Coachella 2015 first timer, have some questions

[kendraco]

So I'm planning to go to Coachella for the first time in 2015 and have some questions:

1) Is it better to buy a Valley Music Travel package or just buy tickets and hotel separated?
2) Is the VIP worth it?
3) I see the Valley Music Travel say 18+ or 21+, is this for hotel check-in and that stuff, or does the whole group need to be that age? (it doesn't specify so it's bugging me)
4) What exactly do they check to know you're a parent/legal guardian when coming with someone under 18+ to campgrounds? Do they simply take your word for it?
5) Is it better to drive to the festival or take a shuttle?

I've been wondering these questions to see what exactly I'm gonna buy, so if you can answer them, please do

[Drewski27]

1. just camp
2. VIP is a piece of shit
3. make friends.
4. get fucked up.

[CrimesceneCookie]

Here are some non asshole answers.
1. VMT packages are overpriced but easy to obtain with tickets as they typically dont sell out immediately. Tickets alone are going to be hard to get in the general onsale.
2. Not really worth it.
3. Ive seen parents with kids getting packages so you're probably ok.
4. ?
5. Shuttle. Traffic is a pain especially leaving the fest. However sometimes shuttle lines are long at the end of the night, with the exception of the La Quinta line.

[TooOldForThis]

Here are some non asshole answers.

5. Shuttle. Traffic is a pain especially leaving the fest. However sometimes shuttle lines are long at the end of the night, with the exception of the La Quinta line.

This is not accurate. If you're drinking, then absolutely shuttle. If you're not drinking, you'll get back to the hotel much much quicker (like....an hour or more) if you drive. In the past 3 years, we've stayed to the end all three nights and not once has there been anything resembling "traffic" leaving the parking area.

[captncrzy]

This is not accurate.

No, it's pretty accurate.

[TooOldForThis]

OK...take the shuttle then...one less car on the road means even less traffic than the next-to-nothing already there.

[guedita]

What parking lot have you parked in to avoid traffic? There has always been traffic logs in parking lots. I know people who have waited anywhere between 1-3 hours just to get out. It's incredible that not only have you avoided it, but you aren't even aware of it.

[CrimesceneCookie]

I haven't personally dealt with the traffic since 2009 so it's probably improved since then, but regardless, if you're going to be drinking/partying at all, best not to risk a DUI.

[captncrzy]

OK...take the shuttle then...one less car on the road means even less traffic than the next-to-nothing already there.

Yes. The message board's yearly complaints about the post-festival traffic are the result of one giant hallucination created by our collective conscious and NOT created by our 15+ years of Coachella-driving experiences.

[captncrzy]

Hey Tom, remember how you got stuck in the parking lot for like three hours? That totally didn't happen.

[captncrzy]

Hey Cara, remember that one year we all thought Fresher's wasn't there? THERE WERE TOTALLY THERE, DUDE.

[guedita]

You know what, they should have Freshers stands erected in the parking lots at the end of every night.

I've only ever been a part of the parking-lot thing 1 year. Oh, and wait, 1 day of one other year. Anyway, the year that we drove in we parked in some lot very close to the exit, so we didn't have a hard time getting out, but we certainly had to walk past long lines of cars waiting to get out of the logjam. And anyway, I distinctly remember this woman screaming and crying at a lot attendant about how they'd been waiting for hours and she was in quite a tiff about the whole thing.

A fresher's lemonade might have cooled her down a bit, is all I'm saying.

[guedita]

So I'm planning to go to Coachella for the first time in 2015 and have some questions:

3) I see the Valley Music Travel say 18+ or 21+, is this for hotel check-in and that stuff, or does the whole group need to be that age? (it doesn't specify so it's bugging me)

I don't see where on the webpage you are seeing this, but the Valley Music Travel webpage I am on does specify:

Select hotels are 21+, please check your specific package details before buying

And then, later, when you scroll down through the hotels available, the packages specify things like:

Riviera Palm Springs Resort & Spa is 21+ only

For you, ken, I think VIP is worth it.

[kendraco]

I don't see where on the webpage you are seeing this, but the Valley Music Travel webpage I am on does specify:

Well when I checked in the hotel sites like for Agua Caliente it says

Any use of these Sites by persons under the age of 21 should only be under the direct supervision of that minor's parent or legal guardian.

But since in VMT it says 21+ only I just want to make sure so I don't screw up when I'm buying.

[Twattycakes]

My wife is NOT a camper, so we always purchase a VMT package at a very nice hotel. It is expensive, but it is our annual vacation, so we kinda go all out. If you don't want to camp out and you're coming from out of town/country/continent/planet, it's the way to go. The shuttle is very convenient, and the nicer resorts are pretty spectacular.

[guedita]

Well when I checked in the hotel sites like for Agua Caliente it says



But since in VMT it says 21+ only I just want to make sure so I don't screw up when I'm buying.

Oh, I see. So, you or the people you are coming with are under 21? Probably shouldn't pick the 21 + over hotels.

[chairmenmeow47]

What parking lot have you parked in to avoid traffic? There has always been traffic logs in parking lots. I know people who have waited anywhere between 1-3 hours just to get out. It's incredible that not only have you avoided it, but you aren't even aware of it.

seriously, i haven't been since 2011 (when i used the shuttle), but i waited over four hours in 2010 so one god damned car could be towed. after the cure in 2004 i waited over two hours to leave.

[Drewski27]

trying to leave after Prince in 2008 was a nightmare. thats why I've camped every year so I only have to deal with night mare traffic once during the entire duration of the festival. And that's when I'm leaving.

[amyzzz]

Yes, but the traffic situation has improved greatly since then, at least in my experience.

[Drewski27]

I'm glad to hear it has. But like I said, after 2008, never again.

[captncrzy]

It's better than it was a few years ago, but it's still not great. It's definitely not 'non-existent".

[TooOldForThis]

What parking lot have you parked in to avoid traffic?

Avenue 52 and Clinton. Day Parking 14 in one of the booklets.

I don't have the long-term experience you guys have, but I've never waited at all to exit after the last act of the night, and we only left early one time in the last three years (Chili Peppers).

My definition of non-existent means, being out on Avenue 52 within 2 minutes of getting in my vehicle...and, while I'm sure you're not lying about your experiences, I assure you that I'm not either.

Not worth arguing over, though. If your experience has been shitty, then avoid it. If you're a newbie and think that a shuttle works best for you, then do it.

[Drewski27]

I'd gladly pay an extra $40 if the festival could somehow figure teleportation from where I live to the festival grounds.

[amyzzz]

Teleportation comes with a Safari Tent ticket.

[Twattycakes]

trying to leave after Prince in 2008 was a nightmare. thats why I've camped every year so I only have to deal with night mare traffic once during the entire duration of the festival. And that's when I'm leaving.

It was pretty brutal after Sigur Ros in 2013, too. However, it was the last act to finish at the stage farthest away from the exits.

[brianna21]

I have a GREAT question, what if I register my wristband as my fake i.d information???? (its not a fake i.d but its my friends) but what if I make my wristband match my "i.d." im 20 but obviously...

[guedita]

That's not a GREAT question, and why the fuck are you asking it in so many threads? If you register your wristband with a fake ID, if you opt to link it to facebook or whatever then that's the name that will show up. No one giving you your 21+ wristband makes sure your ID matches your registered wristband.

[Miroir Noir]

I have a GREAT question, what if I register my wristband as my fake i.d information???? (its not a fake i.d but its my friends) but what if I make my wristband match my "i.d." im 20 but obviously I wanna get drinks while im there too

Go fuck yourself.