Walking into the Toy Story parking lot

Jaina · Mar 19, 2019

So, we are staying at the BW Plus Raffles over by the TS parking lot with in-park days Apr 28th-May 1st. There are 7 of us, and the youngest two will be riding in a double stroller. We have parked in the TS lot several times and gone over, but we haven't walked over before. What I'm wondering is how early we can walk into the lot and get in line for the first buses, and will they run right at 1.5 hours before first official opening? We can walk all the way over if needed (and probably will on our MM morning Tuesday) but I'd like to save the older kids' legs if we can the other two mornings. I guess the other option is me walking over with the stroller and littler kids (who would need car seats) and have the older 3 and Dad (saving his legs, too...) Uber over? Thoughts?

Pic of our cuties who are super excited for this trip! (ages 2-12)

gary1955 · Mar 19, 2019

they don't start running the buses until the parking lot opens so you might want to check that out.

I'm not sure but it seemed to me that they opened later than the parking structure. I think I have been there like an hour before opening and they hadn't opened the parking booths yet. the entry drive was bumper to bumper cars and there was a line past the light at Orangewood Ave and around the corner with cars waiting in line.

ddwlms · Mar 19, 2019

They use to open only an hour before official opening time except on MM; (MM it was the 1.5 hours before official opening time.)

If you get there right at opening you can easily be the first or second family in line because you can get to the line quicker than the people driving in and parking.

azdisneylover · Mar 19, 2019

Jaina said:
So, we are staying at the BW Plus Raffles over by the TS parking lot with in-park days Apr 28th-May 1st. There are 7 of us, and the youngest two will be riding in a double stroller. We have parked in the TS lot several times and gone over, but we haven't walked over before. What I'm wondering is how early we can walk into the lot and get in line for the first buses, and will they run right at 1.5 hours before first official opening? We can walk all the way over if needed (and probably will on our MM morning Tuesday) but I'd like to save the older kids' legs if we can the other two mornings. I guess the other option is me walking over with the stroller and littler kids (who would need car seats) and have the older 3 and Dad (saving his legs, too...) Uber over? Thoughts?

Pic of our cuties who are super excited for this trip! (ages 2-12)

I don't have a clue. I wanted to say you have such beautiful children! Wishing you a wonderful trip full of fun and pixie dust!

Jaina · Mar 19, 2019

ddwlms said:
They use to open only an hour before official opening time except on MM; (MM it was the 1.5 hours before official opening time.)

If you get there right at opening you can easily be the first or second family in line because you can get to the line quicker than the people driving in and parking.

Hmm. It sounds like it might not be our best bet to walk first thing in the morning. I’ll wait to see if anyone else has ideas on how this is currently working. The real bonus will be jumping on the bus at the end of the day when we’re worn out though!

azdisneylover said:
I don't have a clue. I wanted to say you have such beautiful children! Wishing you a wonderful trip full of fun and pixie dust!

Thanks! I’m sure we’ll have a great time, I just prefer to have everything as figured out as possible before we go so I can think on my feet!

theluckyrabbit · Mar 19, 2019

Well, here's another option, depending on how early everyone can get up in the morning... If everyone can get up and walk together, you'll walk by a Starbucks (on Katella, just around the corner from the Walgreens). Also, there is a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Katella on the opposite side of Harbor (west of the CVS). You can send Dad and the older kids ahead with the breakfast orders, meet up at the corner of Harbor and Katella (make sure to clarify which corner!), the continue the walk to bag check together with breakfast and drinks in hand. It's a bit more fuss, but makes the walk a little more fun. You'll also go right by the 7-11 on Harbor, if simple coffee, milk, and donuts will do the trick.

VandVsmama · Mar 20, 2019

I looked at the DL website and it said that Toy Story kit is open 90 min before reg park opening on MM days. But it won’t be open 90 min ahead of time the other days of the week...that would be open 60 min before park opening.

Jaina · Mar 20, 2019

theluckyrabbit said:
Well, here's another option, depending on how early everyone can get up in the morning... If everyone can get up and walk together, you'll walk by a Starbucks (on Katella, just around the corner from the Walgreens). Also, there is a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Katella on the opposite side of Harbor (west of the CVS). You can send Dad and the older kids ahead with the breakfast orders, meet up at the corner of Harbor and Katella (make sure to clarify which corner!), the continue the walk to bag check together with breakfast and drinks in hand. It's a bit more fuss, but makes the walk a little more fun. You'll also go right by the 7-11 on Harbor, if simple coffee, milk, and donuts will do the trick.

We are now staying at the Cortona, and there is a free breakfast, so the kids and I will probably do that while DH showers/gets ready in relative peace for a few minutes each morning (He'll bring a bar or something for breakfast - he doesn't usually eat until about 10). We don't drink coffee or tea, but otherwise that would be a great plan! I'm really looking at having the older set Uber over in the mornings, especially since we just saved over $100 switching hotels! I'll see what DH wants to do. We could probably all walk over together the first morning, since feet will be fresh.

We had issues with our now-almost-9 daughter last trip and her hips having a lot of pain from the walking after the first two days, and she's waaay too big to hitch a ride in the double stroller now, so thinking of ways to save her walking some.

theluckyrabbit · Mar 20, 2019

Jaina said:
... We had issues with our now-almost-9 daughter last trip and her hips having a lot of pain from the walking after the first two days, and she's waaay too big to hitch a ride in the double stroller now, so thinking of ways to save her walking some.

Just a thought for the hip pain: I was experiencing that, too, and tried putting a pair of sport insoles (inexpensive -- Dr. Scholl's, I think -- very springy in the heel) in my shoes, just to see if I could notice any difference. Oh, my! Yes, the difference with and without the insoles is quite noticeable in my hips, especially when standing in lines on concrete. So maybe you could have your daughter test a pair before your trip to see if her hips feel a difference? The insoles don't take up too much space in my shoes, both street and sport shoes.

Jaina · Mar 20, 2019

theluckyrabbit said:
Just a thought for the hip pain: I was experiencing that, too, and tried putting a pair of sport insoles (inexpensive -- Dr. Scholl's, I think -- very springy in the heel) in my shoes, just to see if I could notice any difference. Oh, my! Yes, the difference with and without the insoles is quite noticeable in my hips, especially when standing in lines on concrete. So maybe you could have your daughter test a pair before your trip to see if her hips feel a difference? The insoles don't take up too much space in my shoes, both street and sport shoes.

This is a great idea that I would have never considered for kids!

theluckyrabbit · Mar 20, 2019

The difference at MHP was unbelievable! I was worried that the shoes for my costume would have me limping around for a few days afterward, but the insoles saved the day!

Walking into the Toy Story parking lot

Jaina

Actually, my name is Sara. It's a long, VMK story.

gary1955

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ddwlms

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azdisneylover

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Jaina

Actually, my name is Sara. It's a long, VMK story.

theluckyrabbit

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VandVsmama

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Jaina

Actually, my name is Sara. It's a long, VMK story.

theluckyrabbit

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Jaina

Actually, my name is Sara. It's a long, VMK story.

theluckyrabbit

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