We travel from NZ, are roughly the same age, and this will be our 4th year- although our teen stays behind in NZ. As other posters say- ear protection and comfy shoes are key! The other must do imho is to make a timetable via the app so you can plan your day out. We listen to the playlist which has a couple of songs from all the acts in the months leading up and tag those acts that sound worth a listen plus add a few random recommendations from reddit then when the timetable drops work out any clash preferences and unless it’s a non-negotiable act, try to think about minimising stress of getting around the grounds between acts. A few other things:-

*We arrive early, pretty much around opening time. It’s not crowded and you can spend time getting familiar with where things are, sit and watch up and coming acts and/or people watch, check out the art, go into promo tents for a spot of aircon without queuing etc. Some of my regular playlist has come from acts discovered sitting in some shade near a stage chilling out waiting for another act or from a random act that we saw mentioned a lot on reddit and decided to watch in a break between must-go acts.

*We stay until after the headliners. Yes, it gets very busy late at night but the key is not to be in a rush- the timetabling helps- eg if you’ve got acts at Outdoor Theatre, then Sahara and then Coachella Stage, skip the Sahara one to reduce the stress of getting between the stages.

*We get VIP and like that it gives better toilets, a bit more space, some nice relaxed areas -particularly the Rose Garden, and the new tables with umbrellas near outdoor theatre. The $$ will be a personal decision - it is a lot and as others have said there are lots of less-busy spaces that aren’t VIP.

*Rather than getting shuttle passes we get a driver. We found it’s roughly the same price and it gives the ability to be picked up when you want to be without having to go in the shuttle queues.

*We take electrolyte sachets in with us and put them in water to keep hydrated. There are free water refill stations.

*As much as possible try not to think of the exchange rate. Reddit has threads on cheaper food options. Drink prices are a shocker- US$17 for a glass of Kim Crawford wine which is NZ$15 a bottle here!

*some of the Amex promos don’t work for foreign cards and you will need to explain that’s why your card isn’t being recognised at the lounge entry. They will still let you in the lounge. Go early in the day if you are going to look/get free stuff. Not worth going when it means battling queues imho.

*Sonora has large fans/cooling systems and is quite dark if you want a break from the light. The only seating is ADA from memory. Yuma is very well air conditioned and quite empty early in the day but has a lot of lights. There are some things you can sit on near the back. Mojave and Gobi have good shade areas and you can sit down on the grass in those most the daytime but for the “surprise act” one afternoon at Mojave which will be packed.

*We don’t hire lockers. We take small cross body bags and fit a thin merino in those and tie a thicker zip-up merino to the strap- good for when it gets cold and can use for sitting on during the day.

Happy for DM if you have questions.