New parking structure. Confused...

[DLgal]

Okay, so yesterday we went to Disneyland. We parked on the Minnie Level, up near the escalators. As I was driving to our lane (8), I noticed that the new parking structure appears to be simply an extension of the M&F one. There was a mesh fence blocking off access, but there are two access points the same width of the driving lanes in M&F, one closer to the escalators and one on the other end, and it appears that drivers will simply continue driving forward and fill up the new structure first before filling up M&F. This kind of makes sense, from a logistical perspective. When you park in the new structure, you will be able to access your car from either the newer escalator bank or the current one, depending on where you are parked.

We also walked to the DLH for breakfast. When crossing the street, you could see into the lower level of the structure (there was a giant hole in the mesh fence) and there did NOT appear to be a toll plaza there, just lots of open space like a regular parking level.

My question is this. How is this going to "speed up parking by 60%," as Disney is claiming on the new advertisement for the parking structure that is currently in the tram loading area? The slowest portion of the parking process is the toll plaza. Once through that, it generally doesn't take that long to park.

Are they seriously NOT going to have a toll plaza for this new structure? That seems very short sighted. Although, the way it is setup, it does not appear that there will be one at all. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[dieumeye]

I don't know for sure, but I do hope there is some plan to speed up getting thru the toll booths. Once you're past that, sure it's sometimes bumper to bumper, but it's never that slow. I agree the longest wait is the toll booth line.

Maybe they could add a FastTrack-style system to a special lane where you just drive thru without even stopping. That would be awesome.

 

[Gaugersaurus]

I was there yesterday also and I recall seeing ramps similar to M&Fs going up to each level. I would imagine the tool booths would be one of the last things installed as there really isn't much to them.

Once you're past that, sure it's sometimes bumper to bumper, but it's never that slow. I agree the longest wait is the toll booth line.

I've been on days where traffic going up the ramps is back up so much that it's keeping people from getting thru the tool booths.

 

[dieumeye]

I've been on days where traffic going up the ramps is back up so much that it's keeping people from getting thru the tool booths.

Never seen that except in short bursts when they're switching levels! They're built a bigger room to hold more people, I just hope they're building a bigger door as well to let those people in.

 

[dieumeye]

Another question about the new parking structure:

They are adding Park Assist - those overhead lights that show if a space is open or not. But what’s the point of this?

It might help some people who show up later in the day and are just let loose in the lot. But the majority of guests the majority of the time will just be directed by CMs and parking one after the other. So I don’t get the need for this Park Assist install, unless there’s some benefit I’m not realizing.

 

[dina444444]

Another question about the new parking structure:

They are adding Park Assist - those overhead lights that show if a space is open or not. But what’s the point of this?

It might help some people who show up later in the day and are just let loose in the lot. But the majority of guests the majority of the time will just be directed by CMs and parking one after the other. So I don’t get the need for this Park Assist install, unless there’s some benefit I’m not realizing.

It’s for when they repark the second round of cars.

 

[dina444444]

They are doing work next to the current toll booths on the right so my guess is they will be adding more booths in.

For parking. There are long ramps leading up to each level on the new structure. But my assumption is that exiting will be through the existing structure on the connector bridges.

 

[DLgal]

They are doing work next to the current toll booths on the right so my guess is they will be adding more booths in.

For parking. There are long ramps leading up to each level on the new structure. But my assumption is that exiting will be through the existing structure on the connector bridges.

Was there again today.

Good info about work being done to the right of the current toll booths.

The long ramps on the new structure that go to each level appear to be EXIT ramps. It seems like you will exit along the perimeter, rather than down through the center like at M&F.

 

[DLgal]

Another question about the new parking structure:

They are adding Park Assist - those overhead lights that show if a space is open or not. But what’s the point of this?

It might help some people who show up later in the day and are just let loose in the lot. But the majority of guests the majority of the time will just be directed by CMs and parking one after the other. So I don’t get the need for this Park Assist install, unless there’s some benefit I’m not realizing.

Park assist has been added to the Donald level so far, although it's not operational yet. It is a row of circular white lights/sensors down the center of each aisle and at the entrance to each aisle, there appears to be a lighted sign that will indicate the number of available spaces. Because it's an overhead system, it won't be available on the Minnie level.


They will use this system to make it easier for people to park after the first wave of cars has parked. Although, I wonder, will they let the cars choose which level to go up to?

 

[dina444444]

Was there again today.

Good info about work being done to the right of the current toll booths.

The long ramps on the new structure that go to each level appear to be EXIT ramps. It seems like you will exit along the perimeter, rather than down through the center like at M&F.

The bottom of the ramps start where the cars are sent to currently if they at work parking in chip and dale handicap. And they are laid out identical to the ramps going up to each level on the existing structure. If they are exit ramps they aren’t set up that way with where cars would turn out from them.

 

[DLgal]

The bottom of the ramps start where the cars are sent to currently if they at work parking in chip and dale handicap. And they are laid out identical to the ramps going up to each level on the existing structure. If they are exit ramps they aren’t set up that way with where cars would turn out from them.

But then how do cars exit? This structure isn't split down the middle like M&F...

And why would it connect at two points on every level to M&F? Will cars have to exit the new structure via M&F?

 

[dina444444]

But then how do cars exit? This structure isn't split down the middle like M&F...

And why would it connect at two points on every level to M&F? Will cars have to exit the new structure via M&F?

Yes. The epectation is the exit will be via the existing structure. There are two connector points. My expectation is the one by the escalators is for vehicle exiting and the other one is for overflow from existing to new when needed. The issue is almost always with parking cars and in bound flow not with outbound traffic.