MK - Parking to the security gates?
- Thread starter buyerbrad
- Start date
Isildur's Bane
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2015
after most of the rope drop crowd....you probably want to be parking about7:45
Does it really take an hour an 15 minutes to make it that far? We are ok with missing the pre-show before the park opens.
I was hoping to leave the house around 7:45am....
soniam
Wooden leg named Smith...
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2012
It's not that it will take an hour and 15 minutes. It's that there are already a lot of people that will have been waiting there when you get there. So, you are behind all of those people. It sort of defeats the purpose of rope drop to get there at the tail end of the crowd, assuming your goal in attending rope drop is to get a jump on the crowds.
Alesia
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2007
You'll get to the park around 8:45 - which is the absolute worst time to arrive if you're interested in the more popular rides. You'll be at the very back of the crowd and the wait times will be pretty long by the time you get anywhere. For most of us, the whole point of getting up early is to avoid huge wait times.
Minniesgal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2013
We find on average it takes about 45 minutes but longer first thing in the morning as there are huge lines for the monorail.
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2004
I would suggest taking the bus from the TTC to the MK, rather than the ferry or monorail. It's much quicker.
You'll find the bus to MK directly after you pass the gift shop and restrooms.
You'll find the bus to MK directly after you pass the gift shop and restrooms.
cel_disney
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2007
I think that in my experience the park also opens before 9 (8:40/8:45 ish). This means that there will be hoards of people waiting in a massive sea of confusion and frustration until the rope drops and more people fit thru the turnstiles and fit into the bag check area.
If you REALLY want to take advantage of being on Winnie the Pooh before the lines pick up, you need to be in the middle of that sea of confusion, not the back of it. If it's not a super crowded day for MK, I have still done very successful rope drop starts arriving at 8:20/8:25. If you can pull it off to arrive by then at MK (not TTC), I think it would be worth it!
To help understand time - I would figure 5 minutes to park, 8 minutes to walk from car to the bus, 10 minutes for the bus, and 5-10 minutes to navigate security if you are all folks that can navigate 'with purpose'. In all likelihood - it could take longer.
The advice to take the less interesting bus is a good one - the lines coming off the monorail are the worst and God forbid it get stuck!
If you REALLY want to take advantage of being on Winnie the Pooh before the lines pick up, you need to be in the middle of that sea of confusion, not the back of it. If it's not a super crowded day for MK, I have still done very successful rope drop starts arriving at 8:20/8:25. If you can pull it off to arrive by then at MK (not TTC), I think it would be worth it!
To help understand time - I would figure 5 minutes to park, 8 minutes to walk from car to the bus, 10 minutes for the bus, and 5-10 minutes to navigate security if you are all folks that can navigate 'with purpose'. In all likelihood - it could take longer.
The advice to take the less interesting bus is a good one - the lines coming off the monorail are the worst and God forbid it get stuck!
Alesia
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2007
As far as I know, there is only a bus if the monorail is down.
Alesia
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2007
If you don't mind a long wait.
Getting out the door 30 minutes earlier can save you 2 to 3 hours of waiting throughout the day. It's up to you if it's worth it or not.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2004
Guess we got lucky then, because all 3 were running the last few times we've gone. It was peak season though.
Babe the Blue Ox
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2007
This sounds dreadful. Why not just wait until about 9 pm and just walk on and ride Pooh as many times as you want.
It's hard to justify fighting through the rope drop crowds when there are much simpler alternatives.
maxiesmom
The Mean Squinty Eye Works
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2004
By 9 there may be a line. The idea is to get to the park early enough to be at the head of the crowd so you are not fighting it.
Babe the Blue Ox
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2007
I was recommending 9 pm. There won't be a line or as much of a crowd to fight.
SuzaBanana
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2014
I have the same question in regards to PPO ADRs. If I have an 8am ADR at BOG, what time does the parking lot open and how long does it take for me to get from TTC to the gate? We are staying offsite and my kids are early risers, so it's not a hardship to get there early but it's pointless if I can't park the car before a certain time or if there isn't transportation until a certain time.
cel_disney
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2007
While we have done this at night as well (in November we hit MK at 8:15pm on Saturday and stayed till midnight and it was great!), my family still gets a lot out of rope drop, but it's really not a big deal for us to walk out of BLT at 8:10 to go to MK for a good position at rope drop (inside the turnstiles with a view of the show!)...but I don't have to deal with parking/monorailing etc to get there! It's a much different experience for off site guests!
minnie mum
Unapologetic Disney Fan(atic)
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2011
Fixed it for ya. Most days. If you wait until the RD crowd has entered, yes the entry process thru the tapstiles may be less crowded. But by the time you get to your first ride, the lines will have already formed, and you will have a longer wait. Then by the time you get to your second attraction, the lines will be even longer. And so on, until the lines peak. Your wait may be 10 to 20 minutes longer ( than if you had arrived 15 minutes earlier) for your first ride, 30 minutes longer on your second ride.... Etc.
Lets pretend that I get to MK at 8:15. I wait 30 min for RD and hustle to SDMT. By the time you get into the park at 9 and arrive at WTP, which will probably have a wait of 20-30 min, i will have ridden SDMT, WTP, and be in line for PP, with a relatively short standby line. Ive already made up my wait time at RD. This is why being ahead of the crowd at RD can make such a difference. Getting there half an hour earlier can save you a couple of hours standing in line throughout the day.
As for arriving at the park at 9:00 pm? That may be fine once or twice on a longer stay when the parks are open very late. But most people prefer to spend time in the parks in the daytime. Especially if they have children.
Share this page
GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
