Disneyland Parking Tips to Save Time and Money

by Patrick Tuason
(Central Coast of California)

Park at Downtown Disneyland. Downtown Disney parking is free for the first 3 hours and 2 additional hours can be free with proof that you ate at one of the restaurants in Downtown Disney. Sit-down restaurants are preferable but the ticket booth people don't really care. Just save a receipt showing you ate somewhere in Downtown Disney.

If you don't have a receipt, sometimes the parking attendants will take your word for it and will eliminate 2 hours of parking past the first 3 free hours that you were there. So if you were at the park for a total of 5 hours, you get parking basically free!

Another tip for crowded days or nights: Pull into the valet lane!! We got parked immediately and we were off and into the park. It costs only $6 which is totally worth not having to search for a parking spot.

Disney Princess Dresses

by kiera
(vancouver)

The last time I was in disneyland, I was much too old to be buying a princess dress for myself; however I did have a four year old niece at the time, so we decided to by one for her. Well the dress was GORGEOUS from the beginning, and is now on its 3rd little girl and in great condition still.

I don't think they are the same as the ones that they sell in the disney stores in malls, because ours always seemed much nicer. It was quite pricey, (I can't recall exactly but i think it was around 50 dollars) but clearly it was worth every penny.

Buy an autograph book before you go

by Sheri
(Oregon)

Knowing that the characters would sign autographs, I bought my girls each a cute, small notebook that they could use for gathering autographs and the hotel had pens in the room that worked great. My cost: $2.50 each. The park versions run about $20

Save on Stroller Rental

by Ashley
(Gilbert, AZ)

If you are going for more than one day and plan on renting a stroller - ask for a discount. They will give you one. It saved us about $40!