An Insider’s Guide to Parking at Disneyland
Visiting Disneyland is always an exciting experience filled with laughter, joy, and magical moments that create lasting memories. Yet for many, the prospect of parking their vehicle in the midst of thousands of other excited visitors can be daunting. However, with careful planning and a little inside knowledge, you can turn even parking at Disneyland into a fantastic start to your adventure.
Disneyland offers a range of parking options to accommodate all of its visitors. There are two main parking facilities, Mickey & Friends and Toy Story, as well as additional overflow parking areas for busy days.
Mickey & Friends is a multi-story car park located on Disneyland Drive, and it’s often the first choice for visitors. It’s within easy walking distance to the parks and the Downtown Disney District, making it convenient to return to your car during the day if needed. A tram service runs from Mickey & Friends to the main entrance plaza, but it’s also just a short walk away.
The Toy Story parking lot is a surface lot located on Harbor Blvd. It’s slightly further away than Mickey & Friends, however, dedicated shuttle buses run continuously from the lot to the park. Many visitors find the Toy Story lot less congested and easier to navigate.
It’s interesting to note that the concept of automated parking systems like those seen in Perth is being considered to improve the parking experience at Disneyland. Automated parking systems Perth-style would offer an even smoother and faster parking experience, minimizing the stress of finding a parking spot in the busy lots.
Regardless of which parking lot you choose, it’s worth arriving early in the day. Disneyland opens the parking lots an hour and a half before the posted park opening time, which will allow you to beat the rush and secure a great spot.
Parking at Disneyland is not free, but if you’re a Disneyland Resort hotel guest, you receive a special parking rate. Standard theme park parking at both Mickey & Friends and at the Toy Story lot costs $25 per day for cars and motorcycles, and $30 for oversized vehicles.
Once you’ve parked, remember to take a photo or note your parking location. After a long day of enchantment and excitement in the park, the last thing you want is to end up wandering the parking lot in search of your car.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that while Disneyland does its best to manage the parking situation, the lots can still become full on particularly busy days. In these situations, Disneyland may redirect you to alternative parking options, which may require a further walk or shuttle bus ride to the park entrance. It’s best to check the Disneyland app or website for real-time parking updates before you start your journey.
In conclusion, there’s no need to fret about parking at Disneyland. With knowledge of the options available, you can seamlessly transition from your car to experiencing the magic of the park. Here’s hoping that one day we might even see Disneyland adopt advanced automated parking technologies, such as the automated parking systems seen in Perth!