Question on parking a semi at Fort- Rusty- you may know this!

[serenitygr]

Hi everyone! Family of "the rolling turd" checking in! Even though we have a year to go before we come back, we are tentatively making some travel plans

Next fall we are coming , and if free dining is offered, staying in the cabins again! We also may have 2 families coming along with us! We can't wait to show them what is so very special about the Fort

My question: Joe- my husband- is an over the road truck driver. His plan is to get a load going to Florida, while the kids and I fly down, and then he won't have to be off work so much. Kind of like getting paid to go on vacation.

What we are wondering is once he gets there and gets his semi unloaded, can he park his truck and trailer in the Fort parking lot? Then he'd check in - we'd probably rent a car while we were there- and when it was time to leave he'd get in the semi and go (hopefully to pick up a load in Florida somewhere) and the kids and I would go to the airport and fly home.

I know there were lots of RV's and cars etc in that lot, but not sure if a semi and trailer is acceptable of if they would tell him it was too big? Anyone know the answer to this? If not I can always call and ask....

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) We are not permitted to allow Big Rigs to park ong term in the lot.
2) Especially during camping, which could be days or weeks.
3) I have been racking my mind, and can't come up with a place to park The Rig.
4) My best-guess is to park at a truck stop and have someone go get him in a car.

PS - In a former life, I ran the Engineering Department that designed Big Trucks, then, I
ran the multi-plant manufacturing operations for another truck company. Some men are "car
guys"; but, I am a "truck guy". I guess I love the smell of diesel fuel in the morn . . .

 

[iheartMagicKingdom]

Hi everyone! Family of "the rolling turd" checking in! Even though we have a year to go before we come back, we are tentatively making some travel plans Next fall we are coming , and if free dining is offered, staying in the cabins again! We also may have 2 families coming along with us! We can't wait to show them what is so very special about the Fort My question: Joe- my husband- is an over the road truck driver. His plan is to get a load going to Florida, while the kids and I fly down, and then he won't have to be off work so much. Kind of like getting paid to go on vacation. What we are wondering is once he gets there and gets his semi unloaded, can he park his truck and trailer in the Fort parking lot? Then he'd check in - we'd probably rent a car while we were there- and when it was time to leave he'd get in the semi and go (hopefully to pick up a load in Florida somewhere) and the kids and I would go to the airport and fly home. I know there were lots of RV's and cars etc in that lot, but not sure if a semi and trailer is acceptable of if they would tell him it was too big? Anyone know the answer to this? If not I can always call and ask....

We go to the Fort every year and stay at the cabins. We are in the exact same boat as you. We are a family of 6 and I fly down with the kids and my husband gets a load to Florida so we don't loose anytime pay time. Every year they have let us park in the overflow lot. And we stay 12 days. They have always been extremely accommodating. He gets there first thing in the morning and gets us checked in and grabs our golf cart. He then unloads all the extra stuff I sent down with him onto the golf cart and runs it over to the cabin. They obviously won't let him pull it over to the cabin area since it won't fit. My husband said he won't leave his truck at the truck stop...no way now how. I do however call the fort and give them a heads up that we are coming with the tractor and trailer. 48 days and counting.......good luck.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Every year they have let us park in the overflow lot . . .

1) That's great!
2) I will have to keep that in my memory banks for the future.
3) Never, saw it before.
4) Thanks for the help!

PS - See, even those of us who "might be in-the-know", don't know. I think
my weight loss has affected my brain.

 

[tiggerdad]

Hey Scupper,
You sure it's not the diesel fumes that have affected you? I personally prefer the smell of gunpowder...

I am a bit surprised and thankful all at the same time that semis are allowed to park in overflow. I wonder if it had to do with how busy it was at the time?

Either way, hope it lines up and works out for you.

 

[bjschil]

Hi everyone! Family of "the rolling turd" checking in! Even though we have a year to go before we come back, we are tentatively making some travel plans Next fall we are coming , and if free dining is offered, staying in the cabins again! We also may have 2 families coming along with us! We can't wait to show them what is so very special about the Fort My question: Joe- my husband- is an over the road truck driver. His plan is to get a load going to Florida, while the kids and I fly down, and then he won't have to be off work so much. Kind of like getting paid to go on vacation. What we are wondering is once he gets there and gets his semi unloaded, can he park his truck and trailer in the Fort parking lot? Then he'd check in - we'd probably rent a car while we were there- and when it was time to leave he'd get in the semi and go (hopefully to pick up a load in Florida somewhere) and the kids and I would go to the airport and fly home. I know there were lots of RV's and cars etc in that lot, but not sure if a semi and trailer is acceptable of if they would tell him it was too big? Anyone know the answer to this? If not I can always call and ask....

Hello Minnesota! We stored our rv from October to Jan 1 just up the road from WDW. Although our charge was 95.00/month plis tax, I am wondering if they would charge you part of that? We stored at Ocala, at TV and Boat Storage. Wondering also about Adult Toy Storage in Orlando. I believe they have a daily rate and concierge service. Good luck. Our next trip is late Dec.,/Jan, 2015/2016.

 

[serenitygr]

Thank you everyone! Things are sounding at least promising that something will work out. He also has concern about leaving it at a truckstop, and in fact doesn't know of a truck stop close enough that he could check on it frequently with a rental car.

Another question- if he did store the trailer somewhere, what about just parking the truck there in overflow? Rusty- as far as you know would that be ok?

I am going to write all this down, and start doing some checking. Should I call the Fort to ask and see what they say? He wants to be sure he has things lined up before we go, and not wait til we get there.

For what it's worth- it will be the end of Sept/ beginning of Oct- I'm not sure if that's considered a "busy time" or not?

 

[becky1960]

Over the years I have seen people use their truck cabs as a camper at Fw, it would be shorter than a 5th wheel or bus and it was allowed. I would call ahead and see if that has changed and leave the trailer at a truck stop..

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Another question- if he did store the trailer somewhere, what about just parking the truck there in overflow? Rusty- as far as you know would that be ok? . . .

1) I have personally seen truck cabs parked in the lot on several occasions.
2) It is just that I haven't seen the entire TT rig.
3) That is why it was nice to hear the iheartMagicKingdom experience.

NOTE: Please remember that allowing trucks/rigs into the lot is the function of
the guards, and we don't really have too much say yay-or-nay about it. One
would think this is case-by-case.

 

[North of Mouse]

Thank you everyone! Things are sounding at least promising that something will work out. He also has concern about leaving it at a truckstop, and in fact doesn't know of a truck stop close enough that he could check on it frequently with a rental car.

Another question- if he did store the trailer somewhere, what about just parking the truck there in overflow? Rusty- as far as you know would that be ok?

I am going to write all this down, and start doing some checking. Should I call the Fort to ask and see what they say? He wants to be sure he has things lined up before we go, and not wait til we get there.

For what it's worth- it will be the end of Sept/ beginning of Oct- I'm not sure if that's considered a "busy time" or not?

Know you are excited to have plans to come to the Fort again!!

From what Rusty says about the guards seeming to have the discretion of whether to let you park your semi there while you stay in the cabins would be a 'iffy' thing to count on. Would be terrible to have their 'word' then get there and be denied. I would, personally, have a definite 'plan B' because everyone seems to have their own 'answer' there (as a lot of places).

Actually, in their defense, when we have parked there while waiting for our site to be open, the lot has been plenty full of trailers and motor homes, and sometimes a little difficult to maneuver.

The best of luck!!

 

[dalspot]

Me too! Always have, ever since I was little. Then I grew up and drove a truck for a while. Makes me a "truck gal"

1) but, I am a "truck guy". I guess I love the smell of diesel fuel in the morn . . .[/I]

 

[double r]

We pull our 5th wheel with a full size Kenworth tractor and this summer parked it up in overflow( 4th Of July week) and unloaded the Smart car without a problem, it was very crowded but tucked in a shady corner. WDW has their unit parked there that carries the horse drawn carriage, but it is their property.