Disneyland Parking: Is It Worth Parking at Anaheim GardenWalk?

Parking at Disneyland Resort is more expensive than ever. Visitors to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure always have been and always will be looking for ways to save a few bucks on parking. Meanwhile, some businesses in the area are trying to cater to these value seekers. One of these businesses is the nearby outdoor mall and entertainment complex, Anaheim GardenWalk. Is It Worth Parking at Anaheim GardenWalk? In this post we’ll go over the pros and cons, and compare GardenWalk’s parking to Disneyland Resort’s own parking areas.

Disneyland Resort Parking Prices:

• $35 standard parking per car or motorcycle
• $40 oversized vehicle parking, motor home or tractor without trailer (Toy Story Parking Area only)
• $55 preferred parking per car or motorcycle

Anaheim Garden Walk Parking Price:

• First hour free
• $4.00 after first hour and each additional hour
• $30 daily parking maximum

As you can see, the daily price is similar between both Disney and GardenWalk parking areas. However, at GardenWalk you can park for free for the first hour, and then pay $4 for each additional hour. This makes GardenWalk’s parking cheaper than Disneyland’s if you plan to stay less than about 8 hours. That’s perfect for the throngs of people who don’t have a Magic Key with parking included who visit Disneyland after they get off work to grab dinner and go on a few rides.

Pros of Parking at Disneyland Resort

• Free tram transportation from parking areas to Downtown Disney from the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals Parking Structures, or free bus transportation to Disneyland Resort’s Harbor Blvd entrance from the Toy Story Parking Area.
• Disney security observing the parking areas
• As soon as you enter a Disney parking area, you’re in the “Disney bubble.”

Cons of Parking at Disneyland Resort

• Expensive
• Long waits to enter Disney’s parking areas and then even longer waits to get on the tram/bus.
• Even though tram and bus transport is included, the walk from your car to these forms of transportation can be long.

Pros of Parking at Anaheim GardenWalk

• Cheaper, especially if you stay less than 8 hours.
• Entry into GardenWalk parking areas takes significantly less time.

Cons of Parking at Anaheim GardenWalk

• 0.5 mile walk to Disneyland Resort’s Harbor security entrance.
• Walking from GardenWalk to Disneyland takes place on the busy public roads.

As you can see, each parking area has strengths and weaknesses that need to be considered. I mentioned the long waits to enter the Disney parking areas. As frequent Disneyland visitors know, parking at Mickey & Friends/Pixar Pals during peak hours can sometimes take over an hour. That combined with another long wait to get through security and then actually board the tram means you’re spending a lot of time before you even get into the parks. GardenWalk has no transportation to the parks, but often you can get into their parking area, walk half a mile, and then arrive at Disneyland’s Harbor Blvd security entrance in about 15 minutes. Disneyland’s Harbor Blvd security entrance can also have long lines during peak hours, but many people we talk to still find this option to be faster than the Disney parking structures.

Some other tidbits to keep in mind are that Anaheim GardenWalk allows overnight parking, while Disneyland does not. Also, both GardenWalk and Disney’s parking areas offer electric vehicle charging, but the Toy Story Parking area has the most available.

Disneyland Resort Parking Areas and Addresses:

• Mickey & Friends Parking Structure (owned by Disney) – 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
• Pixar Pals Parking Structure (owned by Disney) – 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
• Toy Story Parking Area (owned by Disney) – 1976 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802
• Anaheim Garden Walk (owned by STC Management) – 321 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802

Since parking at GardenWalk is by the hour, payment needs to be made as you’re exiting the complex. This can be done with credit cards at the parking gates, or at one of several payment machines at various locations in GardenWalk with cash or credit card. Payment at Disneyland Resort parking areas is completed upon entering.

Is it worth parking at Anaheim GardenWalk? Yes, in certain situations. Magic Keyholders with passes that don’t include parking will find it most appealing. The half a mile walk in each direction isn’t much different from walking to/from the cars in Disney’s lots, and guests who stay less than a full day will save some money. However, visitors who want to stay in the Disney bubble as soon as they arrive on property, or guests who visit a full day will want to park in one of Disney’s lots.

Do you park at Anaheim GardenWalk when visiting Disneyland? Share some tips or let us know any other thoughts you have in the comments below.