Animal Kingdom Parking

[OnlyDisney]

So we're thinking of staying off-site our next trip (we'll have our own car). We'd like to do a Tusker House breakfast. If we have an ADR for 8am and the park doesn't open till 9am how do we get there? I hear that the parking lot sometimes doesn't open till 15 minutes prior to park opening so that would make it 8:45am. Would we have to park at the TTC, walk to Poly, then take the bus to Animal Kingdom?

 

[stargazertechie]

The parking lot will be open early enough to get to your breakfast ADR. If it isn't, since you'll need to pay for parking since you're off site, just to to AKL and valet park the car and take the bus to AK.

 

[Scubee]

So we're thinking of staying off-site our next trip (we'll have our own car). We'd like to do a Tusker House breakfast. If we have an ADR for 8am and the park doesn't open till 9am how do we get there? I hear that the parking lot sometimes doesn't open till 15 minutes prior to park opening so that would make it 8:45am. Would we have to park at the TTC, walk to Poly, then take the bus to Animal Kingdom?

We've driven to AK three times for the 8 or 8:05a Tusker House b'fast with no issue. I haven't heard complaints of the parking lot opening late in the last year or so (maybe longer). I believe the early appts. for the Wild Africa Trek are around 8am as well.

 

[distherapy]

The TTC plan sounds good - or the previous poster's suggestion. I just wanted to jump in to confirm that the parking lot does not always open in time. We tried to drive and were met with closed gates. DH started reenacting "Vacation" to be funny. We ended up taking a bus from AKL. It was pretty stressful because we hadn't planned on that extra time. Good luck!

 

[OnlyDisney]

Thanks for the tips everyone!

The parking lot will be open early enough to get to your breakfast ADR. If it isn't, since you'll need to pay for parking since you're off site, just to to AKL and valet park the car and take the bus to AK.

How much is it to valet? Is there a time limit since we aren't staying at that hotel?

 

[vossjemi]

The TTC plan sounds good - or the previous poster's suggestion. I just wanted to jump in to confirm that the parking lot does not always open in time. We tried to drive and were met with closed gates. DH started reenacting "Vacation" to be funny. We ended up taking a bus from AKL. It was pretty stressful because we hadn't planned on that extra time. Good luck!

Was that recently??? I'm curious about this as well as we also have 8:00am ADR at Tusker House and plan to drive. I would love to hear from anyone who has had an early morning ADR in the past month or so.

 

[stargazertechie]

Thanks for the tips everyone!



How much is it to valet? Is there a time limit since we aren't staying at that hotel?

$12 + tip, valid for the whole day.

 

[distherapy]

Was that recently??? I'm curious about this as well as we also have 8:00am ADR at Tusker House and plan to drive. I would love to hear from anyone who has had an early morning ADR in the past month or so.

It was almost a year ago. I'd LOVE it if they have changed the policy. I have heard that it can be different at different times of year.

 

[vossjemi]

Anyone with recent early morning ADR experiences and driving? Open or closed parking lot?

Also, just curious, but if we do drive and find its closed, can we go park at AKL and ride its bus over? Any fee since we are staying at Fort Wilderness? Thanks!

 

[OldsDr]

On sept 22 we had 8:15 for tusker house and the park opened at 9. We were also off site. The gates were open and we actually got a "magical Moment" with parking right next to the entrannce.

If there is no one to take your money for parking do they really close the gate? I thought you would be able to simply drive in past the booths..

 

[distherapy]

If there is no one to take your money for parking do they really close the gate? I thought you would be able to simply drive in past the booths..

The gates are barred. Maybe like a toll booth or cones? I can't remember exactly, but there was definitely no way to get through.

 

[phillyatdisney]

They use cones to close the gate. I too have encountered the gates being closed when I have an early ADR. You can easily get out and move the cone to proceed to the parking lot. I don't understand why you wouldn't have someone there to allow people in.....

 

[seashoreCM]

The policy is for the restaurant to honor your reservation as if you were on time. This would include seating you ahead of other parties with reservations who physically arrived after you did. The restaurant sees "late" guests coming in from the parking lot a lot.

If you did drive to a resort you would have to be there an hour and a half in advance of your reservation so you can get to the bus platform the same 75 minutes in advance recommended for resort guests. I suggest All Stars or Coronado Springs. Tell the guard you are trying breakfast at that resort. If you feel uneasy about having someone else get in your car, self parking is okay.

Not having a lane to the parking lot left open is dumb.

 

[vossjemi]

Any recent experiences with AKL parking lot in the past week or two or heck, even this month?