Hey Howdy Hey Tina and welcome to planDisney!
Now starting the new year with a trip to Walt Disney World Resort is setting the stage for a Magical New Year! I can totally understand your concern about race weekend and access to the parks. Let's review a few things that may help ease your mind and get a plan together for your upcoming trip!
You are right that
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge will have limited transportation options available to you with Disney Resort Transportation with busses being your option.
Disney Resort Transportation begins operations 45 minutes before park opening. So if the park you want to visit opens at 8:00 AM EST but
Early Theme Park Entry Hours start at 7:30, you can expect transportation to start their operations around 6:45.
Just as a piece of mind, things are timed out perfectly when it comes to race days. Disney has the road map for races specifically outlined to have a majority of racers finished with their race before things get up and running. At the very least, the back end of the race should be out of the way before you start your day in the parks so any roadblocks will be minimal. There are many ways around Disney property as well, which Disney will take into account when having the race weekends. You may see a little increase in traffic in the morning, but rest assured that you should still have ample opportunity to make it to the parks to take full advantage of Early Theme Park Hours.
I hope this information helps to ease your mind with the schedule going forward and I hope you have a fantastic vacation full of Magical memories! Please feel free to stop back and let us know if you have any further questions, we would be happy to help!
Happy planning,
Nick