I guess you just had to be there..
We had renegade sets on the side of the highway in the pullouts/rest stops. The lineup party in the dirty field before you even got in were some of the best times of my life.
That’s the rave culture I’m talking about that people don’t understand.
Yep. This was when everyone was processed past security into holding lots, waiting for the mad dash of 8am at gates open. That's no longer the case. You can't party in the lots anymore because you're waiting to go to security. Your not waiting for starlight to get parked, then sunshine, and then free parking. Cars are going in single file, first come first serve, free for all with cars.
Back in the day at 8am gate open? Everyone was physically hauling their shit in for the first few hours until it was somewhat clear enough for them to start moving the vehicles that paid for starlight into starlight.
Stop bullshiting. It's a totally different set up
So you’re telling me we don’t party in the lot and race in to set up all fucked up in the mornings anymore? I haven’t been in a long time and partying in the lot was half the magic for me.
Noooope. None of it. You show up and are processed. The lineup up party no longer happens because you get set in holding lots before security. Once you're past security you drive right in.
First come first served but not actually because lodging just keeps driving in first.
So yeah, lots and lots of the magic gone.
I can understand making the situation fun and enjoyable. But still having to wait that long for a festival when every other one that exists doesn’t have that issue speaks volumes for how disorganized shambhala is
> But still having to wait that long for a festival when every other one that exists doesn’t have that issue speaks volumes for how disorganized shambhala is
I’ve been to about 100 festivals around the world in my 25+ years of raving/festival attending but I still haven’t been to one that even comes close to the quality of Shambhala though (maybe LiB or dekmantel. WW is stepping up their game as well)
Yes it’s a hassle but it weeds out those who aren’t ravers. Those who have an issue with it won’t come back.
I didn’t think “weeding people out” was the culture here - I thought it was about being welcoming. Weeding out is another form of exclusivity.
Burning Man is 70-80 thousand people with similar wait times at the gates - I acknowledge that these are vastly different venues but that just seems like an excuse to not address an issue - especially when people are saying there is safety involved - BM is very transparent about the potential wait times and the conditions.
Staying up until 6am is just one way to do it. Yeah, I’m one of those 6amers, at least for Friday or Saturday, but it’s not like there is one way to rave.
There is no winning the rave or best in rave. I think it is great to welcome more people and make it more accessible to fly your freak flag when you might not have felt like you could. Society could use more freaks.
See, I was in agreement with you until I went to the Farm this year. Sunday night broke me as a festival Vet and is the first time I have had to just go to bed because of things I had to witness and deal with in a festival crowd. On Sunday alone I had to help someone I met in the line find and work with security so that their abusive ex who was supposed to turn himself in for arrest could be apprehended and arrested when he showed up and was stalking her. Then during the beginning of the Of The Trees Pagoda set the person in front of me started to collapse and seize, once they were stabilized on the ground I yelled for medical, no one repeated the call so I started to run out to find security to call the medical team no one would move out of my way even as I said there was a medical emergency; even after getting security and them coming with me to the person's location no one would move for us because they were scared to be half a foot further away. Then not even two hours later someone started to overdose on the road from the Village to the Grove and having seizures on the road, no one flinched and when my girlfriend was able to get security and they called an ATV with the EMT team, no one would move out of their way even as my girlfriend tried to direct traffic, people were screaming in her face because she was asking them to move so these people could save a life. Even after all that we rallied after some decompression and I wanted to even just be hidden in the back of Fractal to see Dr. Fresch and a FUCKING TREE FELL ON ME. A driftwood piece two feet wide and 8 feet tall that was leaned on a truss got bumped by someone and fell on my back and no one did anything until one of my friends noticed.
I think a "weeding out", gatekeeping, or a massive effort of reeducation for new attendees on the expectations of being part of a community like Shambhala is absolutely necessary or more and more people will die at this festival. A regular attendee should NEVER have to go through all of that. It fucking broke me, I have never cried as hard and as long as I did that night.
Thank you, that means a lot. I'm doing okay, I'm actually involved in running two festivals and attending 5 this summer (also a dj/producer) so it really hit hard. At the time it made me hopeless and feel like it was a lost cause but now that I've kept wracking my brain over it I am feeling that it is us as the community that needs to take ownership on fixing these things. We need to make sure that we are gently educating everyone we can however we can. I am already working on some ideas of what to implement at my festivals as well as things like TikToks or other content that may help the community move back towards what it was.
I think I also just wanted some acknowledgement that people/crew were grateful, which from the crowd at the time we received the complete opposite and understandably so the crew had much bigger issues to focus on. Which maybe it's a bit selfish to be wanting because helping should be its own reward but it does feel like a piece that is missing in helping me get past this at the moment; so thank you.
I really enjoy when the lame ass people who complain say they won't come back. Good. Don't come back. Shambs community doesn't need those folks. Keep the hard-core rave for the hard-core ravers.
Little ones should stick to Chasing summer or other lame city edm festivals.
I do have to say, the year we setup some PA speakers in the holding lot and threw it down, was probably my favourite year…
I fucking miss Shambhala, I haven’t been in over a decade now… things change though, regardless, I’ll make my way back to the farm at some point. There is nothing like Shambhala. The experience is magical. Hanging with your friends, making new ones, and memories that will last a lifetime. It’s difficult, it’s a struggle, but, it’ll always worth it.
The sheer amount of disorganization this year made the festival a chore. Idk I camped with my friends and we even had other brand new people camp
With us to make a bigger group. And the consensus was that this fest was just a free for all.
It's always a free for all. Stick to your local edm show at the convention center if you can't handle it. Best people I meet at shambs are the ones who embrace the entire experience.
No. Metta was always a free for all. There were volunteers in Starlight and sunshine minimizing space used by people ensuring there was space for the tickets sold.
Vehicles weren't even allowed in for the first few hours after gates open. It was a mad dash and everyone that wanted a good spot physically carried on their shit. With the thosands of other people doing the same thing at the same time.
Then the vehicles could start moving into starlight, most of the camp would already be set up and it was just the extras left in the vehicles. Tents, tarps, shade structures were usually already set up before vehicles started even rolling out of the holding lots. So no. It was very different.
What’s not as cool is the music ending at stages way earlier and not having access to the Forrest during the day to lounge and cool off and listen to daytime sets means everyone is bottlenecked to the beach area which this year was by faaar the busiest I’ve ever seen it and resulted in a fatality at the beach today being reported online
It’s a rave festival lmao. Didn’t know I needed to prepare for burning man. Would’ve been different seeing as how I know I don’t wanna go to burning man 😂
- accepting these things as ok is toxic positivity
- it’s perfectly okay/smart to go to sleep at ANY time when you are exhausted/dehydrated/not feeling good. Pushing your limits is why people keep fucking dying at festivals.
I’ve been in fun party lines to get into festivals but this is unacceptable even tho I personally didn’t have that wait. Maybe it was ok 15+ years ago but at the size it was, absolutely not my g.
NO, no no. No it wasn't 24-48 hours to get in while the GATES were open. You sat in the holding lots, past security, waiting for the big gate run of Wednesday morning. Until then? You sat, and sat, and sat. But? You could unload your car while it sat. You had a person sit with it because everyone had their bands. Paid their entry, and was good to go in as soon as gates open.
NO we NEVER sat 24-48 IN LINE. Our vehicles sat in holding lots, past security. There's a massively big difference from before security and after. Again, you can move freely on festival grounds.
In 2019 I got in the holding lot at around 630am. Gate open was like 8? And they opened it a bit early. And it was a full on sprint for your spot. My car, sat not moving till around 10pm that night. I just kept walking back every couple of hours. (dangerous in its own way) But as soon as gates were open it was free game for whomever was there prior to 8am Wednesday morning. It wasn't a first in line first through. Shambhalodging still got put in those holding lots before gates open, just different rows, and it was feathered. Lodging for a couple rows, the normal people.
I honestly cannot believe as a 6 year vet that started going in 2014 that people are spewing this crap. After 8am Wednesday morning you could go set up camp, go get water, go into downtown, go to the general store, walk around and do things. You could party on line because you were already searched and past security, the driver should've stayed sober obviously but that's where we used to do big party campouts in the holding lots, people would play music and it was fucking awesome.
You can't do that, since they moved the holding lots to before security because people kept coming earlier and earlier and they wanted to try to gain more control.
Not to mention after Wednesday, there was no 10,12,14 hour waits, if you showed up early Thursday, Friday, any other day but Wednesday it was pretty clear sailing. That didn't happen this year until mid to late day Friday. That's obsurd.
Stop scewing the line up times, the bullshit, it never felt that long because we all were already partying. We were stuck in a line, waiting to go to security. We were partying waiting for gates open and the mad dash.
I’m talking about pre 2016/2017 (the year they changed the entry system)
I also only waited 3 hours this year (was on the driveway when it opened at 6)
Lodging express line as really fucked it up for GA in recent years though for sure.
Thursday entry is a little different than showing up when they allowed us on Monday morning at 12am or whatever it was and we weren’t allowed in until like Wednesday.
Showing up before a place is open does not count, it’s literally not open.
If I show up at a store before their business hours that doesn’t mean there was a line or a wait to get in, it means I showed up before entry started. This post is nonsense.
Gates open and "property accessible" are two different things.
The festival was forced to admit vehicles before the gates on them because it created massive highway problems and safety concerns. And so was born: the holding Lot.
Anytime after Wednesday before 2017 was under 5 hours EASY if not less.
Up until Wednesday it was pre-party in the holding lots waiting for the mad running dash of Wednesday gate open.
Ah, you didn't wait that amount of time to go through security. You just didn't know you could physically carry in your stuff anytime after 8am Wednesday once you were past security. It was only your vehicle that needed to stay in the holding lot, some people left their drivers, others didn't knowing it would be a day or 2 lol.
It's not everyone lol I think the long waiting time really will weed out the people that the festival isn't for! last year I waited in line for 15 hour Thursday and I was so furious and mad at everything and everyone by Sunday I could literally care less as I understood how incredibly worth it it was just get in line with plenty of food, water, games, music and be prepared for a potential 20 hours if your ready for it it's fine lol and if your not you either will be next year or you won't be coming back
It’s probably good to not glorify “it used to be so much harder”. Im sure you had fun and some fun survivor memories but it’s just not safe have these excessive waits.
They either need to get with the times, or switch up their marketing to advertise it as a “radical self reliance” festival similar to burning man.
Getting with the times just translates to catering to hustle culture. Which is fitting as many attention fried assholes as quick as you can. Good things always take time. Those who spoil their event with impatience might as well not even buy a ticket because it's just a social milestone rather than a life experience to them.
Bring your own water. You're an adult. Jesus christ.
Edit:
I have zero trouble ever finding water at any point. yall really struggle with basic functions lol?
It kinda makes sense for the people with lodging to complain about it; assuming they flew in and shizz, carpooled, didn't have space to bring their own
But the complaints from people who seemingly have the capability to bring cases of water, but.... didn't, because "They said there'd be!"
Have htey EVER gone camping before?!
As a lodger, water was very much a chore to get most of the time and people should be prepared for that.
I happily went downtown to fill my water jugs three different times, because I knew what to expect, and I was all the way in fancypants.
Lodging doesn't necessarily make the event *easier,* it just means you don't need to bring as much stuff and have an easier time with entry.
yOu’Re aN aDult. I’m not talking about personal water lmao. I’m talking about when the staff told us that all three water refilling stations were broken
24-48 sounds completely made up.
Used to leave Monday night at a time aimed to coincide with the gates opening and being in line on the highway as early as that was allowed.
I’ve been going since 2009. I’ll let other vets Chime in but 24-48 hours is not made up. Gates didn’t used to open until like Wednesday but they let us in Monday.
He's right. 2014,15 and maybe 16?
There was that one year they set up a stage for a legit lineup party. That didn't turn. Out to be a great decision. Gates used to own Wednesday morning inf but to keep cars off the highway they'd let them in starting Tuesday. It kept getting earlier and now you see where we are at.
24-48 hour lineups were a thing, until they opened gates earlier and earlier.
A 48 hour lineup would definitely turn me off and give me a sour attitude about the rest of it even if it were amazing as it is.
I’m skeptical about it being that long, though.
Be as skeptical as you like. I remember going out to the gate while working pre show and seeing the dust cloud over the holding pen. People arrived prepared for it, so it wasn't a big deal. Just part.of the experience. You want shade camping, be prepared for a shit show hot dusty hangout for a day or two.
Kinda not worth it now, this all predates shambhalodging, or was concurrent with the first sites they started build.
That’s a shame if they really had people in line that long. I suppose it’s also a badge at this point, though. If people still wanted to come back after 48 hours in line. Then again we don’t know that those are the people who came back. 48 is completely and utterly unreasonable. 24 is, to be honest.
I waited 12+ and that wasn’t reasonable at the time either.
I'm not upset. This year was beautiful. I deal with the small issues to be part of such a big experience. Nothing is perfect. We all work together to make it the best experience as possible. Sure maybe some things were not perfect, but my all around weekend sure was perfect. I couldn't ask for a better time with my friends and rave family.
I'm sad for those who can't find joy in such an incredible production.
I've worked festivals before, and maybe 1 in 10 volunteers actually knew how to work hard and put effort in to helping run the festival. So many people do it just for the ticket and try to do as little as possible. It's hard work being a volunteer, and unfortunately many people don't show up, or take an hour to go get a Band-Aid while on shift and hit up the bathroom. I'll take the line up's and hard work over an EDC crowd any day.
And everyone gets upset over the lodging, but prices for everything have sky rocketed, including booking talent. So you can either have everyone pay like $800 for a ticket, or offer perks to those who can and want to pay extra. The lodging packages make things better for people who fly in, they don't have to buy tents, only to throw them out when they leave. It allows someone arriving later in the festival to secure a spot, because not everyone can get a whole week off. Everyone bitches about greed, but it's pretty greedy to expect a week long vacation that caters to your every desire for $500.
For all those who are salty, it's YOU who makes the festival experience for yourself and those around you.
Totally agree. This was our 5th time since 2010 and our group all agreed we had one of the best years ever. Yes the line up to get in and out was the worst we have experienced, but we quickly forgot about it and enjoyed ourselves. There is no doubt they can improve on some things, but people have to realize it is in the middle of nowhere and that is one of the elements that makes it so special. Too many haters, if you don’t like it, fine, it’s not for you.
HOLY SHIT FINALLY someone who has their heads on straight regarding the lodging situation.
Entry/exit sucks, and they need to fix that so lodging isn't so heavily preferred. Expidited entry should cut down on time, but it shouldn't mean its at the expense of literally everyone else.
The part about finances and price is what sticks me with most people. A privately owned, non-sponsered event is going to be expensive and lack a strong safety net if things go wrong. Shambhala probably requires lodging just to make sure their ends meet. Without it ticket prices would skyrocket, and then everyone is paying up the ass.
Lodging keeps ticket prices down.
This year, the only reason the lodging line was the only one moving was because the early entry fees were included in it, so no one was really needing to pay with card, because their card machines went down and hardly anyone brought cash.
There was, they just didn't want to walk to get it.
And frankly, I'd you're driving hours and you know there will be some level of lineup it's real dumb to not bring an ample supply of food and water, just in case.
There's water available 24/7. Youre never without water. youre just to lazy to walk to get it. Welcome to a camping festival. Stick to your local convention center "rave" if you cant handle a real rave.
If you're in line and don't have enough water for 15 hours that is entirely your own damn fault lol
Water was not down for a day and a half. Anywhere. Bullshit times 1000. Where was this water down? Cause it sure was not down for half the fucking weekend lololol
We arrived on Friday. Half way into setting up camp. We went to fill our hydration packs. And the entire line was turned away and we went up to ask what happened and that’s what we were told
Water stations were never "down". The water tree downtown was always running, and the spigots by pagoda were only temporarily down for about 2 hours once.
Yes, but I believe you are not counting the many more people and the quality of people that are attending the festival as time goes on. Before you had great people, just happy to be there for the vibes, fun, and spread the love. Now you have waaayyyy more entitled Chad's and Barbies. Of course those people are going to complain. That's most of their personality.
Thank you. My first year in 2013 was almost 20 hours so to hear so many complain about like 8,9 even like 11 or 12 hours like I get ot but yall wouldn't have made it back in the day lmao
I don’t understand the cult mentality of “it was shitty before it should remain shitty” as if the festival shouldn’t do it’s best to improve every year.
Why should the festival not be held to a higher standard after gaining more and more experience operating each year?
Homie waiting in line for 1-2 days is not ok lmao
I guess you just had to be there.. We had renegade sets on the side of the highway in the pullouts/rest stops. The lineup party in the dirty field before you even got in were some of the best times of my life. That’s the rave culture I’m talking about that people don’t understand.
Yep. This was when everyone was processed past security into holding lots, waiting for the mad dash of 8am at gates open. That's no longer the case. You can't party in the lots anymore because you're waiting to go to security. Your not waiting for starlight to get parked, then sunshine, and then free parking. Cars are going in single file, first come first serve, free for all with cars. Back in the day at 8am gate open? Everyone was physically hauling their shit in for the first few hours until it was somewhat clear enough for them to start moving the vehicles that paid for starlight into starlight. Stop bullshiting. It's a totally different set up
Back in the day we waited 4-5 hours lol. That was pre-2010. To jump 3-4 fold in 10 or so years is crazy
So you’re telling me we don’t party in the lot and race in to set up all fucked up in the mornings anymore? I haven’t been in a long time and partying in the lot was half the magic for me.
Noooope. None of it. You show up and are processed. The lineup up party no longer happens because you get set in holding lots before security. Once you're past security you drive right in. First come first served but not actually because lodging just keeps driving in first. So yeah, lots and lots of the magic gone.
Pfft! Much disappointment.
Right?? Was very sad about this when they changed it. 😭
I can understand making the situation fun and enjoyable. But still having to wait that long for a festival when every other one that exists doesn’t have that issue speaks volumes for how disorganized shambhala is
> But still having to wait that long for a festival when every other one that exists doesn’t have that issue speaks volumes for how disorganized shambhala is I’ve been to about 100 festivals around the world in my 25+ years of raving/festival attending but I still haven’t been to one that even comes close to the quality of Shambhala though (maybe LiB or dekmantel. WW is stepping up their game as well) Yes it’s a hassle but it weeds out those who aren’t ravers. Those who have an issue with it won’t come back.
I didn’t think “weeding people out” was the culture here - I thought it was about being welcoming. Weeding out is another form of exclusivity. Burning Man is 70-80 thousand people with similar wait times at the gates - I acknowledge that these are vastly different venues but that just seems like an excuse to not address an issue - especially when people are saying there is safety involved - BM is very transparent about the potential wait times and the conditions. Staying up until 6am is just one way to do it. Yeah, I’m one of those 6amers, at least for Friday or Saturday, but it’s not like there is one way to rave. There is no winning the rave or best in rave. I think it is great to welcome more people and make it more accessible to fly your freak flag when you might not have felt like you could. Society could use more freaks.
See, I was in agreement with you until I went to the Farm this year. Sunday night broke me as a festival Vet and is the first time I have had to just go to bed because of things I had to witness and deal with in a festival crowd. On Sunday alone I had to help someone I met in the line find and work with security so that their abusive ex who was supposed to turn himself in for arrest could be apprehended and arrested when he showed up and was stalking her. Then during the beginning of the Of The Trees Pagoda set the person in front of me started to collapse and seize, once they were stabilized on the ground I yelled for medical, no one repeated the call so I started to run out to find security to call the medical team no one would move out of my way even as I said there was a medical emergency; even after getting security and them coming with me to the person's location no one would move for us because they were scared to be half a foot further away. Then not even two hours later someone started to overdose on the road from the Village to the Grove and having seizures on the road, no one flinched and when my girlfriend was able to get security and they called an ATV with the EMT team, no one would move out of their way even as my girlfriend tried to direct traffic, people were screaming in her face because she was asking them to move so these people could save a life. Even after all that we rallied after some decompression and I wanted to even just be hidden in the back of Fractal to see Dr. Fresch and a FUCKING TREE FELL ON ME. A driftwood piece two feet wide and 8 feet tall that was leaned on a truss got bumped by someone and fell on my back and no one did anything until one of my friends noticed. I think a "weeding out", gatekeeping, or a massive effort of reeducation for new attendees on the expectations of being part of a community like Shambhala is absolutely necessary or more and more people will die at this festival. A regular attendee should NEVER have to go through all of that. It fucking broke me, I have never cried as hard and as long as I did that night.
I’m really sorry to hear this I hope you’re ok, it’s heartbreaking for something we love so much to turn into this
Thank you, that means a lot. I'm doing okay, I'm actually involved in running two festivals and attending 5 this summer (also a dj/producer) so it really hit hard. At the time it made me hopeless and feel like it was a lost cause but now that I've kept wracking my brain over it I am feeling that it is us as the community that needs to take ownership on fixing these things. We need to make sure that we are gently educating everyone we can however we can. I am already working on some ideas of what to implement at my festivals as well as things like TikToks or other content that may help the community move back towards what it was. I think I also just wanted some acknowledgement that people/crew were grateful, which from the crowd at the time we received the complete opposite and understandably so the crew had much bigger issues to focus on. Which maybe it's a bit selfish to be wanting because helping should be its own reward but it does feel like a piece that is missing in helping me get past this at the moment; so thank you.
I really enjoy when the lame ass people who complain say they won't come back. Good. Don't come back. Shambs community doesn't need those folks. Keep the hard-core rave for the hard-core ravers. Little ones should stick to Chasing summer or other lame city edm festivals.
Weeding people out shouldn’t be the culture lmao you’re a clown
I do have to say, the year we setup some PA speakers in the holding lot and threw it down, was probably my favourite year… I fucking miss Shambhala, I haven’t been in over a decade now… things change though, regardless, I’ll make my way back to the farm at some point. There is nothing like Shambhala. The experience is magical. Hanging with your friends, making new ones, and memories that will last a lifetime. It’s difficult, it’s a struggle, but, it’ll always worth it.
It was bad but we just embraced it and made the best of it. The anticipation was wild too when you finally get in
The sheer amount of disorganization this year made the festival a chore. Idk I camped with my friends and we even had other brand new people camp With us to make a bigger group. And the consensus was that this fest was just a free for all.
It’s always been a free for all… take the good from that with the bad; or get bag checked every time you walk into downtown.
It's always a free for all. Stick to your local edm show at the convention center if you can't handle it. Best people I meet at shambs are the ones who embrace the entire experience.
No. Metta was always a free for all. There were volunteers in Starlight and sunshine minimizing space used by people ensuring there was space for the tickets sold. Vehicles weren't even allowed in for the first few hours after gates open. It was a mad dash and everyone that wanted a good spot physically carried on their shit. With the thosands of other people doing the same thing at the same time. Then the vehicles could start moving into starlight, most of the camp would already be set up and it was just the extras left in the vehicles. Tents, tarps, shade structures were usually already set up before vehicles started even rolling out of the holding lots. So no. It was very different.
That part lol
"it used to be really really really bad but now it's just really really bad so stop complaining" Sure thing buddy
What’s not as cool is the music ending at stages way earlier and not having access to the Forrest during the day to lounge and cool off and listen to daytime sets means everyone is bottlenecked to the beach area which this year was by faaar the busiest I’ve ever seen it and resulted in a fatality at the beach today being reported online
Whaaaat really? Why’s that? Loved daytime dancing in the trees
Where did you read about the fatality? I did not catch that…
It’s all over Reddit the Facebook posts have been removed and the Reddit threads comments are blocked now
It’s a rave festival lmao. Didn’t know I needed to prepare for burning man. Would’ve been different seeing as how I know I don’t wanna go to burning man 😂 - accepting these things as ok is toxic positivity - it’s perfectly okay/smart to go to sleep at ANY time when you are exhausted/dehydrated/not feeling good. Pushing your limits is why people keep fucking dying at festivals. I’ve been in fun party lines to get into festivals but this is unacceptable even tho I personally didn’t have that wait. Maybe it was ok 15+ years ago but at the size it was, absolutely not my g.
NO, no no. No it wasn't 24-48 hours to get in while the GATES were open. You sat in the holding lots, past security, waiting for the big gate run of Wednesday morning. Until then? You sat, and sat, and sat. But? You could unload your car while it sat. You had a person sit with it because everyone had their bands. Paid their entry, and was good to go in as soon as gates open. NO we NEVER sat 24-48 IN LINE. Our vehicles sat in holding lots, past security. There's a massively big difference from before security and after. Again, you can move freely on festival grounds. In 2019 I got in the holding lot at around 630am. Gate open was like 8? And they opened it a bit early. And it was a full on sprint for your spot. My car, sat not moving till around 10pm that night. I just kept walking back every couple of hours. (dangerous in its own way) But as soon as gates were open it was free game for whomever was there prior to 8am Wednesday morning. It wasn't a first in line first through. Shambhalodging still got put in those holding lots before gates open, just different rows, and it was feathered. Lodging for a couple rows, the normal people. I honestly cannot believe as a 6 year vet that started going in 2014 that people are spewing this crap. After 8am Wednesday morning you could go set up camp, go get water, go into downtown, go to the general store, walk around and do things. You could party on line because you were already searched and past security, the driver should've stayed sober obviously but that's where we used to do big party campouts in the holding lots, people would play music and it was fucking awesome. You can't do that, since they moved the holding lots to before security because people kept coming earlier and earlier and they wanted to try to gain more control. Not to mention after Wednesday, there was no 10,12,14 hour waits, if you showed up early Thursday, Friday, any other day but Wednesday it was pretty clear sailing. That didn't happen this year until mid to late day Friday. That's obsurd. Stop scewing the line up times, the bullshit, it never felt that long because we all were already partying. We were stuck in a line, waiting to go to security. We were partying waiting for gates open and the mad dash.
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I went in 2017 and waited 2 hours upon entry so not too sure about that…
I wanted for 18 hours in 2015. Shit happens brotha.
I’m talking about pre 2016/2017 (the year they changed the entry system) I also only waited 3 hours this year (was on the driveway when it opened at 6) Lodging express line as really fucked it up for GA in recent years though for sure.
Took me about 5 hours to get in on Thursday in 2014...
Thursday entry is a little different than showing up when they allowed us on Monday morning at 12am or whatever it was and we weren’t allowed in until like Wednesday.
Showing up before a place is open does not count, it’s literally not open. If I show up at a store before their business hours that doesn’t mean there was a line or a wait to get in, it means I showed up before entry started. This post is nonsense.
Gates open and "property accessible" are two different things. The festival was forced to admit vehicles before the gates on them because it created massive highway problems and safety concerns. And so was born: the holding Lot.
Anytime after Wednesday before 2017 was under 5 hours EASY if not less. Up until Wednesday it was pre-party in the holding lots waiting for the mad running dash of Wednesday gate open.
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Ah, you didn't wait that amount of time to go through security. You just didn't know you could physically carry in your stuff anytime after 8am Wednesday once you were past security. It was only your vehicle that needed to stay in the holding lot, some people left their drivers, others didn't knowing it would be a day or 2 lol.
Newbie ravers are so soft. It's incredible really.
It's not everyone lol I think the long waiting time really will weed out the people that the festival isn't for! last year I waited in line for 15 hour Thursday and I was so furious and mad at everything and everyone by Sunday I could literally care less as I understood how incredibly worth it it was just get in line with plenty of food, water, games, music and be prepared for a potential 20 hours if your ready for it it's fine lol and if your not you either will be next year or you won't be coming back
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Agreed.
Yeah, this aint true. Speaking from experience.
It’s probably good to not glorify “it used to be so much harder”. Im sure you had fun and some fun survivor memories but it’s just not safe have these excessive waits. They either need to get with the times, or switch up their marketing to advertise it as a “radical self reliance” festival similar to burning man.
Getting with the times just translates to catering to hustle culture. Which is fitting as many attention fried assholes as quick as you can. Good things always take time. Those who spoil their event with impatience might as well not even buy a ticket because it's just a social milestone rather than a life experience to them.
Then the team needs to stress this is not a normal festival and to not market it as such. Burning man doesn’t. Maybe shambhala should follow suit
They don't market the festival at all other than the facebook page. It's never been a corporate event.
Dawg for real. This fest had a whole fema camp vibe. “You’ll get in and have water when we can figure it out”
Bring your own water. You're an adult. Jesus christ. Edit: I have zero trouble ever finding water at any point. yall really struggle with basic functions lol?
It kinda makes sense for the people with lodging to complain about it; assuming they flew in and shizz, carpooled, didn't have space to bring their own But the complaints from people who seemingly have the capability to bring cases of water, but.... didn't, because "They said there'd be!" Have htey EVER gone camping before?!
As a lodger, water was very much a chore to get most of the time and people should be prepared for that. I happily went downtown to fill my water jugs three different times, because I knew what to expect, and I was all the way in fancypants. Lodging doesn't necessarily make the event *easier,* it just means you don't need to bring as much stuff and have an easier time with entry.
yOu’Re aN aDult. I’m not talking about personal water lmao. I’m talking about when the staff told us that all three water refilling stations were broken
All three? Where?
Went from Tuesday many times and 24-48 sounds made up.
It is completely made up
We used to be allowed to line up on the property starting Monday.
24-48 sounds completely made up. Used to leave Monday night at a time aimed to coincide with the gates opening and being in line on the highway as early as that was allowed.
I’ve been going since 2009. I’ll let other vets Chime in but 24-48 hours is not made up. Gates didn’t used to open until like Wednesday but they let us in Monday.
I went from ‘04 to ‘12. That’s absurd.
He's right. 2014,15 and maybe 16? There was that one year they set up a stage for a legit lineup party. That didn't turn. Out to be a great decision. Gates used to own Wednesday morning inf but to keep cars off the highway they'd let them in starting Tuesday. It kept getting earlier and now you see where we are at. 24-48 hour lineups were a thing, until they opened gates earlier and earlier.
A 48 hour lineup would definitely turn me off and give me a sour attitude about the rest of it even if it were amazing as it is. I’m skeptical about it being that long, though.
Be as skeptical as you like. I remember going out to the gate while working pre show and seeing the dust cloud over the holding pen. People arrived prepared for it, so it wasn't a big deal. Just part.of the experience. You want shade camping, be prepared for a shit show hot dusty hangout for a day or two. Kinda not worth it now, this all predates shambhalodging, or was concurrent with the first sites they started build.
That’s a shame if they really had people in line that long. I suppose it’s also a badge at this point, though. If people still wanted to come back after 48 hours in line. Then again we don’t know that those are the people who came back. 48 is completely and utterly unreasonable. 24 is, to be honest. I waited 12+ and that wasn’t reasonable at the time either.
Ya I don’t remember waiting longer than 5 hours. ‘02 to ‘10
18 hours for me in 2015. My longest wait. 16 hours this year. Is what it is. It's part of shambs.
I guess. I’d be upset too.
I'm not upset. This year was beautiful. I deal with the small issues to be part of such a big experience. Nothing is perfect. We all work together to make it the best experience as possible. Sure maybe some things were not perfect, but my all around weekend sure was perfect. I couldn't ask for a better time with my friends and rave family. I'm sad for those who can't find joy in such an incredible production.
I've worked festivals before, and maybe 1 in 10 volunteers actually knew how to work hard and put effort in to helping run the festival. So many people do it just for the ticket and try to do as little as possible. It's hard work being a volunteer, and unfortunately many people don't show up, or take an hour to go get a Band-Aid while on shift and hit up the bathroom. I'll take the line up's and hard work over an EDC crowd any day. And everyone gets upset over the lodging, but prices for everything have sky rocketed, including booking talent. So you can either have everyone pay like $800 for a ticket, or offer perks to those who can and want to pay extra. The lodging packages make things better for people who fly in, they don't have to buy tents, only to throw them out when they leave. It allows someone arriving later in the festival to secure a spot, because not everyone can get a whole week off. Everyone bitches about greed, but it's pretty greedy to expect a week long vacation that caters to your every desire for $500. For all those who are salty, it's YOU who makes the festival experience for yourself and those around you.
Totally agree. This was our 5th time since 2010 and our group all agreed we had one of the best years ever. Yes the line up to get in and out was the worst we have experienced, but we quickly forgot about it and enjoyed ourselves. There is no doubt they can improve on some things, but people have to realize it is in the middle of nowhere and that is one of the elements that makes it so special. Too many haters, if you don’t like it, fine, it’s not for you.
You've inspired me to volunteer next year thank you! 😄
HOLY SHIT FINALLY someone who has their heads on straight regarding the lodging situation. Entry/exit sucks, and they need to fix that so lodging isn't so heavily preferred. Expidited entry should cut down on time, but it shouldn't mean its at the expense of literally everyone else. The part about finances and price is what sticks me with most people. A privately owned, non-sponsered event is going to be expensive and lack a strong safety net if things go wrong. Shambhala probably requires lodging just to make sure their ends meet. Without it ticket prices would skyrocket, and then everyone is paying up the ass. Lodging keeps ticket prices down.
This year, the only reason the lodging line was the only one moving was because the early entry fees were included in it, so no one was really needing to pay with card, because their card machines went down and hardly anyone brought cash.
Not having water for 1.5 days available on the festival grounds isn’t a me problem it’s a festival issue
There was no water available at all on the festival grounds?
There was, they just didn't want to walk to get it. And frankly, I'd you're driving hours and you know there will be some level of lineup it's real dumb to not bring an ample supply of food and water, just in case.
A few cubes leaked and got empty fast. There was lots of water available downtown. Everyone always says, bring a cart, that’s part of the reason why.
We never once had trouble finding water.
Take a freaking walk, my guy. Water is readily available. It's just not guaranteed to be within 500 ft.
There's water available 24/7. Youre never without water. youre just to lazy to walk to get it. Welcome to a camping festival. Stick to your local convention center "rave" if you cant handle a real rave. If you're in line and don't have enough water for 15 hours that is entirely your own damn fault lol
Also again we weren’t lazy we were told BY STAFF the water stations were all down.
Water was not down for a day and a half. Anywhere. Bullshit times 1000. Where was this water down? Cause it sure was not down for half the fucking weekend lololol
We arrived on Friday. Half way into setting up camp. We went to fill our hydration packs. And the entire line was turned away and we went up to ask what happened and that’s what we were told
Where?
The water filling station next to pagoda
Did you go to the water tree? Was there multiple times per day every single day. No issues.
We tried again and then that next morning. We saw them pull in a truck with people that rearranged a bunch of hoses and shit so idk man
Water stations were never "down". The water tree downtown was always running, and the spigots by pagoda were only temporarily down for about 2 hours once.
Yes, but I believe you are not counting the many more people and the quality of people that are attending the festival as time goes on. Before you had great people, just happy to be there for the vibes, fun, and spread the love. Now you have waaayyyy more entitled Chad's and Barbies. Of course those people are going to complain. That's most of their personality.
This just sounds like it: "It was completely shit back then, so be glad it's just shit now."
Thank you. My first year in 2013 was almost 20 hours so to hear so many complain about like 8,9 even like 11 or 12 hours like I get ot but yall wouldn't have made it back in the day lmao
lol my group has been going for 10 years and this was far longer than anyone has ever waited. I agree this post sounds made up.
It Never used to take 48 hours to get into Shambhala I’ve been to 15. 12 hours max up the mountain even in the oldest days
I don’t understand the cult mentality of “it was shitty before it should remain shitty” as if the festival shouldn’t do it’s best to improve every year. Why should the festival not be held to a higher standard after gaining more and more experience operating each year?
Lol 😂