early ps for doanalds at AK but staying off site

[champagnegirl26]

Help!!!
Im staying off site and have been told that i may not be allowed into the AK parking lot in time for my 8am PS at Donalds!
Does this mean im going to have to take a bus from the TCC?? and leave the car there all day and have to use the bus again on our departure??? This sounds stupid!! Help!!!
Claire.

 

[Fonzy13]

Help!!!
Im staying off site and have been told that i may not be allowed into the AK parking lot in time for my 8am PS at Donalds!
Does this mean im going to have to take a bus from the TCC?? and leave the car there all day and have to use the bus again on our departure??? This sounds stupid!! Help!!!
Claire.

No, you will certainly be allowed into the park for your PS. I did this last year with my parents (who were staying offsite) and they were allowed in for the PS.

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

I would strongly recommend you call CRO and ask them about this. Twice now, we have had early reservations at Donalds (8:00) and we were not allowed into the AK parking lot with our rental car until 1/2 hour before park opening (8:30). By the time we actually got to Donalds, it was about 9:00 and we had to wait as if we were walk ins.

There is a early morning character bus that runs to each of the parks that is allowed in, but according to other posts here, and the CM that I spoke to at CRO, cars are not allowed in that early.

Your only hope is that it is an EMH day for AK on the day you have your ressie. That being the case, you should be OK as the parking lot will open at 7:30 for the 8:00 EMH opening.

Good Luck...

 

[champagnegirl26]

soyy if its a silly question but what is CRO??
Thanks
Claire

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

Sorry, I used a few too many acronyms.

CRO - Central Reservations
CM - Cast Member
EMH - Extra Magic Hour

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have driven to AK on EMH morning and the parking lot did not open until just before the park was scheduled to open to other guests (non-resort guests).

You need to call CRO or Disney Dining and ask them what you need to do.

 

[champagnegirl26]

Thanks,
I will give them a call perhaps the week before we leave but im having doubts about the whole thing, if we have to take the bus i will leave it, theres no point in having a car and still having to take the bus! Thanks everyone for your replies
claire.

 

[agnes!]

I read about AK's policy of keeping their parking lot closed until 1/2 hour before scheduled opening in another thread. I have just three words to say...
STUPID STUPID STUPID!!!!!!

This is one of the most asinine Disney policies I have ever heard of - allowing people to make early morning PS's at Donald Breakfastosaurus *before scheduled opening* and then NOT allowing them easy access to the park!!!!!

I bet the AK breakfast folks probably wonder WHY the AK early-morning/pre-opening breakfast offering has SO MANY PS NO-SHOWS!!!!!!!

sheesh,
agnes!

 

[PrincessasMommy]

I am in the same situation, staying off-site, rented a car and have a PS at Donald's at 8:10 am on a day that is not EMH. I called CRO because I had heard the same thing and I was quite concerned. I spoke with 3 people because I was so insistent and was reassured that as long as I have my Reservation number that I would be allowed in AK and that the parking lot is now always opened by 7:30 AM. This is our first trip so I don't know when that went into effect but they sounded confident. I certainly hope so!

 

[kathylovesdisneyworl]

I am in the same situation, staying off-site, rented a car and have a PS at Donald's at 8:10 am on a day that is not EMH. I called CRO because I had heard the same thing and I was quite concerned. I spoke with 3 people because I was so insistent and was reassured that as long as I have my Reservation number that I would be allowed in AK and that the parking lot is now always opened by 7:30 AM. This is our first trip so I don't know when that went into effect but they sounded confident. I certainly hope so!

I have found that CRO is not always given accurate information about these types of things. I do know that I have driven to AK before and have not been allowed in the parking lot that early. Lots of people on these boards have had the same thing happen to them. It really isn't a problem getting into the park if you can get in the parking lot.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Two years ago we had an early breakfast at Donald's and took a taxi from the Yacth Club becuase the desk told us there would not be an early bus (WRONG!!!). Anyway, the cab driver told us that the previous day he had to let his passengers out at the AK entrance and they took the bus in from there. They actually did open the gates earlier than ususal that day and we made our ps. For the most part DO NOT DRIVE to get to an early ps at Donald's.

 

[champagnegirl26]

Im certainly considering not going to this ps at all now. Im planning on spending the day at AK anyway so i guess if they dont let me in on time then we just wont go to the breakfast and will grab a bite to eat elsewhere....we have no children to disapoint. They will just loose my custom!

 

[Luv2go2WDW]

I just made my PS at 8:00 for Donald's. The CM on the phone informed me that needed to drive as there is no transportation to AK that early in the morning. I told her that I had the heard the exact opposite that you need to take the early Character bus as the parking attendant CMs are not allowing cars into 8:30. She didn't believe me and said I would be late if I waited for a bus.

I told her that would make sure I would arrive ontime for my PS as I didn't wish to argue with her. They need to make sure the CMs give out proper instructions.

As stated earlier this doesn't make sense, but I feel bad for those that don't know and then miss their PS time.

Michelle

 

[cranbiz]

I had an 8am PS for Donalds in Dec and could not get in to AK for it. The CM's at the toll booth will NOT let you in until 30 minutes or less from opening.

I for one, will never PS for Donalds again.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I hope everyone read Tyler's post that Disney is discontinuing early buses due to low numbers of people using them.
If the CM on the phone and front desk gave the correct information these buses would not be so empty!!!!!
Good luck to everyone trying to get to an early Donald's. Sort of like "Mission: Impossible". No more early buses and the cars can't get in until 8am. What a mess!!

 

[seashoreCM]

I would strongly recommend you call CRO and ask them about this. Twice now, we have had early reservations at Donalds (8:00) and we were not allowed into the AK parking lot with our rental car until 1/2 hour before park opening (8:30). By the time we actually got to Donalds, it was about 9:00 and we had to wait as if we were walk ins.

There is a early morning character bus that runs to each of the parks that is allowed in, but according to other posts here, and the CM that I spoke to at CRO, cars are not allowed in that early.

The Flyertalk.com gurus often flame me for saying, when petty things go wrong: "Ask for compensation".

Guest Relations desperately needs to be bombarded with one complaint for each occurrence accompanied by requests for extra pixie dust (refunds, extra fast passes, complimentary ice cream, etc.) to fix problems like this.

If you are already back home, write a letter or ask on your next trip down.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/dispass.htm

Another alternative: Park at Animal Kingdom Lodge saying you are just visiting and perhaps having breakfast there. Take the bus from there.

Provided you can move, they must let you either make a U turn going out the in ramp , or drive on through without paying to the "chicken" parking lot exit.

(Backwards from the AK booths a second, right, U turn lands you facing the correct way to AKL or towards a third, real, U turn at the light if you prefer to other DIsney areas)

 

[disneykid1961]

We had an 8:00 ps at Donald's last Wednesday, 5-18, and arrived at the gate from off-site at 7:30. Gate was closed and we were the 2nd car there, so DH knocked on the little guard shack. Cast member came out and said the lot would open at 7:45, just in time for us to get to PS. The lot opened promptly and we had plenty of time to make our way to Donald's. I was very concerned when I read the posts regarding this, but it was no problem at all.
Enjoy!

 

[Carol Ann]

thanks for keeping us worrywarts posted on the most current stuff!

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

I hope everyone read Tyler's post that Disney is discontinuing early buses due to low numbers of people using them.
If the CM on the phone and front desk gave the correct information these buses would not be so empty!!!!!
Good luck to everyone trying to get to an early Donald's. Sort of like "Mission: Impossible". No more early buses and the cars can't get in until 8am. What a mess!!

Do you have a link to Tylers post? Or the thread name? I didnt see it.

 

[pjlla]

Is this only a problem at AK? We have had early morning PS for CRT twice and had no problem getting into the lot at the TCC to take the Monorail to MK. Both times our PS were for 8am and 8:10 am and we arrived at the booth for the parking lot at about 7:15am. We were allowed in, no problem. I would certainly make a few calls to find out for sure before I arrived.....P