Yes, this WAS a 5 star event, but it would have been 5 star experience without the additional cost of the VIP Experience I purchased for niece and myself. I did get the BOGO free VIP experience plus fees, and that made me feel better ($113 versus $226). We were each given a seat cushion, poster, and lanyard for the VIP price, and they were nice, but I'm not sure they were worth the extra cost or that we really needed them after the event.
On 12/28/21, Husband dropped us off at the venue, on his way to the Petersen Museum. Our VIP line was a little longer than general admission. It went quickly, considering the checks of vaccination status & bags. Masks were mandated, which we appreciated. The exhibit was on one floor, in two huge rooms (same in each room), with one room having a staircase to a bridge for another vantage point. The immersive 35 minute video was on a continuous loop in these rooms.
Circles drawn on the floors kept groups 6 feet apart. Some circles had benches, and others had fold up chairs. Not sure where the chairs came from. We were surrounded by Van Gogh's work, morphing from early to later years. Music was pleasant, and seemed familiar. We entered around the last 10 minutes of the show, sitting on our cushions on the floor in a circle by the back wall. Then we found a bench in a circle, in the middle of the walls, for the complete 35 minute show.
This show was different from Van Gogh Alive, which Husband and I saw at the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL, in March 2021. Both events were exceptional, but I preferred ALIVE as it featured visual excerpts on the walls from Van Gogh's letters. I seem to remember it including more of his art, too.
A VIP room was available to enjoy purchased refreshments, but we were full from lunch, so we did not go in. It was not accessible after the event. Bathrooms here were up enough stairs to leave me winded (asthma). They were clean and stocked. On the way out, we walked through the gift shop which had a bountiful array of gifts and souvenirs - something for everyone. We were given our souvenir posters as we left.
Be sure to look around the exterior. We got some great photos of the decor outside.
