Parking @ DL: Toy Story Lot or Mickey & Friends?

[VandVsmama]

Everyone has been so helpful! I think that I'm going to aim for the Toy Story lot since I'll be coming in from the east/inland area.

 

[Rabb it]

I have friends that swear by Toy Story Lot because its easier to get into and it drops you off right at the entrance so to speak. But, I've always been a Mickey and Friends Lot guy.

It takes about the same amount of time to get to the park either way. Toy Story sure you park your car quicker but then you have to bus down the street, wait at street lights to get to the park. The Trams at Mickey and Friends can be a little frustrating at times when its super busy but I kind of enjoy the tram ride, as weird as that sounds.

And I definitely take the Ramp from I-5 South to get right into the structure. This saves a lot of time.

Hope this helps!

 

[Darkbeer1]

Should be interesting in a couple of years when the new Pumbaa Structure opens....

But it does "cement" the original plan of the Mickey & Friends structure for those going south on I-5 (from the main LA area), and Pumbaa for those going north on I-5 from San Diego and points in-between. Disney Way carpool exit will place you right there, and easy access from the main freeway lanes using the Katella exit. There should be restrooms to service the structure and new security check area next to it. (One drawback of Toy Story, beside no shade)

The wild card is the DLR expansion and needing more parking with the new additions such as Star Wars Land, so Toy Story will be a primary lot, and will take the overflow of both Pumbaa and Mickey & Friends.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Should be interesting in a couple of years when the new Pumbaa Structure opens

I am not good with maps. I saw the map of where this would be, but cannot truly picture it. I am assuming it is close enough to walk and we wouldn't need a bus or a tram. I am hoping that is the case. I would love to easily park and just walk in without dealing with streetlights and cars and fences in the way.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Let's see if i can get the link to work...

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-725346-parking-disneyland.html?graphics

OK, so you need to go to the link, but here is some info...

The number "1", aka seven story structure is the current Pumbaa lot, which lately has been mainly used for Cm use, though used for guests on busy days.

It is located just north of the Anaheim GardenWalk Shopping center.

The road on the left side of the map is Harbor Boulevard, and where the main Pedestrian entrance is for Disneyland, and also where the Transportation Hub is,(aka where ART and Toy Story shuttles drop off)

The plan is just walking, you would park in the Pumbaa structure, then walk a bit north,where you would go through security, and then use a bridge to cross Harbor Blvd, and then enter the main Entrance Plaza (Esplanade) Ticket booth area. No shuttle will be offered, except for a ADA (wheelchair) version, in which you would still head north of the parking structure to the security area, and then catch the special tram that would take you across the street near the current security check area. The bridge is designed with an ADA approved slope, so for many, it will be easier to just use the bridge than the shuttle.

Hope that helps.

 

[cruisehopeful]

The plan is just walking, you would park in the Pumbaa structure, then walk a bit north,where you would go through security, and then use a bridge to cross Harbor Blvd, and then enter the main Entrance Plaza (Esplanade) Ticket booth area.

That actually sounds better than the current options. I don't like to stand around and wait. I'd rather walk, even if it takes the same amount of time as waiting for a bus/tram. I've never parked in the Pumbaa lot. It has never even occurred to me to check to see if I could park there. It looks like it is a very short walk, especially if we will have a bridge and won't need to wait for cross walk lights.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

That actually sounds better than the current options. I don't like to stand around and wait. I'd rather walk, even if it takes the same amount of time as waiting for a bus/tram. I've never parked in the Pumbaa lot. It has never even occurred to me to check to see if I could park there. It looks like it is a very short walk, especially if we will have a bridge and won't need to wait for cross walk lights.

Earlier this month, I met up with a couple of friends who had parked in the Pumbaa lot. We walked to their car after the parks closed. I wanted to see what it was like at that parking lot, and also, they had stuck their selfie stick in the hedges that line the sidewalk around the drop-off area, and I wanted to see if their stick was still in the hedge. It was.

I found the walk to be pretty easy, so I wouldn't have a problem walking to/from that lot to the parks.

 

[sheetz]

I like TS much more. In and out is so much faster.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

I never understood the people who were fans of the Toy Story lots. I always HATED getting redirected to them. It is too far of a walk compared to the park structure, and the buses always took forever at least when those lots first opened.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, want to walk, let's compared the two walks, based on an "average"parking space. Here are marked maps with milegae.

First is Mickey & Friends. About 8/10th of a mile.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6979175

Now the Toy Story Lot. 1.15 miles, so just a little bit farther.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6979176

And as someone how has used both lots multiple times,I have had much longer waits with the Disney tram from Mickey & Friends than using the ART Route 20 Buses from the Toy Story Lot.

I normally prefer the Toy Story Lot, even though it is a bit less drive from my house to the Mickey & Friends lot than Toy Story. (I live basically west from Disneyland, so take Ball Road eastbound, and usually hit bad traffic trying to get to the Structure.

So unless shade is important (and you are not guaranteed it at the structure due to the upper level, Pinocchio, and the usual CM parking area north of the structure, any of which you could be sent to) I opt for Toy Story and usually opt for the bus, which tends to not to have a long wait when loading. Though sometimes there is a loading issue at the end of the day at the Transportation Hub.

 

[PHXscuba]

(This doesn't really affect the OP, who is arriving a little later)

I was told when parking at the Toy Story lot, the lot only opens (and buses start running) one hour before regular park opening. So if you are arriving from off-site for an Early Entry to Disneyland, you wouldn't be able to get in to park until the EE is starting. That favors the Mickey and Friends, which opens well before EE.

I'd alos echo that which direction you are coming from is the biggest factor for most people.

PHXscuba

 

[Darkbeer1]

(This doesn't really affect the OP, who is arriving a little later)

I was told when parking at the Toy Story lot, the lot only opens (and buses start running) one hour before regular park opening. So if you are arriving from off-site for an Early Entry to Disneyland, you wouldn't be able to get in to park until the EE is starting. That favors the Mickey and Friends, which opens well before EE.

I'd alos echo that which direction you are coming from is the biggest factor for most people.

PHXscuba

As far as I know, on "Magic Morning" days (the 3 days for Disneyland when most 3-day or longer ParkHoppers allow it, both Mickey & Friends and Toy Story open 30 minutes prior to the gates opening. Neither lot opens early for Extra Magic Hour days at DCA, since all the guests are supposed to be on property.

 

[VandVsmama]

I will report in later this week after my visit to DL on Friday to let y'all know the parking went. :-D

 

[VandVsmama]

Well I ended up not getting to Toy Story until 10am yesterday. But it took 15 min to actually get into a parking space because they had all of the cars weave around the entire lot and park in Bambi. Once I got to a shuttle bus, it was a quick ride to the parks. The lines at the security tents were non-existent.