driving to the parks?

[neastguy]

once we park at magic kingdom.. we take a tram to the front gate? anything else also anything special I will need to know about driving to some of the other parks? thanks

 

[tobikaye]

Actually for MK, you park in the TTC parking lot, take a tram or walk to the TTC and then take a boat or monorail to MK's entrance.

At the other parks, you park and take a tram or walk to the entrance.

 

[sharadoc]

Hi and welcome!

Driving to MK means parking in the lot, taking a tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center, then take a monorail or ferry to the main gate. If you're on your first trip, I recommend the ferry first thing in the morning. It's a wonderful way to see the MK, looming in front of you as you slowly pull in to the dock. Many times you'll see a character in a boat alongside the ferry, or waterskiing alongside, or both!

At Epcot and Hollywood Studios, you take a tram to the front gate, if Animal Kingdom is busy, you'll take a tram, but it's usually easy to walk to the front gate.

The trams are always parked at the end of the rows that are currently being parked, so don't worry if they put you at the end of one or the beginning of another. Just be sure to either take a photo of your row, or write it down. All those rows look alike and if you're excited, you will forget where you park.

Don't run to get on a tram, if one is filled and pulling away, another one will be along momentarily especially in the morning.

 

[Quellman]

Not sure if you are staying on site or off site. But if you start your day at Animal Kingdom and later decide to drive and park at EPCOT, your parking ticket is valid all day so you do not have to pay again. If you are staying on property you get free parking at the parks. Many people prefer to take the bus to Magic Kingdom since it drops you off close to the entrance of the park. Though if you do that, you miss the first view of the magic kingdom across the lake (and the boat or monorail ride).

 

[neastguy]

we are staying offsite .. thanks for the info.. do I need a roll of quarters getting from the airport? or can I just use cash? finally.... If I want to get there for rope drop.. what time do you suggest I plan on being at TTC parking lot? thanks

 

[erionm]

do I need a roll of quarters getting from the airport? or can I just use cash?

Nearly all mainline toll plazas in the Orlando area have manned booths and take cash and (most) also accept exact coin. On/Off ramps are exact coin or eToll only.

Going forward, new toll roads (includes new toll plazas) in FL must be cashless. Only the most recent portion of SR-429 (Western Beltway) to open is cashless. You would not hit this section when traveling between MCO & WDW.

The only mainline toll that I recall that doesn't take exact coin is on SR-417 near the Orlando-Sanford Airport (opposite direction from WDW).

 

[CAS239]

we are staying offsite .. thanks for the info.. do I need a roll of quarters getting from the airport? or can I just use cash? finally.... If I want to get there for rope drop.. what time do you suggest I plan on being at TTC parking lot? thanks

For rope drop, I'd recommend being there 45 min-1 hour prior to scheduled opening. Sometimes they let you in 10-15 min early

Parking at the parks is $22 a day I believe now. You only have to pay once a day. If you hop, save your receipt. Or if you guys get Annual passes, parking is free

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

Nearly all mainline toll plazas in the Orlando area have manned booths and take cash and (most) also accept exact coin. On/Off ramps are exact coin or eToll only.

Going forward, new toll roads (includes new toll plazas) in FL must be cashless. Only the most recent portion of SR-429 (Western Beltway) to open is cashless. You would not hit this section when traveling between MCO & WDW.

The only mainline toll that I recall that doesn't take exact coin is on SR-417 near the Orlando-Sanford Airport (opposite direction from WDW).

Thank you for this info. We are driving from WDW TO THE space Center and from their back to MCO. Are any of those roads cashless?

 

[erionm]

Thank you for this info. We are driving from WDW TO THE space Center and from their back to MCO. Are any of those roads cashless?

You should not encounter any tolls along that route that are cashless.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

You should not encounter any tolls along that route that are cashless.

Awesome!! Thank you for responding so quickly!