New Parking Structure/Pedestrian Bridge Question

[ClaraOswald]

If the hojo becomes the shortest walk I'll definitely being staying farther away and shuttling in. I already dont stay at the hojo because it too far to walk as a single woman alone with young children late at night. Once the foot traffic is diminished it will feel even less safe.

So the choices are A. live action frogger across across harbor DI&S or Tropicanna or B. staying at Candy Cane and using their shuttle. Candy Cane is looking better and better.

I hear ya! I am eyeballing Homewood Suites or Staybridge Suites for future trips (unless we have a camper...then we'd be at an RV park.) They really aren't much more than what we pay at the Desert Inn. But they are nicer and offer breakfast. If we didn't have a toddler with a stroller we'd probably consider them for our 2017 trip. But I just like the idea of crossing the street from the Desert Inn and being able to get back easily for mid-day breaks.

 

[Kindermouse]

. But I just like the idea of crossing the street from the Desert Inn and being able to get back easily for mid-day breaks.

Agreed ClaraOswald. Due to my sons disabilities the mid day break has always been a must. Maybe we will have to become morning only visitors. I know that some people who visit with people who can't handle a full day in the parks really benifit from the opportunity to take a break so it's this demographic that is going to take the hardest hit from this change. My son has to have break from the stresses of dealing with the crowds and his obsessions/compulsions/fears and a private chance to let out his ticcs from his tourettes. This is a non-negotiable need so we may only be able to do half days after this change goes into play.

Thanks for letting me know that homewoods and Staybridge are in the same cost range. I hadn't realized that. Cost is also a big factor.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Okay....So I am still super confused.

First, if we go to Disneyland in 2017 (either February, March, or June)...will we still have the same walk from the Desert Inn to the parks? Or will it be changed by then?

Second, in the future, if we stay at a hotel that has a shuttle...would that basically drop us off at the new parking structure where we'd go through security and then over the new bridge?

This is a work in progress, but there is a highly large percentage that not much will change in 2017, except for the construction noise and some traffic delays on Harbor Boulevard due to building the new bridge.

So the current Pedestrian crossing should be open, as all the current status of the West side of Harbor on Disney property. The big changes won't happen until the project is completed, hopefully sometime in early 2018.

As for the Shuttle drop off in 2018, it will be near the new Pummba parking structure , but a bit closer to the new Bridge entrance/security check.

Check out the map on page 1 of this thread.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Agreed ClaraOswald. Due to my sons disabilities the mid day break has always been a must. Maybe we will have to become morning only visitors. I know that some people who visit with people who can't handle a full day in the parks really benifit from the opportunity to take a break so it's this demographic that is going to take the hardest hit from this change. My son has to have break from the stresses of dealing with the crowds and his obsessions/compulsions/fears and a private chance to let out his ticcs from his tourettes. This is a non-negotiable need so we may only be able to do half days after this change goes into play.

Thanks for letting me know that homewoods and Staybridge are in the same cost range. I hadn't realized that. Cost is also a big factor.

Don't quote me on the price thing. I just searched orbitz for my dates in February and they weren't too far off from what I booked at the Desert Inn. Not sure if that's always the case or not. The hotels look nice though. I stayed at a Homewood Suites in Minnesota once and liked it.

If we need midday breaks when my son is older...we will likely take the shuttle back to the hotel for a few hours and then take the shuttle back over for park time in the evening. It looks like the walking to the shuttle area isn't much worse than walking to the Desert Inn. And hopefully the ride on the shuttle isn't horrible. By then, we won't need a stroller at least.

This is a work in progress, but there is a highly large percentage that not much will change in 2017, except for the construction noise and some traffic delays on Harbor Boulevard due to building the new bridge.

So the current Pedestrian crossing should be open, as all the current status of the West side of Harbor on Disney property. The big changes won't happen until the project is completed, hopefully sometime in early 2018.

As for the Shuttle drop off in 2018, it will be near the new Pummba parking structure , but a bit closer to the new Bridge entrance/security check.

Check out the map on page 1 of this thread.

Thanks for the info. Glad to see we should be good for 2017. Not sure when we'll be back after that. Our next Disney trip will likely be WDW in 2019. So maybe Disneyland in 2021 since we like to do other types of vacations in between Disney ones. I am sure it will be a whole difference place by 2021!

 

[Indiana Scott]

I find this all very discouraging. It's a great deal of our entire Disney experience to stay right across the street and have a short, quick walk to and from the parks. The entire idea of being directly across the street and having Disney erect a fence so that you can't cross is just mean sprited to me and is the exact oposite of "Disney magic".
We have started taking fewer trips to DLR and I see that continuing with this kind of attitude towards guests.

 

[Spyral]

(and of course, the Pizza Press will close in mid October).

I didn't think Pizza Press was to close? I mean, it is the Carousel Inn, not the Tropicana that is being torn down. Or did I miss something and they are going to close?

 

[agamble]

If this ramp is the only entrance, that makes for a super long walk with stiles at the end of the day. heck, even to start the day! and if all shuttles drop off there, too? Nothing is close. Right? Unless we stay at the DLH. I was hoping to go in the next year. I'm thinking I'll wait until this is all done now. Does not sound fun with all that construction. But who am I kidding. We won't be able to stay away.

Okay....So I am still super confused.

First, if we go to Disneyland in 2017 (either February, March, or June)...will we still have the same walk from the Desert Inn to the parks? Or will it be changed by then?

I think the project is slated for a 2018 opening. I thought it was late 2018, though someone above said early. I imagine the crosswalk will be open for a while, though it will likely close before the official opening as construction will be taking place while building that large bridge over the roadway. That's going to be a mess.

I find this all very discouraging. It's a great deal of our entire Disney experience to stay right across the street and have a short, quick walk to and from the parks. The entire idea of being directly across the street and having Disney erect a fence so that you can't cross is just mean sprited to me and is the exact oposite of "Disney magic".
We have started taking fewer trips to DLR and I see that continuing with this kind of attitude towards guests.

I don't think Disney is erecting a fence, I think that choice will be the city's. Disney doesn't care where we cross, but the city and Disney are working together to create a safe and less congested roadway. I don't think the removal of that walkway is meant to be mean spirited, rather they are trying to work on pedestrian traffic flow. It will be a bummer though as we too enjoy staying at the DIS and found it to be very convenient. I will say there are some walking hotels on Katella with good prices where you can walk through the Grand and get to the parks easy. Those hotels may see an uptick in usage.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I don't think Disney is erecting a fence, I think that choice will be the city's. Disney doesn't care where we cross, but the city and Disney are working together to create a safe and less congested roadway. I don't think the removal of that walkway is meant to be mean spirited, rather they are trying to work on pedestrian traffic flow. It will be a bummer though as we too enjoy staying at the DIS and found it to be very convenient. I will say there are some walking hotels on Katella with good prices where you can walk through the Grand and get to the parks easy. Those hotels may see an uptick in usage.

I guess we'll just have to disagree on mush of that.
Nothing happens on Harbor that Disney doesn't have input on. Even down to the landscaping, fixtures and upkeep. They even created conditions for the off-site hotels frontage and signage.
I believe they have a great deal of interest on where people cross because it effects the flow of crowds and they have to create infrastructure to address that.
As far as the fence, whether they do or don't has little consequence if they create a barrier with land scaping, etc. on their own property, forcing people to walk further.
Disney doens't mean to be mean spirited but the result is the same; guests cant cross where they want to and will have to walk out of their way. Disney has to realize what they're doing and it 's simply a lousy thing to do to it's customers.

 

[tlovesdis]

Maybe when all this happens the rates for Tropicana, BWPPI, Desert Inn, Park Vue, etc...will go down. I mean if people think it's that much of an inconvenience to stay there and they stop booking rooms, they will have to drop the rates, which would be fine with me! I would love to pay less even if I have to walk a little bit more to get in.

 

[mamapenguin]

I find this all very discouraging. It's a great deal of our entire Disney experience to stay right across the street and have a short, quick walk to and from the parks. The entire idea of being directly across the street and having Disney erect a fence so that you can't cross is just mean sprited to me and is the exact oposite of "Disney magic".
We have started taking fewer trips to DLR and I see that continuing with this kind of attitude towards guests.

I agree, this is very discouraging. This is my year of DLR and then it's probably back to the East coast for me at least until DLR figures itself out. I have family 2.5 miles from WDW, but prefer DLR at least right now. I like the walk across the street from PVI or BWPPI. I've done PPH and the walk was annoying if you had to go back to the hotel multiple times in a day. GCH is great, but I can't afford to stay there all of the time. I really wish that they would leave things the way they are, but I know that they won't since the only reason Disney bought the Carousel was to tear it down for their bridge. This has been in the works for so long that I foolishly hoped that they had given up on it.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I would like to see them close Harbor between Katella and Manchester. Improve Manchest to flow to I5
Use the property for attractions and increased access to the park from all the hotels across the street.

 

[mamapenguin]

Maybe when all this happens the rates for Tropicana, BWPPI, Desert Inn, Park Vue, etc...will go down. I mean if people think it's that much of an inconvenience to stay there and they stop booking rooms, they will have to drop the rates, which would be fine with me! I would love to pay less even if I have to walk a little bit more to get in.

Awee..........the voice of reason. I will probably eventually cave and agree with you. For now, I'm grumpy about the upcoming changes to my favorite place.

 

[mich311e]

I didn't think Pizza Press was to close? I mean, it is the Carousel Inn, not the Tropicana that is being torn down. Or did I miss something and they are going to close?

I read on Pizza Press's Instagram that they think they are staying until April. So, they might be the last phase of demolition? Even thought they are connected to the Tropicana it's been considered part of The Carousel.

 

[Wilcojoe]

I was just reading an article by Jim Hill( about a year old) stating that if you see a new parking structure being built it may be a sign that a third park is not far behind. Idea being that it would be built on the old Toy Story parking lot. Hmmm.

 

[ehrawn]

We've got some great posts here assessing how this will be implemented. I have a couple thoughts. First, integrating security into guest flow is the new normal. The current screening locations are inadequate to handle likely threats: both the routine small arms and weapons, and the larger terrorist attacks. By stopping guest flow at these points, Disney is keeping guests out of the Parks and also creating a large crowd that is at risk of being attacked. Distributed screening back at the parking lots is better all around. Look to see this implemented on the DTD side, as well. Second, I think it's wishful thinking from the Harbor hotel owners that pedestrians will still be able to get into DLR through the current pedestrian entrance. That would negate the security screening at the parking lot if people could just circumvent it. I imagine non-castmember and non-screened pedestrian traffic on the Harbor side will have to go through the new screening (it's possible there will be screening at Toy Story, which could be what the "Disney Shuttle Dropoff" would be). Third, this has nothing to do with Disney trying to devalue the properties on Harbor. Like I said before, security can no longer be an afterthought.

 

[gary1955]

I read on Pizza Press's Instagram that they think they are staying until April. So, they might be the last phase of demolition? Even thought they are connected to the Tropicana it's been considered part of The Carousel.

the property line is on right side of the Pizza Press storefront. the hedge that separates the seating area outside of the Pizza Press and the Tropicana lawn looks to be right on the line.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Maybe when all this happens the rates for Tropicana, BWPPI, Desert Inn, Park Vue, etc...will go down. I mean if people think it's that much of an inconvenience to stay there and they stop booking rooms, they will have to drop the rates, which would be fine with me! I would love to pay less even if I have to walk a little bit more to get in.

Lower rates....or they will end up selling to Disney. I am sure Disney would love to get their hands on the land currently occupied by all of the businesses on that chunk of Harbor.

 

[Darkbeer1]

The Pizza Press just posted this on their Facebook Page in response to a question I asked there....

>>Hi David, while the Carousel *is* being torn down, we are planning to remain in our location until April 2017! We are currently seeking a site in the Anaheim Resort to relocate to, so while you're always welcome (and encouraged!) to visit our other locations, we are definitely planning on staying near Disneyland.<<

So good news for fans of the restaurant (and they are a small local chain with other nearby locations, like Costa Mesa and Fullerton).

Also interesting to note the April date. The Pizza Press is in a secondary building next to Harbor. So that will allow Disney to close the Hotel, start the removal/demolition process, especially the eastern end of the property, allow work on the ramps on both sides of Harbor, and then in Spring/Summer of 2017, work on the actual bridge going over Harbor Blvd.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I'd like to see Pizza Press get a place in DTD. That would be a great option for those who dont want to leave the resort.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Ok, to respond to some of the last few posts.

The current Crosswalk and Traffic Light next to the Park Vue Inn will NOT close until the entire Bridge project is finished and open, currently scheduled for sometime in 2018 (Disney's goal is prior to the Star Wars Land opening). Only when the new access is available, will the city start the process of removing the crosswalk, traffic light and extending the current Median on Harbor Blvd.

Yes, it is the City of Anaheim that wants the changes made to Harbor Boulevard. The city has been working with Disney to get this and other improvements in the area done.

As for the improvements made to the Anaheim Resort District since the 1990's has been a major push of the City of Anaheim, and worked with Disney to get things done. But it was the CITY that wanted the sign and street improvements, and forced Disney to pay for a lot of it, though much of the current funding comes from the Hotel Taxes guests pay if staying in The Anaheim Resort District (and now the new Garden Grove Hotel district) in regards to upkeep of the area. But it truly is the city of Anaheim pushing for most of this, and for Disney to get permission, they have to go along with the city's requests in regards to control vehicle/pedestrian flow in the area.

As for Hotel rates, yes, you will see changes made in 2018 and beyond (and maybe sooner), as some Hotels/Motels see an increase/decrease in bookings due to their location in regards to the moving of the Pedestrian Entrances, but only time will tell.

As for closing Harbor boulevard, NEVER will happen, it is a major Boulevard for the area, and the city will never give up its rights.