Disneyland is constantly tweaking its offerings for guests. We watch closely for any tests or improvements because even the smallest change can impact vacations. Recently, Disney tested a very positive change to their security processes. Now, there is an improvement for Downtown Disney parking.
We have all the details on the change to the Downtown Disney parking process and photos. At Mickey Visit, we bring you all the latest Disney news and planning resources, including info on all the Disney rides closed in January 2026 and the recent Disney DVC crackdown.
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Downtown Disney Parking Improvement
Previously, when guests entered Downtown Disney, they would take a ticket for the parking lot with them. If they were eating at one of the restaurants they could get their ticket validated and then return to a kiosk to pay the remaining balance for their ticket. Sometimes there is a long line for the Downtown Disney parking kiosks to pay.
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While this is still an option, Disney has now added the ability to pay for parking directly from your phone which should dramatically cut down lines for the parking kiosks at the end of the night.
Guests go through the same process of taking a ticket when entering the parking lot and taking it with them. They can also still get their parking validated at participating restaurants.
However, now guests can scan a QR code on their ticket to open a screen on their phone to pay on their mobile device instead of having to wait in line for a kiosk to pay.
When you scan the QR code you’ll be directed to a pop up screen where you have the option to pay with Apple Pay or another form of payment method. You will also see that the parking validation from the restaurants is showing on this screen so you only have your remaining total to pay. The screen also shows the full breakdown of what you are being charged for Downtown Disney parking.
Guests should do this when they are headed back to their cars. Now they can bypass the parking kiosks with this new system.
This news was first reported by kat.n.mouse.adventures on Instagram. The screenshots seen here are from her Instagram reel.
This is a busy time of year at Disneyland and any improvement like this is helpful. This is definitely a big improvement for these major crowd days.
Yesterday Downtown Disney parking reached capacity. These two weeks are when all Disneyland Magic Key Annual Passes are blocked out from visiting the theme parks. Many locals are still visiting Downtown Disney to get their Disney fix.
While the mobile parking payment is a great improvement, I wish that there was something Disneyland could do to improve the Downtown Disney parking lot exit procedures.
At the end of the night if lots of cars are leaving at the same time, it can take 45 minutes to an hour to get out of this parking lot.
We made the mistake of parking deep in the lot one evening last year and watched the time tick by as we crawled out of the lot. Has that ever happened to you? I have debated writing that up as a separate piece of advice, but I don’t know what the advice would be besides avoid trying to leave this lot at the same time as everyone else.
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We will keep reporting on small improvements like this one at Disneyland. Stay tuned to Mickey Visit!
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