Best place to park?

Hi all! We have morning reservations next week at Mickey's PCH Grill, which we will follow with a day at the park. We're driving in that morning, so where would be the best place to park? Should we park at PPH for breakfast and then move to the Mickey and Friends structure? Or is there a better place to park that would be easier for us? Thank you!

OK, you have two main choices, but a whole lot, depending on how much you want to pay for parking overall.

I presume you don't have free Theme Park Parking (aka a Signature AP).

You get 3 free hours to self-park at the Paradise Pier Hotel with a validation at the PCH Grill, then the fees kick in if you leave it there -$9 per hour, maximum is $58. (Not a good choice for the wallet)

You could go straight to the Theme Park Parking if your Meal reservation is around park opening, and then walk south to the PPH, and then walk to the parks using the ESPN Zone security entrance, and then take the tram back to the Mickey & Friends Structure. This is $18 for all day, $35 if you want a preferred parking space (IMHO, not worth it). Worth it if you don't mind walking

Problem is, IF Disney is currently parking the M&F structure, sometimes first thing, the city of Anaheim direct cars to places like the Toy Story Lot, and then you have issues.

I would opt for the three free hours at the PPH, lot is open 24 hours a day, enjoy your meal, and then you can send everyone except the driver to the parks (walking) and the driver tries to park at Mickey & Friends, and parks there or whichever lot they redirect you to if closed, and then take the tram/bus to the park entrance. If every adult has a cell phone, let the main group into the park of their choice and the driver calls them when they pass security and at the Main Entrance Plaza to meet up. Issues here, some groups need every adult there, or there is just one adult to handle everyone, and then the ticket issue, Some tickets need some sort of proof (Military ID, etc.) to let everyone in (So the first entrance has to be the entire group). Also if you bought an e-Ticket and all the tickets are on the same phone number. But in most cases, folks have an individual ticket for everyone.

You could opt to pay the $100 to Valet Park at one of the Hotels, but very bad for the wallet, or some other combination.

Another option is to not drive and use Uber/Lyft depending where you are coming from, but once again issues....

Hope that helps.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/

I'd just park at M&F and leave the car there all day. Make sure to use the flyover from the 5 south. Moving the car will just be a hassle.

ashley0139 said:

I'd just park at M&F and leave the car there all day. Make sure to use the flyover from the 5 south. Moving the car will just be a hassle.

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Once again, I would do it, if the reservation time works with the opening of the structure and the structure is being park... For less worries, I would opt for the PPH parking first.

But if the timing allows a leisurely walk from the structure, and everyone can walk all day long (some folks including kids tire out). I personally would park at the structure and leave it all day.

No benefit in loosing time moving your car after breakfast and having less in park time. Without a doubt I would park in M&F garage, tram in then walk to the PPH Hotel.

Thank you, everyone! This is our first visit, and I'm still kind of confused about the new security checkpoints. We're driving from our home in Oceanside, so we'll just leave extra early to give us time to possibly get lost and also to park, lol!

OK, what time is your PCH Grill reservation, and what day (date) are you visiting? That would really help. Also the ticket you will have, a Military Salute, a 3 day SoCal ticket, or something else?

As for driving, I would take the Carpool lane from when it starts in Dana Point/San Clemente all the way to the Gene Autry Way carpool exit, turn right on Gene Autry, then a left onto State College Blvd (not going straight into Angel Stadium). Then go straight up State College over Katella Avenue to Ball Road. Make a left on Ball Road, and then a left on Disneyland Drive (Past Harbor). This will give you easy access to both the Mickey & Friends Structure and the Paradise Pier Hotel parking lot. This will have some traffic in the AM, but better than other possible routes, and maximizes the use of the Carpool lane.

As for security, currently the secure zone is both parks, the Main Entrance Plaza and ticket booths and Downtown Disney. To enter that area, you will have to go through a bag check and a metal Detector, basically nothing that can be used as a weapon, including glass bottles. You can go to the Disneyland website for the full list of banned items.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/park-rules/

On the east side (Harbor Blvd), there is just one set of security check stations. But on the West Side (the one you will be using, unless forced to park at the Toy Story Lot), there are now a set of them (5 different locations). The two that apply to you are the ESPN Zone checkpoint on the West Side of Downtown Disney, and the one next to the Mickey & Friends Structure. (the Security check is part of the tram loading process).

Now, if you can park directly into Mickey & Friends and want to walk to PPH (once again, depends on the time of the PCH Grill reservation and when the park opens (which is how we know when the Theme Park parking lots open), and IF they are parking Mickey & Friends first thing (no way to know until that morning), you do not go through security at the structure, instead follow the signs to Downtown Disney and the walkway provided. You walk past DtD to the Paradise Pier Hotel (once again follow the signs), and you will feel like you are swimming upstream as the Hotel Guests head to the park. Find the restaurant and check in for your meal. After the meal, those who plan to walk to the parks head back up the path to the west side of the ESPN Zone and go through security there and head east to the Park Entrances.

If you need or decide to park at the PPH first, just follow the signs on Disneyland Drive heading south from Ball, and pull into the entrance, and follow the self park signs to the west side of the hotel and its small parking structure. Go to your meal, get the parking ticket you got when you entered validated, and then decide if you want to pay the higher price to park ($58) or move the car. Then it is the decision of the whole group getting back in the car,or spliting up. If you split up, the walkers head to the ESPN Zone (follow the signs pointing northward) and do security and walk to the parks.

For at least the driver, get back in the car, and exit the lot. you are forced right (south) on Disneyland Drive, make a right onto Katella, and then another right onto Walnut, and take it all the way to Ball Road, and make a right onto Ball, then back onto Disneyland Drive, park at the M&F lot is open, if not follow the signs and police officers direction to the other lot, more than likely the Toy Story Lot. After you park, you board the buses to the east side entrance, and after you de-board, you then go through Security to enter the parks.

To go home, board the bus/tram that will take you to where the car is parked and head home. (follow the signs to the I-5 south, and get back into the Carpool Lane.)

So if we can get the actual date of your visit and the PCH Grill reservation time, we can help you figure out of parking directly into the M&F structure is an option.

Our reservation is Tuesday Jan 24 at 730am. It is a Magic Morning day for Disneyland. We're using military tickets so I know we need to be together to enter the parks. From what I gather, by looking at the site, the lots won't be open by the time we need to arrive.

EPHomie said:

Our reservation is Tuesday Jan 24 at 730am. It is a Magic Morning day for Disneyland. We're using military tickets so I know we need to be together to enter the parks. From what I gather, by looking at the site, the lots won't be open by the time we need to arrive.

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Yes, you are correct, with MM starting at 9 AM, that means the Mickey & Friends Lot doesn't open until at least 8 AM, maybe later.

So your only choice is to head directly to the PPH (once again, using the directions I wrote earlier to get you to Disneyland Drive). NO way to start your day at the M&F Structure.

And with the Military ticket, yes, you will need to remain a group until entering the park the first time and Disney takes your photos and prints the credit card sized ticket you use for FastPass and re-entry. And you can be apart anytime after that first entry to reenter.

So I just thought about the drive back south, and I would now opt to go straight to the Toy Story Lot for easier exit after leaving the park.

So that means a right out of the Paradise Pier parking lot with the family (of course, getting the parking validated, and turned in to exit the lot), and a left at Katella. Follow the signs that will have you make a right onto Harbor, and then a left at Convention Way into the Parking Lot and the toll booths to pay for parking. Catch the buses provided to the Security Check area and enjoy the parks. Then after the park, before leaving the secure area, your last chance for restrooms, closest is next to the California Adventure Guest Services booth (south side of the plaza), head back to your car. Depending on how they have you exit the lot, If onto Harbor (The same entrance you entered) make a right onto Harbor, then another right onto Katella, and then another right at Haster. Then make a Left onto Gene Autry Way. Then making sure you read the signs carefully, make a right onto the special carpool entrance to the I-5 South, and you now are in the far left lane of the freeway (no need to enter or cross the regular lanes).

First off, thank you and whoever served/serves in the Military for your service. (My wife and I are both vets, I am Army , she is Air Force). You might want to attend the Flag Retreat Ceremony at Town Square is in the area (time will be listed on the printed guide).

Second, hope you get good weather and low crowds on Tuesday, and enjoy your visit!

Darkbeer1 said:

First off, thank you and whoever served/serves in the Military for your service. (My wife and I are both vets, I am Army , she is Air Force). You might want to attend the Flag Retreat Ceremony at Town Square is in the area (time will be listed on the printed guide).

Second, hope you get good weather and low crowds on Tuesday, and enjoy your visit!

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Thank you so much for your help. I'm a Navy veteran and my husband is a Navy corpsman stationed with the Marines. We are excited to be stationed so close to Disneyland, as well as so many other local attractions. And I'm thankful for this community, which has been so helpful for planning our first trip.

Please let me know if you need more help (The Southern California Theme Park section includes amusement in general. Born in San Diego, went to High School at Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, and now live in Anaheim) Just when you re post, state a party of 4, 2 adults and 2 kids and their ages to help plan and give info...

Also love the Dog photo on your avitar.

When coming from San Diego county, get off the 5 freeway at the Harbor BLVD/Ball Rd exit. Make a right and head north on Harbor after you get off the freeway. Then make a left on Ball Rd. Then drive over the freeway and in about a 1/8 of a mile, make a left onto Disneyland Dr (best to be in the #1 and 2 lanes) and follow the signs into Mickey and Friends parking deck. If you are going on a weekday, leave about 1 hour before you think you should. If driving on a weekend, leave about 45 minutes earlier than you think you should.

tarheelalum said:

When coming from San Diego county, get off the 5 freeway at the Harbor BLVD/Ball Rd exit. Make a right and head north on Harbor after you get off the freeway. Then make a left on Ball Rd. Then drive over the freeway and in about a 1/8 of a mile, make a left onto Disneyland Dr (best to be in the #1 and 2 lanes) and follow the signs into Mickey and Friends parking deck. If you are going on a weekday, leave about 1 hour before you think you should. If driving on a weekend, leave about 45 minutes earlier than you think you should.

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Not if you are using the CarPool Lane and its special entrances and exits. It is almost impossible to get to the Harbor Blvd exit northbound from a legal area to cross the Carpool Lane (Large Wide White markings (known as Elephant Tracks) you are allowed to enter/exit the lane. When there are two solid White lines, that is treated just like a physical barrier and not allowed to cross (expensive ticket if you do) The Federal regulations where recently changed, and used to be two yellow lines So there is a current conversation period, so they might be either White or Yellow solid lines, still means the same thing, illegal to cross. So if using the carpool lane and wanting to get the PPH the easy way without too many traffic issues (and the regular exit onto Harbor is a bit of a pain when busy, a right at the end of the ramp, and then the need to make a quick left, and need to cross three lanes of traffic, So the special carpool only exit for Gene Autry way is easy, and is located on the far left, same as the main Carpool Lane. Then making a right at the end of the ramp, follow by the left onto State College is normally very light, State College to Ball is also fairly light as compared to roads like Harbor. Then the left onto Ball gets you in the left land, and an easy straight through the Harbor Intersection (Stay in the left lane) and folow the signs to make a left on Disneyland Drive, and stay to the right to access the Disney Hotel Parking areas. When you get to the PPH, it is a simple right into the valet area, where you can drop off the rest of the family, and head to self-park (follow the signs).

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7011084

As a resident that lives just a few miles from Disneyland, and my Wife who works in Downtown Santa Ana, we know these roads like the back of our hands, and do carpool together a lot of the time. My route basically avoid a majority of the Disneyland traffic, especially in the morning hours.

Also, the OP can't park at the M&F Structure due to his early reservation at the PCH Grill, and the Parking Structure Toll booths won't even be open until after he is seated for Breakfast.

It is the fine details that decides their very limited options, as pointed out earlier in this thread.