Last updated on February 13th, 2024 at 11:36 pm
Looking for Disneyland parking information and tips for saving money?
Whether visiting for the day or spending a few days at the Happiest Place on Earth, there are a number of options for parking at Disneyland. Here is a complete guide to Disneyland parking – including helpful information on the latest price hikes!
Guide to Parking at Disneyland
Unlike Walt Disney World in Florida, where the four theme parks and Disney Springs are spread out and each has their own dedicated parking area, the Disneyland Resort is one compact destination. However, even though everything is connected, there are different parking areas for the parks, hotels and Downtown Disney District.
This guide to Disneyland parking will give you an overview of where to park and when â including Downtown Disney District parking, Disney California Adventure and Disneyland parking lots, hotel parking, electric vehicle charging stations, ride share drop-off and pick-up spots, and some general Disneyland parking tips.
Disneyland Parking At-A-Glance
Just looking for the basics? Here are the main things to know about parking at Disneyland.
1. There are the three official Disneyland parking lots to use if going to the theme parks:
- Mickey & Friends Parking Structure
- Pixar Pals Parking Structure
- Toy Story Parking Area
2. Where is the best place to park at Disneyland?
Depending on which direction youâre coming from, signs on the road will direct you to the closest Disneyland parking lot. However you are in no way obligated to follow the signs if you have a preferred parking area or like the amenities of one over another (i.e. bus vs. tram).
3. Standard parking at any of the three official theme park lots is $35 per day, with in and out privileges.
This new Disneyland parking fee reflects the recent hike in parking rates đ Full details on all parking rates at the Disneyland Resort are below!
4. What time do the parking areas open?
Parking lots open one hour before the first park is scheduled to open. All Disneyland parking areas have the same hours.
Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals Parking Structures
Although they are technically considered two separate Disneyland parking areas, the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure and Pixar Pals Parking Structure are essentially the same location.
With nearly 17,000 spaces between them, the two structures hold the majority of Disneyland parking spaces. Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals are literally attached, and they share a Security Checkpoint and tram service from the parking area to the parks.
This is the lot you will most likely park at if you are coming from the 5 Freeway. If you are driving southbound (toward San Diego) there is a ramp that will take you directly from the exit into the garage.
Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals structures also share a big, clean set of restrooms, located at the foot of the Mickey & Friends escalators.
The tram from the parking structures will drop you at the edge of Downtown Disney near the Disneyland Esplanade. This is the area between the two theme park entrances. The tram stop is across from the World of Disney store.
âș Travel Insight
If you are visiting with little ones, keep in mind all strollers must be fully collapsed before boarding the trams at Mickey and Friends and Pixar Pals, even in the larger rows.
We prefer to park in one of these two Disneyland parking structures over the Toy Story Parking Area, because at the end of the day if there are long lines for transportation, you can more easily walk to your car. Not only is it a shorter distance, but there is a nice walkway and you donât have to go out on the main road or cross a busy street.
In fact, if you park in the Pixar Pals Parking Structure, there is a pedestrian bridge that connects the parking structure with Downtown Disney. Even if you park in Mickey & Friends, you can still use the pedestrian bridge and walk just a bit further to your car, as the structures are connected.
Another thing that makes the structures more convenient is you can easily access Downtown Disney via a short walk from the parking structures, and then hop on the monorail. The monorail will take you directly to Tomorrowland inside Disneyland Park.
Toy Story Parking Area
The Toy Story Parking Area is located a few blocks south of the theme parks, off Harbor Boulevard at Katella Avenue. This Disneyland parking lot has over 5,300 spaces.
Toy Story is a surface lot. There is no covered parking, so you wonât have to deal with escalators/elevators/stairs like you do at the parking structures. However if it is raining, windy, very cold or very hot â youâll be loading and unloading in the elements.
Many people find the Toy Story Parking Area more convenient than the parking structures, as there is rarely a back-up of cars waiting to enter and once youâre in you donât have to drive up a ramp and circle the levels to a spot. Exiting is quicker, too!
They also have a secondary entrance gate which opens at peak hours to alleviate traffic.
Restrooms inside the Toy Story Parking Area are located near the bus stop.
If you park in the Toy Story lot, bus service will take you from the parking area to the parks. The bus will drop you off on the opposite side of the Disneyland Esplanade from where the trams stop, on the Harbor Boulevard side.
You can also walk to the parks; it is about a 15-minute walk up and across Harbor Boulevard.
Disneyland Parking Rates
How much is Disneyland parking? Sorry to say, it ainât cheap. In fact, when Disneyland reopened in 2021, the price of Disneyland Resort parking jumped from $25 to $30 for standard parking. In October 2023, it jumped again to $35.
Disneyland parking costs the same for the Toy Story Parking Area, Mickey & Friends Parking Structure and Pixar Pals Parking Structure. All Disneyland parking comes with in and out privileges.
Here are the current daily Disneyland parking rates:
- $35 per car or motorcycle for Standard Parking
- $55 per car or motorcycle for Preferred Parking
- $40 per oversized vehicle, motor home or tractor (without trailer) â at the Toy Story Parking Area only
- $45 per bus or tractor (with extended trailer) â at the Toy Story Parking Area only
The Disneyland Resort accepts the following payment methods for parking:
- Cash (bills up to $100 accepted)
- Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, JCB and Diner’s Club
- Disney Rewards Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card
- Disney Gift Cards
- Disney Dollars
- Pre-paid parking vouchers
In addition to paying at the ticket booth when you arrive, there is also the option to pre-pay for parking online when you purchase your tickets on the Disneyland website. You’ll get a voucher to print and present upon entering.
I personally don’t think this saves any time, but some people like the convenience of paying for everything at once when they purchase park tickets.
Preferred Parking at Disneyland
So what exactly is Preferred Parking?
Preferred Parking at Disneyland will get you a spot close to the elevators and escalators in the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure and Pixar Pals Parking Structure. At the Toy Story Parking Area, youâll get a spot next to the bus depot.
Enter the same way you would for standard parking, and when you get to the toll booth simply request Preferred Parking, and a Disney Cast Member will direct you to the preferred area.
If you already purchased Standard Parking in advance online, no problem! When you arrive at the toll booth, pay the difference â currently $20 â to upgrade. (The number of Preferred Parking spaces is limited and subject to availability.)
Is Preferred Parking at Disneyland worth it? Personally, I donât think so! We would rather spend that twenty bucks on snacks. But if not trekking the extra distance at the end of a long, tiring day in the parks is worthwhile for your family, or if it is physically difficult you to get around, then go for it!
Which leads us toâŠ
Disneyland Handicap Parking
If you have a valid handicap parking placard or license plate, you may park in one of the designated handicap parking spots. Parking for guests with disabilities is available throughout the Disneyland Resort, including the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals Parking Structures and the Toy Story Parking Area.
Standard parking rates apply at all parking lots. So if you are visiting the theme parks for a day, you will essentially pay the $35 standard rate and get a spot comparable to $55 preferred parking.
To access Disneyland handicap parking, follow directional signage upon arrival or inquire at the toll booth for parking options.
If a designated disabled parking space is not available, a parking Cast Member will direct you to an available parking option closest to an elevator at the parking structures or to bus transportation at the Toy Story Parking Area. If you have specific parking needs (e.g. additional space to lower a wheelchair ramp or lift) please notify a parking Cast Member for assistance.
Click here to learn more about services for Guests with disabilities on the Disney website.
Recreational and Oversized Vehicle Parking
Parking for recreational and oversized vehicles is available only at the Toy Story Parking Area. The Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure, Simba Lot for Downtown Disney, and hotel parking lots cannot accommodate oversized vehicles.
The following are considered recreational and oversized vehicles.
- Buses
- Dually trucks
- Motor homes
- Passenger vehicles with a trailer
- Recreational vehicles (RV)
- RV campers
- Tractor-trailers
Overnight parking is not permitted in the Toy Story Parking Area. For daily rates, see the above Disneyland parking costs for oversized vehicles.
Disneyland Parking Hours
All three theme park parking locations open one hour before the earliest theme park opening time. (So if Disneyland opens at 8am and DCA opens at 9am, the parking lots will open at 7am.)
We advise you take advantage of this extra hour if you are hoping to be in the park for rope drop when it opens! If you arrive too close to the park’s opening time, there will be long lines to enter the parking area, and then longer lines to get through Security and board the trams or buses. Arriving early is key!
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The Disneyland Resort offers electric vehicle charging stations in all of its theme park parking areas. A limited number of ChargePoint charging ports can be found in the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure and Toy Story Parking Area.
To use a port, youâll need to scan a ChargePoint card. You can set up and activate your ChargePoint card. (The ChargePoint website is not controlled by Disney.)
Downtown Disney District Parking
Parking for Downtown Disney is where things get a little more complicated rate-wise! Downtown Disney parking is located in the Simba Lot, separate from theme park parking. The lot is located off of Disneyland Drive, between West Katella Avenue and the Disneyland Hotel.
The Downtown Disney District is a destination in itself – a great place to go for shopping, dinner or cocktails. Many locals enjoy visiting Downtown Disney just to get their Disney fix, even when they donât have theme park tickets. So the Simba Lot is set up for hourly rates.
Downtown Disney District parking used to be free with validation, but like so many other things with Disney, there is now a fee. The first hour costs $10. Validations apply after the first hour of paid parking.
You can get an additional three hours of same-day parking with a $20-minimum purchase and validation from any Downtown Disney location, or up to five additional hours 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.
âș Travel Insight
Do not park in the Simba lot if you are heading to the theme parks â youâll end up paying more than double what the Disneyland theme park parking areas charge!
Guests with valid handicap parking placards or license plates may park in any available disabled-marked space in the Simba Lot. Standard parking rates apply. If you have specific parking needs (e.g. additional space to lower a wheelchair ramp or lift) please notify a Cast Member for assistance.
On-Property Disney Hotel Parking
If you are staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel, self-parking and valet parking are available for an additional fee.
Overnight Parking Rates
Unfortunately, parking rates at the on-property Disney hotels also went up in October 2023.
Here are the current parking rates if you are staying at one of the Disney hotels:
- Self-parking: $40 per night per vehicle
- Valet parking: $70 per night per vehicle
- Oversized vehicle parking: $45 per night per vehicle
Hourly Rates at the Disneyland Resort Hotels
If you are visiting the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel, or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa for just a few hours during the daytime, hourly rates apply.
Here are the current hourly rates for parking at the Disneyland Resort hotels:
- Self-parking: $40 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $80
- Valet parking: $70 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $140
- Oversized vehicle parking: $45 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $85
âș Travel Insight
Unless you are visiting one of the hotel restaurants or the Tenaya Stone Spa, park your car in the Simba Lot and walk to the hotel you are visiting. Downtown Disney parking rates are much cheaper!
Free Parking!
I wish there was a secret way I could share that would tell you how to get free parking at Disneyland while you visit the parks.
Unfortunately, there is not. However, there is one way to get a few hours of free parking at Disneyland! If you are visiting select hotel restaurants, Disney will grant you a few hours complimentary parking.
âș Travel Insight
Dine at a table-service restaurant at one of the hotels and receive three hours free parking. You’ll have an extra hour or two afterwards to take a spin around Downtown Disney and enjoy the sights for free!
Here are the restaurants (and spa!) that provide complimentary parking at Disneyland:
- Storytellers Cafe: 3 hours complimentary parkingâyour choice of valet or self-parkingâwith restaurant validation at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- Napa Rose: 5 hours complimentary parkingâyour choice of valet or self-parkingâwith restaurant validation at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- Goofy’s Kitchen: 3 hours complimentary parkingâyour choice of valet or self-parkingâwith restaurant validation at Disneyland Hotel
- Tenaya Stone Spa: 5 hours included parkingâyour choice of valet or self-parkingâat Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa when you spend $125 or more at Tenaya Stone Spa; receipts cannot be combined to meet the minimum requirement.
Staying at an Off-Property Hotel Near Disneyland
Staying overnight at one of the three Disney-owned resorts is tempting, but they can be very expensive!
To save money on your Disneyland vacation, consider one of the many hotels walking distance to Disneyland. Some of these hotels are even closer to the theme parks than the Disneyland parking lots!
If you stay a bit further away, thatâs okay, too. Youâll often find great deals slightly further out in Anaheim or even at one of the Garden Grove hotels near Disneyland, a mile or so down Harbor Boulevard.
And though it may seem more convenient on the surface, donât be tempted to drive from your hotel to the parks. You donât want to end up paying for parking twice – once to your hotel and once to Disneyland!
Instead make sure youâre looking at hotels with Disneyland shuttle service. This will eliminate the need to park at Disneyland all together.
There are a few hotels that offer free shuttle service, but most utilize ART, the Anaheim Resort Transit system. (See below for discount tickets.)
Taking a shuttle is the easiest way to get to Disneyland, even if you have a car. For one thing, youâll avoid the $30 fee to park at Disneyland. Plus it is actually faster when you factor in time for transportation from parking to the parks.
ART buses and Disneyland hotel shuttles drop riders off at the Disneyland Resortâs East Shuttle Area, located just outside the Esplanade, near Harbor Boulevard.
Anaheim Hotels with Free Parking
Here is another helpful tip! Choose a hotel with free parking, and you can visit Disneyland and not pay for parking at all!
Easier said than done, right? While most Disneyland hotels charge a daily parking rate, there is a way to score a deal.
Book your hotel or a Disneyland vacation package through our trusted partner Get Away Today, and you can get free parking at your hotel. Many hotels offer this perk (among many others!) exclusive to Get Away Today guests. Then you can walk to Disneyland from your hotel or hop on a shuttle and avoid Disneyland parking fees altogether.
To find out which hotels offer free parking, visit Get Away Today and simply enter the search term âfree parking.â Youâll get a list of great hotels to choose from and book at a discount.
Off-Site Disneyland Parking
This Disneyland parking tip might not save you a ton of money, but many will do this to save time!
There are several hotels in the area – mostly along Harbor Boulevard – which offer parking at a flat rate for the day even if you are not an overnight guest of the hotel. Parking fees are typically between $25 and $35, and you can walk from the hotel to the parks.
The Anaheim Hotel, Hilton Anaheim, Clarion Hotel, and Sheraton Park Hotel are a few to consider.
Disneyland Drop-Off Locations
If your hotel is not within walking distance and you are traveling with more than a few people, consider getting dropped off or ordering a ride share. Sometimes taking a Lyft or Uber can be even cheaper than paying for everyone to take the shuttle.
There are two pick-up/drop-off locations at the Disneyland Resort:
- Downtown Disney District â Take Magic Way from Disneyland Drive, then turn left at Downtown Drive and follow signs to the drop-off area.
- Harbor Boulevard â Enter the drop-off area from the right southbound lane of South Harbor Boulevard between South Manchester Avenue and Disney Way.
These areas may also be used for taxi and rideshare service pick-up or drop-off. Please note that while brief waiting is permitted, parking or unattended vehicles are not allowed in either area.
Discount ART Shuttle Tickets
The Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) system offers convenient and affordable transportation to and from Anaheim area hotels to Disneyland and other nearby attractions.
ART shuttle fares are $6 roundtrip for adults and $2.50 roundtrip for kids ages 3-9. One way tickets are also available. They can be purchased online or at your hotel.
Discount Disneyland Tickets
Looking for discount Disney tickets? Check out these great discounts on Disneyland tickets and vacation packages from authorized Disney seller and our trusted partner, Get Away Today. Be sure to use code CFT10 an additional $10 savings.
Get Away Today sells discount theme park tickets as well as vacation packages for both on-property and off-property hotels. They will even assist with all your Disneyland vacation plans with their free concierge service!
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