We just returned from a long stay at FW. The wife and I spent some time at AKL, while my oldest and some of his friends from Florida stayed in the camper. We arrived after 11:00 pm and by the time we were done setting up it was after midnight; we were very quiet I hope. If you arrive after early evening hours, you check in at the main station rather than the island stations and the help inside is sometimes less than helpful since it appears the rookies are out. I guess you have to learn sometimes.
Since normal check-in time is fairly late I doubt they would allow you to check in before park opening hours. I did see many checking in between 7:00 and 8:00 in the morning and parking in the lot until they returned back from the park. In addition, you are allowed to park in the lot until park closing of the day of check-out which many did during our stay.
I also saw a couple of campers in the parking lot for more than a day, which led me to believe that some were extending their stay!!!??? Why anyone would do this is beyond me - to save $80.00? - I hope not. There are always some that try to push the limit and as a result we all end up being punished. I expect that if a lot of this type of behavior went on, we would no longer be allowed to set up in the parking lot before check-in or at the end the check out day.
Anyway, it would be nice for those who arrive very early to be able to stay in the lot so long as it isn't abusive to the system.
Tim.