Questions about Parking

[Another Voice]

This picture from Mr. Lighttragic got me thinking…


At one point I had heard that Tokyo Disneyland’s parking lot is the largest in all of Japan. Is this true? How often does it fill up? Given the Tokyo rail system and Tokyo traffic, it would seem like almost everyone would take public transportation to the park. Who actually drive to TDR?

Just curious.

P.S. I’ve also heard that Tokyo DisneySea’s parking garage is actually a few spaces larger than Disneyland’s Mt. Eisner Memorial Parking Slab. Does anyone know?

[JoeInJpn]

The point about TDL's parking lot being the biggest in Japan is true, or at least was true until a big chunk was taken for the TDL Hotel (need to verify). During the peak seasons of spring break, Golden Week, summer break and winter break it really does fill up that driving guests are diverted to auxiliary parking lots in other parts of the Resort. Tokyo DisneySea's parking structure also fills up often enough that a second structure was built directly east of the Park.

[MsYumiBr]

Most of the people I know drive to the park. As long as you get there by 8:00, no problem. We have been known to get there at 10 and still get a place. The train is okay on the way up but that walk through Yokohama station is very long after a day at the park and that day ends at 3:00. The biggest problem with parking is during holidays like New Year's and Christmas. Trains aren't any better. We had to wait two hours one time because the trains were stopped because of "trouble".

[JoeInJpn]

Due to the Resort's location at Tokyo Bay, on most days that have stronger-than-average winds, both JR train lines have service delays or suspensions.

FYI: I wonder if lighttragic realized that in the picture above the traffic cones are positioned in a way to make a design. Most likely a semi-profile Mickey outline.

[TDLFAN]

Great point to bring up Joe, as I too thought that was a Mickey layout made from cones.

And MsYumi.. I know the ride to Yokohama can be long from TDR but walking in Yokohama? I do not remember the Yokohama station being huge at all. Maybe you meant the walk in Tokyo station from the Keiyo Line to the other lines on the upper levels?

[MsYumiBr]

You are right. It was Tokyo. I haven't been to the park by train in over a year and all I can remember is taking 20 minutes to make a supposed 7 minute walk because my pre-teen had to walk while sleeping. It was really traumatic for me. Thanks for straightening that out for me. We drive now.

[SuperDry]

Originally Posted by MsYumiBr

Most of the people I know drive to the park.

May I guess that you're associated with a US military base? Otherwise, it would seem surprising to me that even an American with their own car in Japan would be able to say that most of the people they know also drive to TDR mostly.

[MsYumiBr]

I have adult English students that give me advice about travel. If they have a car, they drive to the park. I haven't talked to anyone with a car who takes the train to Disney resort, yet.

[lighttragic]

Originally Posted by JoeInJpn

Due to the Resort's location at Tokyo Bay, on most days that have stronger-than-average winds, both JR train lines have service delays or suspensions.

FYI: I wonder if lighttragic realized that in the picture above the traffic cones are positioned in a way to make a design. Most likely a semi-profile Mickey outline.

Yes I did its actually Mickey and Minnie Kissing... I think I have a photo somewhere of it... give me a while and I can post it

[JoeInJpn]

I believe for frequent visitors like AP holders, especially in the Kanto area, take the train to TDR. For those who visit once or twice a year, perhaps a car is preferable. FWIW, I have a car and have driven to TDR about once a year for the past 14 years.

[SuperDry]

FWIW, the park calendar has a legend that says "On days marked with P, guest parking and surrounding roads are expected to become highly congested. Please use public transportation when visiting the Park." But, there don't seem to be any days so marked through the end of August, so perhaps they're just not marking the calendar anymore. Or, is it possible that the parking lots no longer fill up now that there's the overflow TDS structure?

I also noticed that for the Summer Program period of July 8 - August 31, it appears that they'll offer both the Starlight and After 6 Passport every day of the week. I've never seen this done before, but perhaps I just didn't notice.

[Another Voice]

Thanks to everyone for the information. If I recall correctly, I think that way back during Master Planning they expected the vast majority of people to use public transportation. It's interesting how times have changed.

My visits have been during the more "off peak" times I've never seen the parking lots crowded. Are there parking lot trams available? How about for the remote TDS parking structure? The first time I saw the thing I thought it might belong to the factory next door.

[SuperDry]

I've never seen a tram at TDR. I think it's just expected that you walk. As for the TDS overflow structure, if you look at a satellite map, you can see that there's an elevated walkway connecting it to the South entrance plaza for the park.

[TDLFAN]

The only elevated walkway is the one connecting maihama station to TDL's northeastern side of the main entrance. And yes, there is NO parking trams at TDR.. and keep in mind the parking fee for a car there is about $20 US.

[SuperDry]

Originally Posted by TDLFAN

The only elevated walkway is the one connecting maihama station to TDL's northeastern side of the main entrance.

Uh, no. Check this out:

Google Maps

There quite clearly appears to be an elevated walkway connecting the auxiliary TDS parking structure to the southern TDS entrance plaza.