Meet & Greet - Location Finale

[JediSkipdogg]

The results are in, the votes are counted, and it looks like the southeast wins. Therefore with the help of Camjen, we have come up with 5 great landbased vacation spots. Three of the spots are also near cruise ports making that a convenience option. They are as follows...

Tennessee - Pigeon Forge - includes The Smokey Mountains, Dolly Wood, Golfing, Shows and Theaters, and Camping (tent or cabin). Pigeon Forge Family Vacation Destination Guide – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (http://www.mypigeonforge.com/)

South Carolina - Myrtle Beach - Beaches, Golfing, Theme Parks. Myrtle Beach South Carolina - Myrtle Beach Hotels (http://www.myrtlebeach.com/index.cfm?newUserLocation=1)

Alabama - Gulf Shores - Beaches, Nature and Trails, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Alabama Gulf Coast vacation travel guide to Orange Beach & Gulf Shores AL (http://www.gulfshores.com/)
Cruise Port Option - Mobile, AL - 4 or 5 day Western Caribbean cruise.

Florida - Orlando - Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios. Orlando Hotels - Discount Orlando Hotels - Orlando Hotel Reservations - Cheap Hotels Orlando FL (http://www.orlando.com/)
Cruise Port Option - Port Canaveral, FL - 3-7 day Bahama or Caribbean cruise

Florida - Tampa - Busch Gardens, Museums, Beaches. Tampa Florida Vacation Travel, Hotels, Attractions, Activities, Sports : Tampa Bay Florida CVB (http://www.visittampabay.com/)
Cruise Port Option - Tampa, FL - 4-7 day Western Caribbean cruise

CRUISE OPTIONS
With the above cruise options what I think would happen is the cruise would be at the beginning of the trip. It would entail most likely a 3-4 day cruise. Overlapping by a day would be the land half of the trip for the families. They would be able to arrive at the location and have some time meeting each other. Then the cruise people would arrive and we'd all get together and have lots of stories to tell. Then we could do some land attractions together. If one goes on both the land and sea part of the trip it would maybe be a week max at the location. Then again, I'm not holding anyone to any set dates on arriving and leaving.

Thoughts, comments, snide remarks?

[EasyType2]

Kev, since I live almost in the back yard of Pagan Forge, I have a problem even thinking of it as a place to visit. :)

I've been to Gulf Shores, Al., and they had some grade A beaches, clean and white.

[grace girl]

I live in Foley, Alabama, which is about 10 minutes from Gulf Shores/Orange Beach. In fact, my husband sells real estate in Orange Beach. It's a truly beautiful place with the most incredible white beaches I've ever seen. There are a lot of great restaurants in the area, usually always something going on to do, and for those who love to shop there is an outlet mall in Foley that attracts massive amounts of people year-round.
I didn't grow up here, but this is where I spent most all of my summers as a child, and eventually, moved here permenantly. Naturally, I'd be thrilled if yall all came down here!

[princesslinda]

I, too, live very close to Pigeon Forge...go there about once a month to hit the outlets and mini-golf...still, it would be convenient for me if that's where everyone wants to go...there are a lot of things for all ages to do there.

I also LOVE Myrtle Beach...action packed, full of fun. Charleston is a beautiful 2 hr drive from there as well.

Never been to Gulf Shores, but would certainly be willing to go.

LOVE Florida, so would go there as well.

[JediSkipdogg]

So Linda, put your votes on those you will go. I'm actually amazed with the spread of votes and also that some people haven't voted at all that I think would be going. That's cool that we have some people familiar with these areas so that they can tell us more attractions to do.

Also, just so everyone knows, this will most likely be the final week of June again.

[princesslinda]

So Linda, put your votes on those you will go.

I chose ALL of them...as we could drive to any of them.

[JediSkipdogg]

I chose ALL of them...as we could drive to any of them.

So how big is your house? :T Free room and board right?

[princesslinda]

I said I could DRIVE to them...but some would be a L-O-N-G drive.;)

As for house size...small and in the country, so free room and board might entail a night on the deck complete with the mosquitoes and neighborhood dogs (but i'd provide a bug zapper and doggie biscuits, considerate hostess that I am:D )

[grace girl]

Also, just so everyone knows, this will most likely be the final week of June again.

Cool! Yall can all help me celebrate my 40th :eek: :eek: birthday!

[JediSkipdogg]

I decided to do some research on Pigeon Forge since it's in the lead and I posted about it here....

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/meet-and-greet/20720-m-g-2008-gatlinburg.html#post246567

I'd love to see a total of 50 members vote on this poll before making the final location decision. So more votes please.

[ladytaz]

I live in Foley, Alabama, which is about 10 minutes from Gulf Shores/Orange Beach. In fact, my husband sells real estate in Orange Beach. It's a truly beautiful place with the most incredible white beaches I've ever seen. There are a lot of great restaurants in the area, usually always something going on to do, and for those who love to shop there is an outlet mall in Foley that attracts massive amounts of people year-round.
I didn't grow up here, but this is where I spent most all of my summers as a child, and eventually, moved here permenantly. Naturally, I'd be thrilled if yall all came down here!

I'm fixin to be in Fort Morgan next month Holly! Sept. 7th - 10th. Nephew is getting married, at sunset, on the beach there at the house my sis in law has rented :)

We're staying right down the street somewhere. Less than a mile I think. A house on the beach as well. They're at about mile marker 4 and we're between mile marker 4 and 5. I don't have the exact address of the house we've rented yet. Just booked it and sent off my deposit day before yesterday.

We'll be on vacation for 10 days total. Don't know where we'll go after Fort Morgan, but I can't wait! We haven't been on a vacation since Aug. 2003! Only had a few 3 or 4 day weekends here and there.

[ladytaz]

I don't know if I'd be able to attend. Never know how our finaces will be. But I voted Pigeon Forge. It's beautiful up there, and is the closest to me of all the cities listed.

[Cyborg]

IMO, Pigeon Forge sux... Sorry, but I've been there. Unless you like shopping or like to ski and go during ski season, think twice...

[kate]

Are meet and greets country based or are other countries allowed to join in? I know that sounds silly but it seems that there are two meet and greets.. one in the uk and one in the us.. maybe i'm wrong

Are there any meet and greets in Canada?

I'd love to go to either but it'd be hard to make long distance travel arrangements specially for meeting and greeting at the moment..

[JediSkipdogg]

Meet & Greets can be held anywhere. It's just up to who wants to take the initiative and plan them. There's no reason someone from Canada can't come to the US one and no reason Canada can't have one itself. I haven't seen anyone in Canada decide to stand up and say they want to plan one. I just hope that when people do decide to start planning one, they go all the way through and don't quit at the last minute. At least I see on here a bunch speak up about planning one, then I never hear an end result because it never happened. Some do, some don't.

[EdnBama]

I'm in Montgomery, Alabama ... and have been to Gulf Shores many times. I can guarantee that the beaches are splendid and more than you could hope for. I'll put them up against any U.S. beaches.

Plus ... if you go to Gulf Shores, and IF I'm unable to make it, maybe some of you driving would want to stop in Montgomery for dinner, lunch, or something. :D

[Dewey]

Ed, you know I'd stop to see you, anytime! :)

[EdnBama]

Ed, you know I'd stop to see you, anytime! :)

All I can say is, "woo hoo!'

[Keezheekoni]

I'd come and see you too, Ed. Considering especially that it's my aunt who is a neighbor of yours! (Remember the Christmas lights and yard display???)

[EdnBama]

I'd come and see you too, Ed. Considering especially that it's my aunt who is a neighbor of yours! (Remember the Christmas lights and yard display???)

Oh yeah! That'd be excellent!

It looks like we might just have to schedule a Montgomery meet! :T

[bernfarr]

I'd love an opportunity to get together with folks, but I'm in the Northeast.

Any chance there'll be a future meet and greet that's closer to the northern end of the US?

[JediSkipdogg]

I'd love an opportunity to get together with folks, but I'm in the Northeast.

Any chance there'll be a future meet and greet that's closer to the northern end of the US?

Maybe the following year. Maybe I'll just pick the place myself then and pick somewhere up there.

[LauRa Lu]

LONDON!:hello: everyone needs to meet in lonond!

[willow the elf]

pagon forge , Myrtle Beach and Gulf Shores are at least an 8 hour drive by car. Just let me know and hubby and I will try to make it a point to get there. Please ask for e-mail addy.