Anyone ever been to the Olympics?

[Ponyo]

Today my father brought up the idea of going to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

To those, if any, of you you have been to the Olympics, I'm just curious if there is a different "feel" to the host city of the games.

If I were to go there, it would be a trip solely for the Olympics, not to see musuems or any other London landmarcs.

Can you make a trip completely around the games?

I really have no clue, so anything would be cool!

[Elesirdur]

Vancouver has been a non-stop party since the Opening ceremonies. The amount of free concerts and cultural events going on during the games is amazing. Vancouver isn't the kind of place that lacks in entertainment at any time, but street parties every night downtown is a rare thing.

I read a brief article in the Globe and Mail a few days ago saying that the Director of the Cultural Olympiad for the Vancouver 2010 games is going to be running it for London 2012. He was quoted as saying he was very happy with the festive atmosphere in the city from all the residents and Olympic visitors and that he hopes to top it in London in two years.

[Moss]

I was living in Atlanta during the '96 games, you can definitely plan a trip around the games.

[Sukian]

I've actually have been fortunate enough to been to 2 Olympics.

1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and also the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Both were amazing experiences. To give more insight I had cousins who grew up in Utah so I would go there every year for christmas and holidays. (They lived in Sandy which is about 20-30min away from Salt Lake) The transformation the cities undergo is nuts.

They use to be fairly quiet and what not but once the Olympics comes into town it really comes to town. Downtown is abuzz almost every night and there is always something going on. Basically all the locals profit off the Olympics by offering all sorts of available activities just for those tourist who come for the Olympics.

I strongly suggest getting tickets to the Track and Field for Summer Olympics. Your going to be there all day and it is well worth the money. Also the stadiums are huge and there is tons of vendors that stretch on for days around the stadium so even when you need a break in the action (happens a lot between different events) you can walk around.

Shit is super expensive though not only to get tickets but everything there. Think of what stuff normally costs and triple it and thats about the average cost of food/merchandise etc.

[Fistandantilus]

Vancouver has been a non-stop party since the Opening ceremonies. The amount of free concerts and cultural events going on during the games is amazing. Vancouver isn't the kind of place that lacks in entertainment at any time, but street parties every night downtown is a rare thing.

I read a brief article in the Globe and Mail a few days ago saying that the Director of the Cultural Olympiad for the Vancouver 2010 games is going to be running it for London 2012. He was quoted as saying he was very happy with the festive atmosphere in the city from all the residents and Olympic visitors and that he hopes to top it in London in two years.

I live in Washington, my buddy has been bugging me about how we should go up to BC to see what it's like with the Olympics and whatnot. Do you think it would be worth it? It's only like 2hr drive away, we are in the most northern part of the State.

[dudeguy]

I live in Washington, my buddy has been bugging me about how we should go up to BC to see what it's like with the Olympics and whatnot. Do you think it would be worth it? It's only like 2hr drive away, we are in the most northern part of the State.

If Canada wins gold on Sunday it will be the craziest crowd downtown Vancouver has ever seen. Even Friday will be awesome, ever since the Olympics started the downtown core has been a great place to go. Everyone is in a great mood and just wanting to party.

[Rhyis.]

2 hours away? Why wouldn't you give it a go? Party friggin' central.

[vagus]

I live in Vancouver and it's been insanity. If you read this Friday, i suggest you come up for Friday and Saturday Night. It will be crazy on the streets. Robson & Granville street, 2 of the bigger streets will be closed. All the bars will be open. Sunday is the gold medal game and will be insane the entire afternoon. Finding accomodations might be a bit hard, but shouldn't be too bad. Transit makes getting around easy.

If u decide to check out one of the nation houses, go early and stay there the entire night. I suggest Irish, Swiss, German or Dutch house. USA has no bar. Canada hockey house is $250+ (but u get free food the entire night). Just go to check out the people. So many different nationalities having a good time. Bring some warm clothes, attitude to have a good time and a stomach for beer and you'll be set

[Zhais]

I want to go to London badly, just dunno if I'll be able to afford it


Someday I'll get my ticket in to compete... 2016 if I can afford it for fencing :D

[Rammses]

Think it will be hard to find out before you go there, considering the size of London. Not really comparable to places like Atlanta and the winter hosts.

I guess England being shit at atheltics and other core events could also affect the mood; it's a different situation to Canada with the hockey, curling etc. And if they get World Cup 2014 as well, the Olympics will just be foreplay to the locals.

I really don't know, but London seems far from ideal if you aren't that interested in the city itself and not a super fan of the sport events.

[sephir]

If Canada does not win gold in hockey on Sunday Vancouver as we know it will cease to exist. The. City. Will. Tear. Itself. Apart.

Seriously go to Vancouver on Sunday. If the Mens hockey wins gold, it will be a HUGE party. Otherwise you can join in the smashy smashy of the mass riot.

[Skjie]

Man, I've been 30 minutes from downtown the whole time and avoiding it all. My sister says the nonstop parties are super fun, though.

EDIT: Do not be an American in Vancouver on Sunday night, no matter which way the game goes...

[Fistandantilus]

Shit sounds like I need to go tomorrow night. Only problem would be not having a place to stay, since if we are partying we won't be driving back to Seattle lol

[MoogleAura]

I got dragged along with my family to the Athens olympics in 2004. Apart from being ridiculously hot as Greece always is at that time of year it was fun to watch. I'm not a fan of huge swarms of people so overall I didn't enjoy the experience as much.

Surprised we haven't had any 'I've been to the special olympics...' responses yet.