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Ted S. · 11-21-2015, 03:47 PM

Long story, no use griping about it, but anyways, I have been asked to put together a last minute trip to Disney and of course everything is book up, right down to dog kennels.

I managed to find one park with one spot, Magnolia Park in Apopka, north of Disney about 1/2 hour. Not super hot on relying on it, not much on the Internet about it. KOA says no way since we have a Rottweiler, so I am at a lost.

Honesty, the whole thought of Orlando makes my skin itch, find me a place in wide open Utah and I am happy.

But I need to make the most of this. Every Disney th and ad saying Ft Wilderness, well that's great but not one site open.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Silverflames · 11-21-2015, 04:07 PM

Skip Disney and hit the Springs!

There are some state parks a bit further out, 30-45 min drive. State parks allow dogs to stay in the trailer as long as they are safe and not annoying people.

http://floridastateparks.reserveamer...&parkId=281080

eliset123 · 11-21-2015, 04:22 PM

You will get a spot at Fort Wilderness , just keep looking. We booked last year 3 weeks out and there were a bunch of spots. We stayed in a prime spot and the site across was open all christmas week. We have no kids so spur of the moment is not a great challenge.

karenjude · 11-21-2015, 04:22 PM

Keep trying Ft Wilderness. We always decided to go at the last minute for Christmas break. Of course it was full when I first called but I called every day looking for cancellations and we always got a spot. You may want to have another spot for plan B but if my experience holds (and this probably happened 5 times) you should be able to get in if you're persistent.

Ted S. · 11-21-2015, 05:53 PM

Thanks for the replies. The State Parks are all booked in the area. It is encouraging to hear about Ft Wilderness. I will keep trying.

Paddledipper · 11-21-2015, 05:59 PM

Orlando's Moss Park and Turkey Lake Park are excellent options although I am not sure of their policy on pets. Kelly Park in Apopka is nice but small.

FreshAirStmr · 11-21-2015, 06:16 PM

Try Bill Frederick (former Orlando mayor) Park. Haven't been there ourselves, but a week ago I booked the last week of January there for the final transition to our AS as we wrap up things in our rental house. Good review here:

Bill Frederick Park - WatsonsWander

Ted S. · 11-21-2015, 06:30 PM

Bill Frederick Park I belive is Turkey Lake and that is booked. Moss has some availability but no dogs....

Mrjkq · 11-21-2015, 07:37 PM

Keep rechecking the state parks also, cancellations are not unusual as there made many weeks even months in advance & oftentimes things change. Good luck!

Jim & Susan · 11-21-2015, 08:06 PM

Try calling the State parks in the area directly (not Reserve America). Our situation this year was that we waited too late in the year (August!) to make Reservations for Thanksgiving week at the FL State Park we usually go to. The only thing they had left open were a couple Handicap spots. Some Parks are willing to rent those as regular spots in certain situations (eg; if they have 3 HC sites and none of them are rented). In our case, there were two regular sites listed on the Reserve America website as "small trailers only". When I called the park, they told me that the Airstream would easily fit and that the map simply needed to be update on the website. I called the park back this week, just to confirm that information was correct and was assured the site was plenty big.

That gives you a couple options.

How are things in Ayer?? Haven't been there since Ft Devins days back in the '70's and '80's.

Jim

Jarrod White · 11-21-2015, 09:05 PM

I'm a big fan of Turkey Lake (aka Bill Fredrick). They have a field by the improved campground and I believe will allow boondocking there if that works for you. I've heard good things about the South Kissimmiee KOA but have never stayed there. There are a couple of Polk County Parks with camping that would be a 30-40 minute drive.

trigal · 11-22-2015, 10:53 AM

koa lake WHIPPOORWILL, wonderful place off 417 and Narcoossee rd.

Rich W · 11-22-2015, 11:02 AM

We stayed at a Carefree park in Zephyrhills, FL. It's nice and quiet. Some have age restrictions (55+) some don't, some have minimum stays of 2 months, some don't. If you visit the site you can check them out. Usually they have space by the night. Call the toll free number and work with the agent to find something. You'll probably have to board the dog in a kennel somewhere. http://www.carefreervresorts.com/rv-parks/florida/

We've been trying to find something in the state parks too but they are really booked up this year. Last year I waited until mid-December and was able to find some spots here and there, 2-5 nights, had to keep moving. It wasn't too bad but this year, so far, I'm finding everything booked solid. Still, last year I managed to find a cancellation of 2 weeks. You just have to keep checking the sites.

hamiltonmj · 11-22-2015, 06:08 PM

We just got back...went on-line multiple times to get a reservation. Also called but the DW person said to use on-line because they (DW) use the same resource to find open spots. Took me a week. Worth the "hunting".