Basejumper.com - archive

Any recommendations for lodging while there Friday - Sunday?

I really don't want to give money to the Holiday Inn there.

thanks

Craig

Everything is back at Holiday Inn this yr, but if you want you could go to Rivers I hear the cabins there were pretty cheap

we stay at the cabins near river ex. cheap, nice beds, and close to everything

don't know if it matters, but the hotel is under different management now. it is now a "holiday lodge" and i can only assume that it's not affiliated with holiday inn. again, we'll have to wait and see if it makes a difference.

anyway, the campsites nearby are nice and they have decent cabins for cheap. just bring a space heater.

True, they're not affiliated with the Holiday Inn anymore. They have a new GM as well. Taking a few years off was, in my opinion, a good thing as it permitted both sides to work out differences. They've since removed some of the unacceptable line items from my contract and we're excited to be back there for BD 2011.

PS. You can also camp at the Holiday Lodge and shower inside at low cost. That way you can stagger/stumble down the hallway and into your tent on Saturday night.

out of curiousity, is there a reason BD is going back to a hotel?

i didnt make it last year, but thought 2009 was great at the campground.

Saturday night, Sunday Morning

Many reasons, but keep in mind that BD jumper headquarters has typically been at a hotel except for the last two years. For those of you who have never been to at BD at the Holiday Lodge, it's a better experience. Just ask someone who has been there for awhile.

Regarding River Expeditions - there is not enough space for vendors and meetings, hardly any packing areas, not enough lodging, and River Expeditions didn't permit us to do many things that were necessary for our group (ie. no pendulator onsite, continuous parking issues, they wouldn't give me a key to the lodge that I rented and I had to climb through the window at night to work late). The Holiday Lodge has a better vibe, 100 hotel rooms dedicated to jumpers, and more space. The final straw - the owner of River Expeditions cussed at some of my staffers and kicked one of them off the property over a parking issue. River Expeditions caters to rafters, not jumpers, and their attempts to juggle both groups didn't work well in my opinion.

We didn't decide to move back to the Holiday Lodge without hearing literally hundreds of comments from jumpers over the last few years. Some liked River Expeditions, but most wanted the Holiday Lodge. In order for us to properly organize the event, it's also critical for our team to have the best location and right now, the Holiday Lodge is our choice.

We left the Holiday Inn a few years ago because of unacceptable contract terms (ie. they wanted me to foot the bill for any fines that the hotel might receive due to the actions of any BASE jumper). Last September, I paid them a visit and we kissed and made up. I'm confident that things will be 10x better and I'm excited to be back there for BD2011.

i was onlny at the hotel in 2008, that was my first bd. understood, thx for the explanation. no criticism, was just curious. appreciate all your hard work.

KC

for sure Jason, as a group we're going to have differences with the staff of any venue.

but, the vibe is definitely better keeping everything central at the hotel. looking forward to a great year!

I have only attended four Bridge Days:
2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010

2007 Dad, Me + 2 friends another hotel
2008 Bryan, Me, + 10 friends Holiday Inn
2009 Rented a bunk in a friend's cabin
2010 Rented a cabin for me + 6 friends

All four years were awesome and camping
is definitely cheaper, but honestly staying
at a hotel is warmer, more comfortable,
and requires bringing less stuff.

I look forward to more hallway chanting
and other fun drunken antics this year

All years ARE awesome and camping
is definitely cheaper, but honestly staying
at a hotel is warmer, more comfortable,
and requires bringing less stuff.

i agree with tom and blitz on this one. Ive been to 7 consecutive bd's and its a much better time with everyone at one centralized location.

thanks for the info.
since they are under new management, i'll give them another shot.

be safe

Craig