My MACNA 2019 Experiece...

[SnookNRedZ]

It all started when i never got my tickets emailed to me after buying them few weeks ago. I had to email them directly the other day to resend them to me. now thats no big deal. things happen when sending emails, sometimes they get blocked or just dont send...

Now fast forward to today. I got all my Hurricane prep done ahead of time so i could enjoy the the day at macna worry free , but how that changed. I reached the parking lot at about 11 eastern today where the rude Disney employee said "we full." " you gotta go here," as she handed me what was similar to MapQuest directions to WWC. i was now facing a 30 min drive back east where i just came from!! I then asked her about some vacant spots that were visible, and she said with a chuckle " those are for valet." she kept talking bad about me and laughing under her breath except she was audible enough for me to hear... any who being the bigger person, i just did a "U" turn and drove away. I do work on Disney property from time to time, so getting irate at some parking attendant wasnt worth my while to get banned and have it affect my work.

I then tell my girlfriend to hop in the drivers seat and do laps around the valet loop while i look for someone to talk to at MACNA. Being local to CFL, ive never stayed at any of their onsite hotels. i never needed to and i never could afford to. Disney is expensive as heck anymore!!! Any who, i finally walk through the swan hotel to the dolphin hotel ( there two separate buildings, didnt know this lol despite the name swan AND dolphin.) finally got upstairs to the registration booths where i was told that they dont necessarily refund tickets, i was irate at this point, and he could tell...

Told him the events that unfolded and he politely instructed me to now go drive to Disney Springs. Ive been there many of times for concerts etc., it is closer and free but the thought of having to leave my vehicle somewhere i couldnt get to, didnt sit well with me. Call it what you want, but i dont like NOT being in control especially when it comes to me being able to come and go somewhere at my own will. being at the mercy of a bus shuttle never sits well with me either (or being at the mercy of someone else promptness or lack there of usually... ). Especially when MACNA is on a time schedule as is the babysitter at home, whom i told we be back by a certain time, and that was now in question immediately since i couldnt leave when i wanted to. i would have to get bussed somewhere else, in orlando traffic none the less, during hurricane preparations too. the roads are madness! I even messaged WWC yesterday on here asking their schedule of their limo bus asking if it was only one trip there and one trip back. I was told that they were making multiple trips, but they were stopping at the farm. This doesnt interest me, as ive been there many times, and needed to get right back to my car if needed. So i opted out of that and was just going to park on site... lol

I just feel like there was a giant drop of the ball here. If shuttling was the only way to get on site, i would have planned around that, but from my point of view, paying 10 bux to park wasnt that bad... but when only a 35 dollar valet was left i couldnt... so now i was left to take a disney shuttle, or WWC's bus... Like the project manager for this event should have seen that only X amount of parking is available, and for those whom arent staying for an all inclusive vacation on site, aka locals, where did they think we should park? I wouldnt have brought my Yeti filled with food and drinks and meds in my car if i wasnt able to get to them anyways. I would have left at the appropriate times, and brought the things i needed to endure a shuttle ride to and from. At Reef A Palooza, ive been doing that for years! i get there, find a spot to park, go in and come and go as i please so i dont have to carry all the things i bought...

idk im just a bit irate that i took the time and gas to drive there only to see the registration booth. First MACNA experience was disappointing to say the least. I emailed them about a refund, and hope they will give it to me. I know theres a bunch of Hurricane related mishaps, but this has nothing to do with that, they simply ran out of parking, and my alternatives werent very optimal given my situations. Not trying to bash macna or masna or disney for that matter. (no matter the grudge i hold against their employees/ the way they treat them... i have a buddy who works construction union for them, and man oh man the things i know...) I just thought i would share the last 6 hours of my day. Now back to Hurricane Prep!!!

 

[AJQ69]

Sorry to hear all the troubles you went through, I'm glad in a way for not attending it as I figured, it was going to be messy
Hopefully, the event planner team take all the feedback that will be shared and come with a better action plan for future activities

 

[ceruleanspiral]

FTR, they are *not* Disney employees. Swan and Dolphin are not Disney property. The hotels are Marriott and the parking lot is run by a 3rd party. None of them are Disney cast members.

The parking situation with Macna was kind of a nightmare. There was a discount- but only if you got a validation ticket, but nobody told you that or where. Turns out it was at registration- which was on the 2nd floor. Some people got discounts applied, some people got refunds or free parking for missed validation- some of us had the rude employees sneer and say some variation of "that's not my problem".

 

[SandJ]

We ran into parking issues as well. We were staying at the Swan, but had to park at the Dolphin. Yes, they are connected. And yes, I could use a little...ok, a lot... of exercise. But it was a lot of walking and I am still recovering from ankle surgery. Plus the registration, show room floor and speaker rooms were a long way apart. We were there for 28 hours and I walked 8 miles, and did not leave the hotel.

But we did enjoy the conference and I know some of these things are out of the conference planners’ control. It is the luck of the draw which conference room they are assigned and it was a lot of walking for them also (one volunteer said he had walked 30,000 steps that day).

 

[SnookNRedZ]

FTR, they are *not* Disney employees. Swan and Dolphin are not Disney property. The hotels are Marriott and the parking lot is run by a 3rd party. None of them are Disney cast members.

The parking situation with Macna was kind of a nightmare. There was a discount- but only if you got a validation ticket, but nobody told you that or where. Turns out it was at registration- which was on the 2nd floor. Some people got discounts applied, some people got refunds or free parking for missed validation- some of us had the rude employees sneer and say some variation of "that's not my problem".

They actually are Disney Employees, and that hotel most definitely is on Disney property. My friend who I mentioned before has also drove a sub-contracted Mears shuttle bus for yeaaaaars (hence my pre conceived dislike with shuttles/Disney) they do sub out some 3rd party stuff, my company included, but I assure you the Purple Hair madussa lookin parking lady was wearing a Disney nametag which I couldn’t make out clearly as I was starring at her mouthing me off doing my u turn, trying not to say something profoundly insulting back, was Disney employee lol. But hey, I’m not really trying to get into any debate on here about that lol. I work in conjuncture with Disney at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex often for major sporting events too, and although they aren’t “cast members” per say, they are Disney employees. They have they’re own fire department out there, and their own building code enforcement called Reedy Creek (do a quick google search) they come out on my structures and inspect & enforce every code possible. Fire/building/structural. They’re legit they’re own little city among Orlando. It’s crazy. Like on a level that most folks aren’t even aware of...

To your point of being of the parking though. I did go up to registration and spoke with a nice gentlemen about it, and he never mentioned anything about that. To his point I never asked, but if the option existed I feel at that point I woulda/shoulda been offered something... idk. I’m sure it was a fantastic show for that someone who did attend the event In it’s entirety as I’ve heard it’s meant to be, but I can’t do that. Specially with this stupid Dorian hanging off the coast.

 

[SnookNRedZ]

We ran into parking issues as well. We were staying at the Swan, but had to park at the Dolphin. Yes, they are connected. And yes, I could use a little...ok, a lot... of exercise. But it was a lot of walking and I am still recovering from ankle surgery. Plus the registration, show room floor and speaker rooms were a long way apart. We were there for 28 hours and I walked 8 miles, and did not leave the hotel.

But we did enjoy the conference and I know some of these things are out of the conference planners’ control. It is the luck of the draw which conference room they are assigned and it was a lot of walking for them also (one volunteer said he had walked 30,000 steps that day).

Hope all goes well in your ankle recovery. That sucks... I’m glad you enjoyed the show though. And 30k is what I have at work on average.

I work for an event seating, staging, and flooring company. I’ve installed a bunch of high end events like PGA tour championships, Lollapalooza, NCAA. List goes on. So my view on “shows” is a little biased. I work a lot also at the OCCC (Orange County Convention Center) doing similar things to RAP and MACNA but for sports related venues. That place would be perfect for MACNA even the west Concorse which isn’t as large or apart of the main north and south... idk what the going rate to rent a space in there. But there’s pleeeenty parking on site, and the venue space is enormous. I’m sure it’s been brought up by big wigs for macna and maybe RAP alike to host it there. But I’m sure they charge a premium rate to rent out for the day. As I’ve never been to Macna but I’ve researched a bit about it.

They look to cater to someone who wants to spend their one weeks vacation on the event. so they offer them the show on site with hotel package. Like I get it. We have a warehouse I’m Vegas and I’ve never been. And I thought long and hard about going to that one... lol I see their point of the stick too I guess you could say. But man I wanted to go so bad and I didn’t want to go out of my way to park and wait for a bus. I’m sure I could have gone and enjoyed at least an hour or two, but at that point like why?? Lol id rush everything and miss 80%

 

[SnookNRedZ]

To add on the point I left off on in the previous reply... I haven’t written macna off completely or think anything bad about them. If I could base my vacation around the location of next years (well maybe 2021, sorry Arizona but I’m not interested in visiting) I think it would be an awesome time. Book the hotel for a day or two before the start of the show, go out on the town. See the sights of the local city. Then go enjoy this 4 day long reef show would be sick. I guess my approach of only going one day, and later on at that not my call... lol was wrong. That’s the RAP attack plan. Lol Shoulda maybe got there early as they opened, maybe earlier. I just couldn’t though. But maybe next time. Still hasn’t gotten a response to my email about possibly refunding tickets. Or the possibility of transferring them to a show in the future. Idk.

 

[ceruleanspiral]

I live in FL too and we have annual passes (this is year 5), we go to Disney a lot and stay on property a lot too. We have never stayed at S&D. S&D are not owned by Disney. Tishman Realty & Construction Corporation and MetLife own the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Marriott International, Inc. manages the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. They have a contract with Disney to provide a character meal and some bonuses- like transportation to/from the parks. But if you get a room at S&D you will not get free Magic Bands or the dining plan, you cannot use passholder or purchased magic bands to charge purchases to your room, and you cannot use Magical Express.

I'm writing up a whole long post about my MACNA experience. I can honestly say I will *never* stay at S&D due to the rude employees. I have never experienced attitude like that at any of the Disney Resorts or parks.

 

[SnookNRedZ]

Perhaps stressing and better informing the high importance of off site parking. Like printed on the ticket, in bold, something. Right in my face so I could see it. ( later seen the app had it under a sub category , but I only just downloaded this. Cuz why would I need an app for a show? I know what it is, the layout is online and at the venue, Lol. Idk. It had the address to the hotel on the paper copy ticket I printed from masna with other disclaimers. Simply stating for anyone not staying on site goto Disney’s springs where you’ll be escorted to the hotel/venue woulda saved a bunch of confusion. Perhaps offering a parking “bundle” coulda saved some spots in advance? Idk. I’m tired, it’s midnight, there’s a hurricane close, and I’ve had a few beers for this glorious holiday weekend! Lol

 

[TARHEEL78]

Am I reading this right? You blew your entire MACNA trip because you didn't want to take a shuttle and refused to pay $35 for valet service?

 

[SnookNRedZ]

I live in FL too and we have annual passes (this is year 5), we go to Disney a lot and stay on property a lot too. We have never stayed at S&D. S&D are not owned by Disney. Tishman Realty & Construction Corporation and MetLife own the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Marriott International, Inc. manages the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. They have a contract with Disney to provide a character meal and some bonuses- like transportation to/from the parks. But if you get a room at S&D you will not get free Magic Bands or the dining plan, you cannot use passholder or purchased magic bands to charge purchases to your room, and you cannot use Magical Express.

I'm writing up a whole long post about my MACNA experience. I can honestly say I will *never* stay at S&D due to the rude employees. I have never experienced attitude like that at any of the Disney Resorts or parks.

I take your word for it. You know then the nature of how they operate. I guess they like to lease more out than I was even aware of, that is neat tho. I’ve never been a huge disney buff. I was back in the early 90’s growing up, but idk I liked rollercoasters and wet & wild more. I could have sworn it was Disney, but hey, learn something new every day. Im interested to read your article as well.

 

[SnookNRedZ]

Am I reading this right? You blew your entire MACNA trip because you didn't want to take a shuttle and refused to pay $35 for valet service?

Basically. And by entire, it was just Saturday. Couldn’t afford time off work for the whole event, let alone helping family and friends with hurricane prep. Im also not letting anyone drive my car. Ever. You’d have to know me and who I am to get that character. And in my plans of how that day was gonna transpire, bus shuttles were not a part of that. Neither was the inevitable 45 min delay finding parking and waiting on said bus. Then Carrying a Yeti 65 loaded with ice/water/gf’s meds/beer/lunch wasn’t either.

At RAP I do this all the time, the event never had a shuttle, so I can enjoy the day. Come and go as I please, and not have to hold all the brochures, raffle tickets, prizes, frags, all in my hands lol. So yeah, I would like a refund. My babysitter ain’t cheap. lol

 

[Kyler]

Here’s my thoughts... I attended macna and had a fantastic time. We arrived early and had 0 issues with parking. We got to registration desk around 8:30.

We knew macna would be busy but it was also opening weekend for the Star Wars part of the theme park so expectations were to be jam packed. If you’re going to events like these you gotta plan ahead but also be willing to audible to make it work. If that means paying $25 more then expected for parking you sometimes just gotta bite the bullet. The shuttle to WWC was a bit confusing but it was free and eventually we got there and back- again just part of the experience.

Take it for what it’s worth but we had a great time!

 

[TARHEEL78]

Basically. And by entire, it was just Saturday. Couldn’t afford time off work for the whole event, let alone helping family and friends with hurricane prep. Im also not letting anyone drive my car. Ever. You’d have to know me and who I am to get that character. And in my plans of how that day was gonna transpire, bus shuttles were not a part of that. Neither was the inevitable 45 min delay finding parking and waiting on said bus. Then Carrying a Yeti 65 loaded with ice/water/gf’s meds/beer/lunch wasn’t either.

At RAP I do this all the time, the event never had a shuttle, so I can enjoy the day. Come and go as I please, and not have to hold all the brochures, raffle tickets, prizes, frags, all in my hands lol. So yeah, I would like a refund. My babysitter ain’t cheap. lol

You really think you should get a refund because you refuse to play by the same rules as everyone else?

 

[SnookNRedZ]

Here’s my thoughts... I attended macna and had a fantastic time. We arrived early and had 0 issues with parking. We got to registration desk around 8:30.

We knew macna would be busy but it was also opening weekend for the Star Wars part of the theme park so expectations were to be jam packed. If you’re going to events like these you gotta plan ahead but also be willing to audible to make it work. If that means paying $25 more then expected for parking you sometimes just gotta bite the bullet. The shuttle to WWC was a bit confusing but it was free and eventually we got there and back- again just part of the experience.

Take it for what it’s worth but we had a great time!

Didn’t even think of that Star Wars deal. Like I’ve mentioned a little before, I’m not a huge Disney fan. I like the movies, thats it. Going to the parks was fun when I was a child. But it’s just not the same as it was.

I get your point.. I do. Reef a palooza, I’m usually first 100 there. But for some reason I thought they would have sort of, set aside if you will, a portion of the hotel/park/etc for the entire event. But guess not. I also couldn’t drop the kids to their babysitter till later (hurricane panic, she needed to get to Walmart early for supplies...! Lol) so I kinda already knew I was going to be coming in to busy, but man. That busy? Like I know it’s Disney but like I said. My fallacy fantasy had them having pleeeeenty of on site parking, Disney usually does, but they didn’t. And paying cash for valet isn’t happening. Lol. Im cheap in certain arenas in life. That’s one of em.

If the WWC bus was an option like a while ago, stressing the point that parking is limited. I probably woulda gone. I almost did. But just wanted to be close to my car in case of anything. I plan for the worst, and my plan B’s have plan B’s. And at that time and circumstance, shuttling me in want one.

 

[SnookNRedZ]

You really think you should get a refund because you refuse to play by the same rules as everyone else?

Because they didn’t supply adequate notice to offsite parking with the necessity to be shuttled into an event that’s being held at one of the largest public places in the state.

Yeah.

& What rules exactly are you referring to bud? Cuz if these rules were more clearly defined,( hence the thesis of the thread) I would have gladly followed them and adjusted my plan accordingly. Instead I went to the address of the hotel that the venue was located at. How’s it my fault they don’t have enough parking? They offered a resolution, yeah. But to my disliking. Is that okay? I don’t have to say okay sure lemme take another 30-40 min to find a parking place be right back... I didn’t wanna take a bus back to the exact location I was at. That’s so counter intuitive, so yeah leaving and going back to hurricane prepping sounded little more sensible given my temper from the parking lady.

 

[TARHEEL78]

Because they didn’t supply adequate notice to offsite parking with the necessity to be shuttled into an event that’s being held at one of the largest public places in the state.

Yeah.

& What rules exactly are you referring to bud? Cuz if these rules were more clearly defined,( hence the thesis of the thread) I would have gladly followed them and adjusted my plan accordingly. Instead I went to the address of the hotel that the venue was located at. How’s it my fault they don’t have enough parking? They offered a resolution, yeah. But to my disliking. Is that okay? I don’t have to say okay sure lemme take another 30-40 min to find a parking place be right back... I didn’t wanna take a bus back to the exact location I was at. That’s so counter intuitive, so yeah leaving and going back to hurricane prepping sounded little more sensible given my temper from the parking lady.

Stop with that stuff. They gave you options, you refused them all. You do not deserve a refund.

 

[SnookNRedZ]

Last minute, like save their butt kids of options. Or try and pocket more money from me. No no. I also never actually went through registration though. So technically my ticket was never used. Paid for yes, yet never used,It’s like I just never showed... but I did show. Went to the booth and all. Spoke to a guy. He said try an offsite parking option. I said no can do, that wasn’t clearly defined in the ticket purchase. How is that snowflake? If it said in bold letters, you need to take a bus here!! Or parking limited! Something to that affect. I would have had 0 issues with that from the get go. But that wasn’t the case. I’m pretty sure you just have nothing better to do so you’re trolling this thread. I’m currently having another jack n coke watching the rain bands of Dorian come ashore. I legitimately don’t lol. Have a pleasant evening sir or madam. It’s hard to say with a name such as yours.

 

[TARHEEL78]

Last minute, like save their butt kids of options. Or try and pocket more money from me. No no. I also never actually went through registration though. So technically my ticket was never used. Paid for yes, yet never used,It’s like I just never showed... but I did show. Went to the booth and all. Spoke to a guy. He said try an offsite parking option. I said no can do, that wasn’t clearly defined in the ticket purchase. How is that snowflake? If it said in bold letters, you need to take a bus here!!. I would have had 0 issues with that from the get go. But that wasn’t the case. I’m pretty sure you just have nothing better to do so you’re trolling this thread. I’m currently having another jack n coke watching the rain bands of Dorian come ashore. I legitimately don’t lol. Have a pleasant evening sir or madam. It’s hard to say with a name such as yours.

I really don't have anything better to do or I wouldn't be in this thread right now but I'm not here to troll. I saw this post on Saturday and refrained from responding but you kept on so I decided to respond. I was planning to go to MACNA on Saturday too but I decided against it because I'm on the Florida coast and everyone is acting like idiots here. I'm not going to complain and ask for a refund because of my choices. Step back and realize you made the choice to refuse the parking options available to you, you don't deserve a refund because of your decisions. Next time you are going to attend something as large as MACNA don't show up at 11 and expect to get great parking.

 

[rc4kinu]

Hurricane or not, show was good. I could tell the attendance was less than previous shows I attended though. I agreed that the parking situation was confusing and very expensive. First the $ 10.00 lot had a "full" sign blocking the entrance on Friday and Saturday but there was obviously empty spots available. The only other option is a $ 35.00 valet per day so I reluctantly paid it with tips. Saturday I saw the sign again and drove around it and realized how much closer it was to enter the show! I had a weekend ticket so if i valet, my parking fees all three days would've cost more than my weekend MACNA pass or price of nice coral. I also though about parking at Disney Springs and Uber there but I had to walk a mile to get to the designated pick up area in 90 degree heat and humidity. That would've been a lot of walking and I consider myself fit, not to mention the distance from show floor to the speaker rooms. I was blowing up my walk app on my watch for sure those days. I didn't attend Sunday partly because I didn't think I wanted to pay for parking again for shortened program and the weather. Yeah Macna could learn that if they want to increase attendance, don't neglect and negotiate parking fees for the attendees. This hobby is pricey enough and I know there are wealthy people that can afford all the incidentals but it's a bit harder for the rest of us to swallow when all we want is buy some cool corals and maybe learn more about reefing. . Keep venues and speaker rooms near each other and better signs to direct people also.