Parking options for meal at Boma.

[dynamite100]

I have a 7.05PM reservation at Boma, April 25, following a day spent at AK Park. Can I leave my car in the AK car park, and catch the bus to and from AKL? What I'm really asking is- Does the car park at AK (and the other theme parks) have an actual closing time? Don't want to leave my car there, then find that when I get back, I'm unable to exit the car park. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[kelleigh1]

I don't know about leaving the car at AK, but you can just drive over and park at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We ate at Boma on our last trip and there was no issue with parking at the resort. You just tell them at the gate that you have a reservation for dinner.

 

[catne]

Won't work to leave your car there - the bus will only run until a couple of hours after the park closes: the calendar for April 25 shows AK closing at 5:00 so the busses would be done running back & forth by 7:30 or so - your car would be stuck in the lot & you'd have no way to go get it.

...just drive over to AKL-they'll give you a 3 hour parking permit.

 

[dynamite100]

Cheers folks, appreciate the advice. I had considered driving over to AKL, but since we'll be leaving Animal Kingdom at 5, and, as I understood it, you only got a 2 hour parking permit for dining, I didn't see how this was going to work for me?

 

[Lynne M]

Oh, now I see..you're wanting to park at AKL in the morning, take the bus to AK, then take the bus back to AKL and eat at Boma.

That, they won't let you do. All of the resort lots are for guests of that resort and guests dining at the restaurants, they don't allow use of resort lots for theme park parking.

Why not just drive straight to AK in the morning, and then drive to AKL for your dinner?

 

[catne]

Cheers folks, appreciate the advice. I had considered driving over to AKL, but since we'll be leaving Animal Kingdom at 5, and, as I understood it, you only got a 2 hour parking permit for dining, I didn't see how this was going to work for me?

They will give you a 3 hour permit for dinner - which may or may not be quite long enough. If you're leaving AK right at 5:00, by the time you get your car out of the lot & get over to AKL it might be 5:30, then a 3 hour permit would get you to 8:30. That might be cutting it a little close. Chances are you wouldn't get towed if you're there a little past 3 hours, but that would be no fun. I suggest an alternative: you can pay to valet park at Animal Kingdom Lodge - about $12, plus a couple dollar tip when you pick up the car - and that's for as long as you want, even all day. If you don't want to mess around with moving the car, I'd drive to AK Lodge in the morning, and valet park the car there. Then catch the bus to AK for the day. Take the bus back to AKL when the park closes. You'll be early for your dinner ADR, but that will give you time to wander the resort, look at the animals (lovely viewing area), also check out the truly excellent gift shop...awesome decor & such from Africa in there...then go to Boma. When you're done eating, the valet will bring your car to you (which is really, really nice at the end of a long day.)

 

[mountdew1]

I'm sure you can take your time leaving AK, not actually getting to your car til 5:30 or maybe later. Esp possible if you are out back by the safari or EE. Just walk slow, they won't kick you out. That would put you closer to arriving at 6 or so at AKL, which is getting closer to a reasonable time.

 

[dynamite100]

Thanks for these last two suggestions. They both sound viable, and both have some appeal. I'll have to decide which one to opt for. Many thanks again- people on here are always so helpful with their advice.

 

[LiteBrite]

Has the AKL started giving the 3 hour parking passes now? We have driven and parked there for meals and just to visit the resort/see the animals many times, and never have we been given a limited time parking pass, or needed any pass at all. We have just told the attendant at the guard shack that we were there to eat or to visit the resort, and we've always been cheerfully waved through.

Maybe the 3 hour pass at the AKL has become common recently, but it's always been my impression that they mostly just used those at the resorts from which you can get to a park by foot or by monorail.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

When we went over for dinner at Boma we parked at AKL and they did not say we had to leave in 3 hours there was not a time alloted on the ticket. We actually had dinner, went out to the savannah and firepit and then shopped a bit. Our dinner was at 6 and we didnt leave until close to 11pm.

 

[shellybaxter]

I have NEVER been given a timed parking pass at any resort other than the monorail resorts (I've heard they also give them at the Boardwalk area) and NEVER at AKL. I think you would be fine to go to AKL after AK close and park your car in self parking for the evening until your finished for dinner. If your not comfortable with that you can always valet park. There is no time limit with valet for sure.

 

[spotty]

Even if they do have a 3 hour pass and you are there a little longer, they won't tow your car or ticket you. We do dining at resorts all the time for over 3 hours (Chef's Table lasted over 5 hours) on a 3 hour pass. The most they ever did was ask for a dining receipt (Grand Floridian) and I think that was for the free valet because we forgot to get our stamp.

 

[chartle]

Third week of August this year on a Saturday they asked for our name and gave us a 3 hr pass that had the date time and last name on it.

Other posters have said they have valeted and also got a 3 hr pass.

This may have only been at the monorail resort or for a certain time or date.

 

[GoodFairies]

There is no chance you're going to get a 3-hr (or any time allotment) driving from AK to AKL for dinner. Drive there when you are finished at AK and have a great meal. Enjoy looking around the lodge; they have nice pathways, a great bar, and a good resort store.

 

[dynamite100]

There is no chance you're going to get a 3-hr (or any time allotment) driving from AK to AKL for dinner. Drive there when you are finished at AK and have a great meal. Enjoy looking around the lodge; they have nice pathways, a great bar, and a good resort store.

Thanks. I'll do that. I've eaten at Boma once before, but we never took the time afterwards to look around the resort. I'm looking forward to doing that this time. Gonna check out the savannah and firepit. I hear a lot of good things about the shops at AKL. Any advice about which ones are "must visit", and what times they're open until?