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

[Disney Addicted]

Where is this construction I keep reading about taking place? Has it already started?

 

[Darkbeer1]

NO, there has been some grading and removal of old items , but the request to build that was placed with the city's planning committee in August has been delayed as the non-Disney are fighting for better access.Based on the comments by the city's planning commission, the earliest a new hearing will be held is February of March, and there is no guarantee it would pass, and even if it does, it can be appealed to the city council. So late Spring is the earliest it can happen. The demolishing of the Carousel In is allowed now, and is expect to be done early in 2017.

 

[Nonsuch]

Slightly on topic
I've wanted to take photos of the "moon" gate (at the Sephora entrance to GCH), but the gate is never closed. It seems the security changes will close this gate overnight.

(sample photo, not mine)

 

[Darkbeer1]

Here is one with the security check in place from Thursday.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Disneyland-Resort-12152016/i-59KLJfg/0/L/IMG_0230-L.jpg

 

[Darkbeer1]

 

[ParkHopper1]

That sloppy yellow extension cord is killin me!...someone call the techs in the Entertainment Dept to fix that!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Wowza! That woman looks angry!

 

[kirstie101]

Well, for us this means we probably won't be staying at BW Stovalls anymore even for run weekends. Even with the GCH shortcut to DTD it was at the limit of how far I was willing to walk to the park. Makes Harbor much more desirable for hotels for us.

 

[Niltiac]

I think it's interesting how different everyone's reactions to the changes are. I see a lot of people saying this pushes them away from staying at PPH or Disneyland Dr./Katella. I'm not saying they're wrong, I just think it's interesting because I had the opposite reaction and am now considering PPH as a possibility for future stays, if budget allows.

For me, the amount of time spent on my feet/commuting is a much more important consideration than actual distance. I have foot problems but it doesn't make much difference if I'm walking or standing still, so I'm happy to walk a little bit farther and skip a long line if saves time on my feet overall. From the accounts I've seen so far, there's basically no wait for security entering DTD from the Disneyland Dr. side. Before, the security checks on both sides of the esplanade took comparable amounts of time, but the walk from Harbor was shorter so it pushed me to prefer Harbor. But now, for the time being, Harbor still has those security lines, so DLH and PPH are looking more competitive in terms of how much time it actually takes to get to the parks. Of course it depends on the time of day, and I haven't gone and timed the walk or anything, but this seems like a positive change to me.

 

[dshimel]

I think it's interesting how different everyone's reactions to the changes are.

Agree. Extra 200 or 300 yard walk. 40 max security gates instead of 16.

I know it doesn't effect which hotel you stay at, but I'm looking forward to being able to run to Jazz Kitchen or Earl of Sandwich and not have to pass through security to get back to the park.

 

[mom2rtk]

Agree. Extra 200 or 300 yard walk. 40 max security gates instead of 16.

I know it doesn't effect which hotel you stay at, but I'm looking forward to being able to run to Jazz Kitchen or Earl of Sandwich and not have to pass through security to get back to the park.

Are we up to 300 now?

It will be interesting to see how this goes over time. I can't imagine that Disney wants to commit several CM's to stand on the sidewalk leading to the GCH every single morning.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

Thank you for the photos. So, if I'm understanding this right, only guests of GCH can use both of the security checkpoints (directly into DCA and directly into DTD) the ENTIRE day? Or do they stop checking at some point around 10-11 am and any hotel guest can use them?

 

[dshimel]

300 yard if you are staying on Katella. 200 yards for PPH.

I too wonder if the sidewalk check is just temporary. I am not sure what the other options for Disney are. Can't let the lines get stupid long for GCH to DTD small security area. Can't lock that entrance to GCH guests only without losing the people that go into GCH for a meal or drink. Kind'a may have to keep those people there, at least a busy times of the day.

 

[dshimel]

Thank you for the photos. So, if I'm understanding this right, only guests of GCH can use both of the security checkpoints (directly into DCA and directly into DTD) the ENTIRE day? Or do they stop checking at some point around 10-11 am and any hotel guest can use them?

Not correct.

There are cast members on Disney Drive preventing anyone from walking toward the GCH front entrance unless they are a hotel guest or have a reservation at a restaurant.

There is no check at the GCH to DTD security, so that people from DCA or DTD can go into GCH to get a meal o drink and get back without going the 900 yeards out around the movie theater.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Thank you for the photos. So, if I'm understanding this right, only guests of GCH can use both of the security checkpoints (directly into DCA and directly into DTD) the ENTIRE day? Or do they stop checking at some point around 10-11 am and any hotel guest can use them?

What we know:

-GCH Front Door Entrance from Valet/Street: Restricted to GCH Guests and Reservation Holders only. No more walking through Grand for non GCH guests through the front door.
-GCH to DTD Entrance/Exit: No changes except addition of two metal detectors. Anyone can still come or go freely at any time, guests or not.
-GCH to DCA Entrance: GCH room keys still required before 11am (changed from all "resort guests"). PPH, DLH and other non GCH guests must use main gates before 11am to enter DCA. After 11am they are letting all through as usual. Policy is that it is only for GCH guests all day, practice is that they stop enforcing that at 11am. (but you can not still come in through the front door of the GCH)
-DCA to GCH Exit: Open to all to go into GCH, guests or not.

So if you are in the Parks or DTD, nothing has changed in regard to Grand access.

There are some other minor exclusions. Disney has said this may still all change and be modified but above is current operating procedure so far as I understand it.

 

[cruisehopeful]

-GCH Front Door Entrance from Valet/Street: Restricted to GCH Guests and Reservation Holders only. No more walking through Grand for non GCH guests through the front door.

I think they are going to have to change it for those wanting to get breakfast at White Water Snacks. If someone is staying at PPH and they want a quick breakfast at White Water Snacks, they really shouldn't have to walk around to ESPN Zone. I know that opens up everyone saying they are going there for breakfast, even if they aren't, bu it doesn't seem fair that those who want a quick breakfast would have to go walk around the long way and go through security.

 

[dshimel]

oops, nvm

 

[paintingoncelluloid]

On the whole, I really support Disney spreading out the security checkpoints like this. It's not only about improving guest experience by shortening lines -- although that's huge! -- but it's also about improving security at the park itself. It's always best practices to spread out security checks because if you have large amounts of people congregating in a single spot, then the security check itself becomes a major target: lots of people crowded into a small area, where it would be hard to run away and which anyone can access. So kudos to Disney for combining guest experience AND security improvements.

The only thing that's a little funny, I think, is that (if I'm reading things correctly) the two entrances of the GCH seem to be "flipped." The small, through-a-gate-and-tunnel entrance is the only one that everyone can enter, and the big, open, "main" entrance is the one that is restricted to only reservation-holders. I understand their thinking, but it just seems weird!

 

[Angrose]

What we know:
-GCH Front Door Entrance from Valet/Street: Restricted to GCH Guests and Reservation Holders only. No more walking through Grand for non GCH guests through the front door.

So even after 11am, non-GCH hotel guests cannot enter through the front entrance? That is a shame. We loved walking over from PPH over to the Hearthstone lounge for an evening drink on our last trip.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I think they are going to have to change it for those wanting to get breakfast at White Water Snacks. If someone is staying at PPH and they want a quick breakfast at White Water Snacks, they really shouldn't have to walk around to ESPN Zone. I know that opens up everyone saying they are going there for breakfast, even if they aren't, bu it doesn't seem fairly a that those who want a quick breakfast would have to go walk around the long way and go through security.

I think Disney doesn't care about Whitewater Snacks, and with the Pool Construction next year, it will be a pain to get to and from it, especially in the early AM due to folks lining up to get into DCA.

Want a quick breakfast, find something at DtD.