Credit: Joel (coconutwireless), FlickrTrader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel just became even more magical. After years of operating as one of the most popular nightlife spots on Disney property without complimentary parking validation, the resort has now quietly updated its official policy—Trader Sam’s guests can now validate their parking for up to 3 hours free.
Yes, really.
This new policy, reflected on Disneyland’s website, confirms that visitors enjoying drinks or food at Trader Sam’s can now skip the $80+ daily parking bill that’s long made casual drop-ins feel like a pricey commitment. Instead, guests can enjoy either valet or self-parking at the Disneyland Hotel for up to three hours, free with validation.
This Is a Big Deal for Disneyland Locals
For years, Trader Sam’s has been the go-to hangout for Disney fans who want a themed bar experience without entering the parks. But the catch? Parking was… brutal. Without validation, anyone heading to the Disneyland Hotel risked paying up to $40 for just the first hour—and that price climbed steeply with each additional hour.
Compare that to Downtown Disney’s lot, where an AMC ticket or a Wetzel’s Pretzel could score you validation. Meanwhile, Trader Sam’s fans were stuck shelling out full resort parking rates just to enjoy a tiki drink.
Now? That’s changed. Disneyland is giving Trader Sam’s the same treatment as several other table-service restaurants across the resort, giving locals and visitors alike a far more affordable path to paradise.
Here’s the Full List of Restaurants Offering Hotel Parking Validation
If you’re planning a resort visit and hoping to dodge theme park parking prices, here are the current spots (according to Disneyland’s official parking info) that offer free parking with restaurant or spa validation:
At the Disneyland Hotel:
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Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – 3 hours valet or self-parking
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Goofy’s Kitchen – 3 hours valet or self-parking
At Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa:
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Storytellers Cafe – 3 hours valet or self-parking
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Napa Rose – 5 hours valet or self-parking
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Tenaya Stone Spa – 5 hours valet or self-parking when spending $135+
At Pixar Place Hotel:
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Great Maple – 3 hours self-parking only
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Small Bytes – 3 hours self-parking only
Remember: Validation Isn’t Automatic
Just like at Downtown Disney, you’ll need to get your parking ticket validated at the restaurant. So make sure to ask your server or bartender at Trader Sam’s before closing your tab.
And if you stay beyond the allotted 3 hours, Disneyland’s standard rates will kick in: $10 for each additional hour, maxing out at $80 for self-parking or $140 for valet.
A Look Back at Trader Sam’s
When Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar opened in May 2011, it immediately carved out a niche in Disneyland Resort nightlife. Modeled after the Jungle Cruise’s infamous head salesman, Trader Sam, the bar is a quirky, immersive hideaway brimming with Easter eggs, artifacts, and a story-driven cocktail menu.
It draws from the same playful, tropical energy as Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, but turns up the volume with erupting volcanoes, surprise lighting effects, and an impressively loyal fan base.
It’s small—seating is tight indoors, and the patio often reaches capacity during peak hours—but it’s remained one of the resort’s most unique experiences for over a decade. The success of Trader Sam’s even led to the opening of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Walt Disney World in 2015.
Until now, however, the Anaheim location had a frustrating drawback: no parking perks, despite its high prices and popularity. That limitation discouraged many from stopping by for just one drink or appetizer—especially since valet alone could cost as much as the bar tab itself.
The addition of Trader Sam’s to Disneyland’s official validation list isn’t just a small website update—it’s a game-changer for how guests can enjoy one of the resort’s best hidden gems. Whether you’re a local looking for an after-work hangout or a visitor hoping to start your Disneyland day with a themed cocktail, you now have one less thing to stress about.
No park ticket? No problem. You’ve got 3 hours of parking, on the house.
Just make sure to order that Krakatoa Punch after you hand over your parking ticket.