Gulf Shore Getaway

Gulf Shores beaches popular for the July 4th weekend

As previously predicted, Alabama's Gulf Coast, including Gulf Shores, is completely jam packed busy for this July 4th weekend. Hotels, condos and other vacation rentals are sold out as families flock to the coast for a long weekend of family oriented fun in the sun.

This long Independence Day weekend's weather is being fully cooperative. There is plenty of warm sunshine and cool gulf breeze on tap for beach goers. It's a time tested combination which never fails to fill the beaches are with visitors and vacationers enjoying their long Independence Day weekend.

Alabama Gulf Coast beaches expect heavy traffic this July 4th weekend

The telephones in real estate offices and hotels have been ringing off the hook as prospective beach vacationers hunt for any open accommodations this Fourth of July weekend.

This year's Independence Day holiday falls on a Tuesday, giving vacationers an extra day, or making it that much easier to extend the weekend into an entire week. With what looks to be very cooperative weather condos, vacation rental houses and hotels in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach report availability is extremely limited.

The whole of Alabama's Gulf Coast is in similar situation, as record numbers of vacationers descend to the the Gulf Coast for a long weekend of sand, surf and July 4th festivities.

Riverwalk recast larger, now Bama Bayou

Riverwalk in Orange Beach is now Bama Bayou. The facility will be expanded by nearly 400%. There will now be approximately 1100 condo units instead of the originally planned 300.

In addition the facility is being recast as a much larger convention center. The originally planned 20,000 square feet of convention space has now been expanded to a 68,000 square foot convention center.

Also built into the expansion is one of the nation's largest and most elaborate water parks. The park will rank in the top 15 nationally and will offer live performances by dolphins, sea lions and tropical birds, and even the opportunity for guests to swim with the dolphins.

Escapes! to Build New Beach-Front Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama

This Second Escapes! Resort in Popular Destination Will Significantly Enhance Existing Property at The Shores

ORANGE BEACH, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 2006--Escapes!, Inc., historically one of the leading and oldest independent timeshare development companies, will break ground this month on Escapes! to The Shores in Orange Beach, Alabama, a newly constructed resort scheduled to open in late summer 2008. The new resort is designed to dramatically enhance the existing resort property, The Shores, which was originally built in the early 1980s. This latest addition to the Escapes! network of resorts will also significantly expand the vacation and travel opportunities available to The Shores' existing 700-family owner-base.

Gulf Shores open, great value for vacationers

In a follow up to the previous story about how Gulf Shores area vacation destinations are open for business, the Mobile Register elaborates on the $1 million promotion jointly funded by the Southeast Tourism Society and the United States Department of Commerce.

The belief is that last year's storms have led to a widespread belief that Alabama's Gulf Coast - Gulf Shores and Orange Beach primarily - were damaged and remain out of commission.

Gulf Shores area vacationers are delighted to learn the value of their vacation dollar. They are finding the Alabama Gulf Coast running at full speed, but at less capacity than normal.

Nautical Pointe condos presales begin

Presales begin this week on the 21-unit Nautical Pointe off Dauphin Island Parkway on Mobile Bay adjacent to Mobile Yacht Club, according to one of the developers, Fred Straub of Clear Image Construction. The two-, three- and five-bedroom units range from $218,000 to more than $700,000. The units include views of the bay and Dog River. Construction should start later this summer. Amenities include a lap pool, fitness center, covered parking and boat slip.