Hi Susan. Thanks for hopping over to planDisney! Think of me as Officer Judy Hopps from Zootopia, ready to jump into action and help you with your park hopping parking question! So, let's hop to it!
It sounds like you have a wonderful day planned, starting with Animal Kingdom in the morning and finishing at EPCOT in the evening! I just returned home from my own trip, where I spent a morning at Animal Kingdom. Here's a tip from my experience: be sure to ride
Kilimanjaro Safaris early in the day. The animals tend to be more active in the morning. The elephants were so playful during my last morning safari, and I even saw a baby elephant running around! Oh my goodness, it was SO cute!
Susan, I checked the
Hours & Events Calendar for the week of your trip, and it looks like Animal Kingdom will close each day at 6 PM. Typically, the
Walt Disney World Bus Service stops running one hour after the theme parks close, so the Animal Kingdom buses will likely stop running around 7 PM.
Since you will be driving your own car to Animal Kingdom, I recommend driving directly to EPCOT afterward. The drive is short and easy to navigate, and according to Walt Disney World Resort's
parking guidelines, you only need to pay one fee for a parking pass that is valid all day at all four theme parks. Just present your receipt at your second theme park, and you won't pay for parking a second time. I'm all about getting the most value out of park days, and this option will save you valuable time and convenience.
Alternatively, if you want to leave your car at Animal Kingdom and stay at EPCOT until closing, keep in mind that you will likely need to pay for a ride-share or
Minnie Van service to get back to your vehicle. Driving to EPCOT will be the most cost-effective and time-saving option.
I hope this information helps you decide what works best for you. Never hesitate to reach out to us at planDisney. We are Guests just like you and are passionate about providing heartfelt advice. Have a wonderful time, and as the song from Zootopia says, "Try everything" on your magical journey!
Have a wildly amazing time,
Shonette