Question for veteran FW campers

[werfner]

Hi Everybody
First of all thanks for all the great info in these forums.
My question is this: My DW and myself are flying down to Florida from Canada on March 29 to meet meet my parents who are already there with their 5th wheel. I have managed to book the 30-31st and the 1st to the 4th of April (both bookings in preferred dog loops). I can not seem to get the 31st to the 1st but I will keep trying. My question is whether it is worth checking in for 1 day, pulling out to go to an outside park for 1 day and then back in, or is it just easier to book a park outside for the the first 2 days and then check in for our remaining 3 nights? Keep in mind we have a doggy with us.
Also we have looked into the Bill Frederick park that is only about 15 miles North up South Apopka Vineland Rd then across 535 to Vista Blvd. It is a City park and very inexpensive and the few reviews I have read are favourable, does anybody here have an opinion. I know it is a bare bones park but we will not be there much.
One more thing. Is it possible to park at FW for the day and go to the theme parks from there if you have theme park passes.

Thanks in advance

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Hi Everybody
First of all thanks for all the great info in these forums.

I live for this stuff

My question is this: My DW and myself are flying down to Florida from Canada on March 29 to meet meet my parents who are already there with their 5th wheel. I have managed to book the 30-31st and the 1st to the 4th of April (both bookings in preferred dog loops). I can not seem to get the 31st to the 1st but I will keep trying. My question is whether it is worth checking in for 1 day, pulling out to go to an outside park for 1 day and then back in, or is it just easier to book a park outside for the the first 2 days and then check in for our remaining 3 nights? Keep in mind we have a doggy with us.

I think your chances for that one night a good!!! keep on calling, checking the internet, etc, etc. The closer you get to the date, the more cancellations will come in! However, it doesn't hurt to have a night booked elsewhere just in case

Also we have looked into the Bill Frederick park that is only about 15 miles North up South Apopka Vineland Rd then across 535 to Vista Blvd. It is a City park and very inexpensive and the few reviews I have read are favourable, does anybody here have an opinion. I know it is a bare bones park but we will not be there much.

I don't know about this place, but for one night it doesn't have to be the campground equivalent of the ritz!

One more thing. Is it possible to park at FW for the day and go to the theme parks from there if you have theme park passes.

I'm sure it's fine. Especially since you will be camping there and your family will be camping there! Just say you are visiting and having lunch at TE!

Thanks in advance

Have a great trip!!! Keep trying for that one night! I'm sure your persistance will pay off!

 

[auntie]

Just wanted to say
For the best chance of securing the day you need call central reservations first thing in the morning at 7 a.m. when they open. Those reservations where deposits weren't received cancel out during the night and the system is updated. Hopefully you will be able to snag that one day that you need. Good luck and enjoy your trip!


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[stacktester]

I've stayed at Bill Frederick Park a few times. If you want some pics I'll send you some. We usually stay there a couple nights before a trip to FW or if we're doing Universal Studios as it's very close. It's really not a bare bone's cg at all. They have a nice park with frisbee golf and a huge pool. It's not the fort but it's nice and clean. Only 40 sites and very shaded.

 

[AlyLynn]

Keep checking! One of the days for our Thanksgiving trip we got during our Thanksgiving trip! We we were actually going to start packing up, and I finally got the extra day! Good luck!

 

[Memph1s]

Welcome to the boards.

I’m a little confused. But that’s a normal thing for me. You say you are flying down to meet your parents. I take it they are not already at the fort but camping elsewhere. Like others have said keep trying for the one day, things do open up all the time.

Personally, I would not want to check in for 1 day, pull out to go to an outside park for 1 day and then back in. It is just easier to book a park outside for the first 2 days and then check in for your remaining 3 nights. Check in can take a while and you may not be able to get on your site until 1pm. So, if you do that twice it’s almost like losing a whole day.

About parking at the fort to go to the parks.

If you are checking in that day or have just checked out that day you may park at the fort and go to the parks. But you may not park at the fort just because you have park passes.
Have a great trip!

 

[stacktester]

Welcome to the boards.


Personally, I would not want to check in for 1 day, pull out to go to an outside park for 1 day and then back in. It is just easier to book a park outside for the first 2 days and then check in for your remaining 3 nights. Check in can take a while and you may not be able to get on your site until 1pm. So, if you do that twice it’s almost like losing a whole day.

About parking at the fort to go to the parks.

If you are checking in that day or have just checked out that day you may park at the fort and go to the parks. But you may not park at the fort just because you have park passes.
Have a great trip!

I remember a couple years ago we were checking in for Thanksgiving weekend and there were campers in the overflow that were dry camping. From what the girl at the front desk said, was that they couldn't get that one day so they had to move out and then Friday were coming back in. Not a great alternative but it beats leaving property altogether. You have to have a current pass in the window or on the trailer or they'll tell you to leave. I would call the fort and make sure you can still do what I said before taking my word for it.

 

[werfner]

Well after all of your great advice I have decided to just keep trying for the 31-1st. I have managed to secure the 29th to 30th *whohoo* $105 for one night. All your suggestions have been very helpful. One thing I have noticed though is that cancellations seem to come throughout the day online. I have checked in the morning and then found something at 2 in the afternoon so I am not sure if the 7am cancellation theory is still the best time. (I check about 5 times a day). I am going to call FW and ask about dry camping if we are stuck for the one night as it seems almost easier than going and setting up in an alternate campground. Thanks also Stacktester for the info about Turkey Lake, it does actually look like a nice campground and the price is pretty decent, might check it out next trip when we want to see some of the other theme parks in the area.
Once again thanks all for your help and if you think of anything else I will be keeping an eye on the forum.

werfner

 

[tim5055]

One thing I have noticed though is that cancellations seem to come throughout the day online. I have checked in the morning and then found something at 2 in the afternoon so I am not sure if the 7am cancellation theory is still the best time.

You are correct. Under the new reservations computer system, customer cancellations become "available" immediately. If I am correct, only "automated" cancellations (i.e. a cancellation made because someone didn't send in their deposit) happen during the evening now.

The new software was supposed to be more friendly to the guest.

 

[werfner]

Hey everybody, thanks again for the advice, well after much perserverance I have Mar 29-30, Mar 30-31, Mar 31-April 1 and April 1-4 booked all as seperate bookings. I had my travel agent (because it is through my travel visa) phone and request that we be put on 1 site for all the bookings and the CM said it looks likely as they are all preferred pet loop bookings.
Now I know nothing is guaranteed but does any have some farily good ideas on how to follow up with (harass, cajole) the FW crew to make that happen?
Thanks in advance
werfner

 

[des1954]

To werfner!!

Congrats on your "complete" ressie!

We've pieced ressies together many, many times. We have NEVER been told we had to change sites. I believe the only time that would happen would be if you had one night preferred & one night regular. If all your nights are preferred, you'll stay on one site. Just make sure when you arrive to go inside the Outpost check-in & show all your ressies to the CM. You are going to have to go back up to the Outpost each time you check-out/check in. They may be able to fix you up on that one when you arrive, as well, so you don't have to do that. Just ask.

Look at it this way.... if you're busy moving sites, checking out/checking in, you're not in one of the parks and spending $$$. Being a Canadian, you will probably spend more than an American because your $$$'s are worth more than our $$$'s. For WDW, it's all about the $$$'s!!!

Have a wonderful time!!

Deb