MK parking question

[Soupermom]

Hello! We have always relied on the WDW buses for our transportation but for this our one-day visit in March we will be driving. I really have no idea now the whole parking thing plays out. My understanding is we park at the TTC and take the monorail to the MK, correct? I need to plan our arrival time because I'd like to get there before rope drop, but we have a bit of a drive so I don't want get up an earlier than we have to. Let's say MK opens at 9am that morning and I arrive at the main gate at 8:15. How long will it take me to get to the entrance to MK? Does this make sense? Do we need to arrive much earlier? Thanks.

 

[rteetz]

Hello! We have always relied on the WDW buses for our transportation but for this our one-day visit in March we will be driving. I really have no idea now the whole parking thing plays out. My understanding is we park at the TTC and take the monorail to the MK, correct? I need to plan our arrival time because I'd like to get there before rope drop, but we have a bit of a drive so I don't want get up an earlier than we have to. Let's say MK opens at 9am that morning and I arrive at the main gate at 8:15. How long will it take me to get to the entrance to MK? Does this make sense? Do we need to arrive much earlier? Thanks.

you park at the TTC and can take either the monorail or a bus. You should be fine getting to MK by 9 if you are there by 8:15.

 

[MisterPat]

It depends on a few things.

1. If the day is an EMH morning at MK, you should arive around 7:30 at the TTC. After parking, you will be held up prior to the monorail since you are not an onsite guest. Instead of waiting there, walk to the POLY and take the resort monorail to the main gate. They will let you through the "turnstile" and you wil be at rope drop by around 8:15.

2. If it's not an EMH morning, you should arrive by 7:45 and board the monrail asap.

 

[Robo]

you park at the TTC and can take either the monorail or a bus.

Not a bus (unless the monorail is closed.)

The other choice from TTC to MK gates is a ferry boat.

 

[Alesia]

you park at the TTC and can take either the monorail or a bus. You should be fine getting to MK by 9 if you are there by 8:15.

Monorail or ferry.

No bus.

 

[Robo]

It depends on a few things.

1. If the day is an EMH morning at MK, you should arive around 7:30 at the TTC.

a) After parking, you will be held up prior to the monorail since you are not an onsite guest.

b) Instead of waiting there, walk to the POLY and take the resort monorail to the main gate.

a) Correct.

b) While that can be done, guests with WDW resort ID can board the Resort Monorail and ride to the MK front gates. (Two brief stops, Poly and Grand Floridan) before the MK gates stop.

 

[Suellen]

I think the bus from TTC to MK is often running if the lines for the monorail is long. I know I've used it several times. I actually like it better.... so I often will ask if it is running.

 

[Soupermom]

OP here. It will be a non-EMH morning in late March on a Tuesday. We will not be resort guests and will be using old non-expire tickets.

 

[Robo]

OP here. It will be a non-EMH morning in late March on a Tuesday. We will not be resort guests and will be using old non-expire tickets.

Plan to be at the TTC parking lot gates by 7AM.

That way, you have a bit of time to play with in case of unknown delays.

And, being in place early at the MK gates is a plus for the Rope Drop show and/or entering the park itself.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Not sure it would work as well for you, but when we lived in FL and went regularly to the parks just for a day or half day, we found that parking at Epcot and taking the monorail worked better than parking at TTC. We got a parking space that was always better than anything we could get at TTC.
We found the timing wasn't that much different -- if at all -- and less of a hassle.
You don't have to enter Epcot to get on the monorail. In case you were wondering.
We always went early, getting to whatever park we were doing that day well before the gates opened. Haven't done that since the advent of FP+ so not sure if it affects that or not.

 

[quest4dl]

In March the monorail is down by 7:30 a.m. right? And supposedly there are extra buses to deal with this? So are there buses now from TTC straight to MK? If so, how is this working and is it better to take the ferry or the bus?

 

[alisatj]

We went to MK twice during the first week of Feb. The first time we went (on a Tuesday), we were offered a bus from the TTC to the MK. It was much quicker than the monorail. Took about 4 minutes and you didn't have to hike up the ramp and back down . The second time we went (on a Friday) we didn't see any buses running.

We parked at the TTC at 8:15 and were at the main gates in plenty of time for the opening show. We were not at the front of the crowd though.

 

[Robo]

In March the monorail is down by 7:30 a.m. right?

No.

The Resort and MK Express Monorails are closed on weekdays starting at 11:30am and back running by 7pm in the evening.
This is the situation right now, and continuing through March (next month.)

 

[2girlsmom]

Also, I have ridden the monorail (express and resort line) in several times, never been asked for a room key or anything. Anyone can ride any monorail, they are not held for resort guests.

 

[Soupermom]

I will need to change my old tickets into new ones at guest relations. Is there one at TTC? Would that be faster than doing it at the MK? Are there CMs around to help get to the buses etc? Sounds a little chaotic to me. Any one else think parking at Epcot would be better?

 

[Robo]

I will need to change my old tickets into new ones

at guest relations.

1- Is there one at TTC?

2- Would that be faster than doing it at the MK?

3- Are there CMs around to help get to the buses etc? Sounds a little chaotic to me.

4- Any one else think parking at Epcot would be better?

1- Yes. -AND- you can get your tickets changed at any Ticket Booth as well.
These are at TTC, too.

2- More windows open at TTC.

3- Yes. But, don't expect to find any buses from TTC to MK at that time of day.

4- No need to do that, but you can.
It will take quite a bit longer to travel, however, as that would still require a stop and transfer at TTC.

 

[Robo]

Also, I have ridden the monorail (express and resort line) in several times, never been asked for a room key or anything. Anyone can ride any monorail, they are not held for resort guests.

Sorry, but you are misunderstanding the point of the following replies-

1. b) If the day is an EMH morning at MK, you should arive around 7:30 at the TTC. After parking, you will be held up prior to the monorail since you are not an onsite guest…

b) -guests with WDW resort ID can board the Resort Monorail and ride to the MK front gates. (Two brief stops, Poly and Grand Floridan) before the MK gates stop.

We are talking about TTC and MK's AM EMH (Extra Magic Hours.)

On those specific mornings, guests arriving at TTC headed for MK are "held" at TTC
and the MK Express Monorail is delayed from taking TTC guests to MK until much closer to 9AM (regular park opening time.)

That's because non-WDW resort guests can't enter MK between 8AM and (approx.) 9AM
as that first early hour is exclusively available for WDW resort guests.

Since most resort guests take the resort buses directly to the MK gates area and NON-WDW resort guests, for the most part, arrive via TTC,
in order to avoid a huge back-up of guests at the MK gates,
some guests who can and some who can't get into MK before 9AM,
they hold the MK Express monorail at TTC until closer to 9AM.
WDW Resort guests (who CAN enter AM EMH)
can board the Resort Monorail (which will be operating) and ride it to the MK gates.

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks for all of your help Robo!