UPDATED 10/12/12 - limited hotel packages on sale - for any other packages please contact Live Nation Experience (livenationexperience@livenation.co.uk) for the waiting list.
 
This is the thread for RIP Frequently Asked Questions. I will try to keep this as up-to-date as I can. If anyone has additional information that they think I should add then please let me know, or if you spot any errors. Add any additional questions to the thread and I'll get back to you as soon as I have an answer (if one of the other RIP forum regulars doesn't beat me to it!).
Thank you

1. What are the main differences between standard camping and RIP camping? RIP is a proper campsite (at Donington Park Farm, Melbourne Road, Isley Walton, Castle Donington, Derbyshire. DE74 2RN) that is open all year round. In RIP you get to park your car next to your tent/pod/yurt/gypsy caravan/teepee/pop-up hotel room/etc rather than having to park in a separate car park a long way from the campsite. RIP has a noise curfew from 1-7am (you can stay up and chat, just no music or shouting). RIP has proper toilets and showers as well as portable toilet and shower blocks (the permanent showers cost £1 for 5 mins and you get the tokens from the Live Nation Experience check-in tent (The Mortuary). You get a bag of merchandise included in your RIP package (in 2012 this was RIP carrier bag containing RIP t-shirt, RIP jogging bottoms, festival programme and lanyard, RIP snood, RIP 2012 dogtag, RIP beer cooler sleeve, RIP car sticker and RIP air freshener - we know that in 2013 we will be getting a RIP 2013 hoody). You get access to the hospitality (cash) bar in the arena, close to stage 3 and can access the arena through hospitality via a VIP walkway.
2. What other facilities are there on the RIP site? There is a small shop tent (the Little Shop of Horrors) on the RIP site that sells basics like snacks, ice, magazines, fresh milk, eggs, bacon (open from 7am until midnight each day). There is access to the Park Farm bar and hot food for some hours during the festival duration (breakfast, lunch and dinner for food, plus some take-away options). There is a cash machine in the Park Farm bar - it's a link machine that charges. The Live Nation Experience check-in tent also does hot drinks and a few snacks (open 24 hours a day), can provide you with bin bags, and should be your first port-of-call in an emergency. There's an Eco Day Spa tent (Friday-Sunday 10am-6pm), where you can get a massage (full body/back neck and shoulder/Indian head or foot) and this cost £20 for 30 mins or £40 for 60 mins in 2012. Lockers were available in 2012 for £5 for the entire stay (open 24 x 7, you get to keep the padlock, purchased from the check-in tent) - for small valuables and with a 12v cigarette lighter style power socket.
3. When is the RIP site open? The RIP site opens at 12noon on the Wednesday and closes at 11am on the Monday. The RIP Live Nation Experience registration tent (The Mortuary) is open until 11pm each night and registration re-opens at 9am. If you arrive after 11pm then you can park in the Park Farm hotel car-park and then drive your car into the camping site the following morning. You can drive your car on and off the Park Farm site, but can't drive your car back to your tent/pod/etc after 11pm. You can walk in and out of the site whenever you want to - they check your wristband at the entrance.
4. When do RIP packages go on sale? Most of the packages for RIP 2013 are sold out, with the exception of the Luxury American Trailers, Metal Hotel, and some of the hotel options - available pacakges on sale here: http://www.ticketweb.co.u...download2013/?l=en-us.
5. Will RIP sell out? How quickly? Campervan/caravan tickets usually sell out first (already sold out for 2013). Camping usually goes next (sold out for 2013) and then the more expensive packages. Sometimes additional camping tickets become available at a later date. The RIP site is limited in size. There is a waiting list in case people wish to return their packages later on - please email livenationexperience@livenation.co.uk with the number of packages you require and your contact details.
6. How much does RIP cost? There are many different RIP packages available all with different prices and accommodation. All prices quoted here are the 2013 prices (2013 early bird prices for packages that sold out on early bird sale) (the difference between earlybird and full prices is £5 per person) - these include weekend arena tickets for the number of people the package covers but not the booking fee (£5 per person) (if you buy the RIP upgrade separately and get your weekend festival ticket separately then the RIP upgrade will be £160 less than these prices per person). RIP camping SOLD OUT £405 per person. Kip & Kit SOLD OUT £526 for a single or £974 for a double (includes 1 or 2 man tent, airbed, sleeping bag and torch, all set up ready for you when you arrive and yours to keep). Caravan/Campervan SOLD OUT I think these were £405 per person (there is a designated area for caravans and campervans which includes free electrical hookups). Yurty SOLD OUT £1,070 for 2 people (crisp white linen, king size bed with real mattress, fresh cut flowers and chocolates, wooden lockable door, bedside table and lamp, central light and 13amp plug socket). Podpads SOLD OUT £1,275 for 2 people (double or twin, solid floor, fitted carpet, internal and external locks on front door, 3 cut-out windows with sliding tinted acrylic lenses for light and ventilation and curtains for privacy at night, solar powered with interior lighting and 12volt sockets (car type and 5v USB) for mobile charging and ipods). Bunkpads SOLD OUT £2,386 for 4 people (scaled up Podpad, offering 50% more floor space with a higher roof, totally weatherproof and cosy with a solid cushioned floor vinyl fitted to the whole area, they accommodate 4 adults and come with two sets of bunkbeds, lockable front door, 2 chests of drawers, underbed storage and hanging wardrobe shelf unit, 3 opening windows with curtains for privacy, plus a mirror, coat hooks and a waste bin, 240v electricity which powers an interior light and a reading light for each guest, spare standard 3 pin sockets for your use). Octopads SOLD OUT £2,470 for 4 people (spacious, comfortable and secure accommodation, 7 solid decorated walls allowing you to use the full floor area for living space, front wall is Podpad style front with lockable front door and windows to suit, solid floor carpeted up to the edge, 4 single beds, 2 pine chests of drawers and 2 small tables, roof made from strong weatherproof canvas supported on tipi style poles to maximize room space, 240v electricity, reading light for each guest, spare standard 3 pin sockets for your use). Podule (Luxury Pop-Up Hotel) SOLD OUT £2,498 for 2 people (includes en-suite power shower, wash basin and toilet with water saving flush, fully air-conditioned with laminate wood effect flooring, slick lighting, built in 4ft double bed with crisp white linens, fresh white towels, luxury toiletries, kettle, cups and condiments, thermal and sound insulation, fully secure and safe, flat screen TV/DVD, mini fridge, bistro table and 2 chairs). Gypsy Caravans SOLD OUT £1,550 for 2 people (five foot wide slide out double-bed for two adults, which includes duvets, linen, pillows and blankets, bed slides back to give ample seating for four people; all bedding can be stowed in the large cupboard under the bed). Tipis SOLD OUT £2,014 for 4 people or SOLD OUT £3,042 for 6 people or £4,908 for 10 people (sleep 4, 6 or 10, air beds are provided but you must provided bedding/sleeping bag, hand made using 12oz cotton duck canvas that as been treated with water repellent, fire retardant and rot proofing, Tipis come as standard with a heavy duty groundsheet, and carpeting, please note that tipis are not 100% waterproof due to the big hole in the roof for ventilation, should the weather prove inclement rain catchers will be fitted to help with wet weather, however cannot guarantee that some water will not find its way in). Luxury American Trailer for 4 guests £5,508, comes equipped with air-conditioning, flat screen TVs, bedding, tea and coffee, one double master bedroom, a second bedroom with bunk beds and a double sofa bed, toilet and power shower. Luxury Bus SOLD OUT £6,700 for 4 people (includes open deck with sunloungers, four-seater hot tub, gas barbeque with seating for four under canopy, sun couch with outside speakers & night lighting, fully controllable air conditioning & heating, walk in wet room with power shower & flushing toilet, designer kitchen with micro-oven, gas hob & fridge, bar with 21 bottle champagne/wine chiller, ice maker, selection of champagne, wine & tumbler glasses, cocktail makers & spirit measures (drinks not included), 36” Panasonic HD flatscreen tv with satellite freeview, Sony PS3 with blu-ray disc player, Yamaha sound system with ipod docking station & surround sound speakers, dimmable LED lighting, leather couches on both levels which convert to sleep four (one double bed and two single beds), wardrobe and storage space supplied with duvets, throws & Egyptian cotton linen, power points to charge mobile phones and laptops, privacy tint windows with blackout blinds). RIP Metal Hotel £1,980 for 2 people for 3 nights (self contained Metal Hotel room located in the Exhibition Hall opposite the main arena entrance, with designated parking. Twin or double, thermostatic climate control, en-suite wet room with toilet, basin and shower, storage space, flat screen TV, double power points, secure card entry and a personal safe. Continental breakfast. Serviced with quality linen, towels and toiletries and hotel staff on-site day and night). Hotels (there are 4 different hotels available which are Priest House Hotel (4*, 3.6 miles from the site) - SOLD OUT £935 single cottage 3 nights, £1,520 double cottage 3 nights, £1,670 exec double 3 nights; Thistle East Midlands Hotel (4*, 2.3 miles from the site) - £760 single 2 nights, £925 single 3 nights, £1,210 double/twin 2 nights, £1,385 double/twin 3 nights; Express Holiday Inn (3*, 2.9 miles from the site) - £1,145 double/twin 2 nights, £1,287.50 double/twin (TWIN SOLD OUT) 3 nights; and Hilton Hotel East Midlands Airport (4*, 6.2 miles from the site) - £796 single 3 nights, £1,256 double/twin 3 nights (DOUBLE SOLD OUT)) - these will entitle you to the hotel accommodation and access to everywhere you can go with any other RIP ticket, there will be shuttle buses running from the hotels to the RIP campsite every day and it's a 10-15 minute walk from there to the arena via the hospitality area entrance. Buses from the hotels usually start around 12.30pm each day until around 8pm, with returns from around 8.30pm until about 30 mins after the last band finishes). ADDITIONAL HOTEL: Radisson Blu Hotel East Midlands  (4*, 3.2 miles from the site) - £1,415 double/twin 3 nights.
7. How many tickets can I buy? You can buy up to 8 RIP camping tickets or 4 RIP campervan/caravan or 4 kip n kit or 2 hotel rooms or 1 of any of the other packages in a transaction.
8. Can I buy my RIP upgrade separately to my weekend arena ticket to split the cost? Yes you can, it will work out a little bit more overall (can anyone confirm the difference in cost? I think it's usually around £20-30). A RIP camping upgrade will cost you £245 each, you will need to show your arena ticket along with your RIP passport on arrival at the RIP site before they'll allow you entry. For 2013 they have also introduced a deposit scheme - you pay £155 each now and the balance is due by 1st October 2012 (this is for RIP package + festival ticket).
9. Does my RIP package include car parking? Yes - this is part of the overall package, you do not need to buy a separate parking pass.
10. Where is the RIP site? The site is at the Park Farm hotel camping/caravaning site - to the left of VIP/Media camping, towards day ticket parking.
11. How do I get to the RIP site if I'm not driving to Download? You could try arranging a lift share through the forum. You could get a taxi from the train station/airport (can anyone give an estimate of cost?). Taxis etc are able to drop you off at the RIP entrance, which is right by the Live Nation Experience check-in tent (The Mortuary). You can get a shuttle bus from the train station/airport which will take you to the main festival entrance (think this is £8 return), but you'll then have to walk from there to the main RIP entrance (this is approximately a 30 minute walk, depending on how fast you walk and how much stuff you're carrying/dragging) or arrange for someone to collect you.
12. What happens when I arrive at the RIP site? You drive up to the check-in tent (The Mortuary) and hand your passport over to the Live Nation Experience staff, they check you in, give you your wristband and goodie bag (this includes your RIP t-shirt and they ask you what size you want - this has gone from small to XXL in previous years). You then drive into the site as directed by the marshalls, who direct you to the next available spot or where your yurt/tipi etc is.
13. How is the RIP site organised? The different RIP packages are organised in "zones" with all of the pods in one area, all of the gypsy caravans in one area, all of the kip n kit camping in one area etc. RIP camping is organised in rows with cars next to tents, the rows are marked out on the ground and leave enough space to get a car or an emergency vehicle between rows. This means you can drive off the site to go to a nearby supermarket - if you are doing this then please mark your car parking spot in some way so late arrivals don't mistake it for a free camping spot, and remember that you can't drive back onto the site between 11pm and 9am (if you do then you'll have to leave your car in the Park Farm hotel carpark for the night).
14. Can I camp with a group of friends? If you want to do this then you will need to arrive at the site at the same time. The stewards won't allow you to save space for people arriving later.
15. Can I bring a gazebo? Officially gazebos are only allowed for groups of 3 or more sharing a tent. In reality if you are a group of more than 3, even if you are in separate tents, then they usually allow you to put up a gazebo. Please make sure your gazebo is securely roped down (in the same way you would secure your tent with guy-ropes) in case of windy conditions.
16. There are two of us sharing a tent in RIP Camping, can we use a 3/4 man tent? Yes you can - as long as your tent isn't ridiculously large for the number of people then it's fine (me and hubby have a 4-man tent that we've used in RIP every year since 2007).
17. Can I move my Kip n Kit tent next to my friends' tents? In the past this has been done by a few people but you will have to ask the stewards first. Generally they will ask you to wait till your friends have set up tents and the spaces around them filled as they have to ensure they have enough space for everyone. If after this there is enough space around your friends' tents (and you won't be blocking the access roads between rows of tent) then they may allow you to move your tent. But always check with the stewards first.
18. What is Camp Bumhole? Camp Bumhole is a group of RIP boardies that camp together. There are usually 20-30 of us and we're a friendly bunch. We organise some RIP gatherings (flavoured vodka tasting on the Wednesday afternoon and a fancy dress breakfast on the Thursday morning). If you're new to RIP then please come and say hello!
19. How far is the RIP site from the arena? If you walk from the RIP site to the arena via the VIP walkway and hospitality area then it's a 10-15 minute walk, or a 15-20 minute walk if you go in via the RIP queue at the main arena entrance (this entrance is shared with disabled).
20. Can I go to the Village/visit friends in standard camping if I have a RIP ticket? Yes you can (please note that it is quite a long walk to the village and standard camping - I'd say about 30 mins walk), you can't stay in standard overnight (although I have no idea how they would enforce this!). There have been some shuttle buses from the RIP site to the drop-off point at the main festival entrance on the Wednesday and Thursday in previous years (running every half hour on the hour and half past, running back to the RIP site at quarter to and quarter past the hour, last one back at quarter to midnight).
21. Can I visit friends in Family Camping if I have a RIP ticket? Yes you can - you just need to talk to security when you get to Family Camping, let them know that you're camping in RIP and that you're visiting friends in Family. I would also suggest that you get your friends to come and meet you when you arrive so they can verify that you're visiting them, and if you're worried about being allowed in then get your friends in Family Camping to talk to security before you go to visit.
22. Can I visit friends in Disabled Camping if I have a RIP ticket? Yes you can - you need to arrange for one of your friends from Disabled Camping to meet you at the entrance to the Disabled campsite.
23. Can my friends from standard/disabled/family/VIP/media camping visit me in RIP? Yes they can. You have to pre-book this with the Live Nation Experience staff on the RIP site (at The Mortuary) and will have to give your details and your guest's details and pay a £50 security deposit, which is returned when you sign your friend off the site. If your friend stays after 11pm then you will lose your deposit and security will come to find you and your friend to get them to leave the site.
24. Can I bring a gas stove/BBQ/glass bottles to the RIP site? Yes you can - gas is allowed on the RIP site, BBQs and stoves should be raised off the grass to prevent burning it (they have bricks available for this purpose), and you can bring glass bottles with you (no decanting vodka into plastic bottles - hoorah!).
25. What is the hospitality area? The hospitality area is for VIPs/media/guests/bands and RIP ticket holders also have access. In recent years it has consisted of a large teepee with a cash bar and food, inside and outside seating, and flushing toilets. Some band members use this area, but there is no guarantee that they will as they have their own backstage area.
26. Are children (under 14s) allowed in RIP/hospitality? Yes they are. They will need a valid RIP package and you can get a child's arena ticket separately from the box office when you arrive at Donington.
27. Are there lockers available in RIP? Yes - £5 for the whole festival, open 24 x 7, 25cm wide x 15.5cm deep x 10cm high with a 12v cigarette lighter style power socket.
28. Is there anywhere I can charge my phone in RIP? You can charge your phone in your car (if you bring one), in a locker, some of the RIP accommodation options have power points (yurty, podpad, bunkpad, octopad, podule, trailer, bus, hotels), there are also some power points near the pay showers and in the Park Farm bar.
29. Is there anywhere I can dry/straighten my hair/put on my makeup in RIP? Yes - there is a yurt (The Dressing Room) near the RIP site entrance that has tables, chairs, lit mirrors and plugs for hairdryers and straighteners - you need to bring your own hairdryer/straighteners.
30. When will my RIP ticket arrive? You won't get sent your arena ticket (unless you ordered it separately to your RIP package in which case you'll need to bring that along with your RIP passport), you'll just be sent a RIP passport with a covering letter (you can get a souvenir ticket from the Live Nation Experience staff on site). You will get a RIP passport per person for the number of people you booked. RIP passports are normally despatched 2-3 weeks before the festival by standard post, in batches depending on the package you booked and your surname. You will usually receive your RIP passport 1-2 weeks before the festival. If your RIP passport hasn't arrived and there's less than a week before the festival then please contact Live Nation Experience: livenationexperience@livenation.co.uk or phone 020 7009 3484 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm).
31. Can I re-sell my RIP ticket? Technically no, the RIP tickets are non-transferable. In 2012 they ran a waiting list and would buy tickets back (minus booking fees) and it looks like they're running that again for 2013.

awesome, well done Beamie. You definitely deserved that award :)
 
Possible question to add:
 
Where is the RIP campsite?

Not had a definitive answer on visiting friends in family camping yet. Can that be put in here when answered please?

What is the hospitality area?
 
The hospitality area is a special area for people in RIP camping and people with guest pass tickets to hang out. In here the is a cash bar that serves food and drink, lots of seating areas and decent toilets.
 
Occasionally band members use this area and it is a good opportunity to meet them (Please note that there is no guarantee that band members will be in the hospitality area, they have their own areas back stage and it is up to them if they would like to go into the hospitality area)

ApathyInTheUK

Not had a definitive answer on visiting friends in family camping yet. Can that be put in here when answered please?

 
I'll try to find out!

According to Live Nation there will be lockers available next
year on the RIP camp site.

ApathyInTheUK

Not had a definitive answer on visiting friends in family camping yet. Can that be put in here when answered please?

 
Probably won't get an answer here as Family camp is completely different.

Other features in the RIP campsite:
 
The eco day Spa tent, here you can get a massage (full body/back neck and shoulder/indian head or foot) and this costs £20 for 30 mins or £40 for 60 mins
 
These were prices for 2011

beamiegoth

ApathyInTheUK

Not had a definitive answer on visiting friends in family camping yet. Can that be put in here when answered please?

I'll try to find out!

 
Thank you

Also in previous years I have found the staff at the Livenation tent will lend you a phone in an emergency I have asked them polietly in the past and they have let me ring up my bank when my card was lost/stolen and also helped me arranged taxis.
 
Also there is a cash machine but it charges something like £1.80
 
 
 

One you mentioned in a text to me Beam,
 
When will my tickets arrive?
 
Generally a couple of weeks before the festival. You will recieve an email telling you when you should recieve your tickets and what to do if you have not recieved them by then.
 
If you are really worried and it is not yet the date stated in the email sent out then fear not, there is still plenty of time and you can always ring live nation for updates/make alternative arrangements.
 
Posting on the forums asking where your tickets will only cause boardies to tell you to contact live nation. (please don't make multiple posts demanding to know where tickets are as this will only cause boardies to get annoyed)

Also your ticket is not posted to you as in an actual ticket you will recive a letter and a passport this can actually be a cardboard type thing or in previous years a small plastic disc, this you show or exchange for your wristband when you arrive - if you want a ticket for a souvenier you can ask at the tent as they sometimes have them there to give out.
 

If you have booked an RIP upgrade then you will need to buy an arena ticket as well. You will need to hand over both your RIP passport and your arena ticket at the sign in tent to get your wristband.

Maybe add How to Get to RIP - 
I know there is a shuttle from the airport/train station if you not coming by car and you go to the main drop off point - Im guessing people have to walk from there?
Or can ask one of us for a lift if asked nicely.
 

You do have to walk from the drop off point to the Park Farm entrance unless someone nice will give you a lift (along the road where the cars go I'm assuming). I've read somewhere that security will not let you in at the Hells gate exit even if you have your passports and documentation. I think a taxi from the station comes to around £25 and the shuttle to the drop off point is £8 there and back.

Ooo you've all been busy since last night! Thanks for the input guys. I'll do some updating when I get home from work this evening.

right, hopefully there will be more of us driving by download but if not...we normally come by minibus. Now would the drop off be where everyone else gets dropped off for download or can we get dropped off closer to the RIP entrance. I understand that the taxi wouldnt be allowed in. And if so how far is it from this entrance to a camping spot.
 
Also....if e can drive by then :D....how easy is it to get your car out after picthing. The plan would be to pitch then drive to Tescos (or whatever the nearest supermarket is) and get food and beer to save lugging it all down there in the first place.
 
oh, and is it organised camping, like in rows or can you still set up your own little camp so long as your not in the way....this doesnt really matter but would be nice to know :D

Hello
If you hiring a taxi or mini bus they can drive you to the park farm entrance and then it would be a case of walking to where you are directed to camp not more than 5 minutes but depending where the security have put you - you may be allowed to drive in but this will be at whoever is on the gates discretion.
If you do get dropped off at the main drop off point you will have to walk up to RIP along the main road which will take about 30 mins depending on how fast you walk and how much stuff you have.
All the campsite is set out in rows to allow you to leave and come back as needed but you cannot leave or return after 11pm or before 9am.
There is a shop at the campsite but it only sells the basics and no alcohol but the local co-op/tescos is a mild jaunt away if you like walking. I think a return taxi would be quite expensive.
You are placed in rows you can set up your own camp but remember to leave space for others to arrive and leave and leave the rows free for cars and emergency access.
hope this covers everything
 

Oh and when I say hiring a taxi I mean one driven by a taxi driver and who will leave afterwards, if you have your own car/hire car you can park next to your tent

brilliant. One thing else i thought of.
 
Is there a shuttle bus to and from the village on wednesday and thursday. Im sure I read there was. And if so how often is it?