|
Post by Bucky on Mar 8, 2014 19:17:24 GMT
Delta and US Air fly into Daytona Beach (only two airlines that fly there), which is probably the only other option. Orlando Int'l Airport that might work, but be aware that is 1 1/2 hours away from St. Augustine. I can scoop people up from there if that works best for you, but we'd have to build in that drive time into the equation if arrivals are on Wednesday afternoon or later.
|
|
|
Post by LadyJamers on Mar 8, 2014 21:51:30 GMT
#%!@$*&+ Just finished post and just as I was going to hit reply the stupid thing froze and wouldn't let me copy before it disappeared on me. So, quickly here is what I was thinking --
It is $100 cheaper to travel in October than it is in September, at least it is from Philly to Jacksonville. Jacksonville is closer than Orlando, isn't it? It said that Jacksonville was an hour away from St. Augustine.
As for the movies - are we going to vote on which ones are watched? May I say No Betsy Wetsy?
It doesn't matter where we go as long as we are together, but those white beaches sound nice.
|
|
|
Post by captsueb on Mar 8, 2014 23:49:46 GMT
I looked at the schedule I had for Key West. We started Thursday night. We had the Meet and Greet dinner at 5:30 pm then did 2 movies. I was thinking the same thing for Wednesday. Maybe just the meal ( scheduled a little later perhaps) and maybe one movie instead of 2. This would give everyone more time to get to the hotel. It would also be something easy for all the tired travelers. By getting in Wednesday that would give us all of Thursday to explore. I remembered we started the con a day earlier because everyone said the cons were so short! But is it turns out too many people are getting in very late then maybe just a late run for snacks/drinks someplace and we can have the official Meet and Greet dinner (or maybe breakfast or lunch ?) the next day. If anyone thinks that will be the case for them let me know. Again, if its a lot a people I'll make adjustments.
I didn't even think of Dayton Beach airport. Jacksonville would be the closest. But I would think the airfares into Orlando might be cheaper since everyone flies there to go to Disney, Universal, etc. And if you were planning a side trip to one of those places before or after the con, it might not be a bad idea. You can always fly into one airport ( Say Jax) and leave from another (Orlando). I've done that plenty of times with HH. After the Tempe con, Phizz and I drove into Nevada and left for home from Las Vegas. Just make sure if you rent a car to let the agency know you're dropping off at a different location. I don't remember paying any extra fees but I guess it varies with the car rental company.
I didn't get us a beach house but I got the next best thing! My only concern about renting a beach house is each person wouldn't know their cost until you have a final head count of who's going. Say you rent a house for $5000 and 10 people say they intend to come. But then when actual registration opens up only 5 register. Now the cost is $1000 per person instead of $500. You have to book those things so far in advance. But then so many things could happen and people can't make it all of a sudden. I guess people would have to be willing to take a risk. Mind you I really loved the beach house last year. But Estelle covered that cost herself because her family was using it. Can someone think up an idea how to handle costs better?
Jamie - not sure why airfares are more expensive in Sept than Oct. Most folks' summer vacations are over and everyone is back at work or school. But rates change so drastically with the airlines. I think I read somewhere the best time to look at domestic airfares is about 3 months before departure. Once I have the finalized dates, I would keep checking.
|
|
|
Post by shipoftheline on Mar 9, 2014 1:49:55 GMT
I like to arrive Wednesday and leave Monday at a minimum. Whenever possible, I like to stay an extra day or two... or three... I learned my lesson my first con at Norfolk, I planned to arrive right before the first event on the first day but got stuck in DC and missed everything that day. Now I try to give myself a little more time to arrive and depart.
|
|
|
Post by Phizz on Mar 10, 2014 0:49:36 GMT
I like to arrive the day before everything starts as it takes a whole day to get from the West Coast! I also like to have some time after to see what we didn't get to ... so a nice 2 week vacation!
~Phizz
|
|
|
Post by QueueMistressMags on Mar 10, 2014 4:06:54 GMT
We watched the first four movies last year, and I think the idea was that we would watch the other four this year, and so on. Or we can just do Mutiny/Retribution and maybe Greg. <3
For Philly, I started things Thursday morning but said "we can play whist or something on Wednesday" and it became a Thing with the hotel. My fault. But there wasn't anything official going on Wednesday, just that I wanted to encourage everyone to arrive Wednesday so we could get an early start on Thursday, and sometimes people come in and are at loose ends and looking for something to do. So it wasn't "official" but I wanted to offer some suggestions of stuff to do.
I would like to request a few hours of downtime each day that everyone can use to sightsee on their own or go to the beach or the pool or play whist or just hang out.
|
|
|
Post by Bucky on Mar 10, 2014 14:01:46 GMT
As to the renting of a vacation house, yes, it is difficult to gauge the ratio of rental rate to how many people will be in attendance until registration is closed. I will say that the good thing is that off-season prices are in effect for the time the conventions usually take place (peak is April –August). I looked on line and this is an example: Example Again, just an idea but how nice would it be to all be together for a con?! And the good thing about it is -- there are vacation rentals everywhere - be it beachfront, mountains, or woods. So we can keep it in mind for future conventions then. Maybe there can be a poll on what movies to view?
|
|
|
Post by captsueb on Mar 10, 2014 23:36:12 GMT
I was planning on leaving some free time in the schedule. But its going to be hard!!! There's sooooo many good things to see as a group! Remember, you can come into town earlier or stay later. I'm going to get the hotel rates extended by a few days. I figured I'd definitely have to leave time for the beach. And shopping ( outlet malls). And more sightseeing. There's even miniature golf course close by. So much to do..... so little time I was wondering. The Pirate Museum we went to in Key West has moved to St Augustine. Would you want to do that as a group again or leave as an individual endeavor? I guess it really depends on how many repeats I have from Key West. If too many from Key West, I'll skip it.
|
|
|
Post by Bucky on Mar 11, 2014 1:05:36 GMT
I would probably vote to skip the Pirate Museum just because I did it in Key West. But maybe there will be others that haven't seen it. I'd rather do something new.
|
|
|
Post by shipoftheline on Mar 11, 2014 2:27:52 GMT
I vote to skip on the Pirate Museum as well and I am definitely one who will not be going to the outlet malls. Living near LA, we are surrounded by them and the last thing I want to do is lug stuff around across the US. Looooove places like the Charleston Market though because they are unique.
|
|
|
Post by QueueMistressMags on Mar 11, 2014 14:07:10 GMT
Outlet malls are almost always a disappointment, and we have several near Philly, so not an interest to me.
I wouldn't mind going back to the Pirate Museum, because it was surprisingly well-done, but not at the expense of something else interesting.
|
|
|
Post by Bucky on Mar 11, 2014 14:22:22 GMT
There are tons of neat little shops right near the old Castillo de San Marcos Fort that is a must to peruse in: The St. Augustine Florida Shopping Guide lists the many stores in the nation’s oldest city. King Street, St. George Street, Aviles Street and their surrounding blocks are nestled in the heart of downtown St. Augustine where you will find specialty shops, boutiques, and art galleries. Stroll through the brick-lined streets of our historic St. Augustine and experience the charming Spanish Colonial homes and welcoming storefronts that are filled with fabulous apparel, unique gifts, custom crafted jewelry, stunning art, blown glass, pottery and the best antiques shops!Not as compact as the Charleston Market, but the same kind of merchandise! That needs to be on everyone's list for their free time, certain sure! Here is the link to order a visitor guide: Visitor Guide
|
|
AnneElliot
Midshipman
Waving, not drowning.
Posts: 75
|
Post by AnneElliot on Mar 11, 2014 14:39:43 GMT
St. AUgustine is the nation's oldest city?
|
|
|
Post by Bucky on Mar 11, 2014 14:43:10 GMT
That's what the on line visitor guide says! According to Wikipedia:
St. Augustine (Spanish: San Agustín) is a city in Northeast Florida and the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement and port in the continental United States.[4] The county seat of St. Johns County,[5] it is part of Florida's First Coast region and the Jacksonville metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 12,975. The St Augustine Urban Area has a population of 69,173. San Agustín was founded in September 1565 by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, and subsequently served as the capital of Spanish Florida for two hundred years. It remained the capital of East Florida as the territory changed hands between the Spanish and British, and remained the capital of the Florida Territory until it was moved to Tallahassee in 1824. Since the late 19th century, its historical character has made the city a major tourist attraction. It is the headquarters for the Florida National Guard.
|
|
|
Post by LadyJamers on Mar 11, 2014 17:43:08 GMT
Normally, I wouldn't say skip the pirate museum, but do skip, if they aren't having any special exhibit. Do the outlet malls as free time & not scheduled. Love outlet malls, but I would rather do the beach & museums before shopping.
|
|