What is the recommedation for arriving "early" at AK?

[IMGONNABE40!]

I plan to be at AK when it opens. Assuming I bought my ticket in advance, what time do I want to be pulling into the parking lot? I will be going on Tuesday, August 15. Thanks.

 

[crzy4mk]

My strategy with any park is to be in the lot about 45-60 minutes prior to opening. You may have to stand around for a while until they open, but in that first hour in the park while most everyone else is still parking and walking in you can accomplish ALOT!

 

[Schmeck]

That's assuming that they let you into the parking lot early. Search for threads about AK not opening it's parking lot until just before the park opens. It might have to do with it being an EE morning at that park or not?

 

[TMJR]

That's assuming that they let you into the parking lot early. Search for threads about AK not opening it's parking lot until just before the park opens. It might have to do with it being an EE morning at that park or not?

This happened to us last March...we drove to the park to get there super early, and couldn't enter the parking lot until 15 minutes before opening! We were so disappointed!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

For whatever reason, only Disney buses are permitted into the Animal Kingdom parking lot early. This is true for both regular and EMH mornings.

 

[crzy4mk]

For whatever reason, only Disney buses are permitted into the Animal Kingdom parking lot early. This is true for both regular and EMH mornings.

Not always. I was there the first week of January and parked around 8:30. Was able to take the tram, get in line, and walk in right at 9:00. I also have seen the threads about AK parking not opening until right before rope drop, but I guess I'm just lucky. I've been twice in the past 2 years, and did not have this problem.

 

[turnlisa]

I haven't found it to be true on EMH mornings either. We always drive to AK and haven't had a problem getting into the parking lot early. Maybe it's because we have the parking thing in the window.