Royal Greeting, Kathryn!
I'm thrilled to hear about your upcoming visit and so excited for the little prince or princess in your party to experience
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. My children each had a royal makeover during a Disneyland Resort vacation years ago, and I can't help but smile when I think back to their excited little faces during their grand reveal. I'm crossing my fingers and wishing on a star that you'll be able to secure your desired reservation when your booking window opens, which, based on your arrival date, appears to be just one day away!
Walt Disney World Bus Service typically begins running 45 minutes before theme park opening each day. We don't have the full
published hours for Magic Kingdom Park in October just yet, but it looks like
Early Theme Park Entry begins at 8:30 am on the current schedule. This is subject to change, but based on this timing, buses would likely start running from
Disney's Art of Animation Resort around 7:45 am. For me, this would be cutting it too close for an 8 am appointment, as I wouldn't want to rush and risk losing a glass slipper before making it to Cinderella Castle.
If you can secure that early appointment, I'd recommend alternate transportation to avoid any unnecessary panic or delays. Though you can drive and park your personal vehicle at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), this will require a Monorail or Ferryboat ride to the entrance of Magic Kingdom, which can eat up precious time. My family opted for
Minnie Van Service on our most recent Magic Kingdom day and loved getting picked up right near our room at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and delivered to the main entrance with no additional transfers or transportation required.
Minnie Vans do come with a cost, but it was a great way to start the day relaxed and might be the perfect option for your little one. We felt like royalty riding in our polka-dotted van and didn't have to worry about missing the first bus or waiting in a large crowd. Our driver also shared so many fun facts along the way, which made the whole experience feel really personalized and special. While you can't pre-schedule these pumpkin carriages, I kept an eye on availability and estimated timing in the Lyft app while we got ready for our day and requested our ride when the timing matched our needs.
Kathryn, I hope this helps you make a plan for your fall visit. If we can answer any additional questions, please don't hesitate to let us know.
Magic and memories,
Amy