[Question] Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

[mickeylover2008]

Hi Fellow Disney Lovers!

I recently got a SoCal AP and I love it! Unfortunately, I realized too late that prices for parking at Disneyland are CRAZY!! Needless to say, my AP does not have parking on it and I'm not ready to spend the money to put it on there.

I was wondering, what do you all do to avoid the pinch when you park to go to DL? Are there nearby parking structures that are free or cost less that can still be an easy walk to Disneyland? Or has anyone tried taking the bus? (I live in Irvine, so I'm not sure if it would just be more of a hassle.)

Thanks guys!
-Mickeylover

[Datameister]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

I usually take public transportation. I haven't taken the bus from Irvine, but that's significantly closer than my humble abode in west LA, so it can't be too bad. The bus I currently take drops me off on Harbor, just a little ways north of the entrance to the resort. I've also taken buses and shuttles that drop you off in the hotel parking lot, which I suppose is roughly the same distance from the gate. If you go with that option, just know your route ahead of time, keep your wits about you, and accept the fact that you may be slightly uncomfortable for the journey. Anyway, I'm not at all trying to push the bus thing - if I had a car with me in LA at the moment, I'd probably just drive, in which case I'd be asking myself the same question about parking.

[MonstersGoBoo!]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

You'd be surprised on how much that extra 60ish dollars to put parking on your pass will REALLY pay off in the long run. Before I upgraded to the PAP, I had a Deluxe and it was such a lifesaver multiple times when I would only bring money for food.

Other than that, isn't there 3 hour parking free with validation at DTD?

[Ortizmo2000]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

Other than that, isn't there 3 hour parking free with validation at DTD?

Comes out to five, actually.....but you can only get it validated at one of the restaurants or the AMC theater with paid admission.

Park late enough at DTD (and on a busy enough night) and they'll just let the entire sea of people out of the lots free of charge. That's only in dire crowd situations though.

[disneyboii]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

Go up with my family get dropped off at The Grand Californian and say have funn getiing a parking space!!! works evrytime and I love it!

[SCUBAbe]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

When I had other passes I always added the parking on.

[mickeylover2008]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

I would add the parking but I don't go enough by myself to make it worth it. I've actually only gone with friends before (usually friends who have free parking) and I hope to do that most of the time, but I'm just wondering what would be the best thing to do if I ever did end up going on my own one of these days...

[SCUBAbe]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

IDK, pay for parking.....

[mickeylover2008]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

IDK, pay for parking.....

LOL I could do that. But then that would defeat the whole purpose of this thread! :P

[sediment]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

I would add the parking but I don't go enough by myself to make it worth it. I've actually only gone with friends before (usually friends who have free parking) and I hope to do that most of the time, but I'm just wondering what would be the best thing to do if I ever did end up going on my own one of these days...

You can find parking along a bus route. Park, and then take the bus from there.
Bus Route 43 goes North-South along Harbor. Can't see any obvious parking lot.

http://www.octa.net/pdf/pdf/sep2009/route043.pdf

Bus Route 47 goes North-South along Fairview, stopping at The Block at Orange. Bit of a walk to the resort.

http://www.octa.net/pdf/pdf/sep2009/route047.pdf

Bus Route 83 goes North-South along The 5 from Laguna Hills Mall to DL.

http://www.octa.net/pdf/pdf/sep2009/route083.pdf

They are all late buses, though not after midnight. What you do is find out if someone you know is there that can take you home late.

[brenden]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

You're still pretty much paying for parking, but Gardenwalk's all day rate is $12 ($2 cheaper than the Mickey & Friends structure)

[WICKEDBUSA]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

I've always added parking to my AP pass, except this year since I opted for a premium pass. Well worth the initial cost and it's one thing you don't have to worry about every time you visit the park.

[mickeylover2008]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

Thanks everybody. Sounds like the bus is the best idea right now...Hopefully I'll just be able to go with friends most of the time so I won't even have to worry about it! :P

[Radiobarry]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

Bus Route 47 goes North-South along Fairview, stopping at The Block at Orange. Bit of a walk to the resort.

http://www.octa.net/pdf/pdf/sep2009/route047.pdf

In my younger days, I used to walk quite a bit, and rode buses (OCTD) back then.

But I'd say that the Block of Orange is a little more than a "bit of a walk" from the DLR.

[Peachy Poofs]

Re: Disneyland Parking: What's Your Plan of Attack?

I go to UC Irvine, and I've tried the bus on the weekend a few times. It was an ok option at the time because it was free with my UCI ID. However, there aren't as many buses on the weekend and waiting for transfers was a pain. I'm not sure how the bus schedules are nowadays ever since I got a car and a parking pass on my AP.

I'd suggest going with friends if they have the parking pass. I'm the only one of all my friends with a parking pass. So if they want to go to Disneyland, they have to bring me along:thumbup: (unless they want to pay $14 on their own)