Staying off-property. How much time to get inside the parks?

[annab6]

For people who stayed off-property...

We going next week and staying at a hotel 1mi from WDW (Holiday Inn Family Suites). We'd like to get into the parks as early as they possibly let us in. I've been there 10 years ago and can't remember how long it takes to get inside the park from the parking lot.

Can anyone help with the timing here? How early should we leave the hotel?

Thanks
Anna

 

[kilarney]

Plan on 10-15 minutes for the drive. (AK and Magic Kingdom being the farthest)
Once you park, plan on 10-15 minutes to get to the gates.
The one major exception is the Magic Kingdom. You will be held at the Transportation Ticket center until they allow you to board the monorail and/or ferry. (a major frustration!)

If you are going to any park other than the Magic Kingdom, I would plan on half an hour total.
For the Magic Kingdom, I would plan on 45 minutes.

If you want some "cushion", you should leave before this. These times will cut it fairly close.


Have fun!

 

[annab6]

Thank you very much! People here are always so helpful!

Anna

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

what time does the monorail and ferry start running to the mk from the ttc?

 

[kilarney]

It runs before the official park opening - but not that much before.
Guests who are able to get dropped off right at the MK entrance (ie: on-site guests) are ususally able to get into the park a little sooner than those who transfer through the Transportation Ticket Center.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

It depends on where you stay. I stayed at High point and one day I timed the distance between my driveway and the parking lot at MGM. 11 minutes.

Not bad at all.

 

[ZachnElli]

We stayed at HIFS in July 2001 and it is so close to the parks (except AK)!! I think it only took us 20-25 minutes to get into MK. But it will depend on when you go and how crowded it is. It was a medium crowd when we went then. We never hit any traffic jams at all. It's a great hotel, have fun!