Arriving one day earlier than scheduled??

[dotnang]

Hello,

we may be arriving at the fort an entire day earlier than expected. I've already changed my reservations once through AAA and from what I understand, we can only make one change per reservation. Any recommendations on where to stay overnight until our reservation? The fort said they can try to accomodate us a day early when we get there, but being 4th of July week, there may not be room for us and our big rig. We're going to Gatorland the day before, so any RV park between there and FW?
please help

 

[tcu4me]

We did the same thing last week. We ended up arriving about 9pm the day before and purchased a single night(room only). We did not have to move the next day.

Otherwise there are a couple of CG's in Ocala 90 minutes away that are reasonable.

 

[MIannie]

I would recommend the closest campground Tropical Palms which in on Rt192 just south of I-4, or there is a KOA just west of Orlando on I-4. There are a number of campgrounds on Rt 192 in Kissimee if you just want a place to park overnight. The state parks are hard to get into because of advance reservations. I know you will need reservations wherever you end up.

 

[articfox676]

X2 on Tropical Palms. Second choice Sherwood Forest just down the street on 192.

Both campgrounds are large and a ressie shouldn't be a problem. Also minutes from the Fort.

 

[thegoofyfamily]

Hello,

we may be arriving at the fort an entire day earlier than expected. I've already changed my reservations once through AAA and from what I understand, we can only make one change per reservation.

That's a AAA policy? That stinks. I change my Fort ressies all the time, but I always make them direct with DW. If you can't get in early, you can stay in the parking lot of the Fort overnight. They are very accommodating if there is a parking space. I would bet there will be one space in the Fort.......especially since you're probably arriving BEFORE the 4th.

 

[MIannie]

Ditto on Sherwood Forest for second choice. I would rather have a reservation some where than hope for dry camping in the parking lot. IMHO

 

[bama_ed]

If you can't get in early, you can stay in the parking lot of the Fort overnight. They are very accommodating if there is a parking space. I would bet there will be one space in the Fort.......especially since you're probably arriving BEFORE the 4th.

I'd be careful about overly relying on the overflow parking lot strategy. I think that usually is permitted when someone arrives in the middle of the night before arrival day. You can then check in as soon as 7am or 8am if space is available.

I think the overnight "boondocking" in the Fort parking lot would get abused if they were too generous with it.

Bama Ed

 

[thegoofyfamily]

I'd be careful about overly relying on the overflow parking lot strategy. I think that usually is permitted when someone arrives in the middle of the night before arrival day. You can then check in as soon as 7am or 8am if space is available.

I think the overnight "boondocking" in the Fort parking lot would get abused if they were too generous with it.

Bama Ed

In 2000, we arrived at the Fort for July 4th with our confirmation in hand. Somehow it was not in the system until the next day. The Fort was full. They apologized profusely and told us to park in the parking lot and we would have full use of the Fort.

2 years ago @ Halloween, some friends wanted to come up at the last minute. They couldn't get in for Halloween, but got reservations to check in on November 1. They came straight to the Fort without making the reservations. Parked, went in, made their reservation....and they were offered "any empty space" in the overflow lot until the next day.

We've seen people "dry camping" at the Fort for various reasons. It happens, but I'm sure it's not a common practice.