Hi all from suuny Australia.

I am looking for some advice and ideas as I am thinking of coming to Dragon 2005. I am on holidays in the US around the time of the Dragon and when I talk to the travel agents about things to do in NC and how get to the Dragon they look at me like I am from another planet.
The only ideas I have are to fly into Alatana and then drive to the Dragon or fly in to Washington DC and drive from there. But really I have no idea at all, I was surprised that the travel agents did not know more about this part of the US, but it looks like unless you do one of there tours they know nothing.

So I though I would go in search of local knowledge about what I should see and how I should get to it.

Thanks
Greg

Ps If I get to the Dragon I will be looking for a ride in a MINI, if any one could help that would be great as I don't think I will have much hope in getting a MINI to hire and I am use to driving/flying over mountains on the other side of the road.

 

To cool Snoopy! I would suggest flying into Atlanta, much shorter drive going from there to the Dragon. Heck, if you time it right you might be able to hook up with some of the ATL MINIs and follow them up.

 

I'd say make reservations at Fontana now if you seriously think you will be attending... and Atlanta does seem like a good place to fly into (since Robbinsville International Airport is just a corn field )

There were a handful of people last year who attended and were not in MINIs, I don't think anybody was bothered by that, so if you can't find a MINI for rent (MIAMI might be the only place where you could find one?) just come anyway!

 

I'll third flying into Atlanta, but also suggest looking into Knoxville. Thanks to some funky airfare games that the US domestic airlines play, it may actually be cheaper to fly into Knoxville than Atlanta, even if you have to change planes IN Atlanta to get to Knoxville...

 

If you fly into Atlanta, let one of the Atlanta Mini people know. I'm sure one of us will be glad to show you around and such.

We have a website www.atlantaminis.net
Sign up and let us know when you will be coming into town. We love to show off a little "Southern Hospitility" for ya.

 

Oh -- and despite what airport you fly into -- (if DC is MUCH cheaper --never fear there is a group heading down from here too --- we are just a FULL day's drive away)

You are more than welcome to ride in our MINI -- and if you are really good, we might be willing to let you drive

I'm in DC (actually just down the road from the Dulles airport), so if you come in there let me know. If you get to Atlanta, the fine folks of Atlanta MINIs will be most helpful. If you hit Knoxville, I'm sure that the MINIacs of Smoky Mountain MINIs will be happy to you arrive at the Dragon.

Looking forward to having you at the Dragon this year. Let us know what your plans are ---


HEY, Clover, someone might be coming from futher away than YOU!

Hugs,
PB

 

I am with the Atlanta / Knoxville vote just based on travel time once you are off the plane. Knoxville call letters are TYS if you start checking rates there. Knoxville is much closer than Atlanta and Atlanta is much closer than DC BUT as everyone has said it shouldn't be too big a problem to hook up with someone from any of those places. Good luck getting here!!! It will be great fun!!!!

 

you could also fly into birmingham,al. its only a 4hr. drive to the dragon from here. last year we had a group leave on thurs. morning and id bet thered be room or you could drive your own rental up with us. like was mentoined, id book a room asap. go' day mate!

 

Yeah, but I DRIVE MY MINI there, baby! That's the diff! LOL!

I agree, Snoopy, that you might be better off to fly into Atlanta or Knoxville. DC is much further away. I'm sure the local MINIacs wherever you arrive would be happy to have you caravan with them to the Dragon in whatever vehicle you have!

edit: The Birmingham suggestion is a good one, too!

Keep us posted, Snoopy! :smile:


Clover

 

Hi Snoopy!

You are more than welcome to join the AtlantaMINIS on our Thursday caravan up to the Dragon, no matter what rental car you end up with. I can also give you some ideas on places to stay and good restaurants in the area. If you get into town early, I'm sure some of us will be happy to show you around the city.

you can PM me here on NAM, or join us on the AtlantaMINIS board, there is a link at Atlantaminis.net

Amanda

 

.......and a Knoxville connection here Snoopy. I go right by McGhee Tyson airport on the way to the Dragon. We would be glad to be of assistance. Email or PM. Looks like anywhere east you fly into MINIs will be available to greet you.

 

HI all

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I am out of town at the moment with work and getting access to the Internet in the bush can be hard. So I will reply properly in a few days when I get home.

Thanks
Snoopy
PS Good to see that MINI people are the same world wide (i.e. friendly and helpful) Looking forward to meeting you all at the Dragon, hopefully.

 

Here are a couple of MapQuest links that may help.

Hartsfield International (Atlanta) > Fontana Village = 186 miles (4hrs.)

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/m...OfOicUP9Y%253d

McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville) > Fontana Village = 51 miles (1hr. 10min.)

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/m...OfOicUP9Y%253d

Hope to see you there.

 

hey snoopy
i'll let you ride shotgun with me for a couple passes on the Dragon
i'll bring the MINI barf bag

 

I will also give free rides on the Dragon for wayward MINI folks!

Probably a LOT safer with me than with koolmini!

 

that's because you cheat your GPS showing you the sweepers
besides i run with the A/C on, so it's a lot kooler with me

 

Or he can ride with me. I don’t go as fast as those other two – I have to drive the road with my eyes closed because it scares me so much.

 

and here I was worrying about you not having your glasses with you!

 

^^^^sndwave, i just think your scared to come back (late) from breakfest

 

I'm not doing that again.

 

and i'm not writing you a (get out of being late) note again

 

You won't have too. we'll all have the MINIs there.

 

now you'll just be hunted down for the kill

 

Naw...with my own MINI, I'll just blow right by him!


Clover

 

I tried to hold back, but I couldn't....

It's not safer if you're going to be running bald tires and bad brakes again!