Anyone Going to FanFest?

by jhamrahi @ Talking Chop on Dec 26, 2007 6:30 PM EST

FanFest 2008 is just a few weeks away now (January 12 and 13). I was curious...how many people are planning on going and how many have attended in the past?

A two day pass is $20, which, in this day and age, is probably reasonable. However, I'm curious about these "Elite Passes" you can bid on. As the official site states...

"Similar to Fast Lane at Six Flags or Fast Pass at Walt Disney World, FanFest's "Elite Pass" is a special ticket that will allow you an exclusive entrance separate from the general public to player autograph sessions, player photo sessions, interactive games, player skills clinics, and more. While Elite Pass cannot guarantee that you meet every player or specific players, it does greatly increase the odds that you will meet, get autographs and photos from players you choose and a larger quantity of players."

Hmmm...so I can bid on a pass so that "may" get me additional access. But wait, there's more! Elite Pass is an add-on. You will need separate FanFest admission ticket to enter.

What will MLB and their organizations dream up next?

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FanFest

The ad for the Elite Pass makes it sound like if you don't buy it, you probably won't get autographs from the top stars- (Chipper, Frenchy, etc...) Has anyone gone in past years? Do you have a shot at getting sigs of top stars?

by call me chipper on Dec 26, 2007 9:40 PM EST reply actions

The Elite Pass

just keeps you from waiting in lines to get autographs, etc. I've never been, and am going this year, but friends that have gone have told me you have to wait in long lines for player's autographs, especially the more popular players like Chipper, Smoltz, etc.

by mccannfan on Dec 26, 2007 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

But you have to bid...

The thing that gets me is you have to bid for these elite passes, and there are no parameters as to the eventual price. It's kind of open-ended. I guess you really have to be willing to pay if you want to see your stars in person.

Joe Hamrahi

by jhamrahi @ Talking Chop on Dec 26, 2007 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

Yes..

True. When you click on the Bid button the minimum bid is either $125 or up to that amount. I'd just rather wait in line than pay that much to "maybe" pass everyone and enter in a different door than everyone else. That's why you get there early.

by mccannfan on Dec 27, 2007 12:24 AM EST up reply actions

I went a few years ago

I'm a diehard Huddy fan. When he signed with the braves I went out and bought his braves jersey. My only intention was to get his autograph. I got there around 9 or 10 and had to wait about two hours. I left after that, but checked out the other lines, Andruw and Chipper's were almost double Hudson's so it's hard to say. A two day pass and spending alot of time there would get you the big autographs minus the elite pass I would guess. Fair warning, BRING A JACKET!!

by surge on Dec 27, 2007 9:35 AM EST reply actions

Is there anything else?

This is for those that have gone in prior years...Other than the autographs, is there anything else worth seeing or doing at FanFest? Or is it basically just an autograph show?

Joe Hamrahi

by jhamrahi @ Talking Chop on Dec 27, 2007 4:38 PM EST reply actions

FanFest

is supposed to be a different thing this year and have more things than just getting autographs and meeting players.

This is what the site says about it:

"FanFest 2008 will feature more activities than ever for Braves fans, thanks to almost 200,000 square feet of space and the indoor, "weather-proof" facility. Tickets for the annual Braves fan festival are available now!

"FanFest 2008 is going to be an entirely new experience, unlike any event the Braves have hosted in the past," said Derek Schiller, Braves Executive Vice President of Sales/Marketing. "We're excited to host FanFest at the Georgia World Congress Center, an expansive indoor venue where there will be more room for interaction with Braves players than ever before, and fun activities for the entire family."

From 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, Braves fans will have the opportunity to meet current and former Atlanta Braves, collect autographs, play interactive games, participate in skills clinics, shop for Braves memorabilia, and much more."

Here's a layout of how everything's gonna be set up even if it is somewhat hard to read: Floorplan.

by mccannfan on Dec 27, 2007 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

sigh

This year will not be like FanFests of the past. I've been the past two years at Turner Field. The lines were intolerably long, and you had to make a donation to the Atlanta Braves Foundation, minimum $20, to get a wristband to get in line. The first year, I bought a wristband and after standing in line for 45 minutes, was told that the line was closed and that Brian McCann was leaving. (His 2-hour shift was up.)

It was nice to be able to play all the games and enter the Braves Museum & Hall of Fame at no charge. They had the Heavy Hitters drumline performing last year, and I did the clubhouse tour, ran the bases, and "shagged" some flies in the outfield.

Oh, and FanFest was free.

This year...I'll go, but it's 95% for the chance to meet Peter Moylan. ;)

Braves Love: The Atlanta Braves from a female perspective

by Lauren T. on Dec 27, 2007 8:14 PM EST reply actions

Well...

Well, hopefully he'll stay longer than 2 hours this year. ;)

by mccannfan on Dec 27, 2007 8:32 PM EST up reply actions

waiting

I have been the past 2 years, and if you want the big dogs, you better be prepared to get in line way early, and wait 2 hours. I think Chipper was the longest i've ever had to wait, over 2 hours. Bring something to read or play with. Usually you wait an hour, then they hand out numbers, and then cut off the line at a certain number. We waited an hour for Francouer, and then they handed out numbers and cut off the line at 500, and we were about 510, so we ran down and got in McCann's line and got auto's. We bought the 2 day pass this year, it will be nice that it is indoors, it is awful standing still in the cold for 2 hours at a time. Although i shouldn't be giving ya'll my strategy, i don't want you being the reason i don't get autogrpahs!

by 22oz on Dec 28, 2007 11:47 AM EST reply actions

Merch Q?

Not sure why I havn't thought of this before, but I've been looking everywhere for more Brave T-shirt jersey's (the one's that run around $20 bucks with the team name on front, and players name and number on the back). However, the only ones I've seen online are Chipper, Huddy, and Frenchy...all of whom I already have.

Is there a local Braves merchandise store with all the players available? I know they have one at the Nats and O's stadiums since I've seen them...but wasn't sure about at The Ted.

If so, would someone be willing to pick some up and ship them to me? I would pay via PayPal. The transaction worked smoothly when Gondee has his anti-Bonds shirts.

Thanks in advance.

by Smoltzs Beard on Dec 28, 2007 1:22 PM EST reply actions