Hey there Sarah, and welcome to planDisney. I am so excited to help out a fellow Georgian plan the most magical Disney vacation ever. Let's dig in because that is surely what you will be doing at
Chef Mickey's. My mouth is watering just thinking about those Mickey Waffles. Yum yum yum!
Typically, the Transportation and Ticket Center, which is the parking lot for
Magic Kingdom Park, opens about 120 minutes before the theme park opens. So if Magic Kingdom Park is scheduled to open at 9:00 a.m. then the parking lot will open around 7:00 a.m. However, this could change before you arrive, and the lot is not open until 7:30 or 8:00.
The issue is not the parking; it is how you will get to Disney's Contemporary Resort after you park. The
Walt Disney World Monorail Transportation begins about 30 minutes before and the ferryboats start sailing about 30-45 minutes before Magic Kingdom Park opens. That means it is closer to 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Since
parking is complimentary for Guests dining at
Disney Resort Collection hotels for up to three hours, it would be best for you to park at Disney's Contemporary Resort, enjoy your delicious meal, then leave to park at Magic Kingdom Park when theme park transportation is running.
planDisney Pro Tip: Chef Mickey's is located on the 4th floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort on the Grand Canyon Concourse. Disney Legend Mary Blair's mural rises 90 feet like the walls of the western United States Grand Canyon. There is a neat oddity; try to find the famous 5-legged blue goat.
Sarah, I hope your escape from the Peach State is truly enchanted. Please
write me back directly with any follow-up questions.
Enjoy making many Magical Memories.
~Jason