Pin Event Questions

[Luv2Roam]

The Dis and Dizpins boards have all seem a buzz about the price of the AK event.
Not ever having attended any pin event/convention, I'm out of that loop.
I am just curious as historically how much these have cost and what guests receive as beenfits. And is DL and WDW pretty much the same?
When and where was the first one?
Has Disney always charged for thier pin events?
I was surprised to see the AK cost after reading so many complaints about the Christmas event in WDW DTD. Guess no one at Disney listened.
If I happened to be at WDW when it was going on, DH & I would attend. But only because fro us, it would more than likely be a one time experience. But if I lived near WDW -- no way.
I am wondering what people Disney is trying to attract and what their goal is on the AK pin event.

 

[JudithM]

Some Disney friends were visiting this afternoon, & we were discussing just this topic! We think Disney first started charging for a pin event last December when they hosted "Christmas in the City."

We happened, by chance, to be at WDW last May when the Studios pin event was held. We asked CMs at the Studios about it the day before & got very little information. I had no intention of spending the night in a vehicle to be in line for a number for a LE pin . It was one of the few times that week that the Disney area had an electrical storm. Just ask John & Shirley about spending that night in a car waiting for the event - I love John's version ! Anyway we went to the event - it took me awhile to figure out how it all worked. I did not find the CMs helpful. Perhaps since there had already been two pin events - AK & DTD - they assumed everyone knew how it worked. However, a guest took pity on us & explained things to us.

Then we got home & heard about the big EPCOT pin event in August. Some localfriends were going to celebrate her BIG birthday, so we decided to go. We were only at the EPCOT pin event Saturday & Sunday. Two days of waiting in one line after another & trapsing through the World Showcase was enough for us . We spoke to other guests who had similar feelings. I also think many guests, including some on this board, got sort of burned out for awhile after the August event. I recall this being discussed a few months ago.

As for what guests Disney is trying to attract by charging so much - your guess is as good as mine! We couldn't figure it out this afternoon.