First off, I want to say thank you to Thad and Chris and the PWRA staff for putting on the greatest pressure washing event…ever. Or, I guess I should say that I have ever been a part of 
There has been a lot of talk about it being hosted at the same venue next year, so I am going to post this because I’m sure a lot of it will be applied to ANY resort that a function is held at.
First off, you are not going to have a top notch event in a flea bag motel. Most of us here charge top dollar for our services, but yet gripe about paying for a fantastic venue and resort prices. However, you can be smart in how you approach certain aspects of resorts. For those of you wanting to not have to pay the top of the line pricing, there are a ton of other options. There is always staying at a cheaper place and then walking over to the venue, but please don’t gripe about the prices when you stay in the resort and take in all the comforts and luxuries of staying at the venue, then griping the whole time about how much it costs. The old adage applies, you have to pay to play. For those of you griping about staying at the resort and paying the top prices, please quit because you had other options and all it does is make you look cheap and whiny:)
Now that I got that off of my chest, let me get down to what you’re going to have to expect to pay for to get the convenience of the resort.
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Parking- $20 a day to park there for self parking. Not a bad deal to know your stuff is safe, but if your wanting a cheaper route, you could always park about a mile or two away and walk in. If you stay at the budget motels, most of them don’t have pay parking if you’re staying there. I even heard of a few parking at the mall and walking over. Also, the $20 a day includes unlimited exit and entry all day, so you can leave to eat or sightsee.
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Resort fee- $18. Those atriums and water canals don’t pay for themselves. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, but you are staying at a resort and they have every right to charge what they want for their services and what they need to stay in business and make a profit. I don’t see any of you griping when you charge $300 per hour for a housewash, so the same applies here…just put yourself in their shoes. Again, the budget motel doesn’t charge resort rates, but they also don’t have a 9 acre glassed in river and views either.
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Taxes- Uncle Sam and the city and state have to get theirs, just know that it will be extra just like any place. You WILL have to pay this at the budget motel also.
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Food- Probably the most griped about ANYWHERE that has an attraction and serves food, IT WILL BE EXPENSIVE!!! You are paying for convenience. If you don’t like it, there are a few other options that you can do that isn’t considered cheap. You can always bring in some food and make a sandwich and snacks or something in your room. You can even bring a small container and use the hotel ice machine to keep things cool.
Here are a few things I noticed personally about the food at Opryland. Next year, I will do everything I can to avoid the burger and pizza place. Nothing like eating a $16 hamburger and fries that tastes blah. BUT I went to the nice sit down Mexican restaurant and paid $18 for a taco salad that was out of this world…seriously. So much in fact, that I will be taking the hour and a half drive soon with friends to go up there just to eat there. Everyone in our party that ate there was very impressed with the meal.
Long story short, pay the extra money and eat at the nicer restaurants for great food. No more “fast food Opryland” for me.
There is always walking either to Cracker Barrel across the street or the mall, although the mall will have high prices also.
- Bring your comfortable walking shoes. YOU WILL WALK A BUNCH!!! Even more so if you plan on saving money and either walking in or walking to go get something to eat outside the resort. The more you walk, the less convenient it is and the less convenient it is the less you pay.
Tips on saving money next year is to car pool with someone else to the event and/or share a room if you’re attending alone. Halving expenses is a great way to save. Also, PLAN AHEAD!! The longer you plan out, the better time and less headaches you will have being prepared.
Lastly, I can’t over stress this enough. Great events that lots of people will attend aren’t going to be held at a motel 6 in nowhere Montana (no offense to the guys in Montana). It’s going to be in a huge town at a huge resort, and that means higher prices. Just plan ahead and set aside money for next year and save and take the whole family on a tax write off vacation!! SEE YOU GUYS NEXT YEAR AT THE 2014 PWRA CONVENTION!!!
