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!!
I put off asking this question because it's a bit selfish and there are similar threads that are more informative to the general population but:
Can someone tell me why I should go to VIP this year? Not why someone in general should but why I should. Here's my thinking:
Proximity: being close is nice but i've been almost every year and never been far away. Actually the last 2 times I was less than 5 min from Centeroo and have never been more than 12-15 min.
Showers: While a hot shower would be nice I actually like the cold troughs on a hot day. Cold trough are free.
Food: I always bring a lot of my own food and kind of like having community meals and sharing with neighbors. Is this even an option in VIP as everyone can eat for free elsewhere?
Cheap beer: I'm a whiskey drinker so cheap beer is not a big deal, though I'd drinka few cold ones in the heat.
Larger space: This could be a nice perk though about half the time I've gotten a site bigger than I can fill.
I also bring LOTS of extra stuff to help out unprepared neighbors with shade, water, etc. It's part of the Bonnaroo/community/karma experience. I'm constantly amazed at how many people show up with almost nothing. Do you make as close of friend with your neighbors in VIP?
The money is not a big deal this year, thankfully, and I'm considering it mainly for the new experience but I love GA and would hate to pay more and like it less. I just can't quite commit to a decision and ticket time is fast approaching.
Is there anything I'm missing? Do I just sound like someone who should stay in GA? I can't decide. Thanks for the help and sorry if this is too "me" oriented. But if you can't turn to your Roo buddies for advise, who can you turn to?
Post by Christopher Shawn on Jan 10, 2008 12:49:16 GMT -5
Honestly it seems like your the kind of cat that doesnt need to be in VIP. It seems like you enjoy the things that GA really exposes you to. But if you feel like throwing money into a dark pit and not really getting anything needful or useful from it...go VIP.
Post by strumntheguitar on Jan 10, 2008 12:56:38 GMT -5
Troo... what you described in there is what I love about GA
I've never done VIP, but it sounds like everything you enjoy the most is what GA is all about. Perhaps try it for the experience, but otherwise I'd go cliche and say don't fix what ain't broke
Stay with us in GA man... Heres my reasons for not goin VIP:
Peace and quiet in VIP: I don't go to roo for peace and quiet Plenty of space: That means fewer neighbors to meet! Free Food: Well yeah, but I don't like waiting in lines. I'd gladly make myself a sandwich or pay for food to avoid the line... and I'd hate for them to be out after I waited Showers: I'd much rather a cold trough in the heat of the day to cool off. I did pay for 1 shower in 07, but that was only 4 bucks... oh well? AC Bathrooms: Yeah, that'd be nice, but I can't see myself walking back to VIP everytime I want to use the bathroom. As a matter of fact, I'd probably spend most of my time in Centeroo and GA Proximity: Camp Inforoo is pretty close to Centeroo anyway
Post by spookymonster on Jan 10, 2008 13:08:14 GMT -5
Little or no wait in line getting in or out of Centeroo. Little or no searching of your stuff getting into Centeroo. It's a lot less chaotic than Tent-only. Less shady people (both good and bad ).
As for the people you meet, I can't recall bumping into too many assholes, really. My neighbors included: - Megan (BunnyRa), a NYC girl sleeping in a kiddie pup-tent - John (Idioteque) & Vicky, in an RV camper - a couple with their infant son living out of a minivan
Just up the road a bit in one direction was Gena (Chefchick), and in the other, Dottie (Happy Bunny). There were a few other Inforooers scattered around.
In general, I'd say there was just as much of a sense of camaraderie as in GA. Chefchick might be able to speak on that a bit more... she'd met some other VIPers on the bus from the airport, and they all decided to share a campsite together.
While I don't agree with Darth Squidius that you are "throwing your money in a dark pit", I guess I would have to agree with what everyone else has said. You sound like a GA sort of guy. I went VIP last year and really enjoyed myself, but I think what you most enjoy about Roo would be missing if you went VIP.
hey, I got nothin against folks who do VIP.. i wouldnt say you are throwin money into any pit. It just isn't for me.. and from the looks of it, it isn't for troo either
hey, I got nothin against folks who do VIP.. i wouldnt say you are throwin money into any pit. It just isn't for me.. and from the looks of it, it isn't for troo either
well these are kind of the same questions ive been asking myself too because...
-My walk to centeroo was less than 10 minutes and I could go back to my campsite whenever -I never had a problem with security. It all went pretty fast to me. -While many people say VIP was worth it for the bathrooms and showers, I dont think this would be the case for me. I've never taken a shower at bonnaroo lol. And the porto potties were actually a LOT cleaner than some other fests ive been to. -I've heard the food in VIP really wasn't that great and you still have to pay for drinks. -I don't drink beer or any liquor so it wouldn't be a "perk" for me.
yeah, sorry to jump in on your thread, but it seems like were kinda in the same situation. Some of my friends want to go VIP and I want to camp with them, but I dunno yet. I'm just having a really tough time deciding.
I was VIP last year, and really don't think it was worth it. I'm going GA this year. My answers to your reasoning:
Proximity: Not having to worry about BFE was definately nice...but you won't necessarily end up there. Beside, a little excersize never hurt anyone
Showers: Morning showers were freezing! A late afternoon/get the night started show was nice but not necessary-not worth the extra cost
Food: I barely ate the VIP food. Our neighbors had a grill and we did lunch together everyday. Only ate at the buffet for quick snacks
Cheap beer: The beer was only $1 cheaper (not cheap) and you had to walk to the camp to get it. The bonus was that you didn't have to walk through security to get in Centeroo so we brought in our own beer/liquor via my giant purse
Larger space: Eh-I have nothing to say about this. Didn't know VIP space was larger
I made some amazing friends in VIP camping. We've kept in touch and I can't wait to see them next year. But the very important people in general seemed to have a different vibe than GA. I think I missed out on some of the "Roo experience" by being in the VIP camp ground. Just my opinion.
So there you go. There are some perks to VIP-less lines and closer camping. Is it worth paying 3x as much per person? That's up to you
I went GA my first time in 2005, then VIP in 06 and 07 (in the RV section all 3 years). Definitely a different vibe in VIP. Less partying, more rich snob types sitting on the roof of aircraft carriers mixing up margaritas... For me, the draw is not the showers, beer or food. I want to see as many shows as I can, that's why I go. From VIP I can get to any stage in 10 minutes, pop back to the camper to drop off stuff or take a nap (I'm in my 50s). In 2005, they parked me over a mile from Centeroo, last year I could watch the main stage from my camper. I do miss the action of GA, VIP is a little like being in a bubble, or a sky box at the stadium...You are comfortable, but feel a little separated from the real world. I'm sticking with VIP.
maybe its different for you, since youre in TN, but for me, i am not driving almost 20 hours halfway down the country to get stuck in BFE.
I did GA (camp inforoo) in 06 and (as spooky said) VIP in 07. For me, it was all about the VIP section. lots of room, lots of space. when you have just been smooshed into a crowd for most of the day, it was nice to go back to the campsite and chill out with a handful of decent people. like spook said, there are way less sketchy people in the VIP section - as in, the kind of people who would loot your campsite. maybe you lose some diversity in the VIP populace, but almost everyone i met was great. plus, you are right near the main stage and you have your own private entrance. i never had time for 2 showers a day... i usually took one, around 3 or 4 in the morning. it was like heaven. and i never had a problem with the water being too hot / cold.
i dont think people are doing VIP for the free food or a buck off a $7 beer...
for me, its:
1) proximity to the stage 1.5) more room! 2) bathroom facilities 3) quiet(er) evenings when i want to sleep... although you can def hear the techno going until the wee hours from your campsite.
also, for the record, I never met a rich snob in VIP.
Last Edit: Jan 10, 2008 16:53:09 GMT -5 by idio - Back to Top
all your reasons sounded like me when i was deciding... i don't regret doing vip last year but i wouldn't go back. mainly because of the vibe in ga - i missed it a whole lot when the end of roo came around. showers and bathrooms were really nice but not enough to justify the cost. i liked not being so cramped, but not enough to give up the ga experience. other than our neighbors (from inforoo) i didn't meet any of the people parked around us so that was kind of sad for me (it seemed people were alot more clickly, not because they're snobs, probably just cause you are literally more seperated from everyone around you).
and from reading what you wrote, it really sounds like you already know which way you're leaning
This is how my wife and I looked at going VIP: We're old enough to afford it, young enough to enjoy it.
We're both 30, and logged many, many hours at big outdoor shows and festies through the 90s. Maybe we're getting soft in our old age, but, FOR US, the decision made sense, and made the experience infinitely more enjoyable, FOR US.
I can absolutely see why and how GA is more enjoyable for others.
In the end, that's what the 'Roo is all about. Maximizing your fun potential in whatever way you choose.
Post by freedomofmusic on Jan 11, 2008 9:58:35 GMT -5
We've done 3 GAs and 2 VIPs. It's definately worth the VIP for us. We were right beside bigjohn - great neighbors all around. Proximity is the main reason for us.
Just for me personally, at 5 ft. nothing in height, the bleachers for the two main stages were a selling point for me. Driving 8 hours to watch the back of a line of taller heads in front of me, for the bigger concerts, didn't exactly sound like fun. During The Police, last year, there was still plenty of room on the bleachers. People always squeezed in to make more room. It wasn't at all uncomfy. And you could pop right in back of the bleachers to buy a cold beer to bring back with you. Easy shot to the port-a-potties from the bleachers, too. Just something no one else had mentioned. For me, with all the other amenities, it made sense.
I can certainly see why GA is better (and certainly makes a lot more money sense) to some, while VIP works for others. Nice that there are options.
We've done 3 GAs and 2 VIPs. It's definately worth the VIP for us. We were right beside bigjohn - great neighbors all around. Proximity is the main reason for us.
Hey! Good to see you around again! We were going to look you up this year, but alas I don't think we're going to make it. Definately aiming for '09, and then I won't be able to say we didn't have time to save up the $$.
Post by freedomofmusic on Jan 11, 2008 13:48:42 GMT -5
bigjohn said:
freedomofmusic said:
We've done 3 GAs and 2 VIPs. It's definately worth the VIP for us. We were right beside bigjohn - great neighbors all around. Proximity is the main reason for us.
Hey! Good to see you around again! We were going to look you up this year, but alas I don't think we're going to make it. Definately aiming for '09, and then I won't be able to say we didn't have time to save up the $$.
Bummer. Well, we will be there whatever year you can make it. It's always fun to meet up with your former neighbors.
*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun** *Hell I don't even know where I am** *for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder: The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run** *We listen, if it feels good We shake** *You made a big impression for a girl of your size, Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**
When it comes down to it, we all like different things about Roo. Some like the crowds and the smells of thousands of unwashed bodies, others don't care for that. It's all what you decide to make out of it. You may want to try VIP just to see the difference, than next year go back to what you were doing before. I will keep going VIP because that's for makes it for me. It's your roo, you decide. ;D
This year will be our 3rd time at Bonnaroo and our first time going VIP. The selling points for us are proximity---we have always ended up in BFE and are getting to an age where we do not want to walk 45 minutes each way to the shows 3 or 4 times a day. We have missed some really good music in the past because we were just to tired to go back out or the crowd was so big that we didn't make it there in time. Also, while we are not exactly antisocial, we do like our personal space. It is so much better for us to come back to camp after a long day in the hot sun with crowds of people and be able to stretch out a bit without encroaching on your neighbor's space. Maybe after going VIP this year we will decide that it's not worth the cost but I don't think so.
^^ Good popints. But as I've said I've been to 6 Roos and ALWAYS got great sites (I was closer than Tent Only the last 2 years, knock on wood) so maybe I just need a BFE experience.
As for privacy, I normally have plenty as when I want to chill I just climb in the hammock and, being older, people generally leave me alone.
The communal meals and sharing supplies with unprepared neighbors are fun though and the inevitable sharing of "party favors" is Roo to me.
BTW, I decided on GA this year again. I will have a rooster on top my 15+ ft flagpole so stop by if you see it.
For the record, I went GA from 2004-2006, then VIP last year, and will be returning to GA again for 2008. I think for some folks, it might be worth it and don't get me wrong, the proximity, cheaper beer, hassle free food, air conditioned johns, and all the perks are GREAT, but I just don't think it's necessarily worth the extra expense.
I'm not even certain I'd do VIP again even if I could justify the expense -- not sure why, just don't think I would -- you can take that for what it's worth.
Post by JustSoYouKnow on Mar 3, 2008 4:33:29 GMT -5
I'm going VIP and I'm not a rich snob! I'm going VIP this year, GA last year at my first 'roo, but I will be there for proximity... so i guess that's where the snobbish comes from, people going vip to be at centeroo not at campsites. Last year, i helped out all my more experienced neighbors more than they helped me. i helped girls set up their tent, i cooked for all around, I asked the right people who weren't advertising for stuff for the campsite behind(even though i don't get fucked up), and we all joined together for the comedy tent on sunday(which no one had been to ever in their 'roo experince but was the first thing i did on thurs.) Going VIP has changed my packing list, i won't be cooking for everyone this year, and probably have more of a campsite to set up than last year which means i won't be mingling in that time... also i'm with a bigger group and conversations organizing with them with probably interupt conversations with other campsites. i have told the first timers to go out into GA b/c I do foresee a few good interactions missing... maybe I'll get my fill dropping in on GA campers for this 'roo!
&
I don't think we're going to make it. Definately aiming for '09, and then I won't be able to say we didn't have time to save up the $$.
