Ultimate Animal Kingdom Parking Guide: All You Need to Know
Understanding the parking options available at Animal Kingdom before visiting is key to ensuring a smooth arrival and day at the theme park.
In this page, we'll go explain all of the available parking options, why you'd consider other parking options, how they stack up against each other, and even parking tips.
Types of Parking Options at Animal Kingdom
There are three types of parking options available at Animal Kingdom including:
- Standard Parking: $25
- Preferred Parking: $45 - $50
- Oversize Vehicle Parking: $30
1. Standard Parking
Standard Parking is going to be your most basic and cheapest option when parking at Animal Kingdom.
Standard Parking simply allows you to park your vehicle in the park, at no specific spot.
The earlier you arrive at the park, the closer you'll be able to park, as the crowd tends to arrive in the early afternoon.
General Parking will be $25 consistently every day of the year, for one car or motorcycle.
Although motorcycles pay the same fee that normal-sized vehicles do, they will get their parking area in the Standard parking lot.
Visitors will simply need to follow the Motorcycle parking direction signs.
2. Preferred Parking
Preferred Parking will provide you access to park closer to the entrance of the park, at a higher cost than general parking.
The parking attendant will provide you with a Preferred Parking paper to hang on your rearview mirror, and you'll be instructed to drive through a specific Preferred Parking Area (away from General parking), that will be located closer to the park.
While Preferred Parking is going to be more expensive than Standard Parking, the Animal Kingdom parking lot is massive, so having that parking spot closer to the main entrance will pay off after a long day at the park.
It's important to know that Preferred Parking can fluctuate in price depending on how busy the park is.
Typically, Preferred Parking is most expensive on the weekends around holidays.
3. Oversize Vehicle Parking
RV's, Busses, Shuttles, Limos, Camper Trailers, and Tractor Trailers are considered oversized vehicles, so be prepared to pay $5 more ($30 per day) if you'll be bringing one of these vehicles to Animal Kingdom.
What Time Does Animal Kingdom Parking Open?
Animal Kingdom parking typically opens about 60-90 minutes before the park's opening time.
The parking lot at Animal Kingdom does not have a set opening time like the theme park itself - the parking lot opens when Disney cast members are done preparing the area for daily operation.
What is the Best Parking Section?
Preferred Parking is always going to be your best bet in getting closest to the entrance of Animal Kingdom, but if you don't want to splurge for Preferred then the Unicorn and Peacock parking sections are best.
While Unicorn and Peacock parking sections are closest to Animal Kingdom's entrance, you typically aren't going to be able to choose where you'd like to park your car and will need to follow the directions of Disney cast members.
However, if multiple routes are open (typically in the evenings), giving you the option to choose where to park then we'd recommend heading to the Peacock or Unicorn sections.
NOTE: The Medical Parking Lot is technically the closest lot to the entrance of Animal Kingdom, but this lot is only accessible to those with disabled persons' parking permits.
Is Electric Vehicle Charging Available?
Yes, EV charging is available at Animal Kingdom, as 4 electric vehicle charging spaces are available in the Medical Lot.
While the Medical Parking Lot is typically reserved for those with special parking permits for health conditions, EVs can park at and use these charging spaces without any additional parking permits.
Know About Animal Kingdom Parking Discounts
There are a few ways to get free parking at Animal Kingdom, with the best perks on Animal Kingdom parking given to Walt Disney World Annual Pass holders.
Annual Pass holders get free standard parking at any Disney World theme park - this offer is valid for everyone riding in the same vehicle as the Annual Pass holder regardless of the ticket types everyone else may have.
Walt Disney Resort Hotel guests also get free parking at Disney theme parks for the days they are staying on Disney property.
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