Best day and time to check in

[hoosiergirl]

Sorry if this has been asked before but I've been wondering--are your chances of getting a good site (or the site you want) any better if you check in on Thurs. vs. Fri.? Also, does it really matter if you check in at 1pm vs. 4pm? I mean with site selection OR busy-ness at check-in? (especially on a Friday?)

I currently have reservations to check in on a Thursday but might not be able to get there until later in the evening (5-6'ish) so I had thought maybe we should just not rush to get there on Thurs. and just be there early Friday morning.

Suggestion?

 

[bobbymac]

I was wondering the same thing........we are checking in on a Monday

 

[2goofycampers]

anytime you get there is a great time.. Thur is better than Fri . earlier is better than later. Monday shouldn't be a problem at any time.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Let me preface what I say by telling you that we had six visits to the Fort in 2007, and two so far in 2008.

In my experience, there is no preferred time to check in. I have arrived early, to find only one lane open in the check in area, and a long wait. I have arrived in the late afternoon to find all the lanes open, and a castmember waiting to help me. I have arrived in the early evening to find all the check in lanes closed, and I then had to go inside the Reception Outpost to check-in. So, your wait could be longer during less busy times than busy times.

As far as campsites, this is all determined before you arrive to check in. I have received great spots when checking in at the busiest time, and not so great spots when the check-in area is dead.

You just never know!

But, any spot at the Fort is great, and I have never had to wait too long to check in! Don't worry about it. Arrive when it is best for you, and enjoy your vacation!

TCD

 

[John VN]

Our preference for check-in time is 7:00AM to 7:30AM. While DW goes into the Outpost to complete the paper work, I mount our Mickey and Minnie wiper covers DW made and clean windshield and then usually head to our site. If the site is not ready we just park in the big lot and take off to a Park.

Just glad to be back at FW so no biggie about location.

 

[stacktester]

I've checked in as early as 6:30 a.m. before. If the site wasn't ready we get our parking pass and go to a park either by bus or drive. Parking is free with the pass so no biggie on taking the camper.

 

[hoosiergirl]

Well, it sounds like I should just go with what works best for us and then hope for the best! Being at FW will be great no matter what--and when you're a newbie, it's easier to just be happy with whatever we get! Can't wait!

 

[Colson39]

I agree that it really is kind of hard to give a best time, because it all depends on when people are visiting that week. As Tri-Circle-D mentioned, we've checked in on a Wed only to have long lines at check in, and we've checked in on Fridays with no wait at all.

I would venture to say that overall you probably have a better chance midweek of the Fort being more empty, but it's just not a given. The Fort has become so popular in the last few years that it's pretty much a lottery pick at this point...lol

 

[Gatordad]

Well put everyone. This is all a big shot in the dark and trying to reason with it isn't worth your time.

 

[dtum]

Checking in on a Saturday...hope that's not a problem. Last time we were there we stayed in a cabin so went to parking to check in. I forget do you go someplace else when towing? Just drive through a check point? It's been so long I can't remember what we did.

 

[Colson39]

Well, you go through the same guard gate, but for the cabins you check in at the Guest Services area next to the parking lot. Where as if you tow or drive your RV, you would go through the large open area to the left (so instead of going right to the parking lot, you would go more to the left).

Checking in on a Saturday shouldn't be a problem, to be honest, even if there is a line, you're not going to wait THAT long. Plus what better line to be waiting in than one to get into the Fort!