Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas sold out faster than ever before this year. This June will mark the 18th anniversary of EDC. WhiteRaverRafting will be in attendance and could not be more excited. Las Vegas is a playground for all, but as with all amusement parks, you have to make a good game plan. Below consider the following things and mark them off your EDC Las Vegas checklist to make your adventure the smoothest, craziest, monumental event of your year!
Getting To the Festival
EDC takes place inside of the Las Vegas Speedway. When I mean inside, I mean INSIDE. Not the parking lot outside of the Metlife Stadium. I’m talking about this:
Now, the speedway is not down on the strip. There are no trains, no subway stops, nor does the city bus go there. Although, you can reserve a helicopter transfer. The speedway is about 17 miles away from all of the major hotels downtown. The two most common ways to get to the festival are:
EDC Shuttles
- This year you need to purchase shuttle passes for the specific hotel/location that you will be taking your roundtrip from. In previous years, a general wristband would have sufficed. You now have to purchase your specific pass in advance so that all hotels can have the appropriate number of buses in rotation.
- The list of hotels that provide shuttle service this year are: Circus Circus, Mirage, The Linq, Rio, Cosmopolitan, Aria, Hard Rock, Monte Carlo, MGM, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Downtown (business district/historic Las Vegas). Get your pass ASAP, as some locations have already sold out!
- TAKE THE SHUTTLE EARLY. One more time. GET THE SHUTTLE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. If you leave late, you risk waiting in long shuttle lines, being stuck in horrendous traffic, and missing some of your favorite artists. What a bummer that would be.
Personal Vehicle (your own car, rental, limo, etc)
- Car/Rental: Being that some of the shuttle pickup locations are already sold out, many will be inclined to rent a car and drive to EDC. Be smart, be safe. Chances are you will be sitting in traffic for awhile on the way there and the way back. Take some snacks and also some fluids to stay hydrated before, and after. You’ll want to stay hydrated even after the night is over so you can keep the party going the following day at on of the amazing pool parties.
- Taxis/Limos: Both will take you from anywhere in Las Vegas to the party, but be sure to ask about rates as some give flat rates during EDC week, and others will charge you by the meter. You’ll probably be in traffic for a bit, so ask about the rate beforehand. There is a taxi stand at EDC to get you back.
Daytime Pool Parties
An integral part of Las Vegas during the “hot” months (there is no real winter folks) is all of the epic pool parties. Being that EDC is at nighttime, what else do you have to do during the day but go and see some of the biggest DJs at some of the most spectacular locations in the world! We love these parties because you get a more intimate feeling than at EDC itself. Below we highlight our favorite venues and the DJs that will be visiting each during the EDC weekend:
Located in the Encore Resort, a sister hotel to the Wynn, this black and golden tower houses residencies for Adrian Lux, AN21, Avicii, Cazzette, David Guetta, Dillon Francis, Diplo, DJ Snake, Fedde Le Grand, Major Lazer, Martin Solveig, Skrillex, Steve Angello, Tommy Trash, and Wolfgang Gartner just to name a few. In total they have 39 residents for Encore Beach Club + XS. Pure insanity, people.
Thursday, June 19th: Fedde Le Grand
Friday, June 20th: Diplo
Saturday, June 21st: Avicii
Sunday, June 22nd: Steve Angello
Monday, June 23rd: Martin Solveig
Located dead center of the strip at the City Center, the endless crystals and crisp detail of the Cosmopolitan is the perfect location for Marquee Dayclub. Set on the fifth floor and overlooking the surrounding resorts of the Aria and Mandarin Oriental, the resident DJs here include Benny Benassi, Borgore, Carnage, Chuckie, Dash Berlin, Kaskade, Paul Oakenfold, and Porter Robinson.
Thursday, June 19th: Sander van Doorn
Friday, June 20th: Benny Benassi
Saturday, June 21st: Kaskade
Sunday, June 22nd: Kaskade
Monday, June 23rd: Carnage
Being one of the oldest pool parties in Las Vegas, and one of the first to really take advantage of the commercialization of the popularizing of EDM, Wet Republic has set the standard for pool parties. With 53,000 square feet that includes two saltwater pools (one of a kind on the strip), this is a must-see. Above & Beyond, Afrojak, Bingo Players, Calvin Harris, Hardwell, R3hab, Steve Aoki, and Tiesto are just a few of the huge name residents here.
Thursday, June 19th: Above & Beyond
Friday, June 20th: Steve Aoki
Saturday, June 21st: Hardwell
Sunday, June 22nd: Tiesto
Monday, June 23rd: Calvin Harris
New to the strip this summer season, the Drai’s Beach Club is unique amongst the other pool parties on this list in that it is a rooftop pool party. Located in The Cromwell boutique hotel, enjoy the sweeping views of the Las Vegas strip with some of the resident DJs of 12th Planet, 3LAU, Arty, Eric Prydz, MAKJ, Project 46, Showtek, Quintino and more.
Friday, June 20th: MAKJ
Saturday, June 21nd: Eric Prydz
Sunday, June 22nd: Quintino
With the addition of two new VIP pools, more greenery, and still the only outdoor venue with unobstructed views and an elevated stage that includes 6 LED screens, there is not a bad spot in the whole venue. Artists with residencies here include A-trak, Alesso, Axwell, Bauer, Clockwork, Krewella, Nicky Romero, Skrillex, Stafford Brothers, Otto Knows. This is not just a pool party, this an experience.
Thursday, June 19th: Nicky Romero
Friday, June 20th: GTA
Saturday, June 21st: Alesso & Sandro Silva
Sunday, June 22nd: Krewella
Meeting Spots
Within the first hour or two of the gates opening to the speedway, cell phone service will cut out for 99% of us.The EDC LV app (2014 yet to be released) is great for keeping track of your schedule, the time, etc., but you will lose service. Being that EDC LV is all in the dark aside from flashing lights in every direction, it’s a good idea to have a meeting spot for when your group of friends splits off to do their own thing. Here is an example of what you shouldn’t do when picking a meeting spot. “Hey guys, let’s meet under the daisy!”
An 8 story tall, 60 feet n diameter gigantic daisy that rises up and down in the midnight sky is not a good idea. Pick something small and that has some lighting. Suggestions are a specific food stand, a water refill station, one of the pieces of smaller art lit up around the venue, an ATM, etc. Pick your meeting spot as soon as you arrive, and try to set meeting times as early as possible. You’ve got a long time to look at the schedule in the transportation on the way there so make the most of it!
Totems are always a good idea, but remember, the venue is in the middle of the desert and it is VERY dark except for all of the stages and artwork. Therefore if you want to bring a totem, make sure it POPS! Lights Lights Lights! The more, the better.
Here is the map for EDC LV 2013 so that you can start to get a lay of the land. Things change a bit each year, and they keep adding more stages, so be sure to pick up the official 2014 map as soon as it’s announced to get your thought process flowing!
Lineup Release
Pasquale Rotella, Insomniac President, addressed everyone’s concerns about the EDC LV lineup and stated that it will be released on Tuesday, May 27th after EDC New York has been completed. Stay tuned for that!
Other Considerations
As with any festival, there are general things to consider such as food, money, hydration, outfits, etc. Take a look at these other articles to be ready and roaring to go because EDC Las Vegas is going to be the experience of your life (once a year, every year, until you’re dead.)
Do you want to be famous?
7 Ways to Get Photographed At a Festival
Do you want to crowd surf?
The Art of Crowd Surfing: Tips for Successful White Raver Rafting
Do you want to have a good time?
10 Ways To Have A Terrible Festival Experience
Do you want to meet an amazing EDM girl? Here’s why you should get one and bring one.
11 Reasons To Date An “EDM” Chick
Be on the lookout for more updates, and WRR hopes to see you at the speedway!
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