Time from parking spot to the gate?

[Katie Dawn]

We are on our way to WDW as I write this!

Once our car is parked in a theme park's parking lot, how long will it take us to walk to security, get through security, and get to the gate. We will have a backpack. We'll be getting there early one of the mornings so should get one of the closer parking spots.

Epcot: we'd want to be at the gate by 7:40am (for 8am PPO Garden Grill.) At what time should we be parked?

HS: 8am EMH, but on a fairly crowded day. I'd like to be at the gate by 7:30 or 7:45.How long from our car to the gate?

AK: regular 9am opening. I'd like to be at the gate by 8:30am (we won't be rushing to FOP. ) The parking lot will be more crowded this day of course. We should be parked and getting out of the car by what time?

Side question: At AK I know they're letting people start riding attractions before official park opening pretty much every morning right now. About what time do they do that?
Thanks so much!

 

[randumb0]

I was ready to answer until I realized that how early you're talking about going

 

[tinkerjo]

To be safe I would add an extra 1/2 hour. Sometimes security is quick but we have got drawn for randoms and even had an issue over a keychain (long story). Also you can be lucky and get the near end of a row or be unlucky and have to drive the extra 1/2 mile (ok this may be an exaggeration) and be at the far end of the row in the parking lot. Either way, add 1/2 hour.
As for your side note- when we were there AK opened an hour early but stopped you across the bridge for about another 20 minutes

 

[LSUfan4444]

30 minutes or so.

 

[DisneyOma]

EPCOT security is the worst - they do not have enough stations for the crowds they get. Expect at least 5-10 minutes to get through?

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't think you are leaving enough time. Remember too that you are asked to be at your ADR 10 minutes prior to the time you have.

 

[Katie Dawn]

I don't think you are leaving enough time. Remember too that you are asked to be at your ADR 10 minutes prior to the time you have.

Thanks Maxie. Our ADR is technically at 8:15, but I'm hoping to be at the check in stand no later than 8am. If we're through security and being let into Epcot by 7:40 you think we'll be fine?

 

[Katie Dawn]

Thank you everyone! Your replies are very helpful.

 

[gap2368]

Get to the gate about 7:45 for any ADR or EMH as some times they let you in early HS you have a good long walk ( no matter where you park as half the lot is closed due to construction MK you have to take a A boat or the monorail to get to the gate AK and EPCOT just getting to bag check should not take that long