Visiting a Disney theme park is always exciting, but before the fun can begin, you need to park your car. Many visitors wonder – what time does Disney parking open each day? Getting an early parking spot can help ensure shorter walks and more time to enjoy the parks. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Disney parking lots, opening times, locations, transportation, and costs.
The opening hours for Disney theme park parking vary depending on which park you are visiting and what type of parking you choose. In general, standard parking lots open 45-60 minutes before the park opens to guests. So if Magic Kingdom opens at 8 AM, expect the parking lot to open around 7 AM. Premier parking, closer parking spaces which require paid upgrades, usually open 90-120 minutes before scheduled opening time.
Transportation like buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner aerial gondolas also begin running 45-60 minutes prior to park open. This allows enough time for visitors to clear security, park their cars, and make their way to the entrance. Gates, attractions, restaurants, and shops open right at the scheduled opening hour. Planning your arrival time based on the parking and transportation schedules will get your day off to a smooth start.
Magic Kingdom Parking Opening Times
As one of the most popular Disney World parks, Magic Kingdom tends to open early. On most days, standard self-parking at the Magic Kingdom lot opens at 7 AM. Premier parking opens an hour before that, at 6 AM. For days with early openings or special events, they may open even earlier.
Buses to Magic Kingdom start running from Disney resorts 60 minutes prior to opening. The monorail from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom starts 45 minutes before opening. So if you’re relying on Disney transportation, allow extra time.
Epcot Parking Opening Times
Standard parking at Epcot generally opens at 7:30 AM, while Premier opens at 6:30 AM. Again, this is typically one hour before and 90 minutes before the official park opening time.
Disney transportation like the Skyliner, Epcot monorail, and buses begin operating 45-60 minutes before Epcot’s opening time. factoring in both parking and transit schedules will optimize your arrival.
Hollywood Studios Parking Opening Times
Since Hollywood Studios is extremely popular, its standard parking lot fills up fast. If you have a standard parking pass, it’s recommended to arrive 75-90 minutes early to secure a spot close to the park entrance. Premier parking at Hollywood Studios opens two hours early, at 6 AM for an 8 AM opening.
Buses start running about an hour before opening, while the FriendShip boats and Skyliner operate 45-60 minutes pre-opening. Give yourself ample time to park, walk to your transit line, and still reach Hollywood Studios before rope drop.
Animal Kingdom Parking Opening Times
Though a sprawling park, Animal Kingdom tends to be less crowded early in the day. Its standard lots open 60 minutes prior to park opening time. Premier parking opens 90 minutes before scheduled opening.
Disney transportation like parking lot trams and buses begin operating 45-60 minutes before Animal Kingdom opens. While an early arrival guarantees your best parking options, you may not need to rush quite as much here.
Early Theme Park Entry Opening Times
Disney hotel guests and select ticket holders get access to Early Theme Park Entry. This allows early access to certain attractions before the official opening. On Early Entry days, Disney transportation starts even earlier – typically 90 minutes before Early Entry begins. Parking lots also open 90-120 minutes prior.
Early Theme Park Entry times are:
- Animal Kingdom: 30 minutes early (7:30 AM)
- Hollywood Studios: 30 minutes early (7:30 AM)
- Epcot: 30 minutes early (8:30 AM)
- Magic Kingdom: 45 minutes early (7:45 AM)
Plan accordingly if you want to take advantage of this head start.
Premier Parking Opening Times
Premier parking is closer preferred parking that comes with certain tickets and hotel packages. Separate Premier lots open 60-120 minutes before standard self-parking to give these guests early access.
Premier times typically are:
- Magic Kingdom: 6 AM
- Epcot: 6:30 AM
- Hollywood Studios: 6 AM
- Animal Kingdom: 7 AM
VIP tours and club level guests may have even earlier access.
Parking Opening for Special Events
On peak attendance days or during special events, Disney may adjust parking opening times. For example, during Christmas and New Year’s weeks, parking generally opens 1-2 hours earlier than normal. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Marathon Weekend races, and other big happenings also call for earlier parking.
Check your event details or the My Disney Experience app for specific parking opening times if you’re attending a special holiday or after-hours celebration. Arrive well before the lots open to beat the rush.
Standard Self-Parking Locations
Each Disney World theme park has its own massive parking lot with trams transporting guests to the entrance plaza. The Magic Kingdom lot is the exception. Due to its distance from the park, visitors must take a monorail or ferry from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) parking area.
The locations are:
Magic Kingdom Parking – Transportation and Ticket Center lot
Epcot Parking – Epcot parking lots
Hollywood Studios Parking – Hollywood Studios parking lots
Animal Kingdom Parking – Animal Kingdom parking lots
Follow overhead signs or check Maps in the My Disney Experience app to navigate to the designated areas.
Getting From Parking to Park Entrance
Once parked at Disney theme parks, visitors need to connect to monorails, ferries, buses, the Skyliner, or other transit to reach actual park entrances. The only exception is Animal Kingdom parking, which sits adjacent to the entrance.
Transportation from Disney World parking lots includes:
Magic Kingdom: Monorail or Ferryboat
Epcot: Parking Lot Tram to Entrance
Hollywood Studios: Parking Lot Tram to Entrance
Animal Kingdom: Walk from Parking Lot to Entrance
Give yourself 15-20 extra minutes to walk or ride to the gate using Disney’s transit networks. Don’t just account for parking time.
Best Transportation Options From Disney Hotels
Staying at a Disney World hotel resort comes with complimentary transportation around Walt Disney World via buses, monorails, boats and the Skyliner aerial gondolas.
The fastest options to each park are:
Magic Kingdom: Monorail (Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian hotels) or Ferryboat (Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness Campground)
Epcot: Skyliner (Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century/Art of Animation hotels) or boats (Beach Club, Yacht & BoardWalk hotels)
Hollywood Studios: Skyliner (Riviera, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century/Art of Animation hotels) or FriendShip boat (Swan & Dolphin, Boardwalk hotels)
Animal Kingdom: Bus from any resort
Check with your Disney hotel for the best transportation choices to maximize your park time.
Disney Parking Costs and Payment
Standard self-parking at Disney World theme parks comes free with admission for day guests. Overnight hotel guests also receive complimentary standard parking with their resort fees. So unless you choose a paid upgrade, parking is covered.
Disney Premier parking, closer preferred spaces located near park entrances, costs $25-$50 per day depending on season and demand. Walt Disney World Resort guests can add it to their hotel stay for $15-$25 per night.
Disney Vacation Club members get standard self-parking for free and can pay to add Premier.
Annual Passholders receive free standard and Premier Theme Park parking with their annual passes.
Payment for upgraded Disney parking can be made via MagicBand, card, or the My Disney Experience app. Add it to hotel bills for no hassle. Parking booths also accept cash payment.
Conclusion
Getting to Disney parks on time means accounting for both parking and transportation schedules. While standard lots open 45-90 minutes pre-opening, Premier parking, Disney hotels buses and rail lines start even earlier. Now that you know exactly what time Disney parking opens across all four theme parks, you can perfect your arrival plan. Refer to this guide on opening times, locations maps and costs to start your Disney days smoothly. Prompt parking means less stress and more magical memories.