Let me start off by saying, this post is from my perspective and no other views have influenced the following words. Ok lets get down to it, shall we?The event was held at The Westin by Atlanta Airport...nice hotel! However, can I get a refrigerator and free Wi-Fi? The bar closed too early and restaurant was over priced. I could have stayed at the LaQuinta or Holiday Inn for all that was lacking.
When EyeCon was first announced, I couldn't have been more excited for the opportunity to descend upon Atlanta and show my love for the Vampire Diaries. As cast appearances were announced, more people got excited for the big weekend. I have to admit the prices I felt were pretty high. In comparison to San Diego Comic-Con where the weekend pass is $105 which includes autograph session and panel. There's no individual events, but if there were SDCC would still be cheaper.
Regardless of the price I felt this was an investment that I couldn't pass up. I purchased a Masquerade Ball, Photo Op ticket, and a Saturday admission that allowed for entrance into the individual events.
I first noticed the event was a fail by observing interactions with staff/volunteers and attendees. Those people were SO FAR BEYOND RUDE...seriously I don't think they were provided with a Compliance book and orientation. I also noticed that the people who payed $350 for a Platinum Pass were in the same boat as the rest of us. It was hard to get questions answered and when they did respond it was in such a rude tone.
The vendor room was too small in my opinion, could barely breathe and almost felt bad for those trying to figure out an on the spot floor plan. AGAIN, disorganization was a key factor in EyeCon fail. There was a blood drive as well which is always a good thing. I'm not sure how many people participated, but did find this was a great idea.
I didn't participate in any of the Friday activities, from what I hear that too would be a waste of money. Michael Trevino and Rob Pralgo did attend the event as obligated and mingled with fans, so that was a positive.
Saturday is where things become a bust and almost made me want to flip tables. It started with the Photo Op sessions. There was NO line organization and I was told different things by several people. A volunteer directed me to a lady that clearly helped organize the event. She was rude, yelling and didn't take time to listen. She even asked me to describe the people who were giving me the wrong information. Is this a police line-up? She said, "we don't know if Michael will be here today, we've heard nothing from him." Um excuse me lady, come again?!! I asked if all of these people who flew in from all over the world would get a refund if he didn't show. She ignored the question and walked away. Next thing I know another lady says, "if you're here for Michael stand over here against the wall." AGAIN...get some damn Walkie Talkies people! After my very brief, man handled photo op I waited for 2 hours to pick up my pic at the table. Also EyeCon, charging $15 to receive a JPEG for a paid photo op is ridiculous and not even worth it in my opinion.
I didn't attend the banquet, so can't really comment on this event. However, from what I was told the food sucks and was very unorganized. Thank God for Cindy and her dinner suggestions!
The Masquerade Ball started at 10 pm. I couldn't have been more excited to attend this. The EyeCon people did pump this up on their site as a must go to event. So I just knew that my hard earned money will be well worth it. I entered the small, hot, and crowded Candler room. You would think with that many people they would have the ball in a bigger room. I felt like cattle and overwhelmed. The actor's came to the ball not to mingle, but was held up in a small blocked off room where attendees could chat briefly with them. The line was long, there was confusion as to who could be in the line. Was it for Platinum Passes or General Admission or both? The staff once AGAIN man handled patrons and were very rude when asked questions. The ball was worse than my Senior Prom in high school and that's saying a lot.
I could make this longer, but think this brief review sums it up for me. Vampire Diaries Online and Vampire-Diaries.net have posted reviews from a Vendor and Platinum Pass perspective. Please head over there and read.
One last note, I think it's always best to watch what you say in public. This goes out to Kenny who apparently didn't realize an attendee was on the elevator. He was asked, "how the convention was going?" His response, "the same ol' same ol', just like any other convention." REALLY KENNY?! Well this wasn't just any other convention, this wasn't a same as usual for me, this WAS MY FIRST CONVENTION! It was an opportunity to wow and impress me so that next year I maybe will upgrade or just come back period. You guys did none of the above. The only thing I don't regret and are very pleased with is meeting with fans and friends. The adventures to keep us sane kept me going. So a HUGE shout out to the extra terrestrials on Planet Virgil.
*Special thanks to Brittany for the title*
If you attended EyeCon, let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
I feel like you didn't need a pass this weekend. My friends and I had general weekend passes that we paid $85 dollars for and the only separate add on we got was the banquet for $95.
ReplyDeleteThe only things that made it for me this weekend were the panels. The banquet was horrendous. So horrendous I'm barely even that mad because it is just so laughable. My friend and I randomly chatted with a girl in the lobby that told us the masquerade was just as bad.
If I could do it all over again I'd only pay for the weekend pass (which no one even checked for the panels, so essentially I could have walked in from the street). There's a difference when I say this: I enjoyed the panels, even the pageant and being around all the fans--but the convention was run by really irresponsible people.
For example- I noticed that one of the 3 weekend passes I purchased with my friends did not come with a sticker on the back that indicated a Saturday banquet that I paid for. When I went to a volunteer to ask about that, she looked so scared that she immediately said she was just a volunteer and pointed me to the ticket table ladies. I went up to the ladies at the ticket table, and was met with curt response saying that I needed proof of my purchase for all 3 banquet tickets instead of the 2 that they gave me. Luckily I am responsible and I printed a copy of my email and went up to my room to show them. Excuse me, but why didn't they have a list of guests that purchased the banquet tickets? What if I DIDN'T have a print out handy? And what about those badge numbers they told us that we were assigned so we could be lined up in number order?
Utterly poor organization, and absolutely no courtesy. I am a very calm, professional and rational person, and to be met with the attitude I was given I was very disappointed. I'd like my $95 dollars back...x3.