Made our reservation - but now a few questions...

1) Our reservation starts on a Sunday. Check in is 4PM. But we'd like to go to the parks in the morning (staying off site that previous night after driving in). Am I correct that I can do online check in and our bands will work for parking? We will leave mid-day to go to FW.

2) Can we catch a boat back to the MK?

3) If we decide to stay off site one additional night and do not actually show up until Monday to the campground, will they evict us or something? As long as we are paid and checked in are we ok, or should we call the FW office to let them know about any delays? A lot depends on daylight, weather, etc.

momof2n2 said:

1) Our reservation starts on a Sunday. Check in is 4PM. But we'd like to go to the parks in the morning (staying off site that previous night after driving in). Am I correct that I can do online check in and our bands will work for parking? We will leave mid-day to go to FW.

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I would have to say that if you are checking in that day, that your parking is included that day. You may have to spend a little time at the "Booth" for parking.

momof2n2 said:

2) Can we catch a boat back to the MK?

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Sure you can... What about your car parked at the lot? I have NEVER been asked for any ticket, band or proof of staying on property to use the WDW Transportation (Boats, Ferrys, Monorail, Buses, etc...) so I don't see this as an issue.

momof2n2 said:

3) If we decide to stay off site one additional night and do not actually show up until Monday to the campground, will they evict us or something? As long as we are paid and checked in are we ok, or should we call the FW office to let them know about any delays? A lot depends on daylight, weather, etc.

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So your reservation starts SUNDAY, and you don't want to physically arrive at FW until MONDAY, is that correct? I can't help to wonder why, but if that's what you want to do, then I don't see an issue with it. I will say that the online check-in doesn't necessarily preclude you from an actual check-in. I think it's more to "Expedite" the process. In either case, I think that you should probably Call and advise that while you are checked-in (via online) your arrival won't be until Monday. Better safe then sorry.

T

peg110 said:

I would have to say that if you are checking in that day, that your parking is included that day. You may have to spend a little time at the "Booth" for parking.


Sure you can... What about your car parked at the lot? I have NEVER been asked for any ticket, band or proof of staying on property to use the WDW Transportation (Boats, Ferrys, Monorail, Buses, etc...) so I don't see this as an issue.


So your reservation starts SUNDAY, and you don't want to physically arrive at FW until MONDAY, is that correct? I can't help to wonder why, but if that's what you want to do, then I don't see an issue with it. I will say that the online check-in doesn't necessarily preclude you from an actual check-in. I think it's more to "Expedite" the process. In either case, I think that you should probably Call and advise that while you are checked-in (via online) your arrival won't be until Monday. Better safe then sorry.

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Thank you.
I'm one of those people who feel less stressed if I've pre-thought scenarios through.

If we drive to MK for park opening, but leave mid-day to drive to FW to settle, I think we'd like to then leave our van at FW. I'm still learning about FW and thought I heard there was a boat from FW to MK.

If we decided NOT to leave mid-day, but then were too weary to settle in later, we might need plan B.

I just like having options figured out.

Thank you.

Go to Fort Wilderness first, check in and than park in the overflow lot and take a bus to the marina to catch the ferry to MK. You can usually check in anytime, you just can't get to your site usually if someone is still there. Than you don't have to worry about parking and checking in a day late. You never know, your site may already be ready when you arrive.

I will also add that the last time we were there (Checking in on Thanksgiving day 2014) we arrived at about 8 AM. We checked in and parked in the overflow (we did not "online check-in"). We got all of our information passes (for vehicle) and flyers (and such). The only thing we didn't get was our Site number. We left our cell number and they said they would text us with our site number once it was ready. We were debating what to do but Breakfast in the camper (at this point) was in order. So at about 9 AM just after starting our breakfast we got the text to go to our site (1401).

So as parrothead64 said, go ahead and check in. You can then leave your camper/vehicle in the overflow lot (if there is room) and then use the Disney transportation to get around. Including the boat that runs regularly from the Marina to MK (also to Wilderness Lodge and I believe the Contemporary Resort) Then come back when you are ready to set up your site (and of course it's ready too). Another word of caution. Not sure what you are driving, but the one year we arrived early, decided to go to Seaworld first (since we check-in time was like 4 PM). By the time we got there and checked in (after a full day at Seaworld) we got our site and tried to back in a cramped area.... in the dark. I did it, it wasn't fun though. Much easier in the light.

So you can check in early and even go to your site early IF it's ready.

What they said. You can "check-in" anytime that Sunday, they just won't guarantee your site will be ready until 4. Every time we've been, the site has been ready well before 4.

So you can check in, park everything in the overflow lot, take the boat to the MK, and anytime after you get a text that your site is open, you can take the boat back to FW and settle in.

Cabins are 4PM availability where-as RV sites are 1PM availability. (unless policy has changed since January)

We arrive by 7:30AM and check-in at that time. If our RV site is available we go to it, if not, DW asks for another possible site. Sometimes, like in January, we get a site and go to it and other times it's into the Overflow Lot until site is ready.

You can do the same thing for a cabin. If you check-in at 8AM and the cabin is available, off to the cabin you go, , otherwise leave cell phone number and begin your stay.