On 26 Jul 2010 18:51:41 -0700, Jan  wrote:

>In article , Charlie E. says...
>>
>>
>>I am now of the opinion that SDCC is just too big, too bloated, and
>>needs to massively reorganize in order to survive.  Whether they bread
>>off the movie and TV stuff, and create an LA con, or go to some sort
>>of reservation system for the panels, I don't know.  I do know that I
>>won't be going back.  Not after wasting $40 on the memberships, and
>>$300 in hotel and restaurant bills!
>>
>>Even the blood drive was a disappointment.  The goodie bag that I got
>>only had a single True Blood tee shirt, and a couple of little things.
>>No action figures, no custom blood drive tee shirt, no free comics or
>>magazines, nothing of any value.  It seems that, dispite the sold out
>>con, they economized all over.  They even had their first physical
>>assault over a saved seat!
>>
>>No more!
>>
>>Charlie
>>
>
>Sorry it turned out that way for you, Charlie (Hi, Pam!).  Oddly enough, I think
>Thursday and Friday were lighter in terms of crowds this year.  Jon mentioned
>that somebody he spoke to theorized that since the con was selling out so early
>this year, many people bought 4-day passes but didn't attend all the days.
>
>Personally, I'm glad that the con doesn't clear rooms after each panel and I
>think much could be relieved by A) lowering the number of memberships sold
>balanced by B) adding an additional day to the con.
>
>As for the 'first physical assault', that should be continued with '...that made
>the news.  I've seen a number of scuffles.  The 'stabbing' was blown WAY out of
>proportion by the news, naturally.
>
>I do agree that some things seemed to be lacking this year.  Room signs were
>recycled and not labeled corectly.  A banner even directed me where to get
>*2010* memberships for next year.  I'd be surprised if the Blood Drive does more
>than get donations for the goodie bags so perhaps the person/people in charge
>weren't as dilligent in looking for donations.
>
>I'm still pleased with the value that SDCC provides even if making sure I get
>into the panels that really mean a lot to me takes some real planning.
>
>Jan

Hi Jan,
Yes, I heard that Saturday was the real bummer, that it was so crowded
you couldn't move.    You probably are right that they need an extra
day now, but you would still find the 'good' stuff on friday and
saturday.  Also, Sunday was cheaper, and stayed open longer, so they
sold more tickets.  This was actually the first time I was there on
Sunday.  When I had four day tickets, I usually skipped it...

Yes, the blood drive gets it stuff (except for the custom tee shirts)
as donations.  I heard the company that usually donates the action
figures was bought out by Mattel, so that cut that off.  Then, HBO
volunteered to provide the tee shirts, but then only provided some
True Blood shirts (and, only in large!) so that prevented them from
getting the usual custom shirts.  But, it does look like whoever
headed up the blood drive didn't go after much in the way of
donations, either...

I do wish that they would virtualize the con, though...

Charlie
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