Barbie Dream Fest sounded like a magical weekend for fans of the iconic doll. Up to three days of programming, themed events, photo opportunities, and a vendor marketplace. But the reality was more nightmare than dream.
Organizers seemingly envisioned a destination event, offering various ticket packages along with a hotel block. What reportedly was delivered was cardboard cutouts and a lackluster event space described by one attendee as “empty”. The seemingly low-energy event was apparently disappointing to fans on many levels.
The organizer, Mischief Management, does not seem to be a stranger to fandom event planning. The company has produced a BroadwayCon event that has received mixed reviews. Attendees of that event have commented on how overwhelming it is (size and number of performers), a good sign for those wanting immersion. But other complaints have been a lack of organization and expense. Nonetheless, those relying on reviews of past successes had good reason to believe Barbie Dream Fest would live up to its name.
Mischief licensed the Barbie brand through Mattel to produce the event and both companies are addressing the backlash. Mischief has resolved to process full refunds for attendees.
Deja Vu, All Over Again
Many have compared the Barbie Dream Fest (and its backlash) to the Fyre Festival. I’ve written about the Fyre debacle in the past. As Fyre was unfolding in real time, I even offered tips for travel planning for festivals. Some of those may have been well-heeded here.
I’ve flown to other states to attend festivals or other fan events in the past. I have also been a vendor or instructor at others. Luckily, most of my experiences have been great, but there is always risk involved. Over the years, I’ve heard many stories of hobbyists shelling out hundreds of dollars to attend an event that grossly undelivered. And even long-running festivals sometimes grow chaotic or encounter unusual issues. Yes, Burning Man, I’m looking at you.
So What Do you Do?
- Do your research on what to expect. Look into past experiences of those who have attended. Balance the information shared in both good and bad reviews. Look at photos on social media posted by attendees.
- Understand the track record of the organizers. In the case of Barbie Dream Fest, that might not have helped, as the organizers seemingly have planned large, themed events in the past. But in some cases (*cough* Fyre Festival), the organizers have no track record at all. That makes for a very risky bet for attendees.
- Have a back-up plan. When I’ve traveled to events where I’m not certain what might await me, I try to balance that with an alternative plan for what I’d do if the event were cancelled. Or if it doesn’t meet my needs, I want to know how else I can maximize my time in that destination.
- Read the terms and conditions carefully. Understand your rights. Can you get a refund or transfer your ticket? Do you have recourse if something isn’t as expected? Going back to “do your research”, how have the organizers handled issues in the past?
- Buyer beware. If it sounds too good to be true, it just might be. A price that seems too low (or high) based on what is being delivered is often a red flag. Too low may mean organizers don’t fully understand what is needed to operate a larger scale event. In those cases, balls get dropped or critical issues arise during the event itself. If it’s too high, it might be a money grab. And whatever you do, don’t fall prey to social influencers who are likely being paid to promote an event they may know little about.
What About You?
Have you had a memorable festival experience – Good, bad (like Barbie Dream Fest) ,or downright ugly (Fyre Festival stories never disappoint!)?
Or do you have other great tips?
Share them in the comments below.
