Has EMH changed. ..

[ShaunaM]

..I thought I had recalled reading something in passing recently about rope drop during EMH. We have not been in two years so not sure what has changed (or not ). Our first EMH is 7 am. Thanks for any insights on the order of the morning.

 

[Eosphotog]

This week's observations:

California Adventure
- Main Gate security opens about an hour before EMH
- Main gates open 15 minutes before EMH
- Guests held at rope on Buena Vista Street until EMH starts
- NO ROPE WALK to Radiator Springs, but CMs are walking with guests
- Grand Californian security does NOT open until EMH starts
- Grand Californian gate does NOT open until EMH starts
- Grand Californian entrance is not recommended for EMH as a result. We lost about 10-15 minutes there.

Disneyland
- Main Gate security opens about an hour before EMH
- Main gates open 15 minutes before EMH
- Guests held at rope on Main Street until EMH starts
- MAD DASH to Fantasyland - seriously, people running...

 

[ShaunaM]

This week's observations:

California Adventure
- Main Gate security opens about an hour before EMH
- Main gates open 15 minutes before EMH
- Guests held at rope on Buena Vista Street until EMH starts
- NO ROPE WALK to Radiator Springs, but CMs are walking with guests
- Grand Californian security does NOT open until EMH starts
- Grand Californian gate does NOT open until EMH starts
- Grand Californian entrance is not recommended for EMH as a result. We lost about 10-15 minutes there.

Disneyland
- Main Gate security opens about an hour before EMH
- Main gates open 15 minutes before EMH
- Guests held at rope on Main Street until EMH starts
- MAD DASH to Fantasyland - seriously, people running...

Running ..really. ...wow...
This is super helpful thanks. . So I know security has an extra step ...in the window between security opening and gates opening what is going on ...are they screening people on a holding area?

 

[StormyCA]

Running ..really. ...wow...
This is super helpful thanks. . So I know security has an extra step ...in the window between security opening and gates opening what is going on ...are they screening people on a holding area?

My experience when you're waiting on the Esplanade is that everyone forms lines for the gates and waits. The 'ticket taker' CMs usually scan the tickets of the first few people in line (maybe 5-10) a few moments before the gates open so the flow in starts smoothly.

 

[StormyCA]

I don't have any experience with the new metal detector procedures if that's what you're asking about. I've heard they pick random people and have them walk through the detectors.

 

[sherilaine]

Once you clear security, then you just wait in the Esplanade until gates open and people start going in to the parks. Why would there be additional screening once you pass security and are in line at the gate?

 

[ShaunaM]

I don't have any experience with the new metal detector procedures if that's what you're asking about. I've heard they pick random people and have them walk through the detectors.

Oh I thought everyone else did the metal ...got it now thxs

 

[ShaunaM]

Once you clear security, then you just wait in the Esplanade until gates open and people start going in to the parks. Why would there be additional screening once you pass security and are in line at the gate?

The metal detector had me confused..got it now..thxs

 

[Eosphotog]

Here's what I experienced: If there is no one at the metal detector and you're next, you get routed through there - takes 10 seconds. Occasionally you get selected and may be #2 or #3 in line at the detector. It goes so fast that a large percentage of adults go through it. Really is no impact to how long security takes.

 

[ShaunaM]

Here's what I experienced: If there is no one at the metal detector and you're next, you get routed through there - takes 10 seconds. Occasionally you get selected and may be #2 or #3 in line at the detector. It goes so fast that a large percentage of adults go through it. Really is no impact to how long security takes.

Fantastic...thanks for clarifying. ...it helps

 

[robin2588]

This week's observations:

California Adventure
- Main Gate security opens about an hour before EMH
- Main gates open 15 minutes before EMH
- Guests held at rope on Buena Vista Street until EMH starts
- NO ROPE WALK to Radiator Springs, but CMs are walking with guests
- Grand Californian security does NOT open until EMH starts
- Grand Californian gate does NOT open until EMH starts
- Grand Californian entrance is not recommended for EMH as a result. We lost about 10-15 minutes there.

Disneyland
- Main Gate security opens about an hour before EMH
- Main gates open 15 minutes before EMH
- Guests held at rope on Main Street until EMH starts
- MAD DASH to Fantasyland - seriously, people running...

So when you say security has been opening about 1 hour prior to EMH is that from DTD security or Main Esplanade security or both? Thanks for the details!!

 

[jammyjam25]

Like someone else said, definitely be prepared for people to be RUNNING by you to get to either Peter Pan or now Hyperspace Mountain I’d imagine. We were at the very front of the rope for our EMH and were annoyed by the people literally dragging their kids by the hand and running full speed past us (we were quickly walking). The CM’s didn’t seem to care about people running though so what can you do?

 

[Eosphotog]

So when you say security has been opening about 1 hour prior to EMH is that from DTD security or Main Esplanade security or both? Thanks for the details!!

We came from DTD side. Looks like the other side was open as well.

 

[Jacie]

So when you say security has been opening about 1 hour prior to EMH is that from DTD security or Main Esplanade security or both? Thanks for the details!!

Both opened at the same time with the ability to get from one side to the other (no stopping, no pictures) before the security lines opened. It was quite smooth for us! I got picked to go through the metal detectors 5/6 times we went through bag check, while my husband only 2/6 times and likely because I always go through the line first with the kids while he has the bags checked. So they grab me before him.) It's quick, though. One time I was through the metal detector before my husband had finished having the backpack checked.

 

[tarheelalum]

I don't have any experience with the new metal detector procedures if that's what you're asking about. I've heard they pick random people and have them walk through the detectors.

Its not random at least not for me. Last month I went through the gate a couple of times per day for 5 days and every single time through I was selected for the metal detectors.

 

[StormyCA]

Its not random at least not for me. Last month I went through the gate a couple of times per day for 5 days and every single time through I was selected for the metal detectors.

I meant random as in not everyone as opposed to 100% being sent through the detectors.

 

[Vincent405]

This week's observations:

California Adventure
- Main Gate security opens about an hour before EMH
- Main gates open 15 minutes before EMH
- Guests held at rope on Buena Vista Street until EMH starts
- NO ROPE WALK to Radiator Springs, but CMs are walking with guests
- Grand Californian security does NOT open until EMH starts
- Grand Californian gate does NOT open until EMH starts
- Grand Californian entrance is not recommended for EMH as a result. We lost about 10-15 minutes there.

Disneyland
- Main Gate security opens about an hour before EMH
- Main gates open 15 minutes before EMH
- Guests held at rope on Main Street until EMH starts
- MAD DASH to Fantasyland - seriously, people running...

This was not our experience last week at the Grand Cali. On Friday the 5th, the line was very long (went down the hall, looped, and doubled back down the hall towards the restaurants) they opened the security checkpoint just before emh and did the same for the gates. But I mean just before. On Sunday the 7th, they opened the security area about 6:40 and the ticket gates at the same time and we were held at the actual park area by a cast member until 7 am.

Of course we booked it towards cars land and RS was down, went to screaming and it was down, so like everyone else we went on Toy Story.

 

[Eosphotog]

We were in that same line on the 5th, which is what I described. (Man that line was really annoying!). If on Sunday they changed the sequence and the Grand Californian security and gates opened ~20 minutes before then this just goes towards saying that the timing is not guaranteed and subject to whatever Disney decides to do on a particular day.

 

[sherilaine]

Like someone else said, definitely be prepared for people to be RUNNING by you to get to either Peter Pan or now Hyperspace Mountain I’d imagine. We were at the very front of the rope for our EMH and were annoyed by the people literally dragging their kids by the hand and running full speed past us (we were quickly walking). The CM’s didn’t seem to care about people running though so what can you do?

I can't imagine your average CM gets paid enough to tackle people who are inconsiderate enough to run in the parks. I really do not understand why anyone there needs to run - it's a very rude thing to do but the world is filled with selfish, rude people and those people are allowed to visit DLR just like anyone else. Funny part of course is this is how they are raising their kids too!