Have you ever arrived early?

[noabeliv]

I mean very early...like 4-5 am? Will they let you park in the lot and sleep a little bit?
We are hoping to arrive by 7am. Depending on the traffic, our trip takes anywhere from 10-12 hrs. We could get there early. My boys and I are going to Universal while my dh and girls stay at Ft.W. and set up the camper, pick up the golf cart, etc. I don't want to get there and then have to find somewhere for us to "wait" until my husband drops us off at Universal.
Thanks for any thoughts on this!

 

[VAN]

We get their "early" at about 10:30-11:00 and a couple of times have had to wait for our site because the previous occupants were either still there until 1:00 or didn't turn in their paperwork.

My first suggestion is to call Ft. Wilderness and ask the question as to whether or not you can go ahead and wait in the parking lot (I'd think this would be okay).

In the event that your spot is not available until late morning/early afternoon, I would plan to travel to Universal in a taxi. Make sure you have your swimsuits handy so you can at least enjoy the pool while you wait for your spot to open up.

 

[Memph1s]

We are almost always early. If there is a site available they will let you have it. If not they will go ahead and do all the paper work, give you a parking pass, and your resort keys (the cards that open the gate and comfort stations) and tell you to park in the over flow parking lot. You can go in FW and explore, go to the pool or whatever. They will ask you to call back later in the day to get your site number. We have had to wait as late as 1PM to get our site numberbut most of the time we get right in. However, should you arrive a day early or want to stay a day longer they are very strict about NOT letting anyone overnight in the parking lot. You should be OK.

 

[John VN]

We usually arrive between 7 and 8 AM. Sometimes get a site and sometimes we don't.

I asked about earlier arrival and was told that the computer boots up for the new day between 4 and 5 AM and they really don't take check ins much earlier than 7 AM.

If you do get there before 7 AM, as they say, "nothing ventured nothing gained".

Had also asked about getting there before 4 AM and was told that there is a private security company patroling the lot and they could very well have you move out of the lot if they so choose.

John