RVs, Wagons, and Stuff

[BeaconSlash]

Hi there,

I've been to Airventure a couple of times as a volunteer, but never as a regular attendee.
I'll be bringing my daughter (teen) and dad (mid 70s) as first-timers along late in the week of the show, looking for some ideas.

First, we're renting a Cruise America RV and going to try and arrive early afternoon Thursday the 24th.
Thinking we might be able to snag a good parking spot after the post-Wednesday night air show exodus.

Thoughts on whether we'd be able to find an electrical spot? Otherwise we're looking at 24 Hour generator as my dad uses CPAP.

Second... Thoughts on dragging a wagon around for chairs/sun umbrellas/cooler for food?

I know you can't just set up chairs to reserve spots on the flight line, but was more curious if it was worth having just to transport from spot to spot. I assume it would be a major issue with the trams.

I'm fairly familiar with the grounds, but mostly trying to be realistic about my dad's mobility.

Any other tips and thoughts greatly appreciated. Plan is to stay Thursday, leave Sunday morning. I've searched around a bunch online and found some things, but always willing to hear more thoughts.

Thanks!

[Auburntsts]

I wouldn’t count on getting a site in Scholler with hookups but you never know. I’ve tent camped with my CPAP using a large battery pack without issue so you don’t have to restrict yourself to the 24-hr gen area if you can’t get a hookup site.

Only small coolers are allowed — the list of what’s prohibited is here https://www.eaa.org/airventure/plan-your-eaa-airventure-trip/policies/prohibited-items Wagons aren’t expressly prohibited so I think you’re good to go if you want to use it, but as you surmised you can forget about trying to load it on a tram. We ride our bikes to the gate so we only take a small backpack, water bottles, and our camp chairs to keep the load to a minimum.

[krw920]

I am reasonably sure that sites with hookups are reserved until the end of the show and are not refundable if the occupant leaves early. So, I don't believe EAA will re-rent a site and probably won't tolerate squatters, but not sure how they enforce it.

[CHICAGORANDY]

No room on the trams for cargo wagons most days - just North of the Main Gate by the Bus Stop they DO rent mobility scooters by the day for your dad. You can reserve online.

https://www.vistamobility.net/

[BeaconSlash]

I wouldn’t count on getting a site in Scholler with hookups but you never know. I’ve tent camped with my CPAP using a large battery pack without issue so you don’t have to restrict yourself to the 24-hr gen area if you can’t get a hookup site.

Only small coolers are allowed — the list of what’s prohibited is here https://www.eaa.org/airventure/plan-your-eaa-airventure-trip/policies/prohibited-items Wagons aren’t expressly prohibited so I think you’re good to go if you want to use it, but as you surmised you can forget about trying to load it on a tram. We ride our bikes to the gate so we only take a small backpack, water bottles, and our camp chairs to keep the load to a minimum.

I appreciate the thoughts.

Do you think it's remotely likely to find an abandoned electric hookup spot in Scholler on Thursday? I've been wondering if lots of people leave after the Wednesday Night air show and maybe there'd be some spots open up. I can rent a bring a generator, but I'd love to avoid the expense if we can potentially get a hookup.

Thanks!

[BeaconSlash]

I am reasonably sure that sites with hookups are reserved until the end of the show and are not refundable if the occupant leaves early. So, I don't believe EAA will re-rent a site and probably won't tolerate squatters, but not sure how they enforce it.

Appreciate the thoughts... it would be fantastic if there were a way to get into a hookup spot. Given the raw number of people there, I'd love to believe some open up by Thursday.

[BeaconSlash]

No room on the trams for cargo wagons most days - just North of the Main Gate by the Bus Stop they DO rent mobility scooters by the day for your dad. You can reserve online.

https://www.vistamobility.net/

Thanks for that... I don't think we'll need a scooter luckily. I'll just plan on backpacks then to avoid issues with the trams.

[Auburntsts]

I appreciate the thoughts.

Do you think it's remotely likely to find an abandoned electric hookup spot in Scholler on Thursday? I've been wondering if lots of people leave after the Wednesday Night air show and maybe there'd be some spots open up. I can rent a bring a generator, but I'd love to avoid the expense if we can potentially get a hookup.

Thanks!
The problem is those sites are rented for the duration of the show from the date the reservation is made with no refunds for unused days so there’s no incentive to leave early. IIRC I think it’s also against the rules to simply take over a vacant site (I don’t necessarily agree with this but I don’t make the rules). However that said you might get lucky and discover that not all the sites rented out for the show. Best to keep checking EAA’s ticket reservation page for the improved sites which shows what sites are available.

[bumsteer]

Your question will probably be answered quickly when you get to camper registration. They should know if sites can be re-rented but don't be surprised if the answer is no. I would follow Auburntsts advice and check for sites now and if you want one that bad, reserve it now. I believe in most of the past years, electric/water sites have sold out prior to the show. That's why they've been adding sites. Good luck.