The wife and I went to opening day. We arrived at noon and left the gates at about 4:45. We are sitting in line waiting to leave the parking lot. At 5:17.
This blows.
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6:00 to leave the parking lot
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The parking situation/traffic has always been a slight issue....just something I've come to terms with at TRF.
This is why I park on the campground side and hang out for a while.
Just an hour? That's some good time (remembering last year's 3 hour)
We left at 7:00 and had no delays in leaving the parking lot. The only delay after that was the Magnolia light, as always.
So aside from some delays, how was it??? Notice any changes good or bad?
The wife and I had to sleep in it and think about it some. some. It's just really really sad. Where to start? The lines for most things were long. Particularly beer. The bloody bull was gone so no bloody Mary's. The place that's taking its slot had tomato juice with little flavor or vodka and no hot sauce, pepper or spices to fix it up. The shows were lackluster and prudish. there were few real serious costumes. What costumes there were there ran the gambit from steam punk to Lolita, pirate, redneck, tattoo exibitionists and a disturbingly large number of anime. The foxes were absent as was the ent, oger, centar, just about anyone who was there from years past. The blacksmith beating on black steel, a few other smiths in the park selling poor quality butter knives. Large numbers of smokers which is not a problem except my wife is asthmatic and can't be around them. Any one of these things could easily be forgiven but but together seem to really put us off.
I am deciding if I will bother going again.
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We were there yesterday too and had a blast. Even with the rain .. we still had a great time. We left around 4:30 and were out of the parking lot in less than 5 minutes but we did pay the $10 to park closer to the gate - so maybe that factored in.
We never waited more than a couple of minutes to get food or beer. We didn't get to see everything though .. because of the rain and we had our granddaughter with us. The worst part of the day was the horrid humidity. My husband had to change out of his costume into something cooler because he was drenched in sweat. But we'll most certainly be going back.
Even with the heat and humidity and rain had a blast. You can choose to mourn the things missing from the past or take joy in the new.
I will always choose the happier path.
*also I had rum, so fun was with me*
I thought it was pretty good, minus the ridiculous humidity. But I purchased a fan and it made a huge difference.
We try to go north and then swing around if we stay past 4:00pm. We've actually made better time going out to I45 through Montgomery and then south to Houston.
The Sea Devil has gone down hill badly, I hate to say. The new stage is great but I think they replaced the entire staff and the new ones don't know their product and are terribly inexperienced (slow). On Saturday afternoon about 3PM they had 4 people working with lines 10-15 deep in front of each of them. I waited on the deck (which I find fantastic) for 15 - 20 minutes till a Bar Back came by. I explained that I couldn't get to the other lines on StudMuffin because of the crowds and he graciously helped me. Shortly after, I noticed a sign on that window showing it was closed. With that kind of service and managment, I will have no choice but to find somewhere else to drink and watch the world go by. And it breaks my heart as I practically lived at the Sea Devil for the last 20 years or so
All I can ask is that someone please bring back Truly and the other experienced bar workers.
I had a blast, even with the rain. Good music, good bellydancers, good company, good times!
Parking in the campground made the escape only take about an hour, but that is to be expected.
Quote from: 609wood on October 13, 2013, 07:02:02 PM
The wife and I had to sleep in it and think about it some. some. It's just really really sad. Where to start? The lines for most things were long. Particularly beer. The bloody bull was gone so no bloody Mary's. The place that's taking its slot had tomato juice with little flavor or vodka and no hot sauce, pepper or spices to fix it up. The shows were lackluster and prudish. there were few real serious costumes. What costumes there were there ran the gambit from steam punk to Lolita, pirate, redneck, tattoo exibitionists and a disturbingly large number of anime. The foxes were absent as was the ent, oger, centar, just about anyone who was there from years past. The blacksmith beating on black steel, a few other smiths in the park selling poor quality butter knives. Large numbers of smokers which is not a problem except my wife is asthmatic and can't be around them. Any one of these things could easily be forgiven but but together seem to really put us off.
I am deciding if I will bother going again.
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I heard they had a hell of a time finding a replacement for Mark at the forge, asked a lot of faire smiths to take over and got declined.
Big part of the problem is that no matter how big TRF gets, it cannot support multiple similar artisans, there is no way for them to operate, even at a break even. Especially now that so many of the bread and butter items, things that are pretty quick to make, right there in the booth and sell well are also available, fresh from Pakistan and China, at a dozen or more shops just around the corner.
Singed! I went by the forge looking for you but you weren't there. Sometime we shall have to schedule a meeting and discuss all of life's injustices and how we should correct them. I miss chatting with you while listening to the roar of the fire...
Quote from: Singed on October 14, 2013, 01:38:27 PM
Especially now that so many of the bread and butter items, things that are pretty quick to make, right there in the booth and sell well are also available, fresh from Pakistan and China, at a dozen or more shops just around the corner.
Bingo. I laughed the other day at how many different shops had the same (junk) items. I must've seen four different shops trying to sell the same costume scimitar at a wildly varying price.
It would be incredible to see more hand made items, more real stuff, and less junk from Oriental Trading or BudK magazines.
Quote from: KeeperoftheBar on October 14, 2013, 01:52:18 PM
Singed! I went by the forge looking for you but you weren't there. Sometime we shall have to schedule a meeting and discuss all of life's injustices and how we should correct them. I miss chatting with you while listening to the roar of the fire...
I will definitely PM you if I make it out this year, I may just to go see some friends and hang out a little, and share a little insider gossip.
I thought that someone had told me that TRF was going/had gone back to being juried. Sounds like that is not the case. I cannot always afford to buy the "real deal" of everything we like, but we do NOT spend money on mass-produced junk. We spent a lot of money with an artist at Scarby who is no longer doing faires, apparently. I hate not getting any more new stuff, but it's saving me a small fortune.
We lost interest in TRF many years ago after a vendor told us that she was thinking of closing shop because they weren't juried anymore. We were considering making trips there again, but it doesn't seem like it's our sort of place, and that is just our taste, not a condemnation. I know that TRF is beloved by many, many people. We're slowing down quite a bit these days. We like it slow and easy. I think TRF is just a bit too fast for us! :-\
Slowing down? But you're only what, 1000? 1200 years old? ;D
Quote from: 609wood on October 13, 2013, 07:02:02 PM
The wife and I had to sleep in it and think about it some. some. It's just really really sad. Where to start? ... What costumes there were there ran the gambit from steam punk to Lolita, pirate, redneck, tattoo exibitionists and a disturbingly large number of anime. The foxes were absent as was the ent, oger, centar, just about anyone who was there from years past. ...
I know I saw most of the fox family out there on Saturday. As for the others, the weather may have kept them from coming out.
I think the deluge of wetness really dampened people's spirits (sorry, had to.) We (the husband and I) were only able to wander around for about an hour before giving into the rain-induced clothing pain and had to return to camp. After getting my car stuck in the mud at the campgrounds and damaging the alignment trying to get it out, we just gave up and went home. Although I had a horrible weekend, I know so many others had a wonderful weekend.
Even so, I don't think it's quite fair to judge the current season based on this past weekend, because there were strong factors working against its success. Now, if everything is the same once the weather dries up, then I'll start being disappointed in my home faire, but until then, I'll hold out hope for a great run.
Anybody know if the "Unofficial Pub Sing" took place either day on opening weekend?
If you are referring to Bedlam's Pub Sing yes it was both days at 6:30pm, although it is now on the schedule. Though I guess you can't call it an unofficial pub sing anymore...
I think with the change of times, comes the change of everything. :(
Tink, I'm really glad you got out okay. Sorry to hear about the damage on your car.
As for the lines? Well, it will happen.
This show is never about the glitz and glam for me, as long as my faire family is there, I will so glad and happy.
I only went out Saturday... it was the first day even in the 3 years I worked that I was just was immensly unhappy because of the weather. I have gained weight so I'm already sweating more but by the time I got to the gate from the tent I was DRENCHED without the rain and solely from the humidity. When the rain did not let up on sunday morning we just called it in and packed up. We are hoping for a nice weekend to redo it this weekend. I was on the verge of tears because I was so unhappy about the weather and felt so gross. Boyfriend was sick and I developed a headache.... it sucked... we enjoyed the things we saw but we just couldn't fully enjoy everything through the weather.
Quote from: FaeHollow on October 18, 2013, 08:05:35 AM
I only went out Saturday... it was the first day even in the 3 years I worked that I was just was immensly unhappy because of the weather. I have gained weight so I'm already sweating more but by the time I got to the gate from the tent I was DRENCHED without the rain and solely from the humidity. When the rain did not let up on sunday morning we just called it in and packed up. We are hoping for a nice weekend to redo it this weekend. I was on the verge of tears because I was so unhappy about the weather and felt so gross. Boyfriend was sick and I developed a headache.... it sucked... we enjoyed the things we saw but we just couldn't fully enjoy everything through the weather.
We pretty much had the same experience. I was battling a cold before the weekend started. It seems that Saturday's rain solidified it and by Sunday I was dying. At the first lull on Sunday we broke down camp and headed out. We will try for a day trip later in the season to make up for the Sunday that we lost.
Leigh, Hope your BF is feeling better. It was good to see you.
I really hate to keep harping on this but The Sea Devil is broke and needs fixing. The new stage is wonderful but even on the third weekend, there were not enough servers to meet the needs. Waiting 15 minutes to get a beer because there are only 5 servers working their fingers to the bone is not right. I only bought one ale there (the least I have ever gotten in over 20 years of patronising the place) because I could not navigate the crowds on StudMuffin to buy more. And again the deck window was closed.
Please bring back Truly and the rest of the old staff, or at least, sign on more servers to keep the lines flowing as well as the drink.
The Sea Devil comments make it seem like they are hitting their goal to get rid of as many of the old school people as possible.
It's a Disney takeover, just without the mouse.
My biggest belch right now is parking.
First the parking attendants need to be better trained, to work together. This way at the end of the day they do not have to figure out a system. They already should have one in place. Every night seems like an experiment on how best to empty the lot. Usually it is a failed experiment. When you have one lane sit for 20 minutes without moving, but another lane is a free flow of vehicles, you have failed at customer service.
This past weekend we went Sunday to celebrate our Anniversary and my Birthday.
Since we went late (2:30) she convinced me to try the preferred parking (which I have been against from the get go). SO we paid out $10 and were parked at the very end of row 4, I mean 2 spots from the end. bovine poopie. The front half of 3 & 4 were not even in use. They were empty at 2:30pm. Pissed me off to no end. They would not even consider moving us to row 5 which was open from end to end.
It annoys the hell out of me.
My two bits... The Sea Devil has become too "Dane-ish".
Quote from: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on October 28, 2013, 03:10:30 PM
My two bits... The Sea Devil has become too "Dane-ish".
I fear you are right but The Sea Devil is one of the few places that has an electrical outlet. So I shall continue to go there, have an ale and feed StudMuffin, then go someplace more comfortable to socialize.
Too bad I can't get up to the deck at the Barbarian. StudMuffin hasn't learned to go up stairs yet. Down is easy, get a running start then flap my arms like mad. Landing is another story...
Quote from: KeeperoftheBar on October 29, 2013, 02:21:29 PM
Quote from: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on October 28, 2013, 03:10:30 PM
My two bits... The Sea Devil has become too "Dane-ish".
I fear you are right but The Sea Devil is one of the few places that has an electrical outlet. So I shall continue to go there, have an ale and feed StudMuffin, then go someplace more comfortable to socialize.
Too bad I can't get up to the deck at the Barbarian. StudMuffin hasn't learned to go up stairs yet. Down is easy, get a running start then flap my arms like mad. Landing is another story...
Sounds like we need to add a Keeper powered, Block and Tackle, elevator to the Inn (o:
In fact, if wanted to include some ingenuity we could make it a Stud Muffin powered elevator. We could let the driving wheels turn a roller with friction. Yeah, this could work.
Quote from: KiltedPrivateer on October 29, 2013, 02:29:05 PM
Quote from: KeeperoftheBar on October 29, 2013, 02:21:29 PM
Quote from: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on October 28, 2013, 03:10:30 PM
My two bits... The Sea Devil has become too "Dane-ish".
I fear you are right but The Sea Devil is one of the few places that has an electrical outlet. So I shall continue to go there, have an ale and feed StudMuffin, then go someplace more comfortable to socialize.
Too bad I can't get up to the deck at the Barbarian. StudMuffin hasn't learned to go up stairs yet. Down is easy, get a running start then flap my arms like mad. Landing is another story...
Sounds like we need to add a Keeper powered, Block and Tackle, elevator to the Inn (o:
In fact, if wanted to include some ingenuity we could make it a Stud Muffin powered elevator. We could let the driving wheels turn a roller with friction. Yeah, this could work.
KP!! I can see it! Just hope StudMuffin doesnt run out of juice along the way! :P
The current issue basically sums up my opinion of TRF right now.
http://www.trfwtf.com/ (http://www.trfwtf.com/)
After 8 years of entertaining their patrons and basically working because we loved Faire and the people who attend it, they offered us a **** sandwich of a contract and we were forced out.
Seeing things like Silverleaf resorts being allowed to rip off their patrons (and Silverleaf is a rip off, plenty of fodder for anyone who wants to do their homework), seeing how blatantly commercialized it has become, it really saddens me.
Lemme get this straight... they are actively trying to get vendors to drop character to fine them, all while having glaringly-modern "Sponsored By: [insert company logo of sponsor here]" signs all over Hel's creation, the modern Carnivale restaurant (thankfully sans Carnivale dancers this year), constant modern political commentary in various shows, and Ye Olde Paintball Gunne range? On top of the other BS, that just blows my mind.
...guess I can expect yet another retaliatory filing of false charges with the security office by Mr. Brock for this commentary as well, since I dared to step out of line and criticize the Almighty Ivory Tower dwellers again.
Mystery shoppers asking the time then dinging people (well a 500 dollar fine is hardly a ding) for showing a watch? Seriously TRF? Y'all realize that some, though it is an ever shrinking number, of your vendors don't import everything from Chinese and 3rd world sweatshops and thus operate on very thin margins.
Quote from: Singed on November 04, 2013, 02:11:15 PM
Mystery shoppers asking the time then dinging people (well a 500 dollar fine is hardly a ding) for showing a watch? Seriously TRF? Y'all realize that some, though it is an ever shrinking number, of your vendors don't import everything from Chinese and 3rd world sweatshops and thus operate on very thin margins.
Yes, it's quite silly when you have things like an electric assisted bungee jump timed with stopwatches.
Quote from: Singed on November 04, 2013, 02:11:15 PM
Mystery shoppers asking the time then dinging people (well a 500 dollar fine is hardly a ding) for showing a watch? Seriously TRF? Y'all realize that some, though it is an ever shrinking number, of your vendors don't import everything from Chinese and 3rd world sweatshops and thus operate on very thin margins.
Good God. It sounds like they are trying to force someone or some people out.
Quote from: DonaCatalina on November 08, 2013, 05:25:34 AM
Quote from: Singed on November 04, 2013, 02:11:15 PM
Mystery shoppers asking the time then dinging people (well a 500 dollar fine is hardly a ding) for showing a watch? Seriously TRF? Y'all realize that some, though it is an ever shrinking number, of your vendors don't import everything from Chinese and 3rd world sweatshops and thus operate on very thin margins.
Good God. It sounds like they are trying to force someone or some people out.
DO they get fined for not helping a customer? This is what is called cherry picking. This is low and bad business.
TRF was never high on my list, but based on all of the comments in this and other threads, it has been officially crossed off my list of faire destinations. I know a lot of you love this place, but it no longer sounds like it's qualified to be called a Ren Faire in my opinion. It may just be that I look for something different when I go to a faire.