Disneyland Parking questions

[LanceQ]

So is it true that they don't actually open the parking structures until 8:30?

This seems insane, as it would mean that the vast majority of guests wouldn't get into the park until almost 9:30.

What other, non-Disney parking options do people like?

My friend and I pre-purchased parking for our visit in June. Is it possible to refund that ticket? Are pre-paid parking tickets good for any date?

Thanks, everyone!

 

[PirateBrigade]

It helps stagger the entry, at the expense of the structure folks. Many of the hotels along Harbor across from the park offer day parking - I know Tropicana Inn was one of them, but this is subject to availability.

 

[DLgal]

They actually open the structure around 7:45.

 

[LanceQ]

They actually open the structure around 7:45.

Source, please. I keep hearing 8:30 everywhere.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Source, please. I keep hearing 8:30 everywhere.

I’ve known several people who’ve gotten in before 8 in the past couple of weeks. One in particular mentioned that they tried at 7:30 and the entrance was blocked off, no way to line up. They had to circle around, and then it was open when they got back. They were in a line of cars for a bit before the booths opened.

Another friend went last Wednesday and said “we got to parking at 7:50 and didn’t enter Disneyland until 9:20.” (Which is why I parked at the Gardenwalk on Thursday) I am not sure what they count as “got to parking,” but they didn’t mention needing to circle around or anything, so I assume there was some sort of car queue at that point.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Source, please. I keep hearing 8:30 everywhere.

I’ve personally seen people walking from the structure along the tramway at around 8-8:15am (this was May 23-24).

 

[DLgal]

Source, please. I keep hearing 8:30 everywhere.

People's shared experiences all over social media ever since the reopening. When we have done our visits we arrived shortly after 8:30 and already a few levels of parking were filled up.

 

[LanceQ]

Another friend went last Wednesday and said “we got to parking at 7:50 and didn’t enter Disneyland until 9:20.” (Which is why I parked at the Gardenwalk on Thursday) I am not sure what they count as “got to parking,” but they didn’t mention needing to circle around or anything, so I assume there was some sort of car queue at that point.

That's exactly what I"m worried about. I'd be happy to do Garden Walk, but we pre-paid for DLR parking, so now I'm not sure.

If we can actually get into parking before 8:00, fine. But I don't want to show up at 7:45 just to take 90 minutes to get into the park.

It sounds like it's wildly inconsistent and that the actual "rule" is still 8:30 (which seems utterly bonkers to me. 8:30 for a 9:00 opening?!?!?).

Not sure I want to take the chance we "get lucky."

 

[PirateBrigade]

That's exactly what I"m worried about. I'd be happy to do Garden Walk, but we pre-paid for DLR parking, so now I'm not sure.

If we can actually get into parking before 8:00, fine. But I don't want to show up at 7:45 just to take 90 minutes to get into the park.

It sounds like it's wildly inconsistent and that the actual "rule" is still 8:30 (which seems utterly bonkers to me. 8:30 for a 9:00 opening?!?!?).

Not sure I want to take the chance we "get lucky."

I agree - I would personally eat the cost and park to get into the Harbor line-up to remove that uncertainty from the table.

How many people are in your party? Is it feasible to drop everyone off at Harbor and have one, sacrificial driver park at M&F?

 

[LanceQ]

I agree - I would personally eat the cost and park to get into the Harbor line-up to remove that uncertainty from the table.

How many people are in your party? Is it feasible to drop everyone off at Harbor and have one, sacrificial driver park at M&F?

Just two, so we wouldn't want to split up. My friend and I are considering eating the cost of the DLR parking, especially if we can use the same parking voucher for a later date.

 

[dina444444]

In line to park in the structure. Pulled off the 5 south at about 7:50 and used the flyover bridge. Some of the lanes were stretched out of the structure. Managed to be able to pick the shortest lane which was about 18 cars back from the toll booth. Figure I should be through and on my way to parking in about 10/15 minutes.

 

[dina444444]

Officially took about 15 minutes from the time I pulled off the freeway till I parked in Mickey and friends.

 

[LanceQ]

Officially took about 15 minutes from the time I pulled off the freeway till I parked in Mickey and friends.

What was the total time from arriving at parking to getting into the park?

Sounds like Mickey & Friends was open at 8:00??

 

[dina444444]

What was the total time from arriving at parking to getting into the park?

Sounds like Mickey & Friends was open at 8:00??

I pulled off the freeway at 7:50 and I was in the park by 8:35. The structure apparently opened at 7:30am on Monday.

 

[LanceQ]

I pulled off the freeway at 7:50 and I was in the park by 8:35. The structure apparently opened at 7:30am on Monday.

That's great. I just wish it was consistent. If that happens on our day, it'll be perfect. But it's the uncertainty that's driving me nuts.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

That's great. I just wish it was consistent. If that happens on our day, it'll be perfect. But it's the uncertainty that's driving me nuts.

I haven’t seen a single report of the structure opening later than 7:45ish... it’s definitely not as late as 8:30. They can’t handle the traffic in the area.

That time is advertised to spread people out, the same way the parks are advertised as opening at 9, but are usually open by 8:30.

 

[LanceQ]

I haven’t seen a single report of the structure opening later than 7:45ish... it’s definitely not as late as 8:30. They can’t handle the traffic in the area.

That time is advertised to spread people out, the same way the parks are advertised as opening at 9, but are usually open by 8:30.

Thanks.