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

[cats mom]

Went through security at Mickey & Friends at about 7:45 am this morning. It was quick and easy, but out of 5 people who went through the same stand 3 of us set off the alarm and had to be wanded. The security guy said the machines are very sensitive when new. We figure it was a belt buckle, a fitbit, and the zipper pull on my jacket that set it off.

The wide open feel of the esplanade and strolling right into the parks was nice.

 

[Malcon10t]

The security tents are open at 5am I was told. From what I was told today, the entrance to the hotel is restricted to guests and those who have reservations at one of the restaurants. They will have a list of those with reservations. I'm curious how it will work for Hearthstone.

 

[ttig34]

The security tents are open at 5am I was told. From what I was told today, the entrance to the hotel is restricted to guests and those who have reservations at one of the restaurants. They will have a list of those with reservations. I'm curious how it will work for Hearthstone.

If the security tents are open at 5 am, could people go stand in line at the turnstiles for the park to open at that time? I dont imagine too any would want to that early, but if there is no more security to keep you out of the Disneyland and dCA gates like in the past, i assume you could.

 

[ParkHopper1]

The security tents are open at 5am I was told.

Probably cuz the DTD Starbucks opens at 5am.

 

[DLgal]

The security tents are open at 5am I was told. From what I was told today, the entrance to the hotel is restricted to guests and those who have reservations at one of the restaurants. They will have a list of those with reservations. I'm curious how it will work for Hearthstone.

Which entrance to the hotel? The front door? The entrance from DCA? The one from DtD?

There is no way they will not allow people to enter GCH from DtD. There is too much potential $$$ to be made at Hearthstone and Napa Rose Lounge and Whitewater Snacks.

 

[Malcon10t]

Probably cuz the DTD Starbucks opens at 5am.

Yup....

 

[Darkbeer1]

I would guess that many people staying at PPH and DLH would like to have a meal at GCH. Would they be able to use their restaurant receipt to enter DTD or DCA. I am of the opinion that they should be able to do that.

Today, they had a group of GCH CM's at the corner of Disneyland Drive, and were checking to make sure people walking in were GCH guests, and also had a printout of the reservations for the restaurants, and was checking it if a guest claimed that they were coming in for breakfast. And they will check again at the Security check stations, but being a bit liberal today due to the switchover.

 

[Darkbeer1]

If you are used to walking from Mickey and friends along Disney Way to the walkway under the monorail, I suspect that option is no longer available. We were there Tuesday morning and walked it using that route. The fence has been extended along that area and there were two gates at the walkway. They were open on Tuesday but I suspect they are now closed with the security moving to the parking garage.

The alternative to taking the tram, from the structure, walk to the west edge of the tram route, and follow the pathway south towards the Disneyland Hotel, and then enter DtD at the north ESPN Zone security check. And the reverse getting back, no more going on Disneyland Drive.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, here are the facts about the switchover.

No changes to the East side, still just 16 stations to process all the folks.

The area near the M& F Tram Loading is now open and clear. (They ran out of time,and left on tent up today, but it should be removed tonight.

The Security Checks will open up prior to 5 AM daily (Starbucks opening time).

The Mickey and Friends Security check is decent and large, the minor rerouting still leaves 4 tram load/unload areas (two were relocated). Escalators and restrooms are outside the security zone.

To avoid using the tram, you now walk west to the end of the tram roadway,and then head straight south towards the Disneyland Hotel, and use the sidewalk next to the Downtown Disney Parking gates, and then enter next to the ESPN Zone (which is in the secure area).

The West side of ESPN Zone (which is the main entrance for the DLR and PPH) is large, wide and open (16 stations). Sets of 2 bag checks, with one Metal Detector to be shared, and everyone goes through it.

As for the Grand Californian, they are making sure that the PPH guests (or off-property) don't use the GCH entrance. At the corner on Disneyland Drive, there were three GCH CM's and one Security CM checking room keys, and even had a printout of reservations for the restaurants. Those who don't are told to head north and use the ESPN Zone entrance into DtD. This makes both the special DCA entrance and the GCH entrance next to Sephora only available for GCH guests, and those with a paid receipt from a GCH Restaurant. But anyone can exit from DtD at the GCH Sephora security check, and then walk to the PPH or anything else they want to do.

The pathway from the M&F tram unload area to the east side of Disneyland Drive now has a set of gates that can open for emergency egress, but not allow anyone to use it normally. So to walk to the M&F Structure, you need to go through DtD to the ESPN Zone and head north to the structure.

Here is a set of photos and short videos (also includes Star Wars Land construction, GCH Gingerbread House, and a look at the Carousel Inn.)

https://darkbeer.smugmug.com/Disneyland-Resort-12152016/

 

[disneymum58]

I was wondering what is happening at the other side of the esplanade. We will be staying on Harbour and I was wondering if those security gates will be open at 5 am as well?

 

[Darkbeer1]

I was wondering what is happening at the other side of the esplanade. We will be staying on Harbour and I was wondering if those security gates will be open at 5 am as well?

I presume so, might only be one station, but how many do you need at that time of morning....

 

[Jerryp49]

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/screening-738567-security-hotel.html

 

[gottalovepluto]

Also, the security guard at the GCH entrance to DCA also said that soon that entrance would be for GCH guests only. I think this is only fair.....though I've always enjoyed using it while staying anywhere onsite, the waits were quite frustrating last month when we were guests at the GCH. The price tag of that hotel should ensure a smoother entry/exit from DCA.

That's good to hear! I'm of the same opinion, the price tag deserves the perk of GCH guests only (for morning entry at least). On the practical side for Disney the whole point of this is to make it more secure & part of that is eliminating congestion areas pre-security so doing something about that morning back up is part of that.

 

[disneymum58]

I presume so, might only be one station, but how many do you need at that time of morning....

HaHaHa!
I'm an early riser, first one at the gates type of person, but I won't be up at 5!

 

[VandVsmama]

OK, here are the facts about the switchover.

No changes to the East side, still just 16 stations to process all the folks.

The area near the M& F Tram Loading is now open and clear. (They ran out of time,and left on tent up today, but it should be removed tonight.

The Security Checks will open up prior to 5 AM daily (Starbucks opening time).

The Mickey and Friends Security check is decent and large, the minor rerouting still leaves 4 tram load/unload areas (two were relocated). Escalators and restrooms are outside the security zone.

To avoid using the tram, you now walk west to the end of the tram roadway,and then head straight south towards the Disneyland Hotel, and use the sidewalk next to the Downtown Disney Parking gates, and then enter next to the ESPN Zone (which is in the secure area).

The West side of ESPN Zone (which is the main entrance for the DLR and PPH) is large, wide and open (16 stations). Sets of 2 bag checks, with one Metal Detector to be shared, and everyone goes through it.

As for the Grand Californian, they are making sure that the PPH guests (or off-property) don't use the GCH entrance. At the corner on Disneyland Drive, there were three GCH CM's and one Security CM checking room keys, and even had a printout of reservations for the restaurants. Those who don't are told to head north and use the ESPN Zone entrance into DtD. This makes both the special DCA entrance and the GCH entrance next to Sephora only available for GCH guests, and those with a paid receipt from a GCH Restaurant. But anyone can exit from DtD at the GCH Sephora security check, and then walk to the PPH or anything else they want to do.

The pathway from the M&F tram unload area to the east side of Disneyland Drive now has a set of gates that can open for emergency egress, but not allow anyone to use it normally. So to walk to the M&F Structure, you need to go through DtD to the ESPN Zone and head north to the structure.

Here is a set of photos and short videos (also includes Star Wars Land construction, GCH Gingerbread House, and a look at the Carousel Inn.)

https://darkbeer.smugmug.com/Disneyland-Resort-12152016/

Thank you so much for this information!

That being said, I need to whine for a moment about the GCH and this decision re: security. I've got a list, so bear with me, folks!

1. WAAAHH!!! There goes that convenient short cut that EVERYBODY staying at PPH, BW Stovall's, and BW Pavilions used through the GCH.
2. This now makes staying at PPH much less desirable.
3. There goes any non-GCH-hotel-guest from browsing in the gift shop. Or eating at Whitewater Snacks. Or having a midafternoon cocktail in the hotel lounge. Or looking at their gorgeous Christmas decorations.
4. This also makes staying at BW Stovalls or BW Pavilions much less desirable, too.
5. BOO!

 

[PatMcDuck]

The only thing I dislike about it, is the longer route for guests of PP. I stay at all 3 DL Hotels on various trips. And from PP, we always walked across the street to GC to enter DD, to get to DL, or of course used the DCA entrance (but rarely in the AM, lines get too long), and also we walked over to GC to eat at Whitewater Snacks.

I understand the "Favoring" GC guest concept", I really DO. But, guests at PP are paying very high room rates as well, especially in the summer and over the holidays. My next stay is at VGC, so I guess it will not effect me much. I think guests showing their DL resort keys should still be allowed thru into GC, that is just my opinion.

I think eliminating the long long security lines inside DD in the morning is wonderful. They snaked way past various stores at times, there was much line cutting and confusion.

 

[Darkbeer1]

There goes any non-GCH-hotel-guest from browsing in the gift shop. Or eating at Whitewater Snacks. Or having a midafternoon cocktail in the hotel lounge. Or looking at their gorgeous Christmas decoration

That is incorrect, anyone can enter GCH from Downtown Disney using the Sephora entry/exit point, or the DCA exit into GCH, and check out the lobby, gift shop, etc.

What Disney doesn't want is a back up at the Sephora Security Check, so its solution was to post a "check" on Disneyland Drive to make sure those staying at the PPH or an off-property Hotel/Motel doesn't use the Sephora Security checkpoint instead of the ESPN Zone location. So yes, many of the complaints are valid, but not the fact you can't visit the GCH Lobby and shops if not a GCH guest.

 

[dec2009mama]

That is incorrect, anyone can enter GCH from Downtown Disney using the Sephora entry/exit point, or the DCA exit into GCH, and check out the lobby, gift shop, etc.

What Disney doesn't want is a back up at the Sephora Security Check, so its solution was to post a "check" on Disneyland Drive to make sure those staying at the PPH or an off-property Hotel/Motel doesn't use the Sephora Security checkpoint instead of the ESPN Zone location. So yes, many of the complaints are valid, but not the fact you can't visit the GCH Lobby and shops if not a GCH guest.

but if you exit thru Sephora to wonder around GCH, eat at Whitewater or have a drink, etc, to get back into the parks/DTD you will have to go all the way around back to the ESPN checkpoint, right?
maybe a proof of purchase at GCH will allow you to enter back thru Sephora but still not a favorable situation - IMO

 

[ParkHopper1]

This now makes staying at PPH much less desirable.

Quite the opposite for me. I frequent both the PPH and GCH and I am OK with a few extra feet of walking heading INTO the park if it eliminates that security backup nightmare that was at the esplanade. Even in the evening there were stupid backups that would make us think twice about going to our rooms or DTD. You can still exit through the GCH back to the PPH. To me I would rather walk another three minutes once in the morning than stand in a security line backup for ten to fifteen min. It has been mapped out. It is literally only an 800' longer walk.

There goes any non-GCH-hotel-guest from browsing in the gift shop. Or eating at Whitewater Snacks. Or having a midafternoon cocktail in the hotel lounge. Or looking at their gorgeous Christmas decorations.

They have not shut down the Grand. You can still go in the grand through DCA or DTD...just no longer use the GCH lobby front door as a shortcut from the street. It was has yet to be seen if they are gonna impose hour restrictions using the DTD entrance like the DCA entrance has until 11am, but if they are restricting who comes in through the front door of the Grand, there would no longer be a need for room key checks at the two GCH checkpoints allowing GCH shop patrons to move freely in and out as well.

There is a first hand account on another post that there are currently no restrictions or room key checks going from the Grand lobby to DTD's new check point...only the normal Grand to DCA room key checks until 11am as normal.

 

[travelgirl06]

Glad to hear there is still a walking option from Mickey & Friends