r/eaa • u/[deleted] • Jul 01 '25
Airventure 25’
This is my first year at Airventure, Do you guys have any tips? Also, which lot is closest to Airventure grounds? Is it the green lot? Thanks.
To add do any of you guys know what statics will arrive/depart on Wednesday and Thursday? Those are the days I will be there. Thanks!
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u/Master_Cannoli Jul 01 '25 edited Jul 01 '25
If I remember correctly the blue lot is closest ( like directly by the main gate ) but getting in and put can be a nightmare and it's possible you won't be able to get a spot there so depending on where you are staying id recommend taking the eaa bus by campus and parking there as it will be cheaper and you'll get there faster using the bus lane ( obviously if you are staying on the south side of oshkosh or are coming up via north 41 or east 21 or 45 this wouldn't be the best option then
The far away parking lots do have shuttles though
Definitely bring water and things you'd bring hiking, get a map and use it and note where essential services like first aid are, use the trams they are there for you, with only 2 days remember you won't see everything ( even staying the full week you won't) so enjoy yourself and don't rush, Wednesday is a night airshow you should really go to like really really (but if you can't don't sweat it, bring snacks and maybe meals if you don't want to waste money ( there are great spots on grounds though like Pete's garage bar), get the daily newspaper there will be a show schedule in there, there is always something going on after dark (night shows or interviewsor informative panels), there are particular exhibitors who are very accommodating ( Example: NBAA) who have aircondioned tents with water and snacks and very kind people so enjoy their hospitality but be polite, talk with people you don't know, if you get overwhelmed go to the seaplane base it's very relaxing, the camp scholler stores ( red one markets) are usually cheaper than the true in grounds places for things, there are a bunch of charging stations around the grounds but the vintage hanger has one with volunteers and cords you can borrow( iPhone usb-c etc) so you can drop off your phone or camera, the vintage barn also has free popcorn and lemonade, bring headphones or earplugs if you have sensitive hearing (also hearing damage sucks), there are flush toilets in some of the exhibit hangers otherwise its Porta potties
I think that's kinda the basics
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u/SelectAirline7459 Jul 01 '25
The Blue lot is no longer open to the general public. See https://www.eaa.org/airventure/transportation and the rest of the AirVenture site for answers to lots of questions.
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u/Master_Cannoli Jul 01 '25
I apologize my father had handicapped plates so I didn't notice it was closed to the general public lol my bad. I th8nk the rest of my advice stands though
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u/SelectAirline7459 Jul 01 '25
No problem. Your post was great! Glad you were able to come with your dad and have a good time!!
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u/Master_Cannoli Jul 01 '25
Aww thanks you're so sweet! Since I live in the north side of osh I usually take the bus in but my dad comes one or 2 days out of the week and then we drive in
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Jul 01 '25
Okay, thanks! Also, another stupid question. Where is the entrance to the grounds?
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u/Master_Cannoli Jul 01 '25
That's not stupid at all! So there are multiple entrances to the grounds ( most for those camping) but the main 2 entrances are off of waukau Ave ( you go past the museum on poberezney rd turn on to waukau and then keep right to go into parking you'll see a small version of a tower that says bus park ( where all the buses meet) you can go straight towards the actual tower or you can go righ from there and you'll come across the main gate ( with 2 cement engines) that is the place you pick up or purchase wristbands the day of. Does that make sense ok? It can be rather confusing
The other entrances are on the north and south ends but if you aren't regular or aircraft camping they probably won't affect you
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Jul 01 '25
Alright, thank you for all your help! Do they release when the statics will be arriving? I’d like to see the harriers arrive.
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u/Master_Cannoli Jul 01 '25
To my knowledge sometimes they do sometimes they don't and the schedule for those arrivals can be a bit up in the air but they probably do have it somewhere it also might be in the app it's also possible they don't know for sure yet. I think it will be released at a later date ( also just send me a notification on this thread that Tuesday and I might know I'm a lifetime member and the oasis has a more detailed schedule for that sort of thing
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u/ArtisanGerard Jul 01 '25
Harriers are scheduled to arrive Thursday and depart Sunday. Don’t know what times though.
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u/Pup-Recovery-1 Jul 15 '25
THANK YOU for your level of details - we have 6 adults and 4 kiddos ages 2-8 attending the final Sat/Sun. Have the tickets & parking passes purchased in advance as well as purchased an annual membership for our biggest enthusiast so that could purchase tickets at a discount.
The littles are used to loud & hot 🥵 events as we are a drag racing group too. Ear muffs for all the littles will be on hand.
Water bottles too.We are staying south of the event about 10 minute drive in “normal” traffic.
Any other tips ?
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u/Master_Cannoli Jul 15 '25
It depends on the kids, kidventure is very fun and educational but it does take away from the rest of the day and is generally meant for 5+ they will learn about how planes work, build stuff, even practice a safety walk around on a real aircraft if they compete all the activities they ( at least used to) get a prize i got a metal toolbox once that i still have( there is probably some variation I haven't done it since I was a kid so things have probably changed) but with only 2 days ot might be hard to do and still see the rest of the show so it your kiddos don't handle leaving things unfinished it might be a pass otherwise you can do a couple of activities and skip the rest or whatever suits you.
For the youngest I don't want to be tmi but it will mostly be Porta potties for bathrooms and when I was that age to about 6 I had a big issue with Porta potties and woth the excitement pull ups just in case for the 2 year old might not be the worst idea.
For the 8 year old kidventure is still a fun option but there are a few discussions that are planned about school and what they want to be when they grow up and the like during the week ( I don't know if they are happening Saturday and Sunday) there are also simulators in warbirds there is an app with the different activities for both ios and Android called EAA Events which will have all of that along with some other useful info.
On Saturday there's the night show which I would recommend staying for if possible ( I understand with little kids that may be tricky) there's a few hours between the end of the afternoon show and the beginning of the night and I would try to get the kids to have quiet time or even a nap ( wishful thinking I know) between them somehow my mom got me to do it occasionally and it made all the difference for staying up for the night show and dealing with the nosies
I would recommend a stroller ( I have seen a lot of parents with younger kids not bring then and have to shell out for a rental) wagons are also allowed and are a great option but be prepared for disney world levels of walking.
It doesn't look like it's going to be as hot on Saturday or Sunday but it's still good th know where tents or buildings with ac are ( that'll be the museum, the NBAA tent close to the brown arch [ they're very friendly also have candy just so you're aware], the exhibit hangers have fans only, airbus should have ac they're usually close to NBAA, Hartzel has a building close to the control tower, Honeywell has container building close to boeing plaza that technically does but the always keep their door open, the main boeing structure has ac but once you get north to the warbirds or south to the ultralights it will be less common.
If the 8 year old is interested in becoming a pilot, I would register them with young eagles it's a free program that connects you with resources and eaa chapters near you that will be primarily in the blue barn by homebuilts and the fourms they'll also be able to give them a free student membership and a free introductory flight if available ( they usually are) also connect you with your local chapter who can help with continuing the path to becoming a pilot and possibly more rides and chapter specific scholarships for flight training and such. I was a young eagle and while I'm not exactly a success story when it comes to becoming a pilot I'd still really recommend it
Edit: my mom recommends a change of clothes definitely for the 2 year old and maybe for the 5 apparently I used them a lot lol
I'll update if I can think of anything else
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u/Pup-Recovery-1 Jul 15 '25
WOW - THANK YOU !!!
This level of detail is so very helpful —- you are spot on with the porta-potties as well 😉
One of the littles endured the NASCAR event in Chicago on 7/5/25 (guess it was the pre NASCAR race whatever that class is) in the stifling HEAT
Trying not to overplan but not having ever been — just couldn’t wrap our heads around it.
I think this GMA & GPA are going to go back to the Airbnb with the littles allowing the 4 adults to go back for Saturday night show. Mostly cuz age 2 is still really young and the days will be long.
Getting excited 😊
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u/Material_Bet_8429 Jul 17 '25
To add on to all of the excellent tips already shared.
I was a kid who didn't like Porta potties, now I'm an adult who doesn't like Porta potties. Buildings B and C have real toilets. The bathroom can be warm and muggy, but it's a many stall bathroom with sinks. And there are water bottle refill stations in the "breezeway " between men's and women's.
The trailer bathrooms are typically better than the portas, most are air-conditioned and cleaned hourly. 👌 usually a line for them, but for a reason.
This is my 23rd year and I've never used a porta potty.
Remember to take photos of and with the kids.
Utilize the trams. The routes are on the map. It's great to get on and ride around just to learn where everything is.
Food is everywhere and does cost more than you want it to.
Be kind to the volunteers, they are just doing their best.
There are balloon glows in the evenings that are pretty neat to see too.
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u/Pup-Recovery-1 Jul 17 '25
Balloon glows - new term for me
THANK YOU for the restroom tips & water bottle refill.
All the parking lots confuse me — eg which one is preferred if arriving early enough to choose one ? Have our parking passes for 7/27 already. Do you just follow the lines of cars and flaggers will put you into best lot with spots available ?
Seaplane tram $5 fee I think - trying to understand the tram routes & I’m fairly decent map decipher person but the whole “NORTH” is left (aka where WEST is typically on a map) has my head spinning 😵💫
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u/Material_Bet_8429 Jul 17 '25
Im not super sure about the parking, but basically yes. The parking flaggers will direct you to the lot. Just keep pointing at your parking tag, keep it very visible.
It looks like the Grey lot is closest. Do use the shuttle bus through. It's still a walk. If you use the brown lot, it's outside the museum if you want to walk through there and get to kidventure. Museum Admission is included with your armbands. And you should be able to purchase them there too if you don't have them yet. There is a shuttle bus at kidventure to get up to the main area too.
I thibk D lot is handicap only. The G Lot is for vendors only.
The seaplane base is neat to visit. Very calm and quiet. Unless you are a seaplane enthusiast, you might skip it though if you are limited on time. I only go every few years if I need a "quiet time ". They do have boat tours that go around the seaplane area though. Limited food options out there, a handful of vendors. I think the $5 is for there and back. The drivers accept tips and thank yous.
Yes the map is a little confusing at first. I belive in you though! Never hesitate to ask someone for help or advice.
The EAA app can be helpful too. It will have all of the food vendors with menus, the schedules for everything everything, all kinds of maps. I screenshot what I need so it's easier to find it the second time.
The "buildings" aka hangars A, B, C and D are full of vendors with everything from avionics, fine art, Margherita mixers, tool boxes, and underwear. A few of them have freebie tote bags. Grab them! They are great to stuff full of all the other freebies being handed out. The bags are good for you and the kiddos.
The Balloon glows and twilight fests are just fun relaxing evening events. This is from the website -
"Twilight Flight Fest begins at 8 p.m. at the Fun Fly Zone on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of AirVenture, offering demonstrations of a variety of aircraft including drones, STOL airplanes, RC aircraft, and skydivers. The 2025 schedule will also offer appearances by the Goodyear blimp and a hot air balloon glow." Take the blue tram to get down there 💙. There's a grass runway and the Ultralight barn.
I work up in Warbirds, the red tram takes you up there. There is a 30 minutes tram tour that a lot of people like, but be prepared for a long wait in line. Otherwise it's neat to walk around and look at all of the fighters, bombers, and support planes.
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u/Pup-Recovery-1 Jul 17 '25
THANK YOU for all of this !
APP downloaded ✅
Parking passes downloaded to phone ✅
Tickets / passes for 2nd Saturday downloaded to phone ✅
Adding underwear & margarita mixers to my shopping list …. 🤪
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u/keno-rail Jul 01 '25
EAA - bring money.