What to do for VERY early morning arrival?

[Robert6401]

We are headed down for Labor Day weekend. I am going to drive through the night on the Wednesday night prior so that we can arrive early Thursday morning and the wife and kids can go to a waterpark. Our Fort reservations don't start until Thursday. If I get to the Fort at say 5:00 am on Thursday morning, should I just go to the overflow lot and drop the 5th wheel there so we can drive over to the water park? I know that they will allow you to check in early if the space is available, but I don't know about THAT early. What do you think? It would be awesome if they would let us go ahead and check in, so I can get the camper set up and catch some zzzz's, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

Thanks for the info,
Bob

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I would check in - they will give you a card with a phone number on it to call later when your site is available if it isn't available when you check in. Then leave the trailer in the overflow lot, but the water park isn't going to be open at 5 am either.

 

[Robert6401]

I know the park isn't open that early. But I am doing the math in my head and I suspect that I will arrive at the Fort sometime around 5:00am, if not earlier. I also know, from my one previous Fort experience, that it pays off to arrive early on the day of your check-in because if you don't like the site they give you, you can move to another unoccupied site. Really though, what would work best for me is if I can check in that early and I can go to sleep while the wife takes the kids to the waterpark. I also have a golfcart coming from Kenny, so I could stay at the cg and get that taken care of. I guess what I'm really wondering is what the chances are that they'll let me check in that early?

 

[Shan-man]

I would think it pretty unlikely that you will be given a site upon check-in as occupancy will be building toward the holiday. But it's possible. Also, Disney has been turning-up a system that will text you when your site is ready so you don't have to keep calling. I've heard it reported that some folks have had this done for them at the Fort, so ask. That way you can chill in the overflow lot and not have to think about your site again until it's ready (i.e. sleep!).

 

[clkelley]

But absolutely do go to the checkin building and get your checkin materials including your parking pass. That way security won't hassle you about dropping your rig in overflow.

 

[kaguilbeau]

We drove through the night and arrived around 5:00 a.m. one morning. We checked in and pulled into the overflow lot. I didn't want to attempt backing in and unhooking in the dark - plus I felt we would disturb the neighbors with the diesel truck.

Hubby and son climbed into the 5th wheel and two girls and myself slept in the truck. It was not restful at all! Finally, around 7:00 the girls were awake. In hindsight, I guess we could've hopped out of the truck and taken an internal bus to the marina area. Instead I got behind the wheel and drove the truck and camper to our site. Once in the loop, I got out to wake DH up for him to back it up for me. He was NOT happy with me!

I'm thinking if I were in that situation again, we would pull off somewhere before Disney and sleep alittle (maybe a Flying J or rest area)- timing our arrival a little later (like 7:30 or 8:00).

Regardless, I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[KPSmithSr]

We got there once at 4:30 AM, checked in, got our parking pass for the TV, and went to the overflow lot. I don't think they will want you setting up that early even if your site is open, might not make your neighbors too happy. We went to EPCOT for early opening and set up later that afternoon. You can certainly take a nap in the overflow lot before anything opens.

 

[stacktester]

One other thing to consider if you're going to check in early and go to overflow and catch some sleep is you probably will need a/c even in Sept.

Do you have a generator to run the a/c? I would suggest getting in closer to 7:00. I come in early Thanksgiving weekend and we get our pass and go to emh at whatever park has it.

 

[Robert6401]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Right now I am leaning towards stopping at a KOA or something along the route, but not too far from Disney. I DO NOT have a generator, and that is one of my major concerns. I would not be able to sleep without the A/C. So, that being said, how early do you think I could arrive at the Fort and be given a site so I could go ahead and setup? I know when we were there a couple of months ago, we arrived around noon and were checked in immediately, the CM didn't mention anything about us being there early. Thanks again!

 

[2goofycampers]

sorry,, this is my bad,,Frank

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Keep yer fish'n pole handy in the RV,,if you get there early, check in, go eat breakfast at the Lodge, then send the fam to the waterpark and you catch a bus to the lake and fish til yer site is ready, , when the site is ready, set up camp then catch some zzzzzz's till the fam gets home.
__________________

 

[Robert6401]

I should add that another concern of mine is getting a site I am happy with. Last time, we were put in the 800 loop and were not happy at all with it. They have turned so many of the loops into Premium Loops, but all of the sites aren't as big as a true Premium site. That was one advantage, in my opinion, of getting there a little early like we did last time. I was able to drive through the park, find a loop I would be happier with, and then request that particular loop (which was loop 1400). Our rig is on the large side, so the size of the site is very important.

Edit: Oh, and the wife put her foot down about going solo with the kids to the waterpark! So I need to catch my zzz's when it doesn't inconvenience her !

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Thanks for all the input everyone. Right now I am leaning towards stopping at a KOA or something along the route, but not too far from Disney. I DO NOT have a generator, and that is one of my major concerns. I would not be able to sleep without the A/C. So, that being said, how early do you think I could arrive at the Fort and be given a site so I could go ahead and setup? I know when we were there a couple of months ago, we arrived around noon and were checked in immediately, the CM didn't mention anything about us being there early. Thanks again!

Check in time is 1 pm. Anything earlier is a crap shoot. Cruising for a loop and site seems like a lot of extra work to me personally and doesn't always work since sites may be reserved together for grand gatherings and by the time I get done with a 19 hour drive the last thing I am interested in is cruising around FW with my trailer looking for the ideal spot. I have never had a bad site at FW. Your choice of sites at 5 am will be limited since people have not left yet. Check out time is 11 am and sites frequently aren't available until much later since the CM's have to clean them. Is this going to be one of those threads where any answer isn't the right one????

 

[Robert6401]

Is this going to be one of those threads where any answer isn't the right one????

Gee, I don't think so. Sorry to have inconvenienced you. I am just trying to maximize our time since we are only there for a few days. And I am basing my questions on past experience. I am glad YOU have never had a bad site at Fort Wilderness, but I can very fervently say that the site I was originally given on the last trip would've led to an accident because even though it was a "Premium" site, my camper and my truck would not have fit without something hanging out into the road. Oh, and on said trip, my wife drove separately so I wasnt cruising through the park with my trailer in tow looking for a better sight. If my questions bother you, feel free to not answer them. I thought this was what this board is for.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Bob needs a nap. Or a Kungaloosh. Or maybe both.

 

[retired and happy]

We've had a couple of occasions even arriving in early afternoon, being assigned to a space that technically might be large enough for our MH and cargo trailer, but might be difficult to impossible to get into. On both occasions, we were able to locate another unclaimed site in the same loop which was approved by the authorities. Although this has nothing to do with early arrival, most times we have gotten an adequate site at check-in by explaining the size of our rig and any decorations we intended to display. Lately several assignments have been in 1400. As to early arrival, we usually stop in Lake City for the night which lets us get to the Fort around noon.

 

[Robert6401]

Bob needs a nap. Or a Kungaloosh. Or maybe both.

A Kungaloosh sounds great! I dont know whats in it, but I bet it would help . Sorry for my frustration, but hopefully you can tell that I am just tyring to make everyone happy (you know, if momma's happy, everyone's happy). I know that driving through the night will help my sanity because the kids will sleep. I leaning towards stopping in Daytona or somewhere near there so that on Thursday morning it will be a relatively short trip to the Fort. And it seems that if I get there early, check in, get up with Kenny to get my golf cart, I can run down to the site they assign me on the cart and check it out to make sure I will fit. Then drop the trailer, go to the waterpark, and come back later to setup.

How does that sound for a plan?

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[BradyBz12]

Sounds like a good plan to me!

 

[stacktester]

A Kungaloosh sounds great! I dont know whats in it, but I bet it would help . Sorry for my frustration, but hopefully you can tell that I am just tyring to make everyone happy (you know, if momma's happy, everyone's happy). I know that driving through the night will help my sanity because the kids will sleep. I leaning towards stopping in Daytona or somewhere near there so that on Thursday morning it will be a relatively short trip to the Fort. And it seems that if I get there early, check in, get up with Kenny to get my golf cart, I can run down to the site they assign me on the cart and check it out to make sure I will fit. Then drop the trailer, go to the waterpark, and come back later to setup.

How does that sound for a plan?

Thanks again for all the help.

There's a couple campgrounds at U.S. 92 right before I-4 that would be a good place to stop. I'll actually be down that way tomorrow and can get the names for you on my way home. You can access 92 and go straight to I-4 ramp from both places.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Why don't you fax in your request for a large site about 3 days before you arrive? Let them know how uncomfortable you were with the size of the site in the 800 loop. The site assigner is pretty good about giving you what you need if you give detailed info, ie, size of rig, slideouts, close to the bus stop or comfort station, etc. If you liked the site you had last time, perhaps you can request that one again. You just might get it.
Also, even though it is a holiday weekend, getting there Thursday is a great move as you should be able to check in rather early. I doubt there will be very many campers checking out Thursday AM, so you shouldn't have to wait to have your site cleaned. I'd bet you could check in between 9 and 10 AM. If you can't get your site then, it's a great time for breakfast!!
Also, if you do online check in 10 days before you arrive, it should save you a little time while checking in Thursday.
Have a wonderful trip.