New Parking Structure/Pedestrian Bridge Question

[Disney Dad ADL]

Is Toy Story staying? I thought part of the point of the new parking structure was to replace that lot.

The new parking garage is taking the place of the Pumbaa parking lot. In theory, though, if they have enough parking in the new structure, they could get rid of the Toy story lot, but I'm not sure what the would do with it. It's not really close to anything.

 

[Becca1007]

The new parking garage is taking the place of the Pumbaa parking lot. In theory, though, if they have enough parking in the new structure, they could get rid of the Toy story lot, but I'm not sure what the would do with it. It's not really close to anything.

I think that until they have a better use case for the land, Toy Story will stay a parking lot. It helps traffic management to spread out the flow of cars at the end of the night across multiple lots.

That said, as soon as they can make that plot of land more profitable it will become something else.

 

[VandVsmama]

Disney could do a few things with the Toy Story lot. In the relative short term (through the Star Wars Land opening, for example), they'd be wise to keep it as a parking lot. Longer term, they could:

• turn it into a third theme park
• build a 4th hotel resort with a pedestrian bridge over Katella Ave to the security screening area at the new parking garage.
• buy up some neighboring properties and build both a 3rd theme park AND a 4th hotel resort with a GCH-style entrance directly into that theme park.
• Also build a pedestrian bridge/walkway across BOTH Katella AND Harbor Blvd.
• Or better yet...build a People Mover mode of transportation from Toy Story to the Esplanade.

 

[DaveNinja]

• build a 4th hotel resort with a pedestrian bridge over Katella Ave to the security screening area at the new parking garage.

This would be a long bridge! it would have to pass by the entire Garden Walk block

 

[Wilcojoe]

For those who complain about too many locals in the park, this won't help things. Talk about a great way to boost that segment.

I think if Disney was going to buy more offsite property (i.e. Harbor Blvd hotels), it would have happened by now. Specifically it would have happened during the economic downturn of 2008/2009 when real estate prices took a dive. I think they realize the easiest way to increase revenue is by appealing to those in their backyard, Many of which have the economic wherewithal to make mutiple daytrips on a regular basis.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

For those who complain about too many locals in the park, this won't help things. Talk about a great way to boost that segment.

I think if Disney was going to buy more offsite property (i.e. Harbor Blvd hotels), it would have happened by now. Specifically it would have happened during the economic downturn of 2008/2009 when real estate prices took a dive. I think they realize the easiest way to increase revenue is by appealing to those in their backyard, Many of which have the economic wherewithal to make mutiple daytrips on a regular basis.

They can't buy those hotels until they have enough on-site capacity to make up for any net loss in rooms, and (to use the WDW term) "value"-priced rooms in particular, or it would affect non-local attendance.

 

[Ratherbeatdisneyland]

So it's purpose is totally to serve the new parking structure. To me it just seems like everything will stay the same way for hotels along harbor. If the crosswalk is still there, then it shouldn't impact them. We don't stay over there, we have found driving in works better for us. But it would have been nice to have some way to make crossing harbor a bit safer and easier.

 

[GoBears 1980]

Disney should have bought the old Hyatt when they had the chance. Disney did buy several hotels quite a few years ago, including the Grand Hotel (where the new garage is going). All the cast members were stunned when Disney imploded it.

 

[disneychrista]

Those asking about the transportation center at Harbor the following is from the linked article.

The park also plans to shutter its current transportation hub, where buses from some Disney parking lots and hotel shuttles drop off visitors near the theme parks’ main gates to build the new one on a Disney-owned site about a half-mile away on Manchester Avenue

 

[Wilcojoe]

Disney should have bought the old Hyatt when they had the chance. Disney did buy several hotels quite a few years ago, including the Grand Hotel (where the new garage is going). All the cast members were stunned when Disney imploded it.

When I was a kid in the 80's, I remember our shuttle bus from SNA would stop at The Grand Hotel. I so wanted to stay there. The Disneyland Hotel and The Grand would have been a dream come true destination when I was growing up. I had forgotten all about it until you posted this.

 

[GoBears 1980]

When I was a kid in the 80's, I remember our shuttle bus from SNA would stop at The Grand Hotel. I so wanted to stay there. The Disneyland Hotel and The Grand would have been a dream come true destination when I was growing up. I had forgotten all about it until you posted this.

Back in the day the Grand Hotel was as nice as the DLH and when Disney bought the Grand they didn't own the DLH and rumors in the park among CMs were rampant abut expanding the monorail over there.

 

[agamble]

well that is just inconvenient enough to make me change up some of my hotel choices.

I think you might be right. That really sucks for those hotels.

I actually wonder about this. Will Disney make it more difficult for the owners of the properties right there so they'll eventually agree to sell? I know HOJO says the crosswalk for Harbor will still be open, but is this permanently, or just for now?

That's what I was thinking. I was actually wondering if it was intentional as these hotels claim they're closer than Disney owned hotels. So if you make people have to walk an extra half mile then they're no longer closer than the Disney owned hotels.

I'm actually guessing the opposite, that there will not be a public entrance on Harbor. Part of the reason for this project was to improve traffic flow on Harbor, which is a major road. They don't want people trying to cross Harbor and stopping traffic, thus the elevated walkway.

See that's what I thought. When they built the bridges in Las Vegas the idea was to get the mass of people off the street. And that Harbor crosswalk is not even a real intersection. So cars have to stop at the light just to let people cross the street.

Does this mean the old bus area can now become Marval Land?

There was a rumor on MiceAge that they could push backstage areas into the space where the Toy Story busses currently drop off passengers.

1. the pedestrian bridge will probably end at the Esplanade AFTER the Harbor-side security tents. Since there will be security screening on the parking structure-side of Harbor Blvd for people parking in that parking lot.

3. Everybody crossing Harbor Blvd from a Harbor Blvd hotel will probably go through security screening like they usually do. But it won't be mobbed with people coming from the new parking structure.

Also from same thread on FB from Hojo:
Disney met with us and said that the Harbor foot traffic would not be affected at all. There will be a second security area on Harbor (street-level) which will feed into the already-security-checked bridge pedestrians into the main entrance plaza. Same crosswalk across Harbor and everything. Win win!

They also mentioned that the current transportation hub will be shops and restaurants and a continuation of Downtown Disney.....

It would make sense for them to move the security area so that all traffic merges from the bridge and street entrance and probably the shuttle drop off after everyone has gone through security. This would also help with congestion at security. The more separate areas they have for security the better. But how can security be before a Downtown Disney area? Unless it's just restaurants and no shops. The shops sell things that are not allowed through Disney security or into the parks ie real or toy weapons and glass bottles.

Is Toy Story staying? I thought part of the point of the new parking structure was to replace that lot.

They need more parking, so they are using the Pumba lot to build the 7 story structure. But even then I bet parking will be tight. I think they may need to build another parking structure in the future at the Toy Story area. Parking is so awful that the poor CM get shuttle from 2 miles away some days.

• build a 4th hotel resort with a pedestrian bridge over Katella Ave to the security screening area at the new parking garage.

They're already building a 4th hotel resort next to Downtown Disney. It was announced a few months ago.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

That's what I was thinking. I was actually wondering if it was intentional as these hotels claim they're closer than Disney owned hotels. So if you make people have to walk an extra half mile then they're no longer closer than the Disney owned hotels.

Higher up in the thread some folks note that the HoJo Facebook page says the Harbor Blvd ped crossing is staying, with a new security area, that will then feed into the pre-screened visitors coming from the bridge, and that their source was an outreach meeting from Disney.

 

[bcla]

Why wouldn't they try to do something for this like the Las Vegas Strip? There's basically no more actual crossing of the road on foot along most of the Strip.

 

[agamble]

Higher up in the thread some folks note that the HoJo Facebook page says the Harbor Blvd ped crossing is staying, with a new security area, that will then feed into the pre-screened visitors coming from the bridge, and that their source was an outreach meeting from Disney.

I know. I quoted part of those messages too.

 

[Donathius]

So based on what the HoJo said it looks very likely that the Harbor crosswalk isn't going anywhere - well it could move but there will still be pedestrian access from Harbor. I still wonder what the security setup will be like. If the security checkpoints aren't far enough "in" could there be security lines for Harbor pedestrians extend all the way back to the street?

 

[crystal1313]

It would make sense for them to move the security area so that all traffic merges from the bridge and street entrance and probably the shuttle drop off after everyone has gone through security. This would also help with congestion at security. The more separate areas they have for security the better. But how can security be before a Downtown Disney area? Unless it's just restaurants and no shops. The shops sell things that are not allowed through Disney security or into the parks ie real or toy weapons and glass bottles.
.

I wonder if they will have an area that is only for people going into the parks? I see what you mean, if you buy something on the harbor side of the DTD shops, but have to go back through security to go on the tram, or to the east side of DTD, that would be an issue. Hmm.....

 

[Darkbeer1]

Here is what I understand about the new project, which Disney has worked with the City to develop and address Traffic issues.

When the project is completed, the current Traffic light and Crosswalk on Harbor next to the Park Vue Inn and the BWPPPI&S will be removed to help deal with traffic.

Manchester and Clementine (same road with a name change near the new Transportation Drop-off area) will get some improvements/widening to deal with the buses/shuttles.

Disney Way will get some small improvements, but the freeway exits will remain the same, they were planned to provide access years ago to the old original entrance prior to DCA. But the new Pummba Parking structure will have a new entrance off of Disney Way from the east. Also some changes will be made to the Disney Way/Harbor Blvd traffic light and crosswalks to help with traffic flow and encourage folks to use the new Pedestrian Entrance behind the Grand Legacy at the Park on Disney Way next to the parking structure.

When completed, Toy Story parking lot will not be open every day, on slow weekdays, the lot will not open, or will be used for the Anaheim Convention Center (which is also building an expansion). Disney will also save money by not having to operate Shuttle Buses. (Pummba parking users will be expected to walk to the new Eastern Gateway entrance).

This will also help the city with traffic issues, as it will take cars off of Harbor and Katella Avenues, since the Northbound I-5 exit is for both Disney Way and Katella Avenue, and guests will be directly to Disney Way and the new structure. The city also has the option to close the sidewalk on the west side of Harbor from Disney Way say to the current Cast Member entrance (current public bus stop) to help deal with traffic, since Disney is planning to operate a Cast Member Shuttle area and Handicapped drop-off. (Only going Southbound on Harbor), and will eliminate vehicles from waiting to turn into or out off these areas.

There are plans to reroute the public buses in the area (OCTA and LA Metro 460), the LA Metro 460 and the OCTA Route 83 already uses Manchester/Clementine as part of its route), so that will leave the OCTA routes 43 and 530 to make the small re-route to avoid the portion of Harbor between Disney Way and Manchester. All ART buses will drop off at the new Transportation Hub.

So guests will be able to cross Harbor Boulevard at Manchester (near HoJo's) and of course Katella Avenue. It will be interesting to see what the city will decide about crosswalks at Disney Way, they might eliminate the east-west crosswalks on Harbor, or only offer it on the South side of Disney Way, to try and get folks to use the new main Pedestrian Entrance on Disney Way.

Of course, all we know is what Disney submitted to the city, which will now have a 30 day review period prior to being presented to the Planning Commission for approval (Note, the parking Structure already has been approved, so we are talking about the Bridge and new Transportation Hub). Work on the west side of Harbor (old transportation area) will be dealt with later.

But it is important to note, it is the city of Anaheim that wants the traffic and pedestrians moved, and since they get the final say, the above changes will more than likely happen when the vote is taken.

So it looks like in 2018, guests staying on Harbor Blvd between Katella and Manchester will have two main pedestrian options, the entrance on Disney Way behind the Grand Legacy and use the Bridge, use Manchester Avenue to walk east to the new Transportation Hub and then cross on the bridge, or cross at Manchester to the West side of Harbor and use a secondary entrance.

Also be prepared for more construction in the area starting soon, as the Carousel Inn will close down, the work on the new Transportation Hub has already broken ground (removal and grading only), the closure of the Anaheim Plaza Hotel for a new 4 star Hotel (already approved by the city) and then the roadwork that will be needed on Disney Way, Manchester and Clementine, plus the need for supports to build the new bridge over Harbor Blvd.

The basic schedule (always subject to change), close down the Carousel and remove it, then build the new Transportation Hub and Pedestrian Bridge, and convert the north side of the old transportation hub to a new walkway (with a security fence) next to the Costuming Building. Once that is done, then close down the old Transportation Hub, the Shuttle Bus area for Toy Story Parking (which looks like it will be relocated to the edge of Harbor where the Taxi Stand is currently) and removing the crosswalk by the Park Vue Inn and extending the median on Harbor Blvd in the area, including a fence to prevent people from trying to cross where not allowed. So a lot of stuff will be happening in the area over the next year or two.

Hope that clarifies things, even though it is a work in progress...

So the good news, hopefully it will force Capitan Kidd's Buffet to close (one of the worst places to eat based on reviews, but has survived due to its location).

 

[Kindermouse]

removing the crosswalk by the Park Vue Inn and extending the median on Harbor Blvd in the area, including a fence to prevent people from trying to cross where not allowed.

So it looks like I'm going to be playing live action frogger when I go to Disneyland...sounds...exciting? There is no way they are going to keep people who stay across the street on harbor from crossing the street there. With or without a cross walk. According to your post the front area will have a handicapped drop off area which means it will be an entry point which means that people who stay across the street will still cross there. Period. You can't even get them to walk at rope drop and how simple is that.

I sure hope your wrong about the removal of the cross walk or there are going to be some young families that get turned into road pizza. The city has a responsibility to have crosswalks where people want to cross for the safety of pedestrians (who have the right of way even at unmarked intersections) so I can't see how they think that the bridge would serve that need. people won't walk that far away just to cross the street.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Let me add, the new Pedestrian Bridge is planned without stairs, but using ramps. The bridge is supposed to be about 20 feet high, so there will be room needed on both sides of Harbor, the east side ramp will be where the Carousel is, and the west bound ramp will be over the Cast Member parking area/drop off (Harbor Pointe next to Costuming). The ramp doesn't have to be 20 feet high for much of it, just tall enough for the CM Buses and then tall enough to walk under closer to Costuming. The entire bridge and ramps will be in a secure area, so once you go through security on the East Side, you won't have to do it again. But no elevators on escalators are planned currently, just a low grade ramp that meets ADA requirements (that means no more than a one foot raise over 12 feet of the ramp, so the ramps will have to be at least 240 feet long, think of the Tomorrowland Monorail ramps, which meet the code regarding slope)

It looks like the Toy Story Lot buses will drop off a bit farther away, where the Taxi Stand is currently off of Harbor. This and a special ADA shuttle service from the new Transportation Hub will be the only two shuttles allowed to use the area (driveway entrance at Disney Way). Then there will be a secondary Security Check entrance for those guests, and those crossing on Harbor Blvd at Manchester (the HoJo folks). It will much smaller in size than currently available.

Yes, there are rumors from multiple sources that the current Toy Story Shuttle Drop Off area will become part of DCA to allow expansion for Marvel Land, and it does make sense. They could easily decide to remove Stage 17, Monsters Inc. and other nearby structures for a new area to develop. And with more land space available, a good potential for a major attraction.

No changes are planned to the West Side, Downtown Disney and the Hotels will be outside the Security Zone, and all folks parking at the Mickey & friends Structure will be screened after taking the tram.

As for the Toy Story Lot, it will remain open most days, and might even be expanded. A lot of it has to do with how the new Star Wars Land impactes attendance. So on slow days, the Toy Story Lot won't open when the park opens, and will only open when needed. But on most days, it will still operate. The city wants more access to it though, for the Convention Center and its expansion (they lost parking next to the Hilton), so there will be a deal made as part of the permit approval. Expansion of Toy Story will depend on the new planned Cast Member parking Structure planned for the corner of Harbor and Ball, currently a flat level CM lot. But Disney wil pay for the new structure if demand warrants.

As for the city closing the current crosswalk, there is no "need" for it after the Bridge opens, and they can easily close it, if that is what they want to do. (We are talking city owned land, not Disney). They are providing crossing at Manchester with a Traffic Light. And yes, there will more than likely be Anaheim Police in the area when the change is first made to keep people from playing Frogger. And it IS against the law to cross in the middle of a street, it is called Jaywalking and enforced in California and many other places. (Since the city wants to remove the light and intersection next to the Park Vue Inn).

And the new ADA shuttle I mentioned will load at the new Eastern Transporation Harbor off Manchester, where folks taking the ART Shuttle, other Hotel Shuttles and public Transporation (OCTA/LA Metro) will be droping off guests. It will go up Manchester to Harbor, turn left on Harbor to Disney Way, go into the new Shuttle area and drop off, then take Disney Way to Clementine/Manchester back to the new Hub. (Circle route). That and the Toy Story Buses will be the only two allowed to use the area. Anyone being dropped off with ADA needs will have to go to the new Hub on Manchester, and use the new Shuttle, or opt for using the bridge, which some folks will opt to do

So there are winners, with the Quality Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Grand Legacy at the Park getting lucky with the new changes, and the Park Vue Inn and BWPPPI&S being the losers and requiring more of a walk.

But as stated, these are still PROPOSED changes and we will know more in the next couple of months, as there is the review period, and then the Planning Commission hearing at City Hall, and then there are cases where the entire City Council will want to have a second review and vote. But Disney really wants the project done by the time Star Wars Land opens to the public.