How bad is daytona????

I have wanted to go to a daytona show for about 4 years now and never get a chance to go. And I have really been thinking about driving down this year im in south carolina so im a little ways away but since I have never been I was wondering how bad is it down there I know florida is pretty expensive but what are the hotel prices somewhere around the show? I really dont want to drive down and then just drive back lol. And is traffic crazy down there like in atlanta?

traffic is no where near as bad as atlanta. good luck trying to find a room this late.

well I dont absoulty have to have a room. Ive drove to florida for a day and drove back before so Its not to to bad but Im still debating.

from what i understand, the rooms are all booked up. its not a bad drive but if you are a serious looker, it will take you more than a day. maybe someone will let you crash on their hotel couch!

its worth going even for the day!!

Do you happen to know the actual address for the show? I mapquest daytona beach and its only right at 7 hours for me so thats not to bad.

We stayed at a hotel by the interstate last year for only $60-70 bucks a night. We had to drive a few miles to the show.
Trey

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Originally Posted by mxrider42

We stayed at a hotel by the interstate last year for only $60-70 bucks a night. We had to drive a few miles to the show.
Trey

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Do you remember the name?

Its worth the drive every time for me but I drive 4 hrs. There's plenty of hotel and motel rooms I wouldn't worry about that.

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Originally Posted by Denial

Do you remember the name?

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LaQuinta - this one:

http://tinyurl.com/npaxob

Rooms are $59 a night right now for August 21st through August 23rd.

I've stayed there every year I've gone to Daytona (because I bring my dog). About 5 miles out from the Convention Center.

http://www.reptilebreedersexpo.com/

Ocean Center and address:
http://www.oceancenter.com/

Ahhhhh.... Daytona.... *Sniff* If I start driving now I might be able to make it this year.... Opps, forgot to grab a extra snake bag, oh now its to late to leave.... Ya, I think its like a 28ish hour drive from me... still tempted to hop in the car and leave.

One thing to keep in mind if you have to drive in to the show, and plan to hang out at the Hilton (a MUST) - the parking deck across from Ocean Center is $8 a day (if you don't leave). If you have to leave the parking deck and then come back, the clock starts over, so parking can add up.

If you get down on Friday, mid-day, let's say - you can stop by the office of the parking deck and last year they were offering all day passes for the show (and I missed out). The office is on the lower level of the parking deck.

Because we took our dog, we did leave the deck several times to walk her, or go back to the room to drop off animals, take a shower before dinner, etc.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

LaQuinta - this one:

http://tinyurl.com/npaxob

Rooms are $59 a night right now for August 21st through August 23rd.

I've stayed there every year I've gone to Daytona (because I bring my dog). About 5 miles out from the Convention Center.

http://www.reptilebreedersexpo.com/

Ocean Center and address:
http://www.oceancenter.com/

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Robin thank you so much. Looks like I may actually get to come this year!

So this show starts on a friday? Ive never been to a 3 day show before whats the best day to go ? Becuase ill probably only stay one night

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Originally Posted by Denial

So this show starts on a friday? Ive never been to a 3 day show before whats the best day to go ? Becuase ill probably only stay one night

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The show starts on Saturday, the best Hilton parties are Friday night. And you haven't done Daytona until you hang out on the back porch of the Hilton on a Friday night!

For the past 2 years I have gone to the symposiums on friday night. They are VERY informative and you get to hear all the big dogs in the business talk about how they do what they do so well. Even though I do not breed boas or bloods I was very interested in what was being said. If you can't make the party or the symposium I would definatley suggest going at least sat and sun. I dont know about you all but I cannot get around to every table in 1 day. (I also am a "show socialite" according to my BF :P so that may be my problem :D)

One more thing, I LOVE meeting all the "faceless" folks that I talk to on the forums but I feel strange just walking up and saying "Hi I'm Kellys Balls nice to meet you". So I will be wearing a purple Kelly's Balls T-shirt all three days so if you see me please say Hi.

I look forward to seeing all of you in Daytona!

And don't forget to get in on the BP.net Scavenger Hunt!! :D

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=98820

I work on saturday(unless I convince the boss to go on saturday too! LOL), but I'll be there sunday!
If you think you see me, feel free to go "Wolfy?" and if it's me I'll probably go "What? It wasn't me!"
Hope to see tons of folks there!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

LaQuinta - this one:

http://tinyurl.com/npaxob

Rooms are $59 a night right now for August 21st through August 23rd.

I've stayed there every year I've gone to Daytona (because I bring my dog). About 5 miles out from the Convention Center.

http://www.reptilebreedersexpo.com/

Ocean Center and address:
http://www.oceancenter.com/

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I always stay at laquintas, because of our dogs. The one in daytona is not as nice as others i've stayed in, but more than a nice enough place.

Come on down and stop by and say hi, table 134 and 135 (I thing)

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Originally Posted by neilgolli

I always stay at laquintas, because of our dogs. The one in daytona is not as nice as others i've stayed in, but more than a nice enough place.

Come on down and stop by and say hi, table 134 and 135 (I thing)

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Do you know if they'll allow 3 dogs? I am trying to decided whether to leave them with the dog walker or take them with me.

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Originally Posted by coolluigi007

Ahhhhh.... Daytona.... *Sniff* If I start driving now I might be able to make it this year.... Opps, forgot to grab a extra snake bag, oh now its to late to leave.... Ya, I think its like a 28ish hour drive from me... still tempted to hop in the car and leave.

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really? im is SE WI and it took me 18 hours to get to Gainesville...

I wish i could go to Daytona though

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Originally Posted by Lucas339

from what i understand, the rooms are all booked up. its not a bad drive but if you are a serious looker, it will take you more than a day. maybe someone will let you crash on their hotel couch!

its worth going even for the day!!

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I know people who went at the last minute last year and got a room. It was about 10 miles from the show but when you've driven 8 Hours, what's another 20 minutes?

I went last year, and maybe it was because of the weather, but I thought it sucked, and was very disappointed that I even went. Tinley NARBC blows Daytona away, from what I saw last year. Both the show and the party. I wouldn't drive for 14 hours to go back.

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Originally Posted by MuzeBallPythons

Do you know if they'll allow 3 dogs? I am trying to decided whether to leave them with the dog walker or take them with me.

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not 100% sure, but i've always taken 2, and ones almost 100lbs and the other is going on 140, on her way to atleast 180. Ive never had a problem there at all.

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Originally Posted by neilgolli

not 100% sure, but i've always taken 2, and ones almost 100lbs and the other is going on 140, on her way to atleast 180. Ive never had a problem there at all.

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We just check in, then go to the room - they don't do room checks or head counts. And we just put up a do not disturb sign the entire time we're there. Every other day they hang a bag on the door with new towels and soap, etc. (The past years I've stayed Wed night through Monday).

Sadly - I'm not going to Daytona this year - but I'll be at Tinley - at the LaQuinta! :D