Oshkosh newbie needs help.

[tkatc]

First time Oshkosh attendee. I need info and tips from the pros. I would have loved to fly my own RV to Oshkosh but that doesn't sound like it is going to happen for I haven't found it yet. Commercial flight is probably what is going to work best. My wife has a triathlon to run the Sunday before so I doubt my rental Cherokee would be a good choice.

So I need to know what city would be best to fly into, what sort of lodging is still available, and should I rent a car or not. Should I do the entire week? or just partial?

I do have some requirements for these decisions. I personally would be comfortable camping....but the wife is higher maintenance and requires lodging with wi-fi, preferably a nice hotel or B & B. Proximity would be good especially if alcohol is involved because I would enjoy sitting around a camp fire getting sauced and telling stories.

I hope I am not too late in planning and making arrangements like this...please help.

Hope to meet a lot of you guys while I'm there.

[FresnoR]

*Fly into Milwaukee.

*Rent a car at any Milwaukee rental office other than the airport, much cheaper and an easy cab ride.

*Book a hotel now! if they are sold out the dorms at University of Wisconsin may be your best bet. Check the OSH Website. You can also look on Craigslist, there are a lot of people who rent houses or rooms.

*Honestly, the amount of time spent there will depend on the wife. You could probably be there everyday all week, but she may not have the passion you do and a couple days may be enough for her.

[mculver]

Even cheaper is Chicago and a rental at O'Hare (Southwest flies into Midway, which is too far). Will cost you an extra hour of driving each direction; so you need to decide what your time is worth.

The best days of the show are the front end -- a lot of interesting hardware flies back out by the end of the week.

[sbal0906]

2010 was my first time at Oshkosh. I camped there for a week and still couldn't see everything. Something I noticed when I was there was the daily line up of cars coming in for the day was massive. I don't know how quickly the lines moved (maybe someone could chime in on that), but you may consider getting a place to stay that is on one of the shuttle bus pick routes.

Cheers,

[rckol]

Southwest flies into Milwaukee now. Airtran flights are also very cheap.

[DwightFrye]

I've both camped and stayed off-field, once at the dorms in Oshkosh and multiple times at the dorms in Fond du Lac. Except for the time the kids and I drove from NC I have always rented a car, so would drive in daily and park. I don't like being tied to shuttles, and have thing about having my own wheels.

Getting there, I have more than once flown into Chicago and rented a car. Once (noted above) the kids and I drove from NC. Then last year I flew the Citabria from NC and ended up at Fond du Lac due to the soggy conditions at Osh. Each approach has its good/bad points, but flying the Citabria was the most fun.

Honestly, getting in/out isn't bad unless you are trying to leave right after the airshow. The lines move fairly quickly and they marshal people into parking places quite effectively. I've never had a problem with it. Also, once you pay for the day you can leave and return without paying again as long as you hold onto your daily parking pass. (Or, that is how it has worked for me.)

We looked at getting a hotel/motel room this year, and the prices and availability, even a few months ago, were astounding (i.e. high prices and low availability). I would actually enjoy camping (we camp every year at Sun-N-Fun) except getting enough camping gear there to make the experience tolerable can't be done flying commercial. Camping with the limited baggage space available in the Citabria wasn't viable either. Maybe when the RV is finished. Being on-field really enhances the experience (IMHO) because you are fully immersed. But if your wife doesn't like camping .... I can't blame you for not wanting to go that route! This year we'll be down in Fond du Lac at Marian University again. Its spartan, but we frankly don't spend much time in the room anyway. So its just a place to sleep when we come back exhausted after a day of wandering the field.

As others have noted before, the first part of the week seems best. Whether at Osh or Sun-N-Fun we tend to bug out the last Saturday morning early. Crowds get worse on the weekend, and many interesting planes have often bugged out by then too.

[videobobk]

No idea which is cheapest (you can find that) but Milwaukee would be much quicker/easier. I drive the Chicago most years (when I don't fly) and HATE Chicago. The campground does have wifi at many locations and, if you have air mattresses, it isn't bad. The dorms aren't air conditioned, I understand, so similar temps. There are very good facilities in the campground, and that is where the fun is in the evening. Try to hook up with someone who has been there; it will save you time and frustration. Many people LOVE to show newbies around! I will have too many this year...

If your wife can run a triathalon, she can handle Camp Schooler!

Bob

[Steve]

One year we flew and camped in the North 40 while a friend flew commercial to ORD and rented a car. He parked in the RED lot which is next to the N40 but camped with us.
Last year we flew and camped at Fond du Lac but borrowed a Suburban from a relative. We parked the Sub in a business' parking lot (with prior arrangement) and walked thru the gate by Friar Tucks into the N40 camp area (NW corner of OSH). No hassle with traffic. That area of the field is served by the School Bus Shuttle.

[RV7Ron]

I've done Chicago and Milwaukee. MKE is a shorter drive, but you may get a better airfare and availability into Chicago. The drive from Chicago isnt too bad either.

As others have advised. I agree to get your rental car off airport in MKE to save money...and reserve it early (months ahead) as they have been jacking up the prices during the week of OSH lately which kind of aggravates me.

Good luck, you'll have a ball!

[tkatc]

Good stuff guys...keep it coming. I think I have made a few decisions. Commercial flight into MKE on Sunday night or Monday morning. Stay until Thursday. I may have a handle on lodging but it is not concrete yet.

Rental car....hmmm....I think I might need that. Your thoughts?