Visiting for EMH while NOT staying in Anaheim

[Camilo]

Hi folks,

For our upcoming Disneyland trip (I haven't been in 12 years and the 4 other family members have never been), we're going for 3 days to the parks.

For the first day, which happens to be the day we'll use EMH from our 3-day ticket, we will NOT be staying in the Anaheim area.

I read somewhere that the Mickey parking lot only opens 30 minutes before the park opens, so my question is: is there a better strategy to try to be at park entrance at 8:00 AM that day? Are there other parking options that we could use, if it makes more sense?

Of course, only having EMH for one day, we want to ensure we do as many rides as possible, since it will be a busy time of the year, from what I read. The day we're planning to use this EMH is March 21st.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Where's Wall-E]

Just to clarify, EMH is for Disney-resort guests only (and for both DCA and DL). What you have is Magic Morning (MM). I know you know what you're talking about, but it could be confusing.

Are there hotels nearby that will allow day parking?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Tropicana on Harbor has parking for park guests for $20+tax.

Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park on Harbor has valet garage parking for $29.

 

[Camilo]

Thanks for the clarification and correction, Where's All-E.

hiroMYhero, thanks for the tip too about these hotels. For folks that have done this before, am I right in this assumption, that's safer (to get there on time for opening) to park in other hotels that Disney own parking lot?

Thanks...

 

[ImDMous]

I've always heard 90 minutes before park opening (60 for Toy Story), never heard 30. I believe since the ROTR Boarding Groups started the parking lots have been consistently opening at 6:30 for 8AM MM and 9AM park opening. You should have plenty of time to park, get through security, stop at Starbuck's in DTD for coffee or a breakfast snack and get in line before the gates open.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Magic Morning that day is 7a.

Parking on Harbor and walking over to Security will take less than 10 minutes and security won’t be too bad prior to 7.

 

[sechelt]

Read this recent post. It mentions the parking at opening and there's a picture of the lines.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...crowds-report-and-pics.3792345/#post-61568204

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Parking should open by 6:30 AM for a regular park opening time of 8 am.

 

[Camilo]

Parking should open by 6:30 AM for a regular park opening time of 8 am.

This is the issue.
Regular opening time is 8:00 AM, but MM and EMH start at 7:00 AM that day. I don't think, from what I have read, 30 minutes is enough time to park, walk or wait for the tram and be at the gate for 7 AM. Am I wrong?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I read somewhere that the Mickey parking lot only opens 30 minutes before the park opens...

I've always heard 90 minutes before park opening (60 for Toy Story), never heard 30. I believe since the ROTR Boarding Groups started the parking lots have been consistently opening at 6:30 for 8AM MM and 9AM park opening...

To clarify:
Under normal circumstances (pre-ROTR), Disney parking (M&F) opened 90 minutes before official park opening, which meant 30 minutes before MM/EMH. TS opened 60 minutes before official park opening, which meant at MM/EMH.
Now, (post-ROTR), the new normal is both M&F and TS open 90 minutes before official park opening, which still means 30 minutes before MM/EMH.
So, for example, if the park officially opens at 9 am, M&F and TS open at 7:30 am. If MM/EMH is at 8 am, M&F and TS still open at 7:30 am. For an official 8 am opening, parking opens at 6:30 am, which is 30 minutes before MM/EMH.

OP: would it be possible to use ride share to be dropped off at the Harbor entrance for your MM? Would that work out to be less expensive (even slightly) than paying for parking? It might be less hassle.

 

[Camilo]

To clarify:
Under normal circumstances (pre-ROTR), Disney parking (M&F) opened 90 minutes before official park opening, which meant 30 minutes before MM/EMH. TS opened 60 minutes before official park opening, which meant at MM/EMH.
Now, (post-ROTR), the new normal is both M&F and TS open 90 minutes before official park opening, which still means 30 minutes before MM/EMH.
So, for example, if the park officially opens at 9 am, M&F and TS open at 7:30 am. If MM/EMH is at 8 am, M&F and TS still open at 7:30 am. For an official 8 am opening, parking opens at 6:30 am, which is 30 minutes before MM/EMH.

OP: would it be possible to use ride share to be dropped off at the Harbor entrance for your MM? Would that work out to be less expensive (even slightly) than paying for parking? It might be less hassle.

Thanks for the suggestion...

UBER for my family of 5 will cost around 31.00 to each way from/to Norwalk, where we're staying. I would still prefer to park onsite, if possible. I'll call around the hotels listed on this thread to understand their parking policies for offsite guests.

The other possibility is to save the day of MM for when I'm staying in Anaheim (26th or 28th). However, this is a family reunion (we're coming from Canada) and my and my sister's family (from Brazil) only bought a 2-day ticket, therefore they will not be eligible for MM. It would be "weird" entering the park and doing lots of attractions without them.

Any other suggestions or strategies (if they exist) would be appreciated....

Thanks....

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks for the suggestion...

UBER for my family of 5 will cost around 31.00 to each way from/to Norwalk, where we're staying. I would still prefer to park onsite, if possible. I'll call around the hotels listed on this thread to understand their parking policies for offsite guests.

The other possibility is to save the day of MM for when I'm staying in Anaheim (26th or 28th). However, this is a family reunion (we're coming from Canada) and my and my sister's family (from Brazil) only bought a 2-day ticket, therefore they will not be eligible for MM. It would be "weird" entering the park and doing lots of attractions without them.

Any other suggestions or strategies (if they exist) would be appreciated....

Thanks....

Will your sister's family be joining you later on your MM day if you do it on the 26th or 28th? Because if you can be inside DL early for MM and she (+ family) can join you before the park opens, you'll be in a very good position to get a ROTR BG for everyone. (You just have to have everyone's ticket scanned into your app, and everyone in your party who'll be riding will have to be scanned into DL before park opening,) I understand the whole weird thing, but being inside DL well ahead of park opening is an advantage right now when it comes to getting a BG.

 

[Camilo]

Will your sister's family be joining you later on your MM day if you do it on the 26th or 28th? Because if you can be inside DL early for MM and she (+ family) can join you before the park opens, you'll be in a very good position to get a ROTR BG for everyone. (You just have to have everyone's ticket scanned into your app, and everyone in your party who'll be riding will have to be scanned into DL before park opening,) I understand the whole weird thing, but being inside DL well ahead of park opening is an advantage right now when it comes to getting a BG.

Yes, they will be with us on the 26th and 28th, those are the 2 days they are doing the park with us. I would still prefer to do the MM by ourselves on the day they WILL NOT be there, though.

Although I would love to get to ride ROTR, we will have 3 opportunities to try and it's not a MUST do (I would be more upset if Indy is closed for refurbishment during our ride).

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Keep checking the Uber and Lyft apps for coupons. Sometimes the same ride can cost significantly less on one vs. the other because one app will offer a discount.

 

[sherilaine]

I am just guessing this is in March right? That week of March, will be full on spring break season and it will be busy. I honestly would opt for the Uber. You'd be surprised how much that will reduce your stress level and then you can get through security and be close to the front of the gate for Magic Morning - as they are great when they are 7AM, although it will still likely be busy.
Don't be overwhelmed at the length of the lines you might see in the morning waiting for the gates to open, people can move fast through those gates and then off you go!

I get that coming from Canada, the exchange is also factored in, but I do think it would be worth it if you can swing it!

 

[mouschievous]

Wonka Kid reported that on Sunday his friend got to M&F at 5 am and wasn't the first person in line ROTR is doing crazy things to times and crowds. I'm sorry that I don't have an answer for you, other than I would definitely look for a non-Disney parking option, or do a rideshare instead.

 

[Camilo]

Thanks, everyone...
I decided to use Uber or Lyft for our trip that day, unless someone has a better suggestion/strategy.

 

[Pamela M]

Read this recent post. It mentions the parking at opening and there's a picture of the lines.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...crowds-report-and-pics.3792345/#post-61568204

Was also going to recommend WonkaKid's posts about parking lately since ROTR opened.