Bill McNeil
Registered User
It is that time again when we start reserving in advance for our trip to Carlisle, Pennsylvannia to attend the ALL FORD NATIONALS from May 29th to June 1st (Thursday to Sunday). Every year this event gets even bigger, and as a result making resverations early becomes even more important.
Based on the thread we started entitled "Carlisle" which was active these past few weeks, it seems most people who are intent on coming are okay with the idea of leaving on Thursday the 29th, one day earlier than we have left in previous years. This initiative was brought about to help better appreciate the show over the actual three days it runs, and to avoid driving 16+ hours in 3 days. Based on the current plan, we will leave Thursday morning from the Hamilron area and arrive in Carlisle for a group SCCoO dinner that evening. We will all have the chance to check in to our rooms, familiarize ourselves with the area, socialize amongst ourselves and rest up after the long drive. Friday is mainly a swap meet day, but also gives everyone a chance to experience the fairgrounds and participate in the meet and greet before the cavalry arrives that evening. It has been my experience that most of the American participants arrive on Thursday or attend the show Friday, which we have not done in previous years. Anyway, enough rambling....feel free to ask questions regarding this or any other details. Ed and I intend to be very thorough with our plans for the trip.
Right now we are at the most crucial stage where we have to select a hotel that is suitable for price, quality and location, as well as adequate availability for such a large group this year. Normally the SCCoO attendies group together with the SCCoA group, but due to the ever-increasing amount of people who attend Carlisle each year, and the anticipated number of our members for this year, we have decided to group ourselves together at a hotel of our choosing.
As of right now, I am exploring the options of the Super 8 "North" and the Clarion Inn, both which are located 1 exit away from the fairgrounds off of the local highway. They are located on a street called "Harrisburg Pike", and are fairly close to each other at addresses of 1700 and 1800. This area is very idustrial/commercial and is away from the traffic and retail distractions that make the town busy and congested. I stayed at the Carion Inn in 2001, and Ed stayed there last year (2002). The Clarion Inn is an excellent hotel in both quality and location. The parking lot is more than adequate for all of us, and the hotel has a nice restaurant in the lobby. It is a fairly large hotel, and doubles as a conference centre. The Super 8 "South" is where I stayed last year, which many members have had several problems with. Either way, it is already fully booked for that weekend.
Soooooooo, the Clarion is $89.95 per night with 2 queen beds, and is available in smoking, or non. With a CAA member discount (which we should be able to swing), the price drops to $71.96, which is a very good price for these accomodations. I know quality is not a big concern for the small amount of time we will spend in the rooms, but most hotels will be less quality and cost the same, or more.
The Super 8 "North" is $84.99 per night with 2 double beds, and is available in smoking, or non. With a CAA discount the price only drops to $76.49, but they may have a group rate which I will be exploring ASAP. Keep in mind the Super 8 is far less quality (having stayed in both for the same price).
At this point, it is up to you guys to let me know what you want to do. I will continue to explore other options in the meantime, but I think these are very good options, especially from a price and location aspect.
Visit the website for more info :CARLISLE 2003
Based on the thread we started entitled "Carlisle" which was active these past few weeks, it seems most people who are intent on coming are okay with the idea of leaving on Thursday the 29th, one day earlier than we have left in previous years. This initiative was brought about to help better appreciate the show over the actual three days it runs, and to avoid driving 16+ hours in 3 days. Based on the current plan, we will leave Thursday morning from the Hamilron area and arrive in Carlisle for a group SCCoO dinner that evening. We will all have the chance to check in to our rooms, familiarize ourselves with the area, socialize amongst ourselves and rest up after the long drive. Friday is mainly a swap meet day, but also gives everyone a chance to experience the fairgrounds and participate in the meet and greet before the cavalry arrives that evening. It has been my experience that most of the American participants arrive on Thursday or attend the show Friday, which we have not done in previous years. Anyway, enough rambling....feel free to ask questions regarding this or any other details. Ed and I intend to be very thorough with our plans for the trip.
Right now we are at the most crucial stage where we have to select a hotel that is suitable for price, quality and location, as well as adequate availability for such a large group this year. Normally the SCCoO attendies group together with the SCCoA group, but due to the ever-increasing amount of people who attend Carlisle each year, and the anticipated number of our members for this year, we have decided to group ourselves together at a hotel of our choosing.
As of right now, I am exploring the options of the Super 8 "North" and the Clarion Inn, both which are located 1 exit away from the fairgrounds off of the local highway. They are located on a street called "Harrisburg Pike", and are fairly close to each other at addresses of 1700 and 1800. This area is very idustrial/commercial and is away from the traffic and retail distractions that make the town busy and congested. I stayed at the Carion Inn in 2001, and Ed stayed there last year (2002). The Clarion Inn is an excellent hotel in both quality and location. The parking lot is more than adequate for all of us, and the hotel has a nice restaurant in the lobby. It is a fairly large hotel, and doubles as a conference centre. The Super 8 "South" is where I stayed last year, which many members have had several problems with. Either way, it is already fully booked for that weekend.
Soooooooo, the Clarion is $89.95 per night with 2 queen beds, and is available in smoking, or non. With a CAA member discount (which we should be able to swing), the price drops to $71.96, which is a very good price for these accomodations. I know quality is not a big concern for the small amount of time we will spend in the rooms, but most hotels will be less quality and cost the same, or more.
The Super 8 "North" is $84.99 per night with 2 double beds, and is available in smoking, or non. With a CAA discount the price only drops to $76.49, but they may have a group rate which I will be exploring ASAP. Keep in mind the Super 8 is far less quality (having stayed in both for the same price).
At this point, it is up to you guys to let me know what you want to do. I will continue to explore other options in the meantime, but I think these are very good options, especially from a price and location aspect.
Visit the website for more info :CARLISLE 2003
Last edited:
)
