Downtown Disney Parking Price, Validation, Free Parking, In and Out Privileges, Tips, and Tricks
Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Downtown Disneyland parking! For many visitors, finding the perfect parking spot can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel or planning a day trip to Disneyland, there are a variety of parking options available to suit your needs.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Downtown Disney Parking Options, including rates, locations, and tips to help you navigate the process with ease.
We will also look at how to get discounts on your Disneyland parking tickets and tips to get free parking at Disneyland.
Consider reading: The Best Rides at Disneyland Park California: Top Thrilling Rides, Family Rides and Children Rides
Downtown Disney Parking Options
There are four main parking options for Downtown Disney:
- Simba Lot
- Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals Garages
- Toy Story Parking Area
- Inspire Key Parking
The Simba Lot is the closest and most convenient parking option for Downtown Disney. It is located off Disneyland Drive, right next to the Downtown Disney District. You can easily walk to the entrance of Downtown Disney from the Simba Lot in a few minutes. The Simba Lot is also the only parking option that offers parking validation for Downtown Disney purchases and dining.
The Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals Garages are the largest and most popular parking options for Disneyland Resort. They are located off Disneyland Drive, near the entrance of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. You can walk to Downtown Disney from the garages via the pedestrian bridge or the tram route. The garages also offer preferred parking for an extra fee, which gives you access to premium spots closer to the elevators and escalators.
The Toy Story Parking Area is another parking option for Disneyland Resort. It is located off Harbor Boulevard, near the Anaheim Convention Center. You can take a shuttle bus to Downtown Disney from the Toy Story Parking Area. The shuttle bus runs continuously throughout the day and drops you off near the entrance of Downtown Disney.
Inspire Key Parking is a special parking option for Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders who have the Inspire Key. The Inspire Key gives you free parking at the Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, and Toy Story parking areas. However, it does not include parking at the Simba Lot. If you have the Inspire Key, you can park at any of these three parking areas for free and enjoy Downtown Disney without paying for parking.
Downtown Disney Parking Fee
The Downtown Disney parking fee depends on which parking option you choose and how long you stay. Here is a breakdown of the parking fees for each parking option as of 2023:
- Simba Lot: The first hour of parking costs $10. Each additional hour costs $14, charged in 30-minute increments, with a minimum $7 charge after the initial 15-minute grace period. The maximum daily parking and lost ticket fee is $66. Parking validation is available for Downtown Disney purchases and dining, as explained below.
- Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals Garages: The daily parking rate is $30 for standard parking. The preferred parking rate is $50 per vehicle. Parking validation is not available for Downtown Disney purchases and dining. Free parking is available for Inspire Key holders, as explained below.
- Toy Story Parking Area: The daily parking rate is $30 for standard parking. Parking validation is not available for Downtown Disney purchases and dining. Free parking is available for Inspire Key holders, as explained below.
- Inspire Key Parking: Free parking is available at the Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, and Toy Story parking areas for Inspire Key holders. Parking validation is not required. Free parking is not available at the Simba Lot for Inspire Key holders.
Downtown Disney Parking Validation
Downtown Disney Parking Validation is a way to get free or discounted parking at the Simba Lot for Downtown Disney purchases and dining. Parking validation is only available at the Simba Lot and not at the other parking areas. Here is how parking validation works:
- Enjoy an additional 3 hours of free parking when you make a $20 minimum purchase and receive validation from any Downtown Disney location (including quick-service restaurants, merchandise locations, and kiosks). Your first hour of parking will not be validated, but the next 3 hours will be free. This is essentially a buy 1 hour of parking, get 3 hours free deal. Remember to bring your parking ticket with you to receive validation after spending $20.
- Enjoy an additional 5 hours of free parking when you receive validation from any Downtown Disney table-service restaurant. Your first hour of parking will not be validated, but the next 5 hours will be free. This is essentially a buy 1 hour of parking, get 5 hours free deal. Remember to bring your parking ticket with you to receive validation after dining at a table-service restaurant.
To receive parking validation, you need to present your parking ticket and proof of purchase or receipt at the location where you made your purchase or dined. You can also receive parking validation at the Downtown Disney Guest Services kiosk, located near the World of Disney store. Parking validation is valid for the same day of your visit only.
Accessible Parking at Downtown Disney
Accessible parking is available for guests with disabilities at all the parking areas for Downtown Disney. Guests with disabilities must have a valid disability parking permit, placard, or license plate to use the accessible parking spaces. Here are the locations and details of the accessible parking spaces for each parking area:
- Simba Lot: Accessible parking spaces are located near the entrance of the Simba Lot, close to the Downtown Disney District. Guests with disabilities can also use the drop-off and pick-up area at the Simba Lot, located near the security checkpoint.
- Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals Garages: Accessible parking spaces are located on each level of the garages, near the elevators and escalators. Guests with disabilities can also use the drop-off and pick-up area at the garages, located on the ground level near the tram loading area.
- Toy Story Parking Area: Accessible parking spaces are located near the shuttle bus loading area. Guests with disabilities can also use the drop-off and pick-up area at the Toy Story Parking Area, located near the entrance of the parking area.
- Inspire Key Parking: Accessible parking spaces are available at the Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, and Toy Story parking areas for Inspire Key holders with disabilities. The locations and details of the accessible parking spaces are the same as described above.
Valet Parking at Downtown Disney
If you want to enjoy a more convenient and luxurious parking experience at Downtown Disney, you can opt for valet parking. Valet parking is located at the entrance of the Downtown Disney District, near the ESPN Zone and the Rainforest Cafe. Valet parking is operated by a third-party company, not by Disneyland Resort.
To use Downtown Disney valet parking, you need to follow these steps:
- Drive to the valet parking area and hand over your keys and parking ticket to the valet attendant. The valet attendant will park your car for you at a secure location.
- Receive a claim ticket from the valet attendant. The claim ticket will have a barcode that you can scan at any Downtown Disney location to receive parking validation.
- Enjoy your time at Downtown Disney. You can receive parking validation for up to 5 hours of free parking with any purchase or dining at Downtown Disney.
- Return to the valet parking area and present your claim ticket and parking validation to the valet attendant. The valet attendant will retrieve your car for you and hand over your keys.
- Pay the valet parking fee and tip the valet attendant if you wish. The valet parking fee is $25 per hour, up to a maximum of $65 per day. After the initial 15 minutes, you will be charged $25 for the first hour and $10 for every additional 30 minutes. The valet parking fee is subject to change without notice.
Valet parking is a great option if you want to save time and hassle, especially during busy times. However, it is also more expensive than standard parking, so you may want to consider your budget and preferences before choosing this option.
Consider reading: Disneyland vs California Adventure: What is the Difference and Which Park is Better
How to Get Free Parking at Disneyland
If you want to get free parking at Disneyland, then consider going to one of the restaurants. Rates for Guests Visiting Select Restaurants at Hotels of the Disneyland Resort:
| Restaurant Name | Complimentary Parking Time | Parking Type |
|---|---|---|
| Storytellers Cafe | 3 hours | Valet or Self-parking |
| Napa Rose | 5 hours | Valet or Self-parking |
| Goofy’s Kitchen | 3 hours | Valet or Self-parking |
| Tenaya Stone Spa | 5 hours | Valet or Self-parking |
If you’re a registered guest at a Disneyland Resort hotel, you can opt for self-parking by paying an additional fee. Valet parking is also available at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and the Disneyland Hotel.
To find your designated parking location, just follow the signs. It is important to note that hotel guest parking is not allowed at parking locations designated for theme parks or the Downtown Disney District.
| Parking Type | Rates for Hotel Guests | Daily Standard Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Self-parking | $35 (plus tax) per night per vehicle | $35 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $75 |
| Valet parking | $65 (plus tax) per night per vehicle | $65 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $135 |
| Oversized vehicle parking | $40 (plus tax) per night per vehicle | $40 per vehicle for the first hour plus $10 for each additional hour, with a maximum rate of $80 |
Note: Hotel guest parking is not permitted at parking locations designated for the theme parks or the Downtown Disney District.
Consider reading: Top 10 Best Rides at Disneyland California Adventure Park: Thrill Rides, Family Rides, and Kids Rides
Downtown Disney Parking Tips
Downtown Disney parking can be a challenge, especially during peak seasons and holidays. There are several parking tips that can help you find a spot and save money. Here are some of them:
- Arrive early. The earlier you arrive, the more likely you are to find a parking spot at the Simba Lot or the garages. The Simba Lot usually fills up by mid-morning, while the garages usually fill up by early afternoon. If you arrive later, you may have to park at the Toy Story Parking Area or wait for a spot to open up at the other parking areas.
- Stay late. The later you stay, the more likely you are to find a parking spot at the Simba Lot or the garages. The Simba Lot and the garages usually have more availability in the evening, after the theme parks close and some guests leave. If you stay until the Downtown Disney District closes, you may be able to park at the Simba Lot or the garages for free, as the parking attendants may have left by then.
- Check the Disneyland app. The Disneyland app is a useful tool to check the availability and directions of the parking areas. You can also see the current wait times for the shuttle buses and the trams. The Disneyland app can help you plan your parking strategy and save you time and hassle.
- Use parking validation. Parking validation is a way to get free or discounted parking at the Simba Lot for Downtown Disney purchases and dining. Parking validation is only available at the Simba Lot and not at the other parking areas. You can get 3 hours of free parking with a $20 minimum purchase or 5 hours of free parking with a table-service restaurant validation. Remember to bring your parking ticket and proof of purchase or receipt to receive parking validation.
- Consider valet parking. Valet parking is an option for guests who want to enjoy a more convenient and luxurious parking experience at Downtown Disney. Valet parking is located at the entrance of the Downtown Disney District, near the ESPN Zone and the Rainforest Cafe. Valet parking costs $25 per hour, up to a maximum of $65 per day. You can also receive parking validation for up to 5 hours of free parking with any purchase or dining at Downtown Disney.
Final Thoughts on Downtown Disney Parking
Downtown Disney parking can be a breeze if you know the options, the costs, and the tips. Whether you choose to park at the Simba Lot, the garages, the Toy Story Parking Area, or the valet parking, you can enjoy your time at Downtown Disney without any hassle.
Just remember to follow the signs, check the availability, use the validation, and have fun!
FAQs on Downtown Disney Parking
Is parking at Downtown Disney free?
Parking at Downtown Disney is not entirely free. The initial hour costs $10. However, customers can receive parking validations from select Downtown Disney locations, which apply after the first hour of paid parking. The Simba Lot provides parking for visitors to the area.
How do I avoid paying for parking at Downtown Disney?
To enjoy complimentary parking at Downtown Disney, validate your parking ticket by spending a minimum of $20 at any Downtown Disney location or dining at a sit-down restaurant. This validation offers 3-5 hours of free parking, helping you save while you shop or dine.
How to get free parking at Disney?
Enjoy free parking at Disney by visiting as a day guest for select dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation experiences at Disney Resort hotels. Additionally, complimentary overnight parking is available to guests staying at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. This benefit provides convenience and savings during your magical Disney experience.
How much is Disneyland parking in 2023?
In 2023, Disneyland’s standard theme park parking fee is $35, while preferred parking costs $55. Hotel guests who choose standard self-parking will be charged $40 per night, and overnight valet service is available at a rate of $70. These rates have been updated to provide convenient access to the enchantment of Disneyland.
