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MOTM Parrot Head Convention & Trop Rock Music Week Tips

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Money Saving Tips

  • If you’re driving down the Keys, stop at the The Florida Keys Visitor Center, 106240 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL and pick up TONS of buy-1-get-1-FREE drink coupons for your favorite Key West establishments. In Key West, these coupons may also be available through the little tour booths on the street corners.
  • Top off your gas tank in Florida City or Key Largo because gas prices go way up as you travel south.
  • Pick up the touristy papers and magazines around Key West for more restaurant and attraction coupons.
  • You can bring your own drinks to the Casa and save on your bar tab. No bottles/glass or coolers allowed on the grounds.
  • Save your hard earned dollars and take advantage of Happy Hours: Best Key West Happy Hours
  • Publix seriously has awesome Key Lime Pie. Pick one up if you’ve got a fridge where you’re staying. The price is perfect.

Getting Around Key West Tips

  • The  Duval Loop Bus is the way to go. It’s FREE, runs every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during the early morning and late night runs. Plenty of stops to get you close to your destination. During MOTM, the route includes a drop off and pick up at the Casa Marina (THANK YOU PHIP). The service typically runs 10am – midnight. Go to this website address on your phone to get real time GPS data on the buses: http://kwtransit.com
  • Sometimes, you’ve just got to splurge for the taxi/uber/lyft (which is quicker to get from one spot to the next). Save your frustration, pay a little for a ride. Also, Pedi Cabs are fun, but it’s a long ride to the Casa.
  • Rent a bicycle to get around to all the great places to eat, drink and to the various music venues. So easy to park! Just be careful not to imbibe too much if you have a lengthy ride at the end of the night to get back to your hotel! A bike chain and lock is a must.
  • Parking is difficult in Key West. Do not park in a “resident only” parking spot. The city parking garage at Grinnell and Caroline Street is a good option for easy access to the wharf area. $4 per hour with a max of $32 per day.
  • Comfortable shoes. You will walk a lot.

Packing List:

Packing List

  • Driver’s License / Official ID: You’ll need it for flights, rental cars and most importantly…. registration for MOTM.
  • MOTM Confirmation Email: You don’t need to bring this with you, just make sure you can access it on your smart phone in the event there are any questions.
  • Reservations: Print and pack your hotel, flight, rental car and any pre-paid tour reservations.
  • Credit Cards: Be careful with your credit cards. About every other year we’ve had a fraud charge. Primarily this has happened at gas stations and once at a restaurant. Thankfully, credit card companies are quite good at catching fraud charges, but make sure you review your credit card statement after your trip.
  • Cash: Cash is great for adding Trop Rock CDs to your collection. Not every artist is able to take credit cards in person.
  • Phone Chargers: If you have two chargers, bring them. Keep 1 in your room and the other with you for charging on the go.
  • Swimsuit & Cover Up: You can swim at the Casa Marina in the pool or work on your tan at the beach.
  • Beach Towel for drying off or to spread on the ground to sit on at the Casa Marina.
  • Folding Camp Chair for watching the concerts at the Casa Marina. Pick one up at the Walmart in Homestead if you’re driving through the Keys.
  • All your favorite Trop Rock artist t-shirts and your Trop Rockin’ Magazine Tees too!
  • Your PHIP Regional MOTM Parrot Head Club T-shirt (if your region does this) and don’t forget which day your supposed to wear it.
  • Comfortable shoes. Be prepared for a lot of walking. This is NOT the time to break in those really cute new shoes.
  • Halloween Costume
  • Novelty Item for Signatures: Bring your hat, t-shirt, beach ball, or whatever fun item you’re using to collect Artist signatures.
  • Unwrapped Toy (include batteries if required) or school supplies for the MOTM Toy Drive. You can also donate a gift card from these stores only: CVS, Wal-Greens or K-Mart
  • Beads, pins, leis, and parrot head jewelry
  • Black Sharpe pen for Artist autographs
  • Wine drinker?  Don’t forget your cork screw
  • Hand Sanitizer (you’ve seen some of those bar bathrooms before!)
  • Light weight jacket / sweatshirt. Yes… it happens. Sometimes it’s cool enough in the evenings that you’ll need it (especially on or near the water)

 

Meeting of the Minds & Trop Rock Music Event Tips

Trop Rockin Magazine Don Middlebrook Sunset Sail

  • Wake up every day and consult the Trop Rockin’ Magazine MOTM / Trop Rock Music Week Schedule to plan your day!
  • You can’t be everywhere. When you want to attend conflicting gigs, see which of the artist has additional gigs later in the week.
  • Explore new Trop Rock artists that you haven’t seen before.
  • If you’re hoping to grab a pool lounge chair to sit in for the night at the Casa, these get snatched up early.
  • You can bring your own camp chair to the Casa Marina. You can not park your chair up in front of the stage. It’s standing room only.
  • Bring your hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for outdoor venues.
  •  If you want front row or the best seat at your favorite gig/event, plan on arriving about an hour early. Popular events, even earlier.
  • Daylight savings time is on Nov. 3. At 2 am Sunday morning, turn your clock BACK one hour. Now it’ll only be 1am… more time to party!

 

General Festival & Key West Tips

  • Carry bottle water with you everywhere and stay hydrated.
  • You can walk out of a bar with your drink (as long as it’s in a plastic container), you can not walk into any bar with said drink. Some venues tend to let it slide, for example: Schooner Wharf and Hogs Breath are fairly laid back about it. But other bars are real sticklers, for example: Margaritaville and the Green Parrot. Be prepared to finish your drink before walking into the next establishment.
  • Make time to eat at some of Key West’s great restaurants. It’s tempting to have a burger at the Casa Marina every night while the music is going on, but you’ll be sorry you didn’t have a memorable meal in Key West. 6 Fantastic Key West Restaurants near the Casa Marina
  • Exchange phone numbers with friends and roommates so no one gets lost on island time. Seriously… it’s good for everyone’s safety to check-in with each other.
  • Sunset is approximately 6:45pm. Plan accordingly.
  • Mallory Square is famous for watching the sunset, but if you prefer less crazy atmosphere, then we suggest: Top Spots for a Key West Sunset
  • Ladies, if you’re out late on the Duval Crawl, bring travel tissue paper. Often, the restrooms are out of toilet paper.
  • Have fun. Relax. It is your vacation too.

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