Warbirds over Wanaka

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Wazza69

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#290430 11-Nov-2021 08:11

Hi,

Any Warbirds over Wanaka regulars here? Thinking of going for the first time next year with my two young boys and looking for some tips. E.g. is one day enough? Do you miss out too much just going Friday? Are the stands passes worth it? Is parking a nightmare? How far away would be realistic to stay with the drive in and parking (with kids)?

Any advice would be great. Keen to make it enjoyable for the family.

Thanks

alasta

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#2810966 11-Nov-2021 08:26

I haven't been for over 20 years so unfortunately I can't give you any tips, but I just wanted to say that I am really looking forward to this. I was planning to go to the 2020 event, but we all know how that turned out...

I have accommodation booked in Cromwell and I plan to attend the event just on Saturday. Unfortunately accommodation is just too expensive for me to attend on multiple days.

Sounddude

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#2811002 11-Nov-2021 10:19

I have been going most years.

Don't really miss much on the Friday and Sat/Sunday showings are pretty much identical. Sometimes some planes are only available on one day, so keep an eye on the programme and pick and choose your day if you plan to do just one.

I used to go all 3 days, but now having kids I tend to just do 1 day now.

Parking is well organized and never an issue.

Silver stand is pretty worthwhile, Gold is best but the price jump is huge.

frankv

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#2811538 12-Nov-2021 12:48

I haven't been for 10 or so years, so take this with a grain of salt, but...

Consider flying in if you can... Warbirds and others sometimes do charters. Even better if you're a pilot and fly in yourself, but you better be up to speed with landing procedures.

For kids, unless they're aviation fanatics, one day would be enough.

Make sure you have a good hat, sunglasses, water, and sunscreen.

Stay to the end of the day... the big finale is definitely big.

Accommodation in and around Wanaka is definitely expensive, but it's fun being at the NZ centre of aviation... everyone in Wanaka is talking aeroplanes. :)

It might be more economic to take a campervan than rent accommodation in town. There's a special parking area just for campervans at the airfield.

The Fighter Pilot Museum at Wanaka airfield is excellent, but you might not see many planes because they're out on the field.

shk292

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#2811579 12-Nov-2021 13:58

One tip I received just before going was to take camping chairs - we didn't have stand tickets, just general admission. A quick trip to the Warehouse at Queenstown for some $10 chairs was very worthwhile (and we still have the chairs, 10 years later)

Wazza69

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#2812008 12-Nov-2021 23:18

Great advice all, thanks