Hi Lacey!
Welcome to planDisney!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas is one of my family’s two
Disney Vacation Club Home Resorts and we have stayed here many times. When staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, we feel transported to another place. The theming, animals, and unique activities at this resort make us want to return again and again! I even recommend Guests who aren’t staying at the resort itself consider a side trip to dine and check out this gorgeous location!
Disney buses begin running approximately one hour before park opening. I have been known to make early
Advance Dining Reservations as well, as I think an early dining reservation is a great way to start a full day of magic! If your reservation is maybe 20-30 minutes before park opening, you are probably still okay to attempt to grab the first bus of the morning. If your reservation is earlier, maybe a full hour before park opening however, you are correct that the buses will not get you there in time. I am personally “time uptight,” and being late makes me very anxious, so I always prefer to be much earlier than even a moment behind schedule!
Depending on the location of your reservations, I might have a more specific recommendation, but generally, the easiest way will be to take a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. Since we are a family of 6, I prefer the safety and comfort of a Taxi Van, but with a smaller party, you may be happy with Uber or Lyft. While you would need to download the apps and call an Uber or Lyft on your own, if you’d like a taxi, you can proceed to the valet desk outside the front door of the resort and they will call a taxi for you. Mears Taxi is the company Disney will call and they do accept credit card payment. You can use their website to get a cost estimate for each of your trips so you know what to expect. I generally find the price to be reasonable, and it’s a quick and low-stress way for this “time uptight” mom to get her family to early morning reservations.
I hope this helps with your planning, Lacey. Please let us know if we can help with any additional questions as you plan your trip. We are here to help!
- Kate