While the New Years Eve thing was cool, I think it'd be better later in the month of January. First of all, it's less likely to interfere with family obligations and it'll be a bit cheaper for those that have to travel.

I love the new years weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't let it drag onto Monday next year though, everyone was too exhausted by then to leave happy. (Grouchy Monday.) Thursday - Sunday is perfect.

See you next year! <3

- Roxxi

I'm going to preface this with the fact that I did not make it to the New Year's Bash.

I think ideally would be the first weekend to not include New Years, in this case 6th-9th. New Years is no doubt a good time, but I think too many still have plans. Personally, I have an annual party with friends that I don't want to miss. Magfest is still Magfest without a New Year's party. Not to mention this year with Friday being the first full day of the fest, everyone was tired and/or hungover, which made setting up some events even more hectic.

On the other hand, I do think moving too far away means college students have classes to go back to, people have work move back up to full swing, everyone shifts out of Party Mode. That's why I say as soon after New Years as possible, but not including it. Ideally I'd say always start on the 2nd, but sticking to the weekend is obviously better.

Edit: and while it's early on the poll, the Neck-and-Neck voting makes me think a compromise between the two is best.

Don't get me wrong, Magfest New Years sounds a great party. And the fest as a whole is a great way to bring in the new year. If it does land on the New Year I'll have some thinking to do about what gets priority.

Edit again: Oh shit, Martin Luther King Day in 2011 is on Monday, the 17th of January. Probably why you guys chose that weekend. Now I see why you guys chose that weekend. I still stand by the first weekend, but recovery time is always a factor.

It was great starting off MAGFest with New Year's Eve.

With New Year's Eve in the middle I wonder if that would cause problems, not just with classes, but with attendies and guests that might have other plans for New Year's Eve. Just as the convention would get started, a holiday in the middle of MAGFest may have a negative impact on the event. That still leaves Saturday and Sunday as full days though.

Either way is good for me personally.

I absolutely don't like either of those dates, but New Years I'd at least be able to make. The other date is too close to when classes start as to preclude me from being able to go because I'm a graduate student who teaches. Ideally the weekend in between those dates would be perfect :/ .

I fail to understand how classes could interfere with a weekend event. I don't know how other places are, but in California (where I'm from) the majority of classes are Mon-Thur, with a very limited amount of Fri, and even fewer (if any?) on weekends. In that case, one could easily fly out Thursday night, which is what my girlfriend had to do for M6 because her store has a strict policy about not allowing people to take time off near holidays, hence why I've missed two Magfests (and I'll miss a third if it's over New Years again). And really, it would most likely be the first week of school anyway, what could you possibly miss? You could just as easily write your professor, make up some stupid excuse about some family thing, and simply miss a fucking day. I think that's a much better compromise than people not being able to go at all because it interferes with family traditions and celebrations, as having it on New Years does. Plus, it's much cheaper to travel after the holidays rather than right between Christmas and New Years.

I already put in my vote before the third option was available. But i do like the idea of the weekend after new years. it's a happy medium between the two and works well with both work and school because you either have not started up yet or you are not too far in and don't feel as guilty for taking the time off. As long as I can find out the dates as soon as possible so that i can go ahead and request time off, then i'm happy. :-)

I can't wait and would love to know what i can do to help out again. :-D

Oh! almost forgot, will it be the same location or is that not decided yet?

Personally, I (and I'm sure many others) wouldn't be able to go to the later date due to school. Granted I might just get down there anyway, but it would be easier if it didn't interfere with classes and such.

i'm kind of leaning towards not having it on new years, you may be shooting yourselves in the foot with that, but it may be better because people are already off for new years and such..I'm as torn as you all are. I'll be happy as long as it's thursday for the extra day and not monday : \

I agree with bahamut, the weekend inbetween those dates is probably best. Plane tickets are madd expensive for new years, and their a lot of people that have school the 13th, so probably the weekend before. If I had to choose from those dates, the 13th would work better

I honestly understand everyone's arguments for not doing MAGFest on NYE but my classes begin that same week that MAGFest would begin. Itrs not a big deal since I would still come, but I would miss the first day or so because of classes :(.

I prefer NYE because I am definitely off during those days.

I can't miss classes...especially not the first ones like that. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't make magfest later.

I like the idea of having NYE in the middle of Magfest, but either set of dates is good for me. As much as I like my classes, I don't mind leaving them for a short amount of time.

I'm for shortening the weekend back down to 3 or 4 days. I actually ended up leaving early due to complete exhaustion and was glad for the extra recovery day. But that's just my opinion.

Eh. Everyone mentions classes but when you work in retail you are all but screwed around holidays. anywhere NEAR Christmas you cant take off and new years is when most holiday help is let go..... either way just ask off early enough and you might get it.

as for skoo kids...... petition to have skoo start later. its MAGFEST. they will understand.

go for whatever the hotel and you guys agree on. and this year i will not let someone's wedding get in the way.

I couldn't possibly miss class on the first week unless I didn't have class at all those two days, which would never happen.
Class starts on the 10th for me, and if it's moved beyond that, I can't go... at all...

I don't go to school right now, so I don't have to worry about classes starting up. I'm an independent contractor, and my pay is milestone-based on a month-by-month basis, so if I miss a weekend out of the month, it's no big deal.

I'm coming to MAGFest regardless.

Loved the dates this year. I fly out from Sacramento and am always able to find flights for around ~$100 a way. This year I flew back on the 10th after staying with some friends, and the cost went down significantly. I'd be more apt to do something like that if it ended on the 2nd (you mean 3rd anyway right? right?) and I suggest the same to anyone who is flying. Push back your personal leaving date a couple days and you'll save some money.

My only suggestion is if we can get more formal attire for the NYE party ;D Not enough people were fancied up!

I have school later on with maybe exams, so the only way I can go is if it's at the end of Winter Break. The dates on 8 were perfect, and I could come for most of the days. And if you do it from the 30th to Jan 2, that's even more amazing since there won't be day that falls on Monday, and this would make my friends and I super happy. Because I sure convinced a bunch of people to come next year! :D