Bus at Bus Stop location at resort
  • On Jan 28, 2023
    Samantha from NC Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Staying at AKL in May. Will have a car. Rope dropping at the parks very early. Driving to Epcot/DHL but am unsure of MK. I hear TTC parking is awful but also the AKL buses are slow and running 45min before opening is not early enough. Bus or car to MK?

    Hi Samantha,

    Thank you so much for stopping by planDisney with your question! I am happy to help you think about your transportation options when staying at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. This is such a beautiful and lush resort! There is truly something unique about waking up and having a cup of coffee on your balcony while watching the animals come out onto the savanna.

    My family almost always has a car with us when we visit Walt Disney World. We appreciate the ability to hop in our car and head directly to our next destination whenever we are ready. I also absolutely understand that many guests prefer to not have to drive while on vacation. That is why is is so wonderful that there are so many options for complimentary transportation at Walt Disney World. We do sometimes opt to leave the driving to Disney!

    If you drive from a Disney resort hotel to EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom, you will be able to directly access the front of those theme parks from the parking lot. However, if you drive to Magic Kingdom, you will need to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center and from there take a monorail or ferry boat to Magic Kingdom. This does add an extra leg to the transportation and can be time consuming. If you choose to take a bus rather than drive to Magic Kingdom, you will be dropped off near the front of Magic Kingdom and will not need to take the monorail or ferryboat.

    When we are staying at a Disney resort hotel that is not in the Magic Kingdom area, we do often choose to take a bus to head to Magic Kingdom. Eliminating the step of heading from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom can save a lot of time. That said, I do love a ferryboat ride across Seven Seas Lagoon early in the morning. It can be relaxing and magical!

    I hope that these thoughts are helpful for you, Samantha. Have a wonderful time planning your magical vacation, and please do feel free to stop back with any further questions!

    ~ Mona Leigh
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Meet the Panelist: Mona Leigh, Maryland

I am a wife and mother who works in children's technology design and research. When I'm not at work or with my family, I'm often planning a Walt Disney World trip for my family or friends. I'm a Disney Vacation Club Member, and am excited to help you plan your Disney vacation!  Learn More About Mona Leigh

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