Alright, I can feel my fingers again so it's story time!
So I got there around 5:15 or so. I figured better early and safe. I honestly didn't think getting in would be that bad because
a) It's a book
b) It's a Friday evening. It's not like its in the middle of the day with the sun out on a Saturday like these things usually are.
So I started walking and noticed I walked too far when I heard nerd talk as I was passing. I was on the line about halfway down the block with Nintendo World at the end. They started letting people in at 6pm, and the event was from 6-8. Long story short myself and the people I made friends with got in at almost exactly 7pm.
While we were on the line we felt coldness on a level I cannot describe. In addition to it being wildly cold outside as it is all week, the snow blowing in your face doesn't help either. My core body was fine most of the time, it was my hands and feet that were really bad. When you're waiting outside for almost two hours, they get cold. I was honestly afraid I'd have to go get something checked out considering my feet were both numb AND in pain, and my fingers moved way slower than my brain told them to. I literally couldn't use my fingers to type on my phone, it got to the point where I had to use one finger, keep it straight, and move my arm to punch letters into texts and emails.
There were a couple times I was strongly considering giving up, but I figured I had gotten so far I might as well toughen it out. They eventually gave out wristbands to mark who had been waiting on line. Blue for the regular edition, and yellow for the limited edition.
Wall of text, etc. Here's some pictures!
This is the line about the time when I first got on...so probably 5:30ish.
Here's a random furry. He tried to hide from the picture, hence the action shot. It ain't a Zelda event without at least one furry.
Here's the line again a little later. As you can see, people are starting to go insane.
Like clockwork they cut the line off with me in front when I got up there. This is not long before victory.
Once you get up the stairs to the second level where all the Zelda stuff was happening, this was staring at you.
Next on line!!
This is behind the counter where you bought the book. Some real cool props that looked gorgeous.
Again, but this time you could see the awesome Link and Epona statue.
They served potions for us after we had bought the book, while we were looking around. We sure as hell needed that after losing so many hearts out in the cold.
These super mini cupcakes obviously make a pixel Link, but when you're in front of it it doesn't look like anything. Only when you're that far away or further do you notice the whole picture. It was a really cool illusion.
The cupcake girl was really nice...but honestly that's the case with every Nintendo World employee. They're always the nicest people and fun to be friendly with.
For this I asked a woman to take a picture of me pretending to pull out the sword. I guess I kind of broke the ice in that regard because then all of a sudden everyone was doing it.
Here's the book itself. I know it kinda sucks with the glare, but I'm having a REALLY hard time talking myself into taking the plastic off. You can still get the general idea, and I can upload high quality pictures tomorrow when I have the energy and sunlight for it.
So in conclusion, did I almost get frostbite? Yes. Was this the most insane thing I went through for something video game related? Yes. Were the people on the line the nicest people ever and great company while you waited out in the cold? Absolutely! There's a special community feel with Nintendo fans that you don't get anywhere else. It's why I always make the short trip down to Nintendo World. Well, that, and the never ending supply of Streetpass hits!