Looking campground close by for one night or Wally world

[grlcop121]

We are leaving OH on Jan. 5th for a Jan. 7th arrival at FW. We built in extra time because of possible winter weather issues and towing a 5th wheel. That combined with the fact we are also traveling with an infant and 2 preschoolers.

So, on the off chance we arrive late on the 6th, can anybody recommend some place close to WD for one night? We often use Walmart parking lots where permitted, not sure if it is allowed in the park area.

 

[ElementCamper]

Borrowing from another poster (thanks rustyscupper!):
"NOTE: The Walmarts in Florida are posted as no overnight parking, due to law. Too many people in the past dumped trash and sewage, so the law was passed to forbid overnight parking, even at Florida highway rest stops."

There is no parking allowed in Florida in public parking lots, your best bet is to locate a state park or campground in the area and stop there. I use O'leno in the High Springs area (just north of Gainesville). It's about 3 hours to WDW from there.

 

[tim5055]

Borrowing from another poster (thanks rustyscupper!):
"NOTE: The Walmarts in Florida are posted as no overnight parking, due to law. Too many people in the past dumped trash and sewage, so the law was passed to forbid overnight parking, even at Florida highway rest stops."

There is no parking allowed in Florida in public parking lots, your best bet is to locate a state park or campground in the area and stop there. I use O'leno in the High Springs area (just north of Gainesville). It's about 3 hours to WDW from there.

There is no state wide ban on overnight parking in Florida. While there ares some city/county ordinances prohibiting it it is not STATEWIDE.

The Florida rest areas limit stays to 3 hours, the specific quote is "Overnight camping is not permitted, but visitors may stay for up to three hours".. For more information on Florida rest areas, check out the Florida DOT Webpage.

Due to the volume of tourists in teh Orlando area, almost all cities have instituted a prohibition on overnight stays. If you check out the map of Walmarts that do not allow overnight stays you will see they increase as you get closer to Orlando. Time your stop for a location further north in Florida and you should be fine.

 

[tim5055]

HERE is an even better map. It shows both stores that allow and prohibit overnight stays.

As always call ahead or ask the manager when you arrive.

 

[ProPhotoGA]

If you want something like a KOA her is the link to the Fort Summit KOA
near Disney http://koa.com/where/fl/09327/.

 

[BradyBz12]

In our experience as of 2007, none of the Walmarts close to WDW allowed overnight/camping. We pulled into one in Kissimmee 2 years ago at about 7pm and parked out in the outlaying part of the lot. We hadn't even shut the engine off yet when a security car came racing over to tell us we couldn't stay there. We called about 6 other Walmarts in the area and were told the same thing.

That said, we stopped at a FL rest area on Rt 4 near St. Augustine a month or so ago at around 8pm and asked the security person parked if we could sleep there. There were at least 8 or 9 other TTs/MHs there but it was also posted for no overnight parking/camping. He said of course, they were there so you could get off the road to rest "just don't put out any slideouts."

However given the rest areas are posted that way, I'd definitely ask before hopping into bed for a good night's sleep.

 

[retired and happy]

We use the IN AND OUT campground at Lake City FL. It's about a quarter mile off I-75 on US 90 (slightly east of I-75). They always seem to have spaces available, but we do call ahead. Sorry I don't have the number handy, but you can find them on the internet.

 

[djbogue]

We stayed at Ocala RV Camp Resort in Ocala on the way to WDW. It is easy to get to. Take exit 350 off of I-75. It used to be a KOA. It is about 75 miles to WDW from there.

Ocala RV Camp Resort

 

[Tnbob]

One other suggestion is to check if FW has an opening, the WDISNEY number. If you have no problems and make better time on the road than you thought you may just as well pull into the fort and not have to worry about another day on the road.

 

[DaveInTN]

One other suggestion is to check if FW has an opening, the WDISNEY number. If you have no problems and make better time on the road than you thought you may just as well pull into the fort and not have to worry about another day on the road.

This is what we did during Thanksgiving week this year. We made better than expected time, so I called ahead from I-75 in GA during the afternoon to see if we could check in that evening, a day early. The Fort was able to accomodate us, and we got settled in and had the entire next day to enjoy ourselves.

 

[stacktester]

We stay at Turkey Lake when we go to Universal or need an overnight before the fort. Google Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake. It will give you the number. BTW, it's only $15 a night and they just installed an electric gate.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

We stay at Turkey Lake when we go to Universal or need an overnight before the fort. Google Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake. It will give you the number. BTW, it's only $15 a night and they just installed an electric gate.

Donnie, if you keep telling people about Turkey Lake, there will be no room for you.

 

[KPSmithSr]

Lake Louisa State Park is about 25 miles from FW. I have not stayed there but the reviews are good and it is close.

 

[grlcop121]

Thank you so much for the information. I will look into several of the suggestions. Trying not to have a repeat of performance when we arrived in Myrtle Beach at 8:30 pm and had 2 screaming kids and no place to go (7 months ago and am still haunted ).

Keeping our fingers crossed for ice free roads and sleeping babies!!

 

[BradyBz12]

Keeping our fingers crossed for ice free roads and sleeping babies!!

Safe and HAPPY travels!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Donnie, if you keep telling people about Turkey Lake, there will be no room for you.

Exactly ,,it can happen,,
you see what we have done to the Fort.

 

[des1954]

Lake Louisa State Park is about 25 miles from FW. I have not stayed there but the reviews are good and it is close.

Lake Louisa is a nice State Park for a short stay. There is also Tropical Palms Resort on US192E by Old Town. The one place I do NOT recommend is the KOA on 192E. Very seedy & very expensive. Ft. Summit KOA at I-4 & US Hwy 27 is a very nice KOA.

No matter where you end up - call ahead to see if they can accommodate you. My first choice would be to try FtW & see if they can "squeak" you in. You never know when luck will be with you.

 

[BradyBz12]

We have had luck calling ahead and getting in a day early at the Fort, so it's definitely worth a call. Good luck!

 

[jwpaul]

We love Ft. Wilderness but last year when it was full, we stayed at the Tropical Palms RV resort which is right down the street. It is across the street from Old Town in Orlando and it was great because we walked across the street and they had little kids rides, and a car show. I loved their heated kiddie pool and the cafe too. I don't remember how much it was but I think it was around $50.

 

[thecplusplusguy]

I don't want to hijack, but I thought the Florida Welcome center on 95 allowed over night stays. Am I wrong? That was my plan, as you can see below I have 10 months to find an alternative if I'm wrong.

Dan