Early bus? Rope drop AKL

[Atc77]

We are planning on rope dropping to ride FoP on 9/24. We are staying at AKL-Kidani. I know I've read some threads where people took busses at 7:00(ish). But, everywhere I search tells me busses don't start until 45 min before park opening. I'm trying to decide if we should drive or bus it. Once we are to our resort will we be able to see a bus schedule? Or is it just luck if you happen to get a bus running that early? Sorry if this is a dumb question... I've searched and answers are all over the place. Super pumped about starting Day 1 of our trip riding FoP, so I don't want to mess it up in planning.

 

[sharonabe]

We are planning on rope dropping to ride FoP on 9/24. We are staying at AKL-Kidani. I know I've read some threads where people took busses at 7:00(ish). But, everywhere I search tells me busses don't start until 45 min before park opening. I'm trying to decide if we should drive or bus it. Once we are to our resort will we be able to see a bus schedule? Or is it just luck if you happen to get a bus running that early? Sorry if this is a dumb question... I've searched and answers are all over the place. Super pumped about starting Day 1 of our trip riding FoP, so I don't want to mess it up in planning.

Since it is your Day 1, I think I would be driving no matter what you find out.

Buses should start around 6:30, but that doesn't mean you'll see a bus going to AK right at 6:30; it could be closer to 7:00 before one comes along.

However, if you just think about it, that 45 min before park opening you're seeing somewhere makes no sense. People staying onsite with PPO ADRs at 8:00 (or earlier) would have no way to get to their ADR if the buses STARTED that late. There has to be time to get them there.

 

[smitty0705]

We stayed at AKL Jambo and rope dropped AK. I believe the first bus came at 7:15.

 

[FastPasser.]

That's correct, early morning bus service begins at the following times each morning:
Buses to MK – 6:15 a.m.
Buses to DHS – 6:45 a.m.
Buses to Epcot – 7:15 a.m.
Buses to DAK – 7:15 a.m.
Service may begin earlier when the park opens early. Regular bus service from resorts to theme parks begins 45 minutes prior to park open (including EMH).

 

[Tigger's ally]

anybody know what time the parking lot at AK opens? I have never driven to any of the parks. Always taken Disney transportation, but not being able to get FOP fastpass has me debating our late September strategy.

 

[piglet1979]

Last year we had Pre Park opening ADR's at Tusker house. We were staying at Riverside. We called the night before to see when the bus came. They said either 6:30 or 6:45. I can't remember which. We were there with time to spare. 7 rolled around and no bus. We called the front desk and got the run around for a bit. By 7:30 a bus still hadn't arrived. The resort ended up getting us a taxi. If I were you I would drive.

 

[WEDWDW]

Disney starts the buses early to "cover" Early ADRs/Tours.

The first Magic Kingdom bus "usually" starts between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM with the first bus for DAK,Epcot and DHS "usually" starting somewhere between 6:30 AM and 7:15 AM.

Here are some "first bus times" from a stay at All-Star Sports.

First bus for MK.

First bus for DAK/second bus for MK

First bus for Epcot/first bus for DHS/second bus for DAK/third bus for MK

 

[Robo]

That's correct, early morning bus service begins at the following times each morning:
Buses to MK – 6:15 a.m.
Buses to DHS – 6:45 a.m.
Buses to Epcot – 7:15 a.m.
Buses to DAK – 7:15 a.m.
Service may begin earlier when the park opens early. Regular bus service from resorts to theme parks begins 45 minutes prior to park open (including EMH).

I've got to say that's not been our experience over many, many trips, and many early breakfasts and AM EMH.
Also, to delineate between "early bus service" and "regular service" seems to be a distinction without a difference, at least for guests.

 

[FastPasser.]

I've got to say that's not been our experience over many, many trips, and many early breakfasts and AM EMH.
Also, to delineate between "early bus service" and "regular service" seems to be a distinction without a difference, at least for guests.

Those times are the bus schedules as published by Disney.
Internally there is a distinct operational difference between early morning bus service and regular bus service.