October 1 Transportation Question

[DisneyStarWisher]

On October 1, my family and I will be going to AK for Morning EMH and then heading to Epcot for a few hours, and maybe heading back to AK for KRR since I don't want to be wet all day. (We have ADRs at Ohana at 8:10 pm, so had planned on leaving Epcot fairly early anyway.) The only reason I thought of going back to AK is because we will be staying at AKV and it's on the way back to the resort. I had planned on using my AAA Diamond Pass throughout the day, but I am thinking there may be some problems with that plan.

First of all, I have read that parking at AK is a problem when going early. I'm wondering if it will be a problem for Morning EMH.

Next, October 1 is a black-out date for the AAA lot at Epcot.

So I'm wondering if I should just take buses that day (an option I really don't prefer) or if I should use the car and just use the regular lot at Epcot. If I use the buses, is there a bus that runs directly from AK to Epcot? If so, does it run frequently? I hate waiting for a bus especially when I have an ADR to get to. If I use the car, I will probably try to use the AAA lot but if they enforce the black-out date, should I just park in the Epcot regular lot or should I drive to DHS's AAA lot and use the boat to get to Epcot? (BTW, my lunch ADR is at Le Cellier and we will be staying in the World Showcase the whole time.)

Any help will be appreciated!

 

[Tara]

I'd still drive- not worth takin the buses just because you won't have AAA parking at Epcot. (and yes they enforce blackouts)

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm a big fan of the bus system, so I've never driven down there. That being said, if I had a car I would drive and I wouldn't worry about what section of the parking lot I had to use; just my opinion. To answer your bus question, yes, there is a direct bus between the Epcot main entrance and Animal Kingdom; it runs at the same frequency of all Disney Transport buses, roughly every 20 minutes.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I'd still drive- not worth takin the buses just because you won't have AAA parking at Epcot. (and yes they enforce blackouts)

I'd definitely prefer to drive. But will I have trouble with the AK lot for Morning EMH?

 

[Tara]

I'd definitely prefer to drive. But will I have trouble with the AK lot for Morning EMH?

I always use AAA diamond parking and I've never had a problem with EMH mornings at AK.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I always use AAA diamond parking and I've never had a problem with EMH mornings at AK.

Thank you! That is such a relief to know.

Now, which would be closer?
a) Park in Epcot's regular lot to get to World Showcase.
b) Park in DHS's AAA lot and take the boat to World Showcase.

 

[goofy4tink]

On October 1, my family and I will be going to AK for Morning EMH and then heading to Epcot for a few hours, and maybe heading back to AK for KRR since I don't want to be wet all day. (We have ADRs at Ohana at 8:10 pm, so had planned on leaving Epcot fairly early anyway.) The only reason I thought of going back to AK is because we will be staying at AKV and it's on the way back to the resort. I had planned on using my AAA Diamond Pass throughout the day, but I am thinking there may be some problems with that plan.

First of all, I have read that parking at AK is a problem when going early. I'm wondering if it will be a problem for Morning EMH.

Next, October 1 is a black-out date for the AAA lot at Epcot.

So I'm wondering if I should just take buses that day (an option I really don't prefer) or if I should use the car and just use the regular lot at Epcot. If I use the buses, is there a bus that runs directly from AK to Epcot? If so, does it run frequently? I hate waiting for a bus especially when I have an ADR to get to. If I use the car, I will probably try to use the AAA lot but if they enforce the black-out date, should I just park in the Epcot regular lot or should I drive to DHS's AAA lot and use the boat to get to Epcot? (BTW, my lunch ADR is at Le Cellier and we will be staying in the World Showcase the whole time.)

Any help will be appreciated!

If it were me??? I would take the bus to AK that day, then take the bus to YC/BC from AK. Walk over to the International Gateway from YC/BC...get off at BC, it's a tad closer than YC bus stop.
Then, leave Epcot via the Gateway, and head back to BC, take their bus to AK to you can finish up the day there.

I know many like to drive, but I find it to be a hassle driving around, from parking lot to parking lot, taking trams, and such.
You could head back to AKL, get changed and then drive to the Polynesian for your ADR. Or just park at the TTC and walk over.

 

[Alesia]

Thank you! That is such a relief to know.

Now, which would be closer?
a) Park in Epcot's regular lot to get to World Showcase.
b) Park in DHS's AAA lot and take the boat to World Showcase.

Park in Epcot's regular lot.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

If it were me??? I would take the bus to AK that day, then take the bus to YC/BC from AK. Walk over to the International Gateway from YC/BC...get off at BC, it's a tad closer than YC bus stop.
Then, leave Epcot via the Gateway, and head back to BC, take their bus to AK to you can finish up the day there.

I know many like to drive, but I find it to be a hassle driving around, from parking lot to parking lot, taking trams, and such.
You could head back to AKL, get changed and then drive to the Polynesian for your ADR. Or just park at the TTC and walk over.

I like the idea of taking the bus to YC/BC and walking through the IG instead of parking in Epcot's regular lot and walking all the way back to WS.

Hmmm, this has me thinking of a combination of bus/car. What if I drive to AK and park in the AAA lot. Then when I get ready to park-hop to Epcot for my lunch ADR and my final stroll around WS, I can leave my car, take a bus to BC, walk or boat to Epcot, and do the reverse to get back to AK. Drive back to AKV to get cleaned up for Ohana. No waiting on a bus at AK.

I did this before when trying to hit all 4 parks in one day. I left my car in DHS's AAA lot, took a boat to Epcot, a bus back to the resort to rest a little, a bus back to DHS to get the car. It worked great. I hadn't really thought about doing something like that to solve this problem.

What do you think?

 

[beachclub]

Id scrap that whole plan and head to epcot for the whole day as the park will
be partying it up for the 30th birthday. Crowds will be heavy so arriving late morning, early afternoon, late afternoon or evening my pose a challenge to getting in.

Or if worried about crowds which there will be, stay away from epcot all together if you dont care about the birthday celebration

thats why OCt 1 is a black out day.....be prepared for some heavy heavy crowds with full parking lots everwhere

On October 1, my family and I will be going to AK for Morning EMH and then heading to Epcot for a few hours, and maybe heading back to AK for KRR since I don't want to be wet all day. (We have ADRs at Ohana at 8:10 pm, so had planned on leaving Epcot fairly early anyway.) The only reason I thought of going back to AK is because we will be staying at AKV and it's on the way back to the resort. I had planned on using my AAA Diamond Pass throughout the day, but I am thinking there may be some problems with that plan.

First of all, I have read that parking at AK is a problem when going early. I'm wondering if it will be a problem for Morning EMH.

Next, October 1 is a black-out date for the AAA lot at Epcot.

So I'm wondering if I should just take buses that day (an option I really don't prefer) or if I should use the car and just use the regular lot at Epcot. If I use the buses, is there a bus that runs directly from AK to Epcot? If so, does it run frequently? I hate waiting for a bus especially when I have an ADR to get to. If I use the car, I will probably try to use the AAA lot but if they enforce the black-out date, should I just park in the Epcot regular lot or should I drive to DHS's AAA lot and use the boat to get to Epcot? (BTW, my lunch ADR is at Le Cellier and we will be staying in the World Showcase the whole time.)

Any help will be appreciated!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Id scrap that whole plan and head to epcot for the whole day as the park will
be partying it up for the 30th birthday. Crowds will be heavy so arriving late morning, early afternoon, late afternoon or evening my pose a challenge to getting in.

Or if worried about crowds which there will be, stay away from epcot all together if you dont care about the birthday celebration

thats why OCt 1 is a black out day.....be prepared for some heavy heavy crowds with full parking lots everwhere

I was not aware that there were any planned celebrations for the anniversary. Where did you get your information?

 

[beachclub]

the only one really known is the d23 event(s)...but the same thing happened
on the 25th birthday, nothing was planned by disney but the crowds were there of diehard epcot fans like me. the park was crowded, lines were long all day for attractions, plus its the monday after the first weekened of food and wine. Its going to be crowded.

I was not aware that there were any planned celebrations for the anniversary. Where did you get your information?

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Great!

We will be going into the parks only the first two days of our trip (Sept. 30 and Oct. 1), except for MNSSHP on our last day. We're doing a split stay with the DxDDP the first three days so that's why Epcot is a must during that time. I HAVE to eat at Le Cellier before it goes to 2 credits all day. I have Via Napoli planned the other day. Touringplans.com has both those days as low crowds at Epcot. If the D23 event is Sept. 30, and diehard fans will be there on Oct. 1, why would touringplans show low crowds?

Oh well, I'm not giving up my ADRs so I guess I will fight the crowds. But this justifies taking a bus to Epcot instead of driving.

Does anyone have any comments on my transportation plan?

 

[beachclub]

you could always park at the TTC and take the monorail over...Never done this nor do I even know you can park at the TTC but it would be an easy monorail ride over.

As far as touring plans is concerned, dont get me started about these people and their little crowd meters., but what you just said extends my point of touring plans, think they know everything and are the end all for planning your vacation. Apparently they missed the boat on this day or completely ignored the fact that its Epcot's birthday.
THey are such a joke, i cant believe they make money off this guessing game of how crowds are going to be....
told ya not to get me going...
At least I offered something of an option for your travel plans out of the deal..best of luck with your travels that day and hope you dont get too tied up anywhere so the day can be enjoyed.

Great!

We will be going into the parks only the first two days of our trip (Sept. 30 and Oct. 1), except for MNSSHP on our last day. We're doing a split stay with the DxDDP the first three days so that's why Epcot is a must during that time. I HAVE to eat at Le Cellier before it goes to 2 credits all day. I have Via Napoli planned the other day. Touringplans.com has both those days as low crowds at Epcot. If the D23 event is Sept. 30, and diehard fans will be there on Oct. 1, why would touringplans show low crowds?

Oh well, I'm not giving up my ADRs so I guess I will fight the crowds. But this justifies taking a bus to Epcot instead of driving.

Does anyone have any comments on my transportation plan?

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

you could always park at the TTC and take the monorail over...Never done this nor do I even know you can park at the TTC but it would be an easy monorail ride over.

As far as touring plans is concerned, dont get me started about these people and their little crowd meters., but what you just said extends my point of touring plans, think they know everything and are the end all for planning your vacation. Apparently they missed the boat on this day or completely ignored the fact that its Epcot's birthday.
THey are such a joke, i cant believe they make money off this guessing game of how crowds are going to be....
told ya not to get me going...
At least I offered something of an option for your travel plans out of the deal..best of luck with your travels that day and hope you dont get too tied up anywhere so the day can be enjoyed.

I totally understand how you feel. I've just had good luck with them. In their defense, they do have a note that says if Epcot releases information about any anniversary celebrations they would change the crowd calendar. I guess they aren't considering the "diehard fans" that will be there anyway.

Thanks for the idea to park at TTC. I'm sure that would work, but I think I will just leave the car at AK AAA lot instead of moving it. TTC is a little out of the way, plus the monorail would drop us off at the front of the park. I would prefer to enter through the IG.

Thanks again for everyone's suggestions!

 

[keishashadow]

Id scrap that whole plan and head to epcot for the whole day as the park will
be partying it up for the 30th birthday. Crowds will be heavy so arriving late morning, early afternoon, late afternoon or evening my pose a challenge to getting in.

Or if worried about crowds which there will be, stay away from epcot all together if you dont care about the birthday celebration

thats why OCt 1 is a black out day.....be prepared for some heavy heavy crowds with full parking lots everwhere

We were at the anniversary celebration for MK last yearother than some very cool pins that I purchased, i'd call it a jam-packed non-event. Although a friend here was at rope drop that am and picked me up a promo brochure that's in my souvie pile.

We're specifically avoiding Epcot on the 1st this year.

OP not sure how often it happens but friend reported that she found the diamond lots full several times her last trip mid December

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We were at the anniversary celebration for MK last yearother than some very cool pins that I purchased, i'd call it a jam-packed non-event. Although a friend here was at rope drop that am and picked me up a promo brochure that's in my souvie pile.

We're specifically avoiding Epcot on the 1st this year.

OP not sure how often it happens but friend reported that she found the diamond lots full several times her last trip mid December

Thank you for the information. The only thing we plan on doing on the 1st is eat at Le Cellier and make our way around WS to finish off our snack credits at F&W. I will spend more time there on Sept. 30. I just hope the D23 event doesn't make that day crowded.

On Sept. 30, we will make Rope Drop at DHS so I will park the car in the DHS AAA lot that morning, then take the boat to Epcot. We have ADRs for Yachtsman Steakhouse that evening, so boat to there and boat back to DHS to get our car.

On Oct. 1, we will make Rope Drop at Morning EMH at AK so I will park the car in the AK AAA lot that morning. I think we will then take a bus mid-morning to the Yacht Club and take the boat into the IG. Since I want to do Kali River Rapids at the end of the day, we will take a bus back to AK to ride it, then pick up the car to go back to the resort to clean up for dinner at Ohana. I will definitely drive the car to the Polynesian.

Hopefully since I will only be using the AAA lots these two days and parking the car first thing in the morning, I won't have trouble with the lots being full. Hopefully!