Welcome to planDisney, Deborah! It looks like time is of the essence with your question, so let's get right to it!
So, you want to be one of the first guests to arrive at
Magic Kingdom Park? You and I are going to get along just fine. Rope-dropping is my middle name! (Actually, I'm named after my grandmother, but you get my point.) There's nothing like walking down a nearly empty Main Street, U.S.A. and getting those iconic photos in front of
Cinderella Castle.
Theme park parking lots officially open one hour before
Early Theme Park Entry, but it's not unusual for them to open earlier, especially on busy days. Once you're parked, you will choose either the
monorail or
ferry to travel to the Magic Kingdom. It's debatable which one is best. Generally, the monorail is faster, but if there are long lines and the ferry is departing soon, it could be your best bet. Guests staying on property will arrive at the park by resort monorail or bus, and their transportation could start sooner.
If the park is opening at 9 am, Early Entry is at 8:30 am, the parking lot would be scheduled to open at 7:30 am. You could try to get in line around 7 am, but be prepared that security may turn you away until opening time nears.
Pro Tip: Go for the turnstiles in the middle, as they are the farthest from the transportation drop-off areas and tend to have shorter lines. And as always, pack your patience. There will be lots of other guests with the same goal as you. Thankfully, there's plenty of magic to go around!
Your magical day is almost here, Deborah, so you'd better get going! I'm sending you all the pixie dust for the best vacation ever! If you have any more questions, I hope you'll come back and see us at
planDisney!
Always Dreaming -
Elizabeth