VIP...what does it really get you?

[d money]

Trying to decide if a VIP pass is worth it. Asides from getting to drink in a chained off area are there any other advantages to this? Inquiring minds really want to know.

[socalguy100]

Not worth the extra money. You get access to the VIP areas, nicer bathrooms, less crowded bar. You don't get a better view of the stage though.

[Riggins33]

You get free pizza...pizza partys.

[tigermilkboy]

It makes your dick 1/4 inch bigger.

[TomAz]

Trying to decide if a VIP pass is worth it. Asides from getting to drink in a chained off area are there any other advantages to this? Inquiring minds really want to know.

Plusses:

- VIP parking is a lot closer than day parking and less crowded, and I never saw a line at the VIP entrance, so getting in and out is much easier. (If you're camping this is not an advantage, however).
- VIP lounges are a pleasant place to escape and recharge a bit during the day

Minuses:

- At night VIP lounges felt like some sort of alternative universe anti-Coachella where everyone is a douchebag and no one is interested in music.
- Bars get quite crowded in the evening

[oldfart]

A lighter wallet

[Buddha99]

The quick exit from VIP gets you to the In-N-Out drive-thru before closing time!

True dat!

[TickleMeElmo]

Doesn't it get you into those barricaded-off areas like in the Sahara and Outdoor Theatre? I recall seeing several people's wristbands in their and all they had was a VIP wristband.

[ballgame]

Doesn't it get you into those barricaded-off areas like in the Sahara and Outdoor Theatre? I recall seeing several people's wristbands in their and all they had was a VIP wristband.

Yea it seemed like they cornered off areas at the front right of the stage for VIP wristband people. For some reason i do not remember those on friday though.

[TomAz]

Doesn't it get you into those barricaded-off areas like in the Sahara and Outdoor Theatre? I recall seeing several people's wristbands in their and all they had was a VIP wristband.

No that area is for 'guests' or something. I understand that sometimes they let VIP in though. I didn't try.

[ballgame]

No that area is for 'guests' or something. I understand that sometimes they let VIP in though. I didn't try.

I saw people get to the photo area between the rail and the stage with XIII on the wristbands, is that what you are talking about?

[dekelou]

Plusses:

- VIP parking is a lot closer than day parking and less crowded, and I never saw a line at the VIP entrance, so getting in and out is much easier. (If you're camping this is not an advantage, however).
- VIP lounges are a pleasant place to escape and recharge a bit during the day

Minuses:

- At night VIP lounges felt like some sort of alternative universe anti-Coachella where everyone is a douchebag and no one is interested in music.
- Bars get quite crowded in the evening

Access to the VIP entrance was not routinely available for those VIP that took the shuttles since some security wouldn't let you walk from the shuttles to the VIP entrance.

Totally agree with the anti-Coachella feeling, and the bars in the Rose Garden Sat night were fucking packed with dbags.

#1 reason for doing VIP is the bathrooms- there's almost never a line for the bathroom even at night. Works better on the Rose Garden side, so you're not blowing 15-20 minutes of a good set waiting in line.

[Hawkings]

Even though last year it was only extra drink and restroom areas, I thought this year there was a small area cordoned off in front of main stage (and possibly other stages too) that VIP could get into. I was up against it during James.

[JustSteve]

Nope, had to have a guest pass or above to get in there.

[Originalbob]

It keeps you farther away from the AIDZ NEEDLEZ! Thank god for VIP!!!

[magmazing]

VIP wristband gets you:
- in the VIP parking lot
- Entrance to through the VIP entrance by the main stage
- Access to the VIP beverage garden by the main stage and the Rose garden by the Sahara

Guest Wristband gets you
- all of the above
- access to the fenced off viewing areas by the stages up front and to the side
- access backstage at the artist lounge where all their trailers are
- ability to go from stage to stage via the back so you're don't have to weave through thousands of people in the main grounds.

I like to refer to VIP as "vaguely important people"

[Hayleymoo]

they take credit cards

[seitron]

A feel-good-about-yourself facebook status.

[indietron]

VIP wristband gets you:
- in the VIP parking lot

I thought you needed to purchase a VIP parking pass in addition to the VIP wristband? Does just having the wristband get you into the VIP parking?

[magmazing]

I thought you needed to purchase a VIP parking pass in addition to the VIP wristband? Does just having the wristband get you into the VIP parking?

Guess I should have been more specific. you're allowed to step foot into the lot. People at the fences of the lot were looking at wristbands on the drive in so I'm guessing anyone without VIP wristbands would have to get out of the car before VIPs could drive into the VIP lot.

[indietron]

I understand that, but I was told you needed to purchase a VIP parking pass in addition to the VIP wristband. Is that true? Or is the wristband simply enough?

[nathanfairchild]

Access to the VIP entrance was not routinely available for those VIP that took the shuttles since some security wouldn't let you walk from the shuttles to the VIP entrance.

Totally agree with the anti-Coachella feeling, and the bars in the Rose Garden Sat night were fucking packed with dbags.

#1 reason for doing VIP is the bathrooms- there's almost never a line for the bathroom even at night. Works better on the Rose Garden side, so you're not blowing 15-20 minutes of a good set waiting in line.

i don't think i had to wait even once the entire weekend to use the bathrooms.

[romanticizer]

Nor did I.

[TomAz]

I understand that, but I was told you needed to purchase a VIP parking pass in addition to the VIP wristband. Is that true? Or is the wristband simply enough?

no you need a separate $100 VIP parking pass. Pulling into the lot:

Friday - they scanned my wristband
Saturday - they scanned the windshield sticker
Sunday - they just looked to make sure I had a VIP wristband, no scanning.

Go figure.

[indietron]

Thank you sir.

[magmazing]

no you need a separate $100 VIP parking pass. Pulling into the lot:

Friday - they scanned my wristband
Saturday - they scanned the windshield sticker
Sunday - they just looked to make sure I had a VIP wristband, no scanning.

Go figure.

Odd. My VIP parking experience was this:
Friday - they just looked at the windshield pass
Saturday - they scanned the windshield pass
Sunday - they looked at wristbands and scanned the windshield pass

[joshc]

Yeah. In my experience, entry to the VIP lot was a little more strict each day. By the sixth day they were checking wristbands and scanning the decal.

Overall, getting in and out (to get In 'N Out) faster, having an area for the occasional retreat, the possibility of spotting minor celebrities, and getting access to few extra food/bar options are pretty minor and non-essential perks that were still pretty nice to have at peak temperatures or at the end of the night. Whether its worth the extra money probably depends on how much pain it will cause your personal finances.

[BROKENDOLL]

Considering the change in demographics of the Sahara Tent, I'd say our VIP passes got me a place to dance where the only little pricks I had to deal with were the ones attached to rose bushes.

[eimie]

I just randomly posted this in another thread:

I had the (mis)fortune of sneaking into the Special Guests section (left front row of main stage) following the Santigold back-up dancing opportunity this past Sunday, and while it was unreal to be able to enjoy ATDI's set from the front row without being touched once (whereas I had been fearing for my safety the previous Sunday), it felt completely lame to be surrounded by people who were basically friends of insiders, spent no $ to get in, and really didn't care all that much about being there either. Upon realizing that, my guilt about having snuck in transformed into "damn right I earned my way here after actually paying for both weekends". Life isn't fair sometimes.

And inside that area, btw, I noticed that there were 2 different colored wristbands: Purple (with the <3) (which meant basically VIP + special left front section), and Yellow (all that + backstage).

[GlitterArt]

I've done VIP 2 years in a row now. The shaded areas, comfortable sitting area behind the bar, cleaner bathrooms, and better food options make it worth every penny...at least I think so.