UK Minimeet

[Alan]

Errmmm...Well there is a shed load of stuff in London. Do we want them to have some vague links to Avatar? Natural History Museum? Science Museum? Hyde park? Errr duno. Yonks since I've 'visited' London.

Alan

[Moco Loco]

Since this is a minimeet, I don't think the schedule has to be too rigid and there's certainly no shortage of stuff to do in London. I did go to the science museum once but only really saw the bottom half of it. Whatever hotel you guys choose should be cheap above all else, imo.

[Alan]

Kaltxi

Just thought I would drop by and see how things are going.

Are things still looking good for April 4th -8th?

Here's a fooo suggestions to throw out there and see what folks think:

Maybe each day could be themed, like Day 1: RDA (general sight seeing - parliment, palace, Thames, maybe a river trip?), Day 2: Science and technology (Science museum, Natural History Museum), Day 3: Return to Pandora (London Zoo, Kew Gardens).

Could have a clan meal one night, perhaps an Na'vi lesson night as I have the videos from the Dr Frommer lectures. Could also share Jon Landau's talk. I have both on bluray so all we would need is a place to show them. Perhaps the hotel might have something?

As for the other night...errr....duno! Can't think of anything at the moment. Perhaps a trip to the flicks or something or watch Avatar together?

Oh, and we will need a place to stay as well. Any suggestions?

Alan

[Taronyu Eywa]

Kame ngat!

I have flicked through this thread with interest. I have never done a meet before, so a UK one sounds like it could be fun! My biggest contraint is definetely money, as a student I really don't know how much I can feasibly commit to a trip.

Luckily, my step sister lives in London if indeed the meet is there so I am sure I can persuade her to let me bunk on her couch, and then meet people during the day for activities and such.

[Moco Loco]

Originally Posted by Alan

Are things still looking good for April 4th -8th?

Here's a fooo suggestions to throw out there and see what folks think:

Maybe each day could be themed, like Day 1: RDA (general sight seeing - parliment, palace, Thames, maybe a river trip?), Day 2: Science and technology (Science museum, Natural History Museum), Day 3: Return to Pandora (London Zoo, Kew Gardens).

Could have a clan meal one night, perhaps an Na'vi lesson night as I have the videos from the Dr Frommer lectures. Could also share Jon Landau's talk. I have both on bluray so all we would need is a place to show them. Perhaps the hotel might have something?

As for the other night...errr....duno! Can't think of anything at the moment. Perhaps a trip to the flicks or something or watch Avatar together?

Oh, and we will need a place to stay as well. Any suggestions?

There has been no change in the dates, those are April 4th - 8th. Those themey ideas are nice, you're a real pro from working on the big meets Nice framework for whatever we decide to do, anyway. I'm not sure what any one Clan Meal would consist of since we're such a small group, but nice idea again. Certainly, if the big meets go as well as they do, a minimeet shouldn't be a big challenge.

THE BIG POST

Minimeets are small, localized, and a way for people who wouldn't normally go to a big meet to meet some pals from ToS without a lot of effort. That in mind, I think this schedule should remain pretty open and flexible so those of us who want to attend but have money as a big concern don't have to worry. To be totally honest, I've been pretty lazy about planning this since I don't really know about London. Before I came over here, I didn't even know about the novelties, what a tourist would want to see, what you should make a point to do while you're here, and to be totally honest, I still pretty much don't know, but I guess it's time to get serious about planning this thing.

The main things you should be concerned about are transportation to London and hotel costs. I've been asked a few times about the hotel, and it would be pretty cool if everyone was staying by me I suppose as I'm not ridiculously far out but also not in central London by any means. The two hotels I've found which are somewhat near me (on the northern line) are The Hide London, which is near Hendon Central Station and costs 85 - 105 a night, and Premier Inn London Edgware, near Edgware Station and costs 50 - 98 a night. Feel free to search around for something cheaper, but I've looked and you're not likely to get a cheaper room than that. What you might be able to find elsewhere though is a greater number of people allowed per room, unless you want to risk getting caught, since both hotels only allow two per room. If you do want to risk that (and let's be honest here, I would), I'd suggest trying for the cheaper one.

The cost of four nights at the hotel in Edgware is 252 pounds if you book in advance, and much more if you don't, so call ahead. That said, you'll be splitting it at least once, and I mainly wanted the meetup to be across five days so that people would have more of a chance to make it. You can always come a day late or go home a day early if you need to, due to a clashing schedule or otherwise.

So, you've got your transportation and ~126 for hotel. After that, you'll need an oyster card, which you can get loaded with ten pounds (and will probably need to add to at some point). Don't buy tickets! I've never bought tickets, but there's really no point if you're around for more than one day. As food goes, bring at least 25 for that. That's about how much I spend a week, so I'd say it's a decent enough baseline for a food budget. The budget then so far is, not including transportation to London (which will vary for everyone), ~165.

What are we going to be doing? Museums, parks, and a screening of Avatar in someone's hotel room (unfortunately there is no space whatsoever at my dorm, or I'd have offered it to whoever of you are particularly broke) along with those na'vi lessons and other goodies from the big meetup. Other stuff includes more of Alan's ideas like the zoo (!) and probably a good bit of walking around and looking at stuff.
Of things I've already done and liked, the cable car that goes over the river was pretty neat. I've been to the aquarium which I found disappointing in comparison to others, and the big wheel is nice if you don't go out on a foggy or hazy day. I've been to the bottom floor of the Science Museum (which is free), and I'd like to go back at some point before I leave.

As food goes, we'll be hanging out a bunch and probably end up eating together a lot, but if there's any one day for a Clan Meal, I suppose it should be the 7th. Whether it should be a hang out in the room and eat takeout or go to eat out, and what type of food it is, we can work that out before then.

TLDR;
What I mainly want to say about it is that if you can get here, ~165 basically is the budget. I hope everyone can make it, even students, anyone in the area, and that money isn't the reason you can't. Taronyu Eywa, glad to hear you have a place to stay that isn't going to cost you like a hotel would. I'm a student myself and my food/travel/activity budget doesn't exceed 30 pounds a week on average, so I know it's possible to hang out here without going broke.

Come to Minimeet, cause I want to meet you!

[Human No More]

Epic post

As for the London Eye, if we get a good day, I'd definitely recommend it, but it's worth pointing out that will cost ~£17 if booked in advance, or ~£20 on the day.

As for the Underground, the Oyster card is definitely required as without it, you pay about twice as much. Buses are somewhat cheaper, but harder to calculate when/where and less convenient. The cable car over the river is cheap (£2.60 IIRC) but a bit out of the way in terms of getting there; it involves getting the DLR one way and the tube from the other side.

Obligatory map:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...d-tube-map.gif

[Moco Loco]

Also worth mentioning, I was trying to avoid buses when looking at hotels which is why the two I highlighted were on the northern line, but there are a couple more options that aren't near a tube station (no cheaper though).

[Alan]

That's a great informative post ma Moco

I've dropped an enquiry to The Hide Hotel to see if they might do a group booking, i.e. cheaper rate and also if they would have a meeting room with either a DVD or bluray. Worth a try.

I'll see if I can contact the Premier Inn one too. I'll get back with any info that comes from them.

Alan

[Alan]

Ok, well I got the following reply from the Hide Hotel:

"Thank you for your inquiry, unfortunately we can only offer you at this moment Executive Double rooms, and for your information all our rooms have only one king size bed.
As for an area for your meetings or get together we only have our common Lounge/breakfast room which is for use of all our guests. No area will be available for your private videos!
The cost per room for the 4 nights would be £ 470.
If the above offered is of interest please make your reservation directly on line..."

GLUP! Soooo....I guess that leaves the Premier Inn...

Alan

[Moco Loco]

Well good, that was always the more reasonable of the two. If there isn't a "meeting area" of any kind, I really don't think it's going to be necessary anyway since we're only having about seven people. Someone can bring a bluray player and we can use the TV in someone's room, we could even use a laptop if I had the right kind of cord (which I don't atm but could get one before then).

[Alan]

Sorry for multiple posts, but just looked up the Premier Inn costs.

For four nights (5th to 8th, leaving on 9th), with 4 twin bed rooms, so a total of 8 people, the total cost comes to £980.

Ok that sounds a lot, but split between 8 people, it works out at about £30 per person, per night. I think that is bloomin' good value!

Alan

[Moco Loco]

When I said 4th-8th, I was thinking arrival on the 4th and leaving on the 8th, just to be clear, but whatever works for anyone is fine if there's some kind of schedule conflict. Yeah, it's more than it would be if a room were split more than two ways, but agreed it's still comparatively good (and that risk is yours to take if you need ).

[Moco Loco]

Here is some formatted and easy to read information, courtesy of Alan:

Dates:
4th to 8th April (Arriving on the 4th and departing on the 8th April)

Base Camp:
Edgware, north London.

Home Tree:
Premiere Inn, Edgware.
Details: 435 Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 5AQ
Phone: 0871 527 8652 (Overseas: +44 1582 567890)
Website: http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/E...london-edgware
Cost: Arriving 4th April and staying four nights works out at approx £35 per night, per person - based on 2 people sharing.
Find a room buddy and book now, because the price will increase as April gets closer.

Public transport to the Meet Up:
National Rail: National Rail Enquiries - Official source for UK train times and timetables
National Express (bus): National Express Coaches // Coach, Rail & Bus Travel Throughout The UK
Underground:
Tube | Transport for London

Getting Around at the Meet Up:
Oystercard:
This is a plastic 'smart' card top-up-able travel pass. It is the most cost effective way to get around in London. From the literature it is suggested that the card is topped up with between £20 and £30 for a 4 day visit. It can be topped up too if required. There is more information on this leaflet:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloa...ith-oyster.pdf
Website: About Oyster | Transport for London




(Some URLs for places we'll visit)
Science Museum, London
Natural History Museum
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - Welcome To Our Website
ZSL London Zoo | Zoo in London - ZSL

[Alan]

Kaltxi!

Well, the deed is done... I've just booked a room at the Premiere Inn! I definitely intend on joining the mini-meet up.

When I made my booking it said there were only a few rooms left, so if you are looking to come to the meet up I suggest you move soon. (Details above in Moco's email)

Alan

[Human No More]

I'm waiting for this now

Do we have a full list of people?