Getting to MK from offsite at Christmas

[Aggieboy19]

We are going to WDW at the busy time, Christmas - New Year's week from 12/23 to 12/30. We've always stayed on property but will likely be staying off property this time, so have never dealt with having to drive in each day.

By biggest concern is getting to MK early enough. Normally, we would show up at the MK gate by 8:20 am for a 9 am rope drop. My understanding is that if we are driving in from the outside, the monorail from TTC doesn't start running until about 8:15 am. Having never done this before, especially at one of the busiest weeks of the year, could someone give me advice?

- Is even possible to get to MK from off property on a week like this and not be hopelessly behind a huge crowd?
- If so, when would you arrive at TTC so you were towards the front of the monorail line?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Aggieboy 19
POR '04
ASM '06, '09
??? '10

 

[Disney grandma]

I would think the monorail would run earlier than 8:15 and there is also the ferry. If you are really concerned about the larger crowds, and it sounds like you will be driving, you could valet park your car at CR for the day and walk from there to MK without having to wait on transportation to the park. It is a short walk and you wouldn't have to worry about getting stuck behind a lot of people waiting at the TTC.

 

[kathy884]

Most people sleep in on vacations, even during the busy Christmas week. We've stayed offsite six different Christmas weeks, usually staying at a condo in the Lake Buena Vista area, not that far away really. What we do for the MK is make sure to pick a day that doesn't have EMH so we can be the first people in the park. Next, we leave our condo an hour and a half before the park opens (not many people on the road at that time). It sounds like this is your biggest concern as well as the monerail being open. Roads are crazy busy with traffic Christmas week, but the exception is in the morning. Monerails have always been going when we get there at this time too. You'll be fine. This usually gets us at the gate an hour before rope drop. We watch the opening ceremony and are typically probably in the group of the first 40 people in the park and we run to Space Mountain and have a delightful two hours before most of the crowds show up, getting several of the major attractions out of the way. We do the adults highlights touring plan from the Unofficial Guide (We have teenagers) (And we skipped Splash Mountain -- didn't want to get wet in December and maybe another attraction or two we've seen many times before and weren't interested in doing), and getting there at rope drop even at Christmas, we usually finish everything we want to see by 6 p.m. All our favorites were on the Adult touring highlights unofficial guide plan, so there weren't any things we needed to add. I can't stress enough how important for Christmas week in particular it is to get there at rope drop. It makes such a huge difference. Sounds like you already know that though.

Years ago, before they started EMH for resort guests, sometimes at Christmas they would let people in (general public) a full hour before official opening and we were always there for that. That was really cool. These days though it seems that they stick to the official schedule, and we for budget reasons go for a condo offsite rather than staying onsite with EMH.

 

[KayR]

Although not quite as busy as Christmas, we have done WDW offsite at Easter (something I was not looking forward to BTW because of the crowds).

We were staying at Emerald Island which is close to the parks. I had a set leaving time of 1 hour before park opening for the MK and 45 mins for the other parks. That timing I knew would allow me plenty of time for the drive, park, unpack strollers/bags etc and walk/tram ride to the dates (and of course monorail/boat to MK). It also allowed me leeway for the "oops forgot this" or just plain running a few minutes behind (with 15 people in our group, that was a potential issue!). Worked for us everytime. We were there for ropedrop, rode the rides we wanted to, use fastpass to the max, then when the parks were getting very busy (around mid afternoon), we were ready to head back to the home for a swim & relax before heading out for dinner in the evening.

So, yes its doable! (As mentioned before, avoid parks with EMH that morning or evening for your best expereince). I also used TourGuideMike for touring suggestions and park info (even though I had been to the parks several times before, it was worth it)

HTH

_kay

 

[ms mouse]

We stayed off site for the first time last year and it really wasnt a problem. We did take a cab to epcot Christmas day. We didnt try MK Christmas day because it does close and the parking lot closes first. As for parking illegally at a resort, as someone else suggested, I wouldnt suggest it at Christmas. When we ate at CR we valet parked but were told (even with our ADR) that we had three hours. Also we saw cars being towed two years ago while we were staying at WL over Christmas.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

During that week the Magic Kingdom usually opens at 7:00 AM for Morning Extra Magic Hours for the guests staying onsite, then it opens at 8:00 AM for those staying offsite. So it's going to be very busy every morning the week you will be there.

 

[spiceycat]

if you are concerned about the monrail - just get on the resort monrail instead of the express.

it takes longer to get to the MK - but since it serves the MK resorts - it should be running regardless.

or just take the ferry

 

[dis-happy]

If morning EMH is in effect, you won't be allowed to board any monorail until approx. 10-15 mins. before regular park opening. You have to show your KTTW card to get through the blocked off gates at the TTC.

 

[Aggieboy19]

Many thanks to all for you good info and replies. Actually, I still can't believe we are getting to do this trip. We went last year the week before Christmas and didn't think we'd make it back for several years. One of cousins has decided to get married in Sarasota on New Years, so heck, we just HAD to come several days early and end up in Orlando first!


Aggieboy19