Newbie needs advice

last year we went GA and are upgrading to VIP this year so I can't answer the SVIP question except if I could afford it I would but travel cost me way more than tickets so that isn't an option. Don't miss Lockn no matter what. The resort package looks nice but last year we stayed in Lynchberg and I regretted not staying on site which really is the "festival" experience. The amenities in VIP camping are way better and SVIP is palatial or so I am told. The benefits seem way worth it especially in the show. VIP RV should be plenty unless you need the backstage special performances and massuse(so?). By all means take the kids it is totally cool, we'll not the temp and humidity. Go, don't go broke going, but go at all cost

I have done the svip the last two years. Both the SVIP & VIP are great. Camping is the way to go. You do not want to miss the late night shows and the fun in the late evening. In 2013 the viewing area for vip and svip were together. Last year, svip had an area across the front just behind the speaker towers. Being able to move from side to side was great. Except during a few of the headliners, there was plenty of room. I like to take pictures so being that close is important to me. The late night shows were awesome. Last year Gary Clark JR in the tent was my favorite. In 2013 Jorna was super cool. I did see that svip is 18 or older when I went to buy my tickets today. The camping for SVIP is next to the svip tent. I was only 15 feet away last year. Either way you will have a great time. If you go GA, camping is a little bit of a walk. With my back issues, being close if a big plus for me.

I have also read on these boards, if you go vip, the ga people have to carry you on their backs. I have not signed up for mine yet. Just kidding.

Last year the rv camping sold out. If you don't have an rv, rent one and have a blast.

I don't know, but me and my friends went simple GA RV..on the ridge with bikes..we are all 40+ years old. I thought that it was perfect..I don't think the VIP is justifiable because as someone already said the cost of getting there is enough (600) in gas last year from Western NY..So, with that said it was no big deal camping in RV and the distance was no big deal either because we had bikes...cruised around the whole thing all four days...loved it...but definately get there because it IS a LOT of fun...

My VIP friends it is not you that needs to sign up for the rides but our GA friends that need to sign up. If the GA do not sign up and volunteer to provide said rides then we as VIP can walk up to them at anytime and ask for these rides. This could be very inconvenient for our GA friends as they may be in the middle of doing something, like eating, and have to stop what they are doing to help us out. It is in our GA brethren's best interest to sign up and get this duty out of the way so that they can enjoy themselves the rest of the weekend.

P.S. If SVIP catches wind of this then we will be required to provide the same service for them. Let's hope that none of those guys (girls) read this...

I was going to let it slide but I cannot in good conscious be a party to this. Potential VIP purchasers you are being duped. The fact is that it is YOU, a purchaser of Lowly So Very Un-Super VIP
(LSVU_SVIP) that are giving the shoulder rides. It's true. This was uncovered last year as we were discussing the relative merit of LSVU-SVIP vs SVIP. Don't believe me?



link to thread

Reverend!

~Gabby Johnson

Sorry ashlandsky, we seem to have gotten off track.

There are lots of threads and just as many opinions on the relative worth of VIP vs SVIP. I would engage in some direct dialog with some of the nice people on here that have done both. And then you have to decide if that makes sense to you amenity/value wise.

In general I would say RV over hotel. I have friends that do the hotel thing and some that do the Wintergreen thing and some that rent a house east of the location on the James River. They all swear by it but they all miss shows and are always on someone else's schedule. With an rv (in GA, VIP or SVIP) you come and go as you please. If you want to see a show and your husband would rather chill at camp then that is no problem. There is also the question of driving late at night after a show. Even stone cold sober the fog can be a real challange on these roads.

I think the VIP & SVIP tickets are not a super rush to get but if you are planning on rv you may want to get those sooner than later. I seem to remember the rv passes selling out relatively quick.

As far as children go you have to make that call. There were definitely kids there the last 2 years. A lot depends on their age and what you consider appropriate things for them to see. It does get hot there. And it goes late. And people don't go there to practice good behavior around kids. Saying that tho the place isn't a zoo. People are enjoying themselves, some perhaps too much, but it isn't crazy drugs everywhere and animal sex in the streets. So if you and they are used to big outdoor shows and/or festivals and you know what the deal is then there shouldn't be a problem. Personally I don't take my kids when my wife and I escape for an anniversary but we did take our oldest on our honeymoon so I guess there is that.

Hope this helps and that you find some people to discuss the VIP question with AND that you hang out here a bit and get the feel of the experience. No matter how you go you will have fun.

I went for the first time for the first time with my 15 year old son. We stayed in family camping and it was perfect. It was very close to the entrance and not at all crowded. Hoping to go back this year with my wife and all three kids, either way I already purchased 2 alumni tickets. Would definitely recommend camping as the late night shows were really great plus staying at a fest gives you a different feel. That being said it depends on what you like and a hotel or VIP comforts might suit your better. Personally speaking I would rather spend that kind of money elsewhere, but that's me. With regard to bringing your child, my experience was that for the most part it was pretty mellow. Didn't see any fighting or even arguing. Lots of drinking and smoking, but like waycha said it can be a learning tool.

My wife doesn't drink so I would need to double down. I think I would have still had it covered.

Money wise, consider that you have to buy 3 VIP tickets so you're dropping $2100 for better camping and showers/toilets. At that an RV
may make better sense. I did VIP car camping but I was a family of one so my "package" was $700. An RV costs you about a grand--for 3.

To me the VIP campsite and facilities was worth it; the other VIP perks made no difference and alone would not be worth the upcharge.

As for children, if they can be somewhat independent, the place was a disaster at night for getting lost (my 18 yo niece was lost for 3
hours the first night) so consider that. The crowd appeared safe but with 30,000 there has to be a bad guy or two.

Nonetheless, stay on site.

The issue with cell phones should be fixed; they set up special towers that ended up cancelling each other's signals--so no verizon
except random leaks, i guess, from the off-site tower. When they shut it off Monday morning it was all fine. So I don't expect that
problem again.

I agree with ya, veryorange. We did svip the last two years and bought again.

isn't that SVIP?