Sat night pin meet @ Contemporary

[ismetoo]

Hi All,

There are those of us that would rather meet at the Contemporary if we meet to trade on Saturday nights at WDW. Now, our preference is ONLY motivated by comfort - nothing else. We feel more comfortable at the Contemporary, and it's better equipped to handle our kids. Besides,we're really starting to feel bad about displacing the guests at the Polynesian. A busy Saturday night can easily mean that the staying guests have no place to relax in the lobby and we just don't feel like that's fair to them. There are other factors: a better pin cart, more room, a better snack bar, a play area for the kids. We just prefer the C. So, we're thinking about heading back there if we come out to trade on Saturday nights. It won't be a "hosted" thing or anything like that, just us getting together to hang and trade on Staurday nights. We just wanted to let you all know where we'd be...

ismetoo
yardhaunter
mermie
oneohone
poohtrader
gotanypins
raulandpinboy

 

[Mainepinpal]

I think the Contemporary would be a better site for both nights. My reasons are better access, parking, & interior space, and respect for the needs of others. I especially do not like the idea of taking up the limited lounge space provided for Poly guests. We do not need any ill will between regular Disney guests and pin traders. I am not sure if Disney has an official position on the Poly meet, but I would expect that privately they would view it as a pain in the neck. Disney has supported ( with personnel and tables) the Contemporary location for a pin meet on Fridays. We should respect the need of others.
If the Contemporary set up - tables in front of the couch/benches occupied by the "regulars" - gives a sense of buyer/seller , then maybe some other configurations can be explored. I was there last in November, so I don't know first hand what has evolved. I think it is appropriate that those who give up their time every week to be there for many hours have a place to set up their stuff. Providing seats/couches with the tables for transient pin traders results in tired people taking a seat and not moving all evening . Perhaps circuar tables with standing room for those who wish to trade, and separate seats for those who wish to rest/socialize would work. It's all about group dynamics, use of space, and the resultant atmosphere that is created.
I would ask those who have been there more recently than I have to add their impressions of the Contemporary meet.
Penny

 

[perndwler]

Actually, I think that's a good idea. Especially after being at the Poly meet last weekend. It was great to see so many people there that I knew........ unfortunately that's all I did! See them and wave hi. The seating area lends to "forming circles" to trade. Once you're in one..... there ain't no way out! And vice versa. There were several people I just couldn't get to that I would have loved to trade with.

The other thing I noticed, since I was sitting on the outskirts chatting most of the night, was that the Poly staff keep bringing over chairs and benches. Everytime I looked up they were lugging another seat over to us. When I finally came up for air I saw that there were NO benches or chairs left on one side of the lobby. Personally, if I was a paying guest and went to sit in the lobby and couldn't find a chair to sit it...... I'd be annoyed.

I find the Contemporary, open and roomie, and much brighter. You can move very easily between the groups of traders and join in whether they are at a table or on the floor. And whether it's the staff or the atmosphere, or both, it seems more friendly. Not to mention the fact that I always find one more pin I gotta have on the Contemporary pin cart

 

[Brer-Rabbit]

I think this is a GREAT idea! The poly can be hard to access sometimes and the space is very limited. I for one an VERY glad to hear this change. I look forward to seeing all of you there.

Michael

 

[ismetoo]

I appreciate your input - I was beginning to think it was just me. I TRULY HOPE I'm not stepping on anyone's toes. It's really not my intention, and I'll go ahead and apologize up front if I've hurt anyone's feeling's or made anyone feel uncomfortable in any way.

It'll be great to seen any one of you at the C on Sat. nights. I feel Eeyore's Pal had some valid opinions concerning her take on meets at the C & meets at the Poly. It was an angle I hadn't considered, and perhaps we should - it all about considering everybody.

If anyone has any suggestions on how we, as a group of fellow pintraders can make our time at the C more pleasant for all, I'd be interested in hearing them. I've spent a lot of time at the C & would like some other opinions.

I *do* know that I wish they had better lighting towards the back. That's the one thing I hear about the most.

 

[Kim in TN]

Thats Great
we will be staying at the Contemporary in Sept and was disappointed that we would miss the Cont pin meet.
Thats good news

 

[Raulandpinboy]

Better food, better arcade for the kids, way nicer security, and 10 times better parking.

Plus the Contemporary is my home away from home.

 

[ismetoo]

I'm really glad we're going back!!

And Poppy, you're right - it's our home away from home!

Wheeee!!

 

[GotAnyPins]

I have never felt comfortable at the Poly..people get into groups, and you can't get near them.
Once you get into an area, you are basically stuck there for the night. So many people have been
there, and I have not even gotten to say hello, I am not very graceful crawling around and over people, so I usually stay on the outer circle..I hate to say hello, by landing on top of them.. I also do not like parking
so far away from the entrance, and lugging my books, I missed our snack bar at the Cont., and the ROOM
to move around in...

I especially felt sorry for any w/ a stroller, or wheelchair, there was no where for them to go..

Sooooo, those are just some of the reasons that I for one would look forward to be back to the Cont.
It..like these boards, just feel like home..

Donna

 

[ismetoo]

There's no place like home....

No, wait.....that's something else, isn't it?

OOOPS!!

 

[daber]

When does this change take effect? This weekend? I'm arriving in Orlando Saturday night and want to be able to find you.

 

[ismetoo]

Hi there,

We'll head over there this weekend - 03/08 & 03/09. The meets generally start around 7 and go until they close the pin cart at 11. Then everyone tends to drift downstairs to the snack bar.