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Post by 3post1jack1 on Jun 15, 2016 21:56:03 GMT -5
Murfreesboro Hotel/Shuttle Package FAQ
Writing this because I've gotten a few PMs regarding the Hotel/Shuttle package so I typed this up. If you have any other questions please let me know and I'll add it to the post.
I see no reason to opt for the Hilton Garden Inn, it is the exact same class as the Embassy Suites hotel and they are located very close to each other. No reason to spend the extra cash.
The above pricing does not include a Bonnaroo ticket. The ticket must be purchased separately, so you have to factor in that additional amount. There are also VIP upgrade options, which add approximately $480 to the package price. Again, the VIP package does not include a GA wristband. If you purchase the VIP Package you also purchase a GA wristband, then you upgrade your wristband when you arrive on the farm.
It’s hard to make a case that the VIP upgrade is worth it. The best part of VIP is guaranteed close camping to Centeroo, so if you are already staying in a hotel it doesn’t make much sense to spend the additional $480 just for The Hill and an air conditioned lounge in Centeroo. But for the record it would slightly cut down on your walk after the shuttle drops you off, as noted below.
Clearly it’s not the best value Bonnaroo travel option, you just have to consider how much you value not driving to and from Centeroo everyday, sleeping on a bed in A/C, and showering every night.
Arrival and Check-in
When you arrive in at the hotel you check in at the front desk. Some Croo members will have a table setup nearby where you can check in and get your shuttle credentials, which I never had to show to get onto the shuttle. All super easy and quick.
The shuttle runs roughly every hour until from 2pm to 2am on Thursday, 11am - 5am on Friday and Saturday, and 11am - 1am on Sunday. Right after headliners there are sometimes additional shuttles on the half hour. The shuttles are generally on time, but leave the farm 10 minutes later then they are scheduled to. Transport to and from the farm takes about 45 minutes. The shuttles pick up right outside the hotels, impossible to miss them.
The bus enters through the VIP entrance so there is rarely traffic. The only time I experienced any traffic in 2016 was leaving Sunday, and then it was minimal, I doubt it added more than a few minutes to our travel time. And while 2016 was clearly a less popular year, the only time a hotel shuttle was full was leaving Sunday night. All the other nights were just about a dozen people tops. Going to the farm (I typically took the 1pm or 2pm shuttle) there were only ever a handful of people on the shuttle.
The shuttles are air conditioned, quiet, and super comfortable.
One thing you should note is that the Nashville shuttles also pickup and drop off at the VIP tollbooth, so you want to make sure you don’t get on one of those. But the buses are clearly marked with a sign on the front window of the bus, so it’s kind of hard to screw this part up.
Map
Despite what the Bonnaroo map says, the actual drop off location on the farm is the VIP tollbooth. From there, if you are GA, you have to walk around the VIP RV section and back down to the Arch entrance. This walk takes about 10-15 minutes depending on how fast you walk. If you purchase the VIP option you can just walk through VIP camping.
Other
You also receive a $50 merchandise voucher with the package. This can be used strictly to purchase Bonnaroo Merchandise at the main Bonnaroo Merchandise Store near That tent.
There were other amenities, such as free breakfast until 9:30am, but you won’t be up that early, and evening cocktails between 5-7pm, but you won’t be at the hotel at that time for cocktails.
Alternatives
It is cheaper to get a hotel on your own and drive yourself, but then you have to drive yourself, which is a bummer at 4am after a day on the farm. I'm assuming nobody here would be stupid enough to drive intoxicated, but even just being exhausted can be dangerous, or at best unpleasant. Furthermore, the traffic in and out of day parking can add 60-75 minutes to your commute on a bad day.
Thanks for the info! I saw your original post and was intrigued. Having done Shaky Knees in 2014 and 2015, I have experienced the benefit of recharging in a hotel each night. A couple of initial question - do you buy this through Bonnaroo, directly from the hotel, or through some travel service? You mentioned the Nashville shuttle - is that a similar option, just in Nashville instead?
Thanks for the info! I saw your original post and was intrigued. Having done Shaky Knees in 2014 and 2015, I have experienced the benefit of recharging in a hotel each night. A couple of initial question - do you buy this through Bonnaroo, directly from the hotel, or through some travel service? You mentioned the Nashville shuttle - is that a similar option, just in Nashville instead?
You book it directly through Bonnaroo/Music Today, but a company called Event Logistics does all the grunt work with the shuttle. Information regarding the various hotel/shuttle options, including the Nashville option, are still up on the website:
The Nashville shuttle is just a shuttle pass + single day ticket or weekend ticket, no hotel is included. And there are two return/departure times each day instead of several with the Murfreesboro package.
How quickly do you need to book this package for say next year?
Not quickly at all, I doubt it ever sells out. The hotels are large and I don't see them filling up completely, and I would imagine they can just add more shuttles if enough people buy the package. I bought mine in January 2016 last year. If you are interested I'd start budgeting the money now, then wait for the lineup drop before deciding. So even if you don't go you'll have a nice stack of fun money set aside.
There is info on the Bonnaroo website, but it just gets some things plainly wrong, namely the shuttle schedule and shuttle drop off point, which I think are pretty important pieces of information.
One thing we've always enjoyed is the neighbor's we meet at the camp site. This year two of them left early because it was miserable, they are from Nashville. The reality is the price for your package was almost exactly what we paid for a not so luxury tent. Embassy suites might just be our choice for the next Roo we attend.
Post by christahluca on Jan 10, 2019 11:27:47 GMT -5
Considering this! I'm traveling solo and the thought of morning pool time seems ridiculously luxurious. Any solo travelers do this and did you feel like you missed out on the whole Bonnaroo experience?
Considering this! I'm traveling solo and the thought of morning pool time seems ridiculously luxurious. Any solo travelers do this and did you feel like you missed out on the whole Bonnaroo experience?
solo traveler here. you definitely miss out on the immersion aspect of bonnaroo, where you enter this temporary community and stay there away from the outside world for 4 days. but i'd gladly trade the value of that experience for the value of a good night's sleep.
Considering this! I'm traveling solo and the thought of morning pool time seems ridiculously luxurious. Any solo travelers do this and did you feel like you missed out on the whole Bonnaroo experience?
solo traveler here. you definitely miss out on the immersion aspect of bonnaroo, whereas you enter this temporary community and stay there away from the outside world for 4 days. but i'd gladly trade the value of that experience for the value of a good night's sleep.
3post1jack1 I just booked the last room at the Tru hotel by Hilton in Murf. I noticed your comment, "which they never checked"
Do you think my group of 4 could purchase just the bonnaroo daily shuttles from CID? Or just free skate like a wook?
i'm not sure. in january 2020 i emailed guestservices@cidentertainment.com to ask this exact question. they sent me a link to purchase shuttle tickets, but it was a dead link. when i asked them to double check the link, they referred me to bonnaroo.com to purchase shuttle tickets, which of course doesn't have a murfreesboro shuttle only option. i didn't pursue it any further.
despite my experience above, CID is usually pretty good when responding to questions (i've used them for Phish shows and when i requested a refund for a travel package they responded quickly and processed the refund without any hassle). i suggest emailing them and asking. be interested to know what you find out.
but yeah in 2016 they never checked my credentials when i got on the bus, so it's possible you could just wook your way into it lol. having said that, i'm pretty sure it was a different company running things in 2016. i used to correspond with a guy named Sam who was awesome and answered all my dumb questions. i think he was a local guy, not CID. so with CID running things now they may be a little stricter checking your shuttle pass, especially with a sold out bonnaroo which probably means significantly more travel packages sold than in 2016. also it would be a bummer if you wooked your way into the shuttle to get to the farm, then at 3am when trying to leave they won't let you get on.
Marisa (Guest Services) Jun 7, 2021, 15:56 EDT Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out. Shuttle transportation is included in our travel packages, but Murfreesboro shuttles are not sold separately. If you have any other questions, let us know. Best, Marisa
Big time bummer. I find it hard to believe that I can't just pay the Croo members some cash to get some passes for the weekend. I wonder how much uber would be. We're only doing Friday - Sunday
Big time bummer. I find it hard to believe that I can't just pay the Croo members some cash to get some passes for the weekend. I wonder how much uber would be. We're only doing Friday - Sunday
Yeah that sucks. Only other thought is maybe some other hotels in the area do a shuttle? Probably won't get you as close as the official shuttle. Even if you can only get a shuttle there but then Uber back it can save some money.
Is this not a thing anymore? Looks like the hotel packages with the shuttle included are gone....
so this is surprising, but i poked around bonnaroo.com and didn't see any shuttle info. at the bottom of this post a redditor said they contacted bonnaroo and confirmed no shuttle/hotel packages this year.
RIP to my little contribution to the "info" in inforoo.
