Fans wait in long lines for hours at Anaheim's VidCon 2014

Saturday, June 28, 2014
Fans wait in long lines for hours at VidCon
Long lines and crowded conditions left many fans upset that organizers weren't more prepared at VidCon 2014 in Anaheim.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Long lines and crowded conditions left many fans upset that organizers weren't more prepared at VidCon 2014 in Anaheim.

VidCon 2014 was held at the Anaheim Convention Center, and 18,000 people showed up for the sold-out get-together for those who love online video.

But getting inside to see their favorite YouTubers has some people complaining about long lines.

One woman and her family say they waited two hours, only to have security cut them off in line before she could get an autograph with her favorite online creators.

On VidCon's Facebook page they do say they cannot guarantee that everyone will have one-on-one time with their favorite creators.

Hank Green, co-creator of VidCon, says they tried to make access as fair as possible, but the demand for signings was higher than expected, with fans camping out.

"We ended up in a situation this year which we should have anticipated, but didn't, that basically we had to queue people up before the queues," said Green.

Laura Barnes says she paid $450 for her family of three. She wants a refund.

"If there are unhappy people, that super bums me out," said Green. "We create an event that we want to be a really exciting time for a community of people to get together, and if they don't feel good about that, then we absolutely want to make that right in whatever way we can."

"I don't feel it's a waste of money but I feel you should get a little more for your money," said Megan McCoy, visiting from Massachusetts. McCoy says she's enjoyed seeing her favorite creators from afar, through Q&A's, and she plans to return next year.

"Next year I think is going to be significantly different in how we handle signings," said Green.

Green says that may mean registration changes so people know what they will and won't get when they sign up.

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