Hallowhedon feedback thread

[TRUKid]

As with other conventions, I feel we need a thread where we can all air of views of the weekend and and good (and also bad) points of the weekend

 

Will edit this and add more later but quickly:

 

GOOD - Crew were exceptional, guests were fantastic!

 

BAD - Boots @ Windsor, enough said!!! Lol

[eternallyme]

Good points - Crew, guests and fellow fans were all fab! Such a friendly bunch and there were some amazing costumes over the weekend.

 

Bad points - Hotel didn't seemed geared up for the event in terms of what the guests would need (service wasn't as 'smooth' as I would expect)

- The event needed a little extra something for the attendees to do during the day (like maybe screenings of buffy episodes, quizes/ activities of some sort to participate in, in between getting the autographs/ photos).

 

As a newbie to conventions though, I loved the whole experience and have already got me a gold ticket for next year (so the bad points weren't bad enough to put me off coming again!)

[happyguy151]

What a fantastic weekend! :) even better than the Hub 3 which was a fantastic event.

 

All the guests were great especially James and Nicholas! my only problem and a couple of other attendees I spoke to agreed was with Mercedes! she was the only one who barely said a word to me and others when we were getting autographs and there wasent even a busy line at the time it was just me!.

 

I smiled and said "hello how are you?" and all she said was "fine" without giving me any eye contact while answering me and just handed my pic back to me.

She also seemed a little bored during the group talk with all the cast members.

 

The party was brilliant and so many people had amazing costumes! also the music was a lot better than at the Hub 3.

[Buffy Lover]

Everything and everyone was great. :) I was really nervous being new to conventions, but everyone was so friendly. I made so many new friends and even just ended up talking to randomers in queue's and what not.

 

All the guests were so nice and funny, and I managed to make James Marsters laugh so that was awesome, ahaa. The only guest who wasn't very chatty with me was Mark. I tried talking to him and all I got was a 'Hi, thanks for coming' he spoke a lot to my best friend though. I think he had something against me. xD

 

Nick was the nicest, though. We left early so he came out to hug Helen and I goodbye. I squealed for quite a while after that.

 

The parties were good, I mean I left a little early but they were good. The talks, yeah. It was mostly during the waits they seemed to last a lifetime, I agree with the whole there should be stuff around to do thing..?

 

The guest encounters were amazing though. Especially the one with Nick, everyone was just bouncing off each other and the conversation just seemed so normal! Well, normal until I got accused of posting on the internet that the Nick gives to the homeless. If you weren't there, don't ask. The Mercedes one was awesome too, she's actually a lot nicer in that kind of situation than she seems when signing autographs, she did psychology tests on us and stuff. xD

 

In all it was a great weekend, and I can't really think of any faults other than the lack of things to do when waiting between different signings, etc.

[cookies41]

Everything and everyone was great. :) I was really nervous being new to conventions, but everyone was so friendly. I made so many new friends and even just ended up talking to randomers in queue's and what not.

 

All the guests were so nice and funny, and I managed to make James Marsters laugh so that was awesome, ahaa. The only guest who wasn't very chatty with me was Mark. I tried talking to him and all I got was a 'Hi, thanks for coming' he spoke a lot to my best friend though. I think he had something against me. xD

 

Nick was the nicest, though. We left early so he came out to hug Helen and I goodbye. I squealed for quite a while after that.

 

The parties were good, I mean I left a little early but they were good. The talks, yeah. It was mostly during the waits they seemed to last a lifetime, I agree with the whole there should be stuff around to do thing..?

 

The guest encounters were amazing though. Especially the one with Nick, everyone was just bouncing off each other and the conversation just seemed so normal! Well, normal until I got accused of posting on the internet that the Nick gives to the homeless. If you weren't there, don't ask. The Mercedes one was awesome too, she's actually a lot nicer in that kind of situation than she seems when signing autographs, she did psychology tests on us and stuff. xD

 

In all it was a great weekend, and I can't really think of any faults other than the lack of things to do when waiting between different signings, etc.

Hey, I remember you and your friend, I was the one in Nick's guest encounter who then was in the room a few doors down. Haha you were so happy when Nick gave you a hug when you were leaving haha. Don't let anyone hug you for a while lol I will offer my feedback when I've had more sleep lol

[rosie727]

good points the weekend was great

bad points really far to travel and hotel was out of the way i was so shattered when i got there i fell asleep

[Psychosis]

Good points: Everything except the Thistle

 

Bad points: The Thistle. I'm so glad I stayed at the Sheraton. Every contact I had with the Thistle's staff was negative. The food service was disorganised and chaotic, and the woman running it quite rude. Reception staff weren't at all helpful when asking about lost property - they told me to go and find a partiuclar person in the Aviation (?) suite. I had to run around like a mad woman asking everybody I met if they were that person. How was I supposed to know? I also experienced a woman in a wheelchair who was stuck in a stair lift that broke down. The staff just shrugged and said there was nothing they could do, so she had to climb out under the bar using her arms. That was DISGUSTING. But then again, I knew in advance that the Thistle is a total s*** hole so I knew well enough not to stay there.

[amandaa34]

Had a great time, crew were amazing, very helpful, friendly and went out of their way for you. And I didnt hear them shout once as I normally do at other events.

 

My little one was Heat blast from ben 10 for most of the weekend, he just wouldnt take the costume off, but all guests fans and crew were great with him so thanks guys, he really enjoyed himself.

 

Thistle is bad,

 

We took my little one to the resturant for some dinner all they had were jacket potatoes to which were dirty and rock hard, my little one who has just turned 3 spotted the chef with the manager and ran up to him and said scuse me, your potatoes are crap lol

 

when i went to pay the manager said he was a cheeky boy and told me that he said the potatoes were crap, i just looked at the manager and said well kids this age dont lie as they havent learnt how to lol he didnt look happy lol

[Daniel]

I had a fantastic time. I got all the autographs and so did everyone else I know there. The talks ran quite well to schedule and were enjoyable to watch. The parties were good (especially Saturday night! ).

 

I liked the Thistle too. The rooms were clean and comfortable and breakfasts were good. I love the balcony viewing area too.

 

Roll on Hallowhedon 2

[chimmykins]

I had a fantastic time as did my mum. This was our third ME weekend con and by far the most enjoyable, everyone was very friendly (attendees and crew), crew very helpful, got all my autos and photos. Very pleased.

 

We've already booked tickets for next year.

 

Only complaint is the Thistle itself, we had no hot water all weekend even after complaining about it first thing on the Friday and again that evening and Saturday too but obviously that isn't the fault of ME/SM - no problems at all with the con itself was amazing. Can't wait for next year.

Edited November 2, 2009 by chimmykins

[xxninaxx]

This was the first convention we have ever been to, i was blown away thought it was amazing. Very well organized, everyone was so friendly!

 

I thought the hotel was fine, chef got a bit livid when my friend used the wrong serving spoon at the breakfast but apart from that great, room was clean and comfy and we managed not to trash it with all the fake blood we had on!

 

Think my highlight was a lovely lady teaching me and Sarah the correct dance moves to the Dr Who song, so thank you for that!

 

Laughed so hard dressed as a zombie dancing to Star Treking too, think thats going on my spotify list now!

 

All in all just fab, seriously have made a life time of memories and some new friends too...so when can we get tickets for Hallowhedon 2 then?

[killerinc1234]

good points - everything, this was my first convention and was everything i had hoped it be.

 

i found the thistle to be really nice - clean rooms and the staff that i talked to were very helpful and friendly.

 

bad points - at home now with the cold!!!!

[fran cullen]

I think I said this to Jason when I was really drunk on the saturday night, but Sm have never let me down- EVER.

 

This was definatley my favourite con I've been to, the guests were amazing and it was so well organised. I can't think of any bad bits! There weren't any, I just loved every part of it. I'm definatley buying a Hallowhedon 2 ticket- I will have no money soon- I have 5 cons booked for next year already! Yikes.

 

Thanks SM- you are brilliant!

 

:)

 

And yaaaaaaaaaay- I met Nicholas Brendon- never did I think in all the years of watching Buffy would I have met Nick! I'm very happy :)

[kitty_poker]

Good points: the crew was fantastic. Helpful, friendly, excellent at transmitting information at every stage.

 

The guests were great fun, especially James Marsters who powered through the pain with an awesome determination that none of the attendees should miss out on anything because he'd been injured. Nicky and Mark standing with him at the final Q&A because he couldn't sit down is an especially fond memory.

 

Mercedes didn't seem engaged with the process which was a little disappointing.

 

Bad points: The Thistle. My friend and I were given a double room, which wasn't a disaster but we'd asked for a twin. We requested a change but were given double talk by the receptionist about why that was impossible so we sighed and got on with it. Our shower turned out to be broken so we asked again for a room change on Saturday morning and, hey presto!, were moved into a much nicer twin.

 

Catering was dodgy. I waited well over an hour for a ham and tomato sandwich. Not too tricky to knock one up, you'd think. Several friends and I dined in the restaurant Saturday night and had a lovely meal so tried to do the same on Sunday night but the restaurant manager clearly didn't want con people on his turf.

 

The McDonalds up the road is very good, and the service was friendly and wonderfully efficient.

Edited November 2, 2009 by kitty_poker

[Becks]

This was our first con and Mum and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves - it was a fantastic weekend.

 

The guests were fabulous and very friendly, although like others have said we found that Mercedes wasn't very engaging. Still very nice to meet her though.

 

The SM crew were super helpful and made the experience a pleasure.

 

The main fault we found with the weekend was that there wasn't much to do in between the signings, talks, etc. Perhaps some quizzes or other little things would have been nice, or even just more tables and chairs to sit down and chat with the other attendees while we were waiting.

 

All in all though we had a brill weekend and we're all booked up for next year. Roll on October 2010!

[Hils]

I can honestly say that in terms of organisation it's the best con I have ever done. The only niggles I had were the rush to get my James Leary autograph on Sunday (and I appreciate that was not the fault of the organisers so I'm not making a big deal of it) and an issue I had with the hotel restaurant which I will be taking up with them directly

 

Other than that BRAVO! This was my first Massive Events con and I will definitely be back for more

[Lestat]

First a special mention to James for being fantastic during the whole convention.

 

All the guests were excellent friendly and talkative, the convention was really well organised by SM & ME and I was pleased with the location so easy to get to.

 

Looking forward to Hallowhedon 2

[Charmer]

I thought the whole weekend was totally brilliant! It was my first SM/ME event of this type and didn't let me know. All the guests were great and I even managed to win something in the auction, which I hadn't been expecting to!

I've read a couple of things said about Mercedies, and I have to say I used to think didn't like to chat much but then went to her Guest Encounter on Saturday and she seemed a bit more at ease there. I don't know if anyone here can back me up, it was the 3pm one on the Saturday. She said she finds things like this quite scary in general so thats probably why she wasn't too chatty on stage, but she was happy answering any of my questions with less people around and I think I feel differently about her now.

 

Also, it was great to meet some new faces off of here and make a few friends for future events (hi to anyone Aflamd and I chatted to).

 

As for the Thistle, I think if you go expecting it to be amazing it wont be as it's not the best hotel in the world. I don't have any problems with it either, you just have to live with what you get. We just get food up to our room from across the road or go to the pub. Nothing says you have to eat there, but I do find the breakfasts pretty good!

[paul]

I thought the whole weekend was totally brilliant! It was my first SM/ME event of this type and didn't let me know. All the guests were great and I even managed to win something in the auction, which I hadn't been expecting to!

I've read a couple of things said about Mercedies, and I have to say I used to think didn't like to chat much but then went to her Guest Encounter on Saturday and she seemed a bit more at ease there. I don't know if anyone here can back me up, it was the 3pm one on the Saturday. She said she finds things like this quite scary in general so thats probably why she wasn't too chatty on stage, but she was happy answering any of my questions with less people around and I think I feel differently about her now.

 

Also, it was great to meet some new faces off of here and make a few friends for future events (hi to anyone Aflamd and I chatted to).

 

As for the Thistle, I think if you go expecting it to be amazing it wont be as it's not the best hotel in the world. I don't have any problems with it either, you just have to live with what you get. We just get food up to our room from across the road or go to the pub. Nothing says you have to eat there, but I do find the breakfasts pretty good!

 

Agreed about the Thistle, I wasnt expecting anything special and in return I got nothing special. So, no surprises there! With Mercedes... yeah, I can see why she would be quieter than the others. Theres some pretty big personalities there. Even James M's ego was reigned in by the dominance of Mark and Nick in the group talk! I dont think I remember Shakespeare being mentioned once!?

 

Overall though, a really really good convention! I had a blast!

[paul]

While im here, I would like to thank the organisers and the stewards for being really cool! I cant think of anyone off the top of my head who had a major power trip this weekend! Which is always good to see! Everyone was helpful and friendly! Top stewarding folks!

 

Mostly, id like thank the con newbies! Their presence bought an energy to the event that cant be faked. It made us 'old-timers' (by that i mean people who have been there and done that) feel re-energised and excited ourselves! The energy and enthusiasm of the newbie has made this con and has got us another Joss con next year and long may they continue!

[TomV]

Had an amazing weekend... and have already got a ticket for next year...

 

I dont think there were many bad points per se... though £8.50 for a double jack and coke was ridiculous, I pay £3.50 at the SU bar! I thought the event was very well organised!! Really enjoyed it.

 

As for improvements I think their could be a few (not that I didnt love it this time):

 

A big Whedon pub quiz would be pretty damn good... split into teams of 6 and winners get a prize.

 

Possibly a Once more with feeling or Dr Horrible sing-a-long or viewing

 

& just some music generally playing around the convention area quietly in the background.

 

Also maybe a larger dealers room (if space permits) ... first convention so didnt know if it was a large one or not!

 

Thanks Massive Events/Showmasters

[ninie]

I ve done lots of conventions and this one was great. The friday and saturday parties were brilliant and kuddos for the one who had the idea of bringing extra entertainement (the karaoke, the casino stuff and my personnal favorite the bucking pumkin)

The guests were adorable and so friendly. i still cant believe James Marsters made the effort of coming when he was in so much pain.

The guest encouters are a fantastic idea.

 

That said there s a few bad point:

there were only 5 guests and as great as they were it s still not a lot for a con that sold out gold and silver tickets months in advance.

 

The talks:

I had a silver ticket and if i remember right one of the special things you get is reserved seats behind the golds, well there was none you still had to come earlier to get your place.

I didnt get why the camera was in the middle when it s totally possible to have it on the side and it s kinda in the way.

Also having all questions asked by the same person because they were the one that people submitted online i find it a bit harsh as only people that go on the forum knows about it and can enjoy it. I mean it s a great idea to have some question prepared (i ve seen many talks when it s awkward because nobody ask questions) but it may be nicer to let the attendees ask some questions on the day too.

 

the closing ceremony.

it finished earlier than it was suposed to i totally understand when an event runs late coz you cant always control everything.i find it impressive when it runs on time but finishing earlier i really thinks it s bad.i know some people that missed the closing coz they were late.

The guests never actually said good bye on stage, that s the first time i see that at a convention and i have been to cons from different organisations in England and in France.it just feels like something was missing.

 

The sunday party

after such effort for the 2 first parties, i hoped for a bit more. i know lots of attendees go home after the closing but lots of others stay until the monday.apart from the dancing area there were nothing, and when we came at 8.30pm nearly nobody was there and keep seeing people that just went back to their hotel rooms coz nothing was happening. I went back several times to see if i just went too early there but no.maybe just put a little extra would have made them stay.i know it would have make me stay.

[Too Tall]

The talks:

I had a silver ticket and if i remember right one of the special things you get is reserved seats behind the golds, well there was none you still had to come earlier to get your place.

I'm sorry that you misread this but it's the same at all of our event and as you'll see on the >>HalloWhedon website<<, only the GOLD ticket holders get a "reserved" seating area.

Reserved priority seating for the guest talks

As per the website Silver get.....

Priority seating behind the Gold programme holders for the guest talks

It is not reserved seating, but you do get let in first and their for priority over standard ticket holders for seats.

[Buffy Lover]

When does the website and online store for Hallowhedon 2 go online..? Only I want to get tickets ASAP. ;D

[Too Tall]

The talks:Also having all questions asked by the same person because they were the one that people submitted online i find it a bit harsh as only people that go on the forum knows about it and can enjoy it. I mean it s a great idea to have some question prepared (i ve seen many talks when it s awkward because nobody ask questions) but it may be nicer to let the attendees ask some questions on the day too.

There is a question box on the reg desk where you can submit questions at the event as well. This is written in the "How things work" sheet in your reg pack. so it's not just for those online, anyone can submit a question.