Parking at Disneyland

[candygirlIRE]

So we were thinking that driving to Disneyland each day from our hotel would be a better option than taking the hotel shuttle everyday. We would actually pay slightly more for the shuttle than parking per day, and the shuttle is only every hour pick up/drop off (instead of 15-30mins like some hotels). We thought this would be better for the kids (3 kids cramming on the shuttle, not fun).
So tell me of the parking... I haven't done parking at Disneyland since I was a kid, and back then it was just an open lot

How long will it take us to get into the actual lot (will there be a big line in the morning)?
How long from the van to the main gate?
How do we get to the main gate (tram? monorail? What are the options?)?

Any other tips I need to know??

If we park in the morning, can we leave mid-day (or early evening) and come back into the lot for free?

Does Disney offer more than a one-day parking pass?

We plan on going to Disneyland on day one. Then no Disneyland on day two, but attend the Halloween Party in the evening. Do party attendees get free parking? Then back to Disneyland on days 3 and 4.
Thoughts???


Thanks so much guys!!

 

[LaughingGravy]

My experience parking at DL was in '07 with the large parking garage. Being one of the first in line to get into the parking garage, an hour before opening, with them letting you park your car about 45 min. before park opening, is that it takes another 15 minutes from parking the car to get to the tram (which waits to fill up) and arrive in front of the turnstiles.
I was going nuts because I arrived only to find a huge number of people before me who had walked from their local hotels or got hotel shuttles, which dropped them off closer. It was easily 20 people deep all around.

This upcoming trip, we're staying at the Candy Cane Inn, which is apparently a 9 minute walk, inexpensive and good by all reviews (based on what others on this board have said), plus the shuttles are every half hour. I google mapped it with close up aerial view and that 9 minutes seems very accurate.

I've only been to DL twice. Once in '85, when I was lucky enough to see "America Sings" before that closed weeks later ( but prior to Internet and the plethora of books available these days to educate myself and enjoy the place more!), and once in '07.

End of June, we get 3 days there, minus some actual work I need to do for my company 20 minutes away. With DL being open 8am until midnight, I am SO psyched!

 

[LavenderPeach]

It's been our experience that it takes about 20-30 minutes at the M & F parking garage by the time we park the car, get our stuff, and get to the gate. There are trams that take you over but recently we've just been walking over because with a stroller i think it's easier to just walk over than to have to take everything out of the stroller, fold it up and fight my way onto the tram. It seems to take about the same time to walk over as it does to wait for a tram when there are a lot of people waiting for trams.

There is also the Toy Story lot which i've heard is easier and faster to park at and they have lots of buses that bring you from that lot. I've never parked there so i don't have personal experience but it sounds like a good option.

And yes, you can come back to the lot if you keep your receipt.

 

[ludari]

So we were thinking that driving to Disneyland each day from our hotel would be a better option than taking the hotel shuttle everyday. We would actually pay slightly more for the shuttle than parking per day, and the shuttle is only every hour pick up/drop off (instead of 15-30mins like some hotels). We thought this would be better for the kids (3 kids cramming on the shuttle, not fun).
So tell me of the parking... I haven't done parking at Disneyland since I was a kid, and back then it was just an open lot

How long will it take us to get into the actual lot (will there be a big line in the morning)?
How long from the van to the main gate?
How do we get to the main gate (tram? monorail? What are the options?)?

Any other tips I need to know??

If we park in the morning, can we leave mid-day (or early evening) and come back into the lot for free?

Does Disney offer more than a one-day parking pass?

We plan on going to Disneyland on day one. Then no Disneyland on day two, but attend the Halloween Party in the evening. Do party attendees get free parking? Then back to Disneyland on days 3 and 4.
Thoughts???


Thanks so much guys!!

It depends on what day of the week and what time you take the ramp to the Mickey & Friends lot on average it should only take you no more than 15 minutes.

Once you park your van you don't have to walk far to catch the tram. If you decide to walk from the M&F lot to the park it could take you 15-20 minutes.

If you decide to visit Downtown Disney first you can catch the monorail into the park which will drop you at the Nemo Submarine ride. I've only done this once a few years ago so I'm not sure if this is still an option.

Another option available for parking is to park at the Downtown Disney parking lot. You can park for 2 hours for free, however I would think you and your family would plan on staying at DL longer than two hours.

As long as you keep your parking receipt you can leave and return to the M&F parking lot for free but it has to be the same day.

I've never asked about a multi-day parking pass since I have an annual pass which includes parking.

No, party attendees to not get free parking.

I hope this helps.

 

[pindecisive]

We only had experience with the Toy Story lot in the morning this weekend around 8am, and I may be wrong, but I'm fairly positive I overheard that they no longer are using the garage for guest parking.

The route we took on the bus was the old tram route and the bus was really quick, maybe ten minutes? We hit it just as it was leaving. But the magic of the tram wasn't there and it was less 'exciting' than I remember.

Coming back at night was more of a hassle with long wait lines and slightly crowded buses (though they count the number of people/party size getting on), but they stop at the Woody lot first so if you get there early, you'll be dropped off first.

 

[rivey]

How long will it take us to get into the actual lot (will there be a big line in the morning)?
How long from the van to the main gate?
How do we get to the main gate (tram? monorail? What are the options?)?
Any other tips I need to know??
If we park in the morning, can we leave mid-day (or early evening) and come back into the lot for free?
Does Disney offer more than a one-day parking pass?

We plan on going to Disneyland on day one. Then no Disneyland on day two, but attend the Halloween Party in the evening. Do party attendees get free parking? Then back to Disneyland on days 3 and 4.
Thoughts???

It will depend on the day. Peak times it may take almost 30 mins to get IN the structure. Yes there will be probably be at least 3 cars ahead of you, could be up to 15 or 20 (a bad day) In October, I'd say probably 10 minutes depending on when you get there.

Van to maingate at best, 8 mins. DEPENDS GREATLY on where you end UP in the parking garage. It can be 1/4 mile of walk difference if you end up in front and closer to the tram side. Remember, this is like one of the largest (at one time it was the biggest) parking structure in the western hemisphere. If you end up in the far rear corner, add like 5 more mins. Yes, there is a series of escalators that take you down to the tram loading area. It also depends on how busy it is- most times you can get on the tram in the first or at most, 2nd cycle. They are pretty good at keeping them coming one right after in the morning. It's like.. maybe 3 mins ride to the drop off area at the edge of Downtown Disney close to the parks- then it's a 1 min ish walk to the esplanade, which will take you two or three minutes (hopefully), it could take 5 on a bad day. Another 1-2 mins walk to the front gates.

Best case scenario- (stayed on a hotel two big blocks south on Harbor) hotel room to front gate 17 minutes. Worst case (parents staying on Manchester near Katella) from hotel to front gates: 1 hour! (this was week after christmas, the mobhouse effect).

Average- 20 - 25 mins.

BUT you didn't mention what hotel you are staying at?????

Is it near an ART? Because, surprisingly ART can be a timesaving and more leg saving option (there is still potential for fair amount of walking using the tram and parking structure) Art almost always beats the parking structure in ease in LEAVING the park. I've been able to do ART in 5 minutes from getting to the tram stop to the front gates. Yes, really! Now, usually that is 10 - 15 mins.

Yes your parking is valid all day, and has in and outs.

No, Disney doesn't have multiday parking passes.

Yes, the halloween party includes parking for that day, for one regular vehicle. Oh, if you are going to the HP on a Friday, it could be a zoo with parking that day. It has been in the past. You actually may very well not be able to park in the structure itself actually. In fact I'd bet you wouldn't- they will redict you to a different parking lot (disney one). Those auxillary parking lots all have buses that drop off at the bus zone on the opposite side of the esplanade from Downtown Disney (and actually slightly closer to maingates, esp DCA)

Yes you can get "in" to DL at the DTD monorail entrance, as long as you have your hopper tickets (or print out of e-tickets). If you book thru a travel agent, and your tickets are prepaid willcall- they can't do that there.

 

[rivey]

We only had experience with the Toy Story lot in the morning this weekend around 8am, and I may be wrong, but I'm fairly positive I overheard that they no longer are using the garage for guest parking.

No, not true. They will do different things and redirect folks to different places depending on how busy they anticipate things to be. For instance, they may close M&F structure around 10 am , then reopen at like 7 or 8 pm (using this as an example of what happened on fridays during halloweentime parties)

 

[pindecisive]

No, not true. They will do different things and redirect folks to different places depending on how busy they anticipate things to be. For instance, they may close M&F structure around 10 am , then reopen at like 7 or 8 pm (using this as an example of what happened on fridays during halloweentime parties)

The old parking structure had a sign that said 'buses only.' Someone else on the opposite site of the pay area asked, "What about garage parking?" The CM stated, "[Something about them not using the garage] Everyone is being bused into the parks now."

I don't know if this is what happens on Saturdays, or during the summer, but we were there at park opening, and there was no garage parking to be had. There were no also no trams, only buses taking people back and forth from either parking lot.

 

[skiingfast]

So we were thinking that driving to Disneyland each day from our hotel would be a better option than taking the hotel shuttle everyday. We would actually pay slightly more for the shuttle than parking per day, and the shuttle is only every hour pick up/drop off (instead of 15-30mins like some hotels). We thought this would be better for the kids (3 kids cramming on the shuttle, not fun).

I very much agree with you questioning this because hotels shuttles and ART aren't on your schedule. But be aware only if you walk from M&F garage where you could walk from, sometimes a faster option when the park closes or after parades/fireworks, you will need to take the little one out of the stroller and fold the stroller up.

How long will it take us to get into the actual lot (will there be a big line in the morning)?

In M&F you will be in and parked in about 5-10 minutes. The Halloween party can back things up. Also you most people take the escalator down the garage you may need to take the stroller down the crowded elevator. In the T&S lot about 2 minutes to park, 2 minutes to the shuttle.

How long from the van to the main gate?
How do we get to the main gate (tram? monorail? What are the options?)?

From M&F a tram, it will take about 10-15 minutes, after exiting the tram it's about 200 yards through security and to the gates. All in all about 20-30 minutes from M&F. TS lot has a central bus pickup, buses will most likely be waiting, it's a very quick load and go. So TS in total about 10-15 minutes.

Any other tips I need to know??

If you are going North to the parks you will be directed to the TS lot, the faster option. Going south to M&F, and some hotels of course you have to take a right out of and may be going toward one of the other. But a u turn and you can choose where to go.

If we park in the morning, can we leave mid-day (or early evening) and come back into the lot for free?

Yes no problem keep the parking reciept/ticket.

Does Disney offer more than a one-day parking pass?

Not that I know of.

We plan on going to Disneyland on day one. Then no Disneyland on day two, but attend the Halloween Party in the evening. Do party attendees get free parking? Then back to Disneyland on days 3 and 4.
Thoughts???

Free parking for the party if you come with tickets. You might also consider the DTD parking. 3 hours free, two more with validation if you eat in a hotel or DTD. Then $6 per hour, billed at $2 per 20 minutes. So if you eat there and leave early you might save a couple bucks. From there the Monorail might be a good option to get into DL for the party.

 

[candygirlIRE]

BUT you didn't mention what hotel you are staying at?????

Sorry!!! We plan to stay at Embassy Suites NORTH (stayed at SOUTH location last year and from past experiences we liked NORTH better due to the indoor pool). Although we have not booked hotel just yet.

 

[rivey]

Ok, so ART is not an option from that hotel.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/mickeys-halloween-party/

per the website,

Tickets for Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland Park On Sale Soon!

Advanced tickets for Mickey's Halloween Party will go on sale July 1, 2011. Dress up your little ones, don a costume of your own and Trick-or-Treat at Disneyland Park. Buy early and save. Annual Passholders purchase tickets tickets now.

Spine-Tingling Attractions and Entertainment

Take part in all kinds of frightful family fun:

Viewing of the boo-tiful Halloween Screams fireworks spectacular — exclusively for Mickey's Halloween Party Guests
Admission to the Disneyland Park up to 3 hours prior to the event's start time
Disney Villains prowl the grounds
Special treat stations offering both yummy candy and healthy goodies
Dress up and join the ghoulish goings-on at Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade
Access to nearly all attractions, including all the Halloween-themed attractions such as Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy and Haunted Mansion Holiday
Lively music so your bones can boogie
Creepy crafts and activities for the whole family
Plus, lots more entertainment for little boys and ghouls

You'll also enjoy complimentary parking for one vehicle. Larger vehicles may require an additional fee.

 

[candygirlIRE]

YAY! So free parking for Halloween party guests!

So, what do they mean by LARGER vehicle?? We have a Dodge Grand Caravan minivan... is that considered "LARGER"??




Another Q: How early does the garage open? What are the opening and closing hours?
(I am guessing it may be different hours for DL Hotel, GCH, PPH Guests - we will not be staying at one of those hotels as mentioned above.)

 

[rivey]

By larger they mean, need an double long parking spot. A caravan is A-ok!