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I've been to 2009 (maybe the coolest weather of the roos, I'm told) and 2010 (one of the hottest).
I've decided I am no longer a tent person. I can handle anything Roo can throw at me if I get my sleep -- but if I don't, most of the following day is spent "surviving." And I absolutely cannot sleep above 80 degrees. (I live in the mountains.)
Questions
1) Anyone else upgrading for Roo 2011? If so, what upgrade are you considering? RV? Hotel package? VIP? What have you heard that turns you off from other options?
2) If you have upgraded in the past, was it worth it? Or do you find yourself wanting another change for some reason?
3) Did your upgrade significantly change your overall Roo experience? I've heard some people say it's like a completely different experience. I've heard others say "Meh, the air conditioning's nice but not much else changes."
Post by A$AP Rosko on Aug 21, 2010 12:17:34 GMT -5
I don't know...For me personally, I think being sweaty, exhausted, tired, hot, dirty, stinky, etc. helps accentuate the experience of seeing bands you've waited so long and been so excited to see. It gives it an added element of deliriousness. As shitty as it can get when you're not seeing music, it's only a week and I think being through the ringer ultimately adds to the experience and to the memories.
But, I definitely, DEFINITELY get why you wouldn't want to put it up with that anymore. Ultimately, I really don't know what I'm talking about, since I've only been to 1 Roo.
Post by herephishyphishy on Aug 21, 2010 12:25:33 GMT -5
Well this will be my 4th roo (yes I already know that I'm going) and I am looking to do the RV route. I still would want to be on the grounds so the idea of a hotel sucks to me. I would also want to tent camp on the shaded side of the RV just to get a few more hours of zzzzz's. My group is going to pitch in for an RV and rotate in and out. We all figure that even a few more hours of sleep and a bit of cooler air over the week would result in a overall better experience. I love Roo and will go back until it sucks but getting out of the heat even for a bit will make the trip that much better IMHO.
I'm going VIP in 2011, mainly because a couple of serious car accidents have really limited how much walking I can do. We're sticking with the tent though; it's fun and neither my son nor I have had any problem sleeping and it's worked out well as far as getting to know other people camped around us. I don't think I could ever do the hotel thing though, too much of Bonnaroo is being part of the community around the clock.
Post by dreamingtree on Aug 21, 2010 18:32:19 GMT -5
Yep after this year I've decided I'm too old to deal with most of this.
I considered an RV, but really I don't want to deal with all the hassles involved and feel like I would end up being the person having to deal with it all.
Then I considered a hotel room and day-parking but I really hate having to drive in and out every day.
Then after much thought about all the options, I decided VIP is really the only way to go for me. I weighed the costs and I think it's really worth it. I feel like it will make the whole experience a little more comfortable and less harsh which is all I need.
Post by theshining on Aug 21, 2010 21:20:03 GMT -5
This will be my third Roo and I'm definitely going VIP this year. I know its a jump of more than double the cost but I think its worth it.
The heat last year was brutal (as was the lack of sleep that the heat brought), waiting 6 hours in line to get in sucked (and cost me Baroness, Local Natives, and Miike Snow), and being in pod 9 sucked even worse. I'm willing to pay for comfort, closeness, and cutting down wait times.
Post by funkblastin on Aug 22, 2010 8:13:15 GMT -5
Absolutly going VIP next year... Similar story. Sucked waiting 6 hours, had to go in the back way and got camped way the hell in middle of no where. (we didn't have a POD) With the heat and a damn near hour walk to centeroo, we don't mind the price difference.
I agree with Stuck Between Stations. The "roughing it" approach made the shows that much better and being dirty is fun. I will save my $$ and spend it on other "things". I would think living out of the RV leaves you closed in and not interacting with the ones around you, which to me is a big part of the experience. But what do I know, my view is skewed, I am about to drive from Florida to Nevada to spend a 7 days with 50,000 other dirty hippies camping the the high desert of Black Rock City.
Aww Matt, if you go VIP your tribe won't be able to visit! Do regular RV and you can day camp with us in TO...well, you could do that anyway, but don't forget your poor hippie friends!
only went one year - 2009, and couldn't go in 2010 because of kid's college graduation
we went all out - VIP and the RV that was provided on the grounds. If you can afford it, do it. Springsteen was done at 12:30 and I was in the RV for a quick nap at 12:35, but I could still hear the next act.
Aww Matt, if you go VIP your tribe won't be able to visit! Do regular RV and you can day camp with us in TO...well, you could do that anyway, but don't forget your poor hippie friends!
I can't afford VIP RV, so no problem there, voodoo. And as for you, my hippie friend, you are always invited. I already said we'd get a big RV so you and yours could hang if you wanted.
The "roughing it" approach made the shows that much better and being dirty is fun. I will save my $$ and spend it on other "things". I would think living out of the RV leaves you closed in and not interacting with the ones around you, which to me is a big part of the experience.
I don't disagree. And 2009 (my first year) I didn't have a problem with it. But 2010 I simply could NOT sleep because of the heat. Sounds like fun day 1. Day 3 I couldn't do any late nights. Day 4 I fought heat exhaustion all day and didn't get any music in. On the way home I almost fell asleep several times driving down winding mountain roads. That's not "roughing it." To try it again is more akin to needless suffering, or suicidal behavior.
I'd like to go the RV route. I'd consider doing hotel but it seems like more of a pain in the ass. I just don't want to be away from my little one for that long. By then she'll be a year old so I may be ready for a break
I have done VIP, to me doing TO, and esp camp inforoo is the way to go. Much cheaper, and I usually just pulled out a mattress and slept on the ground.
Post by popsicle sarah on Aug 23, 2010 14:53:32 GMT -5
I agree with Jess, TO is my favorite way to roo as well. I don't think VIP would be worth the difference for me. I usually go with a large group and there's no way everyone would agree to VIP. I gotta have my group
I will most likely be trying out VIP next year. I want to see what the fuss is about and if it's worth it... if it's not, I'll go back to GA in 2012.
For those that are not from the area, I would like to reiterate that the heat this year was not normal. Yes, it's normally warm in June in Tennessee, but we had record-breaking temps this June (and they have continued all summer). I would almost guarantee it will not be as hot or miserable in June 2011.
We went GA in 2008 but got incredibly lucky and parked right behind TO. It was great, except for sleeping in a tent. We took my in-law's hunting camper in 2009 and that is the only way to go for us. We had no AC (the generator broke) and didn't really need it that year anyway. But we needed the electricity for my husband's cpap machaine. No way we can afford VIP (esp in 2011 since our son is getting married the weekend after roo). But we have big plans to make a return trip in 2011 with the camper. We still hung out with the neighbors as much as we did when camping in GA. We just had a real bed to sleep in at night and that was worth it to us!!
I'm going VIP in 2011, mainly because a couple of serious car accidents have really limited how much walking I can do. We're sticking with the tent though; it's fun and neither my son nor I have had any problem sleeping and it's worked out well as far as getting to know other people camped around us. I don't think I could ever do the hotel thing though, too much of Bonnaroo is being part of the community around the clock.
Regardless of how you go you should talk to your doc about getting a temporary handicap placard. They are lifesavers, trust me
I've been to 2009 (maybe the coolest weather of the roos, I'm told) and 2010 (one of the hottest).
I've decided I am no longer a tent person. I can handle anything Roo can throw at me if I get my sleep -- but if I don't, most of the following day is spent "surviving." And I absolutely cannot sleep above 80 degrees. (I live in the mountains.)
Questions
1) Anyone else upgrading for Roo 2011? If so, what upgrade are you considering? RV? Hotel package? VIP? What have you heard that turns you off from other options?
2) If you have upgraded in the past, was it worth it? Or do you find yourself wanting another change for some reason?
3) Did your upgrade significantly change your overall Roo experience? I've heard some people say it's like a completely different experience. I've heard others say "Meh, the air conditioning's nice but not much else changes."
Has anyone had experience with something like this???
We got spoiled rotten this year staying in the barn and we're worried about 2011. It'll be our 5th so we're used to the sweat but this year was the first I've ever skipped shows because of the weather.
I don't think VIP would be worth the difference for me. I usually go with a large group and there's no way everyone would agree to VIP. I gotta have my group
Well, chickadee...your group is now the Camp Inforoo VIP group, so get ready! I was lucky enough to camp next to your man, and that made 'Roo '10 one of the best EVER! it was smiley city from Thursday to Monday!!! ;D
Seriously - I couldn't have had a better time w/that group. It was the Inforoo superstars hall of fame in there: MikeD, KatyMae, Druid, Idio, Daniroo, SpacemanSpliff, Groz, and more... yowza, it just totally rocked!!!
VIP gives you the best of both worlds: community love, tent lodging, flushable toilets & 24/7 showers, plus the other perks. I'll do VIP again if I don't upgrade to TA.
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Post by hibouxdufromage on Aug 29, 2010 2:59:26 GMT -5
I went VIP in 07 and 08. The biggest differences are proximity, clean bathrooms and "free" showers. Proximity being the biggest difference by far. Tent Only is like budget VIP. That's where I'm staying.
