Question of the Day - Early or Late Check-In?

[Luv2Camp]

Hello everyone from a very chilly Ohio. Since we have a serious case of cabin fever, we're planning our next trip to Fort Wilderness. Last year, we took two full days of driving and got close to Disney, then got up early on the third day and checked in to the Fort (I know check in isn't until 1:00, but they let us at our site at 11:00). For our next trip, we were planning on just driving two full days, which would get us to the Fort around 6:00 pm or so. Are there any advantages to checking in early vs getting there later in the day? I didn't want that to affect our loop request if we got there later in the day. Thanks for your advice!

 

[CCIntrigue]

We've checked in as early as 8:30 am. More time at the fort, plus if we don't like our site we have a greater chance of changing.

 

[John VN]

The 1:00PM check-in time is meant to be the time that your site will be cleaned and available.

We just got back from our Jan. visit where we did not arrive until 4:30PM because DW had to work in AM. For our Feb. visit we will arrive at FW at 7:30AM and will check-in at that time. If site is ready we will go to it and if not we will go to the big lot and start our stay while waiting for the site to become available.

A few years ago we had our reservations to arrive on a Friday at our typical 7:30AM but on Thursday an approaching hurricane resulted in an evacuation being given by the county we live in. I called FW up and asked if we could get there earlier and stay in the big lot until our usual 7:30AM check-in time. They said to come on over and check-in when we got there. We arrived around 3:30AM and checked-in, got a site and was told to go to it. We did and promptly went to sleep.

 

[SewBzzzy]

If you arrive at the gate that early, do they tell you that your site isn't ready? that is still needs to be "cleaned"? What day of the week do you usually arrive?

 

[John VN]

If you arrive at the gate that early, do they tell you that your site isn't ready? that is still needs to be "cleaned"? What day of the week do you usually arrive?

Site may be ready and may not be ready if you get there before 1:00PM.

We arrive any where from Sunday to Saturday.

 

[CCIntrigue]

If you arrive at the gate that early, do they tell you that your site isn't ready? that is still needs to be "cleaned"? What day of the week do you usually arrive?

We usually arrive on Saturday or Sunday. Overnight at the Flying J in St. Augustine and depart early from there. Arrive at the fort by 8:00 a.m. Get onto site as soon as it's been "cleaned."

 

[speedyoutlaw]

Just wondering what are they "cleaning" at the campsite? Sure there is probably a trash can that needs emptied or debris that may have been left from the previous campers but what exactly are they doing?

 

[John VN]

Just wondering what are they "cleaning" at the campsite? Sure there is probably a trash can that needs emptied or debris that may have been left from the previous campers but what exactly are they doing?

When we leave our site, the CM only has to use the hose to spray the pad and the leaf blower to get rid of any pine needles or leaves I might not have swept away. I use my own grill and HD aluminum foil for the coals in the grill so I just wait until they are cold and throw them away leaving no ashes.

This past trip, last week, we had neighbors on both sides who left bags of garbage on the pad, the green hose unravelled and the picnic table in a position where the CM had to move it so the next camper would not hit it backing in.

Guess it just depends on how you respect other's property.

 

[Luv2Camp]

If we get to the Fort later in the evening, is there a larger chance that we won't get the loop that we requested? I hate to take 3 days to get there, but we'll do what we have to!

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Cleaning also means that the site might still contain campers. Some are very hard to sweep off. They tend to leave a tad later than the 11 am deadline. Usually the same ones that leave trash everywhere, let the dog bark all night and party til 2 am.
If you're coming in during Value Season, you have a good chance at getting loop you want.
During Peak time, checking in early, trip starts early but choices limited, checking in around 1, you have a better chance at choice, checking in later, you end up with what's left.
Getting the exact site you want might be difficult. I have found thru the years, what often happens is you end up in another site that suddenly becomes your new favorite. We had stayed in Cottontail Curl, 1500 loop, for years. But in 2007, after a very long hiatus from the Fort, ended up in Spanish Moss Lane, 2000 loop, EEKKK. Guess what....LOVE IT. Large sites and plenty of room. Now that's the loop of preference.
Requested the same site next trip, not available, ended up in an even better site.
So, it might not be so bad if you don't get exactly where you hope to. Pros and cons on all the loops. Good Luck.

 

[Brer Bear]

I have always arrived later than check in time in the past, but plan on arriving early this March. Do they go ahead and assign the site # to you so you can check it out even if not ready? I got a site last year that was impossible to back into and had to request a change. Be nice to do it earlier!

If there are any leftover or discarded campers on my site I'll recycle....

 

[2goofycampers]

I have always arrived later than check in time in the past, but plan on arriving early this March. Do they go ahead and assign the site # to you so you can check it out even if not ready? I got a site last year that was impossible to back into and had to request a change. Be nice to do it earlier!

If there are any leftover or discarded campers on my site I'll recycle....

They won't tell you your site # until it is ready for you. I guess they are afraid you may go help the people on your site pack up.

 

[AuburnJen92]

They won't tell you your site # until it is ready for you. I guess they are afraid you may go help the people on your site pack up.

Somehow I think that has happened before in the past....

 

[FlaFortCampster]

I have always arrived later than check in time in the past, but plan on arriving early this March. Do they go ahead and assign the site # to you so you can check it out even if not ready? I got a site last year that was impossible to back into and had to request a change. Be nice to do it earlier!

If there are any leftover or discarded campers on my site I'll recycle....