Online check-in and loop request

[Belle1962]

Before I book a campsite, if I do online check-in can I make a loop request or a request for close to bathhouse? Or do I have to check-in at Frontier Hall?

 

[bama_ed]

Before I book a campsite, if I do online check-in can I make a loop request or a request for close to bathhouse? Or do I have to check-in at Frontier Hall?

These happen in two different places, @Belle1962.

As you go thru the process of booking a campsite online, you DO have the option as you go thru the steps to book the site to choose 1 of 3 pre-planned available "requests".

1. Near transportation (bus stop)
2. Near Comfort Station
3. Near fellow camper (supply last name, reservation #, arrival date)

I have a pop-up so I always choose #2 on my reservation. #3 is for people who want to camp "near" someone else who booked their reservation first.

So you can accomplish part of your request when you book the site.

Loop requests are NOT available on-line at all (not when booking the site, not when doing early on-line checkin). My process has been to book the reservation on-line, later call the reservation phone number to add a "note/request" to the reservation for a specific loop to be added to the reservation. And yeah, it's only a request.

FWIW, although I like to check into the Fort in person, when I've done so I have either always gotten the loop I requested (if I was willing to wait as a guest checked out and it was prepped) or the CM said, "I see you requested loop xx00 but there are no sites available there for checkin today". So I believe they really do try to meet the request which is passed down with the reservation info to the Fort CM's.

Personally I like to check in at the Fort in person because it allows some gentle negotiation. Let's say I booked a Preferred site and I like 100 loop. But a site in 100 is not available. I DON'T want to be put in 300 so I go inside and try to get a site in loop 200 that has not been checked into yet (all 3 loops are Preferred). And so on.

If you do on-line checkin and get a site assignment texted to you that is NOT in your requested loop, you can STILL walk into the lobby in person and try to negotiate (politely) your second choice loop to get swapped around. But the odds are less in your favor. It's happened to me enough that I just walk in all the time to see where they have me. But that's just my experience for nearly an annual visit for 20 years.

Bama Ed

 

[Belle1962]

Thank you.