Getting to the turnstiles...

[mamahauldren]

Being first timers to the World, we have been researching our plans to death....after reading tons of books and sites, everyone recommends go early to parks and get to turnstiles before a certain time ect...
We have looked at some maps ect.. but we can not figure out how to get to the turnstiles in parks. We most want the info on MK. We are staying off property and will be using the parking lot. Can someone tell me what you physically do after you get out of your car. I've read there are buses and a Ferry or something, Do you take either or, or to you have to take both, and then where is the turnstiles?
and how much time should I allow for this, we will have our tickets before going to the park.
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Also, I am confused about the monorail- I've seen pics but does it work simular to a subway? Does it just stop at park entrances and resorts- If so, there would not be any real reason we would use the monorail since we are staying off property and do not have reservations at any resorts for dinner or anything. Am I correct or does it pick you up at MK and take you to the parking lot? Confused as ever...hee hee but I know you guys will get me straight, you always do...Thanks, Kim

 

[disney queen]

i believe from the parking lot you will take a tram to the ticket-transportation center(TTC). from there you take a ferry to MK. after leaving the ferry, you will go through security/bag check and then onto the turnstiles. this is where you will put your pass/ticket in the reader and be admitted into the park. it sounds like it is a lot of walking, but actually all of this is fairly close to each other. relax!! you are going to disney!! have a great time! (the monorail does 2 routes. there is one just to the resorts there and the other goes over to epcot from the TTC.)

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Don't worry.....just follow the crowd!!!!!

And have a great time!!!!!

 

[madalex]

Originally posted by disney queen
i believe from the parking lot you will take a tram to the ticket-transportation center(TTC). from there you take a ferry to MK. after leaving the ferry, you will go through security/bag check and then onto the turnstiles. this is where you will put your pass/ticket in the reader and be admitted into the park. it sounds like it is a lot of walking, but actually all of this is fairly close to each other. relax!! you are going to disney!! have a great time! (the monorail does 2 routes. there is one just to the resorts there and the other goes over to epcot from the TTC.)

In addition to the ferry, you can also take the monorail from the TTC to the MK entrance.

 

[goofyernmost]

To tell the truth, I've done this so often I don't even think about it anymore so if I say something wrong here, somebody correct me.

Each park opens at a specific time. I'm not sure if they all open at the same time or not. What they are telling you is to get there as early as you can. When staying off-site you will go to a parking lot that is so big it could have it's own time zone. Trams will then take you to the transportation center. (this is for Magic Kingdom only) You are left off there where you can buy tickets or just procede through if you already have them.

You then can chose between taking the ferry across the Seven Seas Lagoon or taking the Monorail (I suggest going in on the Monorail and out on the ferry if you want to experience both. Do it the other way around on the next day, if you are there for more than one day.

IMHO, the Monorail is always worth it. There are not to many places on the globe where you can experience that. The Monorail from the transportation center to Magic Kingdom goes through the center of the Contemporary Resort Hotel but doesn't stop there. Separate monorail trains go to the resorts around the lagoon and another goes from the Trans. Ctr. to Epcot.

When you arrive at the Magic Kingdom entrance you will find the security checkpoint and then procede towards the WDW Railroad Station where they will hold back the guest until the official opening (whenever that is scheduled).

Each other park Epcot, DisneyMGM and Animal Kingdom have there own entry and turnstiles but nothing as elaborate as Magic Kingdoms. Getting there is an adventure in itself.

Hope that helped and didn't confuse you more. Since it is your first trip don't be afraid to ask and mostly just follow the crowds it really isn't that difficult once you see it live.

In this case "getting to the turnstiles" isn't as literal as it might seem. Have a great time.

 

[Maridw]

Once you get to the parking area of any of the parks, you can, in reality, follow the crowd. Everyone will be heading toward the Entrance where the "turnstiles" are.

It really is very easy once you get there. I agree with goofyernmost, I would try both the monorail and the ferry. You could even take a break during the day and take the monorail to the resorts and have a look around. They are all beautiful to look around.

 

[pjlla]

Depending on what time of year you are going, I would allow, at the MK 20 minutes AT LEAST to get from your car to the turnstiles. At Epcot, AK, and MGM, you go directly from the parking lot to the turnstiles, so it is probably only 10 minutes tops. And you can walk from the car to the TTC/turnstiles (depending on which park) without taking the parking lot trams. But that is only if you are reasonably close to the front.... for further away parking it is advisable to take the trams... you will be doing enough walking later on in the parks!! HTH..........P

 

[NADINENURSE]

Just back, we were amazed at how long it took. Between parking, shuttle bus, monrail, walk to bag search, bag search, thru the turnstiles, 45 minutes. That was yesterday, Wednesday. When we went Saturday night it was maybe a few minutes more b/c it was the weekend ? We were going to try the ferry, but they had a CM there stating it just left and would be another 20 minute wait before it returned. I guesss our timing was off.

 

[Tiziminchac]

I hope you have a great trip mamahauldren . I can't really add to what has been posted already. Getting into MK is an adventure in it's self. It's good you already have your tickets, that will save you some time. My only word of advice is, remember where you park! Mk can hold 60,000 + people and the parking lot is huge. But it is divided in sections. Keep track on your section name and row number. It is all clearly posted in the parking lot and your tram driver will remind you when you get on. Good luck and have fun!

P.S. Welcome to the Dis!

 

[MagicalMom]

Hmmmmmm, we are staying off site & have CRT PS for 8 am. What time should we get to the parking lot? How long do you think it will take for us to get there? Now I'm really worrying!
Ugh, the stress! I think I need a vacation!

 

[pjlla]

The answer to your question depends on a few things. Are you staying off-site with hotel transportation, off-site site with your own transportation, on-site with WDW transportation, or on-site with your own transportation?

Okay, dopey me, I just went back and read your original post. Off-site with a car....

I would allow AT LEAST an hour from leaving hotel room to arriving at turnstiles. We stayed off-site at Homewood Suites in Kissimmee.... very close. We have stayed there twice and had approx. 8 am PS at the MK both times (we had a rental car both times). I'm pretty sure we left our hotel room by 7am each time. THe first time we were the 5th car in the parking lot!! Really cool to be front row!! Second time I think we were the 7th car. We ended up having to wait on the turnstile both times, but better safe than sorry!! You never know how traffic will be or anything like that.........HTH.............P

 

[RLewis]

FYI - If you look at the Mk map on the Disney site, you can see the turnstyles. They are at the bottom of the map, between the railroad station and the monorail. They kind of look like two "horns" with a greenspace between them.