Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by ronburgandy? on May 13, 2008 14:52:10 GMT -5
first yr VIPer. i know ive read the answers to these questions elsewhere..but im too lazy to go lookin for it.. so i apologize for repetitiveness in advance..
1. what time can we start picking up tickets/bracelets and whatnot at the hotel? what time is best to go? (is there a time to avoid because of a clusterfuck of people?)
2. theres a seperate entrance to the farm, right? what is the best time (if any) to make your way towards that? is there a seperate road?
first yr VIPer. i know ive read the answers to these questions elsewhere..but im too lazy to go lookin for it.. so i apologize for repetitiveness in advance..
1. what time can we start picking up tickets/bracelets and whatnot at the hotel? what time is best to go? (is there a time to avoid because of a clusterfuck of people?)
2. theres a seperate entrance to the farm, right? what is the best time (if any) to make your way towards that? is there a seperate road?
3. how far from the farm is the hotel ?
Last year 10:00am was when you could start getting your stuff at the HIE. I'm going to be there right at 10. It will probably be a cluster F'er again, unless they came up with a better plan for getting people and vehicles in and out. Go to the entrance right away after you get your stuff. You will wait in line! Last year our wait was 4 hours. The farm is not far, maybe a couple miles or so. Good luck.
^^^^ You pick them up in the same room as your tickets. They run you through picking up your ticket, getting your bracelet put on (right there by one of the workers), giving you your schedule booklet and a quick rundown of directions to the farm. Then you walk to another part of the room where you pick up your T-shirt and poster (just piles of them with a worker picking out the size you want). Then you pick up a third worker who walks to your car and puts your VIP parking sticker on the car. Or, at least, that was how it worked last year.
The new carpool contest makes me think they aren't doing VIP the same this year and might possibly do VIP toll-booth style. Really, why not? Only the shirts need to be distributed with any choice, otherwise things are just as easily handed to people on-site.
Would a "winner" of the carpool contest really be made to drive back out to HIE?
The new carpool contest makes me think they aren't doing VIP the same this year and might possibly do VIP toll-booth style. Really, why not? Only the shirts need to be distributed with any choice, otherwise things are just as easily handed to people on-site.
Would a "winner" of the carpool contest really be made to drive back out to HIE?
Only 4 cars will be winners. And they rules say "Winners will be notified by Bonnaroo personnel on-site at the festival grounds. " Two chosen on Thursday, two on Friday. I'd imagine that for 4 groups of people, you just meet them somewhere central (in Centeroo?), pick up your stuff and drive around to the VIP entrance. No reason to change the process to accomodate 4 groups of people. Or are you getting the tollbooth idea from somewhere else? That would be a new rumor!
The new carpool contest makes me think they aren't doing VIP the same this year and might possibly do VIP toll-booth style. Really, why not? Only the shirts need to be distributed with any choice, otherwise things are just as easily handed to people on-site.
That would be a dream. And make it easier for ppl to stick together. Prolly too good to be true.
Only 4 cars will be winners. And they rules say "Winners will be notified by Bonnaroo personnel on-site at the festival grounds. " Two chosen on Thursday, two on Friday. I'd imagine that for 4 groups of people, you just meet them somewhere central (in Centeroo?), pick up your stuff and drive around to the VIP entrance. No reason to change the process to accomodate 4 groups of people. Or are you getting the tollbooth idea from somewhere else? That would be a new rumor!
I wasn't suggesting that they changed the VIP way because of a 4-car contest (correlation not equaling causation and all); I was saying they could change it because last year's VIP experience was such a complete clusterf_ck from year's previous, and that the car contest signaled a possible change. Why the signal? This line: "All winners will get on-the-spot VIP upgrades."
It's the "On-the-spot" that possibly suggests an inkling of change, that VIP bracelets might be in the hands of tollbooth operators (where as in previous years, VIP had no booths at all, just a search station-- everything was handed off-site, in part to give a VIP-type of treatment that has backfired).
I never experienced the cluster f_ last year...I showed up around 4pm Thurs- waited at the HIE for about 15 min in line and drove right in w/o a wait. I was really surprised- If there is a way they can improve it, that would be awesome, but when I arrived it couldn't get much more streamlined.
I noticed that people arriving later in the day were filling up the area that was closest to tent only. There seemed to be a lot of room left after everyone arrived. I'm all for the not get out of your vehicle method of checking in. WOW!! if they actually do something to improve the situation, that means someone actually saw the problem and did something to fix it. What a total mind blow!!! What's next? A president that doesn't have his head up his Azz?????
This is my first and going VIP. I think it is crappy that we have to go somewhere to pick up your tickets and stuff. I was really surprised when I read that. My friends are flying and they get it at the airport right? What ever happens it will be worth it! I don't want to complain seeing as I have not even been there yet! (oops, did I do that already?)
Wait, I'm confused now. I'm going VIP this year and I thought my email said tickets would be mailed to me in late May. We have to pick them up at a hotel?
Well thats pretty lame IMO. If its VIP, why do we have to make a pit stop before we get on the grounds? I'd rather just be mailed the directions to the VIP entrance and drive onto the grounds and get my wristbands there.
Post by freedomofmusic on May 14, 2008 8:25:29 GMT -5
We never did encounter the long wait at the VIP entrance last year, and we were at the hotel at 10 am. I think it took about 30 minutes to get our bracelets/shirts/parking pass, then we drove directly to the entrance.
At that time, they were searching EVERY vehicle (the most searching we've ever had since 2003). Still, it took only about 45 to get in.
All that searching must have been the problem for people behind us. Maybe they slacked off later to clear up the problem.
I rolled in at about 3pm, and no line at HIE, and then drove straight up to the search. They did the normal glove box, center console, and checked the coolers. We ended up in the tent camping only portion and parked probably by 3:30 or 3:45.
I could see them doing a toll booth operation though, that would be a good idea. When they get you out of the car for the search they can do the t shirt and the poster thing there. Although now that I think about it they did have a lot of crap that they felt a need to explain last year. About where things were and they had a VIP map and a Centeroo map and a few other things to go through like the free itunes cards and stuff.
And now that I'm writing this, and I'm thinking about the people that were giving us the stuff. They did seem like they were a little bit higher on the todem pole than most, and do you think they would really trade their cushy ballroom and chairs for standing OUTSIDE in a huge car line? If I was working it I would be pissed the checkin wasn't at the HEI anymore.
We never did encounter the long wait at the VIP entrance last year, and we were at the hotel at 10 am. I think it took about 30 minutes to get our bracelets/shirts/parking pass, then we drove directly to the entrance.
Wow that's stunning... we were in line, still waiting to get in and out during the time when you got there. We actually stayed at the hotel and checked in within minutes of them letting us, but by the time we were maneuvering out the wait began.
The real issue is in maneuvering the RV's into the HEI and out again. Combine that with the other issues last year and you get the cluster. Also, HEI is also where artists check in; tour buses were trying to get in and out the single-entrance HEI lot among cars and RV's going both ways...
I think the original idea behind VIP check-in was a nice reception for high-paying folks. The first year I did VIP there was coffee, snacks, water and more and it was a breeze- like a hotel-check-in experience with no lines. But in subsequent years it's become more of an operation and without the cushy reception-like extras. (Which is fine by me, personally- but also why I'd be just as happy doing it toll-booth style.)
When did the t-shirt-size email go out last year? I can't find mine to check. That'd be a signal, I think.
Well, booth check-in would certainly work for me! I didn't really have much of a problem, either, other than just under an hour in line on Thursday morning. That wasn't fun, but it was relatively short and allowed time to meet a few folks in line. I do sort of wonder, the way iforgetit says, about the HIE personnel giving out bracelets, etc. But you'd think they could set up a decent outpost right next to the booth. And the golf carts seem to zip pretty easily between HIE and VIP, if they need to get back.
arriving 4pm thursday, how far back in VIP were you?
Actually had a great spot. Hard to describe where I was --1 row of cars away from the wall that everyone pees on during the headliners (left side if facing the stage)? Basically I could sit on the roof of my car in camp and watch the TOOL show. I thought the spot was really good. Not far from the food tent. Very close to the entrance to the main stage area.
I'm getting in at the same time this year too - I'd love to be in the same spot -
We are staying at a hotel in Mcminnville. I guess what time we arrive depends on the weather. If it's all good we will try to arrive at Hotel for pick up at about 11 which sounds like we could get inside anywhere between 12 and 4!
The mistake they made last year was having the other check in at HIE too. Those tour buses F'd up the whole lot. Check those other people in somewhere else. Really, if it's like last year, I may spend my money else where next year. First impressions are everything. If you piss people off right away, it's really hard to shake that off. I'm crossing my fingers that it goes well. I may just arrive totally drunk and let my lady drive. I won't care than.
Post by freedomofmusic on May 15, 2008 9:46:33 GMT -5
The anticipation always makes the wait seem longer -- no matter how long it really is. At least there is no need to worry if you will get a good spot or not like the GAers.
About the tshirts -- I've said it before, but the shirts run really small! I was in denial about this for years, but those super tight Bonnaroo shirts I have accumulated don't lie. They must really shrink alot.
I normally wear a size 6. (Guys, that means I'm not that big.)
I used to get Women's Medium, then Women's Large. Last year, I switched to Men's Small, but even that is a bit tight. This year, I'm going for the Men's Medium. Seriously, think twice before you buy those cute little tanks tops they sell. I had to cut mine down the sides just to put it on now.
First time VIP.....assumimg that it all goes the same this year as last year with wrist band pick up at the HIE how best to negotiate the parking lot thing. We are renting a big bus ( I am still rather surprised the just toss you the keys and send you down the road) Any thoughts on how not to tie up the entrance/exit with a bus I can't drive..... could I park down the street (on a straightaway lets say) and just walk in on foot to get the credentials. I imagine I am more competent at walking down the street to afix my own parking sticker than trying to manuveer a 40' tour bus in a crowded parking lot...?...
First time VIP.....assumimg that it all goes the same this year as last year with wrist band pick up at the HIE how best to negotiate the parking lot thing. We are renting a big bus ( I am still rather surprised the just toss you the keys and send you down the road) Any thoughts on how not to tie up the entrance/exit with a bus I can't drive..... could I park down the street (on a straightaway lets say) and just walk in on foot to get the credentials. I imagine I am more competent at walking down the street to afix my own parking sticker than trying to manuveer a 40' tour bus in a crowded parking lot...?...
Well this is kind of the issue... In the early part of last year's VIP distribution- and during all of the previous years- when you got to HIE you got your stuff and then a Roo volunteer actually followed you out to your vehicle and put your VIP pass on the car for you.... BUT- after the line started building last year they stopped that and just handed people vehicle passes (because many were doing just what you were suggesting).
So if nothing changes from previous year's, you should plan on driving that bus all the way in and if you see a massive line just park and walk in (if not, drive it in).
arriving 4pm thursday, how far back in VIP were you?
Actually had a great spot. Hard to describe where I was --1 row of cars away from the wall that everyone pees on during the headliners (left side if facing the stage)? Basically I could sit on the roof of my car in camp and watch the TOOL show. I thought the spot was really good. Not far from the food tent. Very close to the entrance to the main stage area.
I'm getting in at the same time this year too - I'd love to be in the same spot -
is there a 'bad spot' in vip. on the map i looks like the furthest site is maybe a 5 minute walk to the hospitality tent.
is there a 'bad spot' in vip. on the map i looks like the furthest site is maybe a 5 minute walk to the hospitality tent.
Hmm... I wouldn't say a "bad" spot per se. Assuming you have a relatively optimistic mind, even the spots furthest from the Centeroo entrance are closer to showers/bathrooms or the Pod. And in 2006 (when people were actually parked in an RV section, then a car section instead of the complete mix-up mistake in 2008) the furthest spots were actually very, very roomy with large open areas for frisbee and the like.
