On Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 11:35:47 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Looking to get a glider add on rating through a commercial school to do it quickly. Nothing near by me suits this so I must travel.

Reading through this forum I could use some pointers of where to train.

Planning on taking a week of vacation, buying airline tickets for the family so I need certainty that this is the right decision. I don't want to get down there and find out it's a bust.

Gatlinburg seems nice with Chilhowee, but how reliable is the weather in this area?

Seminole Lake in Orlando seems iffy after reading reviews of the owner in jail. Nice resorts in the area for cheap, but will it for sure be operating in 6 months from now?

Dillingham in Hawaii looks awesome, but will that kind of flying prepare me for soaring in the 48 states given it's an island?

Any solid recommendations where I can have a luxurious vacation and get an add on rating in 2-3 days.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

I fly with "Miami Gliders," a commercial operation at Homestead General Airport (X51) in Sourhern Miami-Dade County. Owner is an Airline Pilot and a Designated Pilot Examiner. The Primary Instructor is a retired Air Traffic Controller. They have two Blanik L-23's and a Pawnee Tow Plane.

If you prepare before your trip and are reasonably proficient and the weather is normal, getting an add-on is possible in a week. There is also a good Sky Diving school on the field, and rental planes are available. You can stay on Miami Beach or in the upper Florida Keys (Key Largo) but we do have traffic so you will spend time driving. Lots of festivals and special events here for family in January and February and Everglades and Biscayne National Parks are close.

I recommend you take enough time to actually learn to thermal. Most days have some lift - at least for an hour or two. Without learning to actually soar your glider add-on is just a merit badge that allows you to take a sled ride down from tow release. Google "Miami Gliders" for lots of info online.