By car or by bus?

[Optimus Stitch]

If I want to be one of the first 100 guest standing at a park gate before it opens, do I need to drive or can I take the bus? How early do I need to arrive to accomplish this?

[disneydame2004]

Probably take the bus. I was the third car through the AK parking lot gate, but there were already several buses worth of people at the turnstiles by the time they opened the lot and I parked and walked to the entrance. Similar thing happened at Epcot last year. They didn't open the toll booths until 15 minutes before park opening at AK. Epcot might have been a little earlier, but no more than 30 minutes prior.

Buses 'officially' start running 45 minutes prior to park opening, used to be an hour before, so I'd guess you would want to be at the bus stop at least an hour before to be sure you caught the very first bus.

[Jiminy Cricket]

Yes, the bus is the way to go.

[Optimus Stitch]

Awesome! We are staying at All-Star Music. Will this make much of a difference?

[Jiminy Cricket]

Awesome! We are staying at All-Star Music. Will this make much of a difference?

IMHO, the All-Stars have the best bus system on-property. However, there are often delays (to the MK since it is the farthest away) in the morning when most of the "regular" guests head to the parks long after the real WDW fanatics have left.

[Optimus Stitch]

Thanks!!! You are full of info!

[Jiminy Cricket]

Thanks!!! You are full of info!

You're welcome! That's the first time I have been told I was "full of info", it is usually something else.

[DisneyFREAK91]

Hmm I don't know about bus.

I mean, normally we take the car everywhere. We rarely use WDW transportation unless it's literally one stop away. I (personally) would use your car. It's a guaranteed straight route to the park whereas the bus might make multiple stops and get crowded.

That's my personal opinion.

[disneydame2004]

Hmm I don't know about bus.

I mean, normally we take the car everywhere. We rarely use WDW transportation unless it's literally one stop away. I (personally) would use your car. It's a guaranteed straight route to the park whereas the bus might make multiple stops and get crowded.

That's my personal opinion.

It is a straight route everywhere except Magic Kingdom, where you have to park at the Ticket & Transportation Center and then take the monorail or ferry across.

Regardless of being a straight route or not, you can't get into the parking lots until they open the toll booths. If the goal is to be first ones there in the morning, the bus will be the better choice.

If you have multiple bus stops at the All Stars, you might want to find out which one is the very first on the route and make sure you're at that stop an hour before park opening. That way you know for sure you'd be able to get on the very first bus for your resort.

During the busier times you may find the car more convenient than the bus. Also, during the mid-afternoon when the buses aren't running as often, the car may get you where you want to go quicker. But to be the first ones there, I still say go with the bus.


On a side note, construction at the MK bus depot has changed the bus stop locations and some of the buses lost their slots temporarily. Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness buses are stopping at the Ticket & Transportation Center instead of the MK proper.

[iwannabindisney]

yea id have 2 agree with disneyfreak take ure car if u dont want any delays

[Optimus Stitch]

I'm all confused now. I'll use my best judgement.

[MickeyBabe]

Check at your resort the busses will begin running early for character breakfasts that are scheduled before park opening.

If you drive you may have to show proof of your reservations to get into parking any earlier than usual, and if you are in traffic, there is no way of showing anyone that proof, if that will even get you in.

I'd go with the bus system, it is the best.

[iwannabeminnie]

If you are at the bus stop EARLY (an hour before park opening or more--we usually shoot for 75 minutes) you will rarely be on a FULL bus. There have been numerous occasions when we were the ONLY people on the bus.

[nicks10]

Id go with the bus, try to be at the bus stop about 40 mins before the park opens to guarentee you will get there early. We took a bus early to animal kingdom and we were waiting towards the front of the line to get in

[Suiteliferoxs]

We take both. Well I think. Yes we take both.