Hi Heather! Welcome to
planDisney, and thank you so much for bringing us your question. How exciting that your child will be participating in a
Disney Imagination Campus workshop! Those programs are truly incredible. I'm happy to walk you through what your morning will look like.
Even though
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is scheduled to open at 8 a.m. for regular operating hours, you can absolutely arrive early even if you're not staying at a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel. The parking lots at the
Walt Disney World Resort generally open about 60 to 90 minutes before the posted opening time, which means you'll be able to drive or take a rideshare like Uber or Lyft to the park well before 8 a.m. That gives you a comfortable window to park, make your way to the entrance, and be ready to tap in right as the park opens.
Since your child's workshop begins at 8:15, I'd plan to arrive around 7 or 7:30 a.m. This will allow you to get through parking and security with plenty of time to spare. You'll be happy to know that Cast Members typically let Guests tap into the park a few minutes before the official opening too. Once you're in, you'll be able to make your way directly to the designated meeting location for the workshop without feeling rushed.
Heather, your morning is going to go beautifully, and what a magical way for your child to start the day learning behind the scenes at Disney's Animal Kingdom! I hope it becomes one of those core memories they'll talk about for years to come. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. We're always available and more than happy to help here at planDisney!
Warm hugs,
Ana Paula