Husband & I want to attend. Don't know the ropes. From reading threads seems like Fontana is a good place to stay but already booked. Should I go ahead and put my name on waiting list there? Can anyone suggest a good alternative? Don't know the lay of the land and where to situate ourselves. Need some guidance on lodging and anything else that might be helpful for the experience........thanks

 

Budget is a big guide as to where you should stay. If you want to be close to where the main gathering of MINIs will be (and where the dinners and side events will be held) then you want Fontana. I would advise putting your name on the waiting list.

While you are waiting you should seek reservations elsewhere as long as they have a decent cancellation policy to where you don't lose any money.

There's camping near the dam. There are at least a dozen B&B's within a reasonable driving distance. There's the Microtel in Robbinsville. There's the resort at Nantahala (about 30 mins from Fontana).

Search for lodging in and around Fontana and the adjacent areas. Use your budget as a guide to where you should stay.

 

Check the MOTD threads from time to time, too, as there are ALWAYS people who are backing off from their reservations for whatever reasons. There are ALWAYS people who rent cabins and have extra space. So, even though the "no vacancy" sign seems up at Fontana for now...all is NOT lost. Just keep checking.

 

Check out the lodging section of this MINIs on the Dragon

 

I appreciate all the good info.....thanks

 

what about staying just outside of Knoxville Airport...is that too much to drive to reach the event?

 

It would be at the end of a long day for me. I think its between 1.5 to 2 hours and after partying all day in the Fontana area that might be tiresome.

 

Try Robbinsville. They have a Microtel there many stay at.
jason

 

If you can't find room at the Fontana Village you may want to try the Tapoco Lodge they are actually closer to the Dragon and very quaint lodging alongside the river rapids.
Many Mini's stay here but you may also have problems finding rooms there.
Here is there website that you'll notice has pictures of the MOTD.

We went without reservations last year and managed to find a last minute cancellation. You may also want to put the word out amongst your fellow club members at Sunshineminis.org and see if anyone has extra room.

 

Thanks for all the good info. We are on waiting lists for Fontana and Tapoco (#30 on the list) Lodges and have reservations for Microtel in Robbinsville. Microtel only had a few rooms left so anyone else who's planning to go should start seeking out lodging - can't believe you have to plan so far ahead...the thing is 9 months away.

 

If I'm not mistaken Fontana Lodge was booked full a couple of days after this years MOTD.
Microtel isn't a bad option, at least you'll be by the only real town in the area and they have a gas station/McDonalds/souvenier stand.

I have driven to that Mickey D's for breakfast from Fontana Village and it normally takes about 20-30 minutes, just to give you an idea.

 

I agree that getting on Fontana's mailing list and keeping track of the various threads in the Dragon Forum early next spring to check for cancellations is a good idea. The Microtel is a fine alternative, too, though. Tapoco is lovely, but only has 28 rooms, so it books out immediately. Wherever you end up, you will have a wonderful time amongst all the MINI/Mini folk.

 

Try fully booked before this year's event ended.

 

Not exactly true, but close enough. I rebooked for next year, right after I had checked out and "settled up". Next year, I have a newly renovated Dogwoods cabin [and my own driveway/parking area], instead of a hotel room.

 

Yesterday I booked a room at the Microtel in Robbinsville for April 30th checking out the 4th. The lady on the phone said there were a few rooms left and one suite. When she first looked up the dates she was takenback abit. She asked me what was going on. I told her I owned a MINI and she instantly know.

Last year we stayed at the Blue Boar Inn. It was really really nice and would have stayed there again but just desided that we wanted to be a little closer to the action as it is.

 

blue montian in is a great place to stay and about 30 minutes from fontana

 

I made my reservation at the Microtel in Robbinsville yesterday. They still
had a couple of rooms left then (all doubles no singles).

 

FYI... Tapoco Lodge waiting list is now 35 people long. They only have 28 units !! That means everyone would have to cancel. And of the next group of lodgers, another 6 would have to cancel for me to get a room.

Damn early-birds !

 

im now #20 at fontana, i hope i get a nice cabin

 

Amazing thing is, I was about 30th on the list this year - and they called me about a week or two before as they had rooms - I already had a private cabin rented elsewhere, so I passed - which is how they get that deep in the list - everyone makes other arrangements if they can - then when spaces open up, they get WAY deep in the waiting list before they find people that don't actually have other accomodations - so it isn't REALLY that bad... if only a handful cancel out of the first group, they get on down the list...

 

I'm number 15 on the list so that gives me some hope and I can be lazy and just wait

 

i called yesterday and now im number..wait for it 28...when i was 20 a month ago.. what gives

 

Fontana has never been very accurate when it comes to reservations or the waiting list. Just stay on the list and watch this forum come spring. People back out all the time.

 

im still confident ill get a cabin..

 

Did you only do a cabin waiting list or are you in line for a lodge room too?