Travel Tips to Navigating Sundance Film Festival 2020
Attending the Sundance Film Festival 2020 in Park City? Sundance Film Festival has been synonymous with Park City for over 30 years. As the festival evolves each year, it's essential to keep up with the latest insights on ‘how to Sundance’ to make the most of your visit.
We couldn't have said it better ourselves and thanks to Dustin for this great blog post with his 7 tips for attending the festival and how to make the most out of your time here in Park City.
Here's a few of his suggestions, but you can READ MORE on his recent blog post.
1. HAVE A PLAN (TIME MANAGEMENT)
The Weather
Did you know, it always snows during Sundance. Although Park City is a mountain town (with a fantastic team of snowplows prepared for heavy snowfall), during the festival, there is still a lot more traffic than usual, and not everyone on the road is used to driving on the snow. With heavy snowfall, expect your transportation to take a bit longer, and plan ahead to get where you need to be on time.
Film Selection
Plan your film selections ahead of time and know where the theater is located, not every theater is in Park City, and getting across town can take longer than you think.
Meals
While Park City’s Historic Main Street is the undisputed social center for pre- and post-movie entertainment, seasoned Sundance attendees know to seek out eating establishments located closer to the many screening locations throughout the area. It’s important to get to film screenings early, so dining AFTER a screening and near the theater is a great way to save time. From Kimball Junction to Main St, here are some great dining suggestions. To check availability and for restaurant closings (for special events), check out the Park City Area Restaurant Association’s website.
2. SKIP THE CAR RENTAL
I recommend booking an airport transfer from Salt Lake City International Airport, or utilize your hotel’s shuttle, and leave the driving to locals. Due to limited (and expensive) parking, I suggest you skip the rental car and utilize the city’s free transportation system and the Sundance's shuttle system during the festival.
3. TICKETS
For those of you who do not have an express pass and were not able to get a ticket in advance, there are tickets being released each day. However, my advice to you is to make sure you take advantage of the e-Waitlist. Learn the process and stay positive, it's incredibly common for those on the waitlist to get in. Many ticket holders will not have the benefit of my excellent advice and will therefore miss manage their time and miss their screening.
e-Waitlist tips
- Download the App and Register Now
- e-Waitlist is Cash Only
- Try for earlier films, many people will stay up late and miss morning screenings.
- Know the seating capacity of the theater, the larger the theater, the more chance of available seats for the waitlist.
4. THANK VOLUNTEERS
I know that many festival volunteers have been volunteering at the festival for YEARS. They are incredibly knowledgeable so, in addition to thanking them for their hard work, thank them again, as their advice will most likely improve your festival experience.
5. OFF-SCREEN EVENTS
Yes, you most likely came to see films, but off-screen events can be the highlight of your festival too. Make sure you look into the many off-screen events, there is bound to be something that interests you. In addition to the great programming of panels, I've always been a fan of the Music Café and the New Frontier Exhibitions.
6. HIT THE SLOPES
The Festival period is a great time to hit the slopes, as many of the guests in town are attending screenings. It is not uncommon to feel that you have the ski mountains completely to yourself during the ten-day festival.
7. THE BASICS
Park City sits roughly at 7000 feet altitude so you will want to bring the following:
Water bottle to fill up OFTEN to stay hydrated.
Lip balm
Lotion
Eye drops
Published on Thursday, January 16, 2020