The DLR Transportation and Parking Tracker

[Eric5675]

(Picture courtesy lightproofbox.com)

Welcome to the Disneyland Resort Parking and Transportation Tracker! Here, you will find information regarding parking, shuttles, trams, lots, and possibly current information on parking conditions at the DLR. This thread will showcase the changes to parking and will be updated whenever new information becomes available.

CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR UPDATED INFORMATION!


PARKING CROWD-O-METER (PREDICTION)
Week of: Sunday, October 23- Sunday, October 30, 2011
Light Fair MediumHeavy Extreme

As Halloween rapidly approaches, more and more visitors flock to the parks to experience HalloweenTime until it disappears till next year. Look for Pumbaa to be open on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

PARKING LOTS
Here is a map of all the parking lots used currently for Disneyland Resort Day Parking. This map was made by Micechat member Autopia

Google Maps - Parking at the DLR

LOT DESCRIPTIONS
Here are the descriptions of the different lots used at the DLR and other useful information

Mickey and Friends Parking Structure & Pinocchio Lot
Entrance: Off of Ball Road at Interstate 5 (near Harbor Blvd)
Capacity: 10,000 Vehicles (plus Pinocchio)
Transportation to parks: Tram, Walk, & Wheelchair Shuttle
Used: Always
Special Notes: Pinocchio can accomodate large vehicles. Pinocchio is also used as DTD overflow parking on select days.

Pumbaa Parking Lot
Entrance: Freedman/ Disney Way
Capacity: Unknown at this time
Transportation to parks: Walking. Occasional Shuttle bus available
Used: Overflow on heavy days
Special Notes: Requires a walk on Harbor Blvd to the East Esplanade Entry if shuttle bus is not running. Rumored to be the future site of a new DLR parking structure with construction said to start in 2011.

Simba Parking Lot
Entrance: Disneyland Dr. near Katella
Capacity: Unknown at this time
Transportation to parks: Easy walk to Downtown Disney where you can either walk to the esplenade or hop a monorail.
Used: Overflow on busy days for both Theme Park Parking and DTD Parking
Special Notes: This lot is opened sporadically for varying reasons, so do not attempt to use this lot unless directed to.

Zazu Parking Lot
Entrance: Disneyland Dr. near Katella
Capacity: Unknown at this time
Transportation to parks: Walking
Used: Downtown Disney/ Theme Park Parking overflow on busy days
Special Notes: This lot backs up to Downtown Disney, so an easy walk to the DTD Monorail Station is also a quick way of entering the parks.

Downtown Disney (DTD) Parking Lot
Entrance: Magic Way off Disneyland Dr.
Capacity: Unknown at this time
Transportation to parks: No Theme Park Parking. DTD parking only.
Used: Regular DTD parking
Special Notes: This lot has a 15 minute drop off and pick up area and is conviniently placed next to the DTD Monorail station, making it a great place for guest pick up/ drop off. Price based per hour (first 3 hours free), and validation ()5 hours free) is available at several retail and restaurant locations in DTD. Annual Passes are not valid for parking at this location.

Lilo Parking Lot
Entrance: Magic Way @ Disneyland Dr.
Capacity: Unknown at this time
Transportation to parks: None.
Used: DTD Valet Parking and occasional DTD overflow/ DLH overflow/ Special Events. No Theme Park Parking.
Special Notes: This lot is used by guests when the main DTD lot begins to fill

Toy Story Parking Lot (Buzz, Jessie, Woody)
Entrance: Off Harbor Blvd @ Convention Way
Capacity: ~3,600 vehicles
Transportation to parks: Shuttle Busses that drop off at the old Lion King tram stop.
Used: Always
Special Notes: This lot is the only lot other than M&F to be used every day. The lot is not covered, but is generally regarded as easier to use than M&F. Tickets are also sold before noon at the shuttle bus stop if you plan to pay via credit card. No restrooms are available.

Pongo Parking Lot (Now Cast Member Parking Only)
Entrance: Off Harbor, through Buzz Lightyear
Capacity: Unknown at this time
Transportation to parks: Shuttle Busses
Used: Overflow on EXTREMELY busy days Cast Member Parking
Special Notes: This lot now serves as CM Parking and Toy Story bus staging.

Anaheim Convention Center Parking Lot
Entrance: Off Katella
Capacity: Unknown at this time
Transportation to parks: Walking/ Occasional Shuttle Busses
Used: Overflow on EXTREMELY busy days
Special Notes: This lot is leased by Disney and is within walking distance.

Harbor Blvd 15 Minute Parking
Entrance: Off Harbor, right after the bus entrance and monorail beam turn.
Capacity: Small... About 35 cars
Transportation to parks: Walking
Used: For drop off/ pick up of guests and Cast Members
Special Notes: This lot is used only for pick ups and drop offs, although it has spaces to park while your waiting. The Anaheim Police Department does check to see if anyone is parking for an extended period of time frequently, so don't risk it.


UPCOMING RESORT PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

NEW RESORT PARKING STRUCTURE
Details: A new guest parking structure to be located on the current Pumbaa lot across the street from the Anaheim Garden Walk. Reports say that there is no plan for transportation from the structure to the parks other than walking. Trams cannot cross Harbor Blvd per Anaheim law, and a Peoplemover or Monorail system extension looks very implausible. Some rerports mention a walking bridge over Harbor, but facts are unknown at this time.
Project Status: Construction rumored to begin in 2009.
Completion Date: 2011/2012


TIPS AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

• Get to the lot you want to park in early. Usually it's the parking structure, as soon as you can to increase your chaces of finding a parking space there. The lots usually open at least an hour before Disneyland Park opening.
• Don't rush to get to your tram or bus right after the end of an event. Trams are EXTREMELY busy at these times and will be very crowded. Trams will run for 1 hour past Disneyland Park closing, so meader around DTD after park closing or hang around the Emporium after fireworks to avoid the masses.
• Follow the signs. I know, it sounds like common sense, but they are there to help. Don't try shortcuts because they usually backfire due to a full lot, closed street, or other issue Disney has accounted for and set up signs to combat.
• Have you cash, card, or AP ready. This makes it easier for all in line. Have your method of payment out and ready to hand to the attendant before you get to him or her. Don't ask the cashier questions, but find another CM after your parked. This way you will get better help and cause less gridlock.
• Leave the limo at home. It can take way longer (and be much more expensive) to take a large vehicle like an RV that can't fit into a regular space due to limited parking.
• Stay left as you enter the parking garage. Lines are shorter on the far left sides. If those are closed they will merge you into the right lanes but you cannot merge from the right lanes to the left lanes.
• Keep your ticket that you get when you park. The AP is in the system so that you get one car admission per AP per day for free. You can use the parking stub later in the day on another car you own like if you go home then bring your other car. No ticket/stub means you pay. This is for all guests as they must have that stub if they re-enter any parking lot again.
• Consider public transportation to the DLR. Avoid parking all together by taking mass transit. Take a look at this thread for more information: Mass Transit 2 the Disneyland Resort
• Hold it! Now fold it... Have your stroller folded before you get to the final loading area for your tram or shuttle bus. This will allow for expedited loading.
• It's the "Happiest Place on Earth," not the safest. When driving through DLR parking lots, remember that the speed limit is 14 MPH. Look for pedestrians and yield the right of way to DLR vehicles. When walking through lots, watch your children and be vigilant about vehicles coming up from behind you. Walk on pedestrian only walkways when possible.

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This thread is still quite a work in progress.

If you have any more information to add to the above posting or any corrections, please let me know.

Also, use this thread as a place to share tips and parking crowd reports. I'd love to add tips from users!

[Wally]

Excellent idea! This is a perfect time too. With parking shrinking as DCA expands and attendance still being heavy, alot more of the exotic lots are being used than usual. I haven't heard of some those in the tracker. I can't wait for the creation of the new parking structure!

[dland_lover]

Wonderful idea! Thanks for taking the time to put this together! Just one small suggestion- you spelled regarding wrong in the 1st paragraph.

[disneysnout]

[Eric5675]

Wonderful idea! Thanks for taking the time to put this together! Just one small suggestion- you spelled regarding wrong in the 1st paragraph.

Thanks! I type to fast and don't proofread well enough!

[rollrcostrfrk807]

I am very excited for the new parking structure. It will make it a lot easier for people like me who come north on the 5.

[Eric5675]

If anyone has any information to add, please let me know. I'm really looking for tips and capacity information, but if you have ideas for a new section, that's great too!

[roxy72]

Cool, thanks so much for compiling all this info. Can we make it a sticky?

[Scurvy Pirate]

I just found out today that we will start using the trams to go to Simba at the end of this month.

[Eric5675]

I just found out today that we will start using the trams to go to Simba at the end of this month.

Thanks. OP updated

[Ride Warrior]

Love this thread! A most pragmatically helpful idea. I'll being referring to this useful tool especially whenever planning a new trip. Thanks for your creative hard work and attention to detail, Eric.

[DisneyIPresume]

Note that walking is also an option from the Timon lot. Also, don't they use Angel Stadium for parking on very rare occasions?

And I'm a little confused about the tram from Simba. A tram coming from Simba would have to cross Disneyland Dr. This is a public street just like Harbor Blvd is. How is it that they can get the tram to cross over Disneyland Dr but they won't be able to do this at Harbor Blvd once the Pumbaa structure is built?

[Armadillo4]

PARKING CROWD-O-METER (PREDICTION)
Week of: Sunday, April 12th- 18th

Light Fair Medium Heavy Extreme

Expect long lines at parking booths and use of almost, if not all, overflow lots. Mi&F will will up quickly. Trams and buses will be crowded. This is the last week of Spring Break.

Sunday April 12 felt lighter in the parks (crowd-wise) than expected. Not that I'm complaining. LOL! I arrived at the Mickey & Friends structure just a couple minutes past 1pm expecting a line of cars. Nope. Just one car in front of me at the ticket booth. Was directed up to Goofy Level (4). It wasn't that crowded at the tram loading zone either.

After the second Celebrate Street Party, I returned to my car to get my sweatshirt and tripod for RDCT pictures. On a lark, I headed up to the Daisy Minnie level. This was the view at 7:30pm.





Minnie level was 3/4ths empty! There were cars in only the first three rows nearest the escalators. The rest of the level was empty and new cars were being sent to re-park the lower levels. Now, I have no idea what the situation was for Timon, Pumbaa, Simba, Gardenwalk or Buzz Lightyear, but this was a pleasant surprise considering we're supposed to be in the middle of the peak Spring Break period.

[jagass]

Very nice idea...I'm sure most of the guys will be happy...

[Dan - Tasmic!]

Thanks for the info. Great to have. Great job on putting this together.

After the second Celebrate Street Party, I returned to my car to get my sweatshirt and tripod for RDCT pictures. On a lark, I headed up to the Daisy level. This was the view at 7:30pm.

I believe that is the Minnie Level. Daisy is the second floor.