Hello Ryan!
Disney's Art of Animation Resort is a fantastic resort to stay in on your Walt Disney World vacation! I have had the opportunity to stay there two times, and my son and I had an excellent time! I love using the
Walt Disney World Transportation System to travel around the World.
The quickest way to get to the
Magic Kingdom Park from Disney's Art of Animation Resort is to take a Disney bus which drops Guests off right at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom Park. According to my experience, the lines for the Disney buses can be long before the park opens. So if you decide to use the Disney bus to get to the Magic Kingdom Park to be there 30 minutes early, I would recommend that you try to get on the first bus of the day. To be on the first bus, you may need to get in line for the bus at least 30 to 60 minutes early before the buses start running on that particular day. Typically it takes 20 to 25 minutes to get to the Magic Kingdom Park once you are on the bus.
If you choose to use a ride-share service, you will be dropped off at the Ticket and Transportation Center. Then you would have to take a Monorail or Ferry Boat to get to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom Park, which would add extra time to your journey. Your other idea to be dropped off at Disney's Contemporary Resort and walk to the Magic Kingdom Park worked for me in the past, but recently ride-share services have not been permitted to drop Guests off at Disney's Contemporary Resort unless they have an Advanced Dining Reservation according to my experience in October 2021.
I hope your next Walt Disney World vacation is incredible!
Marc L.