Disneyland Parking Cost, Free Parking, Where to Park
Disneyland parking offers a variety of options for guests visiting Disneyland, Downtown Disney, and the Disneyland Hotels. Some parking structures are easier than others offering tram services or security checkpoints saving you one less stop before you get to the parks. We visit Disneyland every week and use all the parking options at Disneyland so often so we have the best tips on which parking structure we prefer, how to get the cheapest Disneyland parking, and more.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about Disneyland parking including cost, how to get the cheapest parking, where to park.
This article is based on our personal experience parking at the Disneyland Resort. The photos in this article are all from a recent beautiful morning before we headed into the park to test out some of our top Mickey Visit Disneyland tips.
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Disneyland Parking Locations
- Mickey & Friends Parking Structure
- Pixar Pals Parking Structure
- Toy Story Parking Area
The Mickey & Friends parking structure features a Tram service giving guests free transportation to and from the Main Entrance Esplanade. Mickey & Friends is the easiest parking structure to use because of this tram service. This parking structure is often the first to fill up because of its popularity. This parking structure offers restrooms on the first level near the escalator that the Pixar Pals structure can use as well.
The Pixar Pals Parking Structure is connected to Mickey & Friends parking structure and is the newest parking structures. You can enter Pixar Pals Parking Structure through the same entrance as Mickey & Friends.
Toy Story Parking Area is located further away from Disneyland, further off property, but this parking area offers shuttle buses (often called the Toy Story busses) to transport guests to and from the park. Parking for recreational and oversized vehicles is available at the Toy Story Parking Area. On busy days, Disney will run a separate security check point at the Toy Story lot which will allow guests to be able to go straight to the admission gate and save time when they're dropped off at the park. There are bathrooms located near the bus loading area.
Disneyland Parking Operating Hours
Parking locations for the theme parks open 60 minutes prior to the earliest Disneyland Resort theme park opening time.
How much does it cost to park at Disneyland?
Parking costs at the Disneyland theme park are:
- $30.00 per car or motorcycle Buy Now
- $35.00 per oversized vehicle, motor home or tractor (without trailer) – at the Toy Story Parking Area only
- $40.00 per bus or tractor (with extended trailer) – at the Toy Story Parking Area only
If you have a Magic Key, depending on the tier you've purchased, parking discounts may apply.
How to get cheapest parking at Disneyland?
The best way to get the cheapest parking at Disneyland is with a Magic Key. The top tier Magic Key, the Inspire Key, includes FREE parking while the Believe Key includes 50% off parking. The Enchant Key and the Imagine Key both include 25% off parking. All of these discounts exclude each passes blockout dates.
If you are staying at a nearby locally owned Anaheim hotel, many hotels include free parking when you book with our travel partner Get Away Today. Then you can simply walk to Disneyland or take the popular shuttle service (ART) that makes trips between the hotels and the parks.
If you are planning on visiting Downtown Disney, you can get up to five hours of parking validated if you eat a table service restaurant after you pay $10 for the first hour. This equals up to six hours of parking for your day trip at Downtown Disney which helps offset the cost. For retail purchases, $20 purchases at any location will receive three hour validation.
For visiting the theme parks for the day, there is no way around the parking costs at Disneyland unless you're a Magic Key holder. There are nearby parking options like Gardenwalk but their parking costs $30 which is the same as Disneyland's. Another option that can be popular to avoid the crowds at the parking structures is the Anaheim Hotel where they sell limited parking spots for $30 per day.
Preferred Parking at Disneyland
Preferred parking spaces are available at both Mickey & Friends Parking Structure and Pixar Pals Parking Structure. Preferred parking spaces are closer to the elevators and escalators making your walking distance much shorter to getting to the parking trams.
Daily Preferred Parking Rates
- $45.00 per vehicle
- $15.00 per vehicle to upgrade pre-purchased parking
Downtown Disney District Parking
Downtown Disney Disney Parking is located in the Simba Lot, located off of Disneyland Drive, between West Katella Avenue and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.
The first hour of parking costs $10. Validations apply after the first hour of paid parking. If you make a $20 minimum purchase from any Downtown Disney location you will receive same day parking validation for an additional 3 hours of parking. Or you can receive up to 5 hours of same day parking 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.
Restaurants and lounges within Disneyland Resort hotels do not validate for Downtown Disney District parking areas.
Disneyland Resort Hotel Parking
Disneyland Resort hotels offer self-parking for registered hotel Guests. Valet parking is available at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel.
Rates For Hotel Guests:
- Self-parking: $35 per night per vehicle
- Valet parking: $50 per night per vehicle
- Oversized vehicle parking: $40 per night per vehicle
Rates for Guests Visiting Select Restaurants at Hotels of the Disneyland Resort:
- Storytellers Cafe: 3 hours complimentary parking—your choice of valet or self-parking—with restaurant validation at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- Napa Rose: 5 hours complimentary parking—your choice of valet or self-parking—with restaurant validation at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- Goofy's Kitchen: 3 hours complimentary parking—your choice of valet or self-parking—with restaurant validation at Disneyland Hotel
- Tenaya Stone Spa: 5 hours included parking—your choice of valet or self-parking—at 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.
Daily Standard Rates for non-hotel guests:
- Self-parking: $35 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $75
- Valet parking: $50 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $120
- Oversized vehicle parking: $40 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $80
Disneyland Disabled Parking
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.
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.
At the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures, tram service provides Guests transportation to the Main Entrance Esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
Wheelchair, stroller and ECV rentals will be available to the right of the Disneyland Park Main Entrance.
Guest Pickup and Drop-Off Locations
There are two drop off locations for guests being dropped off or picked up at the Disneyland Resort or the Downtown Disney District:
- Downtown Disney District – Take Magic Way from Disneyland Drive, then turn left at Downtown Drive and follow signs to the drop-off area. Standard parking rates will apply after the 15-minute grace period.
- Harbor Boulevard – Enter the drop-off area from the right southbound lane of South Harbor Boulevard between South Manchester Avenue and Disney Way.
This is also the same place you would wait for rideshare or get dropped off.
Start Planning Your Disneyland Vacation!
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- Disneyland Parades Guide- Get the Best Spot!
- Best Times to Visit Disneyland
- Fantasmic! Dining Packages and Virtual Queue Guide
- Disneyland Grand Californian Review- Is It Worth the Price?
Parking at Disneyland costs an average of $30 per car for standard parking and up to $35 per car for preferred parking. Guests with Magic Key passes can get discounts on parking.
Guests with an Inspire Magic Key receive free parking. For those shopping and dining at Downtown Disney, you can get validated parking with a minimum purchase of $20 at the retail stores or up to five hours of parking validated if you eat a table service restaurant after you pay $10 for the first hour.
The most convenient parking structure at Disneyland is the Mickey and Friends parking structure which also offers a tram to the park so you don't need to walk.
Yes, you can leave and enter Disneyland parking throughout the day. Just hang onto your receipt so you don't pay more than once.
Parking structures open 60 minutes prior to park opening. Guests will arrive right at this time so plan on doing the same to avoid long lines to park on busy days of the year at Disneyland.
Unfortunately, Disneyland no longer offers free parking at a certain time of day.
Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.
