Hi Lori,
Thanks for bringing us another great question! You sound like a planner after my own heart because I love piecing together all the puzzle parts for dining, transportation, and even park-specific coordinating outfits for each day of our trip.
Your
60-day advance dining reservation window is set to open in just a few days, so extra kudos to you for thinking ahead about your travel logistics.
Walt Disney World Bus Service typically begins running 45 minutes before the parks open each day. The Hours & Events Calendar hasn't been published for the week of March 10 just yet, but I'd keep a close eye on that over the next few days, and even in the weeks just before your trip as the hours can be adjusted.
Based on the
schedule for the week prior, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park has
Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort Hotel Guests beginning at 8:30 a.m. This means buses will likely begin running around 7:45 a.m. if not a bit earlier. You can use your
My Disney Experience Mobile App right from your resort room to check the upcoming bus schedule. Simply navigate to the feature menu (≡) at the bottom of your app, select "Resort Hotel" and then click
"See Bus Times" for the next estimated arrival.
I usually like to give myself an hour of travel time from my resort room door to the entrance of the theme parks. This way, you'll have a cushion if you aren't able to board the bus as soon as you arrive at the pick-up area. Mornings can be busy and you may need to wait depending on how many other resort guests are already waiting when you arrive. The ride from Disney's All-Star Music Resort to
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park shows an estimated travel time of 34 minutes based on the transit directions in the My Disney Experience Mobile App. Your ride may be faster, but again, just another cushion. You'll also need a few minutes to get through security and the tapstiles at the park entrance and then another 7-10 minute walk to Tusker House Restaurant toward the back of the park. I always like to stop and pose for a few
Disney PhotoPass pictures as we begin our day (when everyone is looking fresh) so you can use any extra cushion time to "say cheese" with your crew before you chow down.
You know your travel party best, and whether they'll be bright-eyed and raring to go for Early Entry, or if they prefer a more leisurely morning. If you think you'll be at the bus pick-up area by 7:30 you can certainly opt for an 8:30 a.m. breakfast reservation. If not, plan for an hour after you intend to leave your resort room that morning.
I hope this helped, Lori! Come back and see us again with more planning questions.
Adventure is out there!
Amy