Simba Parking

11-26-21 Shhh... this is the best meaning closest parking for Downtown Disney.

You proceed to the security checkpoint then you're free to shop, eat, people watch or jive to the live entertainment.

Our go tos are Ralph Brennan's for sit down meals then find cool Disney attire or items for omiyage at the big store.

After you're done, walk back to your vehicle at the Simba Parking lot.

Sometimes like last nite they had cones blocking where you needed to follow the arrow for accessible parking.

On a busy Friday evening the entry or exit lines hit up a traffic jam but you can be happy that your walk was shorter back to your car then walking all the way to the top to meet an Uber driver.

Simba Parking is a huge parking lot for those who want to take a stroll, hang out or do some serious shopping at Downtown Disney. If you want to get a close parking spot then i suggest you come early because it does fill up the later it gets in the day.

Pricing was reasonable considering its Disney lol

Remember to take your belongings and lock your vehicles.

Went to downtown disney today and on my way out Stephanie made my day with her kindness and friendly personality! It was a great way to end the day! Thank you Stephanie!

Great parking place. Bus quick there and back and always quick exit. Disney has the parking figured out. Love it.

It took our family over an hour to exit due to not being able to exit safely and in an organized fashion. No one would help the multi lane line. One self important clown exited the line and tried to ram our car because we would not let him cut in front of us. My husband had to jump out of the car to stop him. Staff was condescending and rude when we asked for a solution for all guests to exit in a timely manner. The female dark haired cast member in glasses was lucky we could not read her name badge. She deserves to be fired. Rude, condescending and not helpful. Then after an hour the line started moving and they let hundreds of cars exit without paying including us. They knew they had made a huge mistake to make guests wait that long. There was honking and violence in the parking lot. Shameful epic fail, Disney!

Came here to park 8 weeks ago when we went to Downtown Disney District. Signage on Disneyland Drive was good, since the signs indicated where to turn off near Paradise Pier Hotel in order to get to Simba Parking lot. When we went, we had to stop at one of the gates/arms that opened up after pushing the button for a ticket and taking the parking ticket. After that, guests were on their own to figure out where to park, since there weren't any cast members to direct guests where to go. There were directional arrows painted on the asphalt, but that didn't stop people from driving against the arrows. Nevertheless, since I'm a former Disneyland Resort cast member, I knew where to go, but it was frustrating seeing a car driving against the arrow speeding directly at me.

Parking was easy to find, but Simba Parking lot is a 5 to 10 minute walk to get to Downtown Disney, longer if the guest is physically handicapped, and the clock continues to tick during the walk time (remember parking is charged before you leave, depending on how long you stay, or how long it takes you to walk). Parking spaces are wide to accommodate bigger vehicles nicely.

While in Downtown Disney District, guests can get parking validation by spending a minimum of $20. This allows the guest to get some free hours, but you'll have to ask the business for validation. Even with validation, guests will have to pay at least $10 for parking.

Before returning to Simba Parking Lot, there are some kiosks on the sidewalk at the edge of the parking lot where guests can pay for parking. Plan ahead for this step because sometimes the lines for the kiosks are long, or kiosks are not functioning properly. You can then take your ticket and insert it into the machine, allowing you to exit Simba Parking lot.

Didn't have my shit stolen and parked there for a few hrs, good enough for me!!! ;) just make sure you get your ticket verified by a downtown Disney associate otw out

If it's your first time parking here like it was ours, please note a few things!
Pre covid this was the cast member parking lot, but is currently is the Downtown Disney (DTD) District visitor/guest parking lot as well.
The Google Maps 'Simba Cast Member Lot' location marker is NOT where guests/visitors enter; the actual entrance is located off Disneyland Drive.
If you enter in the Cast Member Lot entrance due to Google Maps like we did, tell the parking attendant, and they will tell you how to exit the lot and enter off Disneyland Dr so you can grab a ticket, ('lost' tickets are $66!).

Please see further covid-19 updates & general information on this lot for DTD District on their website here:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/experience-updates/downtown-disney/#drawer-card-guestParkingEntrances

DTD District Hours:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/day/

Great place for parking if visiting just Downtown Disney. First hour is $10. If you buy something over $20 in downtown Disney (parking validation), you get additional 3 hours. If you plan on dining too, plan on validating later so you can get an extra 3 hours. First, ask the store if they do parking validation prior to purchase.

If you have questions about parking validations, you could ask the associates at the World of Disney store.

Have fun exploring!

Located off Disneyland drive this lot was the employee lot pre covid. Cost for parking is $10.00 upon entering no free parking even if you have the top Annual pass. There are lot of spaces it is a pretty big lot. Easy to get in and out of as well. The parking slots are much wider compared to Toy Story. Overall a great lot if you come down for Downtown Disney during this covid time.