Parking question....just in case.

[closetmickey]

We are heading to Disneyland on Friday and after reading horror stories of Mickey and Friends being closed in the morning, I thought I'd ask....

If we approach the structure, coming off of Harbor Blvd., and it is closed, is there a secret to getting quickly to another parking area? Where should I go? I've read to beware of the signs that redirect the masses. Thank you!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

One option is to avoid M&F entirely, stay on Harbor, and park at TS. TS is usually open in the mornings, so there wouldn't be any redirect hassle.

 

[disneyland999]

Yeah I agree Toy Story Parking lot is the easiest parking option

 

[SMD]

I would avoid it on Friday and go straight to Toy Story. That will be the parking lot for the 5K participants and the Expo, and the race volunteers.

 

[Jaylens Papa]

If you really want M & F's parking there is a way to get there. Coming down Disneyland drive, stay in the left lane. You will see a flyover. Just before Ball Dr. Look for the green arrows. Take that and you go directly to the parking lot. If you get redirected on Disneyland Dr, Turn right on Magic Way. ( DTD )Turn right on Walnut then go back to the frontage rd ( Manchester ) of the freeway, turn right, that turns into Disneyland Dr.
A little complicated but it gets you there.

 

[DisneyMandC]

To add on, I'm going Saturday. Do you all recommend Toy Story for that day as well? First trip to DL, so I'm not very familiar with the roads and parking around there.

 

[sherilaine]

To add on, I'm going Saturday. Do you all recommend Toy Story for that day as well? First trip to DL, so I'm not very familiar with the roads and parking around there.

I am from Canada. OUr very first trip to DLR, we rented a car at Budget and I then drove to our hotel without any issues. My DH looked at me and said "have you been here before or something?", because I didn't have to look at a map or nothing and we got there without any hiccups. How did I do this? Google maps and street view! I tell you, it is all there to see and seeing is understanding when it comes to driving somewhere you are not familiar with. So I highly recommend anytime someone is driving somewhere they are not familiar with or nervous about - they check it out on google maps first and then somehow it all falls into place a lot better.

Have fun and I hope your days are without any parking issues!

 

[disneyland999]

Another good option is Downtown Disney because you'll be able to skip the guest at the turnstiles and you'll go straight to tomorrowland. Also that would be your first ride!

 

[ImDMous]

Being Star Wars Marathon weekend, I would just go straight to Toy Story and avoid that whole area, it's so much easier.

 

[closetmickey]

How does the time it takes to buss from Toy Story compare with taking the tram from M&F? We will be getting there around 8:30am. Parks open at 9.

 

[Niltiac]

How does the time it takes to buss from Toy Story compare with taking the tram from M&F? We will be getting there around 8:30am. Parks open at 9.

I would say comparable, if you get on a tram right away. If you have to wait in line for a tram from M&F then it'll take longer than the bus. In my (very limited) experience at Toy Story I've never had to wait for a bus in the morning because they have them running continuously. I only had to wait awhile once at the end of the night because for some reason they didn't seem to be running very many buses.

Disclaimer: This is based on one three-day trip using M&F and one three-day trip using Toy Story. Both were weekends to I'm thinking it's safe to compare the two, but maybe I was just lucky with Toy Story.

 

[purple figment]

Another good option is Downtown Disney because you'll be able to skip the guest at the turnstiles and you'll go straight to tomorrowland. Also that would be your first ride!

However, the parking fee at DTD makes it a more expensive option than parking at TS or M&F.

 

[disneyland999]

However, the parking fee at DTD makes it a more expensive option than parking at TS or M&F.

If you eat dinner there the fee is not much. plus rainforest Cafe is a fun place to eat

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

I prefer M&F over Toy Story, but I would count on having to go to Toy Story for this weekend.

 

[purple figment]

If you eat dinner there the fee is not much. plus rainforest Cafe is a fun place to eat

First 2 hours are free and if you you eat at a TS in DTD or go to the movie theater you get an additional 2 hours of free parking. Beyond that it's $12 an hour to park at DTD with a max of $36 so if you are going to the park or not planning to eat at DTD it can mount up pretty quickly. For me it would be simpler to pay the $18 to park at TS or M&F all day and not have to keep clock watching. Also, since the OP is going at 8:30 in the morning for rope drop, often the monorail is backed up or for Disney hotel guests only at that time of day.

 

[closetmickey]

I prefer M&F over Toy Story, but I would count on having to go to Toy Story for this weekend.

Please explain. Thank you!!

 

[mad hatter fan]

Last year on the Marathon day, Toy Story was not open when we wanted to get to the parks. (We were at a nearby hotel) It was closed because it was along the Marathon Route. Would that be Sunday?

 

[SMD]

FYI, the flyover to M&F was not open this morning. I wouldn't count on it for tomorrow with the race going on to Ball. Maybe by the afternoon.