I'm having anxiety about parking. Can you give me some pointers?

[JenKate]

We've always stayed within walking distance, but we've found that if we're in hotel rooms we don't see each other after the kids go to bed. So the 32 of us have a house. It's going to be wonderful, except that we are 10 minutes from the park. We'll be coming from the NE.

Are the signs clear for parking? How much time should we plan for parking/getting to the entrance?

There are several things about this trip that keep me up at night - this is one of the big ones!

I *think* I've attached a screenshot of our route from our house to DLR.

 

[Bud Ice]

Signs are fairly clear for parking. Still to need to be careful,
doesn't hurt to have GPS/Waze/Google Maps on just in case.
Closures are being reported so it doesn't hurt to plan ahead.

Always a good idea to get there early if you plan on being there
when it opens. There's some great guides on here for the parking
structures, become familiar with them.

The parking is first come first serve, if you go when everyone
else is trying to get there, then obviously you will see traffic.

If you're a visual person, Google Maps - Satellite and Street Views along the streets
give great visuals of what to expect.

 

[ashley0139]

You'll be fine. You're coming from the correct direction to easily get into Mickey and Friends. Don't stress. Take the "theme park parking only" lanes on the left side of Disneyland Drive.

 

[Geemo]

We've always stayed within walking distance, but we've found that if we're in hotel rooms we don't see each other after the kids go to bed. So the 32 of us have a house. It's going to be wonderful, except that we are 10 minutes from the park. We'll be coming from the NE.

Are the signs clear for parking? How much time should we plan for parking/getting to the entrance?

There are several things about this trip that keep me up at night - this is one of the big ones!

I *think* I've attached a screenshot of our route from our house to DLR.

The times we have had a rental car finding our way to the DLR area has been easy. I don't think parking would be much of an issue either.
Wow 32 people.... That's a big get together. Have fun!!

Geemo

 

[jetskigrl]

It will be really easy the way you are coming. Once you get alongside the 5 freeway (on Disneyland Dr.), stay to the left. If the flyover to Mickey & Friends is open, take that. If not, still stay towards the left past Ball Rd. and then follow the signs for Theme Parks. The parking structure exits to the left, the through-way for Disneyland Dr. (towards Downtown Disney and the Hotels) is on the right.

 

[Jaylens Papa]

If your coming in on Disneyland dr., watch for the flyover ( on the left) just before Ball rd. This will take you to the Mickey and Friends lot. If you stay on Disneyland dr. thru Ball sometimes they reroute you to the Toy Story lot or the Garden Walk lot. Some like those lots better but it ads some time to your parking.

 

[SMD]

With that many people, have a designated spot to meet on the Esplanade. Even if everyone makes it to the same lot, you might be in different aisles, on different levels and most likely will be on different trams.

 

[JenKate]

Thank you all so much!

32 is just my husband's family. (Mom & Dad, six kids, six inlaws and 17 grandkids - plus one random cousin visiting from Australia!)

Having a meeting spot is an excellent suggestion SMD - THANK YOU!

 

[offwithyourhead]

You can make the 'drive' with google maps streetview on your computer right now. I find that SO helpful no matter where I'm driving to. That way you can take a good look at the street signs and know when they'll be coming up. It calms my nerves a lot when I'm able to see exactly where I'll be going.

Also with that many people, maybe you want to get some kind of group identifier? Even something so small as wrist bands that are brightly colored and unique, such as lime green and bright purple together, so if anyone gets lost they can wave and you'll see their arm band? Also useful for identifying children if you lose one to CMs.

 

[JenKate]

We have a group costume one day and matching shirts one day... I might look at wristbands for the other day. My MIL actually bought tattoos for the littles with identifying information. I thought it was a fantastic idea! (Five of the six familes had babies last year, so that 32 includes 5 kiddos between the ages of 16 and 24 months. Plus additional assorted preschoolers and toddlers. Of the 17 grandkids only four are tall enough to ride all the rides. This trip will be very much like herding cats!!)

 

[TheFierce]

I can't agree enough with the others. Get to Mickey and Friends over the other lots (if you can). Because its an enclosed structure, if you are taking multiple vehicles, you can follow each other in and park near each other. (To the others: I've never been re-routed *knock on wood* at the entrance; flyover or otherwise. What seasons/days were you re-routed to Simba/Toy Story? I hear about this a lot, but I want to know when to avoid the structure specifically.)


You can walk to the tram to Downtown Disney/security together. Even if you don't all make it on one tram trip, your first chunk of the party can wait near Downtown Disney and walk through security together.

As for time, depending on how far back/deep you're parked, I would guess a maximum 10 minute walk to the tram area. The wait for a tram can vary wildly. The tram ride itself itself is pretty short once it starts; maybe 3-5 minutes? That may even be a long-ish estimate.
Hope you have a great trip