Onsite, but driving to parks?

[BuzzLiteyear]

We are going to WDW the week after xmas. Having never been during a holiday season, I can only imagine that the transportation is maxed out. We'll be taking a double stroller to a few parks too. We are planning on driving to several of the parks while we are there.

How soon before the parks open do the parking lots open?

Thanks!

 

[Pembo]

Not sure what time the parking lots open...but parking at Epcot, Studios and AK always seems easier to me. Stick to the buses for MK. Also, it is great to drive to the parks after your afternoon break...lots of parking up close. We went to Epcot one evening just for Illuminations and parked very close...

 

[redrosesix]

We're always there during Pres. Week, another busy time. We've had great bus service, but we stay at the AS resorts so there are probably more buses there anyways. It's definitely quicker to take the bus especially if you can't get there well before rope drop every day -- buses are not as easy with a stroller as a car is, but neither are the parking lot trams. Like the PP, we use our car mostly when we're going back to the parks in the late afternoon.

I second the advice on sticking with buses for MK -- great to be able to skip the monorail and start your day out right at the front gate.

 

[shoes99]

Not sure what time the parking lots open...but parking at Epcot, Studios and AK always seems easier to me. Stick to the buses for MK. Also, it is great to drive to the parks after your afternoon break...lots of parking up close. We went to Epcot one evening just for Illuminations and parked very close...

You won't see this during the week between Christmas and New Years. MK lot closes to all cars by 10AM, and folks just leave their cars where ever they parked, and take disney transportation for the rest of the day. If you go back to your resort for a nap, there is no guarantee that your car will be allowed back in any lot due to capacity. Very busy week. We saw cars being diverted from the MK toll booths back to AK for alternate parking..