Well, after years of saying we are going to attend ACL, I think this may be the year we can actually pull it off! I have so many questions, I%26#39;ve been reading the ACL web site and old posts here but I still need some advise and hope someone has answers for me.
Tickets: how much of an advantage is having the VIP tickets rather than the regular admission tix? Looks like you get shade, food, drinks and an a/c bathroom, is it worth it? I mean, how much food and water can you consume in one day to make it worth $850? (I confess, I melt in the hot sun) When you are in the VIP area, can you see any of the stages? Is it off to the side or in the thick of things? Do they give you a meal voucher or how does that work? Do you always have to purchase the 3 day passes or can you get a one or two day pass?
Bands: how are they scheduled? I%26#39;m trying to imagine and all I have to draw on is how they do the multi band events here... Are the lesser known bands scheduled early in the day saving the better known bands for later on? If so, would it make sense to come later on in the day (when it%26#39;s not so hot) or, are all the good viewing spots taken by then? At what point do they actually post which bands will be performing?
Times: I must be blind... I can find the dates but not the times the park is open! How late does Zilker Park stay open?
We are going to try to find a hotel right in town so we can walk to the free shuttle(I realize we have to book very soon). If we can%26#39;t, how hard will it be to depend on taxi%26#39;s and is there a web site that posts rates?
Also, what is the best way to get to a hotel from the airport if we do not get a rental car? Is there a shuttle or is taxi the best way?
Thanks for any and all responses, this is a little overwhelming having never attended and not knowing anyone who has!
ACL 2009 advise, please
Wow. Lots of questions!
I%26#39;ve been there the last several years, but have never bought the VIP tickets. It%26#39;s a BIG jump in price for a few extra comforts. I do think they%26#39;re including preferred parking with the VIP this year, but if you%26#39;re not planning on having a rental (really no need) there%26#39;s not much added benefit to this. The VIP area is not where you can see the stages. The last few years it%26#39;s been off to the back side, kind of between 2 stages, but not where you can see them.
Currently 3-day passes on are on sale. If you plan to attend the entire festival, this is normally a better buy. Single day tickets go on sale after they announce the line-up. The line-up is to be announced April 28. With the 3-day passes you can leave %26amp; return, with single day tickets, once you%26#39;re in you need to stay.
I can%26#39;t remember what time the park opens in the morning (I%26#39;m thinking 10 or 11), but the last show is over at 10PM (sound ordinance).
The bands are generally scheduled as you say, with the big names later in the day. However, I know there%26#39;s always bands I want to see at 2PM. It also always starts with Asleep at the Wheel around noon on Friday.
The benefit to arriving early is you can try to set up a ';base camp'; in the shade. There are several areas with trees near the main stages. I take an old blanket, set it down and leave it for the day.
If you can get a hotel just south of the river from downtown (around Congress %26amp; Riverside) you should be able to walk to/from the festival. The shuttle buses are efficient, but there%26#39;s 60,000 people trying to leave the park at the same time. If you%26#39;re downtown, and not too far north of 6th street, walking is also a possibility.
For hotel/airport taxi may be your best bet. There is a city bus that runs from the airport to downtown (depending on where you end up with lodging). Depending on how many are in your group, Super Shuttle is also an option. Once you figure out where you%26#39;re going to stay, go to …austin.tx.us/austinairport/transportation.h… to see what your options are.
ACL 2009 advise, please
They did change the festival to October in hopes the weather will be cooler. If you do not get under a tree and you melt in heat, you may want to spend the extra $ for VIP. I have friends who have done this and the VIP is a welcome respite if it%26#39;s 100 degrees out. You get a special badge and that provides access to the VIP tents. I believe they have food and stuff available in the tents.
The big bands play in the evening, usually they close the show. There are a lot of really good bands that play during the day. If it%26#39;s hot out, it%26#39;s not going to cool down that much in the evening. They%26#39;ll post the band times well before the festival, you%26#39;ll have plenty of time to figure out who you want to see.
They have a place to stand in line and catch a taxi. We%26#39;ve done both (taxi and bus). The lines take about the same length of time. However, if you need a taxi from the bus dropoff point, that%26#39;s a little tougher.
I don%26#39;t think VIP is worth the extra bucks. The big disappointment about them is that they do NOT give you stage seating. There are seats to the side of all the stages, but the are reserved for the sponsors (I assume) NOT VIP ticket holders.
Setting up ';camp'; is great advice. A larger group of folks (say six or more) make this much easier, that way someone can stay with your stuff, though I have left chairs unattended and had no problem. Try to find a place near a stage and that will be in the shade in the afternoon.
Free bus service is great. Though, If I didn%26#39;t have a car, I%26#39;d probably use a taxi, at least for the ride back. Another tactic is to leave about the time the last big act starts (usually not a problem for me.)
The other and biggest piece of advice I can give is to take care of your feet! Prepare like you are going on a long hike - socks that will wick moisture away from your feet. Good supportive shoes. It is very easy to get blisters.
THanks for your replies and suggestions! I think the VIP would be a waste of money. We are looking at the Homestead because of locaion. Any comments about that motel?
The lineup will be posted on April 28.
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