freeatlast 0 #1 October 21, 2009 Hi Guys I'm thinking of heading over to Orlando next month and would like some recommendations. I have a bit of work to do during the week but should have two free weekends Where would people recommend to go? Deland is obviously the closest ... Where's the best place to stay? On or near the DZ or in Orlando? Btw i am now in my 30's and like to have some comforts - so i don't really want to camp! Thanks James Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tolgak 0 #2 October 21, 2009 I think they have accommodations, but I'm not sure. Just a forewarning, the Qatari military is here and they dominate many of the loads. I think there will be more planes running on the weekends but it has been slow due to high winds. The weather here will be pretty consistent like that for the next few months. Ever since the cold front came through it's been gusts of greater than 20 kts. Don't forget about the wind tunnel in Orlando. It'll serve you well if the weather is crappy.Dropzones are terrible places for inspiration. What does one think when one looks up for a sign only to see a bunch of people falling? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #3 October 22, 2009 Quotethe Qatari military is here You really believe that cover story? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kimemerson 7 #4 October 22, 2009 Quote i am now in my 30's and like to have some comforts - so i don't really want to camp! oh, the kids these days! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyh2omedic 0 #5 October 22, 2009 Holiday INN Express gives skydiver discounts"You can't teach what you don't know and you can't lead where you won't go" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #6 October 22, 2009 From Orlando, you're pretty centrally located to hit DeLand, Z-hills and Sebastian. If you don't mind about an hour drive to each place, you can just stay at your hotel and you won't have to move around. If you want to stay late into the night, there are hotels near each dz and I know Deland has skydiver owned bunkhouses around town and Z-hills has some trailers that get rented out that are on the dz. November is usually a pretty nice month to jump in FL, you should have fun! Let me know when you might be in Deland and I'll see if I'm jumping that weekend.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 67 #7 October 22, 2009 If you are coming toward the end of hte month you might want to check out Z-Hills 21-29 - Thanksgiving Boogie and Turkey Meet. Our Annual season kickoff. Lots of events during the week, seminars, coaching, big-ways, RW/FS, freeflying, wingsuits. 21 - Night jumps Saturday Night - B license required. 22 - High Altitude loads, 22000' for 90-110 seconds of freefall. B license required. 26 - 10 Way Speed competition 27 - 8 Way FS 28 - 16 Way FS, & Night Jumps 28 - Bloodnet USA here for blood donations. Save a life 29 - High Altitude Load first thing in the a.m. & Rain Day for any of the competitions Hotels nearby and rental trailers on the DZ.You can't be drunk all day if you don't start early! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeatlast 0 #8 October 22, 2009 Quote oh, the kids these days! I know - but it's better to be truthful - i've done my time sleeping on the floor / in the toilet / random spaces in strange houses ... Now i'm happy to have a pillow (or two) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeatlast 0 #9 October 22, 2009 Quote From Orlando, you're pretty centrally located to hit DeLand, Z-hills and Sebastian. If you don't mind about an hour drive to each place, you can just stay at your hotel and you won't have to move around. If you want to stay late into the night, there are hotels near each dz and I know Deland has skydiver owned bunkhouses around town and Z-hills has some trailers that get rented out that are on the dz. November is usually a pretty nice month to jump in FL, you should have fun! Let me know when you might be in Deland and I'll see if I'm jumping that weekend. Cool - i didn't remember that Z-Hills was that close to Orlando I've visited the Hills and Sebastian before - so i guess i'll definately give Deland a visit this time - especially if Skymama's jumping Thanks for all the suggestions so far and if anyone's got any more or knows of a good party or two then let me know. I'll be in Florida 19th - 30th of November Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mutumbo 0 #10 October 22, 2009 QuoteFrom Orlando, you're pretty centrally located to hit DeLand, Z-hills and Sebastian. If you don't mind about an hour drive to each place, you can just stay at your hotel and you won't have to move around. If you want to stay late into the night, there are hotels near each dz and I know Deland has skydiver owned bunkhouses around town and Z-hills has some trailers that get rented out that are on the dz. November is usually a pretty nice month to jump in FL, you should have fun! Let me know when you might be in Deland and I'll see if I'm jumping that weekend. Dont forget about Lake Wales :D.Thanatos340(on landing rounds)-- Landing procedure: Hand all the way up, Feet and Knees Together and PLF soon as you get bitch slapped by a planet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #11 October 22, 2009 Yes, it's close. I haven't been there enough to recommend it one way or the other though.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 803 #12 October 22, 2009 If only you could jump there....they don't care for fun jumpers, only tandems. They like to move their aircraft to Titusville as well. Z-hills gets all their pissed of fun jumpers and tandems, so thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SARLDO 0 #13 October 22, 2009 Quote If only you could jump there....they don't care for fun jumpers, only tandems. They like to move their aircraft to Titusville as well. Not true. LW may be a smaller DZ compared to the others but still fun jumper friendly."Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 803 #14 October 23, 2009 Odd how we keep hearing that while collecting their customers. It's all good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SARLDO 0 #15 October 23, 2009 Not trying to debate which DZ is better, I jumped Z-hills for a few months and had a blast there, went to LW to try it out and found it a very friendly place with some good people. I keep going back. The complaints surrounding LW are, I believe, due to the DZO not putting the plane in the air unless there are a minimum number on board. Isn't this just a good business decision? Doesn't every other DZO do the same thing? It's not cost effective to put a 6 way up, I don't blame them. If fun jumpers bail on a DZ because there aren't enough of them there to put a load up, it's ony a matter of time (and opinion) that the DZ will be labled a "tandem factory" because those 6 people get turned away when the tandems are done for the day. It's a shame if some fun jumpers bailed on this DZ because of their misconceptions. If they had stayed, there would be enough folks there regulary to keep flying all day. I guess it's all good for the other DZ's though. I too may eventually have to give up on this DZ due to lack of fun-jump loads and head back to Z-Hills or maybe Deland, but until then, I invite you to join me for some good old-fashioned fun jumps at Lake Wales."Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest" ~Samuel Clemens MB#4300 Dudeist Skydiver #68 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danornan 79 #16 October 23, 2009 Sort of depends on what type of skydiving you plan to do. That weekend of the 19th, Kaleidoscope is at Deland. It's going to be busy.Dano Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glandu 0 #17 October 24, 2009 Go to Deland for thanksgiving day's dinner at the DZ. . you will meet Bob Hallet,,the owner, and other great people. Good food, good wine, good beer, good deserts,..... good spirit[ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeatlast 0 #18 October 26, 2009 I hadn't realised i'd be out there for thanksgiving - i can feel my arteries hardening already!!! Seriously though it looks like i might have to head for the Holiday Inn Express and go from there ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeatlast 0 #19 November 3, 2009 OK - so i've booked the Holiday Inn and i'm sooo looking forward to it now! Just tell me it's warm and dry cos it's crappy weather here now ... And tell me that you've still got cold cheap beer and the girls still like the english accent Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #20 November 4, 2009 It's high 70's and low 80's right now for the high. Saturday was terribly hot. When are you coming? There's plenty of beer in Deland, there's a full bar at the restaurant. As for the accent, it should work for you. I don't know about the English sense of humor though. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeatlast 0 #21 November 4, 2009 I'll be arriving on the 19th That all sounds good - i'll just have to bring candy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
