Warbirds Over Wanaka

Though I love Warbirds Over Wanaka and all those who run it and contribute to it, I have to say the admission price seems astoundingly high. No other airshow in the country comes close to their prices.

For 2006 they are asking each adult to pay $35 for the practice Friday, $55 for the Saturday, $55 for the Sunday (which is usually a repeat of the Saturday) or
for all the three days $125.

This is standard fare, not Gold Pass which is $325 for the three days!

Sure, it is a unique show, but then they don’t really have too many aircraft that are not seen at other big shows in the country, do they?

Compare Wanaka to the biggest airshow this year, Classic Fighters – which will no doubt have pretty much the same line-up as WoW04 – and their three day standard adult pass is $45, or $15 for practice Friday and $25 per weekend day. There is even a very good family pass price of $50 for two adults and any amount of kids under 12 years old.

I note Wanaka has no concession for pensioners. They have forgotten the lower income earners, veterans, students and the likes. It seems to me that Wanaka is only affordable to the rich and the tourists cashing in on the exchange rate these days.

Remembering it is in the middle of nowhere and accomodation is always a premium at airshow time, the average Joe has to pay a fortune to get there, a fortune to stay there and a fortune to get in. This is not the case with Omaka.

Sorry to diss WoW. I do love what they do, but for an airshow that is solely meant to raise money for community projects they seem to want to raise a hell of a lot of it. The community must be loving it.

The DVD for those who couldn’t make it is at least cheaper than getting in.

However, none of it even comes close to replicating actually being there.
You Northern Hemisphere peoples have to make the trip !!!!
The airshow is truly superb.

TNZ

I was just at a local shopping chain called “the Warehouse” and saw a boxed set of the Wanaka airshow videos on DVD. It had the 1998, 2000, and 2002 airshows on three DVDs in one package for $29.95 New Zealand Dollars. (That would probably be about $25 US dollars). Great footage. Pretty good bargain. (I already have the 2004 DVD but didn’t make it this time… I went to the 98, 00, and 02 shows though).

I got mine in two working days 🙂 🙂

I ordered mine on monday & it was delivered this morning, 1st class.

I have always wanted to go to NZ and witness the Wanaka display and that beautiful back drop. Maybe 2006 😉
The closest i can get at the moment is watching the DVD, it sounds pretty good from what i understand. Well, I ordered it on tuesday from the Keypublishing online shop and asked for first class delivery. It hasn’t appeared in the post so far this morning, And i ask, has anyone here used the key shop, if so, how reliable is the delivery? I’m kind of hoping i’ll get home from work and it’ll be sitting there on the doormat ;), But i always seem to be unlucky when it comes to deliveries! Any help guys?

TIA

So? :confused: :confused:

I do not have any connection with Key Publishing sales.

They do not have a monopoly on sales of this superb DVD!

That RIAT report is appallingly “ritten”… 😉 😀

For me, the highlight was Ray Hanna briefing the Breitling pilots to fly under the helicopter. The DVD is excellent.

I have also seen the DVD and it truly is top class !!!
Having also attended the air-show the DVD does do it justice, esp with the on-board footage.

TNZ

For anyone who does not have the Wanaka 2004 DVD, it is a must. I am not an avid airshow video fan but having seen my sons’ copy of Wanaka I ordered my own copy within a couple of hours. This is unlike any other airshow video I have ever seen. and NO I do not have any connection with Key Publishing sales.

Nice review of Wanaka !!

Cheers
TNZ