We were totally disappointed

[unhappy camper]

I had been dreaming of going to Stagecoach for more than a year. Months ago, I asked my husband to buy me tickets for my birthday and anniversary present. We also bought two tent camping passes since it’s a three-hour drive from where we live. I was so looking forward to it! All my friends and family commented on how excited I was. We arrived Friday night after work, and from there the event was one disappointment after another.

When we arrived Friday night, there were no signs for Forum Tent Camping, even though the website said it would be clearly marked. We asked one of the event workers, and he told us to park in this grassy field. He said the tent camping parking lot was full, so we’d have to park there just for the night. We had a car FULL of stuff – big cooler, three bags of linens (sheets, pillows, blankets), two bins of food, two duffel bags, a mat to sleep on, etc. We started to carry things, but none of the workers knew where we should go. I asked one to get on his walkie-talkie and find out. His supervisor drove over and said we should not have parked where they told us to park and should go back and drive to the tent camping parking lot. We walked back to the car, put our stuff back in and started driving around again. Again, no one knew where we should go. Finally, the fourth person we asked (after driving around for 20 minutes) said we should go back to where we were parked before.

Even though we found out there was a gait to the tent camping area right by where they had us (and everyone else arriving Friday night and Saturday) park, they wouldn’t open this gait. In fact, they wouldn’t let us through any of the gaits until we walked completely around (about a mile) with all of our stuff to the gait by the other parking lot that they’d closed. This made NO sense. We all had a ton of stuff to carry. If that other parking lot was closed, why not move the registration table to the gait by the new parking lot?!

After several trips we paid one of the rickshaw drivers (bike with passengers seats) $40 to haul our cooler and other supplies. Everyone had their beer confiscated from their coolers (or had to take it back to their car), even though the RV campers can bring in all the beer they want in their RVs. Why should tent campers get treated differently? Well, because they want to force us to buy their $7 a cup beer they sell inside the tent camping area. This is total BS.

Once settled, we found out the portapotties are never stocked with toilet paper.

Saturday we lined up as soon as the concert gaits opened. Already the place was packed, and we put our two chairs down. The screens showing what’s going on stage were very small for a venue that size, and set so low down that most people couldn’t see them. By late afternoon the crowds of people had shoved our chairs closer and closer to those in front of us until our knees were right at their backs, and someone’s shoulder was pressed into my armrest.

To get to the portapotties (and wait in line for dirty toilets with no toilet paper), one had to go through a narrow area by a chain link fence. The event organizers had placed on ID Check stand there, so the line made it impossible to get through without practically being trampled. To get to the food venders on the other side, there was the same bottlenecking between the food court tent and food carts. I was jostled and ran into. The last straw was when I went to get our dinner and people knocked into me left and right, knocking the pizza plates out of my hand.

I can’t imagine how many people would get trampled to death if there were an evacuation or emergency at this venue!

Between the crowds, not being able to see the stage, the rude and uninformed event staff, and the horrible way tent campers are treated, we decided to leave before the headliners even came on Saturday night. Trekking all our stuff all the way back to our distant car, my husband got bruises on his shoulders. It was a waste of $400+ and a horrible 24 hours. No matter how good the lineup, I wouldn’t recommend this event to anyone. I can’t believe it’s in its third year and is still set up and ran so badly.

[Cooter]

gate, not gait.

[Miss B]

i hate to be rude and i'm sorry you had a bad time but it just sounds like you did not use common sense. you should have gotten in line BEFORE the gate opened if you wanted to sit "close" to the stage. you couldn't honestly believe you were gonna show up at noon and get great seats when 60,000 people have been waiting in line for hours. that's idiotic. and as far as toilet paper goes....come on now there's not one person i know who was that naive to think there would be some left. this was my first SC and even i knew to bring my own TP! i too had someone knock food out of my hand- but i got my "balls" on and told the man who did it to pay up! i agree the screens could be bigger but you'd have to blind to miss them! it sounds to me like you and your husband really didn't think enough about what a festival like stagecoach includes.

[WestCoastLady]

It's too bad that you experienced all that.

My son and I were there, too, and chose to have fun even if it was crowded....we had great people around us, planned for long lines and crowds and just went with the flow.

So, did you like anything about Stagecoach? Maybe Darius Rucker? How about Little Big Town? Did you go to any of the less-crowded stages? Did you try the BBQ? Surely there is something positive you can take out of the weekend?

[Raquellita]

It's too bad that you experienced all that.

My son and I were there, too, and chose to have fun even if it was crowded....we had great people around us, planned for long lines and crowds and just went with the flow.

So, did you like anything about Stagecoach? Maybe Darius Rucker? How about Little Big Town? Did you go to any of the less-crowded stages? Did you try the BBQ? Surely there is something positive you can take out of the weekend?

I DID!!! I DID!!! And I loved it!

[Chevgirl357]

It's too bad that you experienced all that.

My son and I were there, too, and chose to have fun even if it was crowded....we had great people around us, planned for long lines and crowds and just went with the flow.

So, did you like anything about Stagecoach? Maybe Darius Rucker? How about Little Big Town? Did you go to any of the less-crowded stages? Did you try the BBQ? Surely there is something positive you can take out of the weekend?

Right? I think you only could have had a bad time if you wanted to have a bad time. Sure there were irritating things, but they were all things I expected way beforehand. I mean, it's a HUGE muysic festival. There are going to be HUGE crowds, long lines, nasty bathrooms, and people puking. Kind of what ANYONE should expect of this type of venue. Sorry you couldn't enjoy the experience. That's definitely what it is, an experience.

[unclefeiny]

The only things I was disappointed about were my bottle of whiskey being confiscated (my own fault), Kenny Chesney's performance, and I missed Reba because I chose to watch Charlie Daniels instead. Otherwise, I had so much fun!

[Rose]

We have a "what to bring" thread to help the newbie's out

Maybe I should have mentioned to print out the map of the on-site camping areas, BEFORE you leave home so you already know where to go.

That little brawl in section 4....the girl who was bleeding, we had her taken care of (without medical assistance) in like 2 minutes. We were prepared with bandaids, wet naps, neosporin etc

The guy behind me was using my TP to blow his nose because his allergies were really bothering him with all that wind.

Deegee even left her roll of TP in one of the portapotties to help other people out.

[robertdv]

The only thing I did not anticipate this year was the fact that there would be so many more people there. Crazy stuff happens no matter where you go. Try to get anywhere near a San Diego beach during Spring Break and you'll see some down right insane stuff happening. You have to take it in stride. If you had spent 10 minutes on this message board prior to going you might have seen that this was NOT going to be a Bette Middler concert at the MGM Grand. :eek:

I can't believe that anyone who spent good money to go to a concert like this would throw it away to leave before the headliners started on Saturday. Go over to one of the other stages, relax in the shade and have a good time. They had some pretty good bands over there. Find something to enjoy.

[IheartMillerLite]

Right? I think you only could have had a bad time if you wanted to have a bad time. Sure there were irritating things, but they were all things I expected way beforehand. I mean, it's a HUGE muysic festival. There are going to be HUGE crowds, long lines, nasty bathrooms, and people puking. Kind of what ANYONE should expect of this type of venue. Sorry you couldn't enjoy the experience. That's definitely what it is, an experience.

I totally agree! Things definitely didn't go as anticipated but we were able to make the best of the situations we encountered. I ended up with a weekend I won't forget!

[ValinVegas]

i waited in the lines, used the gross portapotties,forgot to take tp one of times and had to yell for someone to being me some, paid for the 8 dollar beer (had to keep the buzz going from the parking lot!) have bruises and scrapes, tripped over someones chair and fell (hilarious and they thought so too) and am still in pain over it all....but personally it was one of the best weekends ive had ever..

[Chevgirl357]

i waited in the lines, used the gross portapotties,forgot to take tp one of times and had to yell for someone to being me some, paid for the 8 dollar beer (had to keep the buzz going from the parking lot!) have bruises and scrapes, tripped over someones chair and fell (hilarious and they thought so too) and am still in pain over it all....but personally it was one of the best weekends ive had ever..

LOL! I have 2 bruises, one nice bump on my leg, went pee several times with no TP and just "shook it", and have had a hard time walking the last 2 days. ALL signs I had a freakin awesome time!

[Strunkas]

battle wounds, mean there was obviously a great time right? lol. Oh wait dont forget a pounding headache, swollen TIRED eyes and the need for waterrr

[IheartMillerLite]

LOL! I have 2 bruises, one nice bump on my leg, went pee several times with no TP and just "shook it", and have had a hard time walking the last 2 days. ALL signs I had a freakin awesome time!

Haha, I too, have a huge bruise on my thigh and no idea how it got there. Good times!

[Raquellita]

LOL! I have 2 bruises, one nice bump on my leg, went pee several times with no TP and just "shook it", and have had a hard time walking the last 2 days. ALL signs I had a freakin awesome time!

OMG I have fingertip bruises on my legs and I don't know how they got there.
I stuffed TP in all my pockets just in case.....and that just in case came up too many times.
I paid the $7.00 for beer, $8.00 hot dog, got sunburn so bad it hurts to move, got my toes stepped on more than once.
I can't wait to do it all over again next year!

[Raquellita]

battle wounds, mean there was obviously a great time right? lol. Oh wait dont forget a pounding headache, swollen TIRED eyes and the need for waterrr

Oh water......lovely water the day after.

[Strunkas]

Oh water......lovely water the day after.

lol telllll meeee abouuuttt it.

[T.J.]

hahahaha.. thats the worst sob story ive ever heard.. and a waste of 400 dollars.. you got away cheap.. people who are going to act like that dont need to be at stage coach.. and since you wont be there in 2010 that will be more alcohal for the rest of us.. this weekend i had the time of my life and if anyone else says they had any different are out of their mind.. from what it sounds like you need to go to a resort where you are catered to because you just cant handle the country lifestyle..

[Wendy]

I have to agree that when we arrived we were brutally disappointed with the complete cluster *$@% at the gates. The security was inconsistent, disorganized, and talk about superiority complexes!? Anyway, we were able to get someone who works at the festival to bring our beer in for us. LUCKY US! We got settled and were camping next to some FANTASTIC new friends. Our entire weekend changed for the better and turned out to be one of the best times of my life!

If anyone reading these posts has a "line-in" to the organizers it'd be great if they did just let go of "the alcohol no in the tent camping" rule. C'mon! Everyone just got creative, brought it in anyway, it was all about drinking in there (safely, with no driving). The no glass rule was just fine and if they stick to that and let us bring in our own canned beer (as was mentioned, like the r.v.s, since they weren't searched at all). Setting expectations would have been great too. After chatting with many campers I found out that it was NOT AT ALL like that last year.

Besides the parking and gates (security), I felt the event was extremely well organized. I found that there was enough room (for the size of the event, there's only so much you can do when 50,000 people want to see the same stage). I found that this website was extremely informative and helpful. I DO think they should do away with the stupid chairs inside the event. If you want a seat, buy a reserved ticket, otherwise get off your butt and dance dance dance with the rest of us in general admission. Seriously.

A friend of mine who joined us there was also at Coachella. She said she couldn't *believe* how much better Stagecoach is than Coachella (same infrastructure, different crowd). We were all literally blown away at how much fun it was!!!!

Highlights: Jerry Jeff Walker, Charlie Daniels Band, Kid Rock, the tent camping, the grass, Jose at the bloody mary bar, the slip n slide (wahoo!), best part of all, all of the wonderful people we met there!!!

Can't wait to see you all next year!

[Raquellita]

hahahaha.. thats the worst sob story ive ever heard.. and a waste of 400 dollars.. you got away cheap.. people who are going to act like that dont need to be at stage coach.. and since you wont be there in 2010 that will be more alcohal for the rest of us.. this weekend i had the time of my life and if anyone else says they had any different are out of their mind.. from what it sounds like you need to go to a resort where you are catered to because you just cant handle the country lifestyle..

:D !!!!!!

[Wendy]

hahahaha.. thats the worst sob story ive ever heard.. and a waste of 400 dollars.. you got away cheap.. people who are going to act like that dont need to be at stage coach.. and since you wont be there in 2010 that will be more alcohal for the rest of us.. this weekend i had the time of my life and if anyone else says they had any different are out of their mind.. from what it sounds like you need to go to a resort where you are catered to because you just cant handle the country lifestyle..


EXACTLY!!!!

[KittyLeigh]

HI TJ!!! :)

Wendy - when you mention the chairs in GA....do you mean not allow people to bring in their chairs? I am torn on that one - yes, kinda makes it hard to get through the crowd - and it SUCKS when you've set up your space then someone gets SUPERCLOSE to your chair, etc....maybe they could paint lines like they do for the fire lanes - but sectioning off aisles for people to set up their space in - so we still have some walking room to get back and forth to the porta potties, food, etc...? Dunno if something like that is even possible to really do and stay organized. I was standing up and dancing with everyone during the performances - but before the artists started and in between sets I was definitely glad I had my chair to sit and relax for a while. I just think it's too long of an event to not have a chair, that's all. :) Just my opinion!

[Tattoedsailor]

Yeah and for $400 and not having sh$t paper in bathrooms is pretty bad! Its not much to ask guys. Particularly when staying night in tent camping area. I was like living like refugee. Maybe you people have low expectations. I thought the bands put on great show but the event as whole was poorly planned. Security was more concerned about the amount of beer that was coming through to camping area than staying on top Port-a-Johns. And i agree with unhappycamper the screens should have been raised up higher so people in back can see what the hell is going on.

[Tattoedsailor]

i hate to be rude and i'm sorry you had a bad time but it just sounds like you did not use common sense. you should have gotten in line BEFORE the gate opened if you wanted to sit "close" to the stage. you couldn't honestly believe you were gonna show up at noon and get great seats when 60,000 people have been waiting in line for hours. that's idiotic. and as far as toilet paper goes....come on now there's not one person i know who was that naive to think there would be some left. this was my first SC and even i knew to bring my own TP! i too had someone knock food out of my hand- but i got my "balls" on and told the man who did it to pay up! i agree the screens could be bigger but you'd have to blind to miss them! it sounds to me like you and your husband really didn't think enough about what a festival like stagecoach includes.

Did you get your money from him?

[caligirlUCR]

ummm I must have gotten lucky with the porta pottys . . . I carried my own tp with me all weekend but hardly ever had to use it . . . i thought they were actually pretty clean and kept considering . . .

[Mich]

It was my first time and I definitely have tons of unexplained scratches and bruises....but it was totally worth it! Things never go completely right at large events, but you have to go in knowing that there WILL be drama! :p

[gaypalmsprings]

Go to Coachella Music Fest - you won't be disappointed!

[onebadcountryboy2613]

i had the best weekend of my life!!!

sure there was down sides i.e. getting my bag stolen from right next to me(my fault, shoulda kept it on my shoulders) and almost dying in a hammock, but other than that it was a stereotypical gigantic concert. these things are whats too be expected. if you didn't expect there to be a million people and nasty bathrooms you are naive. suck it up and just enjoy yourself, this is what true music appreciation is all about, living through all the shitty parts of being at a concert(dirty potties, no tp, fights) but rising up to the occasion and having one hell of a good time with a bunch of people you don't know but at least have one thing in common, the music!

[KittyLeigh]

i had the best weekend of my life!!!

sure there was down sides i.e. getting my bag stolen from right next to me(my fault, shoulda kept it on my shoulders) and almost dying in a hammock, but other than that it was a stereotypical gigantic concert.


I think I may have captured a photo of you just after that near-death experience. :D

Will post pics - HOPEFULLY tomorrow. :)

[allisonchiyo]

Yeah and for $400 and not having sh$t paper in bathrooms is pretty bad! Its not much to ask guys. Particularly when staying night in tent camping area. I was like living like refugee. Maybe you people have low expectations. I thought the bands put on great show but the event as whole was poorly planned. Security was more concerned about the amount of beer that was coming through to camping area than staying on top Port-a-Johns. And i agree with unhappycamper the screens should have been raised up higher so people in back can see what the hell is going on.

Tp situation should have been resolved by bringing your own. It would only make sense to always carry some with you. I never had to use it bc I was in VIP...plus its not the securities responsibility to take care of the TP situation, it's the event stafff. If you have a problem - spend more money and get VIP - way better perks.

For all of those that were worried about the stomping and trampling, get VIP. It is so easy, expensive yes, but you get to take your own seat with you ;D

There were parts of the event that were poorly planned - like the phone recharge station I never found :( other than that - me and my bf with a bummed out knee had a blast :)

The screens were higher last year - I don't know why they weren't higher - maybe because of the wind? Everything was swaying with the wind on stage - I was afraid it was all going to fall.

Food for thought - prepare yourself by checking out the forums and listening to other people's experiences from the year before. :D

[Miss B]

Did you get your money from him?

hells yea!

[Kymery]

??I never, never went into one with no tp!! Maybe you were grabbing the first, closest ones? I always walk to the back of the row.

My only dissapointment...the narrow effin aisles they made last minute that was a cluster to walk thru next to the venders. Made them 35' wide for the VIP and 10' for the GA?? I kept saying that it was not safe to do that...but oh well.

And Kenny, left during the 2nd song. Thought Kid rocked...totally changed my view of him and his concert...did feel bad for the kids there during one of his songs, but it was funny as hell.. I think he should of closed the venue!! I know..I know..it is country, but it was good! Changed it up a bit. I was falling asleep! haha

[IheartMillerLite]

i had the best weekend of my life!!!

sure there was down sides i.e. getting my bag stolen from right next to me(my fault, shoulda kept it on my shoulders) and almost dying in a hammock, but other than that it was a stereotypical gigantic concert. these things are whats too be expected. if you didn't expect there to be a million people and nasty bathrooms you are naive. suck it up and just enjoy yourself, this is what true music appreciation is all about, living through all the shitty parts of being at a concert(dirty potties, no tp, fights) but rising up to the occasion and having one hell of a good time with a bunch of people you don't know but at least have one thing in common, the music!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the hammock incident!!

[squirmysteph]

The fantastic time I had waaaaayy outweighed anything I may have had to complain about.

Like this 6inch wristband tan line on my wrist...WTF?!

[temo223]

The fantastic time I had waaaaayy outweighed anything I may have had to complain about.

Like this 6inch wristband tan line on my wrist...WTF?!

I totally agree with you on that. The weather was so much nicer than it has been in past years and that's pretty much the only thing that's bothered me in the past. Not enough to stop me from going:)

6inch tan line?...LOL:)

[cjdriver2003]

BUMMER HAD AGREAT TIME EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT FOR ME THE THING WAS THE LAST ACT WAS DUMED,FELT I HAD TO LEAVE TO BEAT THE CROWD OUT!BUT I COULD STILL HEAR THEM LEAVING ALL THE WAY TO THE FREEWAY!!!!!CJ

[Chevgirl357]

??I never, never went into one with no tp!! Maybe you were grabbing the first, closest ones? I always walk to the back of the row.

My only dissapointment...the narrow effin aisles they made last minute that was a cluster to walk thru next to the venders. Made them 35' wide for the VIP and 10' for the GA?? I kept saying that it was not safe to do that...but oh well.

And Kenny, left during the 2nd song. Thought Kid rocked...totally changed my view of him and his concert...did feel bad for the kids there during one of his songs, but it was funny as hell.. I think he should of closed the venue!! I know..I know..it is country, but it was good! Changed it up a bit. I was falling asleep! haha

LOL, I actually DID fall asleep during Kenny. KNocked the hell out! I'm glad I wasn't the only one bored with his show. Kid Rock definitely should have headlined that night.

[onebadcountryboy2613]

oh yeah and if anyone saw a dude and a chick come out of a handicap stall next to the p stage, it was me and my best friend and no we were not havin sex, i swear i thought there was a urinal and a toliet, i swear

[temo223]

oh yeah and if anyone saw a dude and a chick come out of a handicap stall next to the p stage, it was me and my best friend and no we were not havin sex, i swear i thought there was a urinal and a toliet, i swear

LOL...Sure it was;)...Your secret is safe with me...lol..I'm just teasing. Would that be the undercover lover you're always talking about?

[tgcali]

Anyone that knows they're going to have to use a port-a-potty and doesn't bring toilet paper is out of their rabid assed mind.

Anyone who shows up 24 hours after camping opens and doesn't expect to have to hike to the campsite is naive.

Anyone who doesn't insure they have directions to their destination is an idiot. (the website has directions that take you straight to the campground, just an FYI)

There were more than one set of port-a-potties. More than one area of food vendors. More than one stage to watch.

The fact that you brought three bags of linens to tent camp tells me all I need to know.

[onebadcountryboy2613]

LOL...Sure it was;)...Your secret is safe with me...lol..I'm just teasing. Would that be the undercover lover you're always talking about?

that would be her, lol, when we walked out shellie was like "you guys are wayyy to good of friends" and then she laughed

[WestCoastLady]

The fact that you brought three bags of linens to tent camp tells me all I need to know.

Yup, I had the same thought - I even went back and read that line a couple of times to make sure I read it right....lol

[temo223]

that would be her, lol, when we walked out shellie was like "you guys are wayyy to good of friends" and then she laughed

LOL...That's good she trusts you. You've got a keeper:)

[jlc1414]

Well, I have to agree with the lack of information(signs) and the security being informed of the rules. Seemed to change depending on who you talked too. I was a RV camper in the International site and to be told that I would have to pay an additional $50.00 for a pass to leave the RV site with my vehicle if I needed something was BS!! To add to the insult, on Saturday/Sunday the event organizer allowed overflow parking next to the same camping sites at no charge. Let me get this straight: The International camp site cost $500.00 and was advertised for familys with a curfew. We were not allowed to go in or out because of safety issues for kids caming in this area, but they allow overflow parking in and out for free!! Hello!!! Total BS!! and allowed tailgating into the wee hours with people wandering everyehere in the camp sites. Just to set the record straight, the RV'ers were searched, just short of the prision treatment. Medical staff was very rarely seen including security(police). The bottlenecking issues were apparent, the lay out was hoorible for a event in its 3rd year. Spreadout the bathrooms and ID checks. A few complaints, but all in all, it was awsome!!!!!Hope the event organizers are reading these comments.

[onebadcountryboy2613]

LOL...That's good she trusts you. You've got a keeper:)

yup... i think i may keep her awhile

[temo223]

yup... i think i may keep her awhile

Awhile?...lol. Don't let her read that!

[Deb]

I would agree with you. I stayed at a hotel so I didn't have the same camping issues as you. This was my first SC and only went because my friends told me how much fun it was, but I won't be back next year. I didn't try to bring in alcohol or have any trouble with security. I also didn't have a problem with the lines for the bathrooms or the lack of TP. I expected that at an event like this. However, the size of the crowd made it less than fun and it felt incredibly unsafe. There were times when I was trying to get through the crowds and between the drunk guys grabbing at me, being bumped around, and no security in sight, I definately felt as if I could have been seriously hurt or worse. While the music was terrific, Reba, Hootie, and Brad were amazing, and the people were generally okay even if drunk, it's not worth my safety or the risk of a stampede with the number of people they let in.

[redhawkdavid]

If you plan on going to an event like this again you should be prepared like everyoneelse we printed the maps and I jave been here before and always have a great time the friday night was crazy at forum tent camping with people hopping and hollering all night when others are trying to sleep so they could stay up all might watching the last two performers but hey there were general stores that were well stocked and yes the portapotty needed to be done better but all in all it was a killer weekend YYYYEEEEHHHAAWWW 2010 Here we come!!!!

[webwevers101]

We had a Blast this year, first year of camping! Camped in the Forum tent area. Arrived on Thursday night, after getting our gear in and setting up we went out the parking lot for some Magic in a Red Cup. All I can say is the party was out their! We had a great time meeting people from all over, playing game, beer bong, many different different ways, and just having a good time. Seems like everyone moved the party out their. We had a great time, sure the security sucked, portapoties, could use some help but everyone sure was happy and having a good time. Looking forward to next year and will do it all over again!!!!!!

[NicoleErin]

Just to set the record straight, the RV'ers were searched, just short of the prision treatment.

Maybe you were, but as I was waiting to meet up with FestivanFan, my 3 friends and I saw at least a dozen RVs go in with just a wave to pass them through -- only one worker actually walked up to the window to speak to the driver.

I have a wristband tan line too, about 6 inches wide -- about half way up my forearm...battle wounds, I tell myself! I made it out pretty easily from what I'm reading!

Yes, there were some bummers, but this was my 2nd SC and I could already see improvements from the previous year -- they're learning. Hopefully some of these issues will be resolved next year, but all in all, people had fun and know what to expect so it doesn't bother them.

[billifer]

I have bruises too.. I dont remember how I got them but I think thats part of camping.

Stagecoach 2010 or Bust!!

[billifer]

WAIT.. are u serious.. ur RV was searched?
We had a group of 5 RV's, this was our 3rd year and WE'VE NEVER BEEN SEARCHED!!

[horsephotographer]

I can’t imagine how many people would get trampled to death if there were an evacuation or emergency at this venue!

I wouldn’t recommend this event to anyone. I can’t believe it’s in its third year and is still set up and ran so badly.

I agree 100% on the many that could have been injured if just one emergency would have happened....

This was the worst year..It was not like this anyother year....This year was just insane on the amount of peeps packed all together in GA..:eek:

[askworldtraveler]

To the OP - sorry you didn't find this forum earlier - since this was your first post - you probably missed out on all the great practical advice and what to expect.

I found the 'fire lanes' this year fantastic. In the past getting from the Mane Stage to the entry or back to the other stages was like climbing a rock wall - and after dark - an invitation to fall. I suspect the fire lanes also served to pack people into less ground space.

As for the RV's and beer - there were plenty of warnings (as in past years) to put things away. And parties as in the past. The liquor thing is as much a issue with the Indio police (and permits) as it is with the organizers to create a safe (r) enviroment. As with everything - when there's a will there's a way.

Finally you could have stayed all day and most of the evening at the smaller tents and seen some of the finest CW in the world -

If you love this kind of music and the happening of the event - come back - you'll be smarter next year - it just keeps getting better - and the mistakes made are usually new mistakes....:)

[horsephotographer]

I found the 'fire lanes' this year fantastic. In the past getting from the Mane Stage to the entry or back to the other stages was like climbing a rock wall - and after dark - an invitation to fall. I suspect the fire lanes also served to pack people into less ground space.

If you love this kind of music and the happening of the event - come back - you'll be smarter next year - it just keeps getting better - and the mistakes made are usually new mistakes....:)
lol....
Hey can I get smarter and have your pass and seat so I could get into the fantastic fire lanes near ft stage faster next year....????
I gotta say I only fell once this year...LOL
Yet next year I'm sitting with you and TC.....Hope you had a safe trip home my friend...

[horsephotographer]

My only dissapointment...the narrow effin aisles they made last minute that was a cluster to walk thru next to the venders. Made them 35' wide for the VIP and 10' for the GA?? I kept saying that it was not safe to do that...
Exactly....Thats what I'm talkin about sister...
It was insane.....:eek:

[Kymery]

WAIT.. are u serious.. ur RV was searched?
We had a group of 5 RV's, this was our 3rd year and WE'VE NEVER BEEN SEARCHED!!

None of our group were searched...in fact the security guard honcho kept coming by and chatting it up with us. Maybe you looked suspicous? heheh:cool:

[deegee83]

Anyone that knows they're going to have to use a port-a-potty and doesn't bring toilet paper is out of their rabid assed mind.

Anyone who shows up 24 hours after camping opens and doesn't expect to have to hike to the campsite is naive.

Anyone who doesn't insure they have directions to their destination is an idiot. (the website has directions that take you straight to the campground, just an FYI)

There were more than one set of port-a-potties. More than one area of food vendors. More than one stage to watch.

The fact that you brought three bags of linens to tent camp tells me all I need to know.

that's tellin' em, TG.

[tlf2008]

I agree The Forum tent area was horible this year. We were there in 2008 and had a great time. But this year felt like prision everything we took in was searched. I even saw the security open someone's sports bottle and smell in side it. yuk erery time we went in we were searched. They said they need to look for anything sharp. We could not even take in our hammer for the tent, but you could use theres for a fee. I understand permits for alcohol and etc. But what is the diffrencs of drinking in the parking lot and drinking at your tent where you can crawl in and pass out. They made the enviroment much worse by forceing people to drink in the parking lot.We had to walk back to our car to bbq, which made my kids see more than they should have. I know they will see alot at events like this but things were so crazy. this that could have been avoid if people could have drank at there tents. and to top it off we saw two security guys getting smoking pot.
We love stagecoach and will be back in 2010 , I hope they find a way to treat us tent campers with the same respect us the rv campers.

[tgcali]

that's tellin' em, TG.

I'm sorry man. I usually try to be polite and courteous. Help out folks. But that whole thing just rubbed me the wrong way.

*3 bags of linens to go camping.......snort*

[Rockafella]

Agree that it's really impossible to have a "bad time" at the Festival but I do appreciate the post...I'd be clueless if it was my first time camping so it's good to know what "not" to do...

[gaypalmsprings]

http://www.godlikeproductions.com/sm/custom/odqcsgqr.jpeg

[KUZN EDY]

And this little piggy went whaa whaa whaa all the way home!

These people who complain this much are fuggin nuts! Everyone who went to the festival had some type of problems. To come here and make one or two posts that are nothing but bitching is stupid. Why not complain about the wind, or the traffic, or drink prices, or standing in line for EVERYTHING... you know why, cuz it doesnt do a damn fuggin thing! Next time read the posts from the good people here and come prepaired! PREPAIR FOR THE WORST, HOPE FOR THE BEST! Dumb A$$!

(sorry forum locals, complaining a$$ people get under my skin)

[socalcountrygrl]

I Had An AWESOME Time!!! I Have Been To Stagecoach ALL 3 Years and Will Definately Go Again Next Year :) Anyone Who Complains Has Obviously Never Attended A Music Festival Before....You Should Try Ozzfest!!!

[uscpsycho]

I found the 'fire lanes' this year fantastic. In the past getting from the Mane Stage to the entry or back to the other stages was like climbing a rock wall - and after dark - an invitation to fall. I suspect the fire lanes also served to pack people into less ground space.
Based on this comment I have to assume you are eithe a microscopic person or your were heavily drugged.

Trying to navigate from GA to ANYWHERE on Sunday evening was an absolute nightmare. The fire lanes were a clusterf**k of bodies and were totally clogged.
And this little piggy went whaa whaa whaa all the way home!

These people who complain this much are fuggin nuts! Everyone who went to the festival had some type of problems. To come here and make one or two posts that are nothing but bitching is stupid. Why not complain about the wind, or the traffic, or drink prices, or standing in line for EVERYTHING... you know why, cuz it doesnt do a damn fuggin thing! Next time read the posts from the good people here and come prepaired! PREPAIR FOR THE WORST, HOPE FOR THE BEST! Dumb A$$!

(sorry forum locals, complaining a$$ people get under my skin)
With an attitude like that I'm guessing you were part of the problem.

Prepare for the worst? Why? Why should I have to expect that the GA area would be dangerously overpacked and at times on the brink of a dangerous stampede?

Why should I expect that if there was a true emergency it's probable that people would be very seriously injured in the crazy rush to get out?

I totally disagree with you. I think that you should go without expecting everything to be perfect but you shouldn't have to worry about your safety or "PREPAIR FOR THE WORST." LOL

I had a great time without any of the crazy problems experienced by others but there were major safety issues and serious crowd control deficiencies. So even though I had a great time I was all too aware of the shit that could hit the fan at any moment and that shouldn't have to be on my mind. I don't worry about that when I'm sitting in GA at Verizon or Blockbuster or any other venue. I shouldn't have to worry about it at SC either.

You've demonstrated that you are the dumb ass.

[KUZN EDY]

With an attitude like that I'm guessing you were part of the problem.

Prepare for the worst? Why? Why should I have to expect that the GA area would be dangerously overpacked and at times on the brink of a dangerous stampede?

Why should I expect that if there was a true emergency it's probable that people would be very seriously injured in the crazy rush to get out?

I totally disagree with you. I think that you should go without expecting everything to be perfect but you shouldn't have to worry about your safety or "PREPAIR FOR THE WORST." LOL

I had a great time without any of the crazy problems experienced by others but there were major safety issues and serious crowd control deficiencies. So even though I had a great time I was all too aware of the shit that could hit the fan at any moment and that shouldn't have to be on my mind. I don't worry about that when I'm sitting in GA at Verizon or Blockbuster or any other venue. I shouldn't have to worry about it at SC either.

You've demonstrated that you are the dumb ass.

I think you clearly missed my point. I should have specifically directed my post to the person who started this thread so you wouldnt get all fired up. I want to apologize for calling a complete stranger a dumb ass because after you just called me one I want to rip your friggin head off and that’s not what I intended to start here, so I am sorry.

My post was directed to, as stated, the people who made one/two post bitching about camping and not coming prepared for a festival of this size. I think the only reason myself and so many other people had so much fun is cuz we prepared for the worst. Look at all the threads on smuggling in booze, or crap to bring, or what time to get there... Had this person read any of this they would have been writing how much fun they had instead of finding this forum after the festival and posting complaints. Being prepared for the worst means you come ready like stashing paper towels in your pocket for the shidder, planting your chair early in a good spot next to an aisle or toilet or food or beer, bringing a dolly or wagon if you plan to bring that much crap with you. If you have been planning this for a whole year then why doesn’t this cross your mind at least once? I agree the place was too friggin packed but I didn’t see how this was any different than a ballgame or any other show I have been to.

[arobb5]

Granted i had some things i did not like about this year, all in all it was an amazing weekend. I learned i will NEVER tent camp again... No drinks in the camp ground, come on guys... and i was NOT happy that the dirty guy went through my dang underwear... uh!! NASTY! ha ha..ED2 here we come! hahaha! Not to happy with kenny, i have been to his concerts before, and it didnt compare. But i was told he had a REALLY long night in vegas the night before!

we got there at 12 and just sat back a little further in fron of the beer garden and had plenty of room. We just laid out about 7 blankets and had our own little perfect area.. I didnt liek the lay out they have this year. i think they took out a lot of room on the right side of the stage that we had last year...

You have to expect that its going to be packed and crazy... thats what makes it so much fun... the people you meet and the games you play is what makes it worth the money! I wont even think about missing it next year, i will just spend more money to ensure i have a great time!

[arobb5]

I am still finding beer in stuff that i forgot about when trying to get my drinks in... hahah..

[arobb5]

did anybody else happen to play dizzy baseball in ED1? hahaha! AMAZING!!!

[uscpsycho]

We just laid out about 7 blankets and had our own little perfect area.. I didnt liek the lay out they have this year.
Just wondering how many people were in your group that you needed seven blankets?

[festivalfan]

Just wondering how many people were in your group that you needed seven blankets?

ha ha I was wondering the same thing...7 blankets?? We had one blanket, and 6 people. We were up by the chain link fence on Sunday and by the late afternoon, our plot of land shrunk. every time we left our spot it we lost more real estate.

[drtmunoz3]

This was our 2nd year @ Stagecoach and we had an AWESOME time!! No drama in ED I...actually it was WAY more organized this year. GA was A LOT more crowded this year but I found a good deal (on these boards) for reserved tickets and was not disappointed. I don't think I will ever go back to GA!!

[arobb5]

there were about 20 of us... we had 15 of us camping and then a group of about 5+ joined us there!

plus i know how myc friends are when they drink, and the last thing i wanted was them to be all over other peoples stuff!

[rogerdale49]

Granted i had some things i did not like about this year, all in all it was an amazing weekend. I learned i will NEVER tent camp again... No drinks in the camp ground, come on guys... and i was NOT happy that the dirty guy went through my dang underwear... uh!! NASTY! ha ha..ED2 here we come! hahaha! Not to happy with kenny, i have been to his concerts before, and it didnt compare. But i was told he had a REALLY long night in vegas the night before!

we got there at 12 and just sat back a little further in fron of the beer garden and had plenty of room. We just laid out about 7 blankets and had our own little perfect area.. I didnt liek the lay out they have this year. i think they took out a lot of room on the right side of the stage that we had last year...

You have to expect that its going to be packed and crazy... thats what makes it so much fun... the people you meet and the games you play is what makes it worth the money! I wont even think about missing it next year, i will just spend more money to ensure i have a great time!

Just for clarification...were you wearing the underwear?

[arobb5]

Just for clarification...were you wearing the underwear?

hahaha... not the ones they were going through. but im pretty sure if they could they would have strip searched us!!!

I am glad they did the search for weapons and stuff... but really, my beer? thats what made stagecoach so much fun... Oh well, i just know for next year that i will not be tenting it... :rolleyes:

[redhawkdavid]

Well we are doing the r.v. thing next year but if anyone knows Glen from La Habra he was a 26 yr. old guy that we met in forum tent camping wild party guy that goes surfing in Bolsa Chica if you know him have him write to me here want to get a bunch of people we partied with together to bbq and get ideas for next year. He is over 6 ft and a big stocky tattoed guy with short black hair. he had a tent near the booze section and general store. Also we were by the chain link fence just left of the front jumbotron and some idiot family and their group put caution tape around them and the mother was thinking she was funny spraying everyone with her water mister and spraying people not in her group while they were eating and ruining her food when we sprayed her she bitched to security someone like that should have been kicked out she sprayed a young girl in the face and the girl was crying cause she got hit while her eyes were open. the b***h should have fallen off her chair she was standing on or knocked down

[Cooter]

periods are your friend.

[IheartMillerLite]

periods are your friend.

not to women. hahhaha

[uscpsycho]

not to women. hahhaha

OR TO MEN!!!

[Cooter]

it's okay to ride the red tide once in awhile...

[Miss B]

it's okay to ride the red tide once in awhile...

*shivers* ew.

[caligirlUCR]

not to women. hahhaha
Classic!

[uscpsycho]

it's okay to ride the red tide once in awhile...

http://i.slickdeals.net/images/smilies/emot-puke.gif

[Cooter]

pussy.

[Miss B]

http://i.slickdeals.net/images/smilies/emot-puke.gif

seriously! no no no. i'd rather wait 3-5 days thank you! lol

[uscpsycho]

pussy.

you are what you eat

[caligirlUCR]

you are what you eat

hahahahahhaha

[IheartMillerLite]

I think I really de-railed this post this time!

[meshellpaz]

lol!!! my friend was so drunk she busted her lip friday night and we didn't even know how it happened in the morning, but did that stop her from having a great weekend??? ...HELL NO!!! i agree with someone else, this is not a Bette Midler concert at the MGM, its a festival and if you are camping, then you should be prepared to get down and dirty and rough it!

i have to say that they did increase the number of attendees which made it very difficult to get around and overly crowded (i think i bruised a few people wacking them in the shoulders unintentionally with my back-pack chair just trying to find a spot and go back to the camp site...sorry folks ;) ) but the weekend was great because we made the best of it!

law of attraction...all you did was focus on the negative from the first minute you arrived, and all you got was more disappointment. next year, rent a room, and get there at the crack of dawn for a spot right up front...me, i'm just going to take my time again and enjoy the ride!

[caligirlUCR]

aww you were one of those backpack chair people?? those things are weapons!

[Chevgirl357]

seriously! no no no. i'd rather wait 3-5 days thank you! lol

3-5??? Lucky women you tak to there Psycho!

[caligirlUCR]

3-5??? Lucky women you tak to there Psycho!

Agreed!

[Rose]

lol!!! my friend was so drunk she busted her lip friday night and we didn't even know how it happened in the morning, but did that stop her from having a great weekend??? ...HELL NO!!! i agree with someone else, this is not a Bette Midler concert at the MGM, its a festival and if you are camping, then you should be prepared to get down and dirty and rough it!

i have to say that they did increase the number of attendees which made it very difficult to get around and overly crowded (i think i bruised a few people wacking them in the shoulders unintentionally with my back-pack chair just trying to find a spot and go back to the camp site...sorry folks ;) ) but the weekend was great because we made the best of it!

law of attraction...all you did was focus on the negative from the first minute you arrived, and all you got was more disappointment. next year, rent a room, and get there at the crack of dawn for a spot right up front...me, i'm just going to take my time again and enjoy the ride!

off topic....:D

[caligirlUCR]

off topic....:D

hahahhahahahahha

too funny!

[meshellpaz]

i'm off topic???!!! i thought i was addressing "We were totally disappointed" sorry, i'm late in the game, but i think that was the original thread... sorry to interrupt the "red tide" talk, geez.

hmmmm...rose, i think you are getting all your forums mixed up. ;)

[caligirlUCR]

I think she was pulling your leg . . .

[meshellpaz]

thats what i thought :P
i read the first page, then jumped right in...sorry to disrupt the "flow" lol!!!

[IheartMillerLite]

thats what i thought :P
i read the first page, then jumped right in...sorry to disrupt the "flow" lol!!!


hahahahahhhahhahah HILARIOUS!!

[Rose]

i'm off topic???!!! i thought i was addressing "We were totally disappointed" sorry, i'm late in the game, but i think that was the original thread... sorry to interrupt the "red tide" talk, geez.

hmmmm...rose, i think you are getting all your forums mixed up. ;)

:D = just joking around

Welcome meshellpaz. I'm glad you jumped in.

ummmm the flow around here was getting a little bloody :eek:

[akgirl362004]

Lighten up! I flew down from Alaska on the red eye flight, drove to Indio from Palm Springs, carried a bunch of crap in that I flew down, sweet talked the NO "GATE" guy and actually got to park, snuck some booze in at one point (and might I mention got LOST trying to find the porta potties because of that,,tee hee) better off buying the $7 beers..we had a blast and plan on going next year. OH, and thanks to our tent neighbors who let us borrow the mattress pump, ours worked fine as soon as we got home to Alaska, of course! Yoo hoo we had total fun and plan on returning in 2010!!

[bluebay112]

My life is so boring , every I put myself in a bad mood . No one like me , and no one really understand me . I'm so depressed

[uscpsycho]

You and cooter will hit it off great!

[Cooter]

Yeah, I'm sooo miserable...you know me so well :rolleyes:

[Cooter]

you are what you eat

Wow, what's next? "Yo mama" jokes?

[Kymery]

Cooter, you must of been on those $7 beer at 2am! You need some sleep.:D;)

[Cooter]

nope, lots of dilaudid and vicodin :)

[Kymery]

nope, lots of dilaudid and vicodin :)

Gotcha!! Been there....

[NutsAboutCountry]

Stagecoach 09 was GREAT!!!!! We had reserved seats and loved it! We tent camped--loved it, except the lines to get in since they were checking for alcohol this year. 3rd year and can't wait for next year!!!!!

[KittyLeigh]

I just did a survey - they wanted feedback.... Did bitch and complain a little about the TOO TIGHT security at the tent camping....and suggested if they think that the campers are going to get out of hand or something - just patrol more - don't dissect everything we're bringing in! I'll still plan on camping next year - but hoping that it's more like 2008 (as far as getting in anyway) :)

[oil_spill_bill]

It was our first year and we had a blast. I had a little too much fun and got in a wee bit of trouble with my girl, but we got through it and over all I had a great time. I think I'll be taking the kids by myself next cuz it was a little too crowded and hot and stuffy for my darling. But I plan on going again next year woot woot

[Heylove]

Look, hon...at least your hubby TOOK you to Stagecoach. Sorry you had such a terrible time. I don't know what else to tell ya.

I paid $750 for a spot that I didn't even get to enjoy. Hell, even if I sat in the effin' parking lot and just watched people walk by, and even if I had all my alcohol confiscated, I would still have had a good time.


See you guys (except for the original poster) next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ugh

[Wagontrainer]

Looks like someone didn't go with the flow:/

[UKNOWME]

Ok i had a f-ing blast it was my first time and i stayed in EL DORADO 2 and they didnt even check us for beer. we had like 6 36 packs of bud light in our trailer and non of it went home with us. didn't get to sleep b4 4am the whole time we where there and we went up on Thursday night. Ya there was a lot of people but what do you expect. hello its the only thing like it in ca. so everyone who likes country and can afford it is going to be there. all i have to say is AWESOME . I am a biker and i skiped the laughlin river run for it and was not disappointed.