The line, which formed before 8am, stretched from outside the Otago University Students' Association office to the corner of Albany St, with those at the back of the queue turned away about 9.30am when the final allocation of 500 was reached.
Fourth-year Otago University student Adam Simpson, who was one of those turned away, said it was ''pretty disappointing'' not being able to get a ticket.
Although he understood some changes were needed, he felt the OUSA had gone too far this year and that limiting numbers would likely result in more students trying to sneak in to the party.
Asked if he would be one of those who tried that, he said, ''I'll give it a nudge.''
OUSA president Francisco Hernandez' message to those thinking about sneaking in was to ''not bother'' as anyone seen on the street without a wrist-band would be asked to leave. Security guards, campus watch members and police would be keeping an eye on the street to make sure people did not climb over fences and sneak in, he said.
Tickets sold at the OUSA office for $5, with the proceeds going towards running the event, which included hiring security guards and providing support for students who overindulged. Hyde St residents were able to invite only 11 people, who each had to pay $2 for a ticket, not 15 people as previously reported.
Added controls the OUSA has introduced this year to try to make the party safer included limiting numbers to between 3000 and 3500 and barring non-students and first-year students from buying the 1000 tickets available from the OUSA office.
