Sun-n-Fun info?

K

kmuller909

Initial Climb
Having never been to Sun-N-Fun, I was thinking of going down commercially with my wife and staying around Bay Lake, which is alittle west of Orlando. Then renting a car and driving to Lakeland for a few days and doing some Disney things for the rest of the week.

Before I buy the tix and book a room (both seem VERY reasonable), I thought I'd post and see if anyone who's been might have a better suggestion on where to stay.

Thanks
Kerry
 
Kerry -

Last year, we stayed at a motel in East Tampa - about a 20 minute drive from the show. Of course, if you are also considering a stop at Disney World.....
 
Kerry,

Rental cars in Florida are much less expensive than here around Boston. So, I have had no trouble in staying as far west as Tampa. Highway to SnF is easy. Hotel accomodations are more plentiful and there are beaches (not Beech's) nearbye. I will be in Florida with a Cessna pilot for golf and sun and SnF from April 17th to 24th.

Note: Mike Rellihan will invite you to meet at the "OAK" tree at SnF and sit in his chairs. Yes, the chairs are there but calling it an "OAK" tree is a stretch. He knows nuts and bolts... but...!

Tom Corcoran (Going to Greenwood Lake on Saturday?)
 
Just goes to show you what a Massachusetts resident knows about Florida Oaks (Pin Oak, Blackjack Oak, Water Oak, Live Oak, Post Oak, Willow Oak, etc.). The Oak at SNF, under which the infamous chairs reside, is a Live Oak, which are basically evergreens. The leaves are single-lobed with rounded tips; they hold their leaves all Winter, and slowly change them out each Spring. The Live Oaks and Water Oaks are all White Oaks. The Oaks the Braintree guy thinks he knows something about are Red Oaks, with leaves having pointed lobes. The Red Oaks lose their leaves each Winter.

So there, Corcoran. Now ask me something hard; like about aircraft hardware or something. By the way, did you ever bother to fix that aileron issue you hadn't noticed yet....
 
Looking forward to seeing you all again under the "Oak". I will be there early in the week, after a short Bahamas weekend before Sun n Fun.
Paul
 
If anyone has SnF hotel reservations, list it in this forum. Maybe others would like to stay in the same hotel. I have not made my room reservation yet as Mike Rellihan has not sent his American Express Card number to me yet.

Mike, It still does not look like an oak. So it must not be an oak. An oak tree looks like the tree out my window. See?

Tom Corcoran
 
Sounds like a good plan to me. I went for the first time (& it was wonderful) last year. The cheapest flights were to Tampa, so started out there & rented a car.

After that, took in SnF & pretty much the whole State.

Went to Osh once ~ 10 years ago & 'd like to head there this year.
_____________________
ps: Tom, you're toast, on the oak.

kmuller909 said:
Having never been to Sun-N-Fun, I was thinking of going down commercially with my wife and staying around Bay Lake, whi ch is alittle west of Orlando. Then renting a car and driving to Lakeland for a few days and doing some Disney things for the rest of the week.

Before I buy the tix and book a room (both seem VERY reasonable), I thought I'd post and see if anyone who's been might have a better suggestion on where to stay.

Thanks
Kerry
Click to expand...
 
I'm planning on going again. Fly into Peter Knight field in Tampa and I usually stay in Bradenton (Fairfield or Hampton). Last time I went there the folks at PK were real nice and it was good to get away from the SNF crowd at Lakeland at night for dinners. I'm willing to change if others are coming.
Dr Bill
N9230S 76 Sundowner
 
Great airport Doc - great approach to 21 at night with all the lights. Will be there first week of March. Wish I could return for snf.
 
Fellow MiceDrivers:

Becky and I are going to SNF for the first time this year!!!! What are your recommendations for an airfield to fly into in the Central Florida area. Any information you could provide on tie-down fees and any other charges that one has to pay to stay on your suggested airport would be appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

Gene McPherson
Magnolia, AR
N6008U
 
At Peter Knight it's $10 per night and the first night is free if you get gas.
I'm open to change though if others are going to meet at one field and perhaps share a room. USAIR to Tampa for me is $308 so it's about the same for me (gas Round trip). So let's hear what others are planning !
Dr Bill
 
Looks like Tampa is good for many of us. Last hotel I stayed at was just "OK". (Comfort Inn Conference Center on E. Busch near Busch Gardens)

But that was good enough for two guys.

I like an indoor pool. Maybe a watering hole. Need a decent spot to kick back and hangar fly.

Beach and golf are OK too.

Tom Corcoran
 
I am flying to sun n' fun this year with the Sunday Morning Breakfast Club (SMBC) that I belong to. We normally base at Winterhaven then some fly to and others drive to Sun n' Fun. This year so far we (SMBC) will arrive with 18 aircraft, we are based in NW Indiana and NE Illinois, if anyone would like to join us going South you are more than welcome.
 
I have always flown into Plant City Airport PCM. But I will be glad to try someplace new. Can PK find car rentals and hotels? I'll try to call. I am still planning a few Bahamas days before Sun n Fun if anyone wants to catch up there first.
 
We have rented a three bedroom house on Clearwater Beach for S'nF from April 17 - 24.

There are two guys. We are flying commercial from Boston. Have rental car.

Third bedroom (2 twins) is available during show. Share costs... ($50pp pn),

Mike and I will be at Lakeland, on golf courses and on Clearwater beach. Join us for a day or two.

Contact Tom Corcoran [email protected]
 
RELLIHAN SUN-n-FUN PLANS

DESTINATION AIRPORT/FBO:
I intend to fly down non-stop on Sunday morning April 15 (VFR or IFR), landing in Winter Haven (just East of Lakeland). No Paula, no Skye.

FBO is Winter Haven Air Service at 863-293-2501. Tiedown rate is $8/night, first night waived with fuel purchase.
AirNav link: http://www.airnav.com/airport/KGIF/WINTER_HAVEN_AIR_SVCS

AIRPORT is KGIF: http://www.airnav.com/airport/KGIF

Map:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.ad...tude=28.062917&longitude=-81.753306&name=KGIF

Sectional:
http://skyvector.com/#17-131-3-1466-2115


ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL:
Reserved by Rick on January 30, 2007; Standard-size car. The car will be picked up and dropped off at the FBO. The below page shows the 14th-23rd, but the actual dates are the 15th-23rd; the online page won’t allow a Sunday start date. The total rate will be $286.06 less $35.14, making it $250.92 plus taxes for the full eight days. Total Estimated charges $ 286.06 USD.
IMPORTANT NOTE! If you call Winter Haven Enterprise directly to reserve, or get a drop-in rental on arrival, you’ll wind up with a rate that is $15-$20/day higher! But if you reserve Online at the standard rate, they honor it.
Standard
Pontiac G6, Dodge Stratus or similar, 2 or 4 doors
Automatic Transmission, Air Conditioning, AM/FM Stereo
Room to seat 5 passengers

Mileage Restrictions MILEAGE IS UNLIMITED WHEN VEHICLE REMAINS IN THE RENTING STATE OR BORDERING STATES. IF TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF THOSE STATES, MILEAGE IS CHARGED AT 150 FREE MILES PER DAY AND .20 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MILE, FOR THE ENTIRE RENTAL.

HOTEL:
Hotel is Snowbirds on Lake Parker. I have not stayed there before, but have been told that it is low cost but decent. The last remodeling date is shown as 2005. The rate is less than one-half of the typical SNF hotel rate. The location should be about 15 minutes from my usual show entry, through the Camping Entrance on Drane Field Road (I buy a camping pass for the week).

The rate is $43 plus tax on Sunday and Monday, $63 thereafter (show rates), plus taxes. Reservations made 1/29/2007 for an April 15 check-in and an April 23 check-out. Room has two King beds, ground floor non-smoking, Accessible, microwave. Fridge, wireless, pet-friendly, guest laundry, BBQ grill and picnic area).
http://www.snowbirdsinn.com/rooms.htm

Map 1:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=...ll=28.073646,-81.960926&spn=0.089364,0.137672

Map 2:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.ad...+Dr&city=Lakeland&state=FL&zipcode=33805-4607
 
I think I am going down and flying in to Vandenberg (KVDF). I have done Vandenberg and Winter Haven both. Think I like Vandenberg better as it is very quick on the interstate to get to the parking vs paying a toll or taking back roads from Winter Haven. Also, close to Busch Gardens for some other fun. :)

Remember, we are going to the Bahamas after Sun-n-Fun so get ready.

Doug

Doug, are you aware of the 570 Beltway that now loops from I4 (right in front of the show grounds), around through south Lakeland, up past Winter Haven, and back to I4 well east of Lakeland? Piece of cake. And I only have to get to and from WH once each way. I'm staying in north Lakeland on Lake Parker.
 
I'm staying at the Residence Inn Brandenton April 18-21. Got it free with points. Right now I have a friend from Boynton Beach joining me there but I've not had a confirmation from him. That hotel is 1/2 between Vandenberg and Peter Knight so I may go to Vandenberg... Still open.
If any one else goes to Peter Knight I'll go there. Got a rental car too.
Dr Bill
 
I thought it was time to bring this forum back up front again.
I will probably be flying into P.Knight as it sounds good and I have never been there. I also have a rental car and plan on staying in Brandon if anyone needs a ride.
Paul
 
My Friend is NOT joining me this year. Current plan is to arrive on 18th and leave on 21st (to Palm Beach) then home on 23. All pending plane out of annual by 14th and knee back to relative normal (in process, had surgery last Friday and started walking today w/o crutches... some).
Dr Bill
76 Sundowner

Great news on the knee surgery, Bill! See you at SnF!
 
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