Parking 101

[KenyaSierra]

Hello wise Disney folks-

A question that feels stupid- how do you know where to go to park? I've been going to DLR for decades but always flying in and staying at a nearby hotel and walking to the gate. I've just moved to Southern California and am entering a new phase of DRIVING to DL. I'll be coming south on I5- where do you get off? Are there signs? How do you know whether to go to Mickey and Friends or the Toy Story lot? If it matters, I'll be coming 8-9ish on a Saturday (although would appreciate knowing what to do if you are coming later in the day).

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Darkbeer1]

Using Southbound I-5 (from the LA area), most folks opt for Disneyland Drive (both a regular exit and a special carpool exit (2 or more people are needed to use them).

This usually sends you straight to the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, but Disney might send you to an alternative lot based on traffic and expected crowds, if that is the case, just follow the signs and Traffic control officers.

If you would prefer to park in the Toy Story Lot, then keep going to the Disney Way exit, and make a left on Harbor to the Toy Story Lot.

 

[cacruisin]

Is there any advantage on one parking lot over the other? Toy Story vs Mickey and Friends?

 

[WonkaKid]

One note about the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure: if you park at street level in the Pinocchio lot, it's easy to exit but then you have to endure the intersection at DL Drive and Ball Road. A few weeks ago it took me more than ten minutes to get through it. If you park inside the structure, there's a bypass ramp that let's you skip that mess. However, it also takes longer to exit the structure. Another advantage to parking inside the structure is that you don't have to use the crosswalk. When you're anxious to get away from the fray, sometimes a wait can be an unnecessary inconvenience.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, basic pros and cons.

M&F is a parking structure, so most spaces you are sent to will be shaded. You can end up on a long walk, and the elevators and escalators can back up at busy times. The Strcuture and nearby spaces are handled with a Disney run tram that is on a private road, for safety reasons it has gone through a lot of changes, and is slow to load, and for those with strollers, can be a pain and long lines. Sometime soon, the park security check will be handled here instead of near the ticket booths.

Toy Story Lot is a flat open air lot, usually easier to enter and exit. The Shuttle Bus area is in the center of the main lot, so a lesser walk. The Buses (Run by the ART system, and is a basic large bus used by public transit agencies, since they do run on public streets). tend to run more often. Also less of a chance fo being detoured to another lot,

 

[disneyxica20]

Is there any advantage on one parking lot over the other? Toy Story vs Mickey and Friends?

there are pro's and con's to both, but we prefer toy story. it's easier and faster since it's one level, so no escalators/elevators to deal with. you just park your walk and walk right over to the shuttle. they drop you off closer to the parks too and you can avoid the foot traffic in downtown disney. some people like that mickey and friends is covered, so your car isn't exposed to the heat all day. and we like that it's a closer walk to the parks if we don't feel like waiting for a tram.

 

[Niltiac]

Is there any advantage on one parking lot over the other? Toy Story vs Mickey and Friends?

Darkbeer summarized the differences really well. The only thing I would add is that some people prefer the the M&F tram over the Toy Story buses in terms of atmosphere. The trams feel more Disney and they pass by a scene or two with plastic characters, if I remember correctly. Personally, I feel the convenience and time-saving aspect of Toy Story outweighs the atmosphere, but for some people riding on a bus on city streets just isn't how they want to start their day. Also, the trams from M&F drop you off on the DTD side, while the buses drop you off on the Harbor side. Soon DTD will be enclosed in the security area, but as of right now M&F makes a little more sense if you plan to stop at DTD on your way in or out of the parks.

 

[WonkaKid]

Interesting. I've never parked in Toy Story. Is it possible to get there early on a Sunday morning after exiting the southbound 5? I've always gone straight to M&F simply because that's the path that seems to be laid out.

 

[Jaina]

And what time does the Toy Story lot open each day? (I was just coming here to ask parking questions - we've always stayed close before too, but for our trip in 3 weeks we're staying at an AirBnB and parking, with 5 kids and a double stroller...)

 

[Darkbeer1]

The Toy Story lot opens at the same time as Mickey & Friends, so earlier on the three Magic Morning Days.

Here is a marked map of the route to get to Toy Story, using the Disney Way exit.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6983604

And from the carpool lane, using Gene Autry Way special exit.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6983609

 

[Jaina]

Is it helpful to purchase parking vouchers ahead of time online?

 

[Darkbeer1]

Is it helpful to purchase parking vouchers ahead of time online?

Not really, there is no discount, and paying with a credit card is quick and easy (no signature required)

Disney does not offer any special lanes for those who have vouchers, AP's with parking, etc. They did experiment with them, but found it caused more confusion and delays.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The Toy Story lot opens at the same time as Mickey & Friends, so earlier on the three Magic Morning Days.

Did they change their opening time? I went to Toy Story Parking lot one early morning, and was rerouted to Mickey and Friends because Toy Story Parking opened a half hour after Mickey & Friends. (I think this was around the 60th celebration, so we were getting to the parking lots before the parks opened.)

 

[ParkHopper1]

It is like the Airport...there are signs everywhere telling you where to go all the way from the freeway unless you have a specific destination you want to park at.

 

[gary1955]

one thing that hasn't been mentioned that may enter into your parking decision is that M&F has restrooms. I usually try to park there on arrival day and departure day.

 

[WonkaKid]

Just to be clear (I've never been to the Toy Story PL before), I exit I5 southbound at Katella and go West? Then the lot will be on my left? If anyone's a TS veteran, is this strongly recommended over M&Fs? I've parked there a million times but am willing to try something new (because I like to live on the edge ;-)).

 

[ashley0139]

Just to be clear (I've never been to the Toy Story PL before), I exit I5 southbound at Katella and go West? Then the lot will be on my left? If anyone's a TS veteran, is this strongly recommended over M&Fs? I've parked there a million times but am willing to try something new (because I like to live on the edge ;-)).

After you get off and take a left on Katella, you will have to take another left onto Harbor and then the lot will be on your left. Strongly recommended? No, it's just up to personal preference. I strongly prefer Mickey and Friends but I have parked at TS many times. But I recommend trying it once. You may like it better.

 

[WonkaKid]

After you get off and take a left on Katella...

Coming from LA I turn left/west as I exit I5? on the map I looked at, it looked like I should turn right. No?

 

[ashley0139]

Coming from LA I turn left/west as I exit I5? on the map I looked at, it looked like I should turn right. No?

The exit actually brings you around in a U past Katella so you end up taking a left.

 

[KenyaSierra]

i appreciate all the good advice!