Parent Weekend in August

lovethenavy

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Feb 12, 2010
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I know that we still have to get through I-Day, but our family is also planning on flying out for the parent weekend in August. Does anyone have an idea of what types of activities are planned, when the kids actually get to see us, and what we should be planning for. Also, any advice on the best way to mail care packages in Annaopolis to our kids while we are in town would be appreciated. Thanks. I am just such a anxious mom! :eek:
 
I did find a thread already started on this, so sorry I didn't look further. If anyone has anything specific they can tell me about places that actually might assemble and mail care packages, please post. Thanks. :thumb:
 
You can mail them at the Annapolis Post Office - 1 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD‎

Here's a site that has alot of info for us parents, including Care Packages....
http://www.usna-parents.org/resources/plebesummer.htm

And while the schedules hasn't been posted yet, here is last years PPW Schedule to give you an idea:
http://www.usna.edu/SpecialEvents/PW2013Sked.pdf

Last year they had liberty on Friday 12:12 - 10pm, Sat 10:30 - midnight, Sun 8am - 6pm. I'm told with the new supe, this could all change :)
 
This was very helpful. Thank you so much. Have you ever rented a home while staying for PPW? I have been looking, but they are very pricey.
 
We rented a house for PPW because we were going to need sleeping arrangements for 6. So while not cheap, having a kitchen and everyone in one place made it worthwhile for us. Son was looking forward to a couple of home cooked meals.

There are a couple of places you can look.

We rented through VBRO: http://www.vrbo.com/search?q=annapolis

and Annapolis Accommodations has an excellent reputation:
http://www.stayannapolis.com/

Another option is hotwire - we've booked in Annapolis several times and found the 4 star hotels to be either the Westin or Loews - all within walking distance (and I've gotten them under 100 a night).

Any questions - let me know
 
Westin vs. Loews


I've stayed at both on several occassions over the last 3+ years.....usually using Priceline.com to save a few $$:thumb: Both are nice (3+ stars)...

Westin is much newer with underground parking garage(fee) with an elevator straight to hotel lobby. Nice rooms and comfortable beds.

Loews is showing it's age in it's guest rooms but still very nice, NAVY accents thru-out and easier walking to DTA and the yard, outside parking (fee).

For PPW we actually stayed at the Sheraton next to the Annapolis Mall( very NAVY friendly staff).....an easy walk for the plebe to the movie theater or just to come and go as he desired:thumb: Gave plebe his own room so he could nap or watch ESPN or MLB until end of Liberty if he desired:biggrin:
 
Everything in Annapolis is pricey. If you consider two or three hotel rooms with no kitchen or backyard grill and eating out every meal some of the home rentals aren't so bad. We had eight and the hotel rooms were way more than a house within walking distance with bedrooms, kitchen, deck, grill and wi-fi. It just depends on how many will be there and your plans for the four days. Just remember there is no up front tuition payments. Wait till they remind you that you didn't have a tuition commitment and doesn't that BMW look nice.:shake:
 
I recommend hotwire......I stayed at the Westin for Herndon for $69 a night. Parking $23. On hotwire it was telling me $89, but turned out to be $69 per night. 1.5 miles from Bancroft. Loews a few blocks closer.


The house option is fabulous, especially if you need more than one hotel room. Eating out in Annapolis is very pricey. Most houses come with a grill outside, as well. We did a house for 6 of us for I-Day and a couple days before. The kids enjoyed having room to hang out and the home cooked breakfast before son walked into Alumni Hall was good. We will do that again. Our subsequent trips have been just husband or older brother and me, so no need for the extra room.

I perused all the travel sites for my Herndon trip. Hotwire way cheaper for hotel than the others. The nicest hotels, 4 star I think, on hotwire are Loew's, O'Callaghan's, and Westin. Maybe Marriott as well (the waterfront one). I seem to score Westin every time, and never more than $89.
 
Great advice! Thank you so much. Right now we are staying at the Sheraton for I Day, but I like the thought of having a separate room just for our son to hang out and relax in. So, here is my next question.....would it be better to stay at the Sheraton again for PPW and be AWAY from the yard, or stay downtown and be closer to it????? I have been on VRBO for houses. Are there more reasonable prices on another website? :help:
 
Lovethe Navy,

IMHO, for PPW away from the Yard is better but not to far that it's stressful getting back on time.

I have stayed at the Sheraton and it's a nice hotel, one exit away from downtown Annapolis (about 15 minute drive without traffic).

GoNavyMom
 
Just remember that Navy time is not parent's time. For PPW they are given a report time. If it 1100 your Plebe will start to get nervous around 0930. There is no excuse for being late for report time. If they are late they may get restriction and you will not see them for the rest of the weekend. That is a fact. Make sure yoiu have plenty of time to get them back. We were within walking distance and the storys they tell are true. We saw a lot of Plebes bailing out of cars in the horrible Annapolis traffic during PPW and running blocks toward Gate One to make it by check in time. :thumb:

You can try http://stayannapolis.com

They cater t the Naval Academy and the Boat Shows.
 
lovethenavy: I am in favor of staying close every time I go. Park that car and walk. But, we live in rural west Texas and I hate traffic. My midn son is not a mall kinda guy, so don't care about staying near that. PPW I got the Westin via hotwire for $76 per night. When I first met son on Friday, I offered to go get the car if he was exhausted. He says "How far is it to the hotel?" I tell him "a mile and a half." He laughs and says, "That's nothing, Mom, let's go!" We did get the car out the last day for a trip to Target and Outback. But got back early. The upside of the whole walking thing from the Westin was every day I made the roundtrip twice. Instead of feeling like I had overeaten, etc on my long weekend, I felt great with all the exercise!

We did stay at the Best Western for a football game. One bed in the room, which was, well, a dump. Navy beat Air Force and the Supe granted their first overnight. We had no extra bed. Son tried the bed, it was awful, he slept on the floor. Note to self: going to a marquee game like Air Force where an overnight might be granted, have an extra rack available! Live and learn!:shake:
 
For I-day and (especially) PPW, I recommend being within walking distance if you can afford it. While there are occasional backups at the security screening stations, the lines for foot traffic move pretty fast. OTOH, there are not very many options if traffic on 50/301 gets snarled due to a wreck. Your Plebe would be in major trouble if he/she wasn't on deck in the correct uniform when liberty expires, yet they would be in trouble, too, if they were to run in their new summer white uniforms.

If you can't afford to stay within walking distance, then I would urge you to plan to arrive back on the Yard at least an hour before liberty expires each day. If traffic goes well, you can take a leisurely stroll before your Plebe reports in. Remember, your Plebes must live by the phrase, "If you're early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. If you're late, you're in trouble."
 
Agree w/the above comments. The reason that the "walking distance" hotels can charge so much is that they are w/in walking distance. Thus, you and your plebe don't have to sweat the traffic that CAN turn Annapolis into a parking lot. If you stay beyond walking distance, allow yourselves plenty of time. If you arrive in/near the Yard early, you can always grab a seat at an in-town restaurant, etc. for those "final moments." You -- and your plebe -- will feel much better knowing that you aren't at the mercy of traffic.

Absolutely agree that plebes start getting nervous hours before report time. I recall that my parents (dad was career officer) were at least as nervous as I. Thus, I ALWAYS was back well before report time. Yeah, it's a handful of fewer minutes away, but the peace of mind of not having to sprint to the Yard or worry about being late . . . priceless.
 
close to yard

Put me down for the close to the yard vote. Your in your hotel cooling off when others are commuting, and your walking back to the yard eating an ice cream cone when others are commuting.
 
I realize that cost is a real issue for many. However, for those of you who were considering sending your DD/DS to civilian college, whatever the cost differential you'll pay for walking distance hotels pales in comparison to anything else.

i would "splurge" for 2 events: PPW and Commissioning Week. Those are the "biggies" of the four years. For other events, staying further out isn't a huge issue and may make sense for cost reasons.
 
No splurging needed

Just found great rate for PPW on Expedia. $121 avg. cost/ nite for thursday, friday, and saturday nights at the O'Callaghan Hotel downtown. 4 star place, cheapest on hotwire for those same nights is $179/ 4 star. Going to park my car, cancel my reservation out by the mall and enjoy relaxing with my plebe and my firstie detailer. It is much more relaxing to stay only a walk away from the academy on PPW.
 
Supportivemom,
Just booked the same thing on Expedia for the same price. Wow!!! My husband thought I must have had the price mistaken, but it wasn't a flook. I have wanted to stay at this hotel for awhile, but thought it was too pricey. I took your advice. I think being closer to the yard will be good. Also going to cancel my reservation out by the mall for PPW. Thanks for the help. :thumb:
 
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