{"id":127330,"date":"2022-08-17T18:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/#article-136167"},"modified":"2022-08-17T18:30:00","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:30:00","slug":"people-are-queueing-for-hours-to-get-into-londons-pop-up-pokemon-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2022\/08\/17\/people-are-queueing-for-hours-to-get-into-londons-pop-up-pokemon-center\/","title":{"rendered":"People Are Queueing For Hours To Get Into London&#8217;s Pop-Up Pok\u00e9mon Center"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media_block\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/0333bb3f2c9e6\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/0333bb3f2c9e6\/small.jpg\" class=\"media_thumbnail\"><\/a><\/div>\n<figure class=\"picture ptris\"><a class=\"scanlines\" title=\"Pokemon Centre\" href=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/0333bb3f2c9e6\/pokemon-centre.large.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/0333bb3f2c9e6\/pokemon-centre.900x.jpg\" width=\"900\" height=\"510\" alt=\"Pokemon Centre\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"caption\"><em class=\"credit\">Image: The Pok\u00e9mon Company<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The pop-up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2022\/08\/london-pokemon-center-pop-up-store-reservations-are-now-open\">Pok\u00e9mon Center<\/a> was always going to be one of the biggest attractions at this week&#8217;s Pok\u00e9mon World Championships, yet despite a seemingly organised pre-booking system, it seems that the store has already succumbed to huge queues.<\/p>\n<p>London last hosted a Pok\u00e9mon Center in 2019, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2019\/10\/pokemon_center_london_closes_entry_queue_9_hours_early_due_to_ridiculously_high_demand\">producing a similar result of queues around the block<\/a>; however, the attention gained by the World Championships had us suspecting that a firmer level of organisation would be in place this time around.<\/p>\n<p>One Twitter user, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jimray3mta\">@Jimray3mta<\/a>, shared a video of the lengthy line, which reaches outside of the ExCeL venue and stretches some way along a nearby road:<\/p>\n<aside class=\"object object-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><span lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The row for the pokemon center at worlds LMAO <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EHqxGSrEx3\">pic.twitter.com\/EHqxGSrEx3<\/a><\/span>\u2014 Jimray3 (@Jimray3mta) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jimray3mta\/status\/1559862918753165318?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Looking at the tweets collected by our friends over at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurogamer.net\/pokemon-center-plagued-by-queues-despite-pre-booking-system\">Eurogamer<\/a>, it appears that even those who had pre-booked a slot to enter the Pok\u00e9mon Center in advance were being subjected to the same extensive wait times. It is unclear as of yet whether this is due to a system failure on the part of the booking system or simply a large influx of walk-in visitors on the store&#8217;s opening day.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a selection of tweets to give an idea of the queue lengths on the opening day of August 17th:<\/p>\n<aside class=\"object object-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><span lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Great <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/pokemoncenter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#pokemoncenter<\/a> reservation system <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PokemonNewsUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@PokemonNewsUK<\/a>. Our slot was 15 mins ago and we\u2019ve still gotta get through this damn queue \ud83d\ude44 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0qw73edVBi\">pic.twitter.com\/0qw73edVBi<\/a><\/span>\u2014 Steph (@pkmntrnrsteph) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/pkmntrnrsteph\/status\/1559876325694898176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"object object-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><span lang=\"fr\" dir=\"ltr\">In the queue for the Pok\u00e9mon Centre in London! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qGba4s5uxl\">pic.twitter.com\/qGba4s5uxl<\/a><\/span>\u2014 Nate (@cyan8s) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cyan8s\/status\/1559936913406136326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"object object-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><span lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The organisation of the Pok\u00e9mon centre at ExCel is aaaaabsolute pure chaos. Westfield was a breeze compared to this. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/pokemonworldchampionships2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#pokemonworldchampionships2022<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/pokemoncentrelondon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#pokemoncentrelondon<\/a><\/span>\u2014 Katie (@jubilantyou) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jubilantyou\/status\/1559934273314078722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"object object-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><span lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Good thing we had an appointment system for the Pok\u00e9mon Center \ud83d\ude36 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/i4x51vFZc6\">pic.twitter.com\/i4x51vFZc6<\/a><\/span>\u2014 Nico Alabas (@carrypotter_1) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/carrypotter_1\/status\/1559871471513702407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"object object-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><span lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Pok\u00e9mon center line system crashed from what I was told by someone that works here and the entire line is just smushed now barely moving if moving at all and the entire appointment system is out the door they have told everyone to just wait in line regardless or appointments. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ha3krzC4ER\">pic.twitter.com\/ha3krzC4ER<\/a><\/span>\u2014 Calvin Connor (@calvinconnor12) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/calvinconnor12\/status\/1559873384984584193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>With the World Championships officially starting tomorrow and running throughout the weekend until the 21st August, we can only assume that these queues are going to get longer \u2014 unless a more thorough booking system is put in place to prevent a wave of guests descending on the entrance all at once.<\/p>\n<p>Those eager to get into the store are not doing so without reason. The pop-up Pok\u00e9mon Center is currently the only place where you are able to pick up the World Championships exclusive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pokemon.com\/uk\/pokemon-news\/costumed-pikachu-and-roserade-plush-available-exclusively-at-the-2022-pokemon-world-championships\">Beefeater Pikachu and Roserade<\/a> plushies, as well as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2022\/08\/exclusive-pokemon-coin-set-revealed-for-london-pokemon-center-pop-up-store\">official London coin set<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s not all bad news though, as Twitter has also seen examples of those customers who were lucky enough to make it through the queue and live to tell the tale. Looking at some of the hauls below, we are almost tempted to say that the ridiculous wait times are worth it. <em>A<\/em><em>lmost<\/em>.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"object object-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><span lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PokemonWorlds?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PokemonWorlds<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PokemonCenter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PokemonCenter<\/a> haul \ud83d\ude24 (for today) not included are the Sitting Cute plush I bought<\/p>\n<p>The duplicates going back to locals at home. One is for me. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/enMZuGAGaX\">pic.twitter.com\/enMZuGAGaX<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/span>\u2014 Regina @ London Worlds 2022 (@rejigglypuff) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rejigglypuff\/status\/1559924009797619712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"object object-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><span lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Got back from <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/pokemoncenter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#pokemoncenter<\/a> London at worlds<br \/>Was there hour b4 opening time 4 reservation at 12<br \/>Mad queues, staff were trying their best, but the reservation\/virtual queue system isn\u2019t good enough with queues getting out of hand quickly<br \/>Any questions about anything reply or DM <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/U3cprKxTFp\">pic.twitter.com\/U3cprKxTFp<\/a><\/span>\u2014 Matthew Shafik\/MJShafik TL40x10 GBL Rating 3810\ud83c\udfc5 (@MJShafik_) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MJShafik_\/status\/1559909830911033346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"object object-tweet\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p><span lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">WOW! Thank you <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PokemonNewsUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@pokemonnewsuk<\/a> hooked us up with all this Amazing <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PokemonCenter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PokemonCenter<\/a> merch from <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PokemonWorlds?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PokemonWorlds<\/a> thank you so much for this <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Gift?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Gift<\/a> I love the theme of this years worlds \ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d\ud83d\ude0d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/JOoNt3nZPe\">pic.twitter.com\/JOoNt3nZPe<\/a><\/span>\u2014 Bird Keeper Toby (@BirdKeeperToby) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BirdKeeperToby\/status\/1559916440970567682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 17, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The Pok\u00e9mon Center opened today and will be at the World Championships in the ExCeL arena until August 21st.<\/p>\n<p><em>Are you attending the World Championships this year? Maybe you got caught in today&#8217;s queues? Let us know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Image: The Pok\u00e9mon Company The pop-up Pok\u00e9mon Center was always going to be one of the biggest attractions at this week&#8217;s Pok\u00e9mon World Championships, yet despite a seemingly organised pre-booking system, it seems that the store has already succumbed to huge queues. London last hosted a Pok\u00e9mon Center in 2019, producing a similar result of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nintendo-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127330"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127330\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}