Raulandpinboy
<font color=blue>Table-dancing auctioneer<br><font
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2001
- Messages
- 1,705
So okay the event was a joke, but rather than vent and just say what I hated I'll post the good, the bad, and how I feel it could be fixed
I know Disney reads these posts from time to time so I'll vent and offer some constructive criticism in hopes that somebody will listen. The most constant thing that I heard people say throughout the event was "I'm not coming to next one" and "every event gets worse"
Well I hardly ever post anything negative, and this thread is not meant as a negative, but as an FYI as to what happened in my eyes, and how I think it could be fixed. That's what I do; I view situations and give suggestions on how to fix it and to make it better. These are my views, and my opinions I post in hope that good will come of it.
I urge others to do the same vent, and vent well, but offer up an idea or two, who knows it might be you that offers the idea that will make the difference. What did you hate and love about the event because there has to be both, and what would you do to make it better. Don't just vent and say hey it was terrible. (Come on that crazy Raul guy dressed up in a Speedo for Peggie that had to be worth something)
First I'm upset that Disney can claim that in case of a hurricane they can be up and running 24 to 48 hours after the storm hits, they handle 1000's of badly dressed tourist daily, but can't manage a measily 1000 plus pin traders for a few days.
What went wrong in my opinion, with my suggestions for improvement?
Problem 1 Getting in
Problem. I got there late and found hundreds of pin traders lined up around the corner, the only way they could enter was through one gate, all these traders had pin bags and there were only two guards to look through 100's of pin bags, backpacks, and those Dominos Pizza cases that dad sold to all those pin traders (and he says there is no inheritance)
Solution. I saw at least 4 more guards just standing around on the other side of the fence just there to make sure those demon pin traders didn't cause and trouble, Disney corp. should have know that there were 1000's of traders there since the sold tickets to the darn thing, and should have had at least 4 gates open with two security guards per gate to check bags. I was told it would affect the main flow of tourist traffic coming in if they did that, but I say with 4 gates open all the pin traders would have been long gone by the time the park opened.
Problem 2 The lines are long, and why aren't we moving?.
Problem. After you ate you get in line to buy pins the lines were way to long, and there were only from what I told about 10 registers open, that's 10 to handle 1000's do the math.
Solution. After a certain phone call was made to a certain person, 14 more registers were added, but they needed to be there from the beginning.
Problem 3 What pins are available dude, and which is which?.
Problem. The only information to find out what pins were available for purchase, was a cast member holding a board with pins attached to it, and they only had three cast members that I saw, and there were so many pins that if you didn't do your home work you had to ask what was what. Unfortunately the cast members did not do the pin circuit and most of them did not have a clue what the pins were called, so the most you get was an "I'm not sure which one this is, you'll have to ask at the register. So most people showed up with an empty slip and asked the register person what pin was what, this caused massive delays as the same questions were asked over and over again. Also when you stopped to look at the boards with pins you had another cast member telling to move along and fill in the spaces. (What's was a pin trader to do)
Solution. I have many #1 send the forms along with pictures in the information packets, that way the forms could be filled out way before we stand in line. Sometimes I think this lets keep the pins secret until they get here goes to far. #2 have posters with pictures and names along with numbers by the names so all we have to do is check the quantity of pins next to the name and number, these poster could be viewed along the line route up until the registers. #3 Train the cast members to know what to tell the pin traders, or at least make is so easy so all they have to do is hold up one of the poster that will have a pin, with the name of the pin is, and a simple number system that will allow the pin traders to just place a check mark next to the box on their slips.
Problem 4 (it's hot and I think I'm going to melt .)
Problem. Long lines in the hot sun, most of the lines had you waiting in the hot Florida sun, now I'm used to it, but most of my friend from the north didn't stand a chance, and that girl riding the scooter spraying the people as she zoomed by at 5 miles per hour did more harm than good in my opinion. I'm surprised nobody had a stroke. After a bit it started to rain (Its Florida it will do that) so a few got wet. What if you had to go the bathroom, or wanted water but you were alone, and did not a friend to hold your place, to bad most pin traders were told tough darts farmer want a pin stay in line.
Solution C. Plan it better have the lines under a cover, or create a serpentine effect under a covered surface, place some misting fans around it works in Animal Kingdom. And for crying out loud if you provide water keep it filled every containers inside was full, but the ones outside in the heat and sun were empty, the comfort we got from cast members was "its empty" also please tell the cast member to stop telling to move along fill in all open spaces this is not a ride, in 90 degree heat I don't want to get up to next person I want air space.
Problem 5 Attitudes (may have been the heat but .)
This is both sides fault from the rude pin traders to the Map Nazi's seems everybody had attitudes, and tempers were for the most part short. Below are a few examples that I witnessed.
(1) Cast members telling us to move along and fill open spaces I felt like cattle, at times like I was in a prison line. (Not that I was ever in prison mind you)
(2) Several people told me they were given attitude because they left the line and upon their return the pin traders let them in, but cast members thought they were cutting and they were given the third degree.
(3) The Map Nazi's talk about getting out of bed on the wrong side, they were doing the old Soviet Union KGB agent your papers are not in order routine, people were told you have already been here and refused a map. A friend of mine did not get a map at all, but a manger did give him a pin. My own personal experience was when Donna gave me her map as she went to restroom, I stood in line waiting for her to return, a map nazi saw I had two maps and insisted I give one up, my insisting that it was my wife's was given the yea right look as I was repeatedly asked to return the map.
(4) Personally I felt I was being treated differently because I was a pin trader, I did at one point take my lanyard off because did not want to deal it with anymore, and felt I would get better assistance if they thought I was tourist, and sadly I did.
(5) I was given the impression a lot of cast members were getting sick and tired of pin people, and just wanted the event to be over with.
Solution. There is not enough paper in the world to solve this one, at times we are going to have understand as a good friend once said look above the lanyard and you will see a face, maybe it should be required that everybody, I mean both sides cast members, and pin traders take Scoops pin etiquette class before you begin pin trading. In all honesty I saw bad from both sides.
· I saw cast members nearly attacked by hoards of pin traders because they had lanyard series pins on their lanyards.
· I saw people go through line take off the shoestring lanyard, and hand it to somebody else so they could buy pins before it was open to the public.
· Those that grabbed a handful of maps got them stamped at both locations, and got more than one pin. Look I tried to do it I'm a pin trader, and wanted one to give away to the people on the boards so shoot me.
· The map nazi that insisted I give up Donna's map.
· The cast member that yelled at a group of us because we tipped the water cooler to get cups of ice out of the empty cooler the water was gone but it was full of ice so we were handing out cups of ice.
· The cast member behind the register that told my friend to leave or security would be called because she was told no returns, but we were told we could return.
I could go on and on, but why. Lets just say we all screwed up we were, angry, hot, and rude they were angry, hot, and rude as well.
Solution. Education and communication, when we are happy, we have fun, and are fun to be with, when we are miserable we want to find anything and everything wrong with the world so we can justify the miserable mood we're in, we all mostly just we take it out on anybody we can. So I think a little more planning and better organization will go a long way.
Problem 6 (returning pins "What's in your wallet")
Problem. We were told we could return pins during the event if we changed our minds or for whatever reason. The cast members either never got the memo, or just plain did not get it. We have stories from several people, one from a friend of mine who was told just plain no returns period, all sales are final. Also one story about a single $12.50 return that got ugly and threats of security were used.
Solution. This was just plain stupid. A simple explanation to the troops could have handled this, it seems nobody at the registers had anybody to consult or ask questions too, they just kept asking the person behind them who in turn asked the next, and the answer was always "We don't know". I think Disney needs a central hot line number for events. That way if you have a problem all you have to do is pickup the phone and call.
These are just a few other things I thought and other thought would have helped the situation, please add to this list and hope it happens. Again these are my opinions.
Problem 7 (The Map nazi's No pin for you now leave.)
Problem. Yes there are always those that grab a hand full of maps and get it stamped at several locations then get 2 or more pins. Well they have been doing this since day 1, but now we were told there were only 1000 maps 1 per person and that was their final answer. I don't complain much kids but some of the map people were just plain rude, they took this way to seriously, they never smiled, and some people were given the you have been in line already now leave message when they had just gotten there. Now how they could tell over 1000 of us apart is beyond me. I personally was asked to return Donna's map because a cast member saw that I had two, and he was very insistent telling me only 1 map per person sir. It just plain got ugly. Nobody was even asking what the answer to the question was, they just stamped the map gave you the pin and rushed you out.
Solution. Make it a go around to different areas to get a stamp for the pin. If they are crazy enough to go around in the heat getting stamps then give them a pin they earned it. When you just hand them a map and all you have to do is walk to the back of the store to get a free pin what do you expect. How about assign a number or card like a hotel key to every trader, then use that number for tracking through out the event you have to show your number to buy pins, get freebies, everything that way its all honest. No more problems.
(A special shout out to the ladies giving out pins on the second floor of the imagination building, they were very nice, polite and very understanding.)
Just a run down of the things I thought needed a little help.
(1) Better organization of the park entrance.
(2) Total chaos anybody that wanted to get into the breakfast could and some did whether they paid for it or not, but actually if you went to the breakfast you got stuck in the lines. And why were some asked to throw away their water bottles? I do not know the answer to this, but in Florida it should be a law you want me to throw my water bottle away for fear of alcohol, of drugs, then replace it free of charge full of water.
(3) It was easy to buy pins, and go around back through the line 2 or more times.
(4) Better organization of the lines.
(5) Better training of the people that are working the event, get them more geared up towards the event IE more pin knowledge, and information.
(6) More comfort stations and restroom proxies for those die-hard willing to stay in the line regardless of the LE size. IE water, information, entertainment. After all some kids blew their vacation standing in line.
(7) More information about the pins that are available for purchase while you are stuck in line.
(8) Less concern for getting the public to the merchandise, lets deal with those that made the effort to pay for the event first, then after we leave sell the remainder to the public.
(9) A few more lower edition pins please LE 3500's and 3000's are not really that hard to collect, and will still be around for a bit. Collectors collect because they like it, or like the fact that they to be the one or one of the few that has it. In reality nothing has been released that will compare to a wet paint or Mickey for president lately. (But the haunted mansion event is coming)
(10) Lets all be friendly (both sides) try to make them smile they will make you smile, trade a pin share a handshake, and a smile.
(11) (For pin traders) don't attack a cast member cause they have a lanyard, go up past the lanyard look for the face and talk to it, don't talk the chest unless that what you wanted to do in the first place (perv)
(12) A bigger pin trading area, for example did all those Kodak pictures and walls need to be there, some got damaged, and some were missing, but when you get so many bodies crammed into one spot it will happen.
(13) Better quality of items, there were a lot of broken or falling apart items being handed out.
(14) About the auction, so are we out of the Wet Paint AP pins finally, cause the people wanted more, but they were not happy with what they got.
(15) The only thing I saw for the kids to do was a kid's area to color, and sit, last year there was a lot of things for them to do.
And all the things that I thought were great.
(1) Pre-registration the day before, very cool and easy worked out great for me.
(2) Those that were not afflicted by the angry bug were very friendly and helpful
(3) Jim Mathews in the trenches with the rest of us, going out of his way to make sure even the smallest request got handled, and that problems got resolved ASAP.
(4) The breakfast was great.
(5) The fact that all the character showed up the kids loved it, the adults did too.
(6) The ladies giving out pins on the second floor of the Figments place were very nice and polite.
(7) On the last day the registers had it together, I was in and out in less than 20 minutes.
(8) Everybody did try it was just hot we stuck in one place, tempers flared, but next year lets go for gold.
Well I hardly ever post anything negative, and this thread is not meant as a negative, but as an FYI as to what happened in my eyes, and how I think it could be fixed. That's what I do; I view situations and give suggestions on how to fix it and to make it better. These are my views, and my opinions I post in hope that good will come of it.
I urge others to do the same vent, and vent well, but offer up an idea or two, who knows it might be you that offers the idea that will make the difference. What did you hate and love about the event because there has to be both, and what would you do to make it better. Don't just vent and say hey it was terrible. (Come on that crazy Raul guy dressed up in a Speedo for Peggie that had to be worth something)
First I'm upset that Disney can claim that in case of a hurricane they can be up and running 24 to 48 hours after the storm hits, they handle 1000's of badly dressed tourist daily, but can't manage a measily 1000 plus pin traders for a few days.
What went wrong in my opinion, with my suggestions for improvement?
Problem 1 Getting in
Problem. I got there late and found hundreds of pin traders lined up around the corner, the only way they could enter was through one gate, all these traders had pin bags and there were only two guards to look through 100's of pin bags, backpacks, and those Dominos Pizza cases that dad sold to all those pin traders (and he says there is no inheritance)
Solution. I saw at least 4 more guards just standing around on the other side of the fence just there to make sure those demon pin traders didn't cause and trouble, Disney corp. should have know that there were 1000's of traders there since the sold tickets to the darn thing, and should have had at least 4 gates open with two security guards per gate to check bags. I was told it would affect the main flow of tourist traffic coming in if they did that, but I say with 4 gates open all the pin traders would have been long gone by the time the park opened.
Problem 2 The lines are long, and why aren't we moving?.
Problem. After you ate you get in line to buy pins the lines were way to long, and there were only from what I told about 10 registers open, that's 10 to handle 1000's do the math.
Solution. After a certain phone call was made to a certain person, 14 more registers were added, but they needed to be there from the beginning.
Problem 3 What pins are available dude, and which is which?.
Problem. The only information to find out what pins were available for purchase, was a cast member holding a board with pins attached to it, and they only had three cast members that I saw, and there were so many pins that if you didn't do your home work you had to ask what was what. Unfortunately the cast members did not do the pin circuit and most of them did not have a clue what the pins were called, so the most you get was an "I'm not sure which one this is, you'll have to ask at the register. So most people showed up with an empty slip and asked the register person what pin was what, this caused massive delays as the same questions were asked over and over again. Also when you stopped to look at the boards with pins you had another cast member telling to move along and fill in the spaces. (What's was a pin trader to do)
Solution. I have many #1 send the forms along with pictures in the information packets, that way the forms could be filled out way before we stand in line. Sometimes I think this lets keep the pins secret until they get here goes to far. #2 have posters with pictures and names along with numbers by the names so all we have to do is check the quantity of pins next to the name and number, these poster could be viewed along the line route up until the registers. #3 Train the cast members to know what to tell the pin traders, or at least make is so easy so all they have to do is hold up one of the poster that will have a pin, with the name of the pin is, and a simple number system that will allow the pin traders to just place a check mark next to the box on their slips.
Problem 4 (it's hot and I think I'm going to melt .)
Problem. Long lines in the hot sun, most of the lines had you waiting in the hot Florida sun, now I'm used to it, but most of my friend from the north didn't stand a chance, and that girl riding the scooter spraying the people as she zoomed by at 5 miles per hour did more harm than good in my opinion. I'm surprised nobody had a stroke. After a bit it started to rain (Its Florida it will do that) so a few got wet. What if you had to go the bathroom, or wanted water but you were alone, and did not a friend to hold your place, to bad most pin traders were told tough darts farmer want a pin stay in line.
Solution C. Plan it better have the lines under a cover, or create a serpentine effect under a covered surface, place some misting fans around it works in Animal Kingdom. And for crying out loud if you provide water keep it filled every containers inside was full, but the ones outside in the heat and sun were empty, the comfort we got from cast members was "its empty" also please tell the cast member to stop telling to move along fill in all open spaces this is not a ride, in 90 degree heat I don't want to get up to next person I want air space.
Problem 5 Attitudes (may have been the heat but .)
This is both sides fault from the rude pin traders to the Map Nazi's seems everybody had attitudes, and tempers were for the most part short. Below are a few examples that I witnessed.
(1) Cast members telling us to move along and fill open spaces I felt like cattle, at times like I was in a prison line. (Not that I was ever in prison mind you)
(2) Several people told me they were given attitude because they left the line and upon their return the pin traders let them in, but cast members thought they were cutting and they were given the third degree.
(3) The Map Nazi's talk about getting out of bed on the wrong side, they were doing the old Soviet Union KGB agent your papers are not in order routine, people were told you have already been here and refused a map. A friend of mine did not get a map at all, but a manger did give him a pin. My own personal experience was when Donna gave me her map as she went to restroom, I stood in line waiting for her to return, a map nazi saw I had two maps and insisted I give one up, my insisting that it was my wife's was given the yea right look as I was repeatedly asked to return the map.
(4) Personally I felt I was being treated differently because I was a pin trader, I did at one point take my lanyard off because did not want to deal it with anymore, and felt I would get better assistance if they thought I was tourist, and sadly I did.
(5) I was given the impression a lot of cast members were getting sick and tired of pin people, and just wanted the event to be over with.
Solution. There is not enough paper in the world to solve this one, at times we are going to have understand as a good friend once said look above the lanyard and you will see a face, maybe it should be required that everybody, I mean both sides cast members, and pin traders take Scoops pin etiquette class before you begin pin trading. In all honesty I saw bad from both sides.
· I saw cast members nearly attacked by hoards of pin traders because they had lanyard series pins on their lanyards.
· I saw people go through line take off the shoestring lanyard, and hand it to somebody else so they could buy pins before it was open to the public.
· Those that grabbed a handful of maps got them stamped at both locations, and got more than one pin. Look I tried to do it I'm a pin trader, and wanted one to give away to the people on the boards so shoot me.
· The map nazi that insisted I give up Donna's map.
· The cast member that yelled at a group of us because we tipped the water cooler to get cups of ice out of the empty cooler the water was gone but it was full of ice so we were handing out cups of ice.
· The cast member behind the register that told my friend to leave or security would be called because she was told no returns, but we were told we could return.
I could go on and on, but why. Lets just say we all screwed up we were, angry, hot, and rude they were angry, hot, and rude as well.
Solution. Education and communication, when we are happy, we have fun, and are fun to be with, when we are miserable we want to find anything and everything wrong with the world so we can justify the miserable mood we're in, we all mostly just we take it out on anybody we can. So I think a little more planning and better organization will go a long way.
Problem 6 (returning pins "What's in your wallet")
Problem. We were told we could return pins during the event if we changed our minds or for whatever reason. The cast members either never got the memo, or just plain did not get it. We have stories from several people, one from a friend of mine who was told just plain no returns period, all sales are final. Also one story about a single $12.50 return that got ugly and threats of security were used.
Solution. This was just plain stupid. A simple explanation to the troops could have handled this, it seems nobody at the registers had anybody to consult or ask questions too, they just kept asking the person behind them who in turn asked the next, and the answer was always "We don't know". I think Disney needs a central hot line number for events. That way if you have a problem all you have to do is pickup the phone and call.
These are just a few other things I thought and other thought would have helped the situation, please add to this list and hope it happens. Again these are my opinions.
Problem 7 (The Map nazi's No pin for you now leave.)
Problem. Yes there are always those that grab a hand full of maps and get it stamped at several locations then get 2 or more pins. Well they have been doing this since day 1, but now we were told there were only 1000 maps 1 per person and that was their final answer. I don't complain much kids but some of the map people were just plain rude, they took this way to seriously, they never smiled, and some people were given the you have been in line already now leave message when they had just gotten there. Now how they could tell over 1000 of us apart is beyond me. I personally was asked to return Donna's map because a cast member saw that I had two, and he was very insistent telling me only 1 map per person sir. It just plain got ugly. Nobody was even asking what the answer to the question was, they just stamped the map gave you the pin and rushed you out.
Solution. Make it a go around to different areas to get a stamp for the pin. If they are crazy enough to go around in the heat getting stamps then give them a pin they earned it. When you just hand them a map and all you have to do is walk to the back of the store to get a free pin what do you expect. How about assign a number or card like a hotel key to every trader, then use that number for tracking through out the event you have to show your number to buy pins, get freebies, everything that way its all honest. No more problems.
(A special shout out to the ladies giving out pins on the second floor of the imagination building, they were very nice, polite and very understanding.)
Just a run down of the things I thought needed a little help.
(1) Better organization of the park entrance.
(2) Total chaos anybody that wanted to get into the breakfast could and some did whether they paid for it or not, but actually if you went to the breakfast you got stuck in the lines. And why were some asked to throw away their water bottles? I do not know the answer to this, but in Florida it should be a law you want me to throw my water bottle away for fear of alcohol, of drugs, then replace it free of charge full of water.
(3) It was easy to buy pins, and go around back through the line 2 or more times.
(4) Better organization of the lines.
(5) Better training of the people that are working the event, get them more geared up towards the event IE more pin knowledge, and information.
(6) More comfort stations and restroom proxies for those die-hard willing to stay in the line regardless of the LE size. IE water, information, entertainment. After all some kids blew their vacation standing in line.
(7) More information about the pins that are available for purchase while you are stuck in line.
(8) Less concern for getting the public to the merchandise, lets deal with those that made the effort to pay for the event first, then after we leave sell the remainder to the public.
(9) A few more lower edition pins please LE 3500's and 3000's are not really that hard to collect, and will still be around for a bit. Collectors collect because they like it, or like the fact that they to be the one or one of the few that has it. In reality nothing has been released that will compare to a wet paint or Mickey for president lately. (But the haunted mansion event is coming)
(10) Lets all be friendly (both sides) try to make them smile they will make you smile, trade a pin share a handshake, and a smile.
(11) (For pin traders) don't attack a cast member cause they have a lanyard, go up past the lanyard look for the face and talk to it, don't talk the chest unless that what you wanted to do in the first place (perv)
(12) A bigger pin trading area, for example did all those Kodak pictures and walls need to be there, some got damaged, and some were missing, but when you get so many bodies crammed into one spot it will happen.
(13) Better quality of items, there were a lot of broken or falling apart items being handed out.
(14) About the auction, so are we out of the Wet Paint AP pins finally, cause the people wanted more, but they were not happy with what they got.
(15) The only thing I saw for the kids to do was a kid's area to color, and sit, last year there was a lot of things for them to do.
And all the things that I thought were great.
(1) Pre-registration the day before, very cool and easy worked out great for me.
(2) Those that were not afflicted by the angry bug were very friendly and helpful
(3) Jim Mathews in the trenches with the rest of us, going out of his way to make sure even the smallest request got handled, and that problems got resolved ASAP.
(4) The breakfast was great.
(5) The fact that all the character showed up the kids loved it, the adults did too.
(6) The ladies giving out pins on the second floor of the Figments place were very nice and polite.
(7) On the last day the registers had it together, I was in and out in less than 20 minutes.
(8) Everybody did try it was just hot we stuck in one place, tempers flared, but next year lets go for gold.
