Returned from our first pin event!

[Luv2Roam]

Our first pin event!
I am sure it won't be our last. Although I think the long lines and cost convinced me to pass on the DAK pin event.
One of the items I bought I am thrilled with: Lights, Camera, Pins! - Movie Theater Sculpture
I REALLY like it. Very, very cool. Even the seats and curtains are a velveteen material. And I was able to get it signed by the artist! He did a terrific job. Perfection!

I haven't had a chance to see all the items I have. I managed to get most everything signed by the artist.

All the CMs were great -- very helpful, curteous and friendly. Even more so than usual, which is saying a lot.

The only downside to this event was the long lines.
We waited 1.5 hours to get in for the pick up. But heck -- we could buy cold drinks at $2.50 a pop. For the long outside lines they should have had some sort of entertainment, pin trading and cold water to drink.

Then CMs went through our pick up items with us. Glad they did, as we were shorted one pin.
We each had to sign off on three papers stating we rec'd all our items. I felt like I was closing on another house!

The area was too crowded for merchandise pick up. Lots of help, but several CMs were standing doing nothing in the middle, talking to each other and overseeing.
They needed a larger counter/pick up area and get the middle of the room CMs behind the counters with pick up.
Or better yet, they should have had an optional pick up yesterday, with final pick up today.

Then we went into another room. No food or bathrooms. Two small water stations.
One gal was upset as she left the building just to get a pretzel. (It was after noon by then.) The CMs were trying to make her stand in the hour + pick up/registration line to re-enter. She said she argued and told them that was what her wristband was for. So evidently she was able to get back in without standing in the outside line again, after bickering with them.
Someone else told me she was told to go to specfic CM to re-enter without having to re-stand in the outside pick up line. Although she asked before she left the building.

The lines for the pin boards were also very long -- even though there were five lines. And they were in such tight spaces you couldn't tell one line from the next or even that there were more than two lines.

I did the trade boards three times. The first time I waited 45 minutes. The second time 30 minutes.

Then we left and went to Sci-Fi for lunch.

After returning (no outside line luckily) I went multiple times to have items signed. Those lines were not too bad. But still waited 20 - 30 minutes each time. But it was nice to chat with the artists.

Then I went back into a third pin line -- 1 hour wait!
Half way through I was very close to saying the heck with it and sitting down. But I didn't. I stuck it out.

Blaine was a big help. I did all the standing. He did all the pin sorting and was the pin caretaker for me. He helped me stay organized.

The pin boards were really no big deal. Except for one pin, I didn't get anything I could not get off a regular CM lanyard.
The first time around the pins I put on were better than what I took off. Other than that one -- they were comparable.
I did luck out on one. I didn't know what it was. I just thought it was cute and asked for it. I got pin 28437: DCL - Valentine's Day 2004 (Mickey and Minnie).

And get this!!! One time while I was waiting in the artist signature line, the first artist mentioned he designed that pin!! So I also had him sign that one for me!! Big thumbs up. Now this really is a special pin for me!

We each were given a free pin when entering. Blaine's pin I already had, so I put that back on the trade board.

The dinner was VERY nice and the food was GOOD! Much better and more sleection than I expected.
The parting gift is wonderful! Agin, much more than I expected: a four pin set -- LE850!

I asked a CM at the dinner how many were registered for the event -- I think he said 646 or 642. ???

Had it not been for the too long lines the event would have been perfect. Even the weather today was great.

I stood in line allll day today. The first half of the day wasn't so good. Although I was able to chat with some very nice people today while line standing.

Even Blaine was impressed and thought we got our $ worth. HE is the one re-thinking the DAK event! I still need convincing on that one.

 

[Duckfan]

I thought they had finally got the line thing mastered but I guess not. Well, it can't be all bad if you would go again and gee, you don't have to use vacation time to do it anymore!

 

[pin addict]

OH sure, that's easy for you to say!
We are glad you had a good time? I think! You did have a good time? Didn't you?
Blaine is a good egg. Well have fun at the DAK event
And congrats on you new job. It is a sign of good times ahead.
And remember, Shoot when you hit your knee.
Kris

 

[Luv2Roam]

Shoot when you hit your knee.

SHOOT!!
I am practicing!
Maybe I can change it into SHEEZ if I need to!

 

[olbear]

The MGM event in my humble opinion:

Over all I had a wonderful time. Ed has made a statement that I agree with. An event is what you make it. So therefore, I had a great time. Could things have been better?? Yes.

Let me start by saying I did not spend the “entire” day at the event. Hubby was on Navy Duty and meeting me at our hotel in the afternoon. It’s just as well, or things might have gotten a bit boring. Since there was not a lot of event things done or planned. Here’s how my day went.

I got to MGM at about 11AM, went to Sound Stage 1 and there was a LIIIINNNNNEEEEE. It was a very long line, and I was in it for a little over an hour and a half. Fortunately I was meeting new friends and catching up with old ones. And half of the time I was under shade. Thank goodness. I got to meet many new faces of only names I had seen on the boards. Hi Peggy!! She was one. Whew! I got through with registration, picked up product and headed back to hotel to wait for Fred to arrive from NAS Jax. So here is my suggestion: In the past we have picked up product the day before. Why can’t we do this for all major pin events such as this?? I paid $65 to attend event and do stuff, be entertained etc. Not stand in line to pick up stuff I paid good money for on top of event fee. Can we do that from now on….Please ! Thank you!

Hubby arrived and we headed back to event. We got there at 3PM. Walked in on red carpet and were given a small envelope. Inside we found Dopey pin that was an AP, and the Halloween Goofy 2003 LE that was also an AP. This was nice touch, thank you. Many received some very nice pins.

Hubby and I then got in a line that was for pin trading board. Then something wonderful happened! We got to chatting with 3 CM managers, and one of them Micheal from England award us a CTT pin right then and there! We were so surprised. I thanked him for the “magic” and gave him one of my CM award pins I designed that says, “Thanks for the Magic”. He was just as happy to get it as we were to get our CTT. It was a great moment. We had him sign it and do a photo op.

So, we stood in line for at least an hour for the board. At least we were with friends we knew and again, had the chance to make new friends and chat. Always nice!! When we got closer we noticed all the boards were hidden from view before hand unlike they were at the September event. Then when we got to the board it was so over-loaded with pins, it was hard to eye ball them and take notice of anything special that you collected or wanted.
So here is my suggestion. Please go back to the way you did it for the September event. It worked great!! Everyone in line could eyeball the board as they waited in line, so by the time they got up to the board they pretty much knew what they wanted. And..there were far less pins on the board and they were in nice neat rows, and this made it so much easier to view. In my opinion, a lot of “time” would have been saved if this has been done. I did the one line and said forget it. I didn’t want to spend the entire day waiting in line for 2 minutes to get 2 pins….maybe. Can we do this from now on? Thank you.

At one point Fred said he wanted a snack so I volunteered to go get us something. As I got outside and started walking, I noticed all the nearest snack carts were closed. Bummer! So I kept walking and finally found one open. My suggestion: Can we please make snacks and refreshments available “at” the event. This was done for the 2001 August pin event. It was great! They had hotdogs, pretzels, pop corn, cookies, sodas , water, etc. You had to purchase them. But they were readily available without having to leave the building and event. Oh and by the away, if you did manage to get a soda and snack, after it “processed” you had to once again leave to go find a bathroom. Another inconvenience.
So can we please address this as well? Thank you.

And then we read on DOPT site that there would be “games”. Well, I don’t consider the boards games. And the only thing that came close was when they did the Disney Trivia. It was fun, for some. That is for the few that actually got to participate. I’ve enjoyed the games we’ve had in the past that everyone had the opportunity to play. So please Disney, when you say you’re gonna offer games, make it something that every attendee can take advantage of and have fun with. Thank you.

The Street entertainment was fun. It got the blood pumping after sitting for so long and trading. Then it was time to eat. This was kinda funny actually. As we started toward New York street, and our gang was toward the front, it seemed the closer we got, the faster people walked. And some even started running!! I guess they were really hungry! LOL!! The food was very good. I enjoyed the chicken and had a bit of the Beef LoMein. It had a very nice flavor. And the grilled veggies were yummy as well. The only suggestion I would like to make is to serve a nicer dessert selection. Cookies as cookies, know what I mean? Hubby and I both work in the food service industry. Some items that are cost friendly and pleasing to the eye and palette, would be fruit turnovers, tarts, Petite fours, and even fresh fruit. These are nice and tasty as well

The parting gift was fantastic. Box was beautiful and pins are great! Very nice. Thank you so much Disney. The best part of these events is getting together with old friends. I know I have missed my gang immensely and it was just so good to get caught up. And getting to put faces with board names is always wonderful. I did more of that this weekend.

So overall, it was wonderful. It was not a “bad event” in my opinion. But yes, it could have been better. I hope everyone else had as good a time as I did!

Blessings,
Winnie

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think I will write sometime this week.
Really what it boiled down to me was the Looooong lines. Even the so-so pin boards would not have been an issue, had I waited half the time I did in each line. Wouldn't have been great, but...
I expected to wait, some. But really was on my feet from the time I arrived until around 6:00 - 6:30. Surprisingly I wasn't tired. But I sure didn't feel like I got a lot accomplished -- other than standing in line.
If it wasn't for the artist signing, the day would have been a bust for us.
We both said the evening compensated for the day for us.
Looking back, I wish we had arrived at 2:00, got the items signed, left, come back for the dinner/gift.
I didn't walk away feeling gyped. But I can't say it was a magical gathering either.
I would give the MGM pin event a 6 rating.
I still plan on passing on the DAK event. I am sure it will be nicer. But for the cost it would have to be -- otherwise they would have a riot on thier hands.
I wish I had passed on the MGM event and gone to the DAK one instead. I will know better next year.
But I REALLY do LOVE my theatre sculpture. That's a big plus for me right there.