Well, I got a serious case of the sads today coming off the Coachella vibes and I'm dragging on work... so I figured I would just share some thoughts on my two years since they're both post-pandemic. This is solely on the difference in experience and not about the line up. Someone in VIP last year said it best, "It's not that VIP is BETTER, it's just a different section."

2022 -VIP $1,000 (on payment plan), shuttle pass, stayed at Hyatt Palm Springs

People here always ask if VIP is worth it. I was convinced by a friend it was the only way to get back to the desert since I'm in my 30s and I hadn't been since 2006 (Daft Punk's performance is still living in my mind rent free). I booked early enough that I managed to get the hotel at 12,000 points per night and easily saved $2K on that so my biggest expense was the ticket.

2022 VIP Experience: Since it was the first year after COVID, VIP was oversold to infinity. Jam packed VIP sections that seemed unfinished (ex. Seating areas with uncovered structures that they eventually got done by Sunday), handwash stations with no water and I actually do not think there was a single drinking water station in 12 Peaks VIP bar area (or Rose Garden). The one on the map didn't exist and whenever I spoke to any staff, they played dumb and kept referring me to the non-existent station. As a result of this issue, the bars sold water for $2 instead of $4.

There were no info booths anywhere. No paper pamphlets either as I recall... I also didn't notice any of the Neutrogena sunblock dispensers so is that new this year? Total life saver.

2022 Staff were diligent about checking wristbands but at the same time, they didn't seem to all be properly trained on them. Friday we were able to get into Sahara Artist pass section but they rectified the issue by Saturday and you had to scan in. There was no mention of the VIP entrance to YUMA (I believe this is common knowledge now) so we didn't find out about this until Day 2. The Rose Garden is very beautiful and great for relaxing or photos but again, super full. Took us 2 hours to get food on Day 2 and many stands were selling out of food before 7pm. In the end, it seemed faster to get food in GA areas. I kept thinking, well at least we get the nice bathrooms... but in actuality, there's 3x more regular portos than the nice bathrooms so half the time I ended up just using the regular bathrooms anyway.

In the end, VIP entices you with "separate entrace, more shaded seating, viewing areas, nicer bathrooms and vip-only food stalls" but I cannot say that it was worth the price tag at all. This year I noticed by Sunday that almost no one was checking the wristbands for VIP so it definitely feels like a slap in the face BUT kinda nice for future years if you wanna sneak in for some reason.

VIP might be worth it if... you want to have the separate entrace, camp out at main stage all day and just chill, walk minimally and get direct access to YUMA, this would be the ONLY reason to get VIP IMO.

SHUTTLE: Hyatt Palm Springs commute is 40-45 mins not including wait time or walking to/from the shuttle stops. The shuttle stop is a couple blocks from the hotel (maybe 1/4 mile walk).

2023 GA: Bought ticket from a friend because I refused to give GV any money, shuttle pass ($600 bundle) and stayed at Hyatt Indian Wells

GA experience overall: More water stations than last year and they actually had signage (last year the stations didn't have signs so you'd have to look around for the random areas people huddled at), they had plenty of info booths, paper pamphlets, sunblock dispensers all over, bathrooms seemed to be kept in decent shape and the ones across from Despacio were always clean and accessible. Didn't nope out of a bathroom this year! They also do have the air conditioned trailer bathrooms at the end of almost all restroom areas (so this already instantly removes this as a VIP perk). Never waited in line to get through security, easy breazy to get in from the shuttle area. You'd be at Sahara within 10-15 mins of getting off the shuttle. Outdoor theater and Sahara had updated everything so all the visuals were amazing all weekend. If I ever wanted shade or to chill, Indio Central Market is fully covered with phone charging stations, the coachella stage bar before 7pm also had plenty of grassy seating, and Heineken House was refreshing place to chill out during the day and vibe with music. No lines at all at the bar on Sunday at HH.

SHUTTLE: Hyatt Indian Wells is only 20 mins so easily the quickest shuttle trip, shuttle stop located AT the hotel and it's also one of the very first shuttles and least crowded when you get to the shuttle area. Indian Wells ran me 23,000 points per night though and I booked the Thursday before the festival. I think that only happened because hotels weren't sold out since this year was significantly less hyped than last.

All that being said, if COMFORT is important to you and that's why you're choosing VIP, it's not worth it. I would put my money toward staying somewhere in Indian Wells so that your shuttle is quick/easy and then make it a point to find your chill spots on Day 1 so you always have a place to rest and recover. After these two back to back chellas, I will definitely be GA all the way and trying W2 in 2024 because it seems that's when it's less about the hype and more about the artists. I will miss the grass but feels worth it. Hope this helped anyone considering VIP vs. GA.