Disneyana 2003

[~Kathie]

Just heard news coming out of WDW.

There will not be a Disneyana Convention or Event in 2003. Reason given.....too many complaints from 2002.

 

[NHMickey]

Well this will make my Convention pins easier to get... 2003... Needs NONE!!!

 

[Dom13]

Why fix it when you can just not have it.

 

[~Kathie]

Gee Nat....never thought of it that way.

And Dom.....not having it is their way of fixing it.

 

[sgtslovak]

This is so typical of the new Disney attitude. Instead of fixing all the complaints the Conventionears in 2002 had to make a really great event, they just cancel it. I find it very discouraging.
Chris

 

[pinhopper]

1. If, after receiving the feedback about the new 2002 format, the Disney folks even gave a couple seconds thought about returning to the old format (higher registration fee, but longer convention week with favorites such as the final banquet)... There are some dedicated Disney folks who attended every single one of the old-style conventions--something about these annual events kept bringing them back.

I know the new format was an attempt to ensure that more of the Disney divisions participating in the convention would actually make money. Surely there must be a way to combine the best features of both formats? My wish-list would be:
-- old format: longer convention week, higher registration fee, higher-qualities "freebies", a convention home base at a Disney resort, the final banquet
-- new format: collectibles sale/attic sale/logo sales at one location, behind-the-scene tours and presentations held within the parks

2. If the Disney folks really collected a completely representative consensus about the 2002 format... I mean no offense to those of you who did get contacted to fill out the post-event questionnaire. But this is the first time I'm aware of that Disney did not automatically ask every attendee for his/her input. Does anyone know what percentage of the 2002 attendees were/were not asked to give feedback?

3. If the sudden mushrooming of weekend-long pin events is Disney's strategy to replace the 3-5 day annual Disneyana convention... If so, Disney may have lost some of the annual conventionears' interest, especially those who live far away. Granted, we only numbered 1200 maximum in any one year. But a lot of us came back year after year because we loved "many things Disney". In my case, I loved being able to attend a week-long event, attend several behind-the-scenes tours, hear presentations by numerous Disney luminaries, have some time to play in the parks, and get together with my fellow conventionears. The new pin event weekends are not long enough, "insider" enough, or immersible enough for me to do that.

How sad to see yet another Disney tradition die...

 

[~Kathie]

You have to keep in mind that last year's "EVENT" was not run by the folks at Walt Disney Special Events who did it for 10 years. It was run by Epcot Special Events. From what I have heard Epcot had to "do their own thing" and wouldn't listen to any input or suggestions about what had been done in the past from Special Events.

Not to say that there weren't problems years before, but with the surveys they gave to everyone Special Events made a lot of changes and improvements over the years. In my opinion the last Disneyana Convention in California was the best one ever.

So...the Disneyana EVENT is dead. May it rest in eternal peace and never rear it's ugly head again.

Bring back the Disneyana Convention and let Special Events run it like only they know how.

 

[BeautyLLM]

I have never been to a Disneyana event (but it has always been on my wishlist of things to do) but I do have some general comments...

If it is true that Disney cancelled the Disneyana Convention because of the multitude of complaints, I have to say that I really am not surprised. The Disney Company is a multi-billion dollar corporation whose number one priority is to make money and keep its stockholders happy. It does this by creating the illusion that its top priority is to make all of us Disneyphiles happy. Personally, I think they do a pretty good job of that. But if the DIS boards are any indication, I am clearly in the minority. For the most part, it seems that the majority of the discussions about Disney sponsored events is very negative. This is partly the fault of the Company for raising our expectations so high, but nevertheless, everyone seems to be very down on the thing they say they love so much. Organizing and running this type of event is a HUGE undertaking, one that most of us couldn't even begin to understand or undertake ourselves. If the organizers receive nothing but negative comments, they must reach the point where they decide that the time and effort (and profits) are just not worth it.

There is also a very good chance that our country is going to war soon. This could be another reason for cancelling this event as fear of retribution in the form of terrorism is clearly an issue for Disney and for the travel industry at large.

I am very sorry to hear that the Disneyana Convention was cancelled because I know that there are alot of people who look forward to this event every year and enjoy it immensely. Hopefully, if they hold the event in 2004, it will be spectacular, and maybe that will end up being my year to attend. As far as feedback to Disney is concerned, I hope people will stop complaining so much and recognize all the positive things they have. If you have a criticism, offer it, but offer positive suggestions as well. Ever heard the expression "you can attract more bees with honey than you can with vinegar?" It is very apropos here.

JMHO

 

[shoes99]

I'm disappoined. We have gone to the last three Disneyana conventions (events) and was looking forward to August. On Saturday while at WDW I called CRO and put a deposit down on a room for August 21st in anticipation of going to Disneyana. I used the special return guest code and got a nice discount on the Beach Club. Oh well, got to cancel now.
We had a great time at Parti Gras, the event was super. Only got one gold dabloon and 15 other dabloons which we turned in for two AK LE pins, Walt with Mickey LE5000 Artist Proof and Its Never Too Early to Trade Artist Proof LE 2500.
Michele

 

[~Kathie]

In years past there were mistakes made and as in life, things happen. But ConventionEars were always treated as special and with respect. Not so this year.

That was not the case this year and those that did not attend have no idea how down hill things went from years before. If they had kept things at the status quo of previous years and let the people who were doing a great job continue to handle the conventions it would have been great. When you pay $600- $700 not including hotel and meals and airfare to attend an event you expect a little more than what presented. Past years prices were around $2000 per person and did include hotel and some meals. Not exactly on the same level as a $125 pin event.

And as to stockholders........many of the people that I know that have attended the convention for the last 10 years ARE stockholders.

 

[BeautyLLM]

Kathie, I apologize, I should have been more clear...I wasn't referring to your post as a complaint, but rather the dearth of complaints and negativity that has been voiced around here lately. Of course I agree, at those prices, you shouldn't walk away feeling cheated and unhappy. But like I said in my earlier post, Disney's primary focus is the bottom line...I'm not defending it, I am just saying that it is so. My guess is that it was probably less expensive to have Epcot run the event rather than Walt Disney Special Events ...

As to my comment about stockholders, I guess I should have said major stockholders, the ones who hold millions of shares...they are the people and companies who Disney strives to keep happy. The rest of us just get to go along for the ride.

 

[SueEllen]

As an attendee of the Teddy Bear & Doll Convention for many years past I can understand the complaints.

TB&D used to be held by Special Events also--now being handled by Epcot Events. It used to be a complete convention with banquets, meals, lodging, etc. but that all ended 2 years ago. The last 2 events have not been conventions, but "events." THEY STINK! Yes, the price was lowered, but you no longer get the meals, entertainment, gifts, or quality that you used to have. I would rather pay more $$ and get the qualilty and "fun" that we used to have than to have the events the way that they are currently being handled.

I'm sure that there will be MANY disappointed people to see Disneyana end. I was hoping to attend soon. I am wondering if TB&D will continue with the way that things are going.

I really wish Disney would listen to the conventionears and go back to special events and a full-fledged convention (even if it's a bit shorter) Give the people what they want.

Sue Ellen

 

[Sorcerer]

I know many letters and surveys were sent with constructive criticism regarding last year's Event, not just complaints.

Frankly, I'm glad they're not doing it this year...I was 90% sure I wasn't going anyway b/c of last year's disappointments. I hope they bring the Convention back - the Event wasn't worth the money.

 

[NHMickey]

You would think that Disney would see that while Epcot S/E is a good group and handles Epcot events like the Garden and Flower show as well the Food and Wine they fall well short when it comes time to do it on a "World Wide" bases. They should allow the old formats and team that ran them to at least over see them.

 

[shoes99]

Bumping this up.
Need to know if anyone else has any additional information about the cancelling of Disneyana 2003.
I have a good rate at the Beach Club for Aug 21-24, 2003 and if there is no Disneyana, I won't send in my deposit that is due 2/15.
Michele

 

[~Kathie]

Information is confirmed. Call Special Events. I'm sure they will let you know. It's no secret.

The latest I heard is they may be planning some kind of an event for 2004. It will not be called DISNEYANA. Can't call whatever they will have something it's NOT.


UPDATE: I have been told by someone who talked to Special Events today that they are claiming that no decision has yet been made. I'm sure that is what they have been told to say until a decision on future years or a replacement for Disneyana will be made.

Everyone has to make their own decision about believing this information or not. I provided the information that was given to me by a very reliable source. Take it or leave it.

 

[SueEllen]

I too was told that a definite decision had not been made yet. That the "executive board" was still discussing Disneyana.

I guess we will see...

Sue Ellen

 

[shoes99]

I cancelled my resort reservations for August 21-24. No since in going in the heat of August if there is no Disneyana Event.