FanimeCon 2024 Forums

FanimeCon Events and Discussionmentarianism => Registration => Topic started by: Kyra_Maverick on May 26, 2016, 03:32:49 PM

Title: Reg Line
Post by: Kyra_Maverick on May 26, 2016, 03:32:49 PM
What the heck happened to the super smooth reg system? Awkward snaking lines from the Marriott onto the con floor.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: svatoid on May 26, 2016, 03:39:00 PM
I got there at about 1:15pm and was out wth my badge by about 2pm. The line was moving smoothly when I was there
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: raltga on May 26, 2016, 03:46:25 PM
Fanime Con: if it ain't broke, let's fix that.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Kyra_Maverick on May 26, 2016, 05:11:07 PM
1.5 hours for badges. I'm sure part of the slow down was having to break up the line to make room for hallways and walkways, but I'm currious if something happened. I don't feel it was Line Con bad for me, but walking into any line at all vs the last 2 years having none at all was disappointing.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: citrus on May 27, 2016, 12:40:17 AM
They better have an explanation for all this. And it almost dosen't help I ALMOST got screwed over by fairmount. I may or may not be screwed I'll have to check in the fairmount and see what happened with my hotel situation...
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Dorimon on May 27, 2016, 12:50:45 AM
From what I heard is that they have new sponsors... I agree that last year was the best badge pick up ever.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Honkey on May 27, 2016, 12:54:21 AM
It took practically no time at all to grab a badge on Thursday last year.

Now, snaking through the Mariott, took near exactly 3 hours.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Kyra_Maverick on May 27, 2016, 07:17:42 AM
Quote from: Dorimon on May 27, 2016, 12:50:45 AM
From what I heard is that they have new sponsors... I agree that last year was the best badge pick up ever.
They changed reg systems, but Fanime has never really had sponsors before. They're very proud of their "by fans for fans" motto.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: InsaneDavid on May 27, 2016, 08:22:58 AM
Edited by me, I just need to drop this.  Everyone knows there were reg problems and they need to be fixed.  I do apologize.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Kyra_Maverick on May 27, 2016, 09:53:37 AM
My husband has a misprint on his badge too. The fan name I originally emailed about. Sigh. But the line to get that sort of thing fixed was absolutely not moving at all yesterday, so we decided not to do anything about it.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: keicar on May 27, 2016, 01:07:51 PM
Wow. I normally attend on the last day each time and I putted around the con in my car around 12:30 right now...is that the reg line that's wrapping around the corner of Market/Monterrey and San Carlos?? :o

P.S. Hi from the tiny white car with green wheels
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Ko-tan on May 27, 2016, 04:16:23 PM
Wow pre reg line is ridiculous. The last 2 or 3 years I was able to just walk in. Plus reg didn't open until 3 on Thursday ? I thought I would be able to go to pick up during lunch at work, But since the line was unbelievable I guess it doesn't make a difference . I wasn't prepared for a mini line con again I should I brought snacks and blanket. Also , what is with the new last minute barcodes? Hopefully the con is awesome this year to make up for it /rant
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: InsaneDavid on May 28, 2016, 05:30:23 PM
Edited by me, I just need to drop this.  Everyone knows there were reg problems and they need to be fixed.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: hikanteki on May 29, 2016, 12:55:39 AM
Quote from: InsaneDavid on May 28, 2016, 05:30:23 PM
Quote from: InsaneDavid on May 27, 2016, 08:22:58 AM
This is all because of Experient pissing in the bath water - https://www.facebook.com/groups/154162557952493/permalink/1043748338993906/

Ha ha, post removed.  Maybe Experient doesn't like the direct bad PR?  The staff member who made that explanation post should be commended, not hidden away.

I couldn't get the post to come up...If it got removed, that explains it. What did it say?
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: InsaneDavid on May 29, 2016, 06:56:16 AM
Edited by me, I just need to drop this.  Everyone knows there were reg problems and they need to be fixed.

The Facebook post that was removed explained the technical difficulties of the new registration system (change of companies, network problems), included tips on how attendees could help expedite registration (having the new barcode ready and photo ID out), and expressed appreciation for attendees who were understanding toward registration staff (who are awesome) despite their wait.

I apologize again for going off the deep end earlier.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: TC X0 Lt 0X on May 31, 2016, 02:44:07 AM
Meh, it wasnt all that bad, it was a welcome return for me at least.

I think people are just being spoiled because of the super fast reg of the last 2 years =P

One of my roommates did get a his badge misprinted for some reason. Not sure if the operator made a mistake or the system was having errors but he ended up getting it fixed  before leaving.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Kyra_Maverick on May 31, 2016, 10:52:09 AM
It wasn't the worst line I've ever stood in, but no one knew where to go or honestly why there was a line at all. It was a huge unpleasant shock, to say the least and it soured my mood for about an hour. I can handle a line when I know it's coming, it was the unexpectedness of it that really threw me.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Leutheria on May 31, 2016, 02:43:50 PM
Not as bad as standing in line for 10-11 hours like 3 and 4 years ago, but still a frustrating 2hr wait when at the same time last year I was in and out in under 5 mins.

Idk what exactly slowed things down but I definitely agree that the placement was terrible and the line looked like a disorganized mess.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Firefury Amahira on June 01, 2016, 12:30:08 AM
I'm particularly interested in hearing what the heck prompted Fanime to change companies on such short notice before the con, personally. The folks in charge are not stupid. I doubt such a drastic change in a core part of the logistics so close to con was done on a lark, meaning there must have been some rather dire emergency making it necessary. Had Fanime staff been prepared for a regline backup that massive, they probably wouldn't have moved registration into the Marriott- it seems they were prepared for and expecting the line to move as briskly as it has the past two years, rather than Revenge of Linecon.

Whether or not we actually get any details or explanation remains a mystery, of course.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Nina Star 9 on June 01, 2016, 09:30:30 AM
Linecon was bad, but I think we all know that by now, and I'm sure staff knows that.

I'm also curious about what exactly caused the line. I've heard a few things (understaffing, reg system switch, systems issues), so it's possibly a combination of factors. I agree that the new reg location was clearly chosen with the expectation of everything going smoothly, but clearly, that did not happen. (Also really want to know about the reg system switch, and why that happened -- there's clearly a reason for it, but what is that reason? Are we going to hear anything about this? Did the system switch cause any of the backup? See also: my thread about my fan name being dropped between the new systems, which is a legitimate safety concern for me.)

The line itself seemed pretty disorganized, especially in the outside areas and when going between the convention center and Mariott. I realize that lack of staff to keep the line in order is an issue, and that the line probably wasn't anticipated, but would it be possible to have a line plan in place, just in case reg doesn't go smoothly? Plan out where a line would go, and then if one starts to form, clearly mark the areas so that walkways can be kept clear, the line doesn't intersect with itself, looping back on itself oddly, etc. I didn't stand in the line when it was mostly indoors on the lower level of the convention center on Saturday, but it seemed a little more organized at that point.

It only took me about an hour and a half to get my badge Friday morning (got there around 8:30, got my badge around 10), but I had friends who went on Saturday and said that the line was estimated at 4 hours (they almost left because of the length, but ended up going to CA to get their badges). The line wasn't Linecon 2013 levels of bad, at least? And hey, it gave me time to grade some papers. ;]
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Kuudere on June 01, 2016, 03:28:27 PM
I would be surprised if we hear about what prompted the switch. I'm sure it's going to stay internal information, probably for the sake of professionalism.

I was there early Thursday, and it was pretty apparent that they did not plan for an extended line. They had some zig-zagged caution tape that only extended around the corner from the main registration room, and that was completely empty around noon when I went. I think that was their "worst case" anticipated line, because there was no tape on the carpet or any of that in the beginning. I was part of the early "test group" that went before registration officially opened (unknowingly dodged a huuuge bullet there, since I waited only 30 minutes max), and everything was very smooth for that test group as far as I could tell. Then the floodgates opened at 3 PM and they never seemed to recover.

I feel for the registration staff. I doubt they had anything to do with whatever caused the lines. I'm betting that the last-minute switch to Experient caused many more hiccups in the system than expected.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Piccahoe on June 01, 2016, 10:36:01 PM
I came on Thursday and I waited it a bit but not too long. Last year, we hardly waited in line. Oh well~ linecon, best con.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Konekogami on June 03, 2016, 12:55:16 PM
Okay.. so compared to the last two years, the line was really bad.  However compared to other linecons that I've been too (Fanime or otherwise) .. it actually wasn't too bad? Like, I got there around 10:00 AM-11:00 ish or so.. and I can't recall how long I was in line, all I know is that the line was moving enough that I really didn't have time to "idle".  Like other times, I can spend a good twenty minutes sitting on the ground/floor playing on my 3DS or phone and the line wouldn't move at all.   This time, the "standing still parts" only felt like a couple minutes long, and once I got inside it went super fast.

So yeah.. I mean, I am kinda salty about line-con rearing it's ugly head,  Buut hey, things go wrong sometimes, right?  Not like the staff was sitting in their plush arm chairs, twirling their mustaches and laughing at our suffering. 

Here's to hoping the kinks get ironed out and in 2017 we're back to the "lines" or lack of, that we had in 2014-2015
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: YaoiCat on June 03, 2016, 02:23:49 PM
I got in line around 10am on Friday morning and it took me just over an hour to get my badge.  Definitely not my longest wait for a fanime badge, not by far!  It was a little annoying though, considering the past 2 years there was little to no line at all :/

Also, a friend who picked up his badge on Thursday got in line around 6:30pm and said that it took him 4 hours to get his badge!  So I'm very glad I didn't pick up my badge on Thursday...
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: novaks47 on June 03, 2016, 09:47:50 PM
I got in line at around 11:00am on Friday, if memory serves. It started on the sidewalk, nearly parallel to the center of the convention center. It took a little over an hour to get my badge. That wasn't too terrible, given just how long that line was! There was only about five people doing the badges when I got to the front, so that didn't help. It also seemed as if people were having difficulties. Not sure what, but it seemed like at least two of the badge givers were being held up for whatever reason. I can't really complain, as I missed out on the good years. Before that, the wait used to be 2+ hours, minimum. I think if they had just a few more people tending the printers, it would've drastically reduced the wait time.
Title: Re: Reg Line
Post by: Sunara Ishi on June 03, 2016, 11:27:12 PM
From what I heard (staff can correct me) was that it wasn't fanime that changed companies. That it was CMR that dropped out a few weeks before con; leaving fanime to fend for itself.

That and one of the staff jinxed themselves by setting up a "fake" line.

And there was a pre-test on thurs. I personally suspect computers were turned off that weren't supposed to be turned off. >.>;

The dropping on fan names on badges was a little weird. I'm not sure what happened there. I had to get mine fixed.

My only peeve was that the shuttle didn't run earlier and made it hard for Doubletree & other hotel con-goers to line up earlier than 4pm. The staff at the Doubletree also had no clue (on thurs.) whether fanimecon attendees could pick their badge up there. I was told I had to go over to the convention center.