A WWYD question and Parking at Disneyland-Help!!

[justkeepswimmin]

We "might" try and go to DL Nov17-20th to check out the Holiday decor but we just got back from Aulani lovestruc) and have no vacation budget left so if we do this I have to be "creative" with figuring out how to pay for it. I love staying on site, we own at VGC but we have no points left and no money for the high $ cost of the resort hotels. I am trying to decide if it is worth it to go and deal with those 1st holiday weekend crowds or not. This would be our only weekend to go for this holiday season so I don't have date flexibility, unfortunately.

We have premium APs so park admission/ parking is covered and my dh travels for work a lot so we have 3 free night vouchers at a Marriott (cat 1-4). Problem is, both the RI maingate or the Fairfield Inn on Harbor (hotels we have used before and like) are Cat 5s so our only option is the Towneplace Suites by Angels Stadium. I have never stayed there or at any non walking distance hotel in all our Disneyland trips. What is parking at the parks like? Any tips or tricks? Am I better of just waiting till next year? I LOVE the holidays at DL, and I really think the pain of dealing with our car and parking will be worth it but I also like to take afternoon breaks and this will not happen if we have a car to deal with. Still, this trip would cost us very little except gas and food at the parks so it is VERY tempting to just deal and go kick off the Christmas season in our very favorite place.

Any advice, particularly about parking at the resort on what will most likely be a very busy weekend?

 

[skiingfast]

Parking is easy. Go down Katella make a left on Harbor. A left at the next light. You will be turning into the Toy Story lot. 15 minutes later off the shuttle to the parks and walking through security.

 

[cloudconnected1039]

Parking is easy. Go down Katella make a left on Harbor. A left at the next light. You will be turning into the Toy Story lot. 15 minutes later off the shuttle to the parks and walking through security.

Is parking with the AP applicable to the Toy Story lot?? I'm honestly not sure I could be mistaken and think it's just for the Mickey and Friends structure, but if it's not, that's great news for me!!

 

[ArchOwl]

Yes, you can use your AP to park at Toy Story. Have fun!

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Parking is easy. Go down Katella make a left on Harbor. A left at the next light. You will be turning into the Toy Story lot. 15 minutes later off the shuttle to the parks and walking through security.

Yes, you can use your AP to park at Toy Story. Have fun!

I was looking at this on google maps. So the entrance is on harbor, not Katella for Toy story lot? Is it open early? We like to be at the gates 30 minutes before opening. I know there is also that garage by the Disneyland hotel but that seems like it would be harder to get to from where we are staying. Do most people actually prefer the toy story lot?

Thanks for you help!

 

[cloudconnected1039]

Yes, you can use your AP to park at Toy Story. Have fun!

Good to know in the future!!

 

[Carmatts]

Don't be worried about parking. Remember that a majority of the visitors to DLR are local and drive to the parks. It's a well oiled machine.

The Toy Story lot entrance is on Harbor, directly across from the convention center. Signs are clearly posted.
Many (myself included) do prefer Toy Story to Mickey and Friends. It is much easier to navigate and buses are waiting to take you to the park entrance.

Don't be afraid to take your afternoon break and go back to the hotel for a few hours. Many times I go early, leave in the afternoon, and come back at night. They are used to people going in and out all day.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Don't be worried about parking. Remember that a majority of the visitors to DLR are local and drive to the parks. It's a well oiled machine.

The Toy Story lot entrance is on Harbor, directly across from the convention center. Signs are clearly posted.
Many (myself included) do prefer Toy Story to Mickey and Friends. It is much easier to navigate and buses are waiting to take you to the park entrance.

Don't be afraid to take your afternoon break and go back to the hotel for a few hours. Many times I go early, leave in the afternoon, and come back at night. They are used to people going in and out all day.

Thank you! This makes me feel a lot better. I just realized that in my 37 years of going to Disneyland, I have never parked at the park. I think my kids will actually be excited about a new adventure and riding the toy story busses. Last trip was a spontaneous one too and we used our points at the Residence Inn and it was still walking distance but a looong walk after the park closed and we saw a lot of those toy story busses pass us by.

I will check the park hours again. If they are long enough, we might still take that break. How long do you usually have to wait for a bus midday?

 

[skiingfast]

I will check the park hours again. If they are long enough, we might still take that break. How long do you usually have to wait for a bus midday?

Wait? The bus will be sitting there unless you have to wait for the next one to pull forward. From when you walk upto the stop you will be on a moving bus within 2 minutes.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Wait? The bus will be sitting there unless you have to wait for the next one to pull forward. From when you walk upto the stop you will be on a moving bus within 2 minutes.

Wow! That is awesome. I think we are going to try and make this trip happen. It will be the day after my middle daughter's 7th birthday so I think we will also make it a surprise birthday trip for her. Thanks again!