Hello Amy. Welcome to planDisney.
I'm excited to hear your countdown to a Lion King-sized day at Walt Disney World is, like Tarzan, in full swing! It won't be long until you're ready to put that park hopper ticket to good use! I'm happy to pull out my safari map and help you plan out the logistics of your epic adventure!
Starting your day at Animal Kingdom is a great choice, and it's often where I begin my own park-hopping days. I love riding
Kilimanjaro Safaris first thing in the morning. I find the animals to be especially active early before the sunshine warms up the savanna.
Be sure to check the
Hours & Events Calendar for the day of your visit. Generally, the
Walt Disney World Bus Service stops running one hour after a theme park closes. This means, for instance, if Animal Kingdom closes at 6:00 PM, buses will stop running around 7:00 PM.
Because you will be driving your own car to Animal Kingdom, I suggest driving your car to your next theme park instead of leaving your car in the parking lot. The drive to the other parks is short and easy. According to the
parking guidelines, you will only need to pay for one parking pass, which is valid all day at all four theme parks. Just keep your parking receipt from Animal Kingdom, and when you visit your second, third, or even fourth park, present your receipt, and you won't have to pay for additional parking. Not only will this save you from worrying about how to get back to your car, but I'm also all about getting the best value out of my park days. This option will also save you valuable time and convenience.
If you wish to leave your car at Animal Kingdom and visit either Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or Hollywood Studios until they close, you will likely need to pay for a ride-share service or
Minnie Van service to return to your vehicle after the bus service has ended.
Amy, I hope this information helps you plan your park-hopping day! If you have any other questions about
Disney transportation, please feel free to reach out. Whether you're driving, taking a bus, using the Disney Skyliner, enjoying a boat ride, or traveling by Monorail, we can help you find the best route! My final tip, if you plan to use Disney transportation, is to always try to park at the last theme park you intend to visit. So let us know if you have other questions.
I'm wishing you a magical day! Have SO MUCH FUN!
Shonette