Is Parking Really *That* Bad Now?

[prettyprincessbelle]

I keep reading recent articles how parking at the DLR has just become a nightmare - now with the construction of Cars Land and for whatever other reasons the regular parking "flow" DLR was using has changed. Today in a DLR related article there were reports of a 90 minute wait from when exiting the freeway to getting to the main entrance plaza!

Has anyone who has parked in any of the DLR lots or parking structure recently had to wait this long or notice any differences from before?

I'm curious and I want to know what to expect when we go.

Thanks!

 

[clb79]

Can't help much since we have only parked at the structure once recently (Oct).

It was the easiest and quickest it has ever been for us. We were there for Magic Morning though. They directed us right through the structure and out to the Pinocchio Lot (next to the tram boarding area). I know they were closing the structure midday and then reopening it in the night, maybe that sort of thing was going on when the person that wrote the article you saw went...

 

[LavenderPeach]

We had to wait maybe 45 minutes one time a few months ago. We exited the 5 on the ball road exit and the traffic was backed up all the way to the top of the freeway overpass. Last wednesday the traffic was backed up that far again but it was because the traffic lights weren't working so they had police out there waving people through. We had to wait awhile but once our lane could go it didn't take long.

I think the key is to get there for opening and there shouldn't be a problem. Back in August we got there at opening 2 different days and there was no line at all to get in. We always have to wait awhile when we arrive around 10-12. I'm guessing the 90 minute waits are probably on the weekend in the afternoon.

 

[Sherry E]

We didn't have to wait at all when we went last month, but, then again, we were there really early so the lot was still empty, more or less. It was the tram situation and getting back to the parking lot at night that was the huge issue with the long, long wait. That was a big pain.

 

[LavenderPeach]

We didn't have to wait at all when we went last month, but, then again, we were there really early so the lot was still empty, more or less. It was the tram situation and getting back to the parking lot at night that was the huge issue with the long, long wait. That was a big pain.

Yeah, I don't think parking is an issue first thing in the morning. Also, I refuse to wait in a long tram line so we just walk when it's like that and it really doesn't take that long.

 

[LuLusApple]

We always head for mickeys parking structure early. About 30-45 min before opening. Usually get pinochio parking right in front of the trams. I think the parking problems are for later arrivals. Mickey fills up then they start directing to other lots. But most people head for Mickey and then the parking lot dance begins, cars get rerouted every whichway. It would be nice if they could reassign spaces after someone leaves the lots but they never seem to. I have walked thru there and seen entire rows empty.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I've noticed that the parking structure has been closed, with traffic being directed to the the parking at the Garden walk structure, or the other lot (is tht the Pumba lot?).

Last Saturday, we went early, and had no issue. I went Wednesday, around 4pm, and the parking structure was closed. Since I was going to be there less than 3 hours, I parked in Downtown Disney, and that parking was so full we were directed to the Disneyland hotel parking.

Yesterday, we we got there around 4:30, and the parking structure was closed again. One of Kelly's friend got there around noon, and was also directed to the other parking lot. He said that the CM told him that they closed Mickey & Friends until later in the day when a lot of people would be going there. Kelly's other friend got there at 6pm last night, and they parked in the parking structure.

I didn't run into any lines to park in the past three visits to DLR, however, I don't doubt that there might be times where people find such lines.

 

[Sherry E]

I've noticed that the parking structure has been closed, with traffic being directed to the the parking at the Garden walk structure, or the other lot (is tht the Pumba lot?).

Last Saturday, we went early, and had no issue. I went Wednesday, around 4pm, and the parking structure was closed. Since I was going to be there less than 3 hours, I parked in Downtown Disney, and that parking was so full we were directed to the Disneyland hotel parking.

Yesterday, we we got there around 4:30, and the parking structure was closed again. One of Kelly's friend got there around noon, and was also directed to the other parking lot. He said that the CM told him that they closed Mickey & Friends until later in the day when a lot of people would be going there. Kelly's other friend got there at 6pm last night, and they parked in the parking structure.

I didn't run into any lines to park in the past three visits to DLR, however, I don't doubt that there might be times where people find such lines.

Oooh! Oooh! Mary Jo, you said you went to DLR yesterday? So you saw all of the holiday stuff on its first day of the season! This is veering off topic, but maybe over in the "Disney at Christmas" thread you can tell us if there is anything new or different from last year? Hint hint!

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

The last time DBF and I went was a Friday in October. The park sold out that day, so in terms of crowds, that was worst case scenario. We got there about 15 minutes before opening and we were in the lot next to Mickey and Friends Parking Structure (Pinocchio?). We were the 18th or so car there that morning. So, to reiterate - GO EARLY and it is easy as pie to park

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Thanks everyone!

So if we get there early, there should be no problem!

Is just the M&F structure closed in the afternoon? So maybe if we do arrive in the afternoon, we can avoid that and just enter through Harbor and go into those lots?

 

[disneyobsessed808]

My friend and I went the weekend of October 2-3 and finding parking was crazy. We did get there early, and that was simple enough - we got into the structure right away.

We decided to go to get lunch at a place in Costa Mesa, so we left the structure. When we came back it was a parking nightmare - I had no idea it would be so crazy. We got off at the Harbor exit, to go to the Mickey and Friends structure, only to find out the structure was closed. We were redirected through to Harbor where traffic was really backed up to go to the Buzz Lightyear lot (and quite scary trying to get to the left most lane). From there we had to wait in line to catch the busses to the park.

All in all, it took about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes to get to the park.

 

[perlster]

Choose November 14 if necessary.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Kelly & I just got back from Disneyland about a half hour ago. We got to Disneyland around 2pm, and had no problem getting into the parking structure. There was no line to speak of, and we parked on the 4th (Goofy) level. We got right on a tram & into the park. I would say it was moderately crowded today.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

MJ, thank you! I guess when we go we'll just head for M&F like always and see what happens.

It seems like it just depends on how busy the crowds are and how many people they're expecting in the evening.

Choose November 14 if necessary.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Choose November 14 if necessary.

- confused - I'm not understand what the cartoon or Nov. 14th has to do with the thread. What am I missing?

 

[jlmarr]

- confused - I'm not understand what the cartoon or Nov. 14th has to do with the thread. What am I missing?

You are probably looking at today's (Nov 15th) comic. The Nov 14th comic is relevant. Look for the button with the date on it to select Nov 14th.

 

[Albort]

it will get better. Puumba is going away but they got a few hundred spots more in Simba.

 

[Disney Dreams]

You are probably looking at today's (Nov 15th) comic. The Nov 14th comic is relevant. Look for the button with the date on it to select Nov 14th.

Thank you. I was a little slow there. hehe

Regarding the comic strip: AHAHAHAHA! Too funny!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Choose November 14 if necessary.