Disneyland express lanes to structure closed!

[pepe3penelope]

We have been trying to get off the freeway & noticed the express lanes are closed. There are Sooooo many cars! Does anyone have a theory? Hope the structure is open. I'm actually afraid of how bad the crowds will be.

 

[pepe3penelope]

We were going to be redirected toward DTD or the hotels when they just reopened the structure!!! We made it!

 

[sc426]

They keep it closed through the first hour of the park opening and then open it sometime between hour 1-3 of the park opening.

 

[pepe3penelope]

Wow! Thanks...we are local passholders & this was the 1st time we experienced that.

 

[MouseEXP]

At the parks now. If you get here before opening Mickey and Friends structure is open. Once park is open the structure is closed except for handicapped and electric vehicle parking.

Best to park at Toy Story lot if you can't make the pre-opening.

FYI I have a EV vehicle so I was good to go

 

[JeriLee]

I’m totally confused!?!

We always arrive to the Mickey & Friends structure 1 hour before the park opens and have never had trouble getting in. Are there new hours / rules in place???

 

[Epek]

I'm a local, too. We visited May 28-29 and again the 31st. The 28, we parked at our hotel, but both the 29 and 31st, we were directed to Garden Walk parking! In fact, on the 29th, our friend who joined us at 1pm still wasn't allowed in Mickey and Friends! It was empty, according to her. The parking attendant told us that the city doesn't like the backup to get into the structure, so they ask Disney to redirect at peak times. Not sure why it was still happening at 1pm, but whatever! We were so mad the first time because we wasted so much time circling the park to see where they were going to put us! We were staying at the Ramada Maingate! We have parking on our passes, so we thought we'd use that instead of dealing with the hotel, not being sure if they'd let us stay. But to be re-routed practically next door was quite the hassel anyway!

 

[JeriLee]

An hour before the park opens shouldn’t be busy – at least not in my experience.

Hmmmm – We will be staying at the Castle Inn & Suites – I think I’ll just go there first and walk over…

 

[MouseEXP]

You will be able to park at the structure before opening. If the park is opening you should head to the Toy Story lot to avoid the traffic.
My guess is its a crowd control issue, especially if the park opens at 9am.

 

[starshine514]

An hour before the park opens shouldn’t be busy – at least not in my experience.

Hmmmm – We will be staying at the Castle Inn & Suites – I think I’ll just go there first and walk over…

I would. It is definitely within walking distance and will be quicker than dealing with parking.

 

[calilou]

I hate it when they do this. We have experienced it several times in the morning if we don't arrive early enough. It's okay when they just redirect you to the nearby lot - I think it's called Pinnochio? and you can still catch the tram. It's such a pain when they redirect all the way to the downtown disney lots. Hate having to park there so we usually just circle back around and keep trying for the structure. We lose park time but oh well we're already late anyway.

 

[SMD]

An hour before the park opens shouldn’t be busy – at least not in my experience.

Hmmmm – We will be staying at the Castle Inn & Suites – I think I’ll just go there first and walk over…

If the line of vehicles threatens to back up onto the freeway the Anaheim PD will temporarily divert people to another lot. It's not something you can plan for, but it does happen. If you're staying within walking distance I'd just go to the hotel too. Especially if they charge for parking, why pay twice?