I'd like to try something like Shoreleave. I've only experienced the two ends of the con spectrum: Anal Retentive Creation and "hey, who's up for a nine hour wait for something less than we promised you?" Gatecon. I hate how regimented everything seems at Creation but I do appreciate knowing I'm going to get the photo I purchased and that I won't get a lesser photo than the first 150 people due to lousy planning by the organizers. I liked Gatecon better because it was entirely fan-run but there was a lot of waiting around in halls and frustration.

I can understand being upset over Jared canceling; those Gold Passes are expensive. Of course, I'd have been going for Misha so I would have been perfectly happy. ;) It is, alas, the danger in booking a con. I've had Amanda and Michael cancel -- but one of my favorite cons was the SG-1 one where all the mains canceled. Dan Payne & Alex Zahara were fabulous and there was a lot less craziness.

I've heard the horror stories about Gatecon. Never experienced one though.

We did have a fabulous time even though Jared canceled. We were excited that Misha was there. The other actor guests were fun too. :-)

I had the misfortune of hitting it the year they did the absolute worst at organizing/delivering on promises but I find it hard to forgive as it was...memorable.

Misha would be worth the price of a gold ticket, I do believe. But I find it happier to spend time with guests who aren't mobbed by deranged fans because they can sit and talk and generally hang out without fear of molestation. Those tend to be the non-leads and they tend to be a lot of fun. :)