Drive Time Between Hollywood Studios & Boma @ AKL

[sasra_nu]

I was hoping someone could help me out. I am planning our FIRST WDW trip in November. We are driving and will have a car that we will use at WDW whenever we can.

On 11/18, I am wanting to see the Fantasmic show at HS at 6:30 and after that, drive to a dinner reservation at 7:35 at Boma @ AKL. Will we be able to make it?

Hope this isn't a dumb question. I see that the 2 are only a few miles apart, but we've never been to either and I don't know how long it will take us to get to our parked car after Fantasmic, actually make the drive, and then get to AKL.

Thanks so much! :

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The actual drive from after you exit from the DHS parking lot until you enter the AKL parking lot is only about 10 minutes.

HOWEVER...

Fantasmic is a half-hour show. If it starts at 6:30 p.m., it won't end until around 7:00 p.m. You'll then be stuck in a crush of humanity slowly exiting from the Fantasmic amphitheater and slowly winding through the park to the exit. Then there's the matter of getting to your car by tram or on foot. Then you can expect to be stuck in a line of cars trying to get through the exit bottleneck. By that time, it could easily be 7:30 p.m. or later.

After that, you have the 10-minute drive. Because available self-parking spaces at AKL could be quite distant that time of day, you can save time by using valet parking (but even then, you might have to wait for your turn). Then there's that matter of walking into the lobby and down to Boma, which should only take a few minutes from valet parking.

Getting to Boma by 7:35 p.m. is highly unlikely. Then it's a question of how late it will be before you get there -- and whether your reservation will still be honored or whether you'll be considered a no-show.

 

[tobikaye]

I was basically going to mention the same things as the pp did. If you look at this DHS Map, the path from Fantasmic to the entrance is quite long when almost everyone is going the same route. If the park does not close at the end of Fanatasmic, you still have a lot of people that will still leave then.

I would suggest you try for a slightly later Boma reservation to be on the safe side. As it is, most of the reservations at WDW will suggest you check in 10 minutes early. They really do not have tables set aside for specific reservations. They just put you into the queue for the upcoming available table.

 

[figment_jii]

I concur that you'll be cutting it pretty close. If you do plan to do it, I would sit as far back in the amphitheater as you can and leave as soon as the show ends (or even while the last scene is happening). That might help you get out before the majority of the masses. From there, head straight for the exit and to your car.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree about 10 minutes from exiting the parking lot at DHS to entering the AKL parking lot. But you need to get out of the DHS parking lot plus you need time to park at AKL. I don't think you'll make it, I would allow another 30 to 60 min.

 

[sasra_nu]

Awesome, I'm so glad I asked! Thanks all for your responses! I will be on the lookout for a later Boma time, or we may even try something different, our hearts weren't totally set on Boma although I've heard it's great. Thanks again!
ETA: I got Boma at 8:25 instead - should work out!

 

[joelkfla]

If you get to AKL too early, you can always go out back of the lodge and try to spot some animals. They have "artificial moonlight" if your eyes are good, and sometimes there are guides loaning out night-vision binoculars.