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 phillyhillbilly on Feb 25, 2013 10:11:18 GMT -5
The lady friend and I got our tickets this weekend and we're trying to plan logistics. First roo for us both. We are spending a night or two in Asheville before driving to the farm I'm trying to decide when we should leave Asheville for the farm (hotel booking purposes). So I've got a couple questions and thoughts to solicit advise from the veterans!
1) Arrive Wed. evening to set up camp. I've read that Wednesday evening is a pretty fun time in certain camp grounds but what would it be like in VIP? Not the same atmosphere I would imagine, worth spending an extra night in a tent? Are most of the vendors already set-up and serving by Wed? I dont have any friends going this year (yet)..I guess we could wander around and GA and find the fun
2) Arrive Thursday afternoon/evening. When does the music start approx Thurs? If we arrive late on Thursday and get a "crappy" spot in VIP does it really matter? All of VIP is pretty good right?
Post by Det. Jake Peralta on Feb 25, 2013 17:22:50 GMT -5
1) VIP does not open on wednesday night, it opens Thursday at 8 AM. 2) the music in the tents usually starts around 3 in the afternoon. All the spots in VIP are pretty good compared to possibly getting put into BFE in GA camping. My suggestion would be to get there as soon as you can thursday so that you can get set up and start enjoying your first Roo
GA opening early only happened in the last 2-3 years officially. Unofficially, they use to dump all of the early arrivals in BFE. My guess is that VIP requires a lot of additional full time staffing that they do not want to pay for (bathroom & shower attendants, AC in the tents, Food service, etc). Maybe someday, but that day is not June 12th, 2013.
This will be my first Roo, and VIP experience as well. I wonder why VIP doesn't open until Thursday. Any ideas?
I would say it has to do with the road they use to fill VIP is also the same one that is used to fill Pod 1. If they did both at once, the street would end up being a two-way line and would probably significantly increase the wait time for VIP. Also, they use that road for last minute prep stuff which is why they usually shut it down after Pod 1 is full. If they opened VIP Wednesday night, they wouldn't be able to shut the road down and well screw up their logistics.
1) VIP does not open on wednesday night, it opens Thursday at 8 AM. 2) the music in the tents usually starts around 3 in the afternoon. All the spots in VIP are pretty good compared to possibly getting put into BFE in GA camping. My suggestion would be to get there as soon as you can thursday so that you can get set up and start enjoying your first Roo
It actually opens at 7am this year per the website.
The VIP Campground will OPEN at 7:00 AM on Thursday, June 13, 2013.
Post by cosmicfeline on Feb 26, 2013 15:08:22 GMT -5
Very helpful.
Anyone know the average wait time for VIP? We live in Knoxville so I'm assuming a two hour drive to the Farm, but should we leave like real early and be there at open and breeze through? At that point do you they the car searches are more in depth because it's not gotten insane yet? I'm full of questions, we're first timers too.
Anyone know the average wait time for VIP? We live in Knoxville so I'm assuming a two hour drive to the Farm, but should we leave like real early and be there at open and breeze through? At that point do you they the car searches are more in depth because it's not gotten insane yet? I'm full of questions, we're first timers too.
The longest I have ever heard of someone waiting for VIP was 30 minutes. From what I have read, the norm is a very short wait.
I only really know about GA searches, and I have always found them to be a crap shoot. The best advice is to make sure you don't have anything glass (or at least hide it well). If they see something like that with the cursory search, they are more likely to hammer you. I don't know if VIP is better or worse as far as searches go.
I have never done GA so I do not know what that is like, but I hear it can get pretty intense. I have done VIP for 6 years, and honestly, I have never felt it was all that bad. Like Dave said, keep away from glass and obviously visible infractions and they do not hassle you too much. Searches for VIP are done exclusively by volunteers, some more through than others.
As far as the wait, it has significantly improved and there has been virtually no wait the last 3 years. There are no "Bad" spots in VIP, but you will be ok getting there any time before noon IMO. PM me if you need any clarification.
I am so excited. 
