is there an early check-in?

[Running_Bell]

In the past we've always scheduled ourselves to arrive at FW around 3pm and our site is always ready by then of course. However, this year we are leaving NC earlier and able to drive a little further before spending the night in a designated rest stop... so that will put us checking in FW at around noon. Is there a chance we could get our site that early? If not, do they allow us to park, use the pool, etc. until check-in time?

Thanks!

 

[medic9016]

We always arrive around noon and our site so far has been ready. If you site is not ready you can park you rv and they will give you a card with a phone number to call. You can head to the pool or to the parks if you want.

 

[freshlybarked]

We have gotten there as early as 11:00 and had no problems. It just depends on the season (busy or not). We are only 90 minutes away and depending on traffic we can get there a bit early.

 

[clkelley]

Official checkin for the campsites is 1pm. However, if your site is not ready early, don't count on it being available until 2pm or 3pm. While the site cleaners may have everything done by 1pm, for some reason it takes FOREVER for that information to be transmitted to the "is my room available" phone line (which by the way is not located at Ft. Wilderness, or even on Disney property for that matter.) Yes, it is a call center!! (in Tampa, I think).

 

[BradyBz12]

Until this past year (Dec'08) we've always had good luck arriving a bit early (11am-ish) and getting our site right away. Unfortunately this past year, the post-Thanksgiving mass exodus (we arrived that Sunday) and the weather (major storm rolled through) had us waiting in overflow until about 4.

So depending on when you arrive, there's a decent chance you may get in early. But if not, they'll park you in overflow and you can go have fun while you're waiting.

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

do they allow us to park, use the pool, etc. until check-in time?

Yes you can use the pool or go to the parks or whatever. You will also receive your resort Id's camper/car passes and the complete check in package and a phone number to call later to get your site #

You might get lucky with a site early(we have but not often) but I would not count on it. If you get to the gate at noon and get the same guy we had last year you will not be done checking in until about 2pm. (Slow and clueless CM)
Now I try to not arrive before 1pm just to avoid the frustration of calling back for a site #. I can see the campground is ready. Why are the people that were behind me getting on there sites, I call back and I'm told your site is not ready yet. again, again and again

We spend the night at the Georgia Welcome center. I prefer the Georgia Welcome Area over the Florida one because if we leave the Georgia center at 8 or 8:30am we are at the Fort just after 1pm. perfect timing for us.
The Georgia Welcome center is just over 295 miles or 5 hrs

The Florida Welcome center has free OJ and brochures of everything Florida.
The Florida welcome center is just over 185 miles or 3 hrs to Disney. But this rest area gets me to Disney to early.

Both of these rest areas on I-95 have very large RV parking areas (about 3 to 4 times the size of a standard rest area) I have never had a problem finding a spot late at night.
If you want to run a generator for the A/C-park with the truckers if you want quiet park with the RVers. If it's Hot I run my generator.

See you at the Fort, looks like we are a day behind you.

 

[Running_Bell]

We usually stay in the rest area right as we enter GA. This time, we are staying in Brunswick GA? it's a bit further south... or if DH is up to driving more maybe St. Augustine.


Thanks!!

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

If you are thinking about the Flying J's get there early they fill up around 7pm.


We may be picking up My son in Statesville for our trip. How's I-40 and I-77 as per construction this year. Is 85 still under construction too ?

Thanks

See you at the Fort GG, looks like we are a day behind you.

 

[Running_Bell]

There seems to always be contruction on I-85 near Charlotte. I don't know how bad though. We'll be hitting it around rush hour... that should be fun.

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

That should be FUN Been there done that too.

 

[CCIntrigue]

We've been allowed onto our site as early as 8:30 am. Never hurts to try!