Hiya, Krista - welcome to planDisney! It's always a very big day when we get to help add a little extra magic to someone's
Walt Disney World Resort vacation. I see that you're arriving at The Most Magical Place on Earth next week (also known as "Jersey Week" - our family often visited at this time when we lived on the East Coast!), so let's get down to business to get the details of theme park entry for you.
Typically, the parking lots at the theme parks open one hour before the posted opening time. Guests staying onsite at a Walt Disney World
Resort Hotel do receive
Early Theme Park Entry and may access the park 30 minutes before offsite Guests. If you look at the
Park Hours for each day, you will see both the early opening and regular opening times. The parking lots will open one hour before the
early opening time, so I recommend timing your arrival for close to then.
Krista, your travel time from the parking lot to the main gate will likely take 30-45 minutes. Once you reach the entrance, Guests will be allowed in and can snap pictures on Main Street or grab a Starbucks coffee and a sweet treat from
Main Street Bakery to fuel up for the day! As you head toward Cinderella Castle, you'll notice Cast Members directing Guests staying on property to one side of the path and offsite Guests to the other. You can queue here and be ready to roll once the park officially opens for your group at the general opening time.
I hope this information is helpful for your planning purposes! Thanks so much for stopping by planDisney - wishing you safe travels and the most magical vacation. Please come see us again anytime if we can help with other questions.
See Ya Real Soon!
Susan