WOW.... Total People: 900 Total MINIs: 581 In light of there being 900 registered as I write this the thread title has been changed to "Can we hit 1000?"
What's this event going to be like with a thousand people and 600 or so cars? Is it still going to be fun? Thoughts?
How can you "not know"? Won't every organized ride be oversubscribed? Won't there be crazy long lines at every restaurant, every parling lot full, every bathroom occupied? Obviously, I have a problem with really big crowds, so maybe it's just me, but other than the entertainment factor of seeing this many MINIs all together, I wonder if the crowd's size might be a bit much? At MITM last year there was one drive that had well over 100 cars in it, it was completely unmanagable and that was in a small town with little traffic. I can't imagine what it would have been like with 200, or 300, or 400 cars trying to go.....
MIINIDave, I'm with you, I don't like crowds but I'm going to try to make the best of it since it's husband and our first year and we now have two MINIs. Thank goodness I'm staying in a cabin where we can make our meals at the kitchen and use our own bathrooms.... or at least that's the plan.
Ironically, it's kinda true. Of course at the Welcome Dinner, Farewell Dinner, Brewswap and Bingo, there will be 300 to 400 people in the same place at the same time. But aside from that we are kinda spread out. Since Fontana can not accomodate all of us, we are spread out over the town of Robbinsville and many folks are staying 30 to 60 minutes away. On one hand it would be super cool to have an event where all the MINIs were in the same place at the same time, but it's probably a blessing in disguise that it doesn't happen. Last year we jump from 635 to 823 registrations. I thought for sure we gonna feel really crowded, but it never happen. While some folks are out on the Cherohala, another group is on the Dragon and then some folks are in Bryson City, etc. I'm sure it will get a little congested around the vendor alley at times, during the Photoshoot, the Dragon Parade and the Ice Cream Run. But other than that I think we'll be OK. I look at it this way.......I rather be stuck in a traffic line of MINIs in the Mountains than just about anything else I could be doing back home
Barry's right... Last year was the biggest MOTD yet, and the only place it was "crowded" was the the parking around the vendor area of Fontana and the panoramic photo (of course, that's the point). If you want to avoid traffic, just go any time except the official drives and you'll be fine.
Well, I certanily agree with the sentiment about preferring being with a group of MINI owners! Part of my issues could also have been from my traveling companion(s), who do NOT do crowds well at all. I also agree that having a separate place to stay would help out with the feelings of being crushed in the crowd. Still, I hope everyone who goes has a terrific time and a memorable trip - in a good way! I thought I might try to attend this one, my daughter lives about an hour's drive away in Hendersonville, NC and I have friends I can visit all over the area, but I have to admit I was put off a bit by the huge numbers..... Probably too late now......plus we've made plans for a large family reunion this July in Colorado - some of my brothers I haven't seen in over 10 years now.