MERGED--> Vegas MGM GA Policy

[Bono's Betty]

I hope they are staying there too. That is why I wanted to stay there, just don't tell my hubby that!
I don't know when we are going to line up. I have fan ga's for nov. 4 so i hope they have a seperate line up for them. I have reg ga's for nov. 5.

 

[tbird]

MGM GA Policy???

I just got Guidelines from the MGM Grand Garden regarding GA/Floor Guidelines:

U2
Friday-Saturday, November 4-5, 2005
Venue Guidelines


In order to provide a safe, friendly environment during the November 4-5, 2005, performances of U2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, please adhere to the following venue guidelines implemented for festival seating (general admission, standing room only on the floor). Please note that there is a zero tolerance policy for activities or actions that endanger other guests. If you are unable to respect and adhere to the guidelines below, you will be asked to leave the performance without a refund. Thank you for helping us provide each guest with a safe, memorable concert experience.

A line for festival seating access (general admission, standing room only on the floor) will form at 4:00pm on Friday/Saturday, November 4-5, 2005, no sooner. Concertgoers loitering in the area of the Grand Garden Arena prior to 4:00pm will be asked to leave. A single line will form inside Studio Ballroom A&B, located on Studio Walk across from Diego Mexican Restaurant, at 4:00pm. Once inside Studio Ballroom A&B, your ticket will be verified, marked and a wristband for floor access issued. Moreover, the barcode on your ticket will be scanned using a computerized random number generator. A percentage of tickets scanned will result in access to the Ellipse area closest to the stage. If you are randomly selected for festival seating inside the Ellipse, you will be issued a second wristband and can be accompanied by one guest. At approximately 6:30pm, the line from Studio Ballroom A&B will enter the venue and onto the floor. All guests are required to pass through metal detectors.

The following items are prohibited in the festival seating areas:
 Alcohol, bottles or cans;
 Cigarettes and cigars (smoking is limited to the arena lobbies, only);
 Knives (this includes small pen-knives and Swiss Army style pocket-knives);
 Chains, studs or studded clothing;
 Aerosol cans and nail clippers;
 Backpacks, purses and fanny-packs;
 Banners, signs, gifts, stuffed animals, beach balls etc. (any item deemed by management as a potential projectile is prohibited);
 This is merely a partial list of prohibited items and all decisions are at the discretion of management and venue security. If you arrive to the venue with a prohibited item(s), you have the option of returning the item(s) to your room, vehicle, or deposit in a secured trash receptacle, thus forfeiting possession. Prohibited items will not be accepted, held, stored or checked by venue personnel.

The following actions and activities are prohibited inside the venue or surrounding hotel areas:
 Body surfing/swimming;
 Stage diving;
 Slam dancing;
 Moshing;
 Climbing on or around bleacher seating and railings;
 Fighting;
 Underage drinking;
 Illegal drug use.

Thanks for posting this... but where did you find it? I've now spoken to representatives from MGM 2x and was told on both occasions that there are not published guidelines. All they could tell me was that doors open at 6:30, no glass or professional cameras allowed.

On the most recent call I asked specifically about pocketbooks and was told "no problem". I asked what time people would be lining up and she said "Oh they'll chase people away if they try to line up early".... so just curious as to where this very nicely detailed memo comes from.

The whole thing gives me agita. When I was at the NY shows, I was at the arena at about 7:30 PM to see Keane. The GA was practically empty except for the rail along the front of the stage in the ellipse. I may do a drive by on Friday night to see how it goes.

 

[bratty_cat]

I don't know the MGM at all. Is the arena accessible from the street or do you have to enter via the hotel? I checked the weather in Vegas recently and it was low 80's during the day, 60's at night so shouldn't be too bad if the line is outside (from the sound of carek's post, appears that it start out off of the MGM property but who knows).

 

[karinlv]

Re: MGM GA Policy???

On the most recent call I asked specifically about pocketbooks and was told "no problem". I asked what time people would be lining up and she said "Oh they'll chase people away if they try to line up early".... so just curious as to where this very nicely detailed memo comes from.

The whole thing gives me agita. When I was at the NY shows, I was at the arena at about 7:30 PM to see Keane. The GA was practically empty except for the rail along the front of the stage in the ellipse. I may do a drive by on Friday night to see how it goes.

Yeah, I just don't see how they're going to enforce that. Like I said, I've never heard of that in all my years of shows in this town. I'm bringing my purse and will be there early enough if I need to leave it in the car I will. Cargo pants are not a fall/winter item, lol. I've looked and can't find any!

In my experience, Vegas crowds are not line formers. They will wander in maybe an hour before doors open, but not much sooner.

There is access to the venue from outside. You don't need to go through the casino to get into the Garden.

 

[tiny dancer]

I don't know the MGM at all. Is the arena accessible from the street or do you have to enter via the hotel? I checked the weather in Vegas recently and it was low 80's during the day, 60's at night so shouldn't be too bad if the line is outside (from the sound of carek's post, appears that it start out off of the MGM property but who knows).

I like this weather report!

 

[Bono's Betty]

I am so excited!!!!!!!!

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

Re: MGM GA Policy???

Thanks for posting this... but where did you find it? I've now spoken to representatives from MGM 2x and was told on both occasions that there are not published guidelines. All they could tell me was that doors open at 6:30, no glass or professional cameras allowed.

On the most recent call I asked specifically about pocketbooks and was told "no problem". I asked what time people would be lining up and she said "Oh they'll chase people away if they try to line up early".... so just curious as to where this very nicely detailed memo comes from.

The whole thing gives me agita. When I was at the NY shows, I was at the arena at about 7:30 PM to see Keane. The GA was practically empty except for the rail along the front of the stage in the ellipse. I may do a drive by on Friday night to see how it goes.

The difference between this and MSG was that the weather was bad then, i.e. it was raining which explained the lack of GA line and from what I heard they let people in an hour earlier to get them out of the rain. Which would explain the lack of people in the ellipse. I am sure the weather held up alot of people. And that it filled up once u2 came on. The ellipse hasnt been completely filled up prior to the opening act or during the opening act since day one. There are several factors for this that I wont go into right now. A sore subject with me.

 

[Carek1230]

Re: MGM GA Policy???

Thanks for posting this... but where did you find it? I've now spoken to representatives from MGM 2x and was told on both occasions that there are not published guidelines. All they could tell me was that doors open at 6:30, no glass or professional cameras allowed.

On the most recent call I asked specifically about pocketbooks and was told "no problem". I asked what time people would be lining up and she said "Oh they'll chase people away if they try to line up early".... so just curious as to where this very nicely detailed memo comes from.

The whole thing gives me agita. When I was at the NY shows, I was at the arena at about 7:30 PM to see Keane. The GA was practically empty except for the rail along the front of the stage in the ellipse. I may do a drive by on Friday night to see how it goes.

I was the one who posted the information from the MGM Grand and it was emailed to me from A. Zopfi, the Events Services Manager of the MGM Grand Garden. It is in fact nicely detailed and these are the guidelines their security personnel have been briefed on. I contacted the MGM because my sister broke her foot and is on crutches. We have GA so I'm of course concerned about her. The MGM Grand Gardens staff was very nice, even recommended contacting my hotel to borrow a wheelchair which we will be doing. If you would like a copy of the memo, I would be happy to email it to you, I will not post the full name and contact information publicly out of respect for the individual who I was communicating with. The memo is on MGM Grand memo letterhead signed by the Events Manager. PM me if you would like a copy. Who did you speak to at MGM because you only mention "Reps". The hotel and the Grand Gardens Arena are really separate entities, I wouldn't even trust anything anyone at the hotel/casino would tell me. Doors do indeed open at 6:30, the show begins at 8. Check your tickets to confirm. U2 should take the stage around 9pm.

The MGM is a small venue, 17000 seats, and a very different venue than any other U2 has played. I feel the GA process will be different than other shows due to the fact the MGM is simply different. It will be an interesting crowd but I don't care...I am there to hear the music and to see U2. I really don't care about the no purse/backpack policy, they can't expect people to go in with nothing tho. I want to bring my camera and have a friend who can once again hold keys, my ID etc.....I've gone thru all my clothes and came up with the pants with the most pockets. They are not the ones I really wanted to wear, oh well. I'm glad I was able to plan ahead. It's going to be fine, just show up and enjoy the show.

 

[tbird]

Thanks Carek!

Isn't it amazing that these people who work there are so not informed...I can't remember the first guy, but today was a lady named Shari. Net/net all these yahoos at the venues have no clue.... and it seems there will not be a separate U2 line. I still think I definately need to do the dry by on Friday and see how its going.


Thanks again for all the info!

 

[bonoed]

if they were smart, the MGM, they'd have the GA line be downstairs outdoors there at the ticket office that's at the bottom of the escalator through the doors. They could keep all the GA people out of the way of the casino/restaurants, upstairs, and there would be no having to go downstairs from a GA line formed upstairs, because you can go into the arena right through the doors down there and you're on the floor. That's the same area where you go for the red carpet thing for the Billboards. MGM you listening? From that GA thing they wrote up there, it sounds like for a punk rock group, U2's fans don't "body surf" do they?

and I know I keep reading how everybody is saying its a "small" venue. I go there a lot, and that is the last thing it ever seemed to me. Compared to Staples, which is like a big cavern, yes it's smaller, but otherwise it seems to me like any other arena.

I don't know the MGM at all. Is the arena accessible from the street or do you have to enter via the hotel?

Yes it is, which is what I'm referring to up there, which is where I would put everybody to form lines for the GA if I was the MGM. In fact I usually go in that door down there because you have access right to the floor without having to walk down from the top of the risers inside, or having to take the escalator down. I also leave that way and avoid the mess of people going out through the casino. You can just walk right out onto the street in the fresh air and get back to the hotel or the parking lot.

Also don't do valet prkg if you don't have to, you will just stand there for hours after a concert or before.

 

[Bono's Betty]

good tip!

 

[karinlv]

Ahh, Bonoed..that's where the 20 spots come in real handy. Valet before, and after. They'll park your car if they have to block a lane to do it, and they'll bring it right to you while 150 people stare at you like "but she just got here!" That's Vegas.


And I totally agree with you on the line up. That's exactly where they should do it. Although I wonder if that's where the band will enter for soundcheck. Maybe they don't want the main line right there. ?

 

[schnazdoodle]

This is very screwy! There is no way people are not going to line up before 4pm. My guess is people will be outside on the sidewalk either in front of or across the street from the MGM and when its about 4pm will then go inside and wait in the designated area stated above. Hopefully it wont be chaos! haha..yeah right! I have a GA for Sat. and I am very afraid...

Me too. What a first time GA experience... I hope it doesn't suck...

 

[Carek1230]

In case anyone needed the link for the afterparty at McMullan's Pub, here it is. Someone was asking and I forget who it was:

http://www.onezoo4u2.org/


I don't know if they will be selling tickets at the door or not.

 

[bonoed]

Then I'm wondering if we'll get a chance before the show to chat with the boys? The crew is staying at the MGM but what about the band?

Most groups do stay at the penthouse there when they're performing, same at the Mandalay, but sometimes they don't, some stay at the Bellagio or the Four Seasons and limo over, or now Wynn's new hotel. I would bet money on U2 being in the penthouse however.

 

[bonoed]

but who are you going to tip $20 to before and after when you have to go take your valet tkt to have it "stamped in" and there are 400 people in line in front of you? Let us know how it goes, I would never do that again before and after a concert. I can see if you're in a Ferrari, they probably put it right there, and you just get in it after, I've seen that, but my rental car from Alamo, no way.

 

[bonoed]

I'll tell you how to get outside there by that outside box office near the glass doors. Walk past the arena box office, through the doors there's escalators downstairs, go down and there is a door leading to the outdoors, you cross in a crosswalk and you're there at the box office/door to the arena, outside.

Coming out after the concert go out that way, but don't go up the escalators into the arena, this time go through the parking lots, and you'll go up an escalator in them which eventually leads to the very front of the MGM lobby, and you miss all the wall-to-wall people from the arena, which takes soooooo long to get out of there that way. Because often once you are up there in that mass of people they won't let you walk out the doors, the only way I've got to the outside to leave that massive crowd is I told the rent-a-cop flunkies guarding the "exit" doors I was going to throw up, lol. All those downstairs and doors lead to the street, but if you're upstairs above the risers in the arena, after a show they block you from going out of them usually.

 

[karinlv]

but who are you going to tip $20 to before and after when you have to go take your valet tkt to have it "stamped in" and there are 400 people in line in front of you? Let us know how it goes, I would never do that again before and after a concert. I can see if you're in a Ferrari, they probably put it right there, and you just get in it after, I've seen that, but my rental car from Alamo, no way.

It doesn't take long to get up to the valet booth. A bill to the guy that takes your ticket will speed things up immensely. I don't plan on valet parking this time, though. In case they enforce that no purses rule I need to be able to dash to the car and leave my stuff.


3 days!!!

 

[Billie Midol]

ONE MORE DAY!!! U2 is in my hometown!!! YAY! I can't believe it is finally happening!!!

 

[macphistofreak]

I have GA's for the Saturday show and I'm still worried about what time to actually go down to the Strip and line up. I'm only 5'3'' and I need to try and get near the front. I know no one has a definite answer, but can you guys tell me about what time you'll be there so I have an idea? Thanks.

 

[Billie Midol]

I would get there as early as possible.

Good luck to you- I hope you have a great time at the show!

 

[paulucla]

I'm 6'7", I hope you don't end up behind me.

 

[tbird]

Las Vegas GA process

If anyone is going to the show tonite, can you give an update tomorrow AM on how the GA process went?

They are insistant that there will be no line up before 4:00 .. will be interesting to know for Saturday how crowded was it -- my friends are not into U2 like I am so will have no patience for spending the entire day over there....

Also I wonder if you can get your wrist band and then wander around the casino until close to show time...

 

[corianderstem]

@U2 just sent out word that the MGM is letting people in GA line up at 8:00 am, NOT at 4:00 pm as previously reported.

So get your butts over there if you aren't already!

 

[u2girlcj]

@U2 just sent out word that the MGM is letting people in GA line up at 8:00 am, NOT at 4:00 pm as previously reported.

So get your butts over there if you aren't already!

I figured that would happen!

I'm at the NewYorkNewYork and I sware it takes about 15 minutes just to get back to the elevator from this room. I'll time the rest of the trip to the MGM tonight. Vegas is the only city in the world where it can take you half an hour to get across the street!


See you GA'ers tomorrow AM

 

[karinlv]

I'm 6'7", I hope you don't end up behind me.

I think I was behind you tonight I couldn't see much of the show at all. Didn't go to watch the screens. I'm 5'2 and stood behind a guy that was an easy 6'5 and his girlfriend (she got pulled up for WOWY) was 5'11. I was genuinely happy for her but the show was a downer for me.


Get your butts down there early and watch the line cutters. I was there @ 2pm and was #30 in the reg. GA line, even though I had fan tickets. We were #200 in the fan line so took our shot in the other line. By the time the doors opened at 6:30, we were about 150 people back.

I had fun in the line talking with everyone..Hi Miroslava, Florence, Brendan, and BonoforPrez

I'm thinking of selling my tix for tomorrows show. Either that or I'll show up at 6:30 and hope I get scanned in the ellipse.

 

[Billie Midol]

I think I was behind you tonight I couldn't see much of the show at all. Didn't go to watch the screens. I'm 5'2 and stood behind a guy that was an easy 6'5 and his girlfriend (she got pulled up for WOWY) was 5'11. I was genuinely happy for her but the show was a downer for me.


Get your butts down there early and watch the line cutters. I was there @ 2pm and was #30 in the reg. GA line, even though I had fan tickets. We were #200 in the fan line so took our shot in the other line. By the time the doors opened at 6:30, we were about 150 people back.

I had fun in the line talking with everyone..Hi Miroslava, Florence, Brendan, and BonoforPrez

I'm thinking of selling my tix for tomorrows show. Either that or I'll show up at 6:30 and hope I get scanned in the ellipse.

Sorry the show was a bummer last night for you. I hope you have a better view tonight.

I enjoyed the show very much. We were up in the elevated seats so the view was good. Of course, I would have loved to have had a closer view but I can't complain. Great show and Bono was...well,just WOW...I almost fainted seeing him in person!