How long does it take to check in?

[Shasta]

We will be comming down for spring break and out first day to arrive is the last short day of the year (Sat, March 13th). Sunset on that day will be at 6:07.

Since we are driving 12 hours down, I know we will be cutting it REAL close to sunset. Since we are tent camping, setup will take a bit of time. Is Saturday afternoon at 4-5 p.m. busy at the check in desk and about how long from the time you drive up till to the Fort to unloading?

Thanks!

 

[becky1960]

It seems to depend on day of week and what time you arrive. If you are arriving later it might go quick. We have waited up to 45 min in line and then no site ready, your site should be ready as you are arriving later.

 

[BradyBz12]

The actual check-in process itself probably takes 10 mins tops. It's the waiting that can add up. That totally depends on time of day, week, year... I think the quickest we ever experienced in Nov/Dec was probably 30 mins (incl. wait time) - longest a good hour.

 

[Shasta]

That was what I feared. I think it may be best to leave home Friday night and drive part of the way and get a room inorder to get at the Fort earlier Saturday about 2-3.

I always get stressed during the setup when camping. This itme even more because it is for a week and we have more stuff to setup.

 

[stacktester]

IMO between 11 and 1 is a bad time because some people take the 1 p.m. check in time literally. I took the pop up today and arrived at 1230. It was busy so I walked in the lobby. My renter had done online checkin and it went pretty good. I try to go early even if we have to park in overflow. I hate waiting in that line.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

It takes bout 1 1/2 minutes to check in,,but bout 15 to 25 minutes for them to explain everything and do your paper work.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I have discovered that the more people in front of you in line, the longer it seems to take to check in. I really don't understand this. Also, if there is someone in front of you who likes to ask stupid questions, it will take longer to check in.

 

[Shasta]

Yea! I knew that what my question really boiled down to was "how long does it take to get through the crowd to your site". Once you get face to face with a CM, the wait is almost over.

What was that about online check in?

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I have discovered that the more people in front of you in line, the longer it seems to take to check in. I really don't understand this. Also, if there is someone in front of you who likes to ask stupid questions, it will take longer to check in.

Alright Jim, I'm sorry I was in front of you at check in,,,sshhheeessshhhhh I'd think you'd be over it by now.

 

[LarryJ]

That was what I feared. I think it may be best to leave home Friday night and drive part of the way and get a room inorder to get at the Fort earlier Saturday about 2-3.

I always get stressed during the setup when camping. This itme even more because it is for a week and we have more stuff to setup.

Actually I think you will find the mid day check in to be the least crowded with the early and early PM like 7 to 9 to be more crowded.

Larry

 

[clkelley]

That was what I feared. I think it may be best to leave home Friday night and drive part of the way and get a room inorder to get at the Fort earlier Saturday about 2-3.

I always get stressed during the setup when camping. This itme even more because it is for a week and we have more stuff to setup.

That's what I do. Why waste vacation time Friday evening sitting at home. Your not gonna sleep well anyway cause your excited, then you don't get out as early in the morning as you want. Might as well get some highway behind you on Friday night. In my case, my goal is to get South of Atlanta on Friday night. After that driving is smooth sailing!!!

 

[homebrew2]

I have discovered that the more people in front of you in line, the longer it seems to take to check in. I really don't understand this. Also, if there is someone in front of you who likes to ask stupid questions, it will take longer to check in.

I just knew you wouldn't be able to resist.

 

[Shan-man]

I've never waited more than 25 minutes. I always arrive between 12-2pm.

 

[clovermeg]

To piggy-back on the OP question, it says check-in is at 1, so can I check in earlier, if the site is ready, will they let you in earlier? I am concerned because we have a tent.....errr, I have a tent to put up while my 9 year old looks on with a smirk....I could use all the extra time I can get...

 

[ftwildernessguy]

To piggy-back on the OP question, it says check-in is at 1, so can I check in earlier, if the site is ready, will they let you in earlier? I am concerned because we have a tent.....errr, I have a tent to put up while my 9 year old looks on with a smirk....I could use all the extra time I can get...

If the site is ready, you can set up early. If not, they will allow you to check in and give you a card with a phone number on it to call later and get your site assignment.

 

[cmaee]

I know you can check in early on your check-in day...I am pretty sure I read somewhere as early as 7 am. Since we will most likely be arriving that early, do we have to go through the drive-thru check-in if we are using the campsites? My kiddos will be ready to stretch their legs and so I thought I would rather do the check-in in the main building than through the drive-thru since I know that my site will not be ready. I thought I had read the cabins checked in at the main building and the campsites checked in at the drive-thru lanes, but didn't know if you had the option of checking in at either location. I plan to do the on-line check-in so I don't know if that will make a difference.

 

[stacktester]

I know you can check in early on your check-in day...I am pretty sure I read somewhere as early as 7 am. Since we will most likely be arriving that early, do we have to go through the drive-thru check-in if we are using the campsites? My kiddos will be ready to stretch their legs and so I thought I would rather do the check-in in the main building than through the drive-thru since I know that my site will not be ready. I thought I had read the cabins checked in at the main building and the campsites checked in at the drive-thru lanes, but didn't know if you had the option of checking in at either location. I plan to do the on-line check-in so I don't know if that will make a difference.

You can go in the main building. I would suggest parking in the overflow lot and walking in. They usually have all the parking passes and room keys printed when you arrive if you're doing online check-in. The line varies inside because they do check in for cabins and rent golf carts as well and that can make for long lines. Meanwhile the people at the bike barn are twiddling their thumbs because they have nothing to rent but a few bikes and canoes meanwhile you've got a line up front clogging because somebody is renting a golf cart. It was much better when the bike barn had the carts.

 

[jsh]

We did the online check in and when we got here everything was ready. Easiest check in ever, even got the site we requested.

 

[John VN]

I know you can check in early on your check-in day...I am pretty sure I read somewhere as early as 7 am. Since we will most likely be arriving that early, do we have to go through the drive-thru check-in if we are using the campsites? My kiddos will be ready to stretch their legs and so I thought I would rather do the check-in in the main building than through the drive-thru since I know that my site will not be ready. I thought I had read the cabins checked in at the main building and the campsites checked in at the drive-thru lanes, but didn't know if you had the option of checking in at either location. I plan to do the on-line check-in so I don't know if that will make a difference.

Our usual check-in time is 7:30AM+/-. At that time the drive-thru booths are not being used since they usually don't have CMs in them until 8:00AM. We always enter at the main entrance and drive up to the Guard Shack to start the check-in process. The guard tells us to drive up to #4 and park. DW then goes into the Outpost and checks-in. We do this because most times we get our site and drive right to it. When the site is not available, we just go and park in the overflow lot. We have done the on-line process and have had no problem when arriving before 8:00AM using the Outpost or after 8:00AM and using the drive-thru.

 

[CampingBandit]

I know you can check in early on your check-in day...I am pretty sure I read somewhere as early as 7 am. Since we will most likely be arriving that early, do we have to go through the drive-thru check-in if we are using the campsites? My kiddos will be ready to stretch their legs and so I thought I would rather do the check-in in the main building than through the drive-thru since I know that my site will not be ready. I thought I had read the cabins checked in at the main building and the campsites checked in at the drive-thru lanes, but didn't know if you had the option of checking in at either location. I plan to do the on-line check-in so I don't know if that will make a difference.

How do you know your site won't be ready? They might surprise you....

The saturday before Thanksgiving we arrived about 12:30 and having done the online check in, it took less than 5 minutes, I gave her my name and she handed my our file, voila-done. Within 10 minutes of pulling into the Fort Entrance we were backed into our site. Unless there is a line to check in at the drive thru lanes, I would skip going inside and just stretch your legs at your site! (Assuming of course your site is in fact ready-fingers crossed for ya!)