08:00 Keys to the Kingdom Tour

[StarshipDisney]

I reserved the 0800 Keys to the Kingdom Tour on Sunday, 4 December 2022. But now I am regretting not selecting a later time. The park opens at 0900 with the early entry at 0830.

From what I can research on the Disney site, all transportation starts 45 minutes before park opening...including opening the parking lots. I had thought about parking early and being at the Monorail station at 0745, but that won't be possible if I can't get into the parking lot until 0745 (45 minutes before opening). The bus service has proved unreliable in the past and I can see myself at the bus depot at 0700 but no bus until 0800. That would be too late and would obviously ruin our day if we miss the tour.

So, for any of you out there who may have taken the 0800 Keys to the Kingdom Tour in the past, I would appreciate feedback how did you make it and what time did you actually arrive? Is there anyone out there who arrived late and thus lost their tour/money because of being late?

It sucks to be late and lose a tour if it is really Disney's fault for not providing a plausible window in which to get there. Thanks.

 

[JohnD]

I reserved the 0800 Keys to the Kingdom Tour on Sunday, 4 December 2022. But now I am regretting not selecting a later time. The park opens at 0900 with the early entry at 0830.

From what I can research on the Disney site, all transportation starts 45 minutes before park opening...including opening the parking lots. I had thought about parking early and being at the Monorail station at 0745, but that won't be possible if I can't get into the parking lot until 0745 (45 minutes before opening). The bus service has proved unreliable in the past and I can see myself at the bus depot at 0700 but no bus until 0800. That would be too late and would obviously ruin our day if we miss the tour.

So, for any of you out there who may have taken the 0800 Keys to the Kingdom Tour in the past, I would appreciate feedback how did you make it and what time did you actually arrive? Is there anyone out there who arrived late and thus lost their tour/money because of being late?

It sucks to be late and lose a tour if it is really Disney's fault for not providing a plausible window in which to get there. Thanks.

According to PlanDisney, parking lots open 45 to 60 minutes prior to park open, so 7:30 in your case for MK. I would aim to be at the entrance plaza an hour prior to park open, or 7:30. But if you're really concerned, either schedule a later time then cancel the 8:00am tour or call WDW to reschedule it.

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/early-parking-lots-open-parks-staying-offsite-wont-514318/

 

[brifraz]

I reserved the 0800 Keys to the Kingdom Tour on Sunday, 4 December 2022. But now I am regretting not selecting a later time. The park opens at 0900 with the early entry at 0830.

From what I can research on the Disney site, all transportation starts 45 minutes before park opening...including opening the parking lots. I had thought about parking early and being at the Monorail station at 0745, but that won't be possible if I can't get into the parking lot until 0745 (45 minutes before opening). The bus service has proved unreliable in the past and I can see myself at the bus depot at 0700 but no bus until 0800. That would be too late and would obviously ruin our day if we miss the tour.

So, for any of you out there who may have taken the 0800 Keys to the Kingdom Tour in the past, I would appreciate feedback how did you make it and what time did you actually arrive? Is there anyone out there who arrived late and thus lost their tour/money because of being late?

It sucks to be late and lose a tour if it is really Disney's fault for not providing a plausible window in which to get there. Thanks.

We've done the tour a couple times and done many early mornings at MK, but have never had a pre-official opening time tour. Some suggestions:

Call. Pretty sure the KttK tour is run by the VIP tour guides, so either call the main number or the VIP tour number and let them know your concern. They will make sure you can get to the park for your tour.

Assuming you are staying onsite, when you arrive, talk to the concierge or just anyone at the front desk and let them know your concern. We have often found busses running up to 1:30 prior to park opening and also they sometimes have an overnight/early morning bus that is not on a set schedule and can be used to get just about anywhere (not sure if this just DVC properties or not).

Best of luck! I'm sure they will find a way for you to get to your tour on time.

 

[Ricky Spanish]

It sucks to be late and lose a tour if it is really Disney's fault for not providing a plausible window in which to get there. Thanks.

Did the 8am Keys tour a few weeks ago.
Stayed at All Star Movies and made it there (by bus) on time.

If you’re worried, then cancel.
That way you won’t have to blame Disney 6 weeks in advance.

 

[StarshipDisney]

Did the 8am Keys tour a few weeks ago.
Stayed at All Star Movies and made it there (by bus) on time.

If the park hours a few weeks ago were anything like today (0800 open with 0730 EMH) then 45-minutes prior to opening should have put the busses starting at 0645. With that scenario, I can see that you should have easily made the 0800 tour.

This is comparing apples and oranges. The park opens in December at 0900 with 0830 EMH. That puts the busses starting at 0745 and not 0645 like you had. That hour difference is everything. If I get on the bus at our resort right at 0745, it is still highly unlikely that I am going to get inside the park before 0800.

That way you won’t have to blame Disney 6 weeks in advance.

What I said remains accurate. Disney is not providing transportation in December that provides a plausible window to get inside the park before 0800. Not if the busses and parking lots all begin operation at 0745 like Disney says they do.

I guess I should expand that I am talking about the 0800 tour with an 0900 park opening, not an 0800 park opening like you had. That would certainly throw another hour into the equation.

I am beginning to think about taking a taxi to the Contemporary resort if I can get one at 0700 and if one can actually drop us off there. Has anyone ever done that?

 

[drizgirl]

I am beginning to think about taking a taxi to the Contemporary resort if I can get one at 0700 and if one can actually drop us off there. Has anyone ever done that?

Without an ADR or room reservation, they are usually turning people away at the Contemporary gate. YMMV. You could Uber to TTC and take the monorail over.

 

[StarshipDisney]

Without an ADR or room reservation, they are usually turning people away at the Contemporary gate.

I know they are very strict about parking there. But will they turn away a taxi that is just dropping off and not wanting to park there? I guess I had better call Disney and ask them.

You could Uber to TTC and take the monorail over

Never done Uber or any of that kind of stuff. But I may need to learn one day. Never considered it safe to just get into a strange vehicle.

 

[drizgirl]

I know they are very strict about parking there. But will they turn away a taxi that is just dropping off and not wanting to park there? I guess I had better call Disney and ask them.



Never done Uber or any of that kind of stuff. But I may need to learn one day. Never considered it safe to just get into a strange vehicle.

Yes, they have been turning away drop offs.

Taxi to TTC would work as well as an Uber.

 

[StarshipDisney]

Taxi to TTC would work as well as an Uber.

IRT that, I have never been to the TTC without going through the parking booths and actually parking. Is there a separate way for Taxi/Uber to get there or will they simply let them through? Even then, how do they get by the "parking police" and where will they drop you off? Would it be near where the trams drop you off?

Sorry for all the questions. If you don't know and you don't ask...

Thanks.

 

[drizgirl]

IRT that, I have never been to the TTC without going through the parking booths and actually parking. Is there a separate way for Taxi/Uber to get there or will they simply let them through? Even then, how do they get by the "parking police" and where will they drop you off? Would it be near where the trams drop you off?

Sorry for all the questions. If you don't know and you don't ask...

Thanks.

I'm not exactly sure where the drop off is, just that there is one at the TTC. You are allowed to drop off there, and you aren't allowed to be dropped off at the resorts. Do some get through and get dropped off at Contemporary? Sure. Can you count on it? Nope.

 

[James J]

Never done Uber or any of that kind of stuff. But I may need to learn one day. Never considered it safe to just get into a strange vehicle.

We've used Uber/Lyft a ton whilst at WDW, and have always felt safe. A fair few drivers are actually CM's who do rideshare when not working - we once had someone who was a monorail driver pick us up to take us from Coronado to the Contemporary which was a cool experience.

Rideshares in general save so much time. If we need to get from a resort to another resort for an ADR it's the easiest and quickest way.

 

[Gillyanne]

Possible UPLT (since it wouldn't be the truth for you) but maybe you could just say you're dropping something off for someone at the hotel? I've gone to the contemporary and Bay Lake each 1x. The first was for the paint the castle, we just said that's why we were there; they didn't confirm any reservation or anything, but the timing was right. For BLT I told them I was dropping off something for a friend staying there (which was the truth) and they just let me through after looking at my ID.....

I mean maybe you could also just tell the truth; you're being dropped of there to walk over? Especially if access to other locations isn't available at that time.

 

[nickys]

The front desk at your resort will make sure you can get there. Speak to them the night before and they’ll likely tell you to go back at a certain time the next day.

Either the buses will be running - there’s often an early bus around 90 minutes before early entry, despite the “45 minutes” quoted. Or they will get you a special bus or even a taxi.

It’s in Disney’s interests to get you there. If you’re really worried, speak to the front desk when you check-in. I’m sure they’ll set your mind at rest.