Who IS going to Party Gras ???

[Mickey527]

Donna, Matt, Bob, and a few others were having a discussion with me at the AS Thursday night meet about this.
I had been told by a pretty reliable source at the parks that unless they get more people to sign up they will be cancelling Party Gras due to lack of interest. I bet that is why they are giving us AP holders 10% off. Wow, a savings of a little less than $20. That might buy one or two pins if we are lucky.
We all discussed this event and all came to the same conclusion... They are charging too much, the food does not seem all that desirable, and the pins are for the most part UGLY!
I know that cajun food is a no no for me, they would have to pass out Pepcid AC for dessert.
We all agreed that food is not necessary, or toss us a hot dog or something... have the event at a resort or at a park during normal operating hours so they can charge us less by not having to pay CM's to be there at some ungodly strange hour, and maybe ask our opinions once in a while about what pins we would like to see.
I am glad to see that they will be having some no-charge events, but they sound like just an excuse to get everyone to a resort to buy pins, not "event like". No special pins, lanyards or theme.
What do you all think? Peggie

 

[ScottakaMickey]

We are going, but it doesn't surprise me that this is might be a low attended event. I think that these events really lack is the WOW Factor. It takes a great theme, a well run event, and the great merchandise and gifts. The problem with the AK event is that the WOW is missing right off the bat. The theme and the park just don't ring well with a lot of people. AK is great park, but it just doesn't have the long standing traditions that the HM, Pirates and some really great characters like Villains. I think they are getting to greedy, not with the price, because that really isn't that bad, but they need to limit the event. THe smaller the attendance the better they can do to make EVERY guests experience magical.

I think if Disney cancels this event, they are going to have some upset people who already bought plane tickets, which are non-refundable. I think it will occur, but they will just have a lot of left over merchandise. The best thing they can do is to WOW the pants off of all the attendees and get people to see that they can do a great event.

Just my thoughts

 

[cseca]

if they do cancel it, I'll be pretty P.O-ed.
Don't get me wrong, I understand that they have to make $ off of this event. But do you think they would cancel it on the last minute?... *sigh*....

cyn

 

[Dizneypins.com]

I have been told under NO circumstance will this event be canceled for the reasons stated.
It will take place as scheduled.

 

[jojo_ct]

Although I will not be able to get to PartiGras I would if I could. Personally, I think the pins are much nicer than some from past events. As for food, I attended Pin-O-Rama last year and thought that food was wonderful. I would much rather have cajun food then a hot dog. But then, I love spicy. I do agree that opening park rides for pin people is an unnecessary cost. There is not enough time to do rides and do pin stuff. Rides might be nice for non-pin trading family members but who can afford to bring them at that price.

I like the fact that Disney is trying to cover the spectrum with a variety of pin events for every pocket book. Hopefully they learn something with every event they do that makes the next one that much better.

 

[fklhou]

My DW and I are planning on being there. I was also at Pin-O-Rama and really enjoyed that event. It will be nice meeting some more DISers.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

I have to agree with jojo_ct - I like the pins and I like the food plans, and this will only be my 2nd pin event ever, so I'm pretty excited about it. We went to the Star Spangled Pin event last summer, and it was not quite as enjoyable as I had anticipated. It felt a little bit like a cattle drive, standing in line after line after line - like a busy day at MK with no FastPass! I was still glad I went, and do enjoy the memories more than the experience itself.

I am expecting the Parti Gras venue to be more relaxed and less like a cattle drive this time, and I am psyched about being at AK after park hours. Perhaps I'm naive and a newby to the world of pin events, but it all looks good to me!

Hope to meet some DISers there....

 

[Beachangel]

I'm going and am looking forward to my first pin event. I don't have anything to compare it to, but I don't think the ticket fee is too high and the food offering sounds wonderful. As for the pins, I think they are quite colorful. I'm looking forward to a short Disney break!

 

[Brer-Rabbit]

Looks like its still on! So much for Rumors!

What do they say about Rumors??

 

[shoes99]

We are going to Parti Gras and looking forward to our second land pin event. We went to Spectacle of Pins in December. Looking forward to getting out of the cold for a few days.

 

[Mickey527]

This is what they say about rumors.

"There are two ingredients to a rumor... uncertainty and anxiety," says Dr. Ralph Rosnow, professor of psychology at Temple University and co-author of Rumor and Gossip: The Social Psychology of Hearsay. When you hear something that makes you uncertain, you get anxious. You start to obsess about it and when things seem to make sense to you, you start telling other people.
Rosnow says that rumors are proof that people are interested in each other. Sometimes, as in this case, the attention brings the real facts out.
So, even if you don't think feel the above quote is true, I was interested in hearing about Parti Gras and finding out the truth to the rumors I heard.
I was thinking about going to Parti Gras when I first heard about it because I thought it sounded like a fun idea for an event.
We do all have to try and get our word through to Disney that some of us don't want and need the "special" things they are putting into these events. My point is that they could try and give us an event that is more within most of our budgets and from what has been posted I think they might have been listening to us.
I hope that I can make it to a few events this year, but I won't be going to the big expense events. I have too much going on to spend that kind of money on a chance just to buy a pin. A wedding coming up, taking my niece and nephew to the parks for their first trip ever, spending time at the parks with my sister before she leaves us all, and of course being with my own family. These are important to me, pins are in the back seat for now.
Peggie

P.S. Thank you Ruthie. lol

 

[Brer-Rabbit]

Rosnow says that rumors are proof that people are interested in each other.

?? what does that mean? What does that have to do with this rumor?

There are a few VERY indicative words and phrases in that quote you posted:
-Anxiety
-Obsess(ion)
-things seem to make sense to YOU

Rosnow also said:

You have to speak up and you have to prove that you are someone who can be trusted. "If you have a long history of covering up [the truth], then people will be suspicious."

You know, I understand that you all sat around and ponderd whether or not this event would be cancelled. But I am confused as to why? If you were going I would understand. But, in my opinion and to be completely honest, the post was one that was intended to incite panic.

My point is that they could try and give us an event that is more within most of our budgets and from what has been posted I think they might have been listening to us.

Yes, I too think Disney is listening to us when it comes to the events. BUT last year they had SEVERAL events that WERE affordable. It doesnt mean that ALL of them have to be that way. I personally am looking forward to the GREAT food and the "special" things about this event. I consider myself lucky to have the means and the opportunity to go to this event, and hope that you will be able to attend the ones you want to this year as well. And hopefully someone won't try to spoil it for you by perpetuating rumor, after you have spent money on airline tickets, rental cars and hotel rooms.

 

[RamVA]

You know, I understand that you all sat around and ponderd whether or not this event would be cancelled. But I am confused as to why? If you were going I would understand. But, in my opinion and to be completely honest, the post was one that was intended to incite panic.

Why were they all sitting around talking, or why was Peggie part of the conversation if she weren't going??? Seems simple to me...friends sitting around talking, and maybe griping as we all do about their favorite topic, and someone says they heard it might be cancelled--does not seem like a stretch. In my opinion and to be honest, I didn't see the post at all as an attempt to do anything to anyone, or to spoil anything for anyone--just someone using this forum to air her feelings, whether positive or negative. I have found that on this board, people seem to get very anxious very quickly whenever anyone has anything "negative" to say.

Actually, I thought the event was too expensive for what they were offering, and the only pin I liked (besides the masks that I cannot afford) was the Dumbo. I threw the brochure in the trash 3 days after it came. Other people love the pins and will have a ball--that's what makes this hobby work so well for Disney.

Just my .02

 

[GotAnyPins]

a bunch of us were sitting together, and repeating what we had heard from several CM's during our day at the parks...and what "they" said was, if they soon don't get more people signed up for the event, there is talk of cancelling it completly...

A lot of the people at the pin meet that night were signed up for the event, and were upset that this could happen, and the very next day were going to check into what they were going to do.. I am going, but only as a proxy,

One would hope that if this was a thought in there heads, that they read this post, and maybe decided that this would not be a good thing to do..After all we do know that our posts are looked at all the time...

I do agree that disney has gone overboard w/ their charges for the pin meets, I guess to pay that amount just to be able to purchase the pins, that most have been available to the public the next morning is just toooooo much, and if you look at your rsp, the public will be lining up the next day, after we get our oppoutunity to purchase the leftovers..

Several people that didnot go to the Dec event, got every pin the next day..and the snow globes, and cards..

Maybe if they changed that , it would make the charges more attractive..

We personally have decided not to go to any of the paid events this year, and are only doing the cruise in Nov...that offered so much for the price, it was worth it...the jury is still out on wether we will be doing Epcot...an awful lot of changes would have to be made...like not being thrown out of our venue spot...for a bank..

Just my .02 too....

 

[RamVA]

...............for clearing up the mystery surrounding the origin of the rumour in question--I guess if one were to hear CMs talking, one might assume they know what they are talking about-and perhaps like you said, it wasn't a "rumour", but after consideration of feedback that the "powers that be" were seeing, they decided to change their minds. Of course, us "little" people will never be privvy to what really goes on behind the scenes!

 

[buggin']

Were not going to this one, I just wanted to wish everyone that is going a great time!!! I hope that its as much fun as the one at AK was last year...that was a BLAST!!!

Im with Donna, were not doin' any of the pin events this year, theyve gotten to ex*****ve, except for the November Pin Cruise. Cant wait for that!!!

Enjoy Party Gras!!!

Buggin'
Amber

WHAT THE WHO?!?
Am I the only one, or has my post been censored?!? Im seein' **** above...!!! LoL...all I said was the word that means too much $$$...

 

[Brer-Rabbit]

Why were they all sitting around talking, or why was Peggie part of the conversation if she weren't going??? Seems simple to me...friends sitting around talking, and maybe griping as we all do about their favorite topic, and someone says they heard it might be cancelled--does not seem like a stretch.

See I think pin trading is supposed to be fun and it is a relaxation thing for me. I REALLY look forward to seeing all of my fellow pin traders and collecting and trading pins. Its not something I feel the need to "gripe" about -- its supposed to be fun. There are plenty of real life things that I have to worry about.

I dont want anyone to misunderstand me. I thought that I already said that I understand that you all would sit around and discuss this - I even understand why. My point was that I didnt understand the point of perpetuating a rumor like that by posting it on the boards? Especially when the poster isn't attending the event.

I think if you WERE attending you would understand what a post like that would do to someone who had planned, shelled out money, and is looking forward to such an event.

...............for clearing up the mystery surrounding the origin of the rumour in question--I guess if one were to hear CMs talking, one might assume they know what they are talking about-and perhaps like you said, it wasn't a "rumour", but after consideration of feedback that the "powers that be" were seeing, they decided to change their minds.

Did it ever occur to you that maybe they never intended to cancel it?

 

[RamVA]

Michael, Michael, Michael,

See I think pin trading is supposed to be fun and it is a relaxation thing for me. I REALLY look forward to seeing all of my fellow pin traders and collecting and trading pins. Its not something I feel the need to "gripe" about -- its supposed to be fun. There are plenty of real life things that I have to worry about.

Did I mislead you, and make you think that pin trading is not fun for me? I certainly didn't mean to imply any such thing. I love pin trading and collecting, and I REALLY look forward to seeing all of my friends and fellow traders, and I have met some amazing people, and made great friends through this hobby. But, I guess I have a serious character flaw, because sometimes I have found myself griping abou certain aspects of trading, or the way Disney handles events. AND,believe me, I have plenty of "real life" things to worry about, LOL! You are so lucky you don't have the need to gripe--I sure wish I had been standing next to you in line in September--you could have helped put a smile on my face during those 6 hours!!

Did it ever occur to you that maybe they never intended to cancel it?

Yes, Michael, I considered that...... that's why if you read my quote carefully, you will find the word "perhaps", as in a possible other scenario.

I guess if one were to hear CMs talking, one might assume they know what they are talking about-and perhaps like you said, it wasn't a "rumour",

So, Michael, I'm wondering what exactly are we really "debating"?

 

[Brer-Rabbit]

Ruthie, Ruthie, Ruthie

You miss my point, and I will try state it clearer:

I have no understanding as to why someone would post something that was an unsubstantiated rumor as was posted at the beginning of this thread. Having already spent about $600.00 on arrangements to go when I originally read this -- I found it upsetting.

I had been told by a pretty reliable source at the parks that unless they get more people to sign up they will be cancelling Party Gras due to lack of interest.

I think the post was very negative and intended to incite panic -- it offered no help at all to those of us who were planning to go. It didn't contain any information to rectify the situation, nor did it even ask if anyone had information to the contrary. So I guess I am annoyed that someone raised my anxiety level for no reason when I, and others, had a good deal of money on the line. So I am no debating anything -- I am simply making the point that posting such a rumor was very troubling for some of us.

You are so lucky you don't have the need to gripe--I sure wish I had been standing next to you in line in September--you could have helped put a smile on my face during those 6 hours!!

And I am sorry if I misled you, I was quite upset about some parts of the September event, so much so that I wrote a letter to many execs at WDW including Event Services. I felt that in doing so I was helping make a change for the better next time. I didn't mean that I don't have issues with the way Disney has handled some things, I just am not sure what is gained by my complaining to everyone but them - or worse yet perpetuating rumors.

Michael, Michael, Michael

 

[MeanLaureen]

Amber, Amber. Amber... dear sweet Amber. We need to work on those typing skills. Seems you have mixed up the I and the S in expensive.. well, you can see why you got the *******'s now


Now for the rest of ya'll... don't make me move this to the debate board!! Let's focus on the real tragedy here.. I DON'T GET TO GO!!!! WAHHHHHH