Long lines for Guardians

[irlandaise]

The overriding problem right now is the slowness / inefficiency of park entry. if they speed up everything else, it'll turn the Esplanade into a giant unmanageable mess every morning. They really can't do anything until the new park gates are up and running at optimum.

Is that change in the works?

 

[bakofarmgirl]

my family went mid jan and guardians was insanely packed, LL was out by noon each day too

 

[brightlined]

Is that change in the works?

In progress - they're installing the center section(s) of gates now. (This is another current complication - a bunch of gates are closed at both parks for the installation.) They've got the new gates installed on the west sides of both DL and DCA, but CMs are still manually scanning tickets at them.

 

[dina444444]

1 of the 3 shafts has been closed for a while (it’s rotating which one is under refurb). On Saturday 1 shaft was also down which led the line to be even longer since only 1 was operating.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

Unions can’t tell a company how to run their business, so I doubt they’re the reason. Unions can negotiate terms for employees displaced by tech upgrades, but given how few lines are open, I’m not certain that’s an issue. New tech would cut back on the waits, which can be embarrassingly long.

Most likely, Disney doesn’t want to spend the money upgrading its equipment.

I won't doubt thats part of it but the unions can strike if they get less hours/less pay because they make the job less hands on

I'm sure its not just one thing but many but they just built new security areas but didn't upgrade them which also makes no sense.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I won't doubt thats part of it but the unions can strike if they get less hours/less pay because they make the job less hands on

I'm sure its not just one thing but many but they just built new security areas but didn't upgrade them which also makes no sense.

It’d take a lot time to reach the strike level. I’m pretty certain they have bumping rights and in the grand scheme of things, there’s probably hundreds - if not thousands - of DLR employees who are there primarily for the benefits and would have happy with minimal hours.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The parks were very crowded today. Guardians had a 120 minute wait at closing. Incredicoaster was at 90 minutes when it’s usually a walk on. Lots of long waits in the final hour here at Disneyland. I’m seeing a lot of young people and out-of-towners, so I’m guessing it must be midwinter break.

 

[LKing]

I’m seeing a lot of young people and out-of-towners, so I’m guessing it must be midwinter break.

I was trying to figure out if it was new MK holders or people from out of town. To me, it felt like more people from out of town.

That said, parking was horrendous again and parking tends to be used by locals. We arrived midday and didn't have a problem but when we left close to dinner time, traffic was backed up onto the 5 again. Later we read that M&F was "full" so they closed it. In the past, I thought they kept some M&F parking booths open so people could grab parking spots as other guests (like us) were leaving. With M&F closed and everyone having to go to Pixar Pals, limited lanes, traffic lights, merging traffic, and multiple turns to get into the structure, make it a very inefficient system. This traffic back up seems to be new. I wonder if they are trying to cut costs by closing M&F completely and only having CM at PP. When are they supposed to start building that new transportation hub?

 

[dina444444]

I was trying to figure out if it was new MK holders or people from out of town. To me, it felt like more people from out of town.

That said, parking was horrendous again and parking tends to be used by locals. We arrived midday and didn't have a problem but when we left close to dinner time, traffic was backed up onto the 5 again. Later we read that M&F was "full" so they closed it. In the past, I thought they kept some M&F parking booths open so people could grab parking spots as other guests (like us) were leaving. With M&F closed and everyone having to go to Pixar Pals, limited lanes, traffic lights, merging traffic, and multiple turns to get into the structure, make it a very inefficient system. This traffic back up seems to be new. I wonder if they are trying to cut costs by closing M&F completely and only having CM at PP. When are they supposed to start building that new transportation hub?

I think they were diverting to Toy Story. PP won’t be the divert since it’s connected to M&F. I had no issues when I arrived at 8pm with parking. Lots of open spaces on M&F but it was clear the lot was full earlier in the day based on the way some of the cars were parked. This is the end of the “2nd” winter break for any schools that have it.

 

[LKing]

I think they were diverting to Toy Story. PP won’t be the divert since it’s connected to M&F. I had no issues when I arrived at 8pm with parking. Lots of open spaces on M&F but it was clear the lot was full earlier in the day based on the way some of the cars were parked. This is the end of the “2nd” winter break for any schools that have it.

What is the traffic flow pattern to divert to Toy Story? If one exits at Disneyland Drive, how many lanes need to merge past Ball to get to Katella and turn left? It almost feels like they need one of those light up signs on the freeway telling non carpool drivers to use Harbor Blvd instead of Disneyland Drive.

 

[dina444444]

What is the traffic flow pattern to divert to Toy Story? If one exits at Disneyland Drive, how many lanes need to merge past Ball to get to Katella and turn left? It almost feels like they need one of those light up sigs on the freeway telling non carpool drivers to use Harbor Blvd instead of Disneyland Drive.

I’ve been diverted down it before but it was years ago back when Disney used to post on socials about parking in real time when they closed the structure. It sends you to the right at the fork into the lot after you pass the light at ball and you continue all the way down Disneyland drive to katella where you take a left. Back in the day you then made a right on harbor and a left into the lot but you may now just make a right into the lot off of katella.

Edit: because PP is directly connected on each level to M&F they don’t need to divert traffic to park people there.

 

[LKing]

Edit: because PP is directly connected on each level to M&F they don’t need to divert traffic to park people there.

Yeah, I realize. My thought (and this is just me imagining things) is that, without cast members guiding traffic on each floor, guests might not know how to navigate between the two structures. Frequent visitors know what is happening as you veer to the left and then right, but even with CM guiding traffic it seems to confuse people

 

[LAS2AMS]

O

I was trying to figure out if it was new MK holders or people from out of town. To me, it felt like more people from out of town.

That said, parking was horrendous again and parking tends to be used by locals. We arrived midday and didn't have a problem but when we left close to dinner time, traffic was backed up onto the 5 again. Later we read that M&F was "full" so they closed it. In the past, I thought they kept some M&F parking booths open so people could grab parking spots as other guests (like us) were leaving. With M&F closed and everyone having to go to Pixar Pals, limited lanes, traffic lights, merging traffic, and multiple turns to get into the structure, make it a very inefficient system. This traffic back up seems to be new. I wonder if they are trying to cut costs by closing M&F completely and only having CM at PP. When are they supposed to start building that new transportation hub?

I think it was a combination of new MK and out-of-towners. I noticed they had additional MK reservations available Saturday for most of last week. When I went to get our jackets from the car midafternoon, the TS lot appeared completely full. Sections of the lot I’ve never seen used… were full.

But I saw plenty of pale white guys in shorts, which is usually a strong indicator they’re not from SoCal. Lines were usually long in the final hours — at 11PM, we waited over 20 minutes for Buzz, which is usually a walk on. The 10:30 showing of Fantasmkc was also unusually crowded - I had just commented last week that interest seemed waning.

When we left the park around 11:30, we waited 5 minutes for a TS bus, which is shorter than average. Part of it is timing (busses come in clusters due to the traffic lights) and part of it appeared to be more busses than usual were operating.

There were still plenty of cars in the TS lot when it’s usually cleared out by midnight. So, many of the people in the park were parked there and likely MK or SoCal residents.

 

[LKing]

But I saw plenty of pale white guys in shorts, which is usually a strong indicator they’re not from SoCal.

You're funny. I usually look at attire. Locals tend to wear Disney clothing, ears, backpacks, etc. that were purchased at DLR prior to this visit. By that, I mean items that are not currently being sold at the parks. It is rare to board the trams and see a family that isn't wearing Disney merchandise.

Yesterday I saw many more WDW shirts than usual. I saw more families not wearing any Disney attire and more people with paper maps in their hands. I laughed when a family walked up to a trash can on Main Street and gleefully used it as a table. That's something that is common at WDW but not DLR.

Now that I think about it, when we entered M&F yesterday, there was a sign telling people to use Toy Story. M&F was open so we didn't pay attention to the sign. We parked on Goofy which was empty so hadn't been open prior to around 1 pm. When we got downstairs, something was up with the trams. They were only using one pick up station. The lines had at least a dozen people (ie. 3-4 tram loads) of people in them. Trams were lined up and waiting behind the tram that was loading, but they only used the one loading station.

 

[LAS2AMS]

You're funny. I usually look at attire. Locals tend to wear Disney clothing, ears, backpacks, etc. that were purchased at DLR prior to this visit. By that, I mean items that are not currently being sold at the parks. It is rare to board the trams and see a family that isn't wearing Disney merchandise.

Yesterday I saw many more WDW shirts than usual. I saw more families not wearing any Disney attire and more people with paper maps in their hands. I laughed when a family walked up to a trash can on Main Street and gleefully used it as a table. That's something that is common at WDW but not DLR.

Now that I think about it, when we entered M&F yesterday, there was a sign telling people to use Toy Story. M&F was open so we didn't pay attention to the sign. We parked on Goofy which was empty so hadn't been open prior to around 1 pm. When we got downstairs, something was up with the trams. They were only using one pick up station. The lines had at least a dozen people (ie. 3-4 tram loads) of people in them. Trams were lined up and waiting behind the tram that was loading, but they only used the one loading station.

Those observations work too . But the shorts are a giveaway - yeah, it’s warm when the sun is up but wait until it goes down. Plus, they’re using the Disney provided Mickey strollers whereas locals bring in their oversized ones

I wonder if they were trying to control traffic into the Esplanade? I noticed the new gates were love yesterday at DCA… not sure wheat’s so special about them other than you don’t go through a turnstile.

The invasion of regular WDW guests has been more noticeable this year. Not sure why. Maybe it’s because we’re (DL regs) all headed to WDW this year!

 

[LKing]

I wonder if they were trying to control traffic into the Esplanade? I noticed the new gates were love yesterday at DCA… not sure wheat’s so special about them other than you don’t go through a turnstile.

They are wider. I think strollers, wheel chairs and larger guests can go through the new turnstiles. Plus, since you tap yourself in, there is less work for a CM. I'm guessing that a CM will be able to watch multiple turnstiles which will cut down on cost.

Speaking of turnstiles, I had noticed that the website FAQ still says that guests can request a physical ticket. A CM was telling someone that they don't take physical tickets anymore. I asked to double check. She said that people will need to have their ticket in the app in order to enter through the new turnstiles and to use LL.

 

[LAS2AMS]

They are wider. I think strollers, wheel chairs and larger guests can go through the new turnstiles. Plus, since you tap yourself in, there is less work for a CM. I'm guessing that a CM will be able to watch multiple turnstiles which will cut down on cost.

Speaking of turnstiles, I had noticed that the website FAQ still says that guests can request a physical ticket. A CM was telling someone that they don't take physical tickets anymore. I asked to double check. She said that people will need to have their ticket in the app in order to enter through the new turnstiles and to use LL.

I didn’t know they were self-service! Last night, a CM was still scanning us in.

At WDW, you can request a physical ticket. It’s the same media that’s used to enter your WDW guest room, and it’s linked to your account, so once it’s active you can use it on subsequent trips without having to re-link it.

In other words, you could ask for a physical media - either at the park or your hotel - this year and use it for a three-day pass and your resort stay. If you returned later in the year and bought a MNSSHP ticket, you can use the same media to enter the park. It shows up in your account and you can delete or mark stole .

I would bet the exact same system exists at DLR, since it’s the same tech. I’m sure you could go to guest relations and request a media, if you wanted one.

KBF had physical passes but they say they don’t. I prefer one so that I don’t have to use my phone for meals and drinks (we have a meal and drink plan).

 

[laugard]

I’ve been diverted down it before but it was years ago back when Disney used to post on socials about parking in real time when they closed the structure. It sends you to the right at the fork into the lot after you pass the light at ball and you continue all the way down Disneyland drive to katella where you take a left. Back in the day you then made a right on harbor and a left into the lot but you may now just make a right into the lot off of katella.

Edit: because PP is directly connected on each level to M&F they don’t need to divert traffic to park people there.

We've actually been sort of diverted twice recently from M&F to PP. We entered the structure, but rather than moving us up the ramp into M&F, we had to exit, reroute and re-enter into P&P.

 

[LKing]

We've actually been sort of diverted twice recently from M&F to PP. We entered the structure, but rather than moving us up the ramp into M&F, we had to exit, reroute and re-enter into P&P.

Ugh!

 

[brightlined]

They are wider. I think strollers, wheel chairs and larger guests can go through the new turnstiles. Plus, since you tap yourself in, there is less work for a CM. I'm guessing that a CM will be able to watch multiple turnstiles which will cut down on cost.

I'm 85% sure that they're not self-service yet. They've been testing that, but I think all of the gates are still using manual scanning via CMs.

Eventually, I believe the screen will work sorta like the TSA booths at a lot of airports (inc. LAX) to compare pictures against the one in the system and/or take a picture if the ticket is new. The whole thing should theoretically be faster than having a CM switch between features in their device.

At WDW, you can request a physical ticket. It’s the same media that’s used to enter your WDW guest room, and it’s linked to your account, so once it’s active you can use it on subsequent trips without having to re-link it.

In other words, you could ask for a physical media - either at the park or your hotel - this year and use it for a three-day pass and your resort stay. If you returned later in the year and bought a MNSSHP ticket, you can use the same media to enter the park. It shows up in your account and you can delete or mark stole .

I would bet the exact same system exists at DLR, since it’s the same tech. I’m sure you could go to guest relations and request a media, if you wanted one.

The tech between WDW and DLR is vastly different. WDW is entirely RFID media across the resort, from hotels to parks, so everything can be tied together.

DLR doesn't have user accounts like WDW does - instead of everything being based on a user account like at WDW, DLR is based on the ticket barcode, which makes what you're describing impossible. At WDW, they can just scan a new card and attach it to a person, and the system knows what admission they have. That's not possible at DLR. The only real identifying mark of the user at DLR is the photograph on the ticket.

Even to implement MB+, they used the DL app as a bridge between the ticket barcode and the RFID in the band. (At WDW, the MB+ is attached to the user account.) Compared to that MMSSHP ticket example - you have to manually switch the MB+ to an OBB ticket to be able to use it. Any physical media at DLR would be specific to the ticket, so you'd have to get one for admission and a separate one for the OBB ticket.

I keep hearing mumbling that the phasing out of physical media at DLR is partially cost - tickets are almost entirely sold digitally now - but there's seemingly some issue with them printing existing barcodes, they may have to re-issue an existing ticket under the new barcode on the physical media. (It sounds like they may not be able to print the existing barcode onto a card, but I'm not sure about that.)