Reflections on VIP camping-- great weekend

[tigerpiper]

Cut to the chase- well worth the extra money. We had a great time.

Value calculation- ticket to Wakarusa was $100 (more or less). So for VIP to be worth it, you need $200 of extra value.

VIP Camping- this was the only part of the deal that sucked. The tents were stacked wall to wall in ravines etc. Maybe numbered spots would work next year. It was close quarters though. (extra value- 0$).

VIP food- We were only there Friday and Saturday. Subs one night, pizza the next, with snacks (fruit, cheese, chips etc.) from noon until midnight. I guess I would rather have had $10/day to go spend on some of the vendors' food, but the VIP food was nice. Big kicker-big shaded tent at Sun Up stage right to kick back(extra value- $40).

VIP drinks- Here's where the good stuff started kickin' in. Although I saw no lines for beer outside, the VIP drinks were awesome. Wheat or fat tire beer, water, gatorade. Started at noon and ended at midnight. For four days, this would probably be $200 right there. Two days of drinks (lots of beer and water) (extra value $100).

VIP stage access- right down front at all three main stages. This was priceless. It was ok for the daytime shows (see above shade comment), but at night was amazing. Very little crowding (second SCI show was crowded but thats it). Room to breathe. Unbelievable views and sounds from the stage. (extra value- PRICELESS).

others- free showers ($15 value)

So all told- VIP was a steal. Thanks to the organizers for a great show.

[TreyGordon]

shhhhhhhhhh!

[toys]

i disagree, was very disappointed with what I got as a \"VIP\"

[TreyGordon]

[quote:22497600c7=\"toys\"]i disagree, was very disappointed with what I got as a \"VIP\"[/quote:22497600c7]

did you not arrive on wednesday and get a ****ty spot?

i will say they did oversell it.

still, the other perks makeup for a small campsite IMO.

[stevejr]

one major problem w/vip:
The fence 'fell' down in the back which gave everyone going in the main concert gates access to the 6 or 7 vip porty pottys. They were full by Thurs. 4 and didn't get empty until Friday morning. Otherwise well worth it.

[TreyGordon]

[quote:14daea64d7=\"stevejr\"]one major problem w/vip:
The fence 'fell' down in the back which gave everyone going in the main concert gates access to the 6 or 7 vip porty pottys. They were full by Thurs. 4 and didn't get empty until Friday morning. Otherwise well worth it.[/quote:14daea64d7]


yea, the shoulda had a ****load (no pun intended) of port a potties on that main walkway for all of them to use, and the VIP johns off that road in the middle of the campground along that east treeline.

also, there were a lot of non-VIP car's in the campground. there was virtually no-one standing guard at the car entrance.

[kinderkitti]

The lack of available communication for the person with heat exhaustion is very disturbing. I think that was the biggest problem-lack of communication. If you had a problem or an issue, it was almost impossible to find anyone with authority to actually help. And there was rarely a person around with a walkie talkie who could communicate with others.
As for vip, I agree with my camping neighbor, tigerpiper, that overall it is a great value. BTW, tpiper had to put up his tents touching our screen tent and his screen tent touching his tent. There was really no space available by the time his krewe arrived on Friday. I do know that there were at least 8 people camped just around us who were not vip so that makes me think that there were many more in the area. Seems if just those folks weren't there, space might not be such an issue.
Front stage--Yes, at some shows, the vip area was not full, but at others, it was packed out. At every festival i've been to, and this was my first to pay for vip, vip has included some sort of front of stage viewing area, so that probably won't change, but perhaps the area could be reconfigured somehow.
As to the downed fence, I talked to at least 6 different people about that but I never found the person who was responsible for that problem. And according to the person in charge of vip hospitality, there was really no one in charge of any other aspect of vip except hospitality.
Food--To add to tpiper-on sunday, we had pizza again for lunch and for dinner we were invited to partake of the food catered for the bands and backstage and that was a great meal-chicken, pesto pasta, artichoke something, salad, rolls.
My krewe and I decided on the way home, we'll definitely pay for vip again. We saw a lot more music by being right next to the entrance and the shuttle.

[toys]

[quote:a8674616ed=\"TreyGordon\"][quote:a8674616ed=\"toys\"]i disagree, was very disappointed with what I got as a \"VIP\"[/quote:a8674616ed]

did you not arrive on wednesday and get a ****ty spot?

i will say they did oversell it.

still, the other perks makeup for a small campsite IMO.[/quote:a8674616ed]

first flight got delayed, which caused us to miss our connecting flight, ended up arriving several hours later than we expected. Got there to find nobody but two kids at the VIP entrance waving anyone and everyone in. Inside VIP camping found dozens of non VIPs camped taking up just about every available extra spot. Ended up just blocking off the end of one of the driving lanes and setting up there. Quick trip up to the VIP porta johns and find that the \"fence\" is down and all 30k people are using them. That continued all weekend. Thankfully everyone camped around us in VIP was cool, even the non-VIPs. I was maybe just lucky enough to set up camp next to the Home Team though. Only thing different between VIP camping and GA camping was location - if anything GA camping you had more room from what I saw. Alot of the shows I went to were at the Campground stage too, which made my VIP camp not much better than a GA spot.

[TreyGordon]

yea, the food thing was once again weak.

that last meal on sunday that the bands get backstage really proved that fact. if I had been running the show, there would have been two scheduled meals at a specific time starting on thursday.
The people who are spending more of their hard earned money to get the VIP experience should be treated in the same manner as the artists/employees.

Next I would have communicated this info to the VIP customers on three levels

1) The website
2) via email several weeks before the event
3) and in an info pack with the tickets.

there was no communication between VIPers and the festival, other than a different ticket. when i tried to ask any employee, they didn't have any info either.

[toys]

yeah, just a little card handed to me on the way in that said I'd have drinks only at the Revival Tent and Sundown(up?) stage, food AND drinks at the SunUp(down?) stage, and diddly **** at the Campground stage would have helped tremendously.

[TreyGordon]

i did forget this though, I have to give props to the salmon/pita/cheese-cracker snacks during Wilco.



did anyone go backstage at the CPJS stage? that is what VIP shoulda been. couches, basic medical stuff/toiletries, a fridge, good snack food (not just chips/dip)....more person attention.

[PeteisWho]

fun to \"see\" a couple of neighbors here, having talked with Kitti and Steve over the course of the weekend.

(thanks for the offer of eggs, Kitti; but Milton's in downtown Lawrence was a must stop for breakfast...and Steve, you and your youngest danced like champs! good show! your daughters are festie troupers; not necessarily an easy thing.)

VIP thoughts....

(first...how about a different nomenclature. VIP can be embarassing, needlessly elitist and antagonistic. Sorry, it can. How about something truthful but without the baggage? Wakasupporters, WIP's, Patrons of Waka. There has to something more understated than VIP.)

Access was the only thing for me that made the price worthwhile. like many others mentioned over the weekend and now, here on the board, there were a number of drawbacks/problems - some avoidable, others not (lack of shade) - with VIP. However, being able to walk right to the front of the stage made those issues more *tolerable*.

But I believe the VIP stage access was too much of a good thing. I never would have thought that all of the front, and such a large area at that, would be restricted to only \"VIP's\".

Many bands played to very large crowds - but with a gaping empty section populated by very few people in the VIP section. Uncomfortable for all parties involved. Half the stage would have been completely appreciated and more appropriate. Think of the hard-core fans that lend energy to a band, think of the people who love the band but could not afford VIP pricing or just didn't want to camp in the shade-less VIP area.
Neither \"side\" should begrudge half for the dues-paying patrons, but the whole stage reeked of a \"let them eat cake\" mind-set.

Proximity to the three main stages, along with VIP closeness did deliver the value of the VIP price. Unless one has planned for and really has an effective sun shading system, the shaded premium campsites might be a better way to go. I haven't completely made up my mind on that one. I did drive through all of the camping areas and found a good number of beautiful and all-day shaded sites that looked quite tempting. The heat without relief does bear down day after day. Thank the waka-gods for the state park setting and those SHOWERS.

The \"VIP\" porta-potti situation was disgusting. Guys can manage a little easier, but anyone who had to sit - in the dark! - was taking chance of nasty backsplash, slippage and blechh. Once the VIP potties were put in use by the general camp population, someone should have called porta-pottie for daily cleanup. this could have been done. I mentioned the problem to as many people as I could, but everyone said it wasn't their deal, but they would pass the word. Never did I see someone \"official\" from Wakarusa with a walkie talkie. It is amazing things ran as smooth as they did given these communication issues.

VIP communication was a non-starter. Nothing. No followup mail, nothing on the website. Wow, nothing in the way of a handout while we were there; when we arrived. It was a great conversation starter, though. \"Hi, how's it going? Great music, huh? Who did you see? By the way, have you heard anything about where we go for VIP food, what it will be, when it will be served?\" At which points commiserating, if not bitching would commence, followed by music/concert talk and agreement that \"being up front for _____ last night\" made it all worthwhile. The lunch/snack was inconsequential and we missed \"dinner\" meals because we didn't get there early enough. Of course, we had no idea what \"early\" was. The subs were good Friday night; I guess 6:30 was ok on Friday, but Saturday the meal (pizza, we heard) was long GONE by the time we got there around the same time. Was this all a concerted effort to steer business to the vendors? If so, no problem; but don't serve food at all. We will then know to bring more cash or pack more food/cooking tools.

I also think, especially given the large number of non-VIP campers to the east of our area, that having another portable shower facility on \"this\" side of the hill would make sense for next year. Also there was no running water available for VIP as the nearby spigot was commandeered to service vendors.

Having offered all of the above, I still believe the proximity to the main stage areas and the VIP stage access make VIP tickets worth the money.

Hope these thoughts help to improve the event. That is the spirit in which these words have been typed.

waka-waka

[phatbuddha]

I drove an RV from St Louis with my 2 kids, and wife. You probably noticed me as the guy carrying the wagon around with 2 kids in it looking for the Kids Stage all weekend. We got to the entrance of the VIP campground on thursday night around 7pm. I was told by the \"director of parking\" who told me his name was Puddles that he wasnt sure where to put an RV in VIP and told us to pull on the other side of the orange fence until he could figure out where to put us. I told him that we were at the festival last year with an RV in VIP and they put us up against the inside of the orange fence. I could not believe how many people were camped in VIP and it was only Thursday!!! Last year there were 1/4 that many people camped in VIP on Thursday. After 15 minutes of talking about it with his boys Puddles comes the RV and says \"Yeah, we're just going to put you on the inside of that orange fence over there, just make sure there is a lane for cars to get in and out of on your pasenger side.\" No problem we moved the RV into the VIP area right on the inside corner of the fence by the entrance. We couldnt pull down our awning, and we had to make sure that there werent any cars coming before we could get out of the RV, but we were willing to pay that small price to be here and we were aware that VIP was sold out. Our family enjoyed the event tremendously, but I have to agree with some of you kind folks out there.

1.) I HATE security, but if you pay for VIP there should be security at the entrance. I saw police golfcarts rolling through VIP looking to bust people smoking a doobie, but where was the security at the entrance of VIP camping??????? I cant believe they let cops roll through VIP and yet half of the VIP section was full of NON-VIP campers. My wife and I were trying to go to sleep, and had our window open and we heard a drunk ass G-Chick come up to the side of the RV to piss on our RV. Little did she know that we could here her brag to her friends as she was getting ready to squat on our RV. We opened our window and said excuse us, would you like us to come over to your campground and pee next to your tent. She said she was camped in campground 1 and she needed a place to pee. VIP???
2.) The torn down fence issue. Last year there were problems with the orange fence. The exact same thing happened last year with the fence falling down, except they were quick to repair the problem. This year it seemed as though they were understaffed in a lot of areas.
3.)Incorrect info on event programs. Why was the carnival not next to the Revival tent like it says in the program??? Where was the Kids Stage on the Program map? Why did no one working know any information about anything????
4.) Food??? Hey the kids loved it, Pizza, water and soda everyday!!! That is not VIP food though, once again this was the same problem as last year. They truly cheap out on the food portion of VIP.

We did truly enjoy the festival, and the VIP privelages, but there needs to be better security at the entrance and eliminate all of the random people that were just freely roaming through VIP. I think that for $600 for my Wife, my 2 small kids and I, we also deserve a good hot meal once a day like the bands. But I think these were relatively small problems that can be fixed, and we look forward to Waka-3!!!!!!!!!!

[PeteisWho]

(the rest of my post...)


I also think, especially given the large number of non-VIP campers to the east of our area, that having another portable shower facility on \"this\" side of the hill would make sense for next year. Also there was no running water available for VIP as the nearby spigot was commandeered to service vendors.

Having offered all of the above, I still believe the proximity to the main stage areas and the VIP stage access make VIP tickets worth the money.

Hope these thoughts help to improve the event. That is the spirit in which these words have been typed.

waka-waka

[TreyGordon]

oh yea, and that huge as light they had shining on the VIP campground was about the worst thing ever.

We called it the night time sun, one sun would set, and another one would be turned on.

[PeteisWho]

that didn't really bother us. we never needed to fire up the lantern or burn flashlights :lol: 8)

[Fozzie]

[quote:cd51edab88=\"TreyGordon\"]shhhhhhhhhh![/quote:cd51edab88]

I agree with that..........we should bury this thread and make sure no one thinks VIP was worth it.

[ajdoo]

My husband and I were lucky enough to get free VIP tickets through his job, so I really have no room to complain about anything regarding the VIP perks. The beverages & VIP viewing area were the highlights, I would purchase VIP tickets in the future for those 2 benefits and the convenience factor. Gettin up close to see SCI on Saturday was wonderful.

They definitely needed more communication about when food would be available and what it would be. I was expecting some sort of info sheet when we arrived. On Saturday there was a hand written sign in the VIP shaded area by the sundown stage that said when snacks and dinner would be served. But in the evening, the dinner time changed to earlier & the time was crossed out on the sign. So anyone who read the sign earlier in the day with the original time would have missed dinner. I think the food info was limited because they didn't want everyone to arrive all at once ready to eat.

It's a good idea to feed people who start drinking in the sun around noon. No big deal to get food from the vendors, but communication ahead of time would be good so people could come prepared with enough cash or food of their own.

[Rush_898]

Man, does it ever suck to be back at work.


We arrived in VIP Wednesday evening. Lots of good people, a great vibe. The people we met were very nice, everyone was laid back and casual. There was some definite partying and fun times all around. It was really nice to be able to come back to our site so easily between sets. The beverage service was unbelievably cool. At random points there was Gatorade, Sweat Leaf Tea, Water, Coke, Mountain Dew, and of course booze. I thought the staff inside the VIP areas was always very friendly. A big thank you should go out to them. We also didn't have a problem with Chiggers at all. I was okay with the size of the VIP viewing area. It was only very noticeable and awkward on the campground stage, and I noticed that was removed after the first day or so.


Overall, it was worth it. I was dead center up front on the rail for Mule and it made my weekend, my week, my month, and my year.

There are a few weak areas that could be worked on.

1) It's been previously mentioned, but it needs to be again. The lack of communication was disturbing. None of the staff, volunteers or security I found had any idea what was going on starting from Wednesday evening and continuing through Sunday morning. A direct quote when we were trying to find the showers, or inquire as to what time the trailer showers would open Thursday morning...\"They just dropped us off here, man. I don't even know where I am.\" That about sums it up. I felt like no one in VIP was informed about meal schedules, service schedules (we had the folks working the VIP entrance tell us that the beverage service was not starting until Friday), etc. A preposted meal schedule with a menu would greatly improve the experience. What is the point of providing detailed band schedules if you don't know what time you will have to be available for dinner? It seemed like nearly EVERYONE camping in VIP that I talked too was under the impression that there would be dinner Thursday night, which was not the case. It really isn't that big of a deal, it's simply a case of not knowing what is going on.

As far as the food choices. I, personally, thought the subs were good, the pizza was fine, and buffet style on Sunday was a nice change of pace. It was too damn hot for much of anything else.

2) The VIP Johnny-On-The-Spots. Holy hell they were nasty by Friday morning. I would say if they could be moved to the opposite side of VIP camping from the festival entrance, or watched more closely for when they need to be changed out it would help.

3) I thought security handled themselves well during the weekened. By Sunday I could definitly tell they were tired and done though. They did get a little pissy overall by the end of the weekened. I don't have anything constructive to say on the issue, just an observation.


Anyone looking to identify us. We were the younger couple with the burgundy car and the green umbrella. Hopefully we can party again next year.

Chase & Amanda.

[tigerpiper]

The security dudes I saw (and talked with) were all very cool. When someone jumped the fence, they politely but firmly escorted the jumper out. I had no problem showing my wrist band at the entrance.

As for the fence, I think the people in the VIP campground knocked it down to cut the corner to the main entrance.

There was no one at the normal entrance to the campground, so maybe that was why it was so crowded. That should be changed as the campground conditions were horrible (but I wasn't hanging out there too much).

I would have liked some beer at the campground stage... Maybe a punch card or something if its too much hassle to have a separate VIP area at the other stage. But paying $4 a beer wasn't bad anyway.

The woman in charge of hospitality (I wish I remembered her name) was very nice. Kudos.

[Raw Shok Test]

My $.02.....


I went with VIP only for the up-front viewing areas, so as far as that goes, it was well worth it. But I was expecting better snacks and food, and was very disappointed with that. Who thought that hot pizza would be a good idea for people who've been out in the sun for over 12 hours? Plus, I heard that when they had subs they only ordered 250, and if you didn't get there you were out of luck. Maybe next year instead of providing such low-quality food they should give VIP's a $10 voucher for dinner from one of the vendors. That way we could eat what we want when we want to. My other complaints have already been touched on, but I'll repeat 'em so they'll be fixed next year: the johnny-on-the-job situation was disgusting, the overcrowding and security were rediculious, the disappearing VIP section at the Campground Stage, the showers were too far away and no shuttles ran in the mornings, but one of the worst problems was that nobody working there knew anything about what was going on with VIP. I'm sure that I'll think of more, so I'll add 'em when I do.

[kinderkitti]

yall just be sure to post your comments in feedback on the home page. That's what the folks in charge will be reading.

[Fozzie]

I had absolutely no problem w/ the food.....they provided healthy snacks good for energy during the day for the most part. There were plenty of subs on Friday....there were still some left at midnight after SCI. So if you didn't get one.....I'm not sure where you were looking.
Pizza is easy and made most people happy. I would have also prefered something more substantial, but was fine w/ it.
The buffet on Sunday was awesome...and unexpected.

Then again, I didn't care what they served for food. The food was just a bonus since everything else was so great for VIP. Being able to catch some shade in the VIP tent and drinking a case or 2 of free water/Gatorade(in between beers of course) during the weekend saved my ass in that heat....

I def. agree that there should have been a dedicated security guard to the VIP area most hours that knew what was going on....and better location on those bathrooms(away from the main entrance), they were disgusting.

[ocomik]

[quote:c65da359a6=\"PeteisWho\"]
VIP thoughts....

(first...how about a different nomenclature. VIP can be embarassing, needlessly elitist and antagonistic. Sorry, it can. How about something truthful but without the baggage? Wakasupporters, WIP's, Patrons of Waka. There has to something more understated than VIP.)[/quote:c65da359a6]

The nomenclature is elitist and in my opinion has no place in the live music scene. Music festivals are about bringing people together to share experiences not about creating some form of caste system.

I'm still working up my thoughts on this and will post something shortly but after working around the VIP area all festival, I felt it was a hindrance for the majority of attendees that were not VIPs.

My initial verdict is it is capitalism at its worst.

[double d]

yea, my favorite was when DtB asked what the folks up front inside the fence did wrong. i yelled out that those of us outside the fence inhaled.

while i know folks who had VIP loved being close, it sure did seperate the have's from the havenot's. while i LOVED being brought free beers by my VIP caretakers, i HATED losing them.

[Fozzie]

Capitalism at it's worst....don't agree. I spent literally $20 at this festival since I had just about everything I needed through VIP. I'd guess the majority of non-VIP's spent a decent amount of money throughout the festival? This also includes planning for food/drink at the campsite....we spent like $50 on food and bevs for 4 people for the campsite and that is it.
Having to fork over $300 up front seems like a lot....but I don't think it's that big of a stretch for what we got. VIP tix were available pretty much until the festival happened....so everyone had the option of getting them, most people just didn't realize the beneifits I guess.

[emmablue]

ocomik you rock.

and thanks for the ride--the ride to boulder was \"interesting\" to say the least...

[Fozzie]

I take that back....the only $ I spent at the festival was $6 on some brisket nachos.....then I spent $14 in town for slushies and breakfast:-)

[cluster148]

I've got enough money so that paying the extra $200 would have been no problem to get a VIP tix,but I strongly agree that my idea of a music festival is to bring people together,not create a caste system.I would have been embarrassed to have stood up there in VIP next to the stage,while 5,000 real music fanatics screamed behind me.

[PinkPigg]

I do not consider myself to be elite. I've worked my ass off for the past many years and struggle with a serious disease everyday. For me VIP was an opportunity for a somewhat handicapped person to enjoy the tunes. In a normal festival situation, I would not be physically able to get up front and \"enjoy\" the tunes.

Very little cash was spent in addition to the VIP ticket. Therefore, the value of the ticket doesn't make it that \"elite\". Just look at Waka compared with Bonnaroo VIP or regular Waka vs. VIP Waka. To me it's a question of making choices and seizing opportunties.

Nuff said,
Steph

[randall747]

Steph,

I only had the pleasure to meet you that one too brief time. However, in that short meeting and from what I know of you from this and the JamCruise forum, I would have to say that I consider you to be elite. By elite I mean good things like being a privileged an influential leader-type. You're really beautiful and I wish I could have seen you all decked out in the Pigg gear! I really wanted to go hunt your campsite down but you know how time flies at these things.

Randall

[idrawpictures]

I was with the VIP camp that had the \"Hometeam\" flag. I usually had a Corona Extra cowboy hat on. I won my VIP tickets for creating the poster/tshirt/laminants graphic of Mother Nature playing the mandolin.

http://www.nebraskaskateparks.com/wakarusa/wakarusa-posterSmall.jpg

I thought VIP was really cool. We got there soon enough to get a great campsite. I thought the combination of the viewing area and ease of free drinks was completely worth it. I don't really care what you call it, but I did feel kinda snobby having such freedom of movement in the front when people were crowded up against the gate...then I'd think about how long it took me to draw that poster and I didn't feel so bad about it. It was awesome to be able to film from that close too.

It would have been nice if the whole VIP area would have been monitored for more than 1/2 a day to keep out the non VIP camping. It would have been nice if the campsites were layed out BEFORE it opened. Only about 2/3 of the area was layed out at 4pm on Wednesday. Some late arriving campers were mad they got such small spots. Completely made sense to close off a couple of the 'roads' to camp.

I do think the food could have been better...and closer to the camping. I was under the impression that there was going to be meals. When I heard a restaurant was catering, I for some reason expected something more than pizza and trail mix. I usually try to eat healthy organic food and their choices weren't very healthy except for the free water and fruit tray I saw one day. I guess I wasn't ever on top of the schedule enough to see the buffet and other food. It would have been nice to have some kind of VIP info kit so you didn't have to use the first two days to figure out what was going on. Running water near the VIP area would have been nice.

I had a bike so the porta johns weren't such an issue, just had to find the clean ones or ride to the real toilets in premium camping. I used a headlamp so I didn't get surprised in any dark porta johns.

Overall I think Wakarusa was off the hook!!! It must be tough to organize something so big and complicated. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put on this festival. It was totally worth it. Can't wait for next year.

There was a hospitality person? I was one of the first people there and one of the last to leave. I never saw anyone like that.

Oh yea, where was Widespread Panic??? I love those guys.

[randall747]

Great job mr. pictures! I got two of them and'll get one framed! I draw and paint pictures myself as I went to school for fine arts in painting.

[PinkPigg]

Hey Randall,

I must say it was great to meet you and Rebecca too. You guys are so awesome. We'll have to party down a bit more on da boat. Waka was way cool but the distance was a problem sometimes....too many bands & buddies and too little time.

Only 6 more months!!!! :D

Peace,
Steph

P.S. Just Bob should be getting a picture of the PinkPigg in action from one of his scavenger hunters I helped....I'll share it on the JC board if I can get my \"hooves\" :oops: on a copy.

[Fozzie]

[quote:a90ea77729=\"cluster148\"]I would have been embarrassed to have stood up there in VIP next to the stage,while 5,000 real music fanatics screamed behind me.[/quote:a90ea77729]

Why would I be emberrased for that? And if you're implying that the 5,000 people behind us are \"real music fans\", and that those of us in VIP were not....well, I just find that funny.

[digitidog]

This may sound elitest but . . .


I don't think non VIP'ers should be able to post in this thread. . . lol . . . lmao

VIP rocked!! even with the potties, that night light, the small campsites, the mystery food, and the sometimes uncomfortable viewing alone while thousands of hungry fans stood behind you . . .

Free beer . . . Close viewing . . . Close to Entrance . . . that is all I wanted.

Oh and the Showers, w00tness!!!

[JodyN]

My friends and I decided that next year we would go VIP for the added benefit of proximity...I don't drink a lot, nor require much food, but I do suffer from a bit of anxiety in large crowds....so I think the VIP thing allowing closeness to the stage without a lot of people crammed up against me would be well worth it. Now, we camped in the family camping area for the same reasons, and when I saw the VIP camping area I thought, WOW, I am glad I am not VIP!.

So, I would like VIP next year, and will still camp in family camping three, and I love Pete and his wish for the labeling to be a bit different...i would also be uncomfortable with a VIP label! How about...\"C.A.P\" for crowd a phobic?...Just kidding....but VIP ISs a bit pretentious....LOVE YOU Pete! We should have met...

Wakarusa rocks...though I am now calling it MULE-A-RUSA!

I was wondering what the paid VIP'ers thought of all the gate crashing at some of the shows...I must admit that if I had paid for VIP and for the reasons I mentioned (being really uncomfortable in very large crowds), and later in the evening a bunch of people were hopping the fence and crowding me after I paid a lot more for the ability to be less crowded....seems like I would hope this is more controlled next year when I obtain \"supporter\" status...

jody

[kinderkitti]

I still think those who pay to be upfront stage/upclose camping/beverages should be called by the vip campsite name which was camp nelly tucklehead. We can be tuckleheads.
Jody, it was quite entertaining to watch everyone's technique for getting in. Some were fence jumpers. Some tried to sway gtsecurity. Some wore fake bands or laminates. We were cool with their efforts until a fence jumper just missed landing on my friend as he toppled headfirst over the fence.
I said all weekend unless someone is messing with my vibe and my space, i'm cool. Then galactic's sunday show, it happened. I was upfront and center rocking out when I notice an odor and lots of yelling from 2 dudes-one to the left of me and one behind me. I mean the smell is so bad, i'm about to puke. I look around for my friend and she has moved 3 rows back and downwind. I decided to stick it out until the third time the ah poked me in the back. I turned around to look at the dude and i'll be damned if it's not these 2 wooks I've seen all weekend. They snuck in vip and were thrown out at every stage more than once. I went out to the fence where security was and told them to follow their nose.
The only way I can see to eliminate all the gate crashing is for the waka folks to shell out some more $ to gt security so they can beef up their efforts, esp at night.

[Splackavelliette]

We were one of the few that camped inthe VIP camping. WE DIDNT DO IT ON PURPOSE!!! We drove into the waka campground area to find that there was no one directing traffic. We even accidentally pulled into the ENTRANCE where you walk into the venue because no one said anything. After we did that, some dude that was working there told us that camping was \"back there\". so we turned around somewhat pissed off and pulled into the nearest campsite. The guy that was guarding the entrance was sitting on his butt, tossing a football in the air with his thumb up his butt. So we started setting up our campsite and got everything situated. About a half hour after we set up, we met a dude whom we became good friends with over the weekend. He informed us that we were in VIP camping, but since we already had everything set up, not to worry about it. So we camped there all weekend. It was nice being close to the stages because we had just come from bonnaroo and you had to walk like a mile or 2 to the damn stages. Overall, everyone at VIP treated us very well and didnt look down at us for coming in. Next year we plan on skipping Bonnaroo and buying VIP for wakarusa instead. This has been one of the best festivals we had ever been to!! I took about 14 rolls of film from bonnaroo and wakarusa put together. So im sure ill have some good pics to put up.
If anyone wants to know, we were the couple with the green dodge dakota sport with all the surf stickers on it and a BIG PURPLE GANJA FLAG!!!!
WOooO! good times =)

[stevejr]

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GO VIP NEXT YEAR! TRUST ME IT IS NOT WORTH ONE PENNY OF THE $295. I MEAN COME ON, HOW MUCH FREE BEER, SODA, GATORADE, WATER, TEA & FOOD WOULD YOU HAVE TO DRINK/EAT TO GET A RETURN ON YOUR $295?? ALSO BEING ABLE TO TOUCH THE STAGE REALLY SUCKED!! NOT TO MENTION THE EXTRA ROOM TO BOOGIE. AND THE FACT THAT WE WERE CAMPED RIGHT THERE CLOSE TO THE STAGE AREA, AND GOT TO ARRIVE ON WED NIGHT TOO.
SO, STAY AWAY FROM VIP NEXT YEAR.
leave more room for me!

[Westwindgirl]

I was one of the many girls that served you all your Fat Tire beer and helped with the Sundown Stage area....food what-not...... tried to pick up the trash too!!

I want to thank you all for your fat tips, kind words and overall good vide/energy!!

You all made working the fest a BLAST!!!

Can't wait for next year.

Next time... I will not refuse entry of any band member even if they dont have any credentials!
=)

[monterey63]

I arrived mid afternoon on Thursday hoping for a killer VIP camping spot. The people at will call were so confused that I had to go through line 3 times to get everything I needed for VIP. When I finally drove to the camp sites, I was turned around by security and told that VIP was up the road on my right. Little did we know that we had been directed to vendor camping, it wasn't until the next day that we realized we were in the wrong spot. We actually got excellent access, had tons of room around the campsite it all worked out but it would have been fun to be in with the VIPs so we could have met some folks. They definitley need to have better training for the volunteers and someone with actual information in the information tent.

The food was about what I expected, the Sunday night buffet was an excellent suprise.

As far as VIP viewing, that made the ticket price worth it for me. Everyone has the opportunity to purchase VIP tickets while they last. That doesn't make me an elitist. I work for a living too, I just weighed the options and chose to buy the VIP package.


See you next year.

[kinderkitti]

Yall please post your suggestions, praise and misc comments on the feedback on the main page. waka folks read all of them. 8)

[digitidog]

[quote:fdb9203e3c=\"Westwindgirl\"]I was one of the many girls that served you all your Fat Tire beer and helped with the Sundown Stage area....food what-not...... tried to pick up the trash too!!

I want to thank you all for your fat tips, kind words and overall good vide/energy!!

You all made working the fest a BLAST!!!

Can't wait for next year.

Next time... I will not refuse entry of any band member even if they dont have any credentials!
=)[/quote:fdb9203e3c]

Thank you WWG, you were awesome . . .I really appreciated it, you guyz worked your hiney's off . . . I think we went through a lot of beer ( I know I did), looking forward to next year with ya!