Staying Offsite - How early can I park?

[Suebie]

This is the first time my family and I will be visiting WDW during a busy season (late August) and it is the first time we are staying offsite. I'm concerned my commando style of touring the World will be comprimised. How early will we be allowed into the parking lots? We usually get to the gates of the park a 1/2 hour before opening time. Will this be possible?

Thanks for your help.

 

[vicnmickey]

I would love to know this too, for our upcoming trip. We are staying offsite for the first time , what time to hit the parking lot would help to get a jump on the day. Can anyone help!!!!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by Suebie
How early will we be allowed into the parking lots? We usually get to the gates of the park a 1/2 hour before opening time. Will this be possible?

Absolutely. I'm not exactly sure how far in advance the lots open but we always get in well before opening time. I'd guess the lots open at least an hour before park opening time. I'm sure someone here knows for sure.

 

[cocowum]

On Monday 4/19 we drove to AK.we were staying at POFQ. It was EE and we got to the gates at 7:30a.m. and they would not let us through until 7:45. we watched many buses onloading while we waited.Next time we will definitely take the bus.

 

[Suebie]

Bump

 

[JaxnBanditFan]

Bumping back to the top.
We have PS for 810 at Crystal Palace Monday 5-17 and were staying offsite. MK doesnt open until 900 Sure hope we dont run into trouble at the parking lot.

 

[dougsmom98]

We have stayed offsite before and the parking lots are opened at least an hour before the parks open. I think I just read in the UG that they are open two hours prior to park openings, but even the week between Christmas and New Years, we didn't arrive there that early. Our goal was always to get to the parking lot 45 minutes prior to the park opening, sometimes we got there earlier, sometimes we got there a little later. That gave us plenty of time to get through security and be waiting for the official entry into the park. The one park that takes the longest to get to from the parking lots is MK because you either take the boat or monorail over, so you may want to plan that one on the early side. Remember to try to work around EMH, it is very discouraging to see other people walk right into the park while you are being held back. By the time you get into the park the best rides will have lines.
Good Luck.
Amy

 

[maine_jennifer]

When we went during President's Day Week last year, we were at the parking lots 30-45 minutes before opening. The only time we had to wait for them to open was at SeaWorld (I know, not Disney, but same principal). We were always some of the first to get there, and we always parked close enough to the entrance to walk. We never took the tram.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

That should be fine. In Feb, we were staying in a time share and we got to the parks about 45 mins early and had no problems.