Houston to Fort Wilderness

[cypressaggie 0]

We will going to WDW June 2013 for the first time with our son for his 9th bday. We have only traveled as far as 250 miles with our trailer before. I want to try to make it to WDW in 2 1/2 days. We are on the Nw side of Houston in Cypress. Question, where are good places to spend the night. We have never traveled this far, so clueless as to how far to go each day. I know that it is Hwy, but I also have been stuck in La on I-10 before going to New Orleans too. I would like to make it to Biloxi the first night. I appreciate the advice. Where would be a good palce to stop in Fl for the second night. I am thinking that being closer to WDW on day 3 is important, we will be excited to be checking out Ft Wilderness. How long is the check in process?

We have a 30 foot trailer, going to get a new truck before we make the trip. Any site recommendations due to length of trailer. I also need wifi for work, I know work, but I own a business and have to work on vacation.

Next question, I see that the check in time for Ft Wilderness is 3pm, will they let you check in early if you arrive a hour or so early? Not a big deal. Just wondering.

Is it necessary to get a premium site. I do like concrete pad, less dirt in trailer, but also like to not spend money either if I can go a cheaper route.

I am not looking for a destination rv park, just a place that is nice, pet and kid friendly, maybe a pool to swim and relax. I would like to be as close to the Hwy as possible.

Liz

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Hi Liz! Welcome to Fort Fiends!!!!!!

There are several TX Fiends that can chime in on your first question regarding places to stop. As far as distance to travel each day...we find traveling 400-500 miles in a day is quite comfortable, but have been known to do 700 miles in a day to get someplace. But overall, I think your plan on 2 1/2 days from Houston seems quite reasonable. You may even push on a bit and make it in 2 days. That would be 400-450/day I think.

As far as sites, most any site will accomodate a 30 ft TT. Decide what exactly you are wanting in a site (location relative to pool and/or marina, premium site with more concrete, proximity to dog park, etc) and then it will be easier to narrow down your choices.

If you arrive earlier than 3pm, just go to the check in area and if your site is ready they will let you go. Otherwise they can do the check in, take a phone number and they'll let you know when it's ready. That way you can start enjoying the Fort...you can park the TT and truck in the overflow lot up front until your site is ready, and you can go off and have fun.

You can definitely go cheaper than Premium. I do like the concrete as opposed to the sandy area, but I have 5 kids and 2 dogs so we end up with more sand inside the trailer than out. But it might work out nicely for you, and some of the full hookup loops are quite spacious compared to the premium loops.

:welcome2:

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Welcome Liz!

[LONE-STAR 370]

We have stopped at the gulf pines KOA in Milton Florida. It's about 550 miles from Houston give or take a few miles. It's right off the highway. Get the premium site it's worth it. You can check in at the Fort when ever you get there.

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

I don't have any answers for you but I wanted to say

[Brent... Just Brent 83]

Is the check-in time 3? I thought it was 1? Regardless, depending on when you check in, your site may be ready. If not, no sweat like mentioned above.

I really do prefer premium, but that's just me. I hate the crushed shell in the other sites. It's fine unless it rains. If it does rain it sticks to everything.

That being said, the full sites can be pretty spacious. Lornaduck had a HUGE one for the 4th with a good 50 or so feet between her and the next site. I don't usually venture much off the concrete, though, so that's not important to me. It's really all about what you prefer.

Welcome and regardless of which category you choose, you'll love the Fort!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Welcome Liz!!

If it helps, we have some Info Pages with the run down on the types of sites, locations, etc. Check out the Site Map and you'll see a bunch of stuff listed under Accomodations.

You should be able to fit a 30' trailer in pretty much anywhere, just be sure they have your trailer specs on your reservation (including slideouts, awning, etc.)

We tend to like the 300 loop (preferred) but for us that's mostly because of the location to the dog walk/park. I do agree the coquina can be a PITA, but we usually cover most of it with our camping matt to keep from tracking too much inside.

Our trip from southern NH is about 1300 miles and we tend to do the "lets get there as fast as possible" thing, driving 8-10 hours at a whack and stopping at WalMarts or truck stops for naps in between.

[.....Gary 85]

1. Go back to your profile and add Liz after Cypresaggie; That will save you the "Wrath of Lou" :rofl3:

2. :welcome2:

3. We have had good luck with faxing site requests and on-line checkin. We have started using "Fiesty's FunTime Travel" (costs nothing) and found she gets the best deals. :clint:

[Judy in Texas 150]

I drive from Fort Worth to The Fort in a day and a half. The first day I head across I-30 to Shreveport, head south to Lafayette, LA where I catch I-10 and drive on to about Milton, FL. It's a very long day so I spend the night in a hotel. I have a pop-up and don't want to take the time to set it up and take it down. The next morning I start off early (before 7:00 AM) and pull in to The Fort early afternoon.

Have fun!

[PrincessNana 15]

When we leave from The Woodlands, our first stop is Milton, Fl, the KOA---easy on and easy off. I second the premium sites. If we get stuck in traffic in La, we usually stop in Biloxi at Parker's Landing. Exit Woolmarket road....again, easy on and easy off. If we need another stop, we like to stop at the Jellystone Park in Madison, Fl. From there, it's only about four hours to Disney World. Not sure about wifi at any of those places.

[LONE-STAR 370]

Cypressaggie I hope you didn't float away.

[cypressaggie 0]

WE are good, my house flooded Thursday before last from my washer. Note to everyone, when you get out the thing in the bottom of an LG washer, screw it back in really good or your house will flood. My washer is in the middle of my house, so toast to alot of my laminiate. Great news, I can still get my flooring, so that is a blessing.

I thought the place we store the trailer was flooded, but it didn't. Couldn't have taken 2 floods in 1 week.

Thanks for asking, so nice of you!

Liz

[LONE-STAR 370]

At least the washing machine is fresh water.

[fort4evr 0]

I live in Tomball and generally leave from work after 5pm and spend the first night in Lake Charles, at Le Burge Du Lac. Next day I drive and stay overnight in Marianna FL at Dove's Rest RV. I have also stayed at Hilltop RV in Loxley between Mobile and Pensacola.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Hi.

We have stayed at this campsite in Biloxi. Now I don't remember where it is in relation to I-10.

http://www.majesticoaksrv.com

We have also stayed in Defuniak Springs (pricey but had no choice).

Florida State Caverns Campground

can't remember the name but a cg in Ocala, Fl

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

We also stayed at one in Beaumont, TX but that would putting you stopping for the night way too early

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Our trip from southern NH is about 1300 miles and we tend to do the "lets get there as fast as possible" thing, driving 8-10 hours at a whack and stopping at WalMarts or truck stops for naps in between.

Cracker Barrels are the best overnight stops, IMHO. As a courtesy, you should buy some breakfast or dinner but they have actual RV spots for parking.

[mickmey 0]

We're driving from Killeen, TX, but we'll pass through Houston, so I guess this somewhat applies to us.  I think we're going to try to go only as far as Biloxi on the first night.  We were looking at the three parks at exit 41 like PrincessNana.  Then, we're going to stop near Niceville, FL to visit friends.  We're looking at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park.  Anyone stayed there before?

 

We're considering a different route on the way back.  Not really sure what to do about that!

[hlzzzz 0]

Just browsing through as I start to plan a 2015 trip, just wondering where you ended up stopping? We live south of Houston, so it will be about the same route for us. Super excited to start planning trip 5, first trip driving and pulling our 38 foot travel trailer.

[Millermouseketeers MaryAnn 150]

Just browsing through as I start to plan a 2015 trip, just wondering where you ended up stopping? We live south of Houston, so it will be about the same route for us. Super excited to start planning trip 5, first trip driving and pulling our 38 foot travel trailer.

Welcome! Driving from Dallas we push it & only stop to sleep for about 5-6 hours. Where we stop depends on how early we leave. We stop at rest areas & sleep in our MoHo. We have stopped at Pensacola rest area, Flying J's in Gainesville & several other rest areas. We find most if not all the rest areas along I 10 are nice & secure. Have fun planning!

[LONE-STAR 370]

Just browsing through as I start to plan a 2015 trip, just wondering where you ended up stopping? We live south of Houston, so it will be about the same route for us. Super excited to start planning trip 5, first trip driving and pulling our 38 foot travel trailer.

The KOA in Milton Florida is a nice over night stop. It's 10 to 12 hours from just south of Houston (assuming your within 60 miles) depending on stops, speed and traffic. Oh welcome.

[Okieatheart 33]

We also live south of Houston proper, and depending on the time we leave. we have made several first night stops.  In Biloxi, we have stayed at Mazalea RV Park at Exit 41 at Woolmarket.  It's not really nice, but it has blacktopped pads, long pull throughs and very little sand.  The facilities are old but clean, the people in charge were really nice, and it's a quick on/off to I-10.  

 

We've also stayed at Gulfport at Hollywood Casino - for free, if you play a little in their casino.  It's a little longer drive because it's south of the freeway, but it was a really nice place to stay.  Great hookups, concrete pads, and not crowded.

 

When we've gotten a late start, we stay either at Lafayette (Scott, LA) at the KOA there or at Baton Rouge (Denham Springs) at the KOA there.  Both are pretty nice and easy on/off.

 

We don't like to drive past Biloxi on our first night.

 

The second night is a problem.  We've also stayed at the KOA in Milton (just outside of Pensacola), and we like it - along with Avalon RV Landing, also in Milton.  But if you stay in Biloxi the first night, then Milton is really too close.  

 

We have found NOTHING suitable other than Milton in the Florida panhandle.  I think there is a Jellystone Park somewhere around there, but we've never stayed at that park.

 

For a couple of years, our second stop was in White Springs at Kelly's RV park - about 12 miles from I-10 where in intersects 75.  This was a nice stop, as it was only 3 hours the next day to WDW and we liked that.  But the place isn't wonderful.  No cable TV, packed gravel sites, lots of long-termers, etc.  

 

Once we made the ghastly mistake of stopping near Ocala at Silver Springs - about 26 miles off 75 - at Wilderness RV Resort.  It was really nice, but the streets and sites were so narrow that we had to drive on grass, dodging tricycles, bicycles, motorcycles, and parked cars.  Big mistake.

 

Well, there you have it - my life's story!  Have a great trip - and if you find any place that you really like in the panhandle of Florida - that's easy on/off and is a nice place - please let me know!

 

And Welcome! to Fort Fiends.