EPCOT; Mother and Son; Spaceship Earth
  • On Feb 17, 2011
    Jay Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We have an 8am ADR at Tusker House when the park does not open until 9am.I was wondering what time we should be in the parking lot to ensure we will make it on time. I have never been to Animal Kingdom and do not know the distances, the tram time etc.. Thx

    Hi Jay,

    Jambo! Hello!

    We were recently in the Animal Kingdom for an early morning so I can share with you our experience.

    Twende! Let's go!

    We drove to the Animal Kingdom. The toll booth entrance to the parking lot doesn't open until 7:30 a.m. so there is no reason to arrive any earlier. Arriving at this time, will get you a parking spot close enough to walk to the entrance. If you prefer, a tram will be available near where you have parked your car. It will take you to the front entrance of the park.

    Whether you walk or ride a tram, you'll first need to go through security. Next, head past the ticket/information booths. One of the turnstiles towards the right, will have a sign marked "character breakfast". There will also be a Cast Member with a clipboard. If you don't see it, just ask any Cast Member near the turnstiles where the line is for the Tusker House breakfast.

    Once in line, you'll wait until the Cast Members are given the go-ahead to begin letting in early diners. When it's your turn, you'll be asked your family name, number in your party, etc. I always like to have my confirmation number handy just in case of a discrepancy. When the Cast Member confirms that you do indeed have an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR), each member of the family will proceed through the turnstile using their park admission.

    Once inside the park, Cast Members will direct you towards Tusker House. It's about a ten-minute walk to Harambe, Africa where the restaurant is located. Hakuna Matata! No worries - as the Cast Members do this every day of the year.

    At Tusker House, you'll check in at the podium.

    So, the only time that you should be concerned about is getting to the Animal Kingdom parking lot around 7:30 a.m. Have fun!
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Meet the Panelist: Kimberly, Tennessee

I am a stay-at-home mom with a 12 year old son. I thrive on planning vacations, especially to WDW. Inspiring families to vacation at Disney with a memorable itinerary and budget-saving tips is extremely rewarding for me. Learn More About Kimberly

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