Where to stop, late night, as close to the Fort as possible?

[Robert6401]

On these longer trips, I like to leave in the evening so the kids can sleep, and I prefer to drive at night. That being said, last time down we made it all the way to Orlando by about 1:00am, so we stopped at a hotel in town to crash for a few hours. Well, we were quickly reminded one of the many reasons we love RVing - that place was disgusting and I just dont like staying at hotels if I don't have to.

So, I would like to get as close to the Fort as possible and then stop to catch a few hours of sleep before checking in next Wednesday morning. I would need to be able to pull in late, minimal setup, and be gone probably by 8:00 in the morning.

Last time we were the first arrival that day at the Fort, I think we got there at like 8:30. That was cool, wouldn't mind making it 2 for 2

Thanks for the input.

 

[North7]

We stayed at New Smyrna Beach RV Park and Campground last August the night before we checked in to FW. We arrived around 7:00 pm and the office was closed, however, they had an outside registration box and we just picked a site, filled out the form, and paid at the office the next morning. I could have left my credit card info on the form, but I wasn't comfortable doing that.

It was less than 90 minutes from there to Fort Wilderness the next morning. It's a nice campground and perfect for an overnight stay... I think the rate was around $25-$27 for the night.

 

[Robert6401]

I guess catching a few zzz's in the overflow lot would be a no-no?

 

[clkelley]

Yep, no, no.

 

[des1954]

On US Hwy 27, about 9 miles north of US Hwy 192W, there is Lake Louisa State park. Good for an overnight. Closer to the Fort is Tropical Palms RV Park, on US Hwy 92 E - right next to Old Town. 2650 Holiday Trail Kissimmee, FL 34746 (407) 396-4595 There's also Turkey Lake Park - near Universal. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]3401 Hiawassee Road, Orlando 32835 (407) 299-5581

Hope this helps!
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[awmiii]

How about Walmart or Camping World in Kissemee?

 

[Judy in Texas]

How about Walmart or Camping World in Kissemee?

You can't stay overnight at any Walmart in the Orlando area. I hear it is a local ordinance.

 

[Robert6401]

On US Hwy 27, about 9 miles north of US Hwy 192W, there is Lake Louisa State park. Good for an overnight. Closer to the Fort is Tropical Palms RV Park, on US Hwy 92 E - right next to Old Town. 2650 Holiday Trail Kissimmee, FL 34746 (407) 396-4595 There's also Turkey Lake Park - near Universal. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]3401 Hiawassee Road, Orlando 32835 (407) 299-5581

Hope this helps!
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Debbie, thanks for these suggestions. Would the fact that I would be arriving during the wee hours of the morning be an issue at any of these particular spots?

 

[stacktester]

Robert,
Turkey Lake has an overflow lot so to speak. It's basically a big grass area that is used for soccer and other things. We usually stay there Thanksgiving Night so we can get an earlier Disney start on Friday. It's $10 for the overflow or $15 for a hookup. If you need a/c I would get a site, if not just boondock like we do. They also just installed an electric gate so you no longer have to get out to unlock and lock the gate back.

 

[stacktester]

Debbie, thanks for these suggestions. Would the fact that I would be arriving during the wee hours of the morning be an issue at any of these particular spots?

If you stay in the overflow at TL, it's pretty wide open and if there's other campers there you can park away from them.

 

[Robert6401]

Robert,
Turkey Lake has an overflow lot so to speak. It's basically a big grass area that is used for soccer and other things. We usually stay there Thanksgiving Night so we can get an earlier Disney start on Friday. It's $10 for the overflow or $15 for a hookup. If you need a/c I would get a site, if not just boondock like we do. They also just installed an electric gate so you no longer have to get out to unlock and lock the gate back.

This is interesting. Can I show up late at night?

 

[DisneyCampingFamily]

Last time we were the first arrival that day at the Fort, I think we got there at like 8:30. That was cool, wouldn't mind making it 2 for 2

Thanks for the input.

Do you just park your rig in the overflow after checking in that early? I have never tried checking in that early but this trip coming up I could get there early. I'd love to head to the park.

 

[clkelley]

Do you just park your rig in the overflow after checking in that early? I have never tried checking in that early but this trip coming up I could get there early. I'd love to head to the park.

Yes, you are allowed to check in any time after 7am and if your site is not ready, you can park in overflow and head to a park.

 

[DisneyCampingFamily]

Hey great that is good to hear. Looks like I can get a full day at the parks then.

Thanks

 

[Robert6401]

Do you just park your rig in the overflow after checking in that early? I have never tried checking in that early but this trip coming up I could get there early. I'd love to head to the park.

Our site was ready when we got there. Got set up and had plenty of time to head to Typhoon Lagoon for the rest of the day. This time our arrival day is a Fort day, but Fort time is just as valuable as park time to me

 

[des1954]

Debbie, thanks for these suggestions. Would the fact that I would be arriving during the wee hours of the morning be an issue at any of these particular spots?

I know the State Park is closed and you can't get in past, IIRC, 8pm. As to the other parks, I'm not sure - but you can call them and ask.

Also - no Walmart in the Orlando area allows boon-docking at all. Too many people were using them for weeks on end and taking advantage of a good thing. I don't think it's a local ordinance so much as it's a Walmart policy in the area. I live about 25 miles west of Ft.W in Lakeland, and our Walmart's stopped over-nighter's because of cheap, sleazy people who were taking advantage of a good thing.

If you're coming down I-95, there's a Love's Truck Stop in Ormond Beach you might be able to catch a few winks at. Give them a call at (386) 671-9585. Ormond Beach is about 1 hour NE of Ft.W.

FYI - over nighting in a Florida rest stop is against the law. The FHP regularly patrols the rest stops - so don't do it!

 

[LarryJ]

Yep, no, no.

Hmm, I wonder if the driver stays in the car and lets the family go into the camper, if security came by and you just said you are waiting to check in that day because you have ressies and show them the ressie stuff if they would say you couldn't wait there. This is based on arriving close to or after midnight on the day you actually have a reservation.

Under certain conditions spending a few hours in the overflow lot might be O.K. ... a call to FW should be able to confirm this.

Another option is the FlyingJ truck stop on I-95 around St. Augustine ... that's only about 2 hours away from WDW.

Larry

 

[stacktester]

Hmm, I wonder if the driver stays in the car and lets the family go into the camper, if security came by and you just said you are waiting to check in that day because you have ressies and show them the ressie stuff if they would say you couldn't wait there. This is based on arriving close to or after midnight on the day you actually have a reservation.

Under certain conditions spending a few hours in the overflow lot might be O.K. ... a call to FW should be able to confirm this.

Another option is the FlyingJ truck stop on I-95 around St. Augustine ... that's only about 2 hours away from WDW.

Larry

We came in about 0200 once because we were in Ginnie Springs for Memorial Day Weekend and it poured so bad and flooded our site. GS is near Gainesville so it was my intention to leave Monday and take the turnpike down anyway. I didn't want to drive all the way home then to the fort so we decided to hit the overflow. No one said a word.

The next time we decided to head down after Thanksgiving dinner and we pulled in at midnight. As soon as we shut the camper door a po po was at the door and said we had to leave. Never again would I do that again. It's best to have concrete plans. Like I said, if it was really early morning you might have a chance. From my experience there is no place to stay that late at night. We drove around looking for 2 hours and finally I said the heck with it and went back to FW. Sat in the truck for 5 minutes watching po po drive around and they didn't bother us so we went in the camper to sleep. IMHO Turkey Lake is the best bet especially if you don't need power.

 

[Robert6401]

We came in about 0200 once because we were in Ginnie Springs for Memorial Day Weekend and it poured so bad and flooded our site. GS is near Gainesville so it was my intention to leave Monday and take the turnpike down anyway. I didn't want to drive all the way home then to the fort so we decided to hit the overflow. No one said a word.

The next time we decided to head down after Thanksgiving dinner and we pulled in at midnight. As soon as we shut the camper door a po po was at the door and said we had to leave. Never again would I do that again. It's best to have concrete plans. Like I said, if it was really early morning you might have a chance. From my experience there is no place to stay that late at night. We drove around looking for 2 hours and finally I said the heck with it and went back to FW. Sat in the truck for 5 minutes watching po po drive around and they didn't bother us so we went in the camper to sleep. IMHO Turkey Lake is the best bet especially if you don't need power.

Donnie, can I pull into Turkey Lake in the wee hours of the morning?

 

[RocklandRVers]

Why not try a Flying J truckstop. We have stayed in them all up and down I-95 but here that they are all very RV friendly. They have designated overnight parking for RVs separate from the trucks. The closest is probably the one in St Augustine which is about 2 hours from the Fort. Check their website for locations and amenities.