Looking for someone to talk about the new Security Check in place

[StormyCA]

For the last 3 or 4 years our visits to Disneyland have been with a stay at the GCH and our next trip we will be staying there as well, so the new changes won't really affect us as it is what we always do. I personally however feel that all on property guests should be able to use all of the same entrances. I personally don't care if someone from PPH wants to use the GCH entrance to DCA. I think it is perfectly okay to say that off property guests cannot use it, but to keep Disney Owned Hotel Guests away is WHACK. There are not a lot of on-property perks as it is... so don't take this away as well. Bummer!

I hear what you're saying. We stay at the Grand most of the time, too. I think the whole 'no non-Grands' has more to do with crowd control than 'exclusivity'. The new bag check at the DTD entrance is rather small and there could be HUGE lines backing into the GCH lobby prior to park opening to match the pretty huge line that already forms at the DCA entrance. You'd have the option of being 'stuck' in a long line at either bag check or of exiting via the front door and schlepping all the way to DTD's new bag check by ESPN Zone. No bueno and I'd be very unhappy as a GCH guest!

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

I'm just looking at google maps trying to make sense of where I need to go. I am staying at the Alamo Inn on West Katella and on my previous two trips I have stayed at the BW Pavilions and used the GCH entrance to DTD. So instead of going into the GCH I head left under the bridge, but I cannot make out where I need to go from there. I can see an entrance on my right hand side for cars and a little walkway for pedestrians just past the bridge by the monorail track, is that where I need to go to get to the ESPN security check?

 

[ParkHopper1]

Just got back from a NYE trip...and yeah, can totally see why they needed to make the restriction on the GCH entrance...we were heading back into DTD from the GCH late afternoon and there was even a mild backup then...could easily see how the line could be worse and that checkpoint could get backed up it it was open to all. They made the right call.

Eliminating that Esplanade checkpoint and now having free flow to and from DTD is awesome.

I'm just looking at google maps trying to make sense of where I need to go. I am staying at the Alamo Inn on West Katella and on my previous two trips I have stayed at the BW Pavilions and used the GCH entrance to DTD. So instead of going into the GCH I head left under the bridge, but I cannot make out where I need to go from there. I can see an entrance on my right hand side for cars and a little walkway for pedestrians just past the bridge by the monorail track, is that where I need to go to get to the ESPN security check?

You will enter DTD at the Disneyland Hotel, not ESPN Zone. When walking down Disneyland Drive, rather than turning right into the Grand you will veer to the left after the PPH hotel on the very well marked walkway which will take you to DTD entrance near Earl of Sandwich and the DLH entrance. You do not need to go under the bridge.

Also remember you can still use the Grand when you exit...that is still unchanged.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Just to clarify, the pathway from the east side of Disneyland Drive under the Monorail Tracks has been closed (emergency egress only), so follow the directions above. Plenty of signage at the traffic light to help you, plus usually Security CM's.

 

[Bigrob37]

What time does the security check point open? And can you still walk through DTD with out going through security in the middle of the night? Maybe 3AM??

 

[ParkHopper1]

What time does the security check point open?

5:00 am...that is when DTD Starbucks opens.

And can you still walk through DTD with out going through security in the middle of the night? Maybe 3AM??

Good question. Anyone know if DTD is accessible between DTD close and 5am?

 

[chirurgeon]

It's been a couple years since I've stayed on property. I'm debating that or a Harbor Blvd hotel. What is the Harbor security entrance like?

 

[Darkbeer1]

Well, with only 16 security check stations, it can get backed up, like this week. (To be fixed when the new Eastern Gateway Project is completed).

But usually it isn't that bad, while there is over 40 on the west side now, they don't open all of them. Most of the East side are open, to even out the flow from both sides.

 

[Niltiac]

It's been a couple years since I've stayed on property. I'm debating that or a Harbor Blvd hotel. What is the Harbor security entrance like?

I haven't been since the security changes so someone may correct me, but I believe the Harbor security is the same as ever, except that security opens at 5am so you can get to Starbucks early (I'm not sure if it had a consistent opening time before). After the new parking structure is built the Harbor security setup will drastically change, but I'm assuming your trip will be before then (I'm not even sure if they've started building it yet). So for the time being the Harbor side will probably get more backed up than the DTD side since they haven't increased capacity there yet.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I haven't been since the security changes so someone may correct me, but I believe the Harbor security is the same as ever, except that security opens at 5am so you can get to Starbucks early

Correct. Harbor side is unchanged.

 

[chirurgeon]

I haven't been since the security changes so someone may correct me, but I believe the Harbor security is the same as ever, except that security opens at 5am so you can get to Starbucks early (I'm not sure if it had a consistent opening time before). After the new parking structure is built the Harbor security setup will drastically change, but I'm assuming your trip will be before then (I'm not even sure if they've started building it yet). So for the time being the Harbor side will probably get more backed up than the DTD side since they haven't increased capacity there yet.

Correct. Harbor side is unchanged.

I'll be there in the beginning of December. So I'm guessing it is pretty much like security was at the edge of the Esplanade at the DTD side before the changes.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I'll be there in the beginning of December. So I'm guessing it is pretty much like security was at the edge of the Esplanade at the DTD side before the changes.

Yes, and the key is how many stations are open on each end to deal with the flow of guests. In the early morning, the west side can open more stations and it is a bit easier, but Disney keeps most of the stations open on the est side, so except for a short period of time, Disney wants to keep the waits about the same (they don't like backups), so you get a large part of the security staff on the east side keeping the guests moving through the checks. In fact, you could get through a bit faster, as when it gets busy, they switch to the pseudo-random method of only some folks going through the metal detector.

 

[StormyCA]

What time does the security check point open? And can you still walk through DTD with out going through security in the middle of the night? Maybe 3AM??

I may be wrong, but I don't think there are any locking 'gates' currently at either end of DTD so unless they have 24/7 security personnel at each egress turning people away or escorting them from A to B you'd be able to walk through DTD without encumbrance. And I can see the need for access. After all, people may be staying at the Grand or on Harbor who've decided to 'shut down' Trader Sam's (open til 1.30am) or someone staying on Harbor may have friends staying at the Grand or DLH they've been hanging out with.

Kind of an interesting thought, isn't it? I don't disagree with the bag checks nor the metal detectors and am happy to comply. Also happy to see the sniffer dogs out and about. But the thought that theoretically someone could secret something away in the middle of the night in an area that's only 'secure' during operating hours does give me pause.

 

[ParkHopper1]

But the thought that theoretically someone could secret something away in the middle of the night in an area that's only 'secure' during operating hours does give me pause.

I don't think that anyone would argue that the security measures are designed to keep the resort a sterile and 100% secure environment. They can't even achieve that at airports with billions of dollars spent. That is part of the cost of living in a "free" society.

If someone is that hellbent on doing harm and they have the mental capacity to scheme and plot they will find a way. What it does prevent however is a say gangbanger with a handgun or knife from escalating a conflict or a lone wolf attacker from entering with a high powered weapon which are the most likely threats.

 

[AC7179]

We are staying at PPH this summer. My daughter and her boyfriend are staying at the GCH DVC area. She said she thinks her room costs the same whether it's just them or four guests registered. If she lists me as a guest in her room, and I had a room key, would I be able to get in the front entrance of the Grand from PPH? We are not so much concerned about park entry, but we would probably meet them daily at White Water Snacks and I am really bothered by having to walk through DTD to do so. I know it's not a long walk but your legs get so tired by the end of the trip!

 

[AC7179]

I'm glad about restricting access at gch. As one who often pays the premium to stay there, I really don't feel that those at PPH have a valid complaint. While I understand that it's sad to lose a perk, I also recognize that it is really just losing something PPH and other non - GCH guests were never meant to have. It's like when they began enforcing the FP return times. I kicked about it because I took advantage of returning outside the window, but I have to admit that there are very valid reasons for strict enforcement.

I mean, yes and no. When DCA opened, PPH guests had their own private entrance to DCA, and prices were way lower than they are now. When they took that away, they said, "Oh,y'all can just use the GCH entrance," which wasn't as good but seemed fair, but now they are taking it away completely. Frustrating.

 

[ParkHopper1]

If she lists me as a guest in her room, and I had a room key, would I be able to get in the front entrance of the Grand from PPH?

I won't say yes as a way to game the system...but I will say resort hotels can have a maximum of 5 registered guests per room and occupancy does not change the rate. A valid GCH room key for each person is what you need to enter the front of the Grand....sooooooooooooooo

 

[Nonsuch]

We are staying at PPH this summer. My daughter and her boyfriend are staying at the GCH DVC area. She said she thinks her room costs the same whether it's just them or four guests registered. If she lists me as a guest in her room, and I had a room key, would I be able to get in the front entrance of the Grand from PPH? We are not so much concerned about park entry, but we would probably meet them daily at White Water Snacks and I am really bothered by having to walk through DTD to do so. I know it's not a long walk but your legs get so tired by the end of the trip!

Occupancy for a VGC Studio is 4, so there is no issue adding you to their room. No additional charge. I have added guests (not actually staying in my room) to my reservation (for various reasons) many times.