Parking with annual pass and a toddler

[sandiegoDeva]

Hi,

My husband and I are taking our two year old to Disneyland next week. We have SoCal Super Saver annual passes (good for 170 days), with parking upgrade. We have always parked in the Mickey and Friends structure and taken the tram. We were told when we got the passes that they were only good for Mickey & Friends parking.

My friend says she has the same pass and is able to park in all the lots. She says she likes to park one of the lots (can't remember the name), and just walk in with the stroller rather than trying to load everything onto the tram. I would like to try this, but I am skeptical that we will actually be allowed to use our parking pass in the other lots.

Does anyone with this pass have advice for parking and walking in?

Thank you!

 

[LavenderPeach]

I believe that officially you can only park in the Mickey and Friends parking lot but I think sometimes, depending on the CM and other factors, they may let you park in the other lots. I've never done that so I can't give you directions. If you go to one of the other lots, they might just redirect you to Mickey and Friends though.

Also, you can easily walk from Mickey and Friends to Disneyland instead of taking the tram. It's not that bad of a walk and you could probably get there faster than having to wait for the trams, especially if it's crowded.

 

[bluedoll]

As the person above said, you can walk from the Mickey and Friends lot. We've done it many, many times. It's actually quicker than waiting where there are tons of people waiting for trams. I forget how long it it. a quarter or a mile? a half mile? I can't recall. But it doesn't take very long.

 

[sandiegoDeva]

Thanks, maybe I'll try that! Do you walk the same route that the tram goes? I don't seem to remember seeing a sidewalk or any pedestrians on that route.

 

[bluedoll]

There is a sidewalk that runs along Disneyland drive. Then you take the crosswalk at Magic Way.

Here's a satellite image.

And here's one with things labeled.
Yellow line = tram route
Red line = walking route
Blue square = escalators at parking structure
Orange square = ticket booths and entrance is over near that direction

 

[sandiegoDeva]

Wow, thank you! That was really helpful!

 

[bluedoll]

Wow, thank you! That was really helpful!

No problem. I love looking at satellite images of Disney parks.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Thanks, maybe I'll try that! Do you walk the same route that the tram goes? I don't seem to remember seeing a sidewalk or any pedestrians on that route.

The route isn't very well marked. If you park in the structure walk towards the tram area but cross over on the right side as if you are going to the Pinocchio lot. Make a quick left as you pass the tall hedge and follow the hedge to the street. Cross through the opening, turn left, cross the street, turn right and follow the tram route (next to DTD). When you leave the park do the reverse. The opening into the Pinocchio lot can be hard to see at night.

Also, here's a little secret-when the park isn't very busy, ask to park in Pinocchio or Chip and Dale (both on first level). If they aren't going to be busy, many times they'll let you park there.

 

[issapowers]

my husband and I have figured out the easiest way to park with toddlers.

We have a 15 month old and a 25 month old. I have a double stroller and at least 3 bags more during the winter for coats and such. We found that taking the tram is waaay to difficult with all that stuff. Even if you wait for the front or back of the tram where you don't have to unfold your stroller it's still hard cause it's a long wait usually since they only take 2 strollers at a time. Also the last thing I feel like doing is walking all the way to mickey & Friends parking after carrying toddlers around the park all day I'm exhausted!

When we get to Disneyland in the morning, my husband and I go over to drop off parking which is 15 min parking on harbor blvd right next to the walk in entrance to disneyland. I take the kids in the stroller and all the stuff while my husband parks the car and takes the tram in. During the time were waiting it usually takes us a little longer to get through security anyway with all our bags plus I take the time to change the babies diapers and use the restroom and then we sit by the entrance usually right by the big mickey mouse head as you walk into disneyland and wait for my husband. He usually has gotten to the ticket area by then. The best part about this is when your exhausted after a long day at disneyland I go back to 15 min parking and wait for my husband (they also have plenty of benches to sit on while you wait) and my husband hops on the tram grabs the car and drives over to 15 min parking we load the kids and we go. We live about 1 1/2 hours away from disneyland depending on traffic. This time waiting for my husband at the end of the night also gives me time to feed my kids a big snack and get them settled before the car ride home. Nothing worse then two hungry tired toddlers in the back seat. By the time my husband gets there, The kids are satisfied with snacks, and they fall asleep usually before we even get on the freeway.

Anyway that's my trick and it works great!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Depending on the day, we have also parked in the Timon lot with an AP. It's not always open, and sometimes full.

 

[prncssmel]

my husband and I have figured out the easiest way to park with toddlers.

We have a 15 month old and a 25 month old. I have a double stroller and at least 3 bags more during the winter for coats and such. We found that taking the tram is waaay to difficult with all that stuff. Even if you wait for the front or back of the tram where you don't have to unfold your stroller it's still hard cause it's a long wait usually since they only take 2 strollers at a time. Also the last thing I feel like doing is walking all the way to mickey & Friends parking after carrying toddlers around the park all day I'm exhausted!

When we get to Disneyland in the morning, my husband and I go over to drop off parking which is 15 min parking on harbor blvd right next to the walk in entrance to disneyland. I take the kids in the stroller and all the stuff while my husband parks the car and takes the tram in. During the time were waiting it usually takes us a little longer to get through security anyway with all our bags plus I take the time to change the babies diapers and use the restroom and then we sit by the entrance usually right by the big mickey mouse head as you walk into disneyland and wait for my husband. He usually has gotten to the ticket area by then. The best part about this is when your exhausted after a long day at disneyland I go back to 15 min parking and wait for my husband (they also have plenty of benches to sit on while you wait) and my husband hops on the tram grabs the car and drives over to 15 min parking we load the kids and we go. We live about 1 1/2 hours away from disneyland depending on traffic. This time waiting for my husband at the end of the night also gives me time to feed my kids a big snack and get them settled before the car ride home. Nothing worse then two hungry tired toddlers in the back seat. By the time my husband gets there, The kids are satisfied with snacks, and they fall asleep usually before we even get on the freeway.

Anyway that's my trick and it works great!

I totally agree. The best way with strollers and stuff is to get dropped off and picked up on Harbor, then have them go park. No struggles with loading and no long walk back to the lot.