Help me out, Otters - planning a vacation to Colorado

[LurkerDan]

Originally Posted by Venusian

also, 2 hours early for a flight is...early. but if you haven't flown in a long time it might make sense to go early to make sure you aren't rushed. if you're checking bags you must be there at least 45 min before or they won't take the bag. That's your hard deadline.

Do not get to DIA 45 minutes before your flight, that is seriously asking for trouble. DIA is a big airport. Generally speaking, DIA security is pretty fast, but every now and then they're very slow, and it's not always predictable (staffing compared to passengers, probably). After going through security, you take a train to your terminal, and the terminals themselves are long. Once you pass through security it could easily be 15 minutes to get to your gate. I'd say plan on being at the airport, rental car returned, 90 minutes before, to be safe. If security lines are bad, go to the north end of the terminal and walk to Terminal A, the line may look long but it always moves faster.

If your car insurance has collision and comprehensive, I am sure it covers the rental car (though check to make sure). If it doesn't, check closely. Since yiu say it's next summer, don't bother reserving right now (or rather, reserve somewhere that doesn't require a credit card), and keep checking back, rates will drop at some point from $80/day.

I live in Boulder, and I think it is a great place to check out for a few hours. It's prettier than Ft Collins and is on your way. Ft Fun is not. In summer the students are gone, making it even better. Ft Collins is a nice town, and I surely understand why some like it better, but there's a reason that Boulder is a far more popular tourist destination, and it ain't the stinky hippies.

[Venusian]

My "home" airport is ATL. It's funny when people say other airports are "big".

ATL is huge, but security is much better there than almost any other airport I've been to. Very fast and efficient.

[Sdallnct]

I travel a lot for work. A lot. And being from Dallas, I know big airports.

Atlanta is by far the worse. I do all I can to avoid it. Most of the time I can, but since I fly to Florida a lot, occasionally I have to.

DIA is "ok". It reminds me of an over bloated Vegas airport. For as much huppla and money they spent, I'm not all that impressed. Despite the fact it must take a good 10-15 minutes to get from your gate to the luggage area, I end up waiting another 10-15 minutes for luggage (and sometimes longer). I don't know wtf they are doing down there...LOL

I agree with others, do not get there 45 minutes before. Get there earlier. As a frequent travel I rarely get to airports 2 full hours before (but I might depending on the day I'm traveling or even particular terminal).

[RichC2]

I haven't had an issue with Atlanta myself, though I've never had to check-in there. It's huge, but it's easy enough to get to where you need to be and there is a lot to do to kill time

[Venusian]

The worst airport I've been to is probably CDG. It sucks almost every time I've been.

[mndtrp]

Film on the Rocks at RedRocks is pretty cool. If you are looking for something to do on Tuesdays, and are around Denver, this is something to do. The crowd really gets into it, and there are a few bands before the show. You can bring food and sealed drinks if you choose.

http://www.redrocksonline.com/pages/concerts/index.asp

[LurkerDan]

Originally Posted by Venusian

My "home" airport is ATL. It's funny when people say other airports are "big".

Denver is one of the busiest airports in the country and the world, and is the largest (by size) airport in the country. I grew up in NYC, but it never seemed funny (or wrong) when people said Houston was a big city.

DIA is a big airport, by any measure.

[abrg923]

Back again...took the first big step today, and reserved the rental car...$50 a day for a Chrysler Sebring convertible.

For those of you who live in Colorado, how is the weather in mid-May? I think that is when we're looking at going.

Also, this is the villa we're looking at:

http://www.vrbo.com/229376

[mndtrp]

Usually 80s with afternoon rain. This year has been an anomaly, though. It's stayed far cooler, and rained far longer, than most of the previous summers. Well, at least since I moved here about 10 years ago.

[abrg923]

Considering going in August now, instead of May. What would the differences (if any) be?

[LurkerDan]

Originally Posted by abrg923

Considering going in August now, instead of May. What would the differences (if any) be?

differences are HUGE. August means the high country (mountains) will be "open" and accessible. You'll be able to drive through the mountains easily and hike where you want, as opposed to things being covered in snow, as they might be in May. Of course, you can ski in May still, not so much in August. August on the Front Range (the lower elevation stuff like Ft Collins, Boulder, Denver) could be hot (90s are not uncommon) but it always cools down at night, plus this summer has been pretty cool, we've had almost no days in the 90s.

If you're not coming to ski, August is a great time to be here. May is a lot more of a crapshoot (we can get blizzards in May, or it could be 85 degrees).

[abrg923]

In that case, sounds like August is the better time to go, as I have no intention of skiing, and every intention of going through the mountains...didn't think there would be snow as late as May, but I guess I should've honestly known better.

[mndtrp]

Taste of Colorado is coming up.

http://www.atasteofcolorado.com/

[Duh Vuh Duh]

Originally Posted by LurkerDan

May is a lot more of a crapshoot (we can get blizzards in May, or it could be 85 degrees).

Came here to say this, we go to some cabins for Memorial Day weekend every year and we pack everything from heavy winter jacket, hat, and gloves to shorts and flip flops.