What time does the TTC/MK car park open? (Crystal Palace ADR)

[Ariel1986]

First of all hello WDWMagic! Been lurking for about 5 months and you've helped me through till my Disney holiday starting in 6 days!! I've been to Disney World a total of 7 times (1998-2012) but I've learnt so much from this site and soooo many things I didn't know existed!

So me and my other half will be in Orlando on the 7th April till the 28th (yep 3 weeks! We're from the UK!) and have 2 nights booked at AoA, 14 nights at POFQ and then 5 nights off-site (well, on Hotel Plaza Blvd so not too far off site!) and I can't WAIT!!! We have the DDP (was free) and have 8 ADR's booked (one signature) and are going to then go with the flow for the other 5 (I know that might send some of you over the edge, lol! But we're going to see how it goes. I wanted some flexibilty!)

ANYHOO, on to the question of this post.
We have an 8.10am ADR at Crystal Palace booked on the 10th April. The opening for MK on this day is 9am- I've never done this before and have read different things about getting there. I know the buses will run early and I could catch one of these (how true is it though that you have to 'request' an early bus at the reception of your hotel?)- but we will have a car also so had been thinking about driving (easier to just get up and jump in the car). However, I have read differing reports on here about what time the TTC opens? Is it an hour before the park opens? (Therefore too late for our ADR?)
Also I'm slightly confused (even though I've been 7 times before; I was either a child or a non-driving adult) about the TTC- is that the car park by the ferry and monorail for MK?

So basically I just want to ask whether it would be possible to drive to the TTC/MK car park about 7.15am, get a ferry/monorail and be at the gates for about 7.30/45am and have a little bit of time in a fairly empty park for photos before checking in for our 8.10am ADR? Or would it just be easier to get a bus from POFQ? (I'm just worried about them not turning up!).

Ok well I hope that all made sense!

Thanks for any info!

 

[Ariel1986]

So an update- I got the bus! From POFQ they start at 6.30am and then run "every 20 to 30 mins". We got to the bus stop just after 7am and one turned up about 6 mins past. There were no stops at Riverside and we were standing at the MK gates at 7.20am!

On the way there though we could see people driving through the car park gates and parking- and the monorails and ferries were running- so I think it may have been an option to drive after all? Even though the times leaflet listed only the resort monorail being open before 8.30am?

Being in the park early was a great experience! And the breakfast was fun. And yep, you really can get so much done before 11am! Such a good tip.

 

[GabeP]

To alleviate this problem, park at the Poly or GF (much less stringent security) and take the monorail over..parking is more plentiful at these two resorts as well..I've done it countless times and have never had a problem. I have heard the same story about them being a bit more strict about the Contemporary.

 

[luv]

Bus schedules change depending on when you're there, but I've never had a problem getting there via TTC or from a monorail resort, either.

Glad you enjoyed it! Crystal Palace breakfasts are wonderful, aren't they?

 

[Ariel1986]

Yep it was great! And the Pooh's Puffed French Toast... Oh dear lord!

 

[luv]

Yep it was great! And the Pooh's Puffed French Toast... Oh dear lord!

LOL!! It's so good, isn't it?!

 

[Ariel1986]

Insanely good! We came back for a nap after the morning in MK and I swear it was so good I was smelling/tasting it as I was falling asleep! Lol! Can't even describe it as it's not french toast... but it's not a donut... but... it's fried... and doughy... and sugary... lol!

 

[RedDad]

We're doing this in June and trying to decide how we'll get there as well. We're leaning toward the bus at this point, just because it's more direct. I've been told that all transportation is supposed to start at least 2 hours before park opening each day, but we'll see.

 

[Ariel1986]

We're doing this in June and trying to decide how we'll get there as well. We're leaning toward the bus at this point, just because it's more direct. I've been told that all transportation is supposed to start at least 2 hours before park opening each day, but we'll see.

Yes we went with the bus in the end as it seemed the most reliable... and for us today it was! Enjoy your vacation when it comes! Not long now!

 

[draybook]

We got there around 6:20am last September and the CM's were just coming in to get the ferry and monorails going.

 

[luv]

Again (and last time! Promise!)...

I've done a LOT of 8:05 breakfasts at the CP (mainly due to that puffed French toast, lol) and NEVER had any problem with getting a monorail.

But the bus is generally quicker in and out of the MK (if you don't leave at closing.)