Trip InformationBelow are some guidelines that will help you prepare for your trip.Q.
What is included in the Hogwarts Castle Adventure trip? A.
You will receive a trip for you and three companions to the Hogwarts
Castle Adventure in Great Britain. The
Grand Prize includes round-trip coach airfare departing from the major airport
nearest winner’s home to London, England,
4 nights/5 days accommodations, two rooms (double occupancy), three meals
daily while in London. Also included is ground transportation to/from airport
and hotel in London and to/from all scheduled events including a one-day trip to
a 15th century castle plus spending money. A.
No,
all travelers must depart and return on the dates specified by Coca-Cola.
Note: if traveling with school-age children, you may want to check trip
dates with your local school calendar. Q. Can I bring more than three companions?A.
Several
of our venues have space limitations and we are expecting a full program. If space permits, we may allow extra guests to travel at
their own expense. Decisions will
be made on a case-by-case basis. Please
discuss this with your Coca-Cola Grand Prize Travel Representative. Please note
that confirmation of your request cannot be made until the majority of the
winners have been registered and this may take several weeks. Your patience is appreciated.
If a travel companion is allowed, the additional traveler will be
required to stay in your hotel room or a Coca-Cola Grand Prize Travel
Representative will assist you in securing another hotel room (pending
availability) at your own expense. If there isn’t sufficient space at the
planned activities and the additional companion is a minor, then an adult is
required to stay behind with the minor. Q.
Can I change my travel companions once I’ve registered? A.
Companion name changes can be made prior to the airline ticketing.
Once air arrangements have been confirmed with the Coca Cola Travel
Representative (even though it has
not been mailed to you), the winner cannot make any name changes to the airline tickets (per
airline regulations). Should you
need to make a companion name change after airline ticketing (this would result
in your need to purchase an additional ticket at your expense), BUT changes can be made to the hotel and
activities registrations until August 1, 2002. Q. One of the companions I’d like to bring does not live in my hometown. Do we have to travel together? A. Yes,
the official rules state the prize includes round-trip coach airfare from
the major airport nearest winner’s home.
What this means is your companion(s) is responsible for paying any
additional costs to travel to your hometown so that you and your companion(s) can depart
from and return to the same airport. Q. Will I be taxed on this prize? A.
Yes,
all federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the
prize recipient. We will issue a
Form 1099 in January 2003. Q.
Can I substitute this trip for another prize? A.
No, as per the official rules, there is no substitution or
transfer of this prize. Luggage
and Airport Security
Airlines
allow every passenger two checked bags and one carry-on bag plus one personal
item such as a purse, diaper bag, computer bag or camera bag.
Checked suitcases should not exceed 74 inches (length, height and width
combined) and/or 70 pounds each. The
carry-on pieces (no larger than 7 inches x 14 inches x 21 inches in most cases)
must fit in the overhead compartment or under your seat. Briefcases and
pocketbooks are considered as one of the carry-on items.
Wheelchairs, other “assist devices” and strollers are considered as
luggage restriction exceptions. Please
pack any special medications in your carry-on luggage.
In the event that your luggage is delayed upon your arrival in England,
an on-site Coca-Cola Grand Prize Travel Representative
will work with you and the airlines to locate your baggage.
Any out-of-pocket expenses due to this delay will be resolved between you
and the airlines. Coca-Cola is not
responsible for lost, late, damaged or misdirected luggage. You
cannot bring the items listed below on your person or in carry-on luggage:
For
a complete list, please visit www.faa.gov
Before
the Adventure ~ Pre-Trip
Q.
Do I need a passport/visa? A.
Yes, winners and companions will need to obtain and pay for the
travel documents required by governmental agencies. Please
visit our website or visit
http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri_publications_easy.html
for more information or call, toll-free, 1-900-225-5674.
Please submit a copy of each traveler’s passport/travel documentation by July 15, 2002. Q.
When do I need to arrive at the airport for departure check-in? A.
Heightened airport security measures increase the time needed to check-in.
Arriving at the airport three hours in advance of all
international flight departures is advisable. Passengers may want to contact the
airline on the date of departure for travel updates. Q.
What is the weather like in England? A.
In August, temperatures are in the 60s and 70s.
Occasionally, they will drop into the 50s or rise into the low 80s.
We suggest you bring a light jacket or sweater as well as rain gear. Rain can occur at any time.
Please check the weather before you pack at www.weather.com. Q. What is the time difference in the United States to London, England?A. London is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 8 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time in the United States. Q. How long is the flight?A. Outbound direct flights from the East Coast range from 7 hours out of Boston to 8½ hours out of Atlanta. Direct West Coast flights average 10½ hours. Return flights generally take one hour longer due to head winds. If you need to change planes en route to and from London, add another hour or two.Q. Can I use my frequent flyer mileage for air travel upgrades?A.
This will depend on negotiated group fares with the airlines. Please
discuss this with your Coca-Cola Grand Prize Travel Representative.
Q. Will I need a voltage converter? A.
Yes, England uses 220V and 240V, so you will need a 110V converter if you
plan to bring an American standard electric razor, hair dryer or other electric
devices. Please understand that an
adapter is not the same as a converter. Q. Where do I find general information about London, England? A.
For more detailed information
about London, England please visit the following websites:
Welcome to England ~ You have arrived! Q. What happens upon my arrival in England?A.
Once
you depart the airplane, you will follow the Baggage Reclaim signs, which will
direct you to Passport Control. At
Passport Control you will submit an entry form that you completed on the airplane
and show your passport/travel documentation.
After your
passport/travel documentation is stamped you will go to baggage claim.
In the baggage claim area (grab a luggage cart they are free), collect your
luggage and proceed through Customs.
Thereafter, you will be in the arrival area where our
uniformed Travel Representatives will greet you and escort your group to the
transportation that will take you to the Millennium Gloucester Hotel. Q.
What type of currency (money) will I use in England?
A. England uses the Pound Sterling. A pound is currently worth about $1.45, but the exchange rate varies daily. One recommendation is to use a major credit card for shopping and meals that you have on your own. All credit card companies automatically convert the purchase from pounds to dollars (which appear on your statement). Regarding your cash needs, an ATM machine usually provides the best exchange rate. ATMs are readily available throughout London and they work similar to ATMs in the United States. For your convenience an ATM is located near the Hotel. Other cash options include exchanging dollars for pounds at your bank, the airport from which you depart on your trans-Atlantic flight, or at the front desk of the hotel. We ask that you not exchange money at the London airport; this will delay the group departure from the airport. Visit this website for current exchange rates: http://www.xe.net/currency.com. Q. What should I wear at each event?A. All daytime group activities are casual; jeans and athletic footwear is fine. Evening group functions are business casual; recommended suggestions include a button down shirt and dress slacks for men and a light sweater and pants or a dress for women. Children may wear khaki pants and a short or long sleeve shirt. We encourage you to check the London weather before packing for your trip. Q.
Tell me about the Millennium Gloucester Hotel. Millennium Gloucester Hotel Harrington Gardens, London
SW74LH Telephone number: 011 44 20 7373 6030 A. The Millennium Gloucester Hotel is located in the fashionable neighborhood of Kensington, in the heart of Central London. The Hotel occupies a city block bounded by Gloucester Road, & Harrington Gardens with direct access to the West End. Knightsbridge, renown for it’s shopping is just 10 minutes away. Nearby attractions include Harrod’s, Kensington Palace and the Natural History Museum. Babysitting services are available. This information will be made available in your final packet. Q.
What happens if I become ill during the trip? A.
Should you become ill during your trip, Coca-Cola will provide round-trip
transportation to a medical professional listed with the hotel. We recommend you consult your health insurance carrier about
coverage overseas. Coca-Cola does
not endorse any medical professional in England. The cost of medical services will be at your own expense.
If your medical condition requires your immediate return home, Coca-Cola
Grand Prize Travel Representatives will work with you to make necessary
arrangements. Q. Do I have to participate in all group activities? A.
All events have been carefully planned so that winners and companions of
all ages will enjoy the Adventure. Therefore, we would appreciate your
participation in all group activities. If
you are unable to attend an event, please advise a Coca-Cola Grand Prize Travel
Representative, located in the Common Room – Courtfield Suite of the hotel. Q.
Will I meet any of the characters from Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone? A.
It doesn’t appear as though any of the characters from the movie
will be available for this program, although
the activities of the Adventure
have been inspired by the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Returning Home ~ The Adventure Concludes! Q. What can I expect on the date of my London departure? A. The evening prior to departure you will receive a notice telling you the time your group needs to be checked out and downstairs ready to depart. For your planning purposes you will leave the hotel approximately 4 hours prior to your flight departure. At the airport we will have travel representatives who will direct guests to their appropriate check in counter. Please have your passport/travel documentation available, as airport officials will need to see it several times during the check in and aircraft boarding. Upon landing, you will depart the airplane and will be instructed to follow the signs to Passport Control. There will be agents directing you to a designated line at which time a customs agent will review your re-entry documents. From there, you will proceed to the baggage claim area to retrieve your luggage. If you have any connecting flights, just follow the signs to re-check your luggage. |
|
|
|
© 2002 The Coca-Cola
Company. “Coca-Cola,” the Contour Bottle design and the Red Disk icon
are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company. Harry Potter and all related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros. © 2002 Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K. Rowling. |
|
To
Return to Previous Page, |
|
