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OK, my 30something crew is considering VIP, KOA or a hotel room this year (we'll be coming in at different times, etc.). Can those who have experienced any of these please chime in w/ their 2 cents? (cost, overall value, opinions, traffic, day parking for hotels, etc.)?
We stayed in a hotel room last year (because I kind of wimped out with the heat and all the year before).
It was pretty expensive for a not so great hotel (the Executive Inn, it wasn't too bad, clean but a little dingy/old, the door stuck really badly, we had to work at it almost every time -- I think it was like $450 for the 4 nights, and you have to reserve all 4 nights through the Bonnaroo website). It was a twenty/twenty-five minute drive between the site and hotel.
It was nice to have a place to shower and all, but it's too easy to stay in out of the rain. I think we missed a lot because of that. This year we are going back to camping. (I've lost weight since the first year, so I'm better equipped to do all the walking, be in the heat).
I don't know anything about VIP or KOA. If we had the money, we'd rent an RV, but that is way out of our price range.
Did general camping in 2004 & was stuck in boonies with half-hour walk; did VIP last year & strolled thru VIP tent to Main Stage in two minutes. Lesson learned: do VIP if you can afford it.
hello, this will be my 3rd Roo, went regular camping in 04, VIP in 05, also stayed at the KOA Wed night of 05, and Sun night of 04, we moved after the big rain. My crowd is all in their 40's. IMHO, if you have the $$ VIP is absolutely the way to go, (1) very short walk, (2) no security to pass thru to get to the music, (3) tons of room in the VIP campsite (4) decent showers. Bleachers are also nice if it gets muddy. The thing about the KOA is that if you can't walk the back way, thru where the artists are and VIP was in '04, there is a very long walk to get to the festival. We considered KOA last year, but the folks at the KOA wouldn't guarantee the back way would be open. I don't know how it worked out last year.
I didn't mind the general camping last year, but if I was given the choice, I'd always choose something better.
A great option inbetween general camping and VIP, is to rent an RV. They are expensive, but you can probably rent one for the cost of one VIP pass. With a big enough group of people (they usually sleep between 6 and 8), the cost really comes down. From what I saw last year, the RV people get more space to set-up/camp, get the camp closer to Centeroo, plus you have all the amenities that go along with having an RV (shower, toilet, fridge; etc).
I did VIP last year and am doing it again this year. Two years ago we were in BFE and it took 30 min to walk to Centeroo, so we went VIP last year to avoid the long walk (which became a huge hassle with the frequent rain and copious mud). In VIP, I was surprised to find that we were so close that we could hear the main stage beautifully from our campsite. The food they offer was way more than snacks; hotdogs and pasta, nothing fancy but hearty fare that will allow me to trim my grocery list a fair bit, plus chips and cookies and fruit to take along to Centeroo or back to your campsite. There was a level of security that felt like what it should be -- ready to help when necessary, and friendly. And warm showers and clean potty trailers. If you've got the $, it's totally worth it.
FYI another string says KOA is going to be some crazy amount like $500ish? Loses most of its appeal if the price is competitive w/VIP.
Yes, KOA is actually comparable to VIP when it comes to the price this year. Outside of the pool and forest shade, or maybe if you were getting a cabin, VIP blows it out of the water. I can't imagine who in their right mind would spring for KOA over VIP.
I wouldn't do VIP for the chow neccesarily; things started off nicely the Thursday eve with a tasty chicken entree at the VIP "pre-party" (we even had our own band on their own stage, which was broken down and hauled away that night!). Food the next day (served from noon to nine) was burritos, then pasta on saturday, and I don't recall sunday. The decline in quality was readily apparent. Also, there was always a line to hit the hot food, but salads and snacks were wide open. That was the key to missing little music! Beer was, like, $2-$3, and I don't recall if water was free.
Whenever we left the VIP tent we would load up with snax and toss 'em out to the wookies, despite the signs saying "PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE WOOKIES". Okay, there wasn't a sign.
I hemmed and hawed at first, but take my word; if you can go VIP; you'll not regret it.
Thanks for everyone's input...very helpful. A few questions -- how was the traffic getting in and out? What's your estimated breakdown (%-wise) between tenters and RV-ers in the VIP section? Do they tell you where to park/camp...or do you have some flexibility? Do you get more camp space than the regulars?
Finally...how quickly do you guys expect VIP to sell out?
Well from my experience, there are a TON more campers then RV'ers. They have all the RV's separated from the tents. As far as I could tell the RV's got to park and camp much closer to Centeroo then the general campers.
thanks Jelly. I wasn't doing VIP for the food. I was just wondering if I should pack light on food, and depend on the buffet, or do as I always do, and get a bunch of groceries and cook it up in the RV. thanks again for the input, that was exactly what I wanted.
Traffic was the reason I tried VIP in the first place; we just couldn't deal with the maddening -- and seemingly random -- delays (although I hear it was MUCH improved for Gen'l Admission. VIP gets a complete separate entrance on the east side of the venue (near KOA) and e-z in & out access all weeknd long (until noon on Sunday; then it closes and you leave w/ everyone else). NO delays, although some initial confusion as how to register as a VIP (at Holiday Inn conference center).
More %age of RV's than in in Gen Adm; I'd estimate 10% was RV's and campers? Anyone else wanna chime in on that? As far as extra camping space -- sixty people would have been shoehorned into the space where six of us were--I know because I did it in 2004. No bull.
I also know that Superfly was disappointed with low # of VIP tix sold last year; maybe they'll restrict space?
Post by TheFudgeFactory on Feb 7, 2006 18:40:32 GMT -5
Hi, a friend and I were thinking about doing VIP this year, and had a few questions about it. Where is the special viewing deck for the main stage located? Is it close to it or farther back? And also about how many VIP tickets are sold? Thanks
What happens if my tee shot lands on a bird's back and he carries it out of bounds but then is attacked by a larger bird who grabs the ball and drops it in the hole? Is that still a hole in one? 'Cause that's how I'm gonna play it.
The official site (under VIP tickets) says each pair of VIP tix includes one pass for either a vehicle or an RV, so I'm assuming that means you don't have to buy a separate RV pass.
Jelly, I'll look for high ground this year; would be sweet to see some acts as well as hear them while chilling at the campsite! We should try to meet up Thurs or sometime Friday to say hi.
Space: I thought there were a fair amount of RVs in VIP, but can't really say for percentage. Plenty of room that I saw for your stuff, no crowding and some folks in our "backyard" were throwing frisbees all weekend.
VIP seats: The risers at the main stage were pretty far off to the left of the stage, when facing it (stage left?), so we skipped it in favor of being closer to center and on the grass. Also we could bring in camp chairs (like I said, security was there to keep us safe), so the mud wasn't as big a deal as last year since we could sit comfortably above the wet ground. We did try the risers at the Which stage, which were stage right; they were OK, but again, off-center and not as close as you could get by walking closer to the stage.
Buffet food: I thought the hot food was OK -- as Jelly said, nothing fancy, but enough to keep your belly full if you're trying to trim the grocery stash. I'd say w/VIP, I'll bring at least 30% less food than last year. When you're tired/wet/hot/drunk/etc, firing up the grill just doesn't sound as appealing as when you're loading up your car/RV, and the pasta or hotdogs or nachos or whatever really hit the spot w/no prep effort.
Departing Sunday: We left around 11 on Sunday and had to go out with the rest of the Bonnaroo attendees, and that took a couple of hours. (And one of our party left before 10, and he had the same experience, so I don't know what happend w/the VIP exit --I did comment on that in the online survey all attendees were invited to submit, cuz for the price, a private exit seems reasonable. I guess others were able to take advantage of a special exit, but we couldn't.)
Potential VIP sell-out: Not sure on number of tickets available, but last year it didn't sell out. Two years ago they were selling VIP upgrades up until a week or two before the event, so Superfly usually seems to have more space than demand has historically required.
Details: Yes, your VIP tickets come w/all the instrux you need for getting to Roo via back roads that have less traffic, and then getting to the ticket pick-up location. Plus a free t-shirt and poster, although the ticket looked the same as my non-VIP tickets did in prior years.
All this said, if you get a decent campsite in the main grounds, non-VIP is great. I don't really care about the showers (we have our RV), and I don't mind the usual port-o-potties (choosing those a little more out of the way come Sunday and especially Monday). But being so far away two years ago was such a buzz kill compared to my first year (when we were 10 min walk from Centeroo) that I didn't/don't want to risk such a far away campsite again. The VIP perks are all goodies on top of a guaranteed good location, IMO.
What all does VIP camping include, what does it cost and how do you arrange to get it? Haven't been to Bonnaroo before, but wanting to come and just don't know all the logistics yet...
the distance thing is factoring into my decison big time. Last year I had a prime-time spot in the main campgrounds, in the RV section, probably a couple-hundred yards away from the VIP campground. IT was such a great spot, I don't think I can ever be far away like I was in 04.
I thought VIP ticket holders were the people that got to use the viewing deck that was actually on the Main Stage itself on either side.
Nope. At least, I'm pretty sure our instrux pointed us to the seats off the stage, on the ground, to the left. I think the on-stage seats are for friends-of-artists, or at least I assumed so. But someone will make my day if I'm wrong!
Jardine, here are the VIP specs from the roo website:
Tickets will be sold for $1058.25 per pair.
The VIP package includes:
• VIP entrance • Preferred parking and camping (includes pass for one car or RV) • Special shower and restroom facilities • VIP pre-event party on Thursday night • VIP tent with food and beverages [last year beer/water/soda was discounted by a buck or two] • Special viewing deck for main stage [note no mention of Which stage deck ...??] • Commemorative Bonnaroo Package [last year was a tshirt and poster] • ...and other amenities • All tickets are 3-day weekend passes which include VIP camping & parking (includes pass for one car of RV). • Prices do not include service and shipping charges. • Service charges are $50.50 PER ORDER. This includes a $6 fee for Coffee County and $2 for charity. • ALL VIP ORDERS WILL BE SHIPPED UPS Second-Day Air Signature Required for $11.50 PER ORDER. Shipping costs for International Orders vary based on the country to which the order is being shipped. •There is a limit of one VIP package per order. *Tickets are sold in pairs only. One VIP parking pass will accompany each pair of tickets. Everyone entering through the VIP entrance will be required to have their own VIP ticket and a VIP parking pass for the vehicle. No one without a VIP ticket will be allowed to enter the VIP area, even if they have a VIP parking pass.
If you can swing it, go VIP. Did 3 yrs "regular" and last year VIP. Had a 2 mile walk in '04 (camp Malmut maybe?), so ... Main benefits are: easy in/out, closer to music, cheap beer, free food, nicer poopers, showers, seats at big fields, closer to music, closer to bed! $560.13 each, just got em. 124 days...
Post by happytrails on Feb 13, 2006 16:20:14 GMT -5
I stayed in regular camping in 03 and KOA 04 and 05. I really thought we had it dialed in at the KOA. Last year they gave us STAFF armbands which gave us better access than most anyone at the Roo. In 04 the KOA passes were EXACTLY the same color as the press passes - we lounged in the press tent during the torential downpour before the dead drinking free 420 beers. I like the fact that there are no security checkpoints. I like seeing the performers behind the stages; I like the hot tub; shower and pool - now I am in my 40's and if money were the issue I could make due in regular camping but hell I've got kids mortgage job wife etc and this is cheap compared to all that crap.
Greetings, we are making our 1st trip to Bonnaroo, and have purchased VIP passes. Has anyone been in the VIP section previously that can give us the lowdown? I am wondering mostly about the beer and food situation, as we are vegetarians. The lineup looks awesome, can't wait to get the hell out of Michigan for some fun in the sun!
I thought VIP ticket holders were the people that got to use the viewing deck that was actually on the Main Stage itself on either side.
Nope. At least, I'm pretty sure our instrux pointed us to the seats off the stage, on the ground, to the left. I think the on-stage seats are for friends-of-artists, or at least I assumed so. But someone will make my day if I'm wrong!
I was under the impression that VIP ticket holders were permitted on the the on-stage viewing decks as well. We just got our VIP tix, so it won't impact my decision either way, but I was looking forward to getting up close for some of the shows.