Airventure and Sun and Fun Camping Comparison

[cjmartinflyers]

Hello. Can anyone offer a comparison of the Airventure North 40 camping experience versus camping at Sun and Fun?

For Sun and Fun:

• Are the airplane parking spots as well organized as the North 40.
• Are the volunteer ground support staff as good as at AirVenture.
• How about the bathrooms and showers.
• Is there a Friar Tucks like dining option (off airport restaurants within walking distance).
• Lastly, although not camping related, how is the approach flying into Sun and Fun?

I've never been to Sun and Fun but I may need a break from the Midwest winter weather (and Airventure is still a long way away).

Thank you.

[Auburntsts]

There’s nothing within walking distance to the Lakeland airport like there is at Osh. We’re local to SNF so we’ve never flown into or aircraft camped at SNF like we do at Osh (although we do camp in SNF volunteer camping— we volunteer at both SNF and OSH). However, if you can get access to ground trans, there’s a tremendous amount of local restaurants and activities off airport and Lakeland sits right in the middle between Tampa and Orlando on I-4.

That said I think you’ll find the on-field camping amenities and staff support similar if not slightly better as SNF is much smaller in scope and attendance. I’ve flown into AirVenture 9 times now and my impression of the SNF arrival is it’s a bit simpler and generally less hectic (bear in mind I’ve never flown it).

[steve]

I've flown to SnF 4 times but just for the day - no camping. That was between 2010 and 2019. The approach is similar to OSH regarding speed and altitude but instead of starting up 50 miles away, it's more like 15 so sh*t happens quicker. Air traffic is lighter so that's a plus.
I ate on field at the Paradise Grill. The beers were cold in those years I rode over.
I hung out at the Homebuilders tent in HBC for most of the day one year. In some ways it reminded me of OSH before the new pavillion was built - except for the open bar and honor system and steaks cooked every evening by the volunteer staff.
I saw maybe 30 airplanes camped out and NO big yellow shower trailers.

[Auburntsts]

I saw maybe 30 airplanes camped out and NO big yellow shower trailers.

They do have the big shower trailers, but I don’t know how many or where they might all be. Last year they had a set near Paradise City— I know because we used them.

[steve]

Glad to hear SnF stepped up their game.