Even if you just want to go for a sale and see what you can buy, ask what time the store opens, and whether it will be first-come, first-served or they will be handing out pre-order tickets to avoid chaos. If there are only a dozen game systems available and you are the 20th person, it’s not worth your time to stay out all night. Try to get tips on the release by asking a lot of questions, so you’re not underprepared.
Find an outlier store on the brand’s website and call to make sure they have the item you want. If not, you might need to stick to the central store that does have the item.
It’s also wise to drive by the store/ticket office in the evening to see how many people lined up already. If there is over 20, you might want to consider joining them soon rather than waiting for the morning.
Consider bringing a space heater if it’s winter or if you get cold easily. Bring sunscreen if you’ll be camping during the day too. Make sure you take your phone with you as well. For a campout that’ll likely take a few days, you might want to add in a first-aid kit.
If there is no restroom nearby and you are male, it is usually possible to find a discreet place to pee after dark. Otherwise, you should be very careful for the rest of the night as to minimize bathroom needs. Try to drink little water or liquids, and avoid eating a big, greasy meal.
Another solution is to prepare by adjusting your pre-camping diet for the 24-36 hours before you start camping. By minimizing your intake of greasy foods beforehand, you might need fewer bathroom breaks during the wait. However, this depends on the length of camping; if it’s under one day, you might not need to go to that extreme.
