Mickey's Circus questions (some which may be silly)

Hola ya'll!
So, sorta newbie as far as big pin events go, and so myself (okay, and hubby and sissy-in-law, both of whom have never attended any events and are asking me a bizillion questions) . . well, we have some questions, some of which may be silly.

1. Is it a committed all day event? As in, you're there from open to close of the event (930-6p), or is it personal choice to come and go?
2. Benefits/downsides to question 1.
3. Is there an itinerary of events?
4. Just how overwhelming is this potentially going to be? :anxious:
5. How expensive/deadly is the total event to your wallet (on average, if you're willing to disclose, or you can PM me)? RSP, lodging, pick ups at the event, etc.
6. Favorite thing to do at the events, specifically please! I know it's pintrading hehehe

Thanks ya'll! Can't wait to see some old friends, and make new ones! :hsd: We'll all have our awesome buttons that Tanya made on, so please don't be afraid to say hi! I promise we don't bite. . .(usually)

I'll let some of the seasoned traders answer in detail but i assume you already registered and it required payment on the site for just your entrance. Pin trading is fri and sat inEpcot at the pavillion between Canada and England. You also have to pay entrance into Epcot. I know for sure you can come and go during the event hours. sunday is the vinyls and it is a seperate reg fee. The RSP which are the pins being offered for the event are a seperate price and your CC is charged on Aug 23rd. Again I assume you have done these things? Ok somebody else take it from here--i could learn more myself, although a shout out to Lucan444 who PM'd me a whole detailed scoop! thanks again

Dawny you were right on, yes you can come and go as you please during the event but you must show your event ID to get back in any time you leave and come back
most People go out for lunch then come back to finish the day

CMR626 said:

1. Is it a committed all day event? As in, you're there from open to close of the event (930-6p), or is it personal choice to come and go?

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As others have mentioned, you are free to come and go. Most people leave to go grab food at some point. At checkin, you will receive a badge on a lanyard that you wear. People at the door will look for that.

2. Benefits/downsides to question 1.

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Depending on how long you leave, you will miss trips through the board lines. If that's your thing. The event usually divides people into 2 groups. The people that do the lines, and the people that do the back room. The people in the lines tend to be more casual traders while the people in the back are more hard core. The lines can take 30min-an hour to wait to trade for 2 pins. The hardcore people don't think it's worth it for what is on the boards. My group would always do the boards, and trade with people in line. The boards themselves are hit or miss. If you get a good refresh, then there will be AP pins to find, but they will be park releases, not super low LE releases. And also there is a group of pins that are "board only" but they don't become valuable. Some people will do the boards a few times, first thing in the morning and once right after lunch, and then head to the back. So they get some board pins but still be able to do hard core trading.

3. Is there an itinerary of events?

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Yes, that is usually included with registration info. I think in the past they have had it on the back of your event credentials, but I may be confusing that with NFFC/DFC conventions.

4. Just how overwhelming is this potentially going to be? :anxious:

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Initially, a lot, but you get into a flow. And here's a hint for people who want to do the lines. Look for the ones with the people in scooters and large bags. They take up more "space" so even though the line looks the same length as a line that is just people standing, there are fewer actual people, so the line moves faster. People taking up a lot of space is a good thing. Another hint, choose the plain ol' pin boards over the spinners (if they have them). They have cut these out for the most part, but sometimes one or two show up. Sometimes, it's a book, sometimes a coffin. They aren't weighted so when you spin, most people always end up on the same thing. Which means after about the 5th person all that will be in there are the stuff people dump, ie scrappers.

5. How expensive/deadly is the total event to your wallet (on average, if you're willing to disclose, or you can PM me)? RSP, lodging, pick ups at the event, etc.

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The RSP is the expensive part. Although, sometimes when you see the pins in person you want to add stuff if they are available. The regular park pins haven't been as plentiful as years past. The rest is traditional vacation expenses. So as much or as little as you want to spend. The event gives you $30 in gift cards which pays for lunch for both days, so that's covered too.

6. Favorite thing to do at the events, specifically please! I know it's pintrading hehehe

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It's been awhile since I've been able to attend so I don't know how much of these they still do. Sometimes Scoop and other Streetmosphere people are walking around with lanyards. Sometimes, the booths have give-aways. Sometimes pins sometimes other things

Sometimes they play games and reveal upcoming pins and plans for future items.

Awesome! Thanks ya'll for responding
We have already registered for the event and also the dessert, plus completed the RSP's. We pretty much were awarded everything we asked for, so our wallets are dying! I completely forgot about the gift cards so thank you for including that info.
Thanks for all the tips Hope, they really help to sort some things out and also to help plan/know what to expect.

Thanks again ya'll - hope to see you there!

Any other helpful hints??

wear comfy shoes and clothes it gets warm in the room with all the people. lines are at a stand still at times so people sit on the floor, do not let it overwhelm you make friends with people in the lines this will be our third event and we have made some good friends over the years going to the events. JUST LET THE MAGIC take you. This year we are brining both of our teenagers so not sure if I am looking forward to that part. :anxious:

Make sure to bring snacks! Last year I was having so much fun, I didn't want to leave the event center to grab lunch

Talk to other traders in line, even if they look strange. Ha Ha!!! Realy we have met so many wonderful people over the years. And don't be afraid to come in the back room with the trading tables, 90% of the traders are kind, wondrful people.
Most important if you get any AP or PP Ariel pins look me up in the traders area. Welcome and relax and have fun.

We bring in sodas and candy bars every time and no one cares.

bretu said:

We bring in sodas and candy bars every time and no one cares.

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I might just bring all of Chick-Fil-A!

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Cassie, you will have a lot of fun. It is so different from a typical PTN. The people at this event are from all around the US and the world. Trading in the board line is so much fun. I don't typically eat during the event, because I don't want to get out of the lines. You can take turns to have bathroom breaks and grab a quick bite to eat. This year I got the boxed lunch, so I will see how it goes.

The theming is also very neat. I'm excited to see what they do this year witht the Circus theme. There is a lot going on and usually the MC talks on and on through out the event telling you what activity is happening at what time. They have contests, guest speakers, artist signings and talks, representatives from other Disney parks doing their own giveaways, etc... They also have a big screen that you can see from the lines that has a video running and sometimes presentations like what hm's to expect next year...

I went alone to last years event and had no problem navigating or figuring out what was going on. It is very organized once you are inside! Hopefully they will get the entry right this year!!! LOL