I-Day parking on campus

Helen737

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Jul 28, 2023
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I don’t remember from when my DD was there in 2012, are parents allowed to park on base for I-Day?
 
No. I believe that you can still enter through gate 8 by showing your kid's permit to report so that you can drop them off. But no parking is allowed.
 
This ^^. You can drive on to drop them off. Otherwise, stadium and shuttle are probably your best bet. Meters downtown start around 10:00 AM and are typically limited to only a few hours allowed.
 
You could with a military ID when I went in 2018, but rules may have changed.
 
For commissioning week, they let me use my DBIDS to drive on to help move my kid's stuff, but not to park for the Blues.
 
If you can swing it, getting an Airbnb/VRBO/MidsRent or hotel room within walking distance is a great choice for I-Day, PPW, 2nd Class PW, or commissioning. But you should still get your DBIDS card even if you never need to drive onto the Yard.
 
... if a military family, drive to gate 8 (or gate 1) and show your military ID. I always park across the street from the lodging office. DW parks by the 📚 bookstore.
 
Anyone know how long you can park in the Gorman St parking garage? Can you park there all day (at cost obviously)?
 
I think the parking garage has been demolished (but I may be thinking of a different one). It's a pretty long walk from there to Alumni Hall.

There is a shuttle from the stadium to the Yard (FYI, the "campus" is called the Yard, not campus or base. Lots of new lingo to learn. :) ).

If you drop off your DS/DD, they could get "sucked" into Alumni Hall b4 you get back. Lots of threads on this topic.
 
I think the parking garage has been demolished (but I may be thinking of a different one). It's a pretty long walk from there to Alumni Hall.

There is a shuttle from the stadium to the Yard (FYI, the "campus" is called the Yard, not campus or base. Lots of new lingo to learn. :) ).

If you drop off your DS/DD, they could get "sucked" into Alumni Hall b4 you get back. Lots of threads on this topic.
I know it's been re-opened, since at least last Fall. The rebuild is actually quite nice, that place needed an upgrade. I know it's a little bit of a walk, but assumed we wouldn't have to carry too much anyway. I was worried about the drop-off and then not seeing him before I got back. Also, I didn't want to have to get back to the stadium with the throng of folks after it was all over.
 
You could say good-bye when you drop him off or before. He'll immediately start meeting his classmates in line. He won't be alone -- promise you that. And you'll see him again in another 10-12 hours.

A decent number of plebes say good-bye at home --lots of parents can't afford to come for I-Day and PPW (you should always choose PPW). I realize the extra moment is important to YOU -- trust me, it won't make any difference to your plebe. A number of years ago, I found a picture of my mother saying bye to me on I-Day (in Halsey those days). I had no independent recollection of it. I know my brain was already on what would happen next inside the building and beyond.

It is a throng returning -- that's true.

One other thing -- my personal opinion only -- suggest not being one of "those parents" that runs all over the Yard trying to catch a glimpse of their plebe. You may feel good about it; I can promise you that your plebe will not. If you do decide to go this route, whatever you do, do NOT shout out to your plebe. Stand there quietly. Your plebe will thank you. This is not the moment s/he wants to attract the (negative) attention of detailers and classmates.

Good to hear the garage is back in business. That was pretty quick and really needed.
 
Many older threads on this topic. Space for parking on the Yard is VERY limited so there just isn't enough room to let everyone park there. Parking @ the stadium makes more sense. If driving onto the Yard to do a drop-off be aware your son/daughter may also have started the process by the time you return from parking. Information in the PTR will likely explain the various recommended options available this year. If new to Annapolis, recognize that some hotels advertising as within 'walking distance of USNA' could depend on how far you think it is reasonable to walk.
 
Anyone know how long you can park in the Gorman St parking garage? Can you park there all day (at cost obviously)?
You can park in the Hillman Parking Garage in downtown Annapolis. It is located at:

150 Gorman St, Annapolis, MD 21401

They have an app to pay for parking
Parking rates:
1 Hr $3
2 Hrs $6
3 Hrs $10
4 Hrs $15
24 Hrs $22

Or you can just park at the Navy stadium and ride the USNA buses.
 
🚎 The Navy buses are awesome. You clear security at the stadium, so won’t have to do that again. There is ample parking at the stadium, so you park close to the pick up spot. You are dropped off door side, Alumni Hall. The buses are beautiful, air conditioned Navy buses. And you are in amongst USNA parents. You cannot go wrong with this option. Highly recommend!
 
🚎 The Navy buses are awesome. You clear security at the stadium, so won’t have to do that again. There is ample parking at the stadium, so you park close to the pick up spot. You are dropped off door side, Alumni Hall. The buses are beautiful, air conditioned Navy buses. And you are in amongst USNA parents. You cannot go wrong with this option. Highly recommend!
Does DS/DD ride over on the bus with you then? I'm sorry. Just trying to wrap my brain around all of this.
 
Does DS/DD ride over on the bus with you then? I'm sorry. Just trying to wrap my brain around all of this.
Apologies, I edited my post to include *PARENTS WEEKEND*. Not Iday. IDK if buses are an option for Iday. We stayed close to the Yard so we could walk for Iday.

The last couple of years, drop off for Iday has been a drive through at gate 8. Or a walk through gate 1. It’s seems to work well.
 
Does DS/DD ride over on the bus with you then? I'm sorry. Just trying to wrap my brain around all of this.
Yes, they ride with you. They will receive an email at the end of May with their report time, starting at 6am and lasting throughout the morning. You will need to decide when to arrive- enough time to not be rushed. If you’re candidate starts moving in toward the line, they may get swept up and sent in, but otherwise they are free to roam about until their time. It is a celebratory atmosphere with lots of uniformed personnel mingling and welcoming, Navy photographers, coffee and tshirt tents, excited nervousness, local reporters, etc.

If you use the stadium/Navy buses give yourself plenty of time to get there. If you are staying close or park in the DTA parking garage, the walk in through Gate 1 is a good way to start the day, ease in, and burn off some nervous energy. You will make friends easily with whoever you’re standing around. There are tears and smiles, and you will see them again after the oath. There are family events planned throughout the day leading up to the oath and goodbyes in T-Court.
 
Yes, they ride with you. They will receive an email at the end of May with their report time, starting at 6am and lasting throughout the morning. You will need to decide when to arrive- enough time to not be rushed. If you’re candidate starts moving in toward the line, they may get swept up and sent in, but otherwise they are free to roam about until their time. It is a celebratory atmosphere with lots of uniformed personnel mingling and welcoming, Navy photographers, coffee and tshirt tents, excited nervousness, local reporters, etc.

If you use the stadium/Navy buses give yourself plenty of time to get there. If you are staying close or park in the DTA parking garage, the walk in through Gate 1 is a good way to start the day, ease in, and burn off some nervous energy. You will make friends easily with whoever you’re standing around. There are tears and smiles, and you will see them again after the oath. There are family events planned throughout the day leading up to the oath and goodbyes in T-Court.
Thank you for this.
 
One other thing -- my personal opinion only -- suggest not being one of "those parents" that runs all over the Yard trying to catch a glimpse of their plebe. You may feel good about it; I can promise you that your plebe will not. If you do decide to go this route, whatever you do, do NOT shout out to your plebe. Stand there quietly. Your plebe will thank you. This is not the moment s/he wants to attract the (negative) attention of detailers and classmates.
This! This! A million time, this!

After your plebe gets sucked into Alumni Hall, go explore the Yard. Check out the chapel, stroll Hospital Point, explore the museum, admire the Supe’s house, behold Herndon (no, it’s not that tall). Attend the alumni association’s barbecue, mingle with other parents, head into DTA. But please, please, please: Don’t stalk your plebe. Just don’t. 😬🫣😖
 
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