I'll have a couple more posts on this pin trip, but I'm going to just pour out my thoughts in this last trip, because a few things stuck to my head. So here goes.
1. This has been one of the more memorable pin celebration event in a while, and all because of the mystery box pin set. I think Disney screwed up. They could have made TONS of money if they had more of the mystery box, but someone didn't think things through. In previous years, they mystery tins were plenty full, but not overly so as to diminish their value. This year, there were just not enough. By the beginning of the second day, people who had mystery box pins were just sitting on them and will only trade them for another box pins, and not the street sign pins one could get off the pin trading board. What started off as being fun got very frustrating very quickly. Still, I think the concept is brilliant as far as marketing is concerned. It got those of us who didn't intend on buying these pins to actually got into it. If they had made enough of the box set, it would have been a tremendous success.
2. Have the quality of cast members gone downhill very quickly. I will cite 2 "encounters" where I am wondering if they were just bad chance encounters, or if something more systematic is wrong here: (i) I entered the men's washroom on the second floor of Columbia Harbour House and saw a cast member, in full period uniform as those working in that restaurant, using the guest facility. Now I thought that was a no-no, especially if you're in uniform. (ii) I stuck my super fast pass that I got after attending a DVC member event into a fast pass machine at Buzz Lightyear attraction and got nothing. There were 3 cast members nearby who were chatting. I mentioned that I didn't get anything out of the machine, and that I was afraid that it got counted against my fast pass. As I moved to another fast pass machine, these people moved to the faulty machine, opened it up, did something to it, grabbed what looked like a fast pass, and closed it back up. At NO POINT during any of these did any of them talked to me, or even acknowledged my presence. I would have asked them a lot more, but we were in a hurry to do the attraction and then leave for the airport. So I simply dropped it.
3. Do cast members who work as cashiers say "thank you" anymore? I know they do, but someone needs to train some of those working at the check outs at Sunshine Seasons. I ate there twice. Both times, the cast members (different ones) barely even look up, and certainly didn't even say thank you after my purchase. And their attitude appears as if you were a bother to them. Since each of them didn't even turn my way, I didn't get a chance to glance at their names, and it wasn't a big enough deal for me to walk back and take a look. Still, cast members are the ones who create the magic, and they can certainly destroy the magic faster than anyone can.
I'm still recovering from the trip. I will have more to say later.
Zz.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
What's Your Favorite Hidden Mickey?
A short video from Disney on a few Hidden Mickey that can be found. Some of these I don't quite know where they are located.
Zz.
Zz.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Congratulations Phil
We just heard that our friend who is attending the vinylmation event right now just won the 1 millionth vinylmation purchaser. Whoa! Congrats phil. We hear that he got tons of vinylmations and free admission to next year's event.
Packiing up.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Trading closing
Pin trading about to close and we will make our way to the Illumination viewing area.
The Dessert Reception
More pin trading?
Waiting for dessert
Back at world showplace
The pin event is over but we are back at world showplace for the dessert reception. There's a storm blowing in. It is raining heavily now. I hope it doesn't go too long for our viewing of illuminations tonight.
About to wind down
There's slightly more than 2 hrs left in this year's pin event. Last few chances to get the street signs pins.
Glutton for punishment
Pin games
Lunch
We had a late lunch at Yakitori House. It was OK. Don't expect high quality japanese food.
But on the way back I got a cream puff and an apple tart at the bakery at France. Yum!
We are back at pin event.
Saturday morning
Donald's Great Adventure - Trade City, USA
Hello there my legions of fans. This is your lovable Donald Duck reporting from this year's Pin Celebration event - Trade City,USA at Epcot. ZapperZ finally let me out of the bag, and I can wonder around the wonderful pin event this year.
They really have put up quite a number of props to decorate the place to look like a small town. Why, they even have a commuter train!
Of course, most of the time was spent standing in line for the pin trading game.
I also went into the pin trading area to meet my many fans. Boy, are there a lot of pins here!
I was stopped by the Sheriff of Trade City, USA. I thought I was speeding, but it turned out that Sheriff Speedtrap only wanted to have a picture with me. I told you that I have legions, LEGIONS of fans here, including the law enforcement people!
I then went to have lunch at Sunshine Seasons. Well, ZapperZ had lunch. I just watched. Boy, he sure eats a lot! Someone needs to tell him that he's getting a bit pudgy around the middle.
After lunch, we went back to more pin trading. But guess what? ZapperZ brought back a strawberry shortcake AND a cinnamon roll. You'd think after all that food, he'd be full. Although, I did hear him say to a few pin traders walking by that he'll trade the cinnamon roll for a couple of pins. It didn't work.
We then had dinner at Marrekesh. I, on the other hand, got to ride the camel. This one doesn't spit like the one in Adventureland.
On our way out of Epcot, I noticed this lovely window display. They obviously think very highly of me and my nephews. If only they stay this still when we go out.
Anyway, that's it from me for now.
DD.
They really have put up quite a number of props to decorate the place to look like a small town. Why, they even have a commuter train!
Of course, most of the time was spent standing in line for the pin trading game.
I was stopped by the Sheriff of Trade City, USA. I thought I was speeding, but it turned out that Sheriff Speedtrap only wanted to have a picture with me. I told you that I have legions, LEGIONS of fans here, including the law enforcement people!
I then went to have lunch at Sunshine Seasons. Well, ZapperZ had lunch. I just watched. Boy, he sure eats a lot! Someone needs to tell him that he's getting a bit pudgy around the middle.
On our way out of Epcot, I noticed this lovely window display. They obviously think very highly of me and my nephews. If only they stay this still when we go out.
Anyway, that's it from me for now.
DD.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Chilling out
Good dinner
Having a wonderful time at dinner. Marrekesh is a great place for dinner. We have a big group of 11 people.
Burp.
Near the front
I'm close to the front of the line but I think the board is well picked over. Bad luck and timing again.
New pin boards
They switch and replenish new pin boards on the half hour. It is hard to time it just right when the lines are long and slow.
They just switched the one I'm in line for but there are about 20 people ahead of me. It doesn't look good.
Long lines
IPads
New this year, ipads are everywhere. People are using it to look at pins while standing in line.
No luck
First trip to pin trading board was a bust! It was well picked over. They replenished the board after my pick. Drat! I'm in another line. Can't be any worse than before.
Pin trading game
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Registration Gifts
Since Patty asked about the gifts, here is a brief description of them.
The first give that we got was a t-shirt for the event. It is actually quite nice. Here is a look at the front and back of the shirt.
But the one that got ALL of us talking was this next one. Now, you must know first of all that one of the pins being offered for sale at this event is the mystery set consisting of "street" signs.
http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/pin?id=51817
Now, we already decided that we're not going to purchase this at all, because we didn't want to get into the "buying" and trading mode to get the complete set. Well guess what, folks? In what I called the most evil AND brilliant move they've made, the gift to the event this is very elegant box that they called the "travel kit". It consist of a very well-made album box.
When you open it, you see THIS!
The top left and bottom left are pins included in this box. But the rest of the painted street signs are, get this, part of the mystery pins!! Holy cow!
So essentially, what they did, is made an enticement for us to get the mystery pin boxes to try and complete the whole damn box! Man, I'm suffering here. I was certain I wasn't going to buy this year's mystery pins. And now, I can feel my resistance melting like an ice cream in the Orlando's hot weather right now! I am not that strong to resist this! Like I said, this was evil and brilliant at the same time!
I anticipate a run on these mystery pin boxes tomorrow when the shopping opens at the pin event, and then a flurry of activity for people to trade what they need. Oh, I need help!
Zz.
The first give that we got was a t-shirt for the event. It is actually quite nice. Here is a look at the front and back of the shirt.
But the one that got ALL of us talking was this next one. Now, you must know first of all that one of the pins being offered for sale at this event is the mystery set consisting of "street" signs.
http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/pin?id=51817
Now, we already decided that we're not going to purchase this at all, because we didn't want to get into the "buying" and trading mode to get the complete set. Well guess what, folks? In what I called the most evil AND brilliant move they've made, the gift to the event this is very elegant box that they called the "travel kit". It consist of a very well-made album box.
So essentially, what they did, is made an enticement for us to get the mystery pin boxes to try and complete the whole damn box! Man, I'm suffering here. I was certain I wasn't going to buy this year's mystery pins. And now, I can feel my resistance melting like an ice cream in the Orlando's hot weather right now! I am not that strong to resist this! Like I said, this was evil and brilliant at the same time!
I anticipate a run on these mystery pin boxes tomorrow when the shopping opens at the pin event, and then a flurry of activity for people to trade what they need. Oh, I need help!
Zz.
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