Lockers or storage for 1 carry on bag

[buffy24]

My teenage (16) son will be traveling to Anaheim on his own to meet up with his girlfriend's family from Norway. On the day of arrival he will get to SNA at 8am, but his girlfriend & family won't be arriving until sometime in the evening, so he was planning on going to Disneyland for the day. They aren't staying in an Anaheim hotel, so I am trying to find a place for him to store his luggage. We thought he could use the lockers at the Desert Inn, but I understand they have now put a code on it so only guests can use them. I had emailed Disneyland Guest Services and they said he could bring his bag through security to use one of the lockers (it will be a duffle bag), but I know that will be a pain going through security and someone told me he will have to be escorted to the lockers and there aren't very many of the bigger lockers. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I don't want the poor guy to have to just sit around somewhere all day doing nothing. Thanks!

 

[Niltiac]

I had emailed Disneyland Guest Services and they said he could bring his bag through security to use one of the lockers (it will be a duffle bag), but I know that will be a pain going through security and someone told me he will have to be escorted to the lockers and there aren't very many of the bigger lockers.

If he goes through security and has his bag searched, I don't see why he would need to be escorted anywhere, so long as he isn't bringing anything that isn't allowed at the parks. I believe the escort-scenario is outdated advice, because it would be if he wanted to walk through the secure area (without having his bag checked) in order to get to lockers on the other side, but I believe that since the security perimeter has been expanded all the lockers are now inside the secure area, meaning you can't use them if you don't have your bags searched. If there are lockers outside the secure area that I'm not aware of, hopefully someone will correct me.

I think this really depends how big his bag will be. My experience with the lockers has been that they are often narrow but deep, so squishy bags will fit better than rigid ones. If he's ok with going through security to use a Disney locker but concerned that he won't be able to get a big enough one, one option might be to pack a couple of tote bags and maybe a backpack into his duffel. That way if he finds that everything won't fit into a single locker, he can split his belongings up and rent another locker and/or carry some items with him in the backpack.

I'm not familiar with the lockers at Desert Inn, but maybe you could try calling ahead and explaining the situation, and see if they will let him use one of their lockers for a fee.

 

[buffy24]

Thank you. That is incredibly helpful advice and I like the tote bag idea as a backup. I seem to have a ridiculous amount of tote bags, so that should be easy to find. I will also look at calling the Desert Inn. I very much appreciate your response!

 

[Angrose]

There's a chance that he wouldn't require an escort to the lockers. Once I came through security with a rolling backpack. I was rolling it when I went through and they said I would need an escort if I rolled it through but If I carried it then I would not, so that's what I did.

 

[AndreAggie]

Is his girlfriend's family flying into SNA also? Could he see about storing his bag there for the day?

 

[buffy24]

They are actually driving in. They will be staying north of Santa Barbara, but want to tour Santa Barbara during the day. I really wish I could go with him, though I don't know if it is more to be "protective" or more that I just want to go to Disneyland

 

[PHXscuba]

Could he get dropped off at one of the onsite hotels and check his luggage with bell services?

PHXscuba

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Could he get dropped off at one of the onsite hotels and check his luggage with bell services?

PHXscuba

This idea might work. If you arrive at a hotel in the morning before check-in time, it's common practice to check your bags at the bell desk. I don't recall ever being asked for a reservation name or confirmation number when checking in a bag. I think he could just walk up to one of the bell desks at a hotel and check the bag in for storage. Sometimes there is a small fee, but usually you just leave a tip when you pick it up.

 

[BrerMama]

Ebags has some really cool backpacks (I think they're eBags brand) that are more like carryon luggage and hold a ton of stuff. Small enough to fit under a plane seat, but holds more than you would expect. Maybe he could do something like that and put it in a locker? My son invested in one because he's travelling to conventions quite a bit and it's been a great investment.

 

[WonkaKid]

Wasn't sure this was still true, but according to the DL site, there are still lockers available outside of the park (in/at The Esplanade). Might be easier for your son to put his bag in one of those and then not have the trouble of taking it through Security.

 

[figment_jii]

Those lockers are still there (or at least I think they were in March), but they're within the security perimeter so he'd have to go through bag check.

 

[WonkaKid]

Those lockers are still there (or at least I think they were in March), but they're within the security perimeter so he'd have to go through bag check.

Sorry, you're absolutely right. What I meant was that he could put it one of the lockers there and then not have to take it through the park gates.

Jeeze -- I go to DL nearly evvery Sunday. You'd think I know where Security is ;-). Perhaps I'm still a little jet lagged after my return from Shanghai.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I think a good option would be for him to store his backpack in the lockers in the esplanade. They have lockers big enough for coolers, and I think his duffel bag would fit in one of those.

 

[buffy24]

Thank you so much for all of the feedback. The lockers in the esplanade or checking his bag at one of the Disney hotels is a great idea. Thank you also for the bag suggestion, I will check that out. I really love how helpful everyone here is!