So really, how are things down there now?

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

I hope everyone had a great holiday. I was all ready to get married in Seaside in October when Ivan came along. It was to be a very small, family-only, wedding on the beach so we decided to reschedule for this April.

Question - I know the Seaside area is doing great now but how about Destin / Ft. Walton?

Due to some physical limitations of a couple of our guests - we needed to find relatively affordable accomodations (Gulf Front - since that is one of the main reason they are going!) on all one level and/or elevator access (i.e. no steps/stairs). They also need King size beds as they are a bit larger with hip and knee issues.

This led us to a nice condo in Ft. Walton which still has not reopened since Ivan and I'm a bit concerned it won't be ready by mid-April.

Is that area still noticeably rebuilding? I know it will take years for the area to be what it was like shortly before Ivan, but I was thinking most buildings in that area would have at least had electricity back on, etc. Is this condo the exception or are several properties in that area still undergoing the process?

Also, is there another condo type location that would fit the criteria mentioned above in or around Seaside? Watercolor Inn looks fabulous but is out of their price range.

Thanks in advance!
Sue

 

[GMC]

Dear Photocat,

It looks like you should be more worried about letting a hurricane postpone your wedding more than accomodations for your guests.

Just picking,

GMC

 

[RiverOtter]

Dear Photocat,

It looks like you should be more worried about letting a hurricane postpone your wedding more than accomodations for your guests.

Just picking,

GMC

:mrgreen:

 

[Kurt]

Hi All,

I hope everyone had a great holiday. I was all ready to get married in Seaside in October when Ivan came along. It was to be a very small, family-only, wedding on the beach so we decided to reschedule for this April.

Question - I know the Seaside area is doing great now but how about Destin / Ft. Walton?

Due to some physical limitations of a couple of our guests - we needed to find relatively affordable accomodations (Gulf Front - since that is one of the main reason they are going!) on all one level and/or elevator access (i.e. no steps/stairs). They also need King size beds as they are a bit larger with hip and knee issues.

This led us to a nice condo in Ft. Walton which still has not reopened since Ivan and I'm a bit concerned it won't be ready by mid-April.

Is that area still noticeably rebuilding? I know it will take years for the area to be what it was like shortly before Ivan, but I was thinking most buildings in that area would have at least had electricity back on, etc. Is this condo the exception or are several properties in that area still undergoing the process?

Also, is there another condo type location that would fit the criteria mentioned above in or around Seaside? Watercolor Inn looks fabulous but is out of their price range.

Thanks in advance!
Sue

Hi Sue,
There are a lot of 1-story, and multistory houses with elevators on 30-A - but they will generally be higher priced.

There are so many condos in Destin and FWB that you shouldn't have any problem finding some that are in good shape. Again you are just going to have to contact some people to find what you need. Destin is in good shape.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Kurt - any place to start looking (a name? a company phone number? a website?)

As far as the wedding goes - we were upset at the time but it is just a wedding. There are far greater tragedies in life than a postponed wedding. We felt more upset for the people who lived in the area who had their homes and lives destroyed. (Plus we've been together for over 12 years now - so 6 more months wasn't a big deal. Since I don't particularly care for any cermonies, weddings included, being married on the beach down there was the only option I was willing to consider. Just a little piece of heaven with those white sand beaches!)

Sue

 

[Kurt]

http://www.graytonbeach.com/rental-agencies.html

Where will the wedding be?

 

[Anonymous]

The wedding will be on the beach in Seaside. So anything within 20 or 30 minutes of Seaside would be awesome (in my head I had from Ft Walton to Seagrove as the general range of beaches to consider).

The Seaside group are a wonderful bunch to work with, we had just finished paying for it when Ivan hit. I asked if we could take everything "as is" and move it to 4/05 and they happily did so!

Thanks for the link too - I'll start researching (I'm in Virginia btw and the last time I was in the Panhandle it was 2001 - just after 9/11 of all things.)

 

[Kurt]

Try some of our customers on:
http://www.graytonbeach.com/rentals.html
http://emeraldcoasttours.com/for_rent.html
http://emeraldcoastbeachrentals.com/rentals.html

 

[Anonymous]

destin/seagrove area

hello, we just returned from a week in destin. we stayed sunday - sunday between christmas an new years. the weather was absolutely gorgeous. we spent an evening at seaside...it's amazing how far they've come in 3 mos...but be prepared for changes! time will bring the dunes & seagrass back...but it was a little sad! we stayed in destin because we found a townhouse on the beach that worked perfectly for two families...lots of steps though, so probably not suited for your needs. the beaches are in okay shape...everyday we encountered bull dozers working on rebuilding the dunes, etc. we stayed near pompano joes...there seemed to be alot of work rebuilding the parking area that was taken out. one of the neighbors in the complex we were in is a permanent resident...they are patiently waiting for sand and beach restoration...they've been told february. we had a wonderful vacation and will be back in the spring. one VERY sad piece of information that we were given is that the beautiful henderson park inn (bed & breakfast in destin) was sold and is being torn down for condominiums...we wanted to cry! our son & daughter-in-law honeymooned there and we have always had it as a place we would like to stay someday...such a shame if it is torn down...it has sooooo much character!
anyway...good luck...there are lots of options for beachfront accommodations along the coast...

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Kurt for the great links - some very awesome places to stay!

It was also very good to hear from a recent visitor of the location (thanks "guest" )

I just haven't been able to get any real straight stories on the condition of Ft. Walton area and what I have heard, hasn't been very promising. If this was just a "normal" vacation it wouldn't be too much of a concern, but it is for our wedding and this is the first time our families will be visiting the area so I just didn't want them to stay in a construction zone if at all possible.