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 frotoluseahorses on Jul 8, 2015 8:46:04 GMT -5
This was my first VIP Roo, my second Roo total. So I have a GA experience to compare to.
We had a good experience in GA last year but it is hard living and the bathroom situation and scary showers were enough for me to wanna try VIP. Having to wait until Thursday to enter the VIP camping was a bummer, wish they would allow Wed entry. Traffic on interstate was sucky and the troopers sent us the wrong way for the VIP entry, but once we got on the right road we were easily sent through the gate after a quick look in our cooler. We were directed to our camping spot which was on the end right across from the VIP tent. The spots were tiny but us and our new neighbor turned our vehicles sideways to have enough room for a tent and ez up. We actually took up more room than our spot but no one said anything, but the folks camping behind us had to move there entire setup due to being told they were in fire lane. So our spot had ultimate people watching, close to flushing toilets, showers, and Airconditioned VIP tent. We had really cool people camping next to us, so we settled in to the Roo groove. There is a noticeable difference in the VIP vibe and the GA vibe it is far more reserved in my opinion. We were some what exposed on the end and perhaps it was different down the aisles.
i also was looking forward to the air conditioned VIP tents for refuge from the heat. Don't plan on that because so many people cram in there it is hotter than being outside. My husband and I have issues with crowds so we have to be careful how we manage our plan at Roo. The tents were a huge disappointment they need more than 1 in the campground area with better air. There was a nice covered area with hammocks and people doing massages at a very reasonable price. Also, a small shade tent with water mist. There was a small stage area that had yoga class each morning, and a band played there on Thursday night. A cellphone charging bank is there where u can drop off your phone and pick it up later fully charged for free, there was a long line a lot of the time. I got mine charged once at night when the VIP area was practically empty. There needs to be a taco stand or something in this area, we didn't bring a lot of food, our plan being to eat out. More shade is needed for VIP inside Roo and campground. People get in those hammocks and couches in the tent and sleep all freakin day. The water in campground was tasty, wish I didn't have to dump it at the gate for gross sulphur water in Roo. As far as the viewing areas the hill was out of the way and so crowded we only went there once. The which stage viewing area could use a bathroom but shade would be really nice! VIP should have viewing spots for all the tents so that the VIP people spread out a little bit. We spent a lot of time at our camp site due to being able to hear the what stage and see the monitors,at night was the only time the VIP tents were not crowded and they had the what stage broadcasting on the tv. A place to watch the red bull feed would have been really nice because we missed a lot of concerts. There were so many people and it was so dusty it was difficult to find food away from the dust bowl. Billy Joel was a huge disappointment quitting 30 minutes early. Mumford and sons played extra long put him to shame! By being in VIP it was defiantly easier to get into Roo and out of Roo and my feet faired far better than when I was in GA. It was a bummer coming back from Billy Joel and seeing they were already tearing down all the hammocks and turned off the live feed of billy Joel before it was over. I feel like it should all be set up until Monday morning. We will do VIP again but hope they do some more stuff for our comfort.
If they change the VIP parking situation to what they did in GA this year then it's about as good as you can get. I did here some agitation in the voices of the VIP'ers this year upon seeing the 40 acres each GA spot had.
I did VIP and I did not have the same experience at all. This is my first Bonnaroo, I am way too old for GA camping/bathrooms. On that note, the water was fine to me, especially compared to that nasty shit by the fountain. We drank it on Thursday before our ice in the water cooler we brought had melted enough to use, we just added ice to the cooler throughout the weekend and it worked out perfect. Plus, it allowed us to put ice and water in our camlebaks, which was really nice. They only made us dump out our water once and it never happened again. The spots were smaller than 10' x 30' they said they would be, probably closer to 10' x 20' but I was out just a little in the fire lane and they said it was fine and we had plenty of room for two EZups. For the record I drive a Honda Fit, so we were totally packed in our car.
The air conditioning did suck during the day in the VIP tent, BUT there was free ice cream at 1pm and 5pm. I would take a bunch back to camp and between our fans, the breeze and the ice cream I was never miserable. I also live in New Orleans and am very used to the heat, so that might be something that helped us. I will be bringing a cot next year. One of the people in our group had one, and at the hottest part of the day, it was nicer than laying on the ground or being in your tent.
I dropped off my anker first thing almost every morning at the charging station, there was rarely a line of more than 3 people and we would pick it back up at the end of the night. We had no issues, it was very convenient and easy. I never ate in VIP, besides the Thursday night dinner. We brought food and between the 16 of us camping together, we had breakfast every morning and coffee. Plus, we would snack at lunchtime on sandwiches and munchies. I only ate in centeroo for dinner or for Amish donuts.
The bathrooms were awesome. Super clean, I only had to stand in line once the whole weekend. I also enjoyed the showers, never had to wait in line and when I would go, there wouldn't be very many people in them. The Which Stage did have a VIP bathroom behind the tent and that "front yard" viewing area. After Tears for Fears we went looking for a bathroom and I actually found the VIP tent and bathrooms. It was a nice surprise.
I do agree that the tents should have VIP viewing. They get super packed and for the superjam they turned off the screen and being on 5'3" I couldn't see or hear anything. I didn't like how the closed everything down while Billy Joel was playing. I wanted to see Game of Thrones but was unable to because of that. Other than that, we are all on board to do VIP again next year. We had the best time. I do wish they would let us in on Wednesday, but driving past that GA line waiting to get in Thursday morning alone, made me glad we did VIP.
My experience was wonderful , I plan to construct a sitting area on top of my suv so I can chill and watch from my site if I want . The first year I went in 08 my neighbor (dad and maybe 15 yr old son)had one so I thank then for this idea. It was hilarious this kids dad asked me if I had any special treats ;-) I said no but I did dose your son lol I told him I was kidding which I was of course but his reaction was priceless and worth my little fib. VIP is the only way to do a festival of this size for me at least , bathrooms , center roo entry , viewing areas, and perfect campsite. The spaces were smaller from previous years I noticed but we got there later than planned I missed the exit and didn't notice for about 20 miles haha . My advice is if you can afford it do it. Other advice includes lots of fresh cut fruit, and put your wetwipes in your cooler they are much cooler haha.
TL:DR I am against formatting, grammar isn't a strong suit, I typed a stream of consciousness rather than give a real review, I discovered that summer in the south is hot and that being VIP didn't make me SUPER DUPER special.
Post by frotoluseahorses on Jan 22, 2016 16:35:36 GMT -5
Well we said last year we were not going this year.... Then the lineup came out, so I sucked it up and pulled out the ole credit card. With the choice of VIP or GA ....having done both....we went with another trip VIP. Hope the camping site Fairys will grant me another awesome spot. I'm debating if I should buy a smaller tent and a umbrella, fore going big tent and ez up, try to get by without big truckload. But no....must have giant cooler of frozen water....so much to do.....must start planning.
