Waiting in Fort Wilderness's parking lot for check in?

[ArielRae]

I know you are not allowed to check in until 6:05am on your arrival day. But was wondering how long they will allow you to wait in their parking lot until you can check in?

DH is thinking about leaving really early next trip. So we may arrive anywhere between 24hrs early or we may be there 5hrs early depending when he decides he really wants to get on the road for the trip down.

So can we spend that time in their lot while we wait for official check in time or will we have to stop at a rest stop for that time and then continue on when we get closer to the 6:05am check in?

 

[North of Mouse]

I know you are not allowed to check in until 6:05am on your arrival day. But was wondering how long they will allow you to wait in their parking lot until you can check in?

DH is thinking about leaving really early next trip. So we may arrive anywhere between 24hrs early or we may be there 5hrs early depending when he decides he really wants to get on the road for the trip down.

So can we spend that time in their lot while we wait for official check in time or will we have to stop at a rest stop for that time and then continue on when we get closer to the 6:05am check in?

Do you mean like arriving a whole day early (24 hours)? That's a long time to camp out in the parking lot - really doubt they would allow that. Actually, I'm not sure if they would let you in at all before 6:05am (didn't even know you could check in that early)

The earliest we have ever gotten in was 10AM - they said they had barely had that sight cleaned. Even though guests have left their sites seems like it takes 'forever' for them to check them out, and 'clear' them for the next guest.

Good luck!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The earliest I have seen is 1-1¼ hrs.
2) Guard won't let your rig past the shack without a previous-night ressie.
3) Anything more is free camping night.
4) Think about it.
5) After all, you have your own bed, why should they give you a camping space?
6) Whether in the campground or in the lot.
7) Same as getting to a hotel at 2:00am and sleeping in the lobby for a free night.

 

[John VN]

The earliest we have checked-in and gotten a site was at 0430 of the day's reservation. The reason we received was because I called around 1400 the day before and spoke to CM at The Outpost informing her we were under an evacuation due to an approaching hurricane. CM checked with manager who said come on over.

Parking in Big Lot means getting past the Guard Shack and I doubt the guard would allow early-early entry to park and sleep in the lot until later in AM.

McFlurry John

 

[ArielRae]

So basically I need to tell my husband that we can't get past the guard house to park until 5am the day of our reservation correct?

 

[John VN]

So basically I need to tell my husband that we can't get past the guard house to park until 5am the day of our reservation correct?

To be safe, after 0700 unless you call well before and get the OK.

 

[North of Mouse]

So basically I need to tell my husband that we can't get past the guard house to park until 5am the day of our reservation correct?

I doubt you could get in that early, after 7am (as pp stated) or later would be my opinion. Otherwise they would have their over flow lot filled with 'campers' for free nights, and that's not going to happen.

If you really want to get there early, do what we do sometimes - just find a place to camp a few hours away, then arrive at the Fort in mid-morning.

You basically have most of your driving behind you then, and can start relaxing with several hours of good sleep.

 

[jbrostek]

it might be easier to just find a place to pull off and let the DH nap a bit.

 

[MartDM]

...or just leave home later so you get to the Fort later (why rush to sit in a parking lot?)

 

[jbrostek]

I know they are leaving earlier to avoid traffic. I would do the same if I had to get from NJ to south of DC as part of my travel.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

So can we spend that time in their lot while we wait for official check in time or will we have to stop at a rest stop for that time and then continue on when we get closer to the 6:05am check in?

I would stop and rest before getting to the Ft. On our last trip, we were due to check in on Saturday.

We left Thursday night (Halloween) after trick or treating and dinner. I think we left about 8:30 or 9pm. We got past DC and stopped at a rest area in VA at about 1 am to sleep. We made a few stops on the way, had dinner with friends in NC, then another overnight stop in GA and arrived at the Fort about 1pm Saturday.

It was a nice and relaxing trip.

 

[North of Mouse]

I know they are leaving earlier to avoid traffic. I would do the same if I had to get from NJ to south of DC as part of my travel.

I understand - that's so true. We lived for 6 years just no. of DC in Gaithersburg, MD and had to leave about midnight to miss 'most' of the traffic.

But, we stopped south at a campground and spent the night - no way were we driving straight through. We could not handle that!

 

[jbrostek]

We usually leave on a weekend or holiday for our trip south for 2 weeks (which includes Disney.) We usually hit the road no later then 0800, bypass the beltway from the Chantilly and Manassas areas, and stop for the night just before the GA boarder. Then its only couple hours to Disney or the beach depending on what we decided for the year. This winter its 2 weeks at FW and skipping the beach.

 

[North of Mouse]

We usually leave on a weekend or holiday for our trip south for 2 weeks (which includes Disney.) We usually hit the road no later then 0800, bypass the beltway from the Chantilly and Manassas areas, and stop for the night just before the GA boarder. Then its only couple hours to Disney or the beach depending on what we decided for the year. This winter its 2 weeks at FW and skipping the beach.

Have a great one!

Just got back from a 3wk. trip. so are enjoying relaxing at home!

We haven't planned a winter trip - just got so cold this week - I love warm!

 

[jmrothermel]

We just ran into this - they let me check-in a day early at a room only rate. Overflow was a no go

 

[PEC]

I think after 7 AM you would be safe, though if you are arriving before 8 AM I would definitely call and make sure you can arrive. The reason I give those times is that gives you a chance to show up, park your vehicle and go to a park with 7 AM being for a morning EMH.

 

[tinman694]

The parking lot has signage that clearly states...'No Overnight Parking'

Just as a FYI....

 

[cjbcam]

I asked when we could check in and get our bands because we wanted to do EMH they told me 6 am but could not guarantee cabin would be ready but we could get our MB so we could do EMH. (probably different for people with RVs cause where would you park them?)

 

[John VN]

I asked when we could check in and get our bands because we wanted to do EMH they told me 6 am but could not guarantee cabin would be ready but we could get our MB so we could do EMH. (probably different for people with RVs cause where would you park them?)

As mentioned in other replies, RVers along with cabin guests can park in THE BIG LOT while they wait for their site to become available. This is the same lot one can use to park in after checking-out on the last day of one's stay instead of driving to the Parks.