Security to enter the parks is the absolute worst. THE WORST

[mom2rtk]

I doubt it is going to change. Keys for all hotels are identical, there is no way to differentiate between the hotels. It would mean they make different keys for the Grand. It would also make people reconsider breakfast at Storytellers.

Good points. Hopefully that's the case. Then I would just need to wait for feedback for how backed up that DTD entrance gets. I guess it wouldn't be as bad as the GCH entrance since they could be screening people prior to park open, while the GCH entrance has to wait until the park opens. It's a shame they haven't set up a holding area at the GCH entrance to allow them to start screening prior to rope drop, and hold people on the other side until park open.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Room Keys, easy to add a symbol are initials, such as GCH printed near your name and dates of stay.

As for Storytellers, just place a note at the restaurant that you need to make sure you keep your receipt and show it at the security check to enter DtD.

Once again, Disney will be looking at the situation and make adjustments depending on the how long the lines get in the morning. As stated, they have to keep the GCH guests happy, and if the only other option is to walk to the Paradise Pier Hotel and then north to the ESPN Zone, well, I am not sure TripAdvisor could handle all the posts complaining about the long waits just to leave the hotel property. (Guess they could add a shuttle between the GCH Valet area and either the Disneyland Hotel or Harbor Transportation Center. And if it requires that they limit the users of the new security checkpoint next to Sephora to GCH guests (and those who bought a meal that morning at the Hotel) to keep lines and waits a reasonable length. Disney does not have the option of adding more than the two Security check lines due to the width of the Hallway.

Only time will tell, but at least the initial test will be during a busy peak time.

 

[mom2rtk]

Room Keys, easy to add a symbol are initials, such as GCH printed near your name and dates of stay.

As for Storytellers, just place a note at the restaurant that you need to make sure you keep your receipt and show it at the security check to enter DtD.

Once again, Disney will be looking at the situation and make adjustments depending on the how long the lines get in the morning. As stated, they have to keep the GCH guests happy, and if the only other option is to walk to the Paradise Pier Hotel and then north to the ESPN Zone, well, I am not sure TripAdvisor could handle all the posts complaining about the long waits just to leave the hotel property. (Guess they could add a shuttle between the GCH Valet area and either the Disneyland Hotel or Harbor Transportation Center. And if it requires that they limit the users of the new security checkpoint next to Sephora to GCH guests (and those who bought a meal that morning at the Hotel) to keep lines and waits a reasonable length. Disney does not have the option of adding more than the two Security check lines due to the width of the Hallway.

Only time will tell, but at least the initial test will be during a busy peak time.

Well, they need to evaluate carefully. There are TONS of much more affordable hotels close by that might end up being a lot less hassle for entering the parks.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Well, they need to evaluate carefully. There are TONS of much more affordable hotels close by that might end up being a lot less hassle for entering the parks.

Yes, and they are also going to feel the effect of the security changes in 2018, when the new Disneyland Eastern Gateway project opens, an that most folks will be forced to go through Security off Manchester and use the Pedestrian Bridge over Harbor Blvd to enter the parks.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-738016-harbor-businesses.html

But due to the location, and the fact that GCH room rates are the highest out of the three Disney Hotels, they have to focus on making sure they take care of them, and keep waits short.

Disney has never advertised the "GCH Shortcut", so to them, expecting guests to head north to the ESPN Zone walking past the DLH is nothing out of the ordinary. And if a few guests decide to not book at the PPH, based on room capacity percentages, there are plenty of other folks that are willing to pay the current Disney prices for the Hotel.

Times are changing.... And Star Wars Land hasn't even opened yet....

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, and they are also going to feel the effect of the security changes in 2018, when the new Disneyland Eastern Gateway project opens, an that most folks will be forced to go through Security off Manchester and use the Pedestrian Bridge over Harbor Blvd to enter the parks.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disney-738016-harbor-businesses.html

But due to the location, and the fact that GCH room rates are the highest out of the three Disney Hotels, they have to focus on making sure they take care of them, and keep waits short.

Disney has never advertised the "GCH Shortcut", so to them, expecting guests to head north to the ESPN Zone walking past the DLH is nothing out of the ordinary. And if a few guests decide to not book at the PPH, based on room capacity percentages, there are plenty of other folks that are willing to pay the current Disney prices for the Hotel.

Times are changing.... And Star Wars Land hasn't even opened yet....

No doubt Star Wars will likely overpower any impact from people like me who bow out. But I planned on bowing out anyway when Star Wars opens. I want no part of the crowds that will bring. But I did plan to make one more trip in 2017 before it opened.

But the fact that Disney didn't advertise that shortcut didn't mean that pretty much everyone didn't know about it. In our entire time staying at PPH, I have not seen a single guest leaving the hotel in the morning heading toward the DTD/DLH area. They are ALL heading toward GCH.

And a bus wouldn't do it for me.

 

[albertamom]

Disneyland Paris moved their security check points a few years ago similar to what is happening in DL now and it works so much better - there are several points depending where you are entering from rather than just one. They also installed airport type scanners which bags go through - this makes it very quick as bags done need to be opened.

The other thing worth thinking about is that GC hotel will be within that secure zone already so anyone entering from there may not need to go through security again. They may set up a system of scanning all bags etc as people enter the hotel from the car park/bus side/main entrance and so they will have entered the secure zone. This is what happens at DL hotel in Paris which is also at the park entrance like GC. People staying in there don't have to go through security as have already been checked. So from GC people would be able to go straight into the park or into DTD. Anyone cutting through GC from PP hotel for example would probably be scanned going into GC .

I think that this would be a wonderful idea! We have a stay at GCH coming up, and I'm just dreading the way everyone else has described the possible security at the entrance to DTD. If we could flow freely into DCA or DTD, because GCH would already be within the security bubble, it would be heavenly.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I think that this would be a wonderful idea! We have a stay at GCH coming up, and I'm just dreading the way everyone else has described the possible security at the entrance to DTD. If we could flow freely into DCA or DTD, because GCH would already be within the security bubble, it would be heavenly.

I just don't see how it's possible, since hotel guests can have items that aren't allowed in the parks. This week alone, I saw glass bottles and a selfie stick get removed at security - but a hotel guest could have those. And how would they possibly check luggage?

It would be great from a guest perspective, but it doesn't seem feasible...

 

[albertamom]

I just don't see how it's possible, since hotel guests can have items that aren't allowed in the parks. This week alone, I saw glass bottles and a selfie stick get removed at security - but a hotel guest could have those. And how would they possibly check luggage?

It would be great from a guest perspective, but it doesn't seem feasible...

You definitely have a point. It would involve a completely different approach to security, including airport-type luggage scanners when you enter the hotel, like they have in Paris. I don't expect it to happen here, but I would love it if it did! It would make GCH even more enticing.

 

[alvernon90]

The success of the security operation is not defined by how quickly people move through but by the lack of serious incidences on the property

Given that there were no serious incidents in the many decades before Disney implemented these security measures, their rate of success is exactly the same as if they staffed the security checkpoints with ham sandwiches.

All security operations like this need to be considered on a cost-benefit analysis, and extreme inconvenience to the guests counts as a very serious cost. If Disney is going to send their paying guests into screaming furies over their pointless marginal security improvements, they should at least increase the budget. Hopefully that is what will happen with the new security checkpoints.

 

[alvernon90]

It can be frustrating, but a necessary frustration for now. I wish there was nothing to worry about and everyone only had good intentions when visiting Disneyland.

The same thing can be said of your local grocery store, yet you would not tolerate 45 minute delays just to replenish your supply of Fruity Pebbles. The frustration is not necessary. Security people always fetishize their "intelligence" but it's all just BS. They create the imperative, we pay for it with our valuable time. Disneyland is getting to be as bad as the airport.

There is no reason to cause such delays when the security screening is already so inadequate. Anyone who has ever seen a movie could come up with about 25 ways to bring harmful weapons through those screening areas. It's not real hard. The checkpoints do provide a certain deterrent value, but the value is minimal and the inconvenience to guests should also be minimal.

 

[alvernon90]

Then the dog was off on a scent, started going after some guy in line....who promptly left the line and high tailed it into the bus stop area and then onto the street. He clearly had something on him, the dog sensed it, and he sensed the dog on his tail.

My guess as to what he was smuggling in that made the dog start signaling: bacon.

 

[Darkbeer1]

If you watch the video that is part of the OCR article I linked to, Disney has offered for every Hotel on Harbor north of Disney Way to build a pathway connection between the back of their Hotel/Motel to connect directly with the main walkway from Disney Way to the new security checkpoint, which should be a nicer option, as it would all be on private property, and there would be no homeless issue on the public sidewalk. Looks like the Hotel owner will have to pay for and build the connector that would meet some basic Disney requirements to their sidewalk. And I think that is the best solution. I presume they could add a gate that requires a room key to use it.

But the restaurants won't like it, as they totally would be bypassed. Those south of Disney Way will be directed away from Harbor at the Grand Legacy to the new entrance. (There is new entry point sign shown in the video). So that block of Harbor will not have much public sidewalk use. (The Bus Stops are expected to be moved off Harbor and use a short detour to Manchester/Clementine and a stop next to the new Transportation Hub.

We also have a lot more new Lodging Choices opening near the Pummba Parking Structure, the Quality Inn is planning a new 6 story Tower, to be similar to the new Courtyard and Holiday Inn Express. Two new properties are being worked on at the corner of Disney Way and Clementine, a Country Inn Tower, and a new one where the Bergstrom Furniture Store used to be. The JW Marriott at the south west corner next to GardenWalk and the conversion of the Anaheim Plaza to a 4 star Hotel.

All these properties will use the new Pummba Pedestrian Entrance, or a northern entrance next to the Quality Inn for those on Manchester (HoJo's, Courtyyard, HIE and QI replacement).

 

[MillauFr]

We stay at the Candy Cane and walk to the parks. The new proposal is going to almost double the amount of walking it takes to get to DL. I see no reason why Disney can't have a second security screening area where the current vehicle drop off area is.

 

[Darkbeer1]

We stay at the Candy Cane and walk to the parks. The new proposal is going to almost double the amount of walking it takes to get to DL. I see no reason why Disney can't have a second security screening area where the current vehicle drop off area is.

Well it won't double.
The current drop off is being converted to expand DCA (strong rumor)
The goal of the city and Disney is to get folks off Harbor

 

[Aggiegrl]

With the new security entrances, will we be able to grab a sandwich at EoS and take it into the park? I'm thinking picnic waiting for WoC.

 

[mom2rtk]

With the new security entrances, will we be able to grab a sandwich at EoS and take it into the park? I'm thinking picnic waiting for WoC.

You could always do that before. We have had an EoS picnic on many prior trips.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

With the new security entrances, will we be able to grab a sandwich at EoS and take it into the park? I'm thinking picnic waiting for WoC.

DH brought in EoS while the kids and I held seats between Christmas Fantasy Parade and PTN. I don't see any reason why that would change.

 

[Aggiegrl]

You could always do that before. We have had an EoS picnic on many prior trips.

Thanks. I guess I just assumed it was "outside food." Good to know!

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks. I guess I just assumed it was "outside food." Good to know!

Outside food is fine.

 

[PHXscuba]

The new western security check points (5 that I Know of).

1. Mickey and Friends Parking Structure. after getting off the escalators and restroom area, there will be a security check to enter the tram loading area, and the tram is now part of the secure area.

2. Downtown Disney between the ESPN Zone and Rainforest Cafe (North side)

3. Downtown Disney between ESPN Zone and Earl of Sandwiches (West side)

4. The GCH entrance next to Sephora. Very little info about this one is known, and might be restricted to GCH guests only, especially in the morning hours. No official announcement about it has been made.

5. The current GCH entrance to DCA.

This places all of Downtown Disney inside the secure zone, so the Monorail Station will no longer have a security check, and of course, the La Brea Bakery area will be wide open.

The current walkway from Disneyland Drive to the tram loading area along the north edge of DtD will be closed to traffic, but will remain as an emergency egress route (fenced off with special gates that will open in case of a major emergency.

The other unknown is the Picnic Area, will a new one be built in the DtD parking lot near the ESPN Zone as a replacement?

We were told last night when using the GCH entrance to re-enter DCA that as of Dec. 15 (when the new west security checkpoint opens) that the GCH entrance will only be for GCH guests. Interestingly, when the metal detector backed way up late night, they took a large chunk of the line and just waved us all through after bag check.

I have only used the GCH entrance in late afternoon/evening after going to the lobby to rest or to eat at Whitewater Snacks. Despite staying at the PPH several times, I walk through the GCH and then exit into DTD to use the main entrance.

PHXscuba