Parking our first morning

[Cindy fan]

Our hotel told us we may be able to park there early the day we arrive but there is no guarantee they will have spots. We were told we can definitely park there at 11. The park opens at 8 that morning so I would like to be parked by 7. If we cannot park at our hotel on harbor where should we park? Could we park at dtd for just a few hours? Are their lots open at that hour? How much would we pay if we exceed the free parking time?

 

[Bud Ice]

For anyone needing to park at the Disneyland Resort for a few hours...

DTD lot at Magic Way / Disneyland Dr is open every day(5am onwards good).
Lot is used for trucks restocking DTD. People also grab early Starbucks.

Just get a ticket at the lot gate and head on in. Parking is usually open free up until 11am,
also heard as late as 1pm. No ticket takers at exit showup before because most of DTD isn't
open until then.

The exit will be open, gate will be up, and a sign saying drive ahead is usually posted.
Just drive on through, all good.

P.S. At a minimum, 2 hours of free parking there when staffed.

 

[disneychrista]

I know you are likely trying to avoid paying for parking. But if it were me, I would just pay to park the first day and enjoy the park without worrying about having to move my car at a certain time to avoid the high parking fees at DTD.

Now that said last time we were there DTD parking was 3 hours free. We arrived at 1pm parked at DTD went to the parks and enjoyed lunch and a few rides and then head to the hotel at 3pm to check in.

 

[Epek]

I have never had a problem parking early in the morning at a harbor hotel. I don't go at peak times, though. It's worth a shot to get there early enough try the hotel first and move if you need.

 

[sherilaine]

I would try the hotel and check your baggage with the hotel even though you cannot likely check in that early. That way you are not leaving all of your belongings in your vehicle while you are in the parks all day. I can see some of the hotel lots being close to full at that hour since many of their guests checking out would still be parked at that hour.