Certainly not new to Jacket but we are to OBH. Would appreciate any advice, tips or suggestions from past attendees. We booked with the pre-sale RC, is it February yet?
Katphan and Mrs. Katphan leaving from Louisville, KY
Be prepared for the time for your life.....Great music, Great people, great location. I'll try and post the link to the thread from the last one there was a ton of good information complied that should cover most questions you may have and of course for anything additional there are a number of us who have been to the past two and are planning on atteding this year as well that are more than happy to help.
http://mymorningjacket.net/index.php/topic,18569.80.html
Bull
my tip (really my wife's because she is smarter than I am). Before you crash out at night/early morning, order breakfast room service for a particular time, and go crazy on it! Wake up to breakfast in bed. If you try to order when you awake, you'll be waiting a while!
Just prepare yourself for one of the best experiences you will ever have in life.
Quote from: Katphan on Jun 09, 2016, 07:07 PM
appreciate any advice, tips or suggestions from past attendees.
"Don't take the brown acid!" :drum: :grin:
Skip the buffets and try and do the sit-down restaurants. All of the bad food experiences I heard about were from those sketch buffets...
Bring a TON of dollar bills with you. Giving the waitstaff a tip for bringing you drinks is not only good karma (since they are all hard working folks), but you also will get much better service.
You'll get some "resort dollars" when you first arrive... if you know what you want to do with them, get it scheduled as soon as you arrive. My wife and I booked a couple's massage with ours and we got a pretty good time slot, but only because we booked immediately after we arrived.
I agree with everyone else, though... the whole thing was a blast. You will remember it for the rest of your life.
I am really trying to go this year, however I have no one to go with should I just bite the bullet and pay for both guests and go by myself. I don't want to latch onto a group and feel like a burden cause I am by myself. Its not that I don't have friends, I just don't have friends that have the capital or the interest to go. Also my wife is scared of the Zika virus and insists I get tested after I get back. She will not go.
Quote from: piton87 on Jun 10, 2016, 08:58 AM
I am really trying to go this year, however I have no one to go with should I just bite the bullet and pay for both guests and go by myself. I don't want to latch onto a group and feel like a burden cause I am by myself. Its not that I don't have friends, I just don't have friends that have the capital or the interest to go. Also my wife is scared of the Zika virus and insists I get tested after I get back. She will not go.
That is a big bite to pay for two people when only one is going. There is a good chance you can find a roommate to split the cost. If not, you will still have a blast and make friends all weekend (even on the way to the resort in the van).
Quote from: APR on Jun 10, 2016, 12:11 PM
Quote from: piton87 on Jun 10, 2016, 08:58 AM
I am really trying to go this year, however I have no one to go with should I just bite the bullet and pay for both guests and go by myself. I don't want to latch onto a group and feel like a burden cause I am by myself. Its not that I don't have friends, I just don't have friends that have the capital or the interest to go. Also my wife is scared of the Zika virus and insists I get tested after I get back. She will not go.
That is a big bite to pay for two people when only one is going. There is a good chance you can find a roommate to split the cost. If not, you will still have a blast and make friends all weekend (ESPECIALLY on the way to the resort in the van).
Quote from: Bulldog on Jun 09, 2016, 07:38 PM
Be prepared for the time for your life.....Great music, Great people, great location. I'll try and post the link to the thread from the last one there was a ton of good information complied that should cover most questions you may have and of course for anything additional there are a number of us who have been to the past two and are planning on atteding this year as well that are more than happy to help.
http://mymorningjacket.net/index.php/topic,18569.80.html
Bull
Excellent! Thanks for posting that link. TONS of valuable info there. I'm sad I've missed the first 2 OBHs, but am super thrilled to be attending the 3rd edition. Dragged my wife to RR a couple weeks ago and it changed her life. She is now letting me spend all of our spare money on MMJ :grin:
One question I have - when the dates get closer, will people start to plan adventures/excursions on the forum? Instead of using the booking service offered by Cloud9 or the resort, will folks say "Alright, we are getting a group to go to Xel Ha on Feb 6!" (Or Gran Cenote)...or something of that sort?
I suppose booking those trips from the resort will yield the same result - i.e. you are going to do these excursions with MMJ fans, because the other people booking from the resort are also MMJ fans lol.
Quote from: mancityzens on Jun 10, 2016, 02:47 PM
Quote from: Bulldog on Jun 09, 2016, 07:38 PM
Be prepared for the time for your life.....Great music, Great people, great location. I'll try and post the link to the thread from the last one there was a ton of good information complied that should cover most questions you may have and of course for anything additional there are a number of us who have been to the past two and are planning on atteding this year as well that are more than happy to help.
http://mymorningjacket.net/index.php/topic,18569.80.html
Bull
Excellent! Thanks for posting that link. TONS of valuable info there. I'm sad I've missed the first 2 OBHs, but am super thrilled to be attending the 3rd edition. Dragged my wife to RR a couple weeks ago and it changed her life. She is now letting me spend all of our spare money on MMJ :grin:
One question I have - when the dates get closer, will people start to plan adventures/excursions on the forum? Instead of using the booking service offered by Cloud9 or the resort, will folks say "Alright, we are getting a group to go to Xel Ha on Feb 6!" (Or Gran Cenote)...or something of that sort?
I suppose booking those trips from the resort will yield the same result - i.e. you are going to do these excursions with MMJ fans, because the other people booking from the resort are also MMJ fans lol.
We just met cool folks, and shared a ride to Tulum with them. Easy!
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Lots of good stuff here, thanks everyone! :cheesy:
Quote from: walterfredo on Jun 09, 2016, 07:56 PM
my tip (really my wife's because she is smarter than I am). Before you crash out at night/early morning, order breakfast room service for a particular time, and go crazy on it! Wake up to breakfast in bed. If you try to order when you awake, you'll be waiting a while!
damn, you can do that?!?
Do your cell phones work at the resort?
Quote from: Angela D Vice on Jun 14, 2016, 04:18 PM
Do your cell phones work at the resort?
Definitely, if you have an int'l plan, which most people do not. Turn off roaming, use the wifi to text, and/or viber.
Pulled the trigger piton87 will be in Mexico in 2017
Quote from: Angela D Vice on Jun 14, 2016, 04:18 PM
Do your cell phones work at the resort?
We added 1000 international minutes through Verizon for a pretty reasonable amount of money by calling customer service. I think it added like $15 to that month's bill. I guarantee you that all of the cell providers can do the same thing. It's a nice insurance policy if you need to make a call when you are off the resort.
I recommended downloading an app like whatsapp for texting on the resort. iMessage doesn't always go through, since both phones must be on wifi for that to work when you're out of network. whatsapp also works for iPhones AND droids, and was the easiest way to keep in touch with friends on the resort and back home
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Thanks everyone!
We were in the Bahamas and the cell situation was awful, so I wanted to check ahead of time.
maybe it's a generational thing, but for me, a trip like this is a four-day window to disappear and disconnect from life as we usually know it. sure, i'll bring my phone, but once i'm on the resort i doubt it leaves my suitcase. anyone who knows me knows i'll be back wednesday night. whatever it is can wait til then.
"put your phone down, get your party on!" - prince
Quote from: slappymoe on Jun 16, 2016, 03:44 PM
maybe it's a generational thing, but for me, a trip like this is a four-day window to disappear and disconnect from life as we usually know it. sure, i'll bring my phone, but once i'm on the resort i doubt it leaves my suitcase. anyone who knows me knows i'll be back wednesday night. whatever it is can wait til then.
"put your phone down, get your party on!" - prince
Oh, I agree! But even though I am 29 and will be 30 a few days before getting to the resort, my mother would not stand for me not sending her a few messages each day :) gotta keep the mom happy!!!
Quote from: Angela D Vice on Jun 14, 2016, 04:18 PM
Do your cell phones work at the resort?
If you are an AT&T user, you can add 1GB of data and unlimited calls & texts for free in Mexico. The feature must be added to your account before your trip.
Quote from: slappymoe on Jun 16, 2016, 03:44 PM
maybe it's a generational thing, but for me, a trip like this is a four-day window to disappear and disconnect from life as we usually know it. sure, i'll bring my phone, but once i'm on the resort i doubt it leaves my suitcase. anyone who knows me knows i'll be back wednesday night. whatever it is can wait til then.
"put your phone down, get your party on!" - prince
This is US too! I email my close friends and family, that we will be gone x thru x, and give them our travel plans and the resorts info. I tell them in an absolute emergency, contact us direct. We go 6-8 days without our phones, texts and emails and it is absolutely blissful. I highly recommend this, in this day and age when it is hard to get away from reality.
Quote from: ditty on Jun 16, 2016, 05:46 PM
Quote from: slappymoe on Jun 16, 2016, 03:44 PM
maybe it's a generational thing, but for me, a trip like this is a four-day window to disappear and disconnect from life as we usually know it. sure, i'll bring my phone, but once i'm on the resort i doubt it leaves my suitcase. anyone who knows me knows i'll be back wednesday night. whatever it is can wait til then.
"put your phone down, get your party on!" - prince
This is US too! I email my close friends and family, that we will be gone x thru x, and give them our travel plans and the resorts info. I tell them in an absolute emergency, contact us direct. We go 6-8 days without our phones, texts and emails and it is absolutely blissful. I highly recommend this, in this day and age when it is hard to get away from reality.
I would love to do this, but I have kids.
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First time OBHer, however, since I was born outside the U.S. I have spent plenty of time outside the country. How good is the internet connection in the resort?
In regards to communicating with people in the states I would recommend downloading Skype on your phone because if you are connected to wifi you can use that to call any phone number. As others have said, WhatsApp is great to communicate through messages as well, especially for people trying to meet up at the resort, you can even make calls through this app.
Quote from: nattaragga on Jun 19, 2016, 09:43 PM
First time OBHer, however, since I was born outside the U.S. I have spent plenty of time outside the country. How good is the internet connection in the resort?
In regards to communicating with people in the states I would recommend downloading Skype on your phone because if you are connected to wifi you can use that to call any phone number. As others have said, WhatsApp is great to communicate through messages as well, especially for people trying to meet up at the resort, you can even make calls through this app.
The WiFi at the resort is fine, pretty much what you would expect. The only time it doesn't work well is when you are in the concert courtyard for the shows at night. I don't think they have enough WiFi to go around in that specific area when everyone is over there. But other than that it works well!
Quote from: RaspberryJam on Jun 16, 2016, 06:19 PM
Quote from: ditty on Jun 16, 2016, 05:46 PM
Quote from: slappymoe on Jun 16, 2016, 03:44 PM
maybe it's a generational thing, but for me, a trip like this is a four-day window to disappear and disconnect from life as we usually know it. sure, i'll bring my phone, but once i'm on the resort i doubt it leaves my suitcase. anyone who knows me knows i'll be back wednesday night. whatever it is can wait til then.
"put your phone down, get your party on!" - prince
This is US too! I email my close friends and family, that we will be gone x thru x, and give them our travel plans and the resorts info. I tell them in an absolute emergency, contact us direct. We go 6-8 days without our phones, texts and emails and it is absolutely blissful. I highly recommend this, in this day and age when it is hard to get away from reality.
I would love to do this, but I have kids.
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I'm in the same boat with the kiddo - otherwise I love being disconnected!
Any one have any experience using the resort credits? Also, im booked for a pre night and considering a post? Did anyone do post night last OBH? Just wondering what the post night is like, can't help but wonder with the music over and the dreaded post OBH comedown if I'll want to stay another night. Probably just a personal decision.
The places you could use resort credits were pretty limited in year 1 and 2. Upgraded wine, spa, and a couple excursions. All you pay is a 20% fee, so if the bottle of wine is $100 in resort credits, it costs you $20. We did a couple's massage and it was only $40 or so which was nice.
I've done both pre and post nights and it is what you would expect. Pre-days has the excitement in the air and the booze is flowing. Post night is for unwinding and detoxing. I couldn't imagine having to catch a flight the morning after the last show. We saw people wheeling their luggage to the lobby to get on the bus as we were headed back from the late night shows. It's low key as most have left but good to process over what you just witnessed. Other non OBHers will start to arrive and you slowly realize you cant start up a conversation with anyone there over your obsession for the best band on earth.
Thanks Mike, this was the kind of insight I was looking for. Pretty much confirmed my basic assumptions. That's my thing with the post night, I know I'll need a day to decompress.
For any Sprint users, they have a free (and unlimited) voice, text and data plan for international travel. You just have to call and ask them to turn it on from Date X to Date Y.
Quote from: Katphan on Aug 05, 2016, 11:18 AM
Any one have any experience using the resort credits? Also, im booked for a pre night and considering a post? Did anyone do post night last OBH? Just wondering what the post night is like, can't help but wonder with the music over and the dreaded post OBH comedown if I'll want to stay another night. Probably just a personal decision.
We have always done a pre night and a post night and would highly recommend both. I would do the pre night if I could only do one. Just make sure and get a later flight on check out day if you don't do the post night. The transfer with Cloud 9 leaves the Hard Rock about four hours before your flight.
This year we did a pre night at the Hard Rock, but we are doing 3 post nights in Playa for the same price as one night at the Hard Rock. It's only a 20 minute cab ride and we can wake up and check out on our schedule.
AVOID the buffets!
Quote from: fortbethel on Aug 16, 2016, 06:44 PM
AVOID the buffets!
Except for breakfast cuz that shit is fire!
Quote from: MikeR1390 on Aug 17, 2016, 10:22 AM
Quote from: fortbethel on Aug 16, 2016, 06:44 PM
AVOID the buffets!
Except for breakfast cuz that shit is fire!
Anything that involves "shit" and "fire" when talking about food in Mexico seems dubious. Who's awake for breakfast anyhow?
:bath:
Flights booked, when does new information start to release?
Couple of questions.
How long are the sets MMJ usually?
How late are the late shows
How hard is it to make your way to the front.
I have seen The Jacket four times now got pretty close at Lockn, but really want to be up front row at at least one of these Shows.
I am so stoked.
The show lengths were no overly long (2ish hours), the big thing to look at is warm up acts and late night music as they were very good about making sure other musicians were not short changed. What I mean is once they release a schedule and u see the late night times, know that MMJ will stop 15-30 min prior.
As for late night I didn't stay til the end, but had heard till 3ish am.
As for getting to the front, I was about 10 deep a few times, getting rail spots would require being there hours early as there are a number of rail riders that secure them early, If your willing to to be "close" in my opinion thats not an issue at all.
Bull
OBH2 shows were over 2 hours. I believe around 2:30, 2:30, 2:40.
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quick, unofficial scan of my i-tunes says the first two OBH2 shows were about 2 hours, 20 minutes, the final night a bit longer.
we were able to move around quite easily. we set up chairs in the grass and used that as a base. got close (a few rows back) when we wanted, laid back when it suited us. no pushing and/or elbowing needed.
but bulldog is right, if you MUST be on the rail, you'll have to stake out a spot well in advance. for me, close enough was close enough. :beer: