Walmart Overnight Parking??

rockhillmanor wrote:


Why would anyone take their kids RV'ing and then stay in a Walmart parking lot instead of a CG? Where they could meet other camping kids instead of the indigents that come out at night in a public parking lot.

This above is just a silly comment.
Do you really think anyone plans a camping trip with their kids and plans to camp at Walmart as their ultimate/final destination?

Walmart is a convenient stop over ON THE WAY to the state park, national park or whatever destination. Sometimes there is a long travel day spent getting to the destination. We have done it both ways (sometimes staying in a Walmart lot, sometimes in a campground). Getting in late and then leaving early to get back on the road, all we are looking for is a place to stop driving, park, have a meal and go to sleep. No doubt we've stayed in some beautiful state parks, etc. but never had the opportunity to see hardly any of it, because by early AM, we were on the road to our next stop or ultimate destination.

Why would anyone take their kids RV'ing and then stay in a Walmart parking lot instead of a CG? Where they could meet other camping kids instead of the indigents that come out at night in a public parking lot.

My kids love Staying at Walmart. We are not planers. Some days I can drive 8 hours other days 14 hours. If I get tiered pull into Walmart,drop air, level and always something in walking distance to eat. The overnight signs have been popping up more and more.

We ALWAYS ask manager.

We spent the night at the Orangeburg, SC Walmart last week (the Super Center, not the Neighborhood Market). I saw the security guard's truck and drove over to ask if it was okay to spend the night. She told me no problem and directed me where to park. This Walmart is not open 24 Hours, so it was a good night's sleep.

In the morning, we stopped in Walmart and spent almost $200 on groceries and supplies for our camping trip. Most expensive overnight stay in the motorhome since we got it :).

The last time we stopped at this Walmart to spend the night, the security guard drove over to us as we pulled in. He asked if we were spending the night and told us where to park so he could keep an eye on us. Can't ask for better service than that.

Generally when we spend the night at a Walmart it is because we want to get a handful of hours sleep. Usually pull in around midnight or so and pull out by 6am.

-Michael

Done this once so far. Checked with the on duty manager and there was no problem, As long as we sequestered ourselves into the back corner. While traveling only for miles, it makes sense. It makes no sense at all if you intend to sightsee from the parking lot. Get a real site then.

Most grateful for all the responses to my "Wally" quandary!
Just starting to get my "full timer" mindset back in gear
as spring begins to peep its little head up out of the winter
bedclothes ::: Don't care about cheap! (thanks to Banksters,
it has become a way of life when health issues confiscate your life!)
I love the people, the shopping, the family feeling and the community
I feel when at my neighborhood Walmart!
Bupster: Thanks much for the Wally Link! Had that somewhere but got it ready now ::: Solar Forever!!! Free Electricity Good!!

We say at walmarts, cracker barrels, tractor supply's, truck stops, rest areas, always run the generator to watch tv and Ac if needed also drowns out noise from trucks and others never had any problems what so ever

2gypsies wrote:
Here it is straight from WalMart:

WalMart's Stance on Overnight Parking

Quote from the article "Walmart values RV travelers and considers them among our best customers." This article would be considered more than just PR spin if Walmart actually would also publish who they consider to be among their worst customers.
The fact that they don't tell their managers to always allow overnight parking unless there is an over-riding reason not to, such as local ordinances or insufficient lot space tends to show they really don't go overboard catering to those "Best Customers". Furthermore, you won't find any articles or documentation showing where Walmart and their $9,000,000+ cash on hand has been used to try and defeat any small town local initiative that bans overnight parking.
On the other hand, they have no problem using their resources to resist efforts to unionize their workforce or using that financial clout to force their suppliers to move their manufacturing operations to lower labor cost countries like China, Pakistan, India, Vietnam and countless other third world countries. Their "Buy American" campaign is relegated to the scrapheap of history, replaced by their desire to make as much money as possible off of everyone, regardless of the social costs. I think Walmart might be a few gestures short of Sainthood.

Here it is straight from WalMart:

WalMart's Stance on Overnight Parking

Many reasons for the signs. Always go in and ASK! You'll be surprised how many times you get a YES.