How much is parking at Downtown Disney? This is one of the most common questions asked by visitors visiting Downtown Disney.
My Downtown Disney Parking Guide keeps track of the most recent parking rates at Downtown Disney as well as any special offers or discounts that could be available to you.
Let’s dive straight into it.
How Much is Parking at Downtown Disney?
If you’re wondering how much it costs to park at Downtown Disney, then I got you covered.
For starters, the Simba Parking Lot in Downtown Disney charges $10 for the first hour of parking.
If you don’t receive any kind of validation, each additional hour of parking in the Simba lot costs $14.
Of course, this isn’t the only spot you can park at Downtown Disney.
You will be required to pay a daily parking fee of $30 for regular parking if you choose to park at the Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, or Toy Story parking spaces rather than the Simba lot.
For an additional $50 per vehicle, preferred parking is also offered at the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals facilities.
Even while Preferred Parking in the garages offers more upscale spaces closer to the escalators and elevators, it still requires a significantly longer walk than parking in the Simba Lot to get to Downtown Disney.
In addition to the hourly charge of $6.00, there is a flat $6.00 price for Downtown Disney Valet Parking.
Please take note that the tip for the valet parking workers is not included in this cost.
If you’re only visiting Downtown Disney, I don’t advise paying for Preferred Parking unless you’re also visiting Disneyland or California Adventure.
Overview of Downtown Disney
Having answered the question “how much is parking at Downtown Disney?” Let’s have a brief overview of Downtown Disney.
Downtown Disney is designed in a single direction, starting west at the Disneyland Hotel and terminating east at the esplanade connecting Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
At night, the green and groomed Downtown Disney comes alive with neon and sparkles.
The complex has specialty shops, restaurants, and bowling alleys.
Many of the restaurants, like Jazz Kitchen, provide entertainment in addition to dining.
Splitsville is a luxurious bowling alley and restaurant with 40,000 square feet.
Ballast Point has over 50 craft beers on tap as well as a nice burger variety.
Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria and Tortilla Jo’s Mexican restaurant are two other alternatives.
Starbucks is close to World of Disney as well as the tram loading/unloading zone.
This store serves the entire chain’s beverages and sandwiches, as well as providing free Wi-Fi and complete loyalty card perks.
Salt & Straw serves the best ice cream in the Disneyland Resort. Earl of Sandwich offers the finest dining deal in the Disneyland Resort.
If you don’t feel like eating, there’s always shopping to keep you busy.
The shopping environment is anchored by a 40,000-square-foot World of Disney store, the world’s second largest.
Cosmetics can be purchased at Sephora.
WonderGround Gallery features edgy (and costly) reinterpretations of classic Disney pictures, typically autographed by the artists.
Can You Secure Free Parking at Downtown Disney?
YES, there are multiple ways through which you can secure free parking in Downtown Disney.
There are several ways to receive a few free hours of parking at Downtown Disney.
However, you nearly always have to make a payment for the first hour out of pocket, followed by the free hours.
For example, at Downtown Disney, free parking for three hours is given with any purchase of $20 or more.
The first hour of parking is not validated, however the next three hours are free.
This is essentially a purchase one hour, get three hours free promotion.
Ensure you carry your parking ticket when you spend $20 to gain validation.
In addition, any Downtown Disney table-service restaurant will provide you with 5 hours of free parking.
Furthermore, you must pay for your first hour of parking and then receive an extra 5 hours of free parking.
Validation for parking is only available if you park in the Simba Lot!
If you park in the Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, or Toy Story lots, you will not be able to verify your parking.
If you choose to park in the Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, or Toy Story lots, you will only be allowed to do so if you have an Inspire Key.
The Inspire Key only provides free parking at these three locations; the Simba Lot isn’t included in the free parking.
As long as you don’t mind parking further away, owning an Inspire Key is the only method to receive 100% free parking at Downtown Disney.
Is Self-Parking Available at Downtown Disney?
YES, self-parking is available at Downtown Disney.
Downtown Disney offers free parking for the first three hours.
If you verify your parking ticket at an AMC theater or a table-service restaurant, you will receive an extra two hours.
After the first hour, each extra hour costs $6 and is paid in 20-minute blocks.
West of Disneyland Drive, at Magic Way and Downtown Drive, there is valet parking for the Downtown Disney District.
Parking Validation Locations in Downtown Disney
If you want your parking ticket validated at an AMC theater or a table-service eatery in the Downtown Disney District, carry your parking ticket with you.
Provide your movie or restaurant receipt to the parking lot attendant as you leave the lot if you forgot to have it validated.
The following locations offer parking validation: AMC Theatres, Catal Restaurant, ESPN Zone, House of Blues, La Brea Bakery Café, Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria, Rainforest Café and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen.
Is There Parking for Guests with Disabilities in Downtown Disney?
YES, there is parking for guests with disabilities in Downtown Disney.
Visitors with disabilities can park in the first row of the Downtown Disney District parking lot adjacent to the Rainforest Café.
They can also park at the first aisle of the Simba Lot close to Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
Parking Deals and Discounts
If you’re wondering whether there are parking deals and discounts, then you are at the right place.
There are parking deals and discounts offered at Downtown Disney.
However, it is important to note that the best Downtown Disney parking deals and discounts will be obtained through dining validation or by possessing a Magic Key.
The Inspire Key provides free parking, the Dream Key provides 50% off parking, and the Enchant Key provides 25% off parking.
The Inspire Key and Dream Key parking discounts are only good at the Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, and Toy Story lots.
On the other hand, the Enchant Key discount is only valid at the Toy Story lot.
When parking in the Simba Lot, Magic Key savings are never available!
Discounts are also available when dining at a Disney Table Service Restaurant or making a purchase of $20 or more at the Simba Parking Lot.
There is no way to avoid having to pay for the first hour of parking at the Simba Lot!
After the first hour, you can get an extra three hours of parking at the Simba Lot for free with a $20 purchase.
You can further get an extra five hours of parking when dining at any Disney Table Service Restaurant.
These incentives cannot be combined, and you must present your parking ticket to be validated!
Conclusion
There you have it, the answer to the question “how much is parking at Downtown Disney?”
Parking at Downtown Disney varies depending on the location and the time of your visit.
Self-parking is available and so does parking for visitors with disabilities.
There are also many parking deals and discounts for visitors.
So, if you want to enjoy some fine dining or shop at the various stores at Downtown Disney, then you do not have to worry about parking.