Hi, Debra! Thanks for bringing your excellent question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
There is so much excitement in the air at
Disney's Hollywood Studios these days, and getting in a good Boarding Group for
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is as coveted as tickets to the Super Bowl. Although early reports mentioned guests showing up at the crack of dawn, the current procedures are that
Boarding Group distribution for Rise of the Resistance begins at official Park open. Therefore, it's no longer necessary to arrive at 4:00 AM (thank goodness for that)!
I spoke with Guest Services today, and although no one could confirm the exact opening time of the
Parking Lots, they did indicate that the lots open approximately 90 minutes before the official Park Hours. During your stay, Disney's Hollywood Studios is slated to open at 9:00 AM, so I'd aim to get there on the early side of 7:30 AM. However, I recommend keeping a close eye on the
Park Hours Calendar, as Disney is continuously fine-tuning schedules. Just today, adjustments were made for earlier opening times at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the beginning of February, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the same thing happen during your vacation.
Something else to keep in mind is that there will be road closures around Walt Disney World Resort property due to the
Disney Princess Enchanted 10K that morning. I checked the runDisney website for the routes most likely to be affected:
*Eastbound Epcot Center Drive (World Drive to Buena Vista Drive) and Epcot Auto Plaza (ramp from southbound World Drive) will close to all traffic at 4 AM until approximately 7:30 AM.
*Westbound Epcot Center Drive (Buena Vista Drive to World Drive) and Westbound Overpass Road (Bonnet Creek to Backstage Lane) will close to all traffic at 5 AM until approximately 7:30 AM.
Please feel free to write back, Debra, if there's anything else we can do. May the Force be with you!
Eean