First World Problems - VIP Survey

not sure about your am's and pm's but the early arrivals are sent the farthest away. My 4:00 PM arrival put me in the picture you see of the line going in.

The early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese.

I did VIP RV camping for the 6th year and the camping experience was great. No wait getting in, good neighbors, great spot, great service and could hear perfect from my campsite. Even though the viewing area was tight I liked it being above the stage as opposed to below like last year. I thought the food was awful, didn't even attempt the brunch because the bbq was so bad and heard bad early reports (low end Days Inn). I did get late night Thursday and it was even worse. No excuse for them not to be serving after D & C both nights.

My suggestion, so please pass on. Scrap the bbq and brunch. Give VIP ticket holders 2 $15 vouchers for vendor food, which is awesome. That way they can be used whenever and it supports the vendors. There will be plenty not used so Lockn' will come out ahead. Hopefully this will allow them to concentrate on late night and leave open later:)

All that said the positives did out weigh the negatives.

I really don’t see the VIP experience here being worth the extra money. Spending 30years as a customer service specialist, I may be more critical than the masses. I get that. 

NEGATIVES
They have a vendor in VIP camping for early morning coffee and breakfast but have to take that breakfast taco back to your campsite because there isn’t any place to sit and eat!  Cold eggs, yuck!  It really wouldn’t have taken much to put a few picnic tables out. There was certainly plenty of room for it an would have made a world of difference. 

The swag was so lame. Water bottle and poster, fine but you really could have put some more thought in to it. 

Viewing area a joke, really. Overcrowded and should be elevated. Location could have been better but was fine, I suppose. 

Lounge needs much better AC and viewing screens should have been a no brainer. I was shocked, really, at this poorly thought out amenity. 

Food was sometimes good  but that blond woman was NOT friendly AT ALL. She was “working”, not enjoying the experience with us or making anyone feel like a VIP. I didn’t exchange words with her but heard her talking down to several people. 

Went to VIP concierge four times. Three out of four times, my reply was “I don’t know”. How about following that up with “but I’ll try and find out for you”. 

VIP camping could have used some regular ole port-o-potties strategically placed through the area to make night runs more convenient. We were halfway between the back trailer and the one at the front gate. It was a haul, either way. 

More stoner signage needed!  It wouldn’t take much money or thought to put up signs pointing to specific areas. So many people wandering around asking where certain areas were. The lack of signs pointing out different areas of need/interest is really inexcusable. It almost felt like you didn’t want people to explore the grounds. Who wants to walk around with an open map?  

I think early arrivals should should be given the closer campsite’s. 

I admit, I am spoiled by VIP at Gathering of the Vibes. They really put out huge efforts for their guests. Great thought and amenities. They made you feel special. Great food, viewing, swag, entry and vibe. 



POSITIVES
I found the staff that were monitoring the showers and bathrooms to be very pleasant, courteous and helpful. 

Easy check in for both arrival and gate entry. 

Nice size camping space. Plenty of room for vehicle, tent and pop-up. That was much appreciated. 

They managed to keep it going for 20 years, so with all due respect, talk to me in about 15 years. 

Shoulder rides were practically non-existent. The few that I did get you could tell that my bearers just didn't have their hearts in it. One time I had to actually wait for a bearer to show up, that is completely unacceptable. I'm calling CID!!!

I’m certain that’s part of the reason, yes. I have to give them a hat tip for 20 years of good vibes, however.
Don’t get me wrong. I had a great time. I just don’t think I got a good bang for for buck. Not all of what was lacking at LOCKN VIP is related to money. 

Some things LOCKN could do much better that would cost NOTHING:

Smiles
Having answers to basic questions
Common courtesy (question - “what’s for breakfast”, answer - “it’s brunch”, while shoving a plate in you hand). Seriously?  
Putting early arrival campers closer, not pushed back, back, back. 
Better viewing area



Marginal cost items that would have enhanced the experience and not broken the bank:
(or what $1000 a head could probably cover)

Signs
Picnic tables or SOME sort of seating near campground food vending
Port-o-potties 
Actual viewing platform
AC and viewing screen in lounge

It really wouldn’t take a ton more money to kick it up a bit. I get that camping location is close to gate and security checks are casual. That really is a great benefit but doesn’t cost anything!  NOTHING. 
So what are we tangibly paying for besides the all important band fees?  
Food, cold bev’s, a poster and water bottle, decent showers and bathrooms,  a “lounge” with no AC or ability to see outside. 
Not very relaxing, which I think is the idea of a lounge. A fenced in, overcrowded pen for viewing. For the tens of thousands of dollars collected from VIP ticket holders, I just feel they can do much better. Again, not a good value for $1000+ 

I could have carried you all the way into the hang. But if you cut off my troll access to viewing next year, your ride might not go where you want. Just think about it before you drop that dime.

VIP seems to get worse reviews every year. I was thinking of maybe doing VIP passes but regular camping next year, to take advantage of amenities like lounge, viewing, etc. Not sure if it's worth it though. Really not interested in the VIP camping.

I know safety concerns would probably never allow it, but it would be cool if they could provide a VIP viewing platform with GA shade area underneath.

For one thing your bearers would be cooler.

Those are the worst...