question about check in

[rlcartie]

we are heading to the fort for mardi gras week(2/18 or 2/19-2/25).
i am trying to decide how the loop request and check in works.
we can get there late saturday night(7:00ish) or we can can stay off site saturday night and arrive 9:00is on sunday morning.
would either time present a better chance to get our preferred loop(100 or 300)?

are sites first come first serve?

 

[bama_ed]

Incoming Ressie information is downloaded to the Fort assigners a few days before arrival.

Time of day is not a big factor if you are arriving after supper (the 7 pm hour). Any "requests" are already on record but can get bumped if somebody shows up first and requests it.

If you are betting on your chances based on when people leave the Fort and when they check in (Saturday versus Sunday) my bet to get the loop you want is to check in early on Sunday (to capture the weekend folks departing) because I think the Saturday departures are fewer.

But anyone with real statistics is free to disagree with me. If given a choice, I shoot for a Sunday arrival.

Bama ED

 

[2goofycampers]

I'd say let the fun begin and check in ASAP. If you don't get the loop you want.
1. You might get one you like even better. 2. You could stay hooked up and move to your loop on Sunday if available.

Have a magical vacation!

 

[Mmketeer]

I always fax my request on the 5th day before my arrival. Then I usually try to arrive around noon since check in time is 1pm. This has 9 out of 10 worked for me getting one of the suggested three sites that I have requested. Only one time did I get a smart-butt CM say the site I requested wasn't ready in loop 1900 and it's not check-in time yet (it was 12:45 at the time). So, I asked him what site was available and pulled out my hand written map of all the sites, I could still see what site I wanted. Needless to say I got a site that I could work with in the loop I requested anyway.

Save yourself and the people checking behind you time as well by filling out the online check in form that should come with your resrvation if you booked it online. And if you booked it through a travel agent, they can fill the online form out as well. You will need to provide your t/a with your equipment type, length and your estimated arrival/departure time (it asks this because of package guests, but this comes up even for room only people). Anyway, since it's there I always say arrival noon, check out noon. LOL! Hey they asked.

A great Disboarder shared something like this with us all once before, we take care of each other here.

The fax# for the Fort is: 407-824-3508

Today's Date:_________

TO: Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground Site Assigner

FROM: _________________

SUBJECT: Site Request for : ______your arrival date________
RE: Reservation # ____________________

I am really looking forward to my stay at the Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground and am writing about campsite requests. I do understand that these are only requests and cannot be guaranteed.

If possible, I would like a site in Loop #_____with these site in mind- site ___, ___, ____ (if you don't know what site, delete that part and just use the loop number.)

>>>>Then tell them if you are coming for something special, traveling with another party and or why you are requesting a site and give them>>>>> your equipment information:______

Thanks so much for your help, and once again I’m really looking forward to my visit to Ft. Wilderness Resort and Campground.

If you have any questions, I can be reached at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or by email at : _____________

Sincerely,

Your name.....

 

[North of Mouse]

I'd say let the fun begin and check in ASAP. If you don't get the loop you want.
1. You might get one you like even better. 2. You could stay hooked up and move to your loop on Sunday if available.

Have a magical vacation!

We made the mistake "once" to go on in a day early because we were able to get there about 7pm and they said they had an opening. Well, the opening they had was not in the 100 loop we had requested, but took it as it was late, but let them know we really did not want to spend the whole time there. The next morning when I called to get our requested loop they gave us a very hard time - said they don't usually move you once you're there. I persisted, then they said I'd have to "wait" for an opening there. Kept giving us the run around and we went there and saw several empty sites. They made us wait until 1pm to finally let us move. I was fuming because we missed most of our first day. They were deliberately doing this because they didn't "like" our persistance. So, never again, and we've not since had any problems.