Getting to AK before 8:30 am

[Simba's Mom]

I have a tour scheduled at AK at 8:30. The CM I spoke to when I booked it suggested a taxi that early in the morning, since, she said, the buses may not get to the park that early. But I thought I read somewhere that vehicles are held outside the parking lot until 8:30. When I told her that, she suggested I get out of the vehicle at the entrance to the parking lot (where you pay to park, I can't remember the name-toll booth?) and walk across the parking lot. But that's a long walk! I figure I'm going to do enough walking at WDW! So does anyone here know for sure (maybe from experience) whether there are buses to AK that will get me there before 8:30 for my tour? I'll be at OKW, if it matters where I'm coming from. Chip'n'Dale?

 

[DrTomorrow]

Not sure about your exact situation, but you're right about car's being held.

One morning (not an EMH) we decided to drive to AK so we'd have the car afterward (have had bad bus waiting experiences SSR <-> AK). So we got there around 8:20 or so, figuring we could park, tram, security and be ready at rope drop. However, they didn't start letting cars past the entrace gates until around 8:35; meanwhile, bus after bus kept coming in and filling up the park.

Don't get me wrong - this didn't boil my cabbage or anything. Just an FYI.

 

[helenk]

Hi,
You asked this question before....http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=912933

all you have to do is take the early morning bus that goes to AK for the character breakfast

 

[Simba's Mom]

Sorry, shows what happens to the memory after 50!

 

[funcinderella]

What if you have an 8:10 ressie for Donald's Breakfast? I hope they let us in with the car!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

good ? we are booked for donalds breakfast on the 18th at 830 disney dining said there would be a character bus at pop we could take to get there
my ds6 wants to go to this breakfast more than other meal we have planned
ill be soo mad if it gets messed up

 

[helenk]

What if you have an 8:10 ressie for Donald's Breakfast? I hope they let us in with the car!!

Unless the park is open for EMH that day you can not get into the lot with your car. You can take the bus from your resort. There are buses running early for the Character breakfasts. You will have no trouble getting to your breakfast.

 

[ChrisAlli]

I wanted to have our car as well, but we have an 8:05 ADR so we'll be taking the bus that day!!

I don't get the reasoning for this though? If you are allowed to make early morning ADR's why do they not let you into the parking lot?

 

[seashoreCM]

If you are staying off site, park at Animal Kingdom Lodge (On Osceola Parkway westbound get in left lane as you near Animal Kingdom and bear left before toll booth). Tell the resort guard you are having breakfast at the Lodge and he will give you a 3 hour parking pass. Take the bus from here.

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

 

[April]

We have reservations at Boma's at 9 AM. We were going to take the bus to AK and then transfer on the AKL bus. There will be buses going back to AKL for us to catch prior to 9am?

 

[helenk]

We have reservations at Boma's at 9 AM. We were going to take the bus to AK and then transfer on the AKL bus. There will be buses going back to AKL for us to catch prior to 9am?

I had breakfast at 10:00 at Boma, and I took a bus to AK and then a bus to AKL....but I had to wait awhile for a bus that was going back to AKL, at that time of the morning there are not many people leaving the parks to go to the resorts. I just thought I'd hop on a bus that was dropping people off at AK, but the bus was being directed elsewhere, so make sure you plan some extra time....
.
When we go to Boma in December and I'm going to drive to the AKL, or if we decide not to rent a car, I'm just going to taxi to the AKL, it will cut down on the travel time.

 

[April]

helenk,

Thanks for the response. After I made the ADR, I was wondering if this would be a little problem. Since we do not have a car, I was hoping to catch a bus to AKL after it dropped off guests at AK. Might have to opt for a taxi.
Looks like we will be at WDW at the same time (53 days to go). Hope you have a magical vacation!

 

[funcinderella]

Unless the park is open for EMH that day you can not get into the lot with your car. You can take the bus from your resort. There are buses running early for the Character breakfasts. You will have no trouble getting to your breakfast.

That's crazy! How would you know this if you didn't read these boards?
I guess I will be canceling. Taking the bus does not fit into our plans for the day. What a bummer! I can't imagine finding this out upon arrival at the AK at 7:50 am? I'm sure I wouldn't be the first person that was mighty ticked off!!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Just want to add with the others.....DO NOT drive or take a taxi for an early morning breakfast at Donald's. Only Disney buses are allowed into the AK parking lot early. Also, do not take any tranportation advice from any Cast Member either on the phone or in person unless she/he is a bus driver. They are really the only ones who know how Disney transportation works. As Chip 'N Dale has said many times.......don't take transportation info from anyone not wearing purple pants!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just want to add with the others.....DO NOT drive or take a taxi for an early morning breakfast at Donald's. Only Disney buses are allowed into the AK parking lot early. Also, do not take any tranportation advice from any Cast Member either on the phone or in person unless she/he is a bus driver. They are really the only ones who know how Disney transportation works. As Chip 'N Dale has said many times.......don't take transportation info from anyone not wearing purple pants!

Boy, that's for sure! We could have a whole seperate thread on the incorrect transportation info given by CMs. Like one time I was at MGM during a rain storm, with thunder and lightening. I wondered out loud to a CM if I was going to have a problem getting back to BWV by boat. She insisted "By boat? Why don't you take the bus? There are buses to every resort from here." "Even Boardwalk?" "Oh, yes, of course!" Is there something I don't know? I didn't think there was a bus from MGM to the Boardwalk, but she insisted there always is. Or is that correct info?

 

[helenk]

There is no bus from MGM for the Epcot resorts, you can walk or take the boat..or you can take the long way, take a bus to another park and then get the BW bus from there.

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

Ok, I know I'm bringing up an "old" thread. . . but I have a similar question and didn't want to start a new thread since this one just about covers it.

I just want to make sure I'm getting this straight, I want to be sure I know what I am doing.

I am staying off site and have an 8:00 ADR for Breakfastosaurus.
I won't be able to park in the parking lot in time for my ADR?
What should I do?
Should I valet park at the AKL and then take a bus over?
How frequent do the buses run?
How early should I get to the AKL to be sure to get a bus in time for my ADR?
Any help would be MUCH MUCH appreciated. I had no idea there was such a problem as this until someone in the dining forum posted a similar question and I did a search that brought up this thread.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Julie L]

Ok, I know I'm bringing up an "old" thread. . . but I have a similar question and didn't want to start a new thread since this one just about covers it.

I just want to make sure I'm getting this straight, I want to be sure I know what I am doing.

I am staying off site and have an 8:00 ADR for Breakfastosaurus.
I won't be able to park in the parking lot in time for my ADR?
What should I do?
Should I valet park at the AKL and then take a bus over?
How frequent do the buses run?
How early should I get to the AKL to be sure to get a bus in time for my ADR?
Any help would be MUCH MUCH appreciated. I had no idea there was such a problem as this until someone in the dining forum posted a similar question and I did a search that brought up this thread.

Thanks in advance.

We're in the same situation - just posted a new thread concerning this as i hadnt come across this one!!
Our ADR is for 8.00 for this Thursday - so i desperatley need some advise / information. I could call Disney but from what i have read the info i may receive could be wrong any way!! I think personal experience would be better - so if anyone else has had this problem to tackle cOuld you let us know - soon !

If it comes to it and we park as you suggested in AKL - valet parking - would this allow the car to be Parked there all day??? any idea of cost????

Just when i thought all my planning was complete - i new something would go wrong - HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ChrisAlli]

We're in the same situation - just posted a new thread concerning this as i hadnt come across this one!!
Our ADR is for 8.00 for this Thursday - so i desperatley need some advise / information. I could call Disney but from what i have read the info i may receive could be wrong any way!! I think personal experience would be better - so if anyone else has had this problem to tackle cOuld you let us know - soon !

If it comes to it and we park as you suggested in AKL - valet parking - would this allow the car to be Parked there all day??? any idea of cost????

Just when i thought all my planning was complete - i new something would go wrong - HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not an expert on this, but in Oct I did use the bus system to get to an early Donalds ADR after finding out cars can't get onto the property that early. Staying off-site I would park at AKL and take the bus over. I believe and don't quote me on this, but if you valet park there is not time limit. But I parked at CR one night and no one gave us a time limit. But I would suggest being at AKL at least 45 minutes before your ADR. Buses run frequent enough, but if you just miss one you'll have to wait. It's not that far from one to the other. But I do know for sure they don't let cars in early. The bus came in a different entrance and you could see the cars at the entrance waiting to get in. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can help better

 

[clkelley]

If you have an early breakfast at Boma, do the following:

Take the bus to Animal Kingdom. Tell the driver you have breakfast at Boma. In most cases, the driver can take you straight to Animal Kingdom Lodge!! No need to transfer and wait for a bus returning to AKL from AK.

Carol