Which to book? Diamondhead Hotel or Sandpiper

I am torn between these two resorts.

Diamondhead offers the 1 bedroom (we have small children) and is locacted closer to the ';action'; (could be plus or minus). However, it seems like everything there is priced high.

Sandpiper seems very laid back and a great relaxing vacation, however, they only offer the 2 bedded room. I also like the thought being ';right on the beach'; instead of a high rise.

Any suggestions in making my decision easier?

Which to book? Diamondhead Hotel or Sandpiper

Sandpiper is ideal for Families with small children. You walk out right on the beach, there are 2 pools one for children and the other is Adult only-it is more private. Jump on the trolley $.25 cents-kids ride free and head North for time square. There is a playground there and shopping, eating %26amp; drinking galore. Walk down Old San Carlos to the shipwreck and take photos of the kids as Pirates, there are photo shot spots on the sidewalk. Down from there is Snug Harbor and the elevator is painted in 3-D, get glasses from the hostess. Be sure to get a pizza at Dockside across the street-they are knocking it down soon-dig we must ! Also if the kids get restless we have an awesome community pool near Beach Elementary, for a buck there are slides, cannons,squirt guns, fun...Our Library has an excellant childrens section with computers, puzzles, puppets-everything.

Which to book? Diamondhead Hotel or Sandpiper

Thanks for your reply.

Has anyone stayed in the Penthouse at Sandpiper? We were debating if it is worth the extra room vs. location (ie staying in a Beachfront room and being right on the beach for sunsets).

Any thoughts? I am having problems finding any pictures of the layout of the Penthouse also.

Haven%26#39;t been there in a while but I think the ';penthouse'; may be above the office-if thats it you won%26#39;t see sunset from there, its too far back off the Beach, ask them if that is the Penthouse. This time of year the sunsets way north not right out front.

I agree with beachbratz that the Sandpiper is best for families! Go see Andy at the water sports rental booth out back too!!

I don%26#39;t know how small your children are. We just got back and stayed at Pointe Estero we have 2 boys 6 and 9 and we really liked it. We got the 2 bedroom and could spread out alot. It is a high rise but had no problem getting an elevator. The pool was great they even had water toys for the kids to use such as noodles, water ring and buckets/shovels to use for digging on the beach. We debated on Diamondhead and Pointe Estero and really glad we picked what we did. From the out side I think Diamonhead looks much nicer than Sandpiper but thats just my opion. This location is not as close to the ';action'; but we had a car so we could drive to the restaurants. Our kids loved the beach and the pool. The Gull Wind is next to Pointe Estero and it looked really nice also. Good luck and have a great time!

I agree with the previous poster, you should consider the Pointe Estero. My family has been staying there for years and it%26#39;s great for people with familier. With the highrise you get a beautiful view of the entire beach.

A few years back we had booked at Diamonhead and we weren%26#39;t very impressed. We%26#39;re used to the accomadations at Point Estero and the Santa Maria.

I would say the Sandpiper. I%26#39;ve been staying there for 10 years now. It is a great place for kids and adults alike. The rooms are great, the staff is great and the location can%26#39;t be beat. The beach is right there and that help with a cooling breeze (much better than spots further from the water). There are many repeaters that come back year after year and that has to tell you something.

$2 - £......... well almost

As I am going in October I have been scouring for the best exchange rates recently. I manage to buy a few a month ago when the $2 to the pound deal was on ....... but managed to get just over that today with crown currency on their interbank rate. $%26#39;s should be delivered just before I go.

Ok I had to pay 12.50 charge but buying enough dollars still works out at a good rate.

So I have my theme park tickets. dollars/flight/hotel/ car hire booked. Blue man group booked. HHN tickets purchased

Is it time to start packing yet. :-) going to get witdrawal symptoms..... nothing left to do

$2 - %26pound;......... well almost

Hi Steve %26amp; Nikki

i%26#39;m also going in October, can you tell me how much you had to change to get this rate?

Thanks

Pinky

$2 - %26pound;......... well almost

I dont believe their is a minimum limit but it does cost 拢10 up to 拢500 and 拢12.50 for over 拢500, It is a good deal if you are buying a lot....... obviously if you are only buying a few then it aint so good because of the 拢10 charge.

They are very helpful on the phone tho. on getting the best rate for when you want to go.

One other to check out is travelex, but has to be collected at an airport. Or if you are in London their are several dealers around waterloo that are offering 1.97.... but you have to visit they will not deliver

Thanks for that.

Should have bought a few weeks ago, that will teach me.

Pinky

tescos on line are the best of high st names at moment

pmcq

on www.comparetravelmoney.com Tesco=1.9170 and Asda is 1.9297 or do you know something else?

it is probably the best you will get if you are buying now. Crown exchange are great if you buy in advance at the right rate whatever that is.

Have you tried Marks %26amp; Spencer they are usually pretty good.

A lot of the places like tesco etc, actually use travelex..... but the rate is not as good as travelexes own website !!! probably because of the delivery costs.

If you can afford to buy a few weeks in advance Crown currency are the way to go ....unless of course you can get to central london.

If you need immediately travelex are the best buy.... but has to be ordered online and picked up at airport. you wont get as good a rate just going to the beuraux de change at the airport.

Weight Restrictions for Parasailing with Sebago

Just in case this ever comes up or someone wonders about why one trip is deiiferent than another...

Peter, Yes there is weight restrictions, though it is a bit variable depending on wind conditions and which chute we are flying. 450 lbs is max and 120 is minimum, though we don%26#39;t advertise this because it is a captains determination on the boat. There is a difference between steady wind speed and those that are either shifty or gusty. We are able to fly so long as wind speeds don%26#39;t exceed 20 knots. Both our captains and their mates are very experienced and all are certified by PAPO (professional assoc. of parasail operators). You might find their website helpful. The program dictates how we can operate and if you don%26#39;t they can throw you out. PAPO membership is a prerequisite for insurance. That horrible parasail accident in Pompano Beach last week was a direct result of an inexperienced captain who broke almost every rule of safe parasailing. I wasn%26#39;t surprised to learn that he nor the company was a member of PAPO. It will get even uglier when it comes out that the Turks and Caicos insurance is bogus. There is only one legitimate insurance carrier for parasailing. Back to your original question. Sometimes during the course of a tour the wind can change so that a couple who if they would of flown first would be ok then 30 minutes later it might not. This has happened a few times and people get embarrassed then pissed off. Our guys are very polite, but it is totally their call whether it is safe to fly or not. I hope this helps, but as you can see from my lengthy explanation a number of factors can change a situation. Regards, Paul

Pjk

Weight Restrictions for Parasailing with Sebago

How horrible about that accident. I hadn%26#39;t heard about it until googling it.

It%26#39;s good to know that they should be certified by PAPO.

Weight Restrictions for Parasailing with Sebago

I wonder how often they change the lines.

I%26#39;m passing on parasailing for a while!

I don%26#39;t think I%26#39;ve ever heard of an accident in Key West, yet these things dot the horizon all day long, especially on the other side of Sunset Key.

http://pjk.smugmug.com/photos/177515532-M.jpg

Pjk

Anytime you take to the air, accidents can happen. My best advice is to use only operators with a good background and solid reputation.

Alcohol is often involved in aviation accidents, and parasailing is no exception.

Remember, the last transmission heard on the radio before the crash was, ';hey y%26#39;all hold my beer and watch this!';

dang, i was really looking forward to a parasail adventure when wife and i come down there. she is skittish about anthing on the water to begin with. i did not read about the account, but i assume it was fatal. now, i%26#39;ve got doubts myself. i have done it before and i love the views you can get (once you relax). the only potential benefit from any tragedy is the effort made to insure such a thing does not happen again. from your local information, are most of the parasail operators doing things like checking lines and replacing them, etc. is safety more important than saving a few bucks for most kw operators?

Just make sure that the company you are thinking about going with is PAPO certified. I LOVE parasailing and have done it numerous times, with no injury or problems. That parasailing accident was the first I%26#39;ve heard of one for a long time. I don%26#39;t know the whole details but being that close to land first off seems really weird to me. Everytime I%26#39;ve gone parasailing we were at least 3/4 mile from shore...and we always had a life vest on.

ohbo, the odds of that happening again are quite slim IMO. The boat was very close to shore and the chute was not over water, as I remember. Two sisters were dragged across a roof.

The ski operations here are always over water.......I would go ahead and go. Sunset (at Smathers) goes waaay offshore, which might be cool for spotting fish, turtles, etc.

Billy%26#39;s Barefoot Watersports, on the beach, just to the right of Louie%26#39;s Backyard %26amp; Afterdeck restaurant/bar, near The Reach Resort Hotel is a great place to go parasailing. They%26#39;re VERY safety concious, professional %26amp; well trained, %26amp; fun folks. ( I do NOT work for them, but speak from experience.) They have parasailing, jet skis, kayaks, snorkel gear, paddle boats, Hobie Holders, %26amp; exceptional jet ski (wave runner) Island Tours. You can do one activity, or several, %26amp; I%26#39;ve found it to be the best service on the island in water sports activities! You can call them at 296-5000 %26amp; ask for Billy%26#39;s Barefoot Water sports; or call 305-849-0815. The Island jet ski tours start on the hour, so be early to get prepared %26amp; for safety training!

They provide the PFD%26#39;s or life jackets, %26amp; they have lounge chairs, towels %26amp; an outdoor shower. Now is a great time to go before The Reach Resort Hotel , which is under renovation, reopens completely, as it%26#39;s not so busy! Have fun!

[clears throat]

As the state of Florida%26#39;s #1 Parasail Jock of 2001, with over 200 personal flights under my belt that year, and over 2000 successful assists from Key West to Clearwater Beach,FL - I was a kid once too you know! - I would like to share some insight on this subject.

One. Lines are changed. It%26#39;s up to the captain and mate (';jock';) to identify worn lines.

Two. Ditto %26#39;chutes.

Three. Key West is safer than many places for parasailing due to the limit on line used per airport restrictions - 300 feet maximum.

Four. Key West parasailing is half the price of most anywhere else in Florida. It is about $40 max. (Plus tip, and/or video-photo card.)

My personal preference of parasailing is Fury Parasailing. I like 1) their training and trainers, and the quality and attention of their captains and crew., 2) speaking as a former ';pro jock,'; their equipment is unquestionably the best and best up-kept on the island, 3) location ie the Westin, meaning their operational standards must be a step higher. With parasailing, this is nice to know.

Sebago is good, too, Pjk. But I choose Fury for the above reasons.

For the record, accidents DO happen. It is almost impossible to get a straight answer about equipment and training due to the fact - unlike bungee jumping - no professional safety organization exists to implement such a progam. That is why I stick with THE TOP PROVIDER for sports such as parasailing. And IMHO, in Key West, that%26#39;s Fury.

I%26#39;m a retired professional aviaor. I don%26#39;t trust any of them. Caveat empteor.

Universal Fast Passes

Hi

Can anyone tell me where you get the Fast Passes from at Universal? Can you only get them at the gate?

I%26#39;m thinking of arriving and checking out the waiting times first.

I don%26#39;t want to buy passes for five people only to find out we%26#39;ve chosen a quiet day and didn%26#39;t really need them.

Thanks

Sal

Universal Fast Passes

hi,

the fastpasses are for sale in most of the souvenier shops all over both parks so you can check out waiting times first.

just as you enter both parks there is a board which displays waiting times for the rides to help you aswell

Universal Fast Passes

Yes, absolutly correct!

You can buy them almost everywhere in the parks... (in fact, if they haven麓t sell enough, they have little booths in the park and advertise them separatly :-))

only thing c a n be if you go during a peak season and every passes are gone for the day (because they only give a fix amount per day!)

I have to buy for 5, do you think we%26#39;ll need them in October (12-26)?

when are you going ?

Parts of the year you will need them, other times e.g. Oct / Nov you won`t.

I suggest getting to the park and judging it then. Plenty of places to buy the fast passes.

Well, like steve said, in some parts of the year you麓ll need it and in some you don麓t...

I highly recommend to spend one night in one of the 3 Universal Hotels...

Imagine, one night is around 300 bucks...

they are GREAT hotels and divided by 5 you麓ll have 60 bucks per person!

If you go and buy the tickets in the park you pay between 30 and 40 bucks each!! (per park!!!)

AND you only can pass the lines ONCE...

If you stay onsite you can pass as often as you like AND it is valid in BOTH parks for TWO days...

Think about that!

:-))

A good way to judge if you will truly need a Universal Express pass or not is to see how much they are charging for it on a specific date.

If the price is high, you can bet you will need it due to expected large crowds. If the price is low, you probably won%26#39;t need it that date.

I agree with other posters that you probably won%26#39;t need them during that time perod. And also true that staying at the one of the Universal Hotels on site is the way to go! They are not too expensive, are beautiful facilities and you automatically get front of the line passes. Anything you may purchase in the parks is sent directly to your room. The hotel pools are awesome and October is a great time of year. Very convenient to both parks.

No matter what, you%26#39;re sure to have a wonderful time!

Diesta

beauty secrets

etour and travel

talked to etour and travel about the trips to orlando and daytona beach and paid down payment on trip now im starting to read that its spam has anyone been and is it apporiate for 3 kids ages 10, 8, 6 ?????? ANY COMMENTS OR DETAILS

etour and travel

Pam; My family went to Orlando %26amp; New Smurna Beach as guests of etour and travel. The accommodation%26#39;s were great. We did have a meeting with a sales representive once we arrived at both locations. The meeting was for 1 hour in each locations, and it was for sales of timeshares??

All in all, I was pleased with the package that was offered. But found that by no means, the vacation was inexpensive. My husband and myself %26amp; children 18 %26amp; 12 really enjoyed our selfs.

There is one bit of advice I will give you,,,check the hotels that they want to lodge you in before scheduling to stay at any one. This can be done at hotels.com. I was scheduled to stay in a hotel, other than the timeshare properties. After looking for the rating on the hotel that was provided by etour and travel, I found that they were low ratings....Then, I paid etour and travel for a upgrade in my hotel. I was allowed to stay on site at the timeshare properties. I must comment the timeshare properties were excellent.. I also paid to have a ';upgrade of my rental car as well. By far, this wasn%26#39;t a cheap vacation. We ended up spending alot on upgrades. Etour and travel also gave me trouble with scheduling my flight with thier accomidations. I ended up paying extra to change my flight to accomidate thier scheduling of ';availability'; of decent hotels...All in all, this was not a scam..We enjoyed our trip. I would consider going back again...:-)

I Got Lucky

I have been trying to talk the DH into taking a little two day trip to KW between Christmas and New Years and last night he finally said OK but he added ';You%26#39;ll never find a place there for only two nites, less than 250.00 during that time';! After calling around with no luck I decided just on a whim to call KWHarbour Inn, we have reservations there in May of 08 and believe it or not they had a room, one room left, the Tobago Room. I am so excited, it will the first time I have seen Key West decorated at Christmas! Life is GOOD.

I Got Lucky

i come down every year for new years you will have a great time.

I Got Lucky

Excelletn RK!! KWHI is so accomodating! That is one of the King pool rooms I think.......

You are right Phillygirl, it%26#39;s right next door to the Trinadad

Refresh my memory, are you going over memorial day next year?

My friends have Trindad or Tobago, not sure which, for next May. We are all so psyched

It seems with so many TA people going to that B%26amp;B you all could come up with some little in-house scavenger hunt on property (without the owners knowing about it : ) ) for the next guest to find.....a hidden drink coupon, a freebie behind a mirror, an unused ticket under something. Could be kinda fun.

Phillygirl, No we are going May 1,2,3 of next year, wish we could go at your time, sounds like you guys will have a blast! We try and go earlier in May, right when the rates drop and before it get so HOT, cant take the heat. I%26#39;m excited about December though, never been during that time. It want be for New Years Eve though, we always like being back at home with the friends and cats for that one.

Keywestaxi-----Leave it to you to come up with something so fun and exciting, I am game, how about you Phillygirl, anybody else? We can post when we get back from the trip and give hints!

I think it is a great idea Q!!

Taxi, I stayed in at a B%26amp;B in Maine and there were all these boxes on a table. Being the curious type I peeked in the boxes. There was notes from past lodgers, so we left one too. Kind of fun to read others %26amp; leave one of our own behind. How fun to start someting at KWHI!

Don%26#39;t Key West B7B%26#39;s have guest books set out someplace where people can write their names and when they stayed and comments about the stay and Key West? The ones I%26#39;ve stayed in in Europe all have them and it%26#39;s interesting to read through them. Some people ';respond'; to previous comments, as if whoever wrote them will come back and read them.

Pjk

Day trip in Tampa - parking?

Hi! I%26#39;ve been reading the board but I have a question of my own I thought I%26#39;d throw into the mix.

I%26#39;m staying in Kissimmee next week, but we%26#39;re taking a day trip to Tampa to see the D-Rays on Saturday. If we head over early in the morning with our rental car, would it be wise to park near Tropicana Field and tool around the city all day from there? Or would we be wise to keep our car with us? We don%26#39;t have too many must-see destinations, but we%26#39;d certainly like to get to a nice quiet-ish beach and maybe the aquarium.

Just thought I%26#39;d see if anyone has any thoughts on the matter. Thanks!

Day trip in Tampa - parking?

You%26#39;ll need your car with the aquarium close to downtown Tampa and Tropicana Field in St Pete. Then if you want to get to the beach,you %26#39;ll have to drive out to St Pete Beach (different town from St Pete) or the like. Actually...I think you%26#39;d enjoy seeing Ft Desoto, one of the prettiest beaches in the area and that definitely takes a car as well. You really can%26#39;t do much walking at all from Tropicana Field.

Day trip in Tampa - parking?

Thanks, OO. That%26#39;s very helpful.

Go to www.flaquarium.org -- the homepage for the aquarium, or googlemap Tampa.

The Trop is in St. Petersburg -- about 15 miles (city traffic) from the aquarium -- Fort DeSoto is another 10 miles (city traffic) from the Trop (the opposite way from the aquarium). Fort DeSoto is gorgeous, but has no restaurants/bars/etc -- it%26#39;s a state park.

I%26#39;d start at the aquarium (opens 9 am), then go to St Pete for the game (afternoon game, I think) -- then have a drink and maybe dinner on St Pete Beach, before making the looong (2 hours) drive back to Kissimmee)

Free parking at the Trop! I suggest seeing the sights (Dali Museum, The Pier, Museum of Fine Arts, ST Pete Beach) in the morning /afternoon %26amp; driving to the Trop for the game.. FREE parking at Tropicana Field.