Attending bootcamp graduation

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Doug Charpentier on February 17, 2013 at 2:04pm

if you fly in to Milwaukee its about 45 mins and Chicago is prop an hour depending on traffic...We stayed in a hotel near great lakes it was fairly cheap we about 15min form the base...I will look for the hotel and get back with you cause we had a discount cause we were military families...Make sure to get their early because its very crowded and bring a jacket cause they keep that place like a meat locker it was very cold in there to the point they sell blankets lol

Permalink Reply by Doug Charpentier on February 17, 2013 at 2:19pm

Stay in gurnee the hotels are cheaper and its closer to the mall and food places..go to hotels.com they have some good deals

Permalink Reply by Carol Parsley on February 21, 2013 at 3:55am

I just got back a week ago from my son's graduation.  I stayed in Gurnee but you will have to have transportation as hotels in that area don't provide to PIR.  With funds being tight, I would stay closer in a hotel that provides transportation to PIR.  And when you make reservations, don't do it on-line.  Call them up and tell them you are coming for Navy graduation for your son.  I got a military discount just by saying what I was in town for.  I don't know where you are traveling from Chip, but I took the train from TX to Chicago.  Much cheaper, but have to find transportation from Chicago to area where base is (which is about 45 min).  I know lots about money being tight, but hang in there and do everything you can to get there.  It is totally worth it.  IMPORTANT -- When you are finding a seat at PIR be sure to note the division your son is in.  They will have signs up with the division numbers on them.  You want to sit in front of that sign so that you can possibly see him.  Even if you sit up stairs you will still have a good view.  I was even able to pick my son out of 88 men and women in his division from the nose bleed section ---thanks to my natural born mom skills and my ex's new camera with a great zoom feature (LOL).  Have a great time Chip!

Doug Charpentier said:

Stay in gurnee the hotels are cheaper and its closer to the mall and food places..go to hotels.com they have some good deals

Permalink Reply by Chip Childers on March 4, 2013 at 8:45am

Thank you very much Carol!
Carol Parsley said:

I just got back a week ago from my son's graduation.  I stayed in Gurnee but you will have to have transportation as hotels in that area don't provide to PIR.  With funds being tight, I would stay closer in a hotel that provides transportation to PIR.  And when you make reservations, don't do it on-line.  Call them up and tell them you are coming for Navy graduation for your son.  I got a military discount just by saying what I was in town for.  I don't know where you are traveling from Chip, but I took the train from TX to Chicago.  Much cheaper, but have to find transportation from Chicago to area where base is (which is about 45 min).  I know lots about money being tight, but hang in there and do everything you can to get there.  It is totally worth it.  IMPORTANT -- When you are finding a seat at PIR be sure to note the division your son is in.  They will have signs up with the division numbers on them.  You want to sit in front of that sign so that you can possibly see him.  Even if you sit up stairs you will still have a good view.  I was even able to pick my son out of 88 men and women in his division from the nose bleed section ---thanks to my natural born mom skills and my ex's new camera with a great zoom feature (LOL).  Have a great time Chip!

Doug Charpentier said:

Stay in gurnee the hotels are cheaper and its closer to the mall and food places..go to hotels.com they have some good deals

Permalink Reply by Brad on March 7, 2013 at 10:45am

I believe the cheapest hotel is the Navy Lodge. $65. No tax, and they give you a bag breakfast the day of PIR. It is also the closest to the base. As listed above, Sarge will take care of you if you need a taxi.

As to airport, you can fly into O'Hare and take a train that will bring you right across the street from the base entrance. If you call Sarge in advance, he will pick you up.

However, if you need a rental car, I found flying into Milwaukee had cheaper rates, and if I remember correctly, they had cheaper flights. It all depends on where you are flying in from.

Some of the other hotels in the area have a shuttle that will drop you off and pick you up for PIR.

I'd strongly encourage you to go, you can't imagine how much it means to your sailor for you to be there.

Permalink Reply by George on March 7, 2013 at 4:06pm

Navy lodge.... 2 miles from RTC... Best place ever and very reasonable... We were there 1 Feb 2013 only family's that have a recruit can stay there...

Permalink Reply by George on March 7, 2013 at 4:08pm

Just read Brads reply 100% agree...

Permalink Reply by Michael T. Walton on March 7, 2013 at 8:37pm

Thank you all for your experience and advice!  Learning a lot on this great site!!

Permalink Reply by Brad on March 8, 2013 at 11:15am

Well, Chip's sailor had PIR today. Maybe we'll hear from him to whether he made it there or not.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Schoonover on March 10, 2013 at 9:06am

I didn't even think to check flying in to Milwaukee! And I want to go to Harley museum so that would be perfect. I already have reservations AT THE Ramada Waukegan and they have a PIR special of $72 nightly right now. 

NavyDads Co-Admin, Jim said:

Chip, probably the absolute least expensive hotel is the Days Inn which is only a couple of miles from the entrance to PIR. If you want close, the Navy Lodge is about as close as you get, but it's a little more costly. But I don't think they have a shuttle. As far as the airport goes, you might do well to fly into Milwaukee. It's not much farther than O'Hare. Most hotels have a shuttle to and from PIR. Most are 3 bucks a head.

Probably the best thing I can tell you here is to explore all the links we have in the PIR group and read what other dads and moms did on their trip.

Permalink Reply by Brad on March 11, 2013 at 9:35am

Unless things have changed, I think Navy Lodge is the cheapest because they charge no sales tax.

The Harley Museum is in the opposite direction from the airport to Great Lakes, but it's not so far you wouldn't want to make the drive. We also found a fantastic authentic German restaurant near the river in downtown Milwaukee, called Mader's. I would highly recommend it, and their homemade streudel made to order.

Also, quite a bit less traffic when driving in from Milwaukee.

If you are renting a car, bring your own GPS system. They charged me $12 per day to rent one and the car was only $19 I believe. Also, avoid the toll road as you're coming into Great Lakes by exiting right before the entry.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Schoonover on March 11, 2013 at 9:40am

that's good info. Especially on the toll road! thank you. As for the museum we are actually spending a couple extra days in the area after my son leaves for A school because flights were considerably cheaper leaving on Monday versus Saturday or Sunday.

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