SUMMER get together, 2007

[Emilysmom]

After doing the poll on where to do the summer get together, it looks like GATLINBURG TN is the place! We're still working on WHEN. For those of you who want to go, please post your preference. We'll use this thread to post our plans.

Susan

[Becky]

Its 70 here today and man it makes me want to go on this trip so bad I cant wait.

Did we ever set a date we were going to meet, Im getting old and might have missed something.
Cant to finally meet some of you

Becky

[Emilysmom]

Becky,
We didn't get all that many votes on WHEN to get together. I thought maybe it was just too hard for people to say in February what they'll be doing in July!

I'm thinking about going to Gatlinburg for a couple days for Spring break. IF we do, I'll go to some of the hotels and talk with group reservation people and check out the cleanliness of various hotels. If we do choose to do the get together in Gatlinburg, I want to make sure we find the most affordable place with the best immenities....and clean!

Susan

[Becky]

Thanks Susan, that would be nice, I know they all look clean on line but you never really know tell you get there we have found that out the hard way, so again thanks for looking for all of us.

Becky

[NoahsMommy]

Hey Susan...Noah's mom here. I haven't been on here for almost a year. Was just looking around today and noticed this post. We go to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinsburg a couple of times a year...getting ready to go next weekend actually. Our favorite hotel down there has been Park Tower Inn in Pigeon Forge. They have very affordable rates, indoor pool and indoor lazy river which Kaitlan and Noah love, and they are very clean. My big thing is how clean the carpets are and they have very clean carpet. They also have a nice continental breakfast every morning so that's a plus for anyone on a budget! They are located behind the mall with the red roof...can't remember the name. The only down side for us is they do not have microwaves in each room. Some of htem have one and some don't. There is one located in each hallway though if you need to use one. But I do believe every room has a fridge. Just thought I'd let you know...Melinda

[ValerieC]

Hey all!

Haven't been on in awhile, but was checking in the last few days and noticed this thread tonight. Gatlinburg is great for us! We visit my folks in Knoxville area every summer.

The first 2 weeks in July would be best for us. Just putting my vote in as we could actually make it work for us this year.

Valerie C

[Emilysmom]

Melinda,
GREAT to see you!!!

We hope to be in Pigeon Forge on March 12, 13th. I'll go to the Park Tower and check out the group rates there too. We stayed there once, but it was in the winter and the outdoor pool wasn't open. You're right.........there is the inside lazy river and pool and hot tub, and an outdoor pool. I remember it being very clean too. Can you go back there in July?

Valerie.....PLEASE come!!!

[NoahsMommy]

Hey Susan...I forgot to mention the outdoor pool as well which should definitely be open in July. I also think this hotel is in a great location...off the main road but still walking distance to a lot of stuff. We may be able to make it back down there in July...as of now we have no plans in that month. We usually vacation in June.

Good thing you guys are going there March 12-13 instead of weekend prior. There is a huge church conference for teens that weekend prior to when you are going. My husband and I used to chaperone teens to it. There's usually around 20,000 teens/chaperones there that weekend...whole area is a zoo from Knoxville to Gatlinsburg!!

I hope you and your family are doing well!

[Emilysmom]

Here is the website to the Park Tower Inn. It has pictures, but it doesn't show the lazy river or hot tub in the indoor pool.....or the outdoor pool.

www.parktowerinn.com/default.asp

Edited on 3/3/07 to add:
I just called the Park Tower Inn and made a reservation for Spring break for just one night.....am thinking we might stay at another place on the following night so we can check out several places. I asked them about group rates and they don't really give any discount for a group.....but they give a free room if you book 15 rooms. The prices are:
$89.95 for Friday night and Saturday night. $79.95 for Sunday night. Not bad! It beats the $159 for Music Road!!

[Emilysmom]

I've been online, searching for hotels in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area.......hoping to get one booked for a few days a week from now while the kids are on Spring break. There is one hotel we have stayed at many times and have always liked it. At this time of year, it is VERY affordable and it's always CLEAN! They have a free continental breakfast and a nice indoor pool. As I was checking out their website, I typed in the possible dates for our get together and found their rates to be $72/night. That's MUCH less than the other places I've checked so far! I thought I'd show you their website. Check out the breakfast area and the indoor pool; as well as the picnic areas behind the hotel. It's one option!!

www.choicehotels.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=TN182&sid=DoKcg.UEWI0girl.8

[Becky]

I like it, looks really clean and close to alot of things to do, I like the picnic area outside, would be a good palce for lunch one day and just let the kids play. Im for this Susan.

[Emilysmom]

I spent a couple days in Pigeon Forge this week, and checked out lots of hotels for the get together. Please check out the post in the General section and let me know which one everyone likes!

Susan

[Becky]

I allso posted in the General section.
I like the Econ Lodge the best and the week before the 4th works best for us so Matthew can go to band camp, also dh needs to know soon so he can put in for it at work
What ever date is picked we can try to work something out, Im not missing this for nothing. LOL