Our extended family will be driving in from Manhattan and Providence, RI for the A-day parade. Should I reserve them rooms for Friday August 14th or is it a comfortable drive to make given congestion around the academy, finding parking and walking to and finding seats in the bleachers? If they do drive in Saturday morning how much extra time should they alot for the crowd, parking and walk to the bleachers. Several of the relatives are quite elderly, can they be dropped off close to the seating?
If the parade begins at 10 a.m. you should try to be in the bleachers by 9, if you want a seat. The earlier you are the faster you will get through security at the gate, but I would allow at least an hour for security, parking, and getting to the Plain. Yes you can drop off elderly relatives near the bleachers and then go park. You may even be able to get a handicap parking pass for the day that will allow you to park in the lot closest to the bleachers. If I remember correctly your cadet will have to request the pass for you. If you aren't on prospective.net already you should sign up. Parents will be transfered to plebe-net around R-day. They are the best source to get the most up to date information for events like this.
The A-Day parade is usually at 10:00 am. We have found that getting through the gate at least two hours before a parade gives us enough time to park and walk (or ride the bus from the parking lot) and find a seat in the bleachers without having to worry and rush. There is handicapped parking behind the bleachers, or if you do not have a handicapped sticker, then you may drive near the bleachers and drop off your relatives that cannot walk very far. There are good locations for wheelchair visitors to watch the parade, either from the sidewalk on either side of the Plain or in the designated area in the bleachers. Last year the Public Affairs Office answered this question....perhaps they could give you more information about handicapped access. I think that staying within 30 minutes to an hour away from West Point on Friday night would be preferable to driving up that morning. Cadets really enjoy spending time resting and visiting with their families after the parade. In years past they have let the Plebes go back to their family's rooms after being released on Saturday...so staying within an hour of West Point is nice on Saturday night, too. Have you joined prospective-net? These questions may be answered more fully there. Here is a link to a map of West Point...this map may be in the back of one of the candidate appointee booklets. http://www.westpointaog.org/NetCommunity/Document.Doc?id=592 I have many pleasant memories from A-Day. I know you and your family will enjoy the parade. You are wise to plan ahead!
A Day Walking Priviliges We are doing some planning for A Day 2009 and need some advice. I have heard several parents say that in the past, after the parade, 4/C Cadets can come back to the hotel room w/parents. Is this assuming that the hotel room is within the "Walking Priviliges" limits? We're a little late making reservations...the closest we could get was Newbergh. It sounds like in the past, the limits have been lifted Saturday evening and 4/c Cadets have been able to spent Sat night in their parent's hotel. Can anyone confirm this?
A-day weekend: For the cadets to visit you in your hotel room, the hotel has to be within the parameters of walking privileges. This goes for eating off post also. Cadets are not allowed to stay ANYWHERE overnight off post unless they have a pass and there are no passes authorized for A-day weekend.
They will not be allowed to spend the night in your hotel room. They MAY be allowed to go to your hotel room even if it is out of the boundaries of walking privileges. In past years plebes were allowed to travel to and from their parents hotel room with no other stops allowed outside of the boundaries of walking privileges. This may or may not be allowed this year - your plebe will be informed of the rules.
Last year cadets whose parents were outside of walking privileges stopped and picked up food on the way back to the hotel. Only restaurants allowed outside of walking priv are those within the hotel. You will be told what is/isn't allowed on Rday at the briefing.
