VIP???

[WakaBrick]

Hey I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to go VIP this year. VIP tickets are about 4 times as expensive but the preferred viewing and free fat tire might make it worth the extra expense. Did any of you go VIP last year? Was it worth it?

[Mr Cosmic Charlie]

A couple of my buds went VIP. They would say it's worth it.

I trust their opinions.

[Pauly's Cheese]

Until I buy my VIP tickets...........

It's awful, terrible, not worth it..... :wink:

Ask me again after I get my tickets.

[Pilfer]

I did VIP last year and I believe it is one of the great deals for festivals out there. I will break down the benefits and how I felt about them last year.

1. All the Fat Tire you can drink - It is actually 3.2 (reduced alcohol). I saw a lot of people in VIP go get their own beer in town the second day. No buzz and a lot of peeing. I don't drink anyway so not a factor, but soda and water was easy to just grab and run off to the stage (the alcohol line was huge during the more crowded shows).

2. Two meals a day - I was very happy I brought my own food and a lot of it. A hot dog at a gas station would have been better than what was provided. Very bland and not too nice on the digestive system!

3. Camping right by Sun Up stage - This was a great benefit! We camped right on the fence. On Saturday, we were awakened bright and early by the Flaming Lips doing sound check. It was very easy to hit the different stages and meet up back at the site all day.

4. Front row at the stages - Sun Up, Sun Down, and Voodoo stages. The best bene' of them all. You can get there front and center for whoever you want to see,or you can stay to the side. The side there was always plenty of room to dance. Especially the far side opposite the beverages (for obvious reasons). I couldn't believe how close I was to Mule and still with plenty of dancing room...

Also, I didn't see any security problems in the VIP area like I have heard about in the regular campgrounds. It was very relaxed and chill. Met some very kind folks. I will be back this year!

Just my opinion... hope this helps.

[JackDog]

I've done VIP the past two years, and there were improvements last year as well as one big step backward. I agree with most of what Pilfer said, the free Fat Tire wasn't that big of a benefit (it's too damn hot to drink!) but it was great to have our own bar so close to the main stages so you could grab a water and be back in 30 seconds. The food was bad, bring your own or there are usually good vendors inside and in the general camping area. The VIP camping area was a much better location last year, hopefully it'll stay there. Front row at the stages....this is where Waka disappointed me last year. The VIP viewing areas were 1/3 the size that they were the first two years, so even if you got there early enough to get in, you quickly got crushed. The side areas were a joke--I'm not gonna stand in front of a speaker stack that big or stand outside of it where I can't see when I've paid $300 extra dollars to get up-front. That's the main reason that I get VIP, and if they don't expand the up-front areas to their original size, I won't get it this year. The security problems in VIP weren't nearly as bad as they were in general camping, but we had law enforcement riding through on atv's at least every half-hour. So is it worth the extra money? Yes and no.

[Incubabe]

I did VIP for free last year... I don't know if I can bat my big brown eyes again to get free VIP for this coming year... (Believe me, I'll still try!) But I'm thinking about forking over the extra money, it was really nice to be able to dance up front at just about every show with my free Fat Tire!

[KB]

The VIP area at the front of the stage was reduced this past year due to many complaints from years previous from general attendees who thought it was too large. For MANY shows in years previous, there was a crowd of people in the general viewing area, and NO ONE in the VIP area. That's why they made it smaller. I like it.

[WakaBrick]

Yeah I would think the free drinks, vip camping, and preferred viewing make vip a good deal. I was lucky enough to sneak into vip for the lips show last year and i was third or fourth row center stage. That was an unbelievable experience. I'm not to worried about the 5-0 because hopefully they wont be all over like last year. besides, im there for the music.

[Pauly's Cheese]

[quote:c29d189a81=\"KB\"]For MANY shows in years previous, there was a crowd of people in the general viewing area, and NO ONE in the VIP area. That's why they made it smaller. I like it.[/quote:c29d189a81]
Yeah, then non-VIPers crashed the gate for the Lips and STS9 and you could barely breath in there. It sucked. There were so many people, I went back to camp and watched both of them from there. When you pay a ****-ton-o-cash to be in there, then you can't because there are too many gate crashers, it sucks.

[quote:c29d189a81=\"WakaBrick\"]I was lucky enough to sneak into vip for the lips show last year[/quote:c29d189a81]
:?

Thank you at least for ponying up this year if you're gonna be in there. It is indeed worth it.

[Wildo]

VIP is worth it for sure. Though we always camp in general camping, 'cause that's where the party be. Not that bad doing it that way, 'cause you can always find a ride to the front gates if needed. Plus some of the best late night sets are in the campground.

[Mr Cosmic Charlie]

what food was provided by to the VIP? You keep saying it was discusting...was it different food than what was supplied to the general audience? Cause i thought the food was great! The Brazilians milkshakes, Ceba Hut, the $2 garlic grilled cheesers! mmmmmmm

[Pauly's Cheese]

It was Hy-Vee catering. A bunch of people are saying that it sucked, but personally, I didn't think it was that bad. It was better than the previous 2 years. The first two years.........well, I left the festival to eat if that tells you anything.

I thought the caterers did a good job. It might not have been the greatest food in the world, but they would always make sure that you got enough to eat and drink. This year, everything about VIP was much more organized and accommodating than the first 2 years. They really made you feel like a VIP and like they were taking care of you.

[JENN]

VIP @ Waka is a great value!!

A few of the best perks:

VIP potluck! Great way to meet some VIPers on the first night and share some great grub! (All right, so this wasn't an official VIP perk, but was damn cool)

VIP camping.. Obviously being so close to the stages.... made it so much easier to enjoy as many shows as possible. (And a quick walk back to camp to rest and recharge for a bit). Also was cool to fall asleep (I know... sleep what?) to the sounds of music in the tent.

Free beer, water, et al... really saved us a few times. (Food wasn't gourmet, but it kept us fed and was easier than doing it ourselves)

Free showers @ the shower truck!! Yes, I'm a girl! And I appreciated a nice hot shower to start off a day of dancing!

The only con for my group was the viewing area @ the shows could be super crowded. And it was frustrating to see so many people jumping the fences.

I am looking forward to going to waka VIP style again....

[Jrocka]

It depends on what element of camping you prefer... Or how many different(kinds) of people you want to meet.

[JackDog]

[quote:60889c335c=\"KB\"]The VIP area at the front of the stage was reduced this past year due to many complaints from years previous from general attendees who thought it was too large. For MANY shows in years previous, there was a crowd of people in the general viewing area, and NO ONE in the VIP area. That's why they made it smaller.[/quote:60889c335c]
I don't wanna restart this argument, but there are several different solutions that they could've tried instead of just screwing the VIP's. I was a general attendee the first year, and instead of complaining, I decided that I was gonna get in on that action.

[KB]

[quote:c20978fc1b=\"JackDog\"][quote:c20978fc1b=\"KB\"]The VIP area at the front of the stage was reduced this past year due to many complaints from years previous from general attendees who thought it was too large. For MANY shows in years previous, there was a crowd of people in the general viewing area, and NO ONE in the VIP area. That's why they made it smaller.[/quote:c20978fc1b]
I don't wanna restart this argument, but there are several different solutions that they could've tried instead of just screwing the VIP's. I was a general attendee the first year, and instead of complaining, I decided that I was gonna get in on that action.[/quote:c20978fc1b]

If you didn't want to restart the argument, then why did you post?

Yes, gate crashers suck. But I thought what they did this year was fair. If I ran the show, there would be no VIP. Just my $.02.

As for me, I'll be back with the peasants, dancing on the lawn. :P

[WakaBrick]

Sorry, i was one of those gatecrashers. The VIP security wasn't stopping me from seeing the lips up close. After getting a taste of the VIP at waka last year, I'm gonna shell out the extra 300$ and go VIP.

[Mr Cosmic Charlie]

[quote:d3b9921024=\"WakaBrick\"]Sorry, i was one of those gatecrashers. The VIP security wasn't stopping me from seeing the lips up close. After getting a taste of the VIP at waka last year, I'm gonna shell out the extra 300$ and go VIP.[/quote:d3b9921024]

**** yoooouuuu, ya ****suckin mother ****er.

[Pauly's Cheese]

Hey Brick, hopefully you know that Keller song :wink:

We would love for you to join the VIP bash. You will enjoy. :D

[Mr Cosmic Charlie]

yeah, thanks pauly. i forgot not eveyone knows of that song.

[ryangetz]

\"I was there at Deer Creek back in 1995
I think it was June maybe July
But Jerry was still alive\"



Ah those opening lines give me chills! Love that tune!

But yea, VIP next year is lookin' like a for sure possibility for me. Though, I do like the sweet camping spot the Friends of Wakarusa have secured! Maybe I'll have to have dual campsites!

[ryangetz]

[quote:873e324c6b=\"Pauly's Cheese\"]This year, everything about VIP was much more organized and accommodating than the first 2 years. [/quote:873e324c6b]

Agreed!

Waka 2004 was a bit crazy backstage. No organization at all really.

Waka 2006 had it together! Veggie burgers! HUGE beanbag chairs. Pool tables. And heck, they had the damn Ice Cream Man giving out free goodies!

[JackDog]

[quote:3370dd4e70=\"KB\"]If you didn't want to restart the argument, then why did you post?
Yes, gate crashers suck. But I thought what they did this year was fair. If I ran the show, there would be no VIP. Just my $.02.
As for me, I'll be back with the peasants, dancing on the lawn.[/quote:3370dd4e70]
Dude....were you even in VIP? It doesn't sound like you were, and if you weren't, you don't have anything to add to this thread. The OP wanted to know the pros and cons of VIP, and I'm letting him know that the up-front viewing areas weren't what we were promised.

[WakaBrick]

Yeah thats a great keller song. I can see where he's coming from in that song. At least i wasn't kicking gates down like deer creek in 95, thats horrible. I love waka, but there's always a time when you just have to say \"**** you you **** sucker mother ****ers.\" like when some drunken douche stole my propane from my grill and i couldn't cook for the rest of the time. Oh well.

I look forward to seeing some good music and joining the VIP bash in 07

07 looks promising in KC with MOE coming to Lawrence and Panic playing two nights in march.

[Pauly's Cheese]

Yeah, they did that **** in Memphis on April Fool's Day in 95. I had just passed the gate and I hear all this ruckus behind me (and not a good ruckus like the Florida folks) but yelling and screaming. A bunch of people had rushed the gates and security was spraying mace and pepper spray all inside the Pyramid.

Not too fun when your are 3 sheets to the wind, so to speak. 8)

What does a drunken douche look like, exactly? :lol: Can't recall ever seeing one of those. Can you hunt them? Is there a drunken douche season? How do you cook them? I'm intrigued to say the least. :idea:

[WakaBrick]

ahhh very funny pauly :D

[Pauly's Cheese]

Well, In the state I was in I figured drunken turkey........drunken douche, maybe there's a connection. And since duck season is nearing it's end, I thought I might have something else to hunt........

OK, well......maybe not. :wink: nevermind

To get us back on track, I think the up front viewing is the best perk of VIP. The campground location and size combined with the VIP entrance into the festival grounds makes every dollar you spend on a ticket worth it. I've been VIP all three years and can't imagine going any other way.

[Mr Cosmic Charlie]

I have that show on tape I think, Pauly. If I remember, it has a killer version (as killer as 1995 gets) of Candyman.

[KB]

[quote:3b4e5eb295=\"JackDog\"][quote:3b4e5eb295=\"KB\"]If you didn't want to restart the argument, then why did you post?
Yes, gate crashers suck. But I thought what they did this year was fair. If I ran the show, there would be no VIP. Just my $.02.
As for me, I'll be back with the peasants, dancing on the lawn.[/quote:3b4e5eb295]
Dude....were you even in VIP? It doesn't sound like you were, and if you weren't, you don't have anything to add to this thread. The OP wanted to know the pros and cons of VIP, and I'm letting him know that the up-front viewing areas weren't what we were promised.[/quote:3b4e5eb295]

Dude......no. I wasn't in VIP.

I have been to the festival every year as a \"general attendee\", and I did not like having to stand 100 feet back while the VIP area had no one in it. It seemed like it happened at every show I wanted to see. If there's no VIP that wants to be close at this particular show, why can't I stand there? So, since there are MANY general attendees compared to FEW people who were VIP, I thought their compromise was fair.

So, to \"add to the thread\"....one of the cons of the VIP viewing area is that many of the general attendees don't like it.

I also wish they would change the title from VIP to IPM. I Paid More. It's more accurate, IMHO.

[Fozzie]

My Waka VIP haiku:

Yummy free beer, yeah.
Down to the front of the stage.
Party balls in shade

[Pauly's Cheese]

KB, would you go VIP if they had free all you can eat bacon all day everyday?

[Mr Cosmic Charlie]

[quote:f2e43d176b=\"Pauly's Cheese\"]KB, would you go VIP if they had free all you can eat bacon all day everyday?[/quote:f2e43d176b]

if this were the case, I'm pretty sure no one would buy regular passes, and Wakarusa would sell 15,000 VIP tickets.

[JackDog]

[quote:f9768e2ff8=\"KB\"]Dude......no. I wasn't in VIP.
So, to \"add to the thread\"....one of the cons of the VIP viewing area is that many of the general attendees don't like it. [/quote:f9768e2ff8]
So you have nothing to add to the thread, other than \"many of the general attendees don't like the up-front viewing areas.\" Well, no ****. I'll bet that none of the general attendees like the up-front viewing areas, but VIP campers bring in at least an additional $60,000....so that should drown out any complaints from the cheap seats.

[lula_lamore]

In response to KB:
I've done VIP the last two years and, honestly, felt weird about being a \"VIP\". I think IPM (I Paid More) is a little malicious. My boyfriend and I keep hoping that they will change it to FOW-\"Friend of Wakarusa\". The extra money we fork over for the VIP tickets helps the festival run. I believe that they sold around 500 VIP tickets at $390 a pop. That's $195,000. The same number of general admission tickets generates approximately $5000. I love paying extra to keep a great festival like this going!!

[chriso_227]

ill second that ... and the free food and beer make it worth the money ... not having to cook anything so you can eat sooner and get back to the music

[ZOMBIEgiggles]

i loved the vip the catering was better than having to cook, drink my share of beer(when the sun went down) all the water i could drink free showers ohh that saved my butt and of course right up front

[KB]

[quote:61e5e408ad=\"JackDog\"]
So you have nothing to add to the thread, other than \"many of the general attendees don't like the up-front viewing areas.\" Well, no ****. I'll bet that none of the general attendees like the up-front viewing areas, but VIP campers bring in at least an additional $60,000....so that should drown out any complaints from the cheap seats.[/quote:61e5e408ad]

Thank you so much for digging so deep in your pockets and doing such an altruistic and wholly unselfish act like purchasing VIP tickets to ensure that this small grassroots festival has enough capital to operate. I don't know what we'd do without you.......

IPM is still the most accurate.....more money spent = more access. That's how the world works.....

There's plenty of grass in that field on which I can dance......

[bogmonkey]

VIP...heck yes i'm going VIP!

For me it's a no-brainer. Plain and simple it's worth every penny of the cost, given what you receive. Also I want access to Pauly and his (assumed) massive bacon stockpile.

Also, I'm 38 years old. I make good moolah at my job and can afford to do things I couldn't when I was a young pup. I'm not going VIP to flaunt it over the General Attendees, but just because I like the added benefits and can afford it. If I was 23, it might not be such a big deal...but I'm an ancient fogey now and like my comforts (free 3.2 beer, food, front row viewing, showers etc).

This will be my first actual music festival, and I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!

[trpnbillie]

I have never gone VIP and have been looking forward to doing it since June. Does anyone know how much this early bird discount is going to be? What do you think the actual price will be?

[JackDog]

There isn't an early bird discount for VIP, and if I remember correctly they were $414 last year. It seems like they're going on sale awfully early this year, though.

[WakaBrick]

Hopefully it won't sell out.....I need to get 400$ together in the next two weeks

[RevMasterDudeCrosby]

I haven't read this whole thread, but is it looking like VIP will be in the same place as 2006? I spent a lot of time at the campground venues, so VIP seemed far, far away from that action, though much closer to the main events. If VIP were more centrally located (more like 2005) I would consider it. Any word on the subject?

[JackDog]

Bring a bicycle! I did last year, and it took me less than five minutes to get from deep in VIP to the campground stage...and it's a lot of fun to haul ass down the hill on Wakarusa Way.
:D

[Mr Cosmic Charlie]

hauling ass on that hill IS fun.

and i didnt even have a bike last year.

are there racks to put bikes on?

[rabbitsounds]

yea...not sure if VIP is the way to go...if it were not the 414 it would be a much better deal...I never got to eat the food last year...but i heard somethings about it...

i do...however live so close to waka that getting VIP is not really that big of deal to me...i can just walk there and back...

who knows though...i am sure it will all be a good time no matter what...let's pray they give us more advance notice if they are going to do a survaliance company test on us...should we have been paid for that...since we were all test subjects??

LOL

just ruffeling the feathers...

but anyway...get a normal ticket cheap...save up for the VIP and get it later...i don't see VIP selling out this year...in fact i think that attendence this year will be smaller all together with the events of last year...i have already seen boards where people are posting that they will never go back...and I guess i can understand...but like i said...it is just walking distance to me...so i am not sweating it...

i think we will see less people from outta town...unless the line up bangs....hopefully Bassnectar will be back...or some great electronic music...i hope that does not get left out this year

[Mr Cosmic Charlie]

If you have the money, def get VIP tickets! ive heard a lot and seen a little of it, and it is worth it. there are several cons of VIP, bust mostly goodness.

if you dont have the money, dont worry about saving up real fast to get one. stop into the liquor stores in town (NOT the store sponsering Wak. they usually run a few bucks more) and load up on food and drinks.

Most of the food and drink you you will ever need, you can buy in town, and still get a regular ticket. It wouldnt be too expisnive. If you dont mind catching the No Waka shuttle, or walking a long way, get a campt site in family camping. huge spaces over there. better than VIP

[JackDog]

[quote:340e7c0a5b=\"Mr Cosmic Charlie\"]are there racks to put bikes on?[/quote:340e7c0a5b]
No, but you can chain it to the fence near the entrance and there's a fence by the campground stage, too...but my bike is over 12 years old, so I'm not too worried about it getting stolen.

[quote:340e7c0a5b=\"rabbitsounds\"]...i have already seen boards where people are posting that they will never go back...[/quote:340e7c0a5b]
I think that a lot of people (myself included) are all talk when they say that they won't come back this year.

[jfolks]

I went the last two years...

I dont think VIP is worth the cost.

The pros of vip just dont outweigh the cons of general enough to justify the cost.... i guess if you can afford it no problem then its pretty cool though...

The foods not great, but its not bad... i generally had no problem eating it, although i didnt eat it everymeal.

I loved the free fat tire and sunshine wheat! that was probably the best part (i still dont know how i made it to my car after sts9, i basically woke up at 4 in the morning on my doorstep in oklahoma.)

I prefer general camping, thats were the party is at!! Also, i dont like being that close to the stages (hard for me to sleep during a loud rock concert)

The VIP viewing area is pretty cool, but its too crowded- there are too many people like me that found a way in.

Oh ya, btw, i didnt have a vip wristband... I FOUND A BACKSTAGE PASS!! now thats where the party's at!!


Basically, its not worth it. Especially when its so easy to get the perk for free. But if money isnt a big issue for you, go for it!!

[Me]

[quote:bf055981bd=\"JackDog\"]Bring a bicycle! I did last year, and it took me less than five minutes to get from deep in VIP to the campground stage...and it's a lot of fun to haul ass down the hill on Wakarusa Way.
:D[/quote:bf055981bd]

sure is. until you hit a passed out wookie and lock the back tire up on your cruiser and have to hold on for life half way down the hill. i guess it could have been worse. if it had been the front tire I would have went ass over tea kettle.

[Jayhonk]

If you got the money, go VIP, for all the stated reasons.

If not, don't worry about it. The two biggest advantages of VIP seem to be the front of the stage thing and the free beer thing. Of questionable value are the camping site, the good news it is nearby, the bad news it is nearby. And the food, iffy. Well, an honest assessment should put the free beer in the same equivocal category: do you really want to drink for free AND try to remember the music? That leaves the VIP area as the benefit most beneficial. As I was about to toss in on the Waka vs. Roo thread, with a little planning and not very much effort, you can get near the front of ANY show at Waka -- just get there early. (I am referring to sitting at the gen. Admin fence, which is admittedly 20 feet farther from the stage than VIP.) I suppose somebody was at the front of that Radiohead show at Roo, but that looked like a lotta work. Wakarusa has nothing like that.

This may be just sour grapes, because if I HAD the money, I would go VIP.

[CPJSJohnny]

I brought a bike as well last year. I found out just how dangerous it is to ride a bike without a head lamp. I was involved in a head-on collision with another bicyclist on Wednesday evening (too bad the guy was driving down the wrong side of the road, we were both going too fast). I ended up with two broken ribs, a fractured shoulder, and a major hip contusion, good thing the Lawrence Hospital didn't have a problem giving me Percocetts or I doubt that I would have actually made it though the weekend. I sure did have fun the first 10 minutes of riding that bike around Clinton State Park. I would actually bring a bike again if I still had one that works. My advice if you do bring a bike is to be very careful and if you are operating at night make sure you have a head lamp.
Johnny B

[RevMasterDudeCrosby]

The lamp is essential. It's good to have back light, too. I was riding out to C2 at 4:00 A.M. after Mutaytor and it was near tornado conditions when a very quiet Honda passed me way too close. I had light to see where I was going, but I'm not convince the driver realized what I was until right on top of me. This year I'm getting one of those ankle lights. Strap it on so you have a red light facing back and white light in front. Plus the lights move while you pedal, getting more attention. I'm all for bike safety. Take it slow, too, even in the day, cuz people are unpredictable.

Peds, too, should be aware that sudden movements, especially lateral, can lead to serious pummelation when walking on the throughways.

[JackDog]

[quote:d6c7553836=\"CPJSJohnny\"]I ended up with two broken ribs, a fractured shoulder, and a major hip contusion[/quote:d6c7553836]
Damn...that sucks. I never had a problem with other cyclists, but I was always nervous that a pedestrian would step out in front of me when I was flyin' down Wakarusa Way. Someone stole my rear light a few years ago, so maybe I should pick up one of those leg lights that the Rev mentioned.