Opinion on Coronado Springs

[Goose]

Howdy,

 

I'm voting in the site selection of the 2015 World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), and once of the three candidate cities is Orlando. That bid is planning to hold the convention at the Coronado Springs Resort at Disney World.

 

My biggest concern with this bid is the location. You see, I was at the Anime Expo in 2000 held at the Disneyland Hotel & Convention Center, and saw first hand just how well a major fannish convention worked with Disney. Events were stopped, dealers were ejected from the property for selling 'adult materials' (Which being pretty much anything rated 'R' or 'NR'), and parties were broken up. Calling the con a disaster that year would be a gross understatement. I'm worried that we're about to repeat that experience...

 

Talking with the ConChair, he says that they are aware of these problems, and that they're working well in advance with the resort to accommodate the convention. The biggest concern Disney has is keeping the convention, which will definitely have folks wondering around in costume, isolated from the rest of their environment. As long as we keep the Trekies at Coronado Springs, they're fine with letting us do pretty much what we want. With as big as Coronado is, it looks like this shouldn't be an issue.

 

The other bids are Spokane and Helsinki (Which really doesn't have a chance, but good for them!). Spokane seems to be doing the same-old-thing for the con. I like Orlando because the seem to be willing to try some new things, which I believe the Worldcon needs.

 

So, it seems like everyone's looking out for each other, but I've still got my doubts having it on the Disney property. But, not having much experience with the place, I refer to the experience of someone who might know the place better. Does this plan seem like a good idea, or would a vote for Orlando be a vote for disaster?

 

The bid has a website here: http://www.orlandoin2015.org/

 

Thanks for the advice,

Goose-

[SharkTums]

Don't know much about this convention but I think Orlando would be awesome for it and I would even try to attend.

 

I know that even comiccon kicks people out for certain costumes and outside of the convention area you'd have to abide by Disney rules but I really think it would be a great amount of fun for the SciFi fans.

 

Sure beats the hell out of Spokane!

[Meteornotes]

After reading over their proposal, I'd support it. Looks like Disney is aware of what the convention is about, and I don't think the convention would have the problems the Anime Expo had (it's also fifteen years later - a lot of this stuff is a LOT more mainstream now than it was in 2000).

 

I think Disney is the perfect location for this convention. It's all inside one facility, and there is a TON of stuff to do if you feel like taking a break from the con, just on Disney property alone. Honestly, the only thing I had an issue with while reading their proposal was their list of the "best" restaurants in the area(Mythos?!? Really?!? Maybe if you had a time machine).

 

I've never been to a Worldcon (I've attended mostly horror related conventions, usually assisting one of my writer friends), but if this was held at WDW, I'd try to attend. I think it would be a lot of fun.

 

dt