Thursday of PPW

For last year, we were NOT able to process DBIDS cards on PPW. Too many people to process. You will get a paper pass that works just like the DBIDS and allows drive in access as well. Note that once your Plebe is released on Friday/Saturday they will want to get the heck out of dodge. They will want AC, media, a comfortable place to stretch and FOOD. If you have interest in shopping (er paying tuition) at the MidStore, touring the Chapel, seeing the YP's, I recommend you do that on Thursday.

Also note that there is very little shade at Worden and the bleachers get HOT. Thus camping on the lawns of the residence behind is perfectly acceptable--not. Last year there were young entrepreneurs who setup drink stands and even delivered into the stands.

Finally your DS/DD will be in Summer Whites for the first time and they will deathly afraid of any stains, marks etc. They will have rules on what they can carry in their pockets and even what in general they can carry in their hands. Encourage your DS/DD to follow these rules and assist them in carrying their stuff for them. They will also be under many rules that parents can deem silly---no civvies, wearing proper USNA gear when working out, wearing proper clothes when in public, not being late for EOL. Please support your Plebe in following these rules as that will set them up for success.
 
If you arrive early, it's also worth walking around Annapolis. It's a nice town in its own right. Most mids see it as the outer walls of their "prison" -- and it's where they're "stuck" going for the better part of 4 years so aren't keen to go touring with you. [Perspectives change after you graduate, BTW.]You can check out distances of various hotels as well, for future reference.
 
LT360 said:
They will want AC, media, a comfortable place to stretch and FOOD.
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I have a house about 10 minutes north of the Yard, tucked away in a neighborhood. Nice couch, TV, kitchen that I can cook in etc. I just need to finalize the dates and trying to decide if I keep Wednesday night and Sunday night. One issue is the only one Sib can come with me on Wed. The others (Wife, sib 2) come along sometime Thursday night or Friday.

I'm leaning towards keeping Wednesday night, but dropping Sunday because after end of liberty on Sunday I can get on the road.
 
Huursoldaat said:
So no reason to arrive Wednesday night to have the whole day Thursday? It seems like Thursday has some light activities which are interesting, but not "must see".
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totally up to you - you can arrive Wednesday also.....we came in Thursday and it was great - got to our house we rented - went to the store to load up on the plebe's fav yummy food and then headed to PEP friday morning early - we got her later that day and loved hearing every single story of plebe summer!! it was awesome!
 
Huursoldaat said:
I have a house about 10 minutes north of the Yard, tucked away in a neighborhood. Nice couch, TV, kitchen that I can cook in etc. I just need to finalize the dates and trying to decide if I keep Wednesday night and Sunday night. One issue is the only one Sib can come with me on Wed. The others (Wife, sib 2) come along sometime Thursday night or Friday.

I'm leaning towards keeping Wednesday night, but dropping Sunday because after end of liberty on Sunday I can get on the road.
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yes I would leave sunday - no reason to hang around sunday night - the plebes have to be back on the yard sunday at some time - cant remember exactly the time - but we had a later flight out of BWI and had plenty of time with her on sunday - then off to the airport
 
DD was antsy to not just be on time Sunday, but to be early. Plebes are like that — it’s drilled into them to not be late. So don’t feel bad about dropping yours off a few hours before the report time, if it allows you to catch a flight. They’ll likely be grateful.
 
Huursoldaat said:
I have a house about 10 minutes north of the Yard, tucked away in a neighborhood. Nice couch, TV, kitchen that I can cook in etc. I just need to finalize the dates and trying to decide if I keep Wednesday night and Sunday night. One issue is the only one Sib can come with me on Wed. The others (Wife, sib 2) come along sometime Thursday night or Friday.

I'm leaning towards keeping Wednesday night, but dropping Sunday because after end of liberty on Sunday I can get on the road.
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I vote Wednesday arrival 🙋🏻‍♀️
 
noco said:
This was last years schedule. It was very similar to the one we had in 2019 for DS.


I really enjoyed seeing all the majors and information at Dahlgren Hall before we had our DS released to us. If it is in your schedule, it would be really great to go.
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Thank you for this!! All this time we were thinking that we were going to have them on Thursday!!! I know we can go to see formation but crossing sights with my kid will produce a major meltdown. At that point I’ll be so desperate to hug her!!! I also don’t want her to (maybe) break down while in formation knowing that we are there, so will definitely look from far

I see listed the time Admissions office opens but, is there any reason we need to go there?
 
Goal2004 said:
Thank you for this!! All this time we were thinking that we were going to have them on Thursday!!! I know we can go to see formation but crossing sights with my kid will produce a major meltdown. At that point I’ll be so desperate to hug her!!! I also don’t want her to (maybe) break down while in formation knowing that we are there, so will definitely look from far

I see listed the time Admissions office opens but, is there any reason we need to go there?
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Thursday is your time to get stuff done that you don’t want to take your plebe to (and they want to Escape From The Yard, not do tourist things or shop). The majority want to be in a cool hotel or rental house room, eating favorite take-out, catching up on social media, taking long showers and naps. Let them tell you what they want to do or not do. They have to wear uniforms in public and are supposed to wear regulation PE gear when on liberty inside. They want that mental break from uniform and cover wear.

You may also receive an invite from the sponsor family to drop by. Plebes will have met their sponsors the previous Sunday in Alumni Hall for a few hours of meet and greet. We always like the parents to see what home their plebes will be hanging out at, be officially welcomed by the dogs, and talk to us with any questions.

And - don’t be surprised by the amount of military bearing and presence your daughter has acquired in just a few weeks. Breaking down in formation - not likely! She’ll be an active duty military woman now, granted, barely weeks into her AD life, but there is a big change.

There are threads upon threads upon this every year about this time. Have some fun with the Search function!
 
Capt MJ said:
Thursday is your time to get stuff done that you don’t want to take your plebe to (and they want to Escape From The Yard, not do tourist things or shop). The majority want to be in a cool hotel or rental house room, eating favorite take-out, catching up on social media, taking long showers and naps. Let them tell you what they want to do or not do. They have to wear uniforms in public and are supposed to wear regulation PE gear when on liberty inside. They want that mental break from uniform and cover wear.

You may also receive an invite from the sponsor family to drop by. Plebes will have met their sponsors the previous Sunday in Alumni Hall for a few hours of meet and greet. We always like the parents to see what home their plebes will be hanging out at, be officially welcomed by the dogs, and talk to us with any questions.

And - don’t be surprised by the amount of military bearing and presence your daughter has acquired in just a few weeks. Breaking down in formation - not likely! She’ll be an active duty military woman now, granted, barely weeks into her AD life, but there is a big change.

There are threads upon threads upon this every year about this time. Have some fun with the Search function!
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Thank you Capt MJ. We are prepare for all that, thanks God for people like you that give accurate information in this forum. Super cool to get an invite from the sponsor family! Hopefully they do invite us.
 
Goal2004 said:
Thank you Capt MJ. We are prepare for all that, thanks God for people like you that give accurate information in this forum. Super cool to get an invite from the sponsor family! Hopefully they do invite us.
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yes!!! we had dinner at my girls sponsor family house it was the best night - we loved every minute of it!! hopefully they will invite you, if they do go for sure! I made some homemade cookies to bring to the dinner....it was so nice to meet the whole family and see their house and ask tons of questions.
 
USNAhopeful2025 said:
yes!!! we had dinner at my girls sponsor family house it was the best night - we loved every minute of it!! hopefully they will invite you, if they do go for sure! I made some homemade cookies to bring to the dinner....it was so nice to meet the whole family and see their house and ask tons of questions.
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Thank you we are so looking forward to this journey
 
Huursoldaat said:
So no reason to arrive Wednesday night to have the whole day Thursday? It seems like Thursday has some light activities which are interesting, but not "must see".
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You will never regret any amount of time you are in Annapolis. The Yard is a living museum…stuff to see everywhere! Even people watching. Getting chance sightings of the unscheduled stuff are some of my most treasured memories over the years.

If you can go, you will t regret it. Otherwise, the scheduled stuff is there. I personally enjoy the quiet, reflective downtime…which are the days before an event. For example, watching their parade PRACTICE gives a neat insight into the reality of the parade, vs the final event. Our sons company had to ‘re-do’ stuff a bunch of times. Gives you a different appreciation of the event beyond seeing the final product.

Bonus is there aren’t a lot of people there. My personal favorite moments of any traveling I do.
 
Thanks everybody for the advice. I'll keep the Wednesday night reservation and just noodle around Annapolis and the Yard on Thursday. I've been there a few times already, but it is amazing how interesting it is. Lots to do and see.
 
Take a small hand towel or two with you everywhere for your plebe to sit on. She/he will be in whites. Got this tip from boat taxi - driver was kind enough to have towels a available.
 
Huursoldaat said:
Thanks everybody for the advice. I'll keep the Wednesday night reservation and just noodle around Annapolis and the Yard on Thursday. I've been there a few times already, but it is amazing how interesting it is. Lots to do and see.
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Start your classic Naptown Thursday with a visit to one of these:
- Naval Bagels on Taylor Ave.
- Iron Rooster in DTA
- Grump’s Cafe on Hillsmere Dr. near Quiet Waters Park (which I highly recommend as a wonderful, serene, beautiful place to walk the paths or go for a run. It’s acres and acres right on the water. Free daily car pass for military and veterans.)
https://www.aacounty.org/departments/recreation-parks/parks/quiet-waters/
- Miss Shirley’s Cafe on West St.

Suitably fortified, head over to the Amish Market (local name), and keep grazing on a stuffed hot pretzel stick while diving into the delights around the store. The store is only open Thurs-Sat, run as a co-op by Pa Dutch families who make the trip down from PA. Surely you need to stock up on mid kibble and treats.

Amish Market :: Shop Meats, Furniture, Food - PA Dutch Farmers Market - Annapolis Harbour Center, MD

What a place! Check out this Amish Market - Most of the market's products are made in Lancaster County using traditional PA Dutch Amish recipes. In addition you'll find hundreds of authentic ...
www.padutchfarmmarket.com

If you’re wandering around DTA, doing the historic home visits, have a restorative stop at tiny Potato Valley Cafe on State Circle, known for its meal-sized baked potatoes topped with an amazing array of things, or English afternoon tea (11-5) with sweet and savory items at historic Reynolds Tavern on Church Circle.

Of course, restorative beverages can be found throughout DTA, along West St. and throughout the area. A Dark & Stormy at Pusser’s Bar in the Waterfront Marriott is always a reliable choice anytime the sun is over the yardarm.
 
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Capt MJ said:
A Dark & Stormy at Pusser’s Bar in the Waterfront Marriott is always a reliable choice anytime the sun is over the yardarm.
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At least you can find bartenders who know how to make a Dark and Stormy AND have the proper Goslings Dark Rum when you're in Annapolis. I've been shocked recently to see how many bartenders (outside of Annapolis) don't know how to make one and haven't even heard of Goslings.
 
I can’t remember exactly when EOL was on Sunday, but you can always return to the yard early so you’re not worried about traffic and then just stick around with your MID until it’s time to go into Bancroft. I remember they purposefully played some sort of melancholy song like “I’ll be Home for Christmas” next to 7th wing, and plebes sat with their loved ones on the benches until it was time to officially say goodbye. Going back in 30 minutes before EOL was plenty of time for me to check my prohibited items back in and change back into white works, and the detailers purposely make the day and night after PPW even more miserable than usual so I tried to stay outside as long as possible.
 
OldRetSWO said:
At least you can find bartenders who know how to make a Dark and Stormy AND have the proper Goslings Dark Rum when you're in Annapolis. I've been shocked recently to see how many bartenders (outside of Annapolis) don't know how to make one and haven't even heard of Goslings.
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😱😱😱😱😱
 
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