Parking at Disneyland

[Bobomom]

Hi. We live in the San Diego area and are annual pass holders. The last few months we went to Disneyland, we didn't get to park in the Mickey and Friends parking garage. They had us park at the Anaheim Convention center and take a shuttle to the parks. As we drove by the Mickey and Friends garage, we noticed people were parking in there and it didn't look full.

Does anyone have any idea of what is going on and if this is a permanent thing?

Thanks!

 

[QueenBeeMB]

We park in Mickey and Friends only, and we go weekly. There has been a few occasions in the past 4 months or so, maybe 3 times, that we had to park in Simba (behind PPH and DLH). But nothing as far as the convention center ... YIKES that happened only once to us about 2 years ago. Nightmare. On the opposing side, we have been probably about a dozen times recently when there was no one in the toll booths. FREE PARKING! Yahoooooo this has happened everytime they diverted us to Simba and times we parked in Mickey and Friends (including last night). All strange.

 

[dina444444]

On Days that are really busy they tend to park people in the other lots before they park people in Mickey and Friends. Also, in terms of free parking I've noticed on days when the parks close at 8pm it's been free to park by 6pm.

 

[Jaylens Papa]

If you are coming off the 5 on Disneyland Dr. stay in the left lane and take the flyover if the arrows are green. This will take you past the light at Ball. The traffic that goes thru the light is sometimes diverted. If you take the flyover you go right to M & F's. I not sure if there is an exit on north bound 5 for Disneyland Dr. If you're taking Harbor to Ball and they divert you, turn right at the DTD street. Go straight to the back of M & F's, turn right and head back toward the freeway, this will put you back on Disneyland Dr before the flyover. A little extra driving but it works.

 

[Bobomom]

Thanks everyone. It looks like either go later in the day or do what Jaylens Papa suggests.

 

[disneylove69]

The CM's have said it is Anaheim PD that states how it works. My own examination and a conversation I had with the bus driver's supervisors... it's more to do with the unions. People park at MF first and in the off season especially it means less busses needed. They have to guarantee driver's hours so.... you now have to drive a few miles, wait in a hot line and a long bus drive over so the union is happy. Reverse at night. I always go a few hours after park opening because the MF will be open.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

We live south of the park and almost always use the Toy Story lot. It's more convenient than dealing with the traffic often associated with Mickey & Friends, and the detours that often exist.

 

[cats mom]

I must have really bad timing because I've only experienced the non attended booths once, and I've come across the M&F closures more often than QueenBeeMB. Taking the overpass works, as does showing an accessible placard if you happen to have one. Other than that it can be a real pain in the patootie, especially if it's busy and traffic heading to the Toy Story lot (where I've generally been diverted to) is backed up.

 

[disneychrista]

How do you get to the "fly over" from South Bound 5?

 

[scrapshappen]

We live south of the park and almost always use the Toy Story lot. It's more convenient than dealing with the traffic often associated with Mickey & Friends, and the detours that often exist.

I totally agree with this. Last time we parked at M&F, we were in line for about 20-25 minutes to get into the garage. Every time we've parked at Toy Story, we've driven right in and hopped on the next bus. Gets you into the park a lot quicker.

 

[cats mom]

Double post - still figuring out the new format.

 

[cats mom]

How do you get to the "fly over" from South Bound 5?

Get off at Disneyland Dr. You'll turn left coming off the freeway, then just stay in the far left lanes to access the overpass. Of course it isn't always open, but unless you're coming in the evening you have a pretty good shot of it working for you.

I generally get off the NB 5 at Harbor and If I can tell the structure is closed to traffic making a left onto Disneyland Dr from Ball I sometimes make a right instead and then flip a quick U turn to access the overpass. The problem is making the open/closed call in time to get in the correct lane. Going all the way around the long block per Jaylens Papa's directions is a bit much driving around for me, I'm more likely to be compliant and park where they want me to at that point. No Disneyland Drive exit coming NB on the 5.