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AIBU?

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Original poster

to be really angry no access to Olympic park has not been well publicised?

78 replies

ChocChipCookieMuncher · 08/08/2012 00:10

DH and I booked time off work today to take our 2 DD's to Olympic park as they have both got so into the games over last week or so. We didn't apply for tickets originally and know they are like gold dust now so no chance! We thought (wrongly!) we'd look around public areas outside the venues and just see the park and soak up the atmosphere. We've watched and listened to hours and hours of coverage and at no point have we heard it mentioned that the areas which look 'public' on TV (people milling around, watching on screens etc) are ticket only access. We also saw nothing on website flagging that up when we went on to get directions to Olympic Park. Feel completely stupid and gutted we wasted holiday, lots of money on train tickets to London (we live in Leeds) and our kids (and us!) were gutted Sad. Are we the only people to have somehow not picked up on this crucial info in all the Olympic excitement? Blush

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 08/08/2012 00:13

If you log onto the Olympic website, it tells you when and where the unticketed events are.

For example the last two I remember reading about was the Marathon (over now) and the swimming in the Serpentine in Hyde Park...not sure if that's happened yet?

RichTeas · 08/08/2012 00:15

Poor you. It's definitely not "well publicised" and not waht you would expect from a public event like the Olympics. If you start digging around for information you can find out that even general admission is ticketed, but I can completely understand why you missed it. Hyde Park has screens and free admission - not the same but it's something. And at least you can all say you were in London during the games.

squeakytoy · 08/08/2012 00:17

It was a bit of a trek to do without proper research.

However the triathlon was on today, and I am fairly sure that you could have just found a space along the route that was not ticketed.

Obviously too late now, but you could have still had a wander around in central london and go to other touristy places.

Cherriesarelovely · 08/08/2012 00:20

Oh poor you OP! What a horrible disappointment for you all. I was aware about the park tickets, I heard about it on the TV and read about it in the paper. I went on the website to look for my friend who wanted park tickets and found them BUT unfortunately there were none left for when she wanted to go. Anyway, I'm sorry you had a horrible day. What did you do in the end?

wherearemysocks · 08/08/2012 00:21

Men's marathon is on Sunday if you still want to experience some of it. Also there are some Paralympic tickets still available, which are also a lot cheaper. We got some for the athletics, £20 each for me and dh and £5 each for dc.

I think there were Olympic park passes available, but like everything else they were sold out.

WorraLiberty · 08/08/2012 00:23

However the triathlon was on today, and I am fairly sure that you could have just found a space along the route that was not ticketed

That was the other one I read about on the website!

Yes, they were advertising it as unticketed and they showed the complete map and route.

Original poster
ChocChipCookieMuncher · 08/08/2012 00:24

Yes - consoling ourselves with that and DCs liked the novelty of train and tube journeys so we still had a nice family day when we got over initial disappointment. (I had to fight back the tears when the very nice and sympathetic steward confirmed what we quickly realised as we got close to the park entrance ie we couldn't go in! Blush )

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Original poster
ChocChipCookieMuncher · 08/08/2012 00:34

Paralympic tickets seem to all be gone (been on website tonight) except those for hundreds of pounds at opening or closing ceremonies.

Squeky - I went on Olymipc website for directions so thought I had done research. Didn't even cross my mind we'd need a ticket for 'public' areas - which is what they look like they are on tv - hence me being cross about it. It should be clear on website homepage IMO 'Please note - Olympic Park is ticket only access' type wording somewhere obvious for idiots like me!

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 08/08/2012 00:37

The Olympic park is not a public area...what made you think it was?

NovackNGood · 08/08/2012 00:39

But Victoria Park is the advertised live zone right with big screen viewing etc right next to olympic park and it is free to enter.

RubyFakeNails · 08/08/2012 00:42

Disappointing but I've read about it and heard it mentioned quite a few times. It was also on the news every time they've mentioned empty seats.

Guess highlights importantance of research.

Original poster
ChocChipCookieMuncher · 08/08/2012 00:42

It looks public when you see it on tv ie lots of 'the public' milling around, watching events on big screens (which are usually in public places?) and the fact its called a park! I know other people who thought it was too and were going to go at the weekend - they are glad we've cocked up first and saved them a journey!

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WorraLiberty · 08/08/2012 00:43

As is St James' park and Hyde Park...probably Regent's park too.

If Joe Public were allowed to enter the Olympic Park without a ticket, those with an actual ticket would never get in.

Not to mention the security issues.

NovackNGood · 08/08/2012 00:51

It certainly does highlight the importance of research as Victoria Park which is the live and free access park with 3 large screens is about 500m from the Olympic stadium on the west side.

The 10k open water swims are also on in the serpentine the next couple of days too.

Original poster
ChocChipCookieMuncher · 08/08/2012 00:56

I haven't got a problem with it not being public - completely understand the security issues etc. Just think it should be really clear on their website (hence the wording of my OP!). I never heard it mentioned in coverage but maybe I wasn't paying enough attention!
Whole point of our trip was to see the Olympic park - we can see Hyde park etc any time we want to take a trip to London.

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Original poster
ChocChipCookieMuncher · 08/08/2012 01:00

We asked 3 stewards where we could watch on big screens nearby that was walking distance and none of them mentioned Victoria Park so I'm even more gutted now! Going to bed (to dream of lycra clad cycling hunks hopefully!) Grin

OP posts:
fridascruffs · 08/08/2012 01:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NovackNGood · 08/08/2012 01:03

The 10K swims are in the Serpentine in Hyde Park. And you'll only see that once in a lifetime

bogeyface · 08/08/2012 01:03

I think the problem is that the commentary isnt very clear so it is easy to misunderstand. The footage of the ticket only areas is often accompanied by voice overs implying that it is in the free areas. I only know this as I saw my friend on TV, who I knew was in one of the free bits but it sounded like she was actually in the Olympic Park. Texted her as I thought she had somehow blagged tickets to see Jessica Ennis!

RubyFakeNails · 08/08/2012 01:07

Well one of the main problems is the majority of staff arent local so have no idea about the location or distance to Victoria Park. Dc have been down there as its just where we love and said it was great.

Also surprised you haven't noticed all the coverage about how the park will be opened to the public a month or so after the games.

Original poster
ChocChipCookieMuncher · 08/08/2012 01:11

Is that national coverage or just in London papers and radio? I haven't heard that in media (we don't lie in SE).

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Original poster
ChocChipCookieMuncher · 08/08/2012 01:12

or even LIVE there!

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RubyFakeNails · 08/08/2012 01:16

Yes I'm aware Leeds isnt in the south east. It's been on BBC news, BBC Olympic coverage and in the Guardian, I know it's been in the Mail as my neighbour mentioned it.

Imagine it's been in local paper as its 5 minutes away. Now you know you'll probably see it everywhere, it wouldn't have meant anything to you before.

infin · 08/08/2012 01:24

I haven't seen any coverage about the park being open to the public after the games. In fact, on a quick google, I found this

bogeyface · 08/08/2012 01:26

Yes I'm aware Leeds isnt in the south east. It's been on BBC news, BBC Olympic coverage and in the Guardian, I know it's been in the Mail as my neighbour mentioned it.

Why are they all doing pieces on Leeds not being in the SE?

Snurkle! :o

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