Originally Posted By adarling31 Maybe just one for now - more to come, I'm sure! I noticed that in order to get to the front gate of the Magic Kingdom you have to ride the tram. I'm trying to figure out what time I should be leaving our hotel every morning to get there before the gates open. We're staying about a 10 minute drive away (right across the freeway) but to find parking and then take the tram, how much time do you think that will take?
Originally Posted By sjhym333 WDW is bigger than most people realize on their first trip. If your staying in the 192 area, think about 10 mins to get to the toll plaza, 10 mins to park your car and another 10 mins for the tram to get you to the front entrance. THEN if you dont have tickets you can buy them there. Either way from the tram drop off to the MK is probably another 10-15 minute trip. All this is give or take obviously, but you probably need to give yourself a minimum of 30 mins to get to the MK from the moment you drive onto property
Originally Posted By gardenrooms Have a wonderful time! We just got back and we're all ready to go again!
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb This time of year, I think you will need to leave your hotel a good 45 minutes to an hour before the park opens if you want to be at rope drop for MK. Give yourself a half hour to 45 minutes for the other parks. If you haven't gotten The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, it's not too late. They have touring plans and tips that will really help you navigate the parks on busy day. I also recommend their website for crowd calendars and touring plans, touringplans.com
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Oh, for MK you don't just need to take a tram, after you park you take the tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center where you can buy your tix if you don't already have them and then you take a monorail or ferry to the front of the MK where you will have to go through bag check before waiting in line to enter the park through the turnstiles. Unlike Disneyland as of my last visit in '10 they had the option to skip bag check if you don't have a bag or purse or anything larger than a small camera or phone case.
Originally Posted By danyoung The bag check skip option is still there, and is really handy for those of us who don't come to the parks all burdened with purses and backpacks!
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb That's good, because if you're driving, have a bag and don't have tickets you could be waiting in 6 lines before you get in your first ride queue... parking lot kiosks, tram, ticket kiosks, mono or ferry, bag check and park entry. Whew!
Originally Posted By Bellella This week would have been my 5 weeks to go time if all went well. Unfortunately my best friend can only get so many days off of work per year, and she decided to go visit elderly relatives during our proposed vacation time. Though I thoroughly understand how much this means to her, I am disappointed. Though with the Country Bears being down for a while, probably just as well. All good things to those who wait. Have fun and do the place thoroughly.
