Visiting Downtown Disney

[goofballs]

Heading to the area this week and have some free time either Thursday afternoon or Friday before 6 pm.

If we want to visit Downtown Disney, where should we park? What should we expect to pay for parking? Any tips or recommendations appreciated.

Looking to pick up some bakery treats, maybe grab a meal (definitely would have gone to Earl of Sandwich but don’t have any “must do” alternative), and just enjoy a little Disney atmosphere.
Thanks!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/
Downtown Disney District Parking
Location
Downtown Disney District Parking is at the Simba Lot, located off of Disneyland Drive, between West Katella Avenue and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.
The first hour of parking costs $10. Validations apply after the first hour of paid parking.
Enjoy an additional 3 hours of same-day parking with a $20-minimum purchase and validation from any Downtown Disney location—or up to 5 additional hours of same-day parking with validation from any Downtown Disney table-service restaurant.
Beyond these validations, each additional hour costs $14, charged in 30-minute increments, with a minimum $7. The maximum daily parking and lost ticket fee is $66. Parking is subject to capacity.
Please note that restaurants and lounges within Disneyland Resort hotels do not validate for Downtown Disney District parking areas.

 

[Gamegrl1]

I'd add be careful to get your parking validated with purchase (the PP kindly showed prices and times) and when you do, if it's less than $20, know that they may (will?) validate for less than the 3-hour period. Do you have any other restaurant favorites? Earl of Sandwich is yummy and I stopped there in July 2021. Naples is good, as is Ralph Brennan's. I haven't been to the Uva Bar or Catal and there are a couple new places too. DTD is great for shopping - mostly non-Disney stores but the "World of Disney" is way down by the park end (10 minute walk from the parking lot) and is HUGE...you can definitely get a Disney merchandise fix and enjoy the ambiance along the way.