Some of these are common sense but we always end up forgetting some essential things right as we get there.

1. Stock Up On Cigarettes

If you’re a smoker, there’s nothing worse than running out of cigs right in the middle of the party.

Make sure you bring an extra pack or two because you’re sure to have people bumming off you during the party.

In some scenarios, you’ll also be able to trade them for booze and other supplies to people that are really craving.

2. Don’t Eat The Crab Cakes

I learned my lesson last year, don’t eat at random convenient stores in the middle of the night.

The combination of the 32 oz. warm Natty Ice and warm crab cakes made me throw up all over the road before the second party.

Later I reasoned that they had been sitting in the open because every other thing in the fridge was just as warm.

My friend lucked out, he ended up tossing his nasty beef patties after the first bite.

Long story short, stick to real food – not stuff from some cracked out convenient store.

3. There’s A Lot Of Douchebags and Bitches

Although this is a huge electronic music festival, it always pulls out some really douchie and bitchy people.

These are the people that basically go to socialize and take pictures while making stupid faces.

I don’t always have a problem with these people but the worst is when their posse of 20+ people decide to plow through a crowd to get to the front – stepping on everyone and elbowing.

The worst part is that they generally don’t dance. Now you have people standing around you, giving you the stink eye, for having your own fun.

Just ignore em.

4. You’re Going To See And Experience Weird Shit

A lot of people that listen to Electronic Music are already pretty unique and weird at times but this seems to bring out the people that really went over the edge.

Be prepared to see some people in really odd get ups, going crazy out of their skulls, passing out, throwing up, starting fights and all the other great things about parties.

I’m sure you’re already acceptable to these people but it’s just a heads up.

5. Not All DJ’s Are Good – Explore!

Even though you see some of the big name DJ’s, don’t stick to one stage. There are tons of smaller stages with relatively unknown DJ’s at time that put on a helluva show.

Go check out some of the back areas and music you don’t normally listen to.

You can’t always expect to hear a great set from a big named DJ either. Sometimes they put on shitty shows. Go have fun with the music you want to listen to, not with whose DJing.

Bonus Tip: The Security And Everyone Aren’t Helpful

Besides taking your money, the people that work at the event are in the business mode. They aren’t going out of their way to be friendly unless it’s people they know or you somehow run into someone genuine.

Last year my friend almost passed out from heat exhaustion, so we asked the paramedics if they could give him some air and water. What did they say? No, go buy some.

Unfortunately, we ran out of money early in the night. I know it’s our fault that it happened but basically no one will help you until you’re really messed up.

Drink lots of water….and beer.

Okay, so that wraps up my final round of tips and tricks about Ultra Music Festival.

Believe me, you’re going to have a blast.

You will have some times that are really weird or uncomfortable but it all builds the bigger picture – have fun!

If you were like many people, you were stuck waiting in long lines or dealing with scalpers.

Much like last year, I ran into a few problems along the way that almost ruined my chance to go to Ultra Music Festival. The main problem, which I’m sure many have experienced, has been problems ordering their tickets online.

I figure this post should clear up a few things about grabbing your Ultra Music Festival tickets.

1. Tickets Not Processing Online

Last year I had the same problem as I did this year, every time I tried to order tickets I woulds see an error message.

The worst part about this credit card error message is that it locks your account. Once your account has been locked, you need to send an email to support or call them to have them remove it.

Most often it’s trouble with the billing address.

For some reason it had a hard time accepting my P.O. Box as my billing address, taking a few extra days to finally be able to order the tickets.

2. Call Support – They’re Helpful

If you are having any problem ordering your Ultra Music Festival tickets, don’t bother sending an email because it takes far too long; give support a phone call.

You’ll only wait a few minutes but once you’re through, you should be able to explain any problems you have.

The best part is that you can clear up any hold on your card and if they’re feeling particularily helpful, they’ll bypass it and allow the system to accept your info.

3. Don’t Forget Your I.D.’s

Unless you have your physical tickets, you’ll need to do a Will Call.

A will call means you show up at the venue, get in line and show your receipt, I.D. and the credit card you use to buy the tickets.

Without your I.D. and credit card, you’re pretty screwed so make sure you bring them.

4. You Can Always Buy At The Venue

For those that are getting a little anxiouss about not buying online, you can still buy tickets at the main entrance.

Yes, they will be a little extra but at least you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to go to UMF.

5. In Case Of Emergency – Scalp

There are tons of scalpers running around the area selling extra tickets.

Usually you can find a good deal but if you’re really strapped to get in, you may pay a bit more.

These scalpers generally buy a load of tickets during presale when they are cheap, then sell them the day of the events for double.

6. Keep Your Tickets Safe

If you got the 2 day General Admission pass to UMF, you’re going to be carrying around your extra ticket.

Make sure you keep it in a really safe spot. I don’t suggest carrying it on you just incase you get pick pocketed. Instead, run back to your car and stash it in the glove box or somewhere where people won’t look for it.

7. One Credit Card Per Purchase

The biggest gripe I have with buying tickets online is that you can only use your credit card once.

If a friend decides to come later, you can’t use that same card so either they will need one or you’re stuck buying it at the gates or scalping.

8. They Generally Don’t Check I.D.’s

After you get your tickets, all the people at the front entrance will do is rip them and tell you to go in.

Although there are names printed on the tickets, they don’t care; this is how scalpers can sell them.

There is no reentry so make sure you bring everything in with you!

9. Don’t Keep Processing Your Tickets!

I found this out the hard way.

If you keep trying to order your tickets and keep getting the error message, you will be deducted the full amount in your bank account for a temporary period.

I looked at my balance today only to see that I was -$240. I had to call the people to see what’s up and they basically said they hold the fee until it’s processed.

If the charge doesn’t go through, they will eventually reimburse you. Unfortunately, you’ll need to check with your bank to make sure they don’t overdraft you.

If you are overdrafted, you can call support and they’ll help clear it up.

Hopefully you don’t run into any of these troubles and get right in. If you do, just take some time to clear everything up with support. If you can’t, you can still buy tickets at the venue.

Although it was a pure haze of experience through the weekend, I learned a few things along the way that I think will be helpful if it’s your first time going to Ultra Music Festival.

Some of the things that happened are comedy gold while other things will be really helpful to know.

Check it…

Be Careful What You Drink

Me and my friend Anthony went down to Ultra last year and had a blast. The only problem is that we didn’t bring enough money so we had to split drinks between us.

Running out of beer sucked and the worst part was that water was ridiculously over priced.

It ended up being Ant and I passing a water bottle back and forth whenever we bought one but there was one problem: Ant didn’t tell me he had bronchitis.

So, after drinking after him all weekend I returned home with a horrible cough and felt dog shit awful.

To make the matters worse, I some how got pink eye. So there I was going into work, exhausted, dying and my eyes were pink and closed shut from gunk. Yeah, they sent me home.

Always Pick Up Strange People

Despite what your mom told me, we ended up picking up random people along the way to help them get around.

The first was a guy from Philly that we found in the middle of a cracked out neighborhood. We were trying to find our way to the next club after the first day of Ultra and stopped to ask a security guard. When he didn’t prove helpful, the dude ran over and said he was looking for the place too.

I said hop in and off we went.

We later found out he sold bongs and pipes. Cool.

Later on after we left the venue, there was some dude that got ditched by his friends. Without a ride back to his hotel, Ant and I felt like in the helping mood (probably because of the effects of…nevermind) and decided to drive around Miami, looking for this guy’s hotel.

We ended up driving around Miami for about 2 hours which was pretty cool. We listened to the dude’s mixtape – drum and bass.

Lesson learned? There are a lot of cool people during UMF, pick em up!

When we finally found his hotel we dropped him off and went on our merry way – the wrong direction down a one way lane.

VIP Isn’t Worth It

During the second day of Ultra we were beginning to get a little ballsy and decided to sneak into the VIP area.

As a group walked up to go inside, the bouncer opened the gates and we jumped behind the people. We proceeded to talk loudly as if we were apart of the group and in we went.

Walking around the area I have to admit it was pretty nice, it wasn’t nearly as packed as in the open area.

The only problem was that the people there sucked. They were literally sleeping.

Besides the lack of enthusiasm from the people in the VIP area, they still sold booze and water for full price. You paid all that money and you didn’t even get a discounted rate?!

Miami Traffic Sucks

As Ultra let out it became pure mayhem.

We got back into our car and decided to head over to an after party. If I knew then that I’d almost have a nervous breakdown I would have suggested to wait for the crowd to die down a bit.

We were stuck in traffic. Not just traffic, gridlock.

People would run the red lights so when you had the green, you’d be stuck in the same spot. It literally took 15 minutes to go each block.

To make the matters worse, we were on a 2 lane strip with high walls when a fire truck pulled up behind us. Try cramming 2 lanes of cars into one without any sidewalk or median to get over to.

I almost lost my shit.

Sneak In What You Can

Down the road are tons of liquor stores.

Because Ultra charges such a high rate for alcohol (I think a shot of vodka was about $8!) we decided to sneak some in.

I decided to go with the old baggy pants and stuffing my shoes method while Ant went with the classic “under the balls” trick.

We got in with about 10 mini shots of vodka and whiskey each, saving us about $100 for that night.

Tip: They do pat you down but not thoroughly, just put them in areas they aren’t going to touch like your crotch or shoes.

Long story short, we had a blast, ‘cept Ant was tasting balls for the rest of the night.

Bonus Tip/Suggestion

Be prepared to pay out the asshole for just about everything.

Parking is usually $40 if you want to park really close to the area. If at all possible, grab a hotel that’s close and cab it.

Speaking of hotels, if you drive about 30 mins north of Miami, you’ll be able to find hotels for about $50 a night. If you time it right, you can check in just as they start the next day, so it feels like you got 2 nights for 1.

Final tip: Don’t be an idiot. There are tons of people walking around trying to sell stuff, a lot of narcs, a lot of bunk.

See You At Ultra This Year!

This year we are going at it in full force. We’re coming down with a huge group, renting a car, getting a hotel and meeting up with other groups of friends we know.

If this is your first time, be prepared for a wild night out, it’s massive.

Just use some of these tips and you should be able to survive UMF.

See you out there!

What are your tips on how to survive Ultra Music Festival?