Anyone been to Excel yesterday & today

lonestarfan

Just looked in the brochure and can see events were held at Excel yesterday & today. If anyone's been can they share their experiences of queues, security checks and food stalls please. Is it a long queue to wait to get in. Is it an X-ray security or is it like the Coventry example of clear plastic bags and thorough searches of everything ! I hope not as that sounded very long winded! I'd like an airport type so I can shove my rucksack in the tray. I've got my liquids bag all ready like at the airport - not much in it just some eye drops. What were the queues like for food. What choice was there? Was it just burgers or Any baked pots and salad ? Not for me - I like a burger !! but some of my group need gluten free. We'll bring food as well for them but may still need to buy something. TIA.

johnmcga

Not sure when you're going but I was there this morning. Security and ticket checks seem very well-organised and I didn't have to queue at all. Be prepared for full airport security - remove belts, jackets, no liquids, etc.

Once you're in ExCeL you enter the lobby, which is a huge long corridor with food options and toilets etc. The various arenas for each event are off this space - they check your tickets again and it's worth noting that once you've gone through that ticket check, you can't leave and then re-enter it again.

There are toilets plus food and drink stalls available in each venue itself. We were in the weightlifting area today and here seemed to be a good variety of food including burgers, sandwiches and - I think - salads and things. Queues were long during session breaks (for food and toilets), but if you wait till the end or slip out during a dull bit you can get served without fuss.

You can take your own food in too, of course, though no liquids.

Hope that helps.

lonestarfan

That's really helpful thnx. We are going tomorrow & we are prepared but will be easier for us now I know what to expect. Thnx.