Hello Rachel, welcome to planDisney!
Although I thoroughly enjoy staying in a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel on my vacations to the
Walt Disney World Resort, I sometimes use the points I have accumulated through the various hotel rewards programs from my normal 9 to 5, so I get where you’re coming from!
The
parking lots to the Theme Parks will open approximately 45 minutes to one hour before the Early Entry hours, which can be found during the week of your visit when searching for your vacation dates on the
Walt Disney World Resort Hours & Events Calendar. The
complimentary resort transportation, which includes the monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center parking lot to the front entrance of the Magic Kingdom, also begins operating approximately 45 minutes to one hour before the park opening.
For example, if the
Early Entry hours for Guests staying in a Disney Resorts Collection hotel are 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM, you could expect the Transportation and Ticket Center parking lot to open no later than 7:45 AM (but hopefully 7:30 AM). At the same time, Guests could ride the highway in the sky or the ferryboat to the Magic Kingdom. Once there, you would get in line to enter the park when the Cast Members let non-Disney resort guests in.
Since you are planning a visit to the Magic Kingdom, I feel obligated to share one of my favorite morning snacks. Head to
Sleepy Hallow by the Cinderella Castle and try the Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich. It’s a delicious waffle with fresh fruit, and a chocolate hazelnut spread that dreams are made of.
I hope this answers your question, Rachel. Please come back to planDisney with any additional Disney vacation questions!
See you real soon!
Brent