Staying @BLT-better to take bus or drive to AK & HS in AM?

[clbielick]

Hi all-1st trip, rescheduled multiple times, now for next week. We rented DVC points and are staying at BLT. Husband wanted to rent a minivan (3,4,&6yo) so we could limit disney transportation/mitigate covid risk. Obviously MK will be an easy walk, and we're driving directly from the airport to epcot on day of arrival-but what about the 2 mornings we go to AK & HS? Ideally we'd just drive and pay to park, but are the buses getting there substantially earlier than theyre letting cars in? We also are dealing with strollers, so the appeal of driving is certainly there-but not excited if it means we get in later than everyone else. TIA!

 

[GBRforWDW]

Hi all-1st trip, rescheduled multiple times, now for next week. We rented DVC points and are staying at BLT. Husband wanted to rent a minivan (3,4,&6yo) so we could limit disney transportation/mitigate covid risk. Obviously MK will be an easy walk, and we're driving directly from the airport to epcot on day of arrival-but what about the 2 mornings we go to AK & HS? Ideally we'd just drive and pay to park, but are the buses getting there substantially earlier than theyre letting cars in? We also are dealing with strollers, so the appeal of driving is certainly there-but not excited if it means we get in later than everyone else. TIA!

Hi, congrats on the trip! As a Disney Resort guest you will not have to pay to park when going to the theme parks. Also, as a DVC guest, you won't have to pay at the resort either! Win/win!

That being said, if you want to reduce contact risk, I'd just drive. You're not going to notice much in park difference, especially if you're lined up ready to park when they start letting vehicles in.

On our DHS day, we drove and arrived just before 8am and they had us lined up for 15-20 minutes before letting us in. After parking, temp check, scan in, etc. We got a lot done in the morning and had time for more, but decided to slow down and enjoy. In the park, in order, we did Mickey and Minnie railroad, restrooms, Slinky Dog, snack, toy story mania, alien swirling saucers, photopass photos, restrooms in Galaxies Edge, milk stand, walked around Galaxies Edge, rise of the resistance, droid depot, more photos with droids, then sort of hung out til lunch reservation was ready.

Animal kingdom you can also get a lot done first thing in the morning. We decided on eating McDs breakfast in the car before going in, but if you're going during the week, the morning and probably most of the day, will be light on crowds.

Overall, I don't think you lose out driving yourself instead of doing bus. With reduced capacity on buses, if you're not there early, you're not getting on the first bus anyway, so gives you control over when to leave your room, etc.

 

[clbielick]

Hi, congrats on the trip! As a Disney Resort guest you will not have to pay to park when going to the theme parks. Also, as a DVC guest, you won't have to pay at the resort either! Win/win!

That being said, if you want to reduce contact risk, I'd just drive. You're not going to notice much in park difference, especially if you're lined up ready to park when they start letting vehicles in.

On our DHS day, we drove and arrived just before 8am and they had us lined up for 15-20 minutes before letting us in. After parking, temp check, scan in, etc. We got a lot done in the morning and had time for more, but decided to slow down and enjoy. In the park, in order, we did Mickey and Minnie railroad, restrooms, Slinky Dog, snack, toy story mania, alien swirling saucers, photopass photos, restrooms in Galaxies Edge, milk stand, walked around Galaxies Edge, rise of the resistance, droid depot, more photos with droids, then sort of hung out til lunch reservation was ready.

Animal kingdom you can also get a lot done first thing in the morning. We decided on eating McDs breakfast in the car before going in, but if you're going during the week, the morning and probably most of the day, will be light on crowds.

Overall, I don't think you lose out driving yourself instead of doing bus. With reduced capacity on buses, if you're not there early, you're not getting on the first bus anyway, so gives you control over when to leave your room, etc.

Oh my, this was the exact info I needed. Thank you so much!! Can I ask how early you arrived at AK? We are going on a Saturday. Honestly, I'm not that concerned about squeezing every little thing in, but just want to make sure I'm not shooting myself in the foot doing it this way, esp with kids who aren't used to waiting in line all day!

 

[GBRforWDW]

Oh my, this was the exact info I needed. Thank you so much!! Can I ask how early you arrived at AK? We are going on a Saturday. Honestly, I'm not that concerned about squeezing every little thing in, but just want to make sure I'm not shooting myself in the foot doing it this way, esp with kids who aren't used to waiting in line all day!

Animal kingdom morning was a bit chaotic for us as we were packing up our AoA room to move to AKL after we got done at the park.

I want to say we didn't actually get into the park until close to the 8am official opening time. Saturday will be busier though, as you can see from current wait times.

When we got in, we went to Pandora first. My wife went to Flight of Passage on her own with a 40 minute wait while daughter and I did Navi River with 10 minute wait. We then went to Kilimanjaro Safari with a 10 minute wait. After that, we came upon a Wilderness Explorers station and the rest of our day was all about the Wilderness Explorers. . Ride times all day were 10 minutes for everything but the 2 pandora rides, we just chose not to do any other rides. We did take the train to Rafikis and did the WE's up there and an animation experience. While there, we pre-ordered lunch from Flame Tree bbq. While walking over, we clicked the here button and by the time we got there, our food was ready. This is a good spot to eat as you can overlook the lake and see the character flotillas.

The lines can be tough, but for the most part, they're constantly moving, even the longer lines. But yeah, you should be fine driving. For the most part, they let cars line up an hour before official park opening, then let cars into the lot about 45 minutes before official opening. When they let cars into the parking lot is when the gates to the park actually open, so you'll go straight in after parking.