Best time to check in

[disneydizzy2]

What time do you campers prefer to check in at the Fort?
We arrive Tues, Feb 21. I'm seriously in holy crappo excited mode now. I pretty much want to hibernate until we leave mid Jan for our maiden snow bird journey.
We aren't concerned with going to parks that day at all. I just want a good shot at a good site choice and a smooth check in.
What else should I be aware and or be taking into account?

 

[tiggerdad]

Earlier the better. I never get in later than 8:30.

Unlike some, I don't set my sites on a particular location. When I get there I have always been told my site wasn't ready. Like Lee Coral says "Not so fast my friend". I ask to see the list of available sites and pick one so I can go on in and set up and make the most of my first day.

 

[peg110]

We arrive Tues, Feb 21. I'm seriously in holy crappo excited mode now.

Hmm Better see about getting an induced coma so you don't explode. I can only imagine how you will be come around January 31....

I do know the feeling though. Even though it's a lot of money (Travel, accommodations, food, tickets, shows, events, etc....) I too am very excited.

We like to check in early as well. Me, My only concern about checking in, is that I get a place that I can (relatively) easily put the TT into. DW has concerns about location (to Comfort Station, Pool, Bus stops, Meadows, etc....)

If you are looking for a specific site/loop, you can note the desire on your reservation and particularly when you do the early check-in (online)

Checking in earlier means you may be even more likely to get your site, but like our fearless leader of the NSS said, you may get a "Your site is not ready" result. You can wait for it (which if you have specific desires is better) or you can take the "Next Available" which may be quicker. You could also use Michael's more direct approach too.

I will say the later you arrive the more likely you may be to NOT get your site, particularly depending on the time of year.

Either way, you will be at the Fort and will have an awesome time.

 

[PaHunter]

It all depends on who is leaving, what sites are available, your preferences. But the earlier the better. We arrived last year at 8am and was asked about a site next to the comfort station that was open or did we want to wait for our site to open and be cleaned. We waited, sort of. We parked our vehicle and trailer in the overflow lot and headed to Ak for the day. Got a text site was ready about 330, so we headed back around dinner and set up camp.
People worry to much about which site, you're at Disney, relax and have a blast !!

 

[disneydizzy2]

You're spot on of course! I'll just be so glad to be there truly. We plan on giving ourselves 10 days of travel from Oregon. If we drive about 600 miles a day that gives us a good buffer . We'll be at the KOA Orlando for 30 days before FW and plan on coming over and walking the 500 loop that we requested and 900 loop Bama Ed spoke about. I'm leaning towards 900 and the DH leans to 500.

I can't wait to walk and drive our cart from Tee Time along every inch of the fort.

 

[peg110]

People worry to much about which site, your at Disney, relax and have a blast !!

That's my view too. All the sites have a Pros and Cons.

The best site is the one that is right between the Pool and the Boat Launch and around the corner from the Meadows Trading post on one side and the Settlement Trading post on the other side. A few short steps from the bus stop that you never hear while trying to sleep and just around the corner from the comfort station that is never in use when you want to use it.......

Okay, yeah, that site doesn't exist, but it would be awesome if it did.

 

[Barney Fife]

We always arrive around noon-1:00pm. We leave NC the day before and stay at a campground in south Ga. Next month, we're staying at the KOA at exit 1 in Ga. Leaving from there takes around 4-5 hours, depending on how much we stop. Traffic shouldn't be too bad since it'll be a Saturday.

As for sites, we don't care. Its nice to try new places and spots at the Fort. If we're far from anything, the golf cart will surely get us there.

 

[disneydizzy2]

I was just reflecting on the responses to my post and forgot a potentially critical detail. We will have our dogs along with us. So any waiting we do will have to include them. I can see walking with them, etc, but any other ideas?

 

[2goofycampers]

I was just reflecting on the responses to my post and forgot a potentially critical detail. We will have our dogs along with us. So any waiting we do will have to include them. I can see walking with them, etc, but any other ideas?

We usually walk with our pup. If you want to go to a park you can board your pup at the kennel.

 

[peg110]

I was just reflecting on the responses to my post and forgot a potentially critical detail. We will have our dogs along with us. So any waiting we do will have to include them. I can see walking with them, etc, but any other ideas?

I think the only real thing that changes is the possible selections of loops/sites. Obviously they will want to put you in a "Pet Friendly" loop (although technically they can put pets in ANY loop as the needs require). If you have to wait, you can certainly walk around with your pups or stay with your rig with your furry friends. I still prefer checking in earlier rather than later. Little to no line, and I can have a personal conversation with the CM to discuss any of my concerns without feeling the pressure of holding up someone behind me.

 

[disneydizzy2]

I'll be more than happy to stroll with our pups and wait it out. We requested 500 loop, but I'll camp in a horse stall if they let me