Study: The Worst Festival For Restroom Experiences
As the festival season reaches its peak with Lollapalooza on the horizon, a pressing question arises: How do major US music festivals stack up when it comes to one of the most crucial aspects of the attendee experience – the restrooms?
Our recent study analyzing 1,593 reviews from Yelp and Reddit has shed light on this often-overlooked aspect of festival-going.
Let’s get into the surprising findings that reveal which festivals are flushing away the competition and which are circling the drain.
Key Findings
- Coachella and Ultra Music Festival reported high negative sentiments of 63% and 65.96%, respectively, with cleanliness issues at 62% and 61.29%, leading to satisfaction indexes of -25.5 and -36.93.
- VIP restroom facilities received nearly 80% positive sentiment, indicating significantly cleaner and less crowded conditions, contributing to higher attendee satisfaction.
- Lollapalooza faced availability issues, with 56% of attendees reporting long waits, leading to a restroom satisfaction index of -13.
Results
Our findings are summarized in two comprehensive tables:
Festival Reviews Sentiment Analysis
| Festival | Positive Restroom Sentiment (%) | Negative Restroom Sentiment (%) | Cleanliness Issues (%) | Lack of Supplies (%) | Lack of Availability / Wait Times (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lollapalooza | 37.0 | 63.0 | 34.0 | 10.0 | 56.0 |
| Coachella | 37.0 | 63.0 | 62.0 | 27.0 | 36.0 |
| Austin City Limits | 45.45 | 40.0 | 72.73 | 36.36 | 50.0 |
| Ultra Music Festival | 34.04 | 65.96 | 61.29 | 32.26 | 48.39 |
| BottleRock | 46.34 | 53.66 | 61.36 | 31.82 | 54.55 |
| Hangout Fest | 630 | 37.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| SXSW | 50.0 | 50.0 | 67.0 | 33.0 | 33.0 |
Ranked Restroom Flush Factor Index for Festivals
| Festival | Positive Restroom Sentiment (%) | Negative Restroom Sentiment (%) | Cleanliness Issues (%) | Lack of Supplies (%) | Lack of Availability / Wait Times (%) | Restroom Flush Factor Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hangout Fest | 63.0 | 37.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 13.0 |
| Lollapalooza | 37.0 | 63.0 | 34.0 | 10.0 | 56.0 | -13.0 |
| SXSW | 50.0 | 50.0 | 67.0 | 33.0 | 33.0 | -16.5 |
| Coachella | 37.0 | 63.0 | 62.0 | 27.0 | 36.0 | -25.5 |
| BottleRock | 46.34 | 53.66 | 61.36 | 31.82 | 54.55 | -27.53 |
| Austin City Limits | 45.45 | 40.0 | 72.73 | 36.36 | 50.0 | -34.10 |
| Ultra Music Festival | 30.04 | 65.96 | 61.29 | 32.26 | 48.39 | -36.93 |
Positive and Negative Sentiment Analysis
- Newport Jazz Festival emerged as the top performer, boasting a perfect positive sentiment score of 100% and zero negative sentiment. This festival’s exceptional sanitation standards, with no reported cleanliness or availability issues, underline its success.
- Governors Ball demonstrated a high positive sentiment of 75%, although it faced cleanliness issues, which could potentially impact attendee perception if not addressed in the future.
- Bonnaroo and Hangout Fest maintained relatively balanced sentiment scores, with positive sentiments of 63% each. However, both festivals faced significant availability concerns, evidenced by their low restroom satisfaction indices.
- Ultra Music Festival and Coachella had notably low positive sentiments and high negative sentiments, primarily driven by cleanliness and availability issues. These areas require attention to enhance attendee satisfaction.
Cleanliness and Supply Challenges
- Festivals like Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, BottleRock, and Austin City Limits faced considerable cleanliness and supply issues, contributing to negative sentiments among attendees.
- Notably, Governors Ball exhibited 100% cleanliness issues, despite maintaining a relatively positive sentiment. This anomaly might suggest that while restroom issues exist, other festival aspects could be mitigating negative perceptions.
- Lollapalooza and SXSW also showed significant issues related to cleanliness and supplies, further impacting their overall restroom satisfaction index scores.
Availability and Wait Times
- Bonnaroo and Hangout Fest both received poor ratings due to extensive wait times, reflected in their low restroom satisfaction indices. Addressing these bottlenecks will be crucial for improving the attendee experience.
- Lollapalooza showed moderate availability concerns with a lack of supplies and cleanliness issues, contributing to its negative sentiment score.
Insights for Festival-Goers
The VIP Throne Experience
Across all festivals, VIP areas consistently offered superior restroom facilities. The correlation between ticket prices and toilet paper quality is directly proportional.
Future studies may explore whether the music actually sounds better when one’s posterior is pampered.
The Paradox of Proximity
Our data reveals an inverse relationship between restroom cleanliness and proximity to main stages. We’ve termed this phenomenon the “Bass Drop Bathroom Degradation Effect.” The further one ventures from the thunderous beats, the higher the chances of encountering a pristine porcelain paradise.
The Great Toilet Paper Shortage
A recurring theme across festivals was the mysterious disappearance of toilet paper as the day progressed. We propose two theories: either festival-goers are secretly mummifying themselves, or there’s a thriving black market for two-ply trading.
Eco-Friendly vs. Eco-Unfriendly
Bonnaroo’s eco-friendly toilets received high praise, suggesting that festival-goers have a surprising affinity for composting their contributions.
This raises the question: Is it possible to be both environmentally conscious and desperately in need of a restroom?
The Hidden Gems Phenomenon
Each festival boasted its own “hidden mecca” of clean, uncrowded restrooms. These elusive oases were spoken of in hushed tones, like a secret society for those in the know. We’ve dubbed these locations “Porcelain Shangri-Las.”
The Strategic Timing Tango
Our research uncovered a complex algorithm for optimal restroom visits, involving factors such as set times, beer consumption, and the gravitational pull of the moon.
We’re currently developing an app called “WhizBiz” to help festival-goers navigate this intricate dance.
Conclusion
Our comprehensive study of restroom experiences at major US music festivals reveals significant disparities in attendee satisfaction across different events.
Newport Jazz Festival emerged as the clear leader, boasting perfect positive sentiment scores, while Ultra Music Festival and Coachella faced considerable challenges with cleanliness and availability issues.
For festival-goers, strategic planning, timing, and preparation with personal hygiene supplies are essential strategies for successfully navigating the restroom experience. With careful planning, festival attendees can enjoy their favorite events without being inconvenienced by restroom-related challenges.
