Parking Strategy

[ehrawn]

We will be staying out of the Anaheim Resort Area for this next trip to the Park. I was wondering if any recent visitors might be able to help figure out a good Parking Strategy to minimize the inevitable time losses. We'll have a 2, 3 & 5 y/o in our group so our typical day will be: arrive at gate before opening, mid-day break, return for parades/evening entertainment, depart soon thereafter. The house we are staying in is just west of the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure. That's the obvious choice for the morning. Toy Story would make the most since if we needed access to the 5, and I'm worried that Resort Area traffic might negate any time savings from Pumbaa. What are your thoughts for the evening and the post-fireworks rush?

 

[SMD]

The advantage of Pumbaa is if you have a stroller you can just walk, instead of hauling it on a shuttle. That lot will probably be full if you leave and come back. They may also use it for CM overflow parking on busy days and not open to guests. I haven't found any real advantage or disadvantage to M&F or Toy Story. Too many variables can make either faster or delay you on any day, I figure it all evens out. You can reuse your parking receipt yo re-enter any lot on the same day, so I would just go wherever you get directed when returning in the afternoon.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

My advice would be to drop the kids off (with another adult, obviously) and then go park in the whichever parking lots is easier. Kids can hit the bathroom, grab a snack, etc. you will be able to maneuver the bus/tram with much less stress and time without the kids.

 

[ehrawn]

...maneuver the bus/tram with much less stress and time without the kids.

Now that's a great idea. I'm a newbie doing this with my own family. My mindset is still stuck in the pre-cell phone era where the whole group had to stick together.