Winnebago GNR 2018

[Floridakamper]

I just filled out the online registration form for this year's GNR. We have never attended and so it's a big ? mark for us. I just read last year's GNR post started by Robmat. I got a lot of valuable info from that threat.

I signed up for a handicap accessable spot (we have a handicap tag) as first choice of parking and the handicap club as 2nd choice. I see a POC for the club and guess I'd better contact them. For us, if handicap parking is not available, I'll have to decline attendance.

I see someone mentioned renting a golf cart. Does anyone know how much they cost for the rally?

One thing that makes the rally so attractive to us is the opportunity to get things fixed. I haven't had a good experience with warranty work at the dealer level here in Florida. I'm in pretty good shape now but figure I'll have a list by the time of the rally. Did I read somewhere that they do not accept "Service Plans" during the rally?

What I've learned from this forum:
*Winnebago and vendors have "service" opportunities.
*Honey Wagon readily available at a reasonable cost.
*Water available at each row. Don't have to move to fill. Folks hook
hoses together.
*You can arrive a few days early and leave a day or two late to miss the
rush.
*The rally parking area has a gate that is only open for rigs returning
from service or open on limited access basis.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can add helpful tips. Especially for experiencing the rally with limited physical mobility or being there with a small pet. All the best. Hope to meet some folks at the rally. Bob and Dot

[Robmat]

Bob and Dot, I went last year and found it to be well worth the cost. I won't be going this year as the dates doesn't fit in this years summer trip plans. Hopefully I can make it sometime in the future. I have some answers to your questions.

Handicap parking - it seemed that they park all handicap units the closest to the event. Checking on the Wit website (Under GNR / NEWS / Parking) it says that they give priority to accessible parking to the handicap club so I would think you would want to join the handicap club.
(listed under special interest groups at the Wit website)

Golf Karts - this years pricing is listed on the Wit Website under GNR / RESOURCES and appears to be $265 for the week. We didn't need or rented a golf kart but a lot of people do and if you have mobility issues it wouldn't be a bad idea. However be forewarned that at night it becomes gridlock around the entertainment where everyone just pulls up sits outside the tent. I got concerned about what would happen if we had to evacuate the tent in an emergency. The place is pretty large and there is transportation that comes up and down the main roads so all you would have to do is walk to the end of the row to catch a tram. We were in the C-50 area and walked to the exhibition area and occasionally took the tram to see what what was happening elsewhere and to the front gate to take the shuttle buses for the the available tours.

Work - I didn't have any work done but from what they were saying at the GNR 700 of the 1000 plus rv's in attendance have work done on them. You can the work done at the factory and also at Lichtsinn dealership in Forest City and have installation work by vendors on site. The factory doesn't take service contracts during the GNR and I don't know if Lichtsinn does or if you could make arrangements through your dealer to have the work done at the factory but the service contract processed at the dealer. The installation work (satellite dishes, window awnings, etc.) have to be per-arranged. There is also a service that will wash your coach for a reasonable cost going around.

Honey wagon - we didn't take advantage of it and we made it through the week. If you can make it in Forest City about two minutes from the rally grounds is a free municipal dump station that can handle eight RV's at once. We used it after we left and only two others were using it at the same time.

Water - each row has water but at every other end. We ended up filling only once and it was closer to run across to the person in the next row than to go the far end of the row we were on. I would make sure you have enough hose to make it to the next person or across the aisle to the next row (50-75 feet total).

Gate access - If you have a car I know in C-50 and I think Handicapped you can park next to the coach but in the the other sections you have to park in a parking area. You can come and go as you please on most roads and several gates. The one gate that the RV's and tour shuttle buses use is only for them and it's so they can verified you are registered and escort you to your space when coming back from repairs.

Entertainment was great. State Row parties look like fun but not all rows participated. What wasn't bad was the dinner setup where the local college comes in and serves meals in one building for $8/person. Usually had several selections and meals were self serve and all inclusive (drink, entree, dessert, etc.) it was college food but it wasn't bad and saved water and cleanup in the coach.

[Floridakamper]

Robmat, thanks for the info. Looking forward to the rally.

[Cooperhawk]

I think this will be our fifth year. We love it. On your first day go to the building where all the vendors are located and make appointments with their techs to fix this or that.

Last year we had Norcold, Our furnace whatever it is I forgot, SMH jack folks, ect. all work on our coach. Most work was free and what we did pay for was parts and that was new springs for the jacks.

We stay in C50. We did the state row once but were so packed in we decided never again. We have our car right with us and can drive into town if need be.

We also rent a golf cart. To me that's a necessity. I do have some restrictions on how far I can walk and the grounds are very large.

If you have Grandkids that you like, bring them. They have all kinds of activities for them. They keep them busy.

Sign up and take a free factory tour. Amazing!

See ya there.

[doit2010]

Thinking about going, but might be out of place with all the big rigs, Class and Diesel coaches, I have the smallest Minnie Winnie, the 22R. Are there many of us at this outing?

[Floridakamper]

For what it's worth, I don't think any rig is out of place. Most RVer's don't think like that. I've never been to GNR, but I'd say you should attend one see if you enjoy yourself. That's what we're doing. Forest City is not close to us in Florida so I planned an extended trip around the GNR. Hope to see you there. Bob and Dot

[Floridakamper]

Questions about the golf carts. Is there any reason to reserve one early? Are they in short supply? Is the rental company on the WIT page the only game in town?

Just an aside, we were at a military campground this month (Mayport Naval Station) and met a nice couple that are also planning to be at the GNR. They're in the Military special interest club. Something we'll consider. All the best.

[Americanrascal]

Hey Bob-

We fell in love with the grocery store on the main drag there in Forest City. It sure was convenient (with the toad) and well stocked!

Joe

[Floridakamper]

Hey Joe. Thanks for the heads up on the grocery store. Anything to do with food is on my "to do" list.

[Cover Dog]

The food store “Bill’s Family Foods” is great. And the made fresh daily Donuts are to die for !

[Skip Y]

To Doit2010, there are MANY small units at the GNR. In fact there is a special section for Views and Navions. When you arrive you will see units of all types and sizes - towables, 5th wheels, Touring class (Class B), Class c, and Class A. This is the place to see everything Winnebago has to offer, and has offered over the years. There's even a Club for Classic Winnies.

Hope to see you there
Skip Y
2010 Journey 40TD
WiT 47083

[Skip Y]

Floridakamper, here's some suggestions if you can arrive by Friday the 20th (or earlier). There are many things to do in the area, but the weekend prior to the GNR is Puckerbrush! On Saturday there's a very neat parade, followed by FREE root beer floats at Bill's (the local grocery), and pie and ice cream at the Lutheran church downtown (not free, but inexpensive). There's also an art sale downtown, and BBQ chicken dinner put on by the J-C's. The shuttle bus provides transportation from rally grounds to and from downtown.
On Sunday AM, there's a 'fly-in' breakfast provided by the local fire/police. It's an omelette bar with all the fixin's. The shuttle bus also provides transportation from the rally grounds to the airport.
Look me up when you arrive. I'll be in Section E, WIT 47083 on front of coach. You'll possibly see me running around grounds on a work cart as I work the sign crew.
One final thought - don't try to take it all in in one year, there's too much to see and do. Relax, enjoy, and come back next year.
Skip Y
2010 Journey 40TD
WIT 47083
FMCA 263635

[Floridakamper]

Thanks Skip. Right now I have us arriving on the 20th. Some medical issues right now are putting the trip in jeopardy but we should know in a few days where we stand. I think June 25 or there abouts is the deadline to cancel and receive some refund. Hopefully for a lot of reasons that not necessary. I also still have to reserve a golf cart but I'm holding off a bit on that too.

I may bump up our arrival date. I have a slide making noise that I'm sure needs attention. I have an extended service plan but I understand that they do not accept them during GNR? Are any repairs done as a courtesy? This slide has acted up and been repaired while under warranty a year ago and is the main reason I got the service plan.

Hope to see you at the GNR and thanks for early arrival activity list. Bob

[Floridakamper]

We had to cancel our GNR/Trip West, this summer. We're disappointed and hope to make it next year.