I-Day accommodations

We booked a vrbo for both I-day and PWO. I-day in DTA and Eastport for PWO.
 
We spent PPW a 20-minute drive away, in a quiet and secluded neighborhood. DD ate, slept, chatted, surfed. When we did leave “the compound,” we headed to DC, where the chances of running into detailers were far lower. She was still in summer whites — and beamed with pride — but could relax a bit. It was fun on the last night to stroll DTA and hear her new shipmates yell, “Hey, [last name]!” And to this day, she’s still [last name] to many shipmates.
 
It's hard to explain unless you've been there (on either the plebe or parent side -- or both!) but I-Day is a VERY different experience for parents and plebes.

Parents have very little to do all day. Drop off kid early in the morning . . . hang out . . . go to ceremony in the evening. It's very emotional and they have all day to reflect on those emotions because there's not much else to occupy their time. Parents tend to remember the day very vividly -- the day they turned over responsibility for their kid to both the kid him/herself and the US Navy.

Plebes are super busy all day. There is SO much to do from the moment they arrive. New faces. Wearing a uniform. Getting haircuts. Getting a bunch of stuff, stowing that stuff properly. Meeting roommates and company-mates and classmates. Meeting upperclass. Eating in King Hall. Learning to march (sort of). It's all one big blur and, before you know it, you're walking into T-Court while a bunch of senior officers make speeches that you will never remember. There's no time to be emotional until after the oath when you realize you're seeing your family for the last time in at least 6 weeks. After that, you're whisked away and are again kept so busy that there's little time for emotion. [As an aside, most mids don't remember much of I-Day.]

What I'm trying to say is that parents shouldn't visit THEIR emotions on their plebe. Parents may be comforted by having a "village" around them on I-Day. I guarantee you that their presence won't make much difference to your plebe. The next four years will be a journey, with MANY opportunities for friends and family to visit USNA and their mid. Don't feel you must cram it all into I-Day.
 
What I'm trying to say is that parents shouldn't visit THEIR emotions on their plebe. Parents may be comforted by having a "village" around them on I-Day. I guarantee you that their presence won't make much difference to your plebe. The next four years will be a journey, with MANY opportunities for friends and family to visit USNA and their mid. Don't feel you must cram it all into I-Day.
This needs to be sticky noted for any I-day discussion.
 
This needs to be sticky noted for any I-day discussion.
I am a planner and this forum was a LIFE SAVER for me leading up to our DS’s I-Day last June… 🙌

I left my emotions at home. Did LOTS of retail therapy at the MIDN Store (brought that extra suit case as advised). Kept my head held high with Pride as his Mom and didn’t allow my allergies to flare-up…Our DS‘s goal was now a reality and it was his moment! ❤️
 
Advantage of living within the geographical limits for Plebes to go out, and having my parents (son's grandparents) living in Annapolis. If he gets in, he can come home or visit his GPs whenever liberty allows.

Not that he'll WANT to (or should), but that option will be there.
 
IMO, after doing this twice: IDAY…a shorter and laid back, casual time with only the mid (we even left siblings at home). Keep it simple. Arrive a day or two before, and leave day of drop off. It’s an emotionally charged time. You *probably* won’t want to hang around after Iday. But rather go home and….cry? Jump for joy? Clean a room?? Idk. But I was team cry. From emotion.

Parents weekend? Bring the whole family. It’s a celebratory, exciting adventurous time. Your plebe will be excited, instead of nervous.

Iday, we stayed within walking distance each time. POW? Rented a small house AWAY from the Yard.

And we would do it this way again.

Congrats!
for PPW how far can they go. I understand the logic on not staying by the yard but I know they have to be back at night
 
Keep in mind that, even without COVID, I-Day is a one-day event. Also, consider whether this is the event to which you want to bring grandparents if they have issues with mobility and heat.

On a NORMAL I-Day, you drop off your plebe very early in the morning and he / she is immediately is swallowed up into the Brigade Activities Center. IF you hang around, you MIGHT catch a glimpse of them later carrying their stuff to Bancroft Hall. But it's a LOT of standing around in the (usually) hot and humid conditions for a brief glance. There is swearing in around 6 pm. The best part is the 30 minutes or so you get with your plebe after the ceremony. Then they march into Bancroft Hall and it's over.

There are activities for parents during the day. Usually this consists of a picnic on Hospital Point, visit to the MidStore (which will be packed), and maybe a couple of briefings for parents and friends.

USNA is a walking campus. IF you have a handicapped sticker, you probably will be allowed to park on the Yard. Even so, the parking is a decent walk from most things, such as the swearing in ceremony. And it can be REALLY HOT AND HUMID in Annapolis in early July.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from coming. But if the grandparents are on the "fragile" side, this may not be the best event for them. There will be many more over the course of four years. If the grandparents are "go-getters" and ready for anything, then go for it.

Rent a house for an extended time only if you want to enjoy Annapolis before or after I-Day (though you'll have plenty of time to do that over the next four years). Don't hang around expecting to see your plebe.
I agree. We were there to tour the yard and there is LOTS of walking and not much parking.. AT ALL! It is a beautiful and quaint little town though. It was fun!
 
for PPW how far can they go. I understand the logic on not staying by the yard but I know they have to be back at night
We have always stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton on Riva Road. Less than 10 minutes from USNA, near restaurants and the mall (movie theater). We rented a room with two queens and DS was on his phone, long showers and 3 movies that weekend. Ours didn't want to do much.... Bring something to do, lots of downtime for the parents.
 
We have always stayed at the Doubletree by Hilton on Riva Road. Less than 10 minutes from USNA, near restaurants and the mall (movie theater). We rented a room with two queens and DS was on his phone, long showers and 3 movies that weekend. Ours didn't want to do much.... Bring something to do, lots of downtime for the parents.
Thank you for your response. Yes, I know exactly where that place is
 
Back
Top