Parking Lot Opening Times?

[jwhtewolfd]

This may have been asked and answered, but I sure can't find it. Does anyone know for sure what time the theme park parking lots open for resort guests?

I usually take the buses, but last trip (1/2018), I was out at bus stops at least an hour and a half before park openings, sometimes more, and the buses just didn't come. All the CMs I asked said they started "about an hour" before the parks opened. I'm certain I was on the first bus to arrive at my resort, but by the time I got to the parks, there were swarms ahead of me for rope drop.

This was especially frustrating at AK. So although I prefer not to drive once on property, I'll have my car, so I might as well use it.

 

[seashoreCM]

The official word on morning buses is 6:30 AM give or take a few minutes, or an hour give or take a few minutes before park opening, whichever comes first.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

The official word on morning buses is 6:30 AM give or take a few minutes, or an hour give or take a few minutes before park opening, whichever comes first.

That was certainly not my experience last time, but my question is about the parking lots.

 

[Alesia]

The parking lots never close

 

[seashoreCM]

Don't know whether this has happened on any day in the past 3 years but more than 10 years ago I once came upon the Animal Kingdom parking lot about a half hour before park opening with all of the lanes coned off and no one manning the booths. My late 2019 stance is, if this happens, to move a cone and drive in. Previously my stance (advice, since I have never had or made a breakfast reservation) was to wait for a CM to officially open the lot but expect the Tusker House maitre d' to pretend I was exactly on time and seat me so, if the parking lot delay got me there late.

One time 9 years ago I came upon the Hollywood Studios lot with one lane having a green light overhead but no one manning any of the booths. I drove to the "open'" lane, paused briefly, and drove on in.

 

[Alesia]

Don't know whether this has happened on any day in the past 3 years but more than 10 years ago I once came upon the Animal Kingdom parking lot about a half hour before park opening with all of the lanes coned off and no one manning the booths. My late 2019 stance is, if this happens, to move a cone and drive in. Previously my stance (advice, since I have never had or made a breakfast reservation) was to wait for a CM to officially open the lot but expect the Tusker House maitre d' to pretend I was exactly on time and seat me so, if the parking lot delay got me there late.

One time 9 years ago I came upon the Hollywood Studios lot with one lane having a green light overhead but no one manning any of the booths. I drove to the "open'" lane, paused briefly, and drove on in.

The AK lot used to close, but I haven't heard of that happening in years.

If you're there before the booths are manned, just drive in and park.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Don't know whether this has happened on any day in the past 3 years but more than 10 years ago I once came upon the Animal Kingdom parking lot about a half hour before park opening with all of the lanes coned off and no one manning the booths. My late 2019 stance is, if this happens, to move a cone and drive in. Previously my stance (advice, since I have never had or made a breakfast reservation) was to wait for a CM to officially open the lot but expect the Tusker House maitre d' to pretend I was exactly on time and seat me so, if the parking lot delay got me there late.

One time 9 years ago I came upon the Hollywood Studios lot with one lane having a green light overhead but no one manning any of the booths. I drove to the "open'" lane, paused briefly, and drove on in.

Thanks for very detailed info! lol That helps alot. I think I might drive myself to the parks on any important Rope Drop mornings.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

The AK lot used to close, but I haven't heard of that happening in years.

If you're there before the booths are manned, just drive in and park.

Is it a problem to leave the car there overnight? I do like to hop around and may not end the night in the same park.

 

[SillySallySews]

Thanks for very detailed info! lol That helps alot. I think I might drive myself to the parks on any important Rope Drop mornings.

Yes, up until this years trip that’s what we did as well. This year we tried a Minnie Van and will probably never drive on property again, even if we have to be somewhere early. Would highly recommend!

 

[Mango7100]

I know not AK, but last year we had a PPO breakfast at MK. The park opened at 9 but we were driving over at 645 to unmanned parking booths. We drove in and parked with no issues, save $25 as well! There were several cars coming at the same time we were

 

[NH-to-FL]

Over the last couple of years I have driven over to AK arriving at the parking booths 1 hour 45 minutes before opening and found them unmanned and just drove on through to the lot. There were two cast members parking the cars.

I also recall driving to Epcot very, very early on a foggy Dec 27th a few years ago and finding the parking booths unmanned with a sign on the door of the booth that said drive on to the parking lot. In the lot there were cast members who directed us to park on the grass next to where the trams are parked.

On the other hand, Sea World has their parking booths blocked with cones until the attendants show up.