This is your go-to guide to parking at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney District.
Wondering where to park at Disneyland Resort? You have plenty of options! While in years past, Guests could simply pull up to Disneyland’s main entrance and park in one large parking lot, it’s now a little more complicated. With a variety of different options, including two parking structures, one off-site parking lot, and separate hotel and Downtown Disney parking, figuring out where to park is a key part of any Disneyland visit.
Here’s your guide on parking at Disneyland, from choosing a lot to knowing the costs before you go.
Parking At Disneyland: Table of Contents
- How Much Does Parking Cost at Disneyland?
- Parking at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure
- Parking at Downtown Disney District
- Parking at Disneyland Resort Hotels
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Parking Cost at Disneyland?
Photo by Brian Shih
Tickets to the Happiest Place On Earth are a serious expense. Unfortunately, those tickets don’t come with free parking. Like Walt Disney World, Disneyland follows a pay-to-park model – and the price of parking depends on whether you’re pulling into a theme park parking lot, a hotel, or Downtown Disney.
Parking At Disneyland Theme Parks
Parking prices are determined by type:
- Standard Parking: $30 per car or motorcycle
- Preferred Parking: $50 per vehicle ($20 per vehicle to upgrade pre-purchased parking)
- Recreational and Oversized Vehicle Parking:
- $35 per oversized vehicle, motor home or tractor (without trailer)—at the Toy Story Parking Area only
- $40 per bus or tractor (with extended trailer)—at the Toy Story Parking Area only
Parking At Disneyland Resort Hotels
Registered hotel Guests can pay an additional fee for self-parking. There’s also valet parking at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel.
- 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 Selected Restaurants at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
- Storytellers Cafe: 3 hours of complimentary parking—your choice of valet or self-parking—with restaurant validation
- Napa Rose: 5 hours of complimentary parking—your choice of valet or self-parking—with restaurant validation
Daily Standard Rates
- Self-parking: $35 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $75
- Valet parking: $65 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
Parking at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure
Pixar Pals Parking Structure. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
When you arrive at Disneyland Resort, you’ll be directed to the two primary parking destinations: the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure and the Pixar Pals Parking Structure. These multi-story structures are the main entry hub, and it’s where you’ll clear security before entering Downtown Disney or the theme parks.
Parking Sections
- Mickey & Friends Parking Structure
- Level 1: Chip ‘n’ Dale
- Level 2: Daisy
- Level 3: Mickey
- Level 4: Goofy
- Level 5: Donald
- Level 6: Minnie
Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
- Pixar Pals Parking Structure
- Level 1: Incredibles
- Level 2: Coco
- Level 3: Cars
- Level 4: Monsters, Inc.
- Level 5: Finding Nemo
- Level 6: Inside Out
- Toy Story Parking Area
- Harbor Boulevard Guest Drop-Off and Pick-Up Only
Transportation From the Parking Lot to Disneyland Parks
Take the pedestrian bridge over Magic Way to reach the Main Entrance Esplanade. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Guests can take a tram from the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures to the Main Entrance Esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.They can also walk across the pedestrian bridge (over Magic Way) to get to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. You can access the bridge from Level 2 (Coco) of the Pixar Pals Parking Structure.
To eliminate screening at the Main Entrance Esplanade, there are security-screening tents at the Toy Story Parking Area that Guests must go through before boarding the shuttle.
Preferred Parking
You do have the option to spring for upgraded parking – or Preferred Parking – at Disneyland. Preferred Parking spaces are available at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure, and Toy Story Parking Area. These spots are closer to elevators and escalators, and they can shorten your walk from your vehicle to the tram or shuttle loading areas.
The number of Preferred Parking spaces is limited and subject to availability. You can purchase parking in advance of your visit, and then upgrade to Preferred Parking, if available, when you arrive at Disneyland Resort.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Disneyland
Charge ports for electric vehicles are available on a first-come, first-served basis. At Disneyland, you’ll find them at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure and Toy Story Parking Area.The charging fee is payable by credit card or a pre-ordered ChargePoint card.
Parking for Guests with Disabilities
Guests with mobility disabilities are asked to park in the designated disabled parking spaces at the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals Parking Structures and the Toy Story Parking Area.
If spaces are unavailable, a Cast Member can direct you to the next best option (for example, closest to the elevators in the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals Parking Structures or near the bus transportation at the Toy Story Parking Area).
Note: Guests must present a valid disability parking placard or license plate.
Parking at Downtown Disney District
Photo by Ashlee Tan
You’ll find parking for Downtown Disney District at the Simba Parking Lot. Need directions? It’s off of Disneyland Drive, between West Katella Avenue and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.You may also park at the Pixar Pals Parking Structure and take the pedestrian bridge over to the parks. You’ll find it on Level 2 (Coco).
How Much Does It Cost To Park at Downtown Disney District?
Parking at Downtown Disney District is charged hourly. Your first hour of parking will set you back $10. Once that first hour is up, your parking can be validated with a purchase at select shops and restaurants within Downtown Disney District.
From the official Disneyland website:
“Enjoy an additional 3 hours of same-day parking with a $20 USD-minimum purchase and validation from any Downtown Disney location—or up to 5 additional hours of same-day parking with validation from any Downtown Disney table-service restaurant.
Beyond these validations, each additional hour costs $14 USD, charged in 30-minute increments, with a minimum $7 USD. The maximum daily parking and lost ticket fee is $66 USD. Parking is subject to capacity.”
Note: Restaurants inside Disneyland Resort hotels do not validate for Downtown Disney District parking areas.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Downtown Disney District
Charge ports for electric vehicles are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are stations located at the Simba Parking Lot as well as the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Pixar Pals Parking Structure and Toy Story Parking Area.
Parking for Guests with Disabilities
As long as space is available, guests with disabilities can use any of the designated disability parking spots (standard parking rates apply).
Note: Guests must present a valid disability parking placard or license plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is parking ever free at Disneyland?
In some cases, you may be able to park at Disneyland Resort for free. The following memberships and Disney affiliations can provide you with free theme park parking:
- Magic Key holders:Free standard theme park parking is included in the cost of an Inspire Key pass. Believe Key holders are eligible for 50 percent off standard theme park parking.
- Disney Vacation Club Members: DVC members don’t get free parking at the Disneyland parks. However, DVC members using their points to stay at the Grand Californian can get free self-parking.
- Off-duty Cast Members: Cast Members can show a valid Cast ID at the parking entrance of the park they’re visiting to receive free parking.
- Club 33 Members:When dining at Club 33, invited members receive free valet parking at the Grand Californian Hotel.
Is parking free at Disneyland Resort Hotels?
Parking is not free at the hotels of the Disneyland Resort. To recap, here’s what you’re looking at price-wise for Standard Overnight Self-Parking at a Disney hotel:
- Self-parking: $35 per night per vehicle
- Valet parking: $65 per night per vehicle
- Oversized Vehicle Parking: $40 per night per vehicle
Is there additional parking available around Disneyland Resort?
Yes! However, there isn’t much in the way of free parking.
If you’d like, you can park off-property at nearby hotels and public parking lots. One(paid) alternative is to use the public parking at the hotels on Harbor Boulevard such as the Anaheim Hotel, Tropicana, and Courtyard Marriott. Some of these hotels are within walking distance to the parks. You’ll still have to pay to park, but this strategy could allow you to skip the tram and shuttle altogether (space permitting).
Additionally, if you’re staying at a hotel within walking distance of Disneyland, you don’t need to pay for theme park parking too. You can simply walk to the Resort each day and skip the additional parking fees.
Do I have to pay to park if I’m eating at a Disneyland Resort restaurant?
Disneyland Hotel
Disneyland Hotel will validate three hours of parking for non-registered hotel guests at select hotel table-service restaurants.
Grand Californian Hotel
- Storytellers Cafe: 3 hours of complimentary parking—your choice of valet or self-parking—with restaurant validation
- Napa Rose: 5 hours of complimentary parking—your choice of valet or self-parking—with restaurant validation
Spending a day at the hotel’s wellness spa?
- Tenaya Stone Spa: 5 hours included parking—your choice of valet or self-parking—when you spend $125 or more
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