour guide when I was there, so that's what I was going off of, I haven't really seen any estimates for how many extra people they're expecting. Either way though, the transit system is going to be extremely strained I adore London but me in massive crowds, I'm not a huge fan of it, so I'm glad to watch the games from my TV

Yeah...I think your guide was making it up. There's no way it'll be that many people, there aren't enough hotel rooms or tickets, like allezfred said

I think it'll be absolutely amazing, the atmosphere will be buzzing. It's just going to require extra patience for those people who need to use transport

[os168]

That's what I was told my tour guide when I was there, so that's what I was going off of, I haven't really seen any estimates for how many extra people they're expecting. Either way though, the transit system is going to be extremely strained I adore London but me in massive crowds, I'm not a huge fan of it, so I'm glad to watch the games from my TV

Consider England's total population is around 50million. 30 extra million in Stratford alone would seem absurd. Don't they mean 3 million? With 30 mill, I wonder if the ground may sink deeper with the extra 2 billion kg weight on top, and may be cause some flooding on the Thames river

I personally think it is a rip off Olympics. I've only ever gone for the best tickets and I wanted to see Gymnastics but the decent tickets are currently on sell at face value £150 (around $230 USD) per 2 hours general sessions only. For the finals are at £495 ($750 USD) that lasts 3 hours. I might as well save all my money to fly to London, Canada to see the WC2013 instead. It is difficult to convince friends and family to go with you on these prices.

Has it always cost so much during past Olympics?

[allezfred]

Supply and demand, supply and demand.

[A.H.Black]

It's been this way since May It'a a big year for London, with the Jubillee and Olympics, as well as the usual events (London Pride, Wimbledon) and it's just insane.

I don't believe the tube upgrades will be finished They were supposed to be, but there was an article in the paper about a month ago saying there was no hope of it They won't have all the works going on during the Olympics though, which will be an enormous help. No closures, etc.

It's going to be absolute chaos - all Londoners are sure of it. The Jubilee weekend was utter chaos, and they were significantly fewer people in town for it. Hopefully though, knowing how bad it's going to be, people will be patient and stay away if they can.

I can't recall a single Olympic city that didn't think there would be chaos at the Olympics. I'm sure there will be some problems but not chaos. The Olympic feeling is worth dealing with transportation and security issues.

I personally think it is a rip off Olympics. I've only ever gone for the best tickets and I wanted to see Gymnastics but the decent tickets are currently on sell at face value £150 (around $230 USD) per 2 hours general sessions only. For the finals are at £495 ($750 USD) that lasts 3 hours. I might as well save all my money to fly to London, Canada to see the WC2013 instead. It is difficult to convince friends and family to go with you on these prices.

Has it always cost so much during past Olympics?

Olympic Games are always expensive. However, if you really want to go to events, it's always possible. Just show up 2 minutes before an event starts. Someone will want to sell their tickets - often for less. I think the other thing that will surprise Londoners (and visitors) is how much fun they will have at any event. The Olympics are so cool it's great to be there for anything and everything. You can see the marathon and the walking races for free - can't you?

[victoriajh]

Has it always cost so much during past Olympics?

the vancouver tickets had brackets- for events from 50 -i think 450 were the top? but of course the after sales went MUCH higher =(
not sure if they do practice sessons? (maybe for gymnastics?) they were like 14$ i beleive?

[*Jen*]

I can't recall a single Olympic city that didn't think there would be chaos at the Olympics. I'm sure there will be some problems but not chaos. The Olympic feeling is worth dealing with transportation and security issues.

I know. This isn't my first Olympic games. I lived in Sydney back in 2000 and chaos was predicted. And in fact...it WAS chaos It was a great atmosphere and I enjoyed it, but it was the only time I was ever grateful to live so far out in the sticks because I was able to get on a train...but it was fairly full from the second stop. Getting back was hell...and let me tell you, trains had never worked so well before nor have ever worked so well since.

It IS going to be chaos in London, there's no way around it since it's chaos every single day. How well they control that chaos is the only question remaining

The weather is expected to be...better than now. But awful. Me thinks some records could be set in athletics, because people tend to perform a little better when it's cooler I'm just excited that they say it'll be better than now

[A.H.Black]

The weather is expected to be...better than now. But awful. Me thinks some records could be set in athletics, because people tend to perform a little better when it's cooler I'm just excited that they say it'll be better than now

I know what you mean about the weather. Most of the heat is in the western hemisphere this year. It seems to trade back and forth. I wish I could send some of the 100+ degrees it is here over their way.