Getting to MK from off-site

[msr709]

We're planning on staying off-site (at an All Star Vacation Home, so excited!!) and from what I'm researching it appears that MK is the furthest park, Animal Kingdom being the closest. We're a group of 10 (5 adults/5 kids, 3 are toddlers) so we will have 2 cars and 3 strollers (or 1 single stroller and a double, haven't made up our minds on that yet). It seems like a real hassle to get to MK having to park at the Ticket and Transportation Center, then take either the monorail or bus to MK. It seems like it would take like over an hour and a half just to get there (keep in mind that I do not drive so I'm not 100% certain but it seems to be that long). Would it make more sense (keep in mind I'm talking about traffic wise) for us to park at AK (which appears to be only 10 mins. away) and take a bus from there to MK? Getting off a bus from AK to MK would leave us right at the park, right? Am I all wrong about this? Any suggestions would be helpful. TIA

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't think you're saving any time. From when you park at TTC until you're walking in the gates at MK should be no more than 20-30 minutes (utilizing either Ferry or Monorail).

From when you park at AK, get to the bus stop, board a bus, and the bus leaves, I'm guessing would be 10-15 minutes (perhaps 20-30 minutes if you just missed the bus).

 

[conniehar90]

Not sure where you are staying offsite, but we stay at Windsor Hills. It takes about 10 minutes to get to AK and 15 to get to the TTC for MK. If you go before the park opens (arrive at the parking lot around 8:15, you will be parked close enough to walk to the monorail or ferry. If you arrive later than this you will have to deal with packing up the strollers and taking a tram. From the TTC it is a quick ride over to MK (10 minutes). You cannot take a bus from the TTC to MK - only monorail or ferry. You will get there in time for the opening show and rope drop. We always leave our offsite home around 8am for a 9 am opening. Sounds like an hour of transportation but we are usually inside the gates waiting for it to open around 8:40am.

If you park at AK it will take just as long or longer to wait for a bus from AK to MK (not sure how often they would run in the morning).

 

[Brian Noble]

Would it make more sense (keep in mind I'm talking about traffic wise) for us to park at AK (which appears to be only 10 mins. away) and take a bus from there to MK?

No---at that hour of the day, there are very few guests going from AK to MK, and so a bus may well be a long time coming. Plus, as of now, the AK->MK bus actually stops at the TTC, so you still have to deal with the monorail or ferry.

But, Connie is right---it's not going to take as long as you think. I have been able to leave Windsor Hills at 8:15 or so, and still make the tail end of the opening show at the entry plaza.

If you go before the park opens (arrive at the parking lot around 8:15, you will be parked close enough to walk to the monorail or ferry.

It's been a few years since I've driven to MK, but this doesn't always happen---sometimes they don't use the "closest lot" first. But, even so, the tram isn't that much of a hassle.

 

[goofy4tink]

Nope. You still go to the TTC. Buses from both DHS and AK go to the TTC when heading to MK. The TTC is the parking lot for MK.
So, to me..it would be much smarter to just drive to the TTC, park and then use either the ferry or monorail over to MK.
If you are there early enough, you may get a really close parking spot, which would mean no need to use the tram. Although we kinda like the tram!!

 

[rwdavis2]

As everyone said, just drive directly to the TTC. I've stayed in Windsor Hills and it doesn't take very long. If you can take a look at a map. AK is a detour off World Dr when heading to MK.

 

[ohiotodds12]

The one thing you may want to think about is that AK always closes earlier then MK. We had a friend that parked at AK and then park hopped over to MK and was there until very late. Since AK had closed, there were no lights in the parking lot when they got back there. Buses had stopped running as well to the park, since they only run awhile after the park closes, so they had to take a taxi. It was a huge hassle. I think you will be much better then you think. Have a great time, we love going with a group.

 

[msr709]

Thank you all for your responses. Makes sense what you are saying. We are staying at a Windsor Hills home so I guess its the TTC first thing. I'm always an early riser when I'm on vacation, specially at my favorite place in the World but some of the women I'm going with don't like to get up early (that would be my daughter and her BFF), me and DSiL are up at the crack of dawn and ready to go! I'll just go with her. The others can find their way whenever they want to get up but I will be there by rope drop! MK is the one park we intend to go to at least twice since we are taking toddlers. I'll just take my DGS and meet his mother there whenever she wakes up! I have a handicap permit for our car. We'll be fine. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

the handicapped parking TTC has one of the longer walks at the World. i would look at taking the ferry over to MK with a stroller, no folding up stroller, just roll on. one of days you will probably want to ride the monrail over to MK.