question about this...

[dhlovesbelle]

"Where should I wait in line?
The best bet to secure your front of the line spot, is to just wait by the security tables, even if the esplanade is open. The guests in the esplanade will be forced to backtrack and go through security when Cast Members show up."


This is from Hydroguys sticky on MM days. Where are the security tables Are they obvious? Also, I know this is a silly question, but what is the esplanade? Thanks so much!

 

[avalon451]

The esplanade is just the big open bricked area between DL and California Adventure.

Yup, the security tables are very obvious. They have those canopy/tent things with long tables. You have to pass through them to get into the Esplanade. Then you can see the ticket booths straight in front of you, and the DL gates to one side and CA gates to the other side. There are two sets of tables; one on the Harbor side of DL, the other at the top of DTD.

Here's an image (it's actually marking a path from Park Place Inn to the center of the Esplanade, on the east side of DL) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=88633

Zoom in on it; you can see the buildings with the zig-zaggy edges. Those are the ticket booths. Just before you get to the booths, if you look closely, you can see the long green roofs of the security tents, where the tables are, between the trees.

Hope that helps!

 

[dhlovesbelle]

Thank you avalon451!

So for MM we should just hang out by the security tables instead of making our way through to the esplanade and over by the regular entrance gates? Anyone, anyone? Thanks!

 

[tink2dw]

Yes

 

[NicksMommy]

Thank you avalon451!

So for MM we should just hang out by the security tables instead of making our way through to the esplanade and over by the regular entrance gates? Anyone, anyone? Thanks!

How early do you get there???! I have never been there before the security people get there...

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you avalon451!

So for MM we should just hang out by the security tables instead of making our way through to the esplanade and over by the regular entrance gates? Anyone, anyone? Thanks!

Well, only do that if there's no one manning the bag check tables. The reasoning is that if you don't have your bags checked b/c there's no one there, when they get there, they will make everyone leave and come back through. So you'll lose that spot, and if you're there waiting, all the people who went through will be losing *their* spots, and you'll be quicker through security.

 

[avalon451]

Kinda depends on how busy it will be, and what your plans are for the day.

Is it a busy weekend? Holiday? Spring break? Height of summer? Heavy crowds expected? Then DH will open at 8 a.m., and MM will begin at 7 a.m.

If you are going to do the Nemo Stampede, and you really really want to be on the first sub, get to security at 6:10 a.m. You will either be first in line at security (just pick a table, they'll man the one where the line is formed) or very close to the front. We got there at 6:08 one morning-- within 10 minutes, there were 50 people lined up behind us; I kid you not! Have your bag/backpack/purse off, unclipped, and open etc. when security starts looking like they're going to let people through. Security usually wanders up around 6:25-6:35. As soon as you're through, walk quickly as possible to the turnstiles (you're not supposed to run. Guess what? Everybody runs.) Go to a turnstile with a "Magic Morning" sign over it. You're either going to be first or very close behind. Then you can do the whole stampede thing to get to Nemo.

(I do NOT recommend this. We did it, and while the ride was cute and we got on the first sub, it was not worth all the fuss, and all the people racing past you and nearly knocking people over with strollers! I think Nemo is over rated)

If you're going to do Fantasyland, Space, and Buzz, get to security around 6:30. You'll be back a bit in the line, but there is no rush. You will still be close to the front at the turnstiles (within 15-25 people, probably) and you will get through very quickly at opening. You can stroll to FL and walk onto just about everything. Do Peter Pan first. (always first!)

If it's not going to be high season, don't worry about it too much. I think I would still try to get to the turnstiles 20-30 minutes before opening, but again, unless you're doing Nemo, it will be pleasantly quiet with low or non-existant lines that first hour.

I was shocked when we first went, and we were a bit late for our non-MM day. We arrived about 7:45, and the lines were nearly back to the California letters! That was during spring break.

Another hint: if you get there later than you intended, line up at Gate 13. Reason being, there's a tree planter that blocks gate 14, and several people (including the Unofficial Guide) have reported that the turnstile at 14 feeds from line 13, so 13 moves faster. Weird, huh?

 

[PinkBudgie]

Yep, I did the gate 13 trick on a Monday morning and it worked. Tue was MM so didn't apply for us. On Wed, gate 14 was kept closed. But still, worth a try.

 

[dhlovesbelle]

Kinda depends on how busy it will be, and what your plans are for the day.

Is it a busy weekend? Holiday? Spring break? Height of summer? Heavy crowds expected? Then DH will open at 8 a.m., and MM will begin at 7 a.m.

If you are going to do the Nemo Stampede, and you really really want to be on the first sub, get to security at 6:10 a.m. You will either be first in line at security (just pick a table, they'll man the one where the line is formed) or very close to the front. We got there at 6:08 one morning-- within 10 minutes, there were 50 people lined up behind us; I kid you not! Have your bag/backpack/purse off, unclipped, and open etc. when security starts looking like they're going to let people through. Security usually wanders up around 6:25-6:35. As soon as you're through, walk quickly as possible to the turnstiles (you're not supposed to run. Guess what? Everybody runs.) Go to a turnstile with a "Magic Morning" sign over it. You're either going to be first or very close behind. Then you can do the whole stampede thing to get to Nemo.

(I do NOT recommend this. We did it, and while the ride was cute and we got on the first sub, it was not worth all the fuss, and all the people racing past you and nearly knocking people over with strollers! I think Nemo is over rated)

If you're going to do Fantasyland, Space, and Buzz, get to security around 6:30. You'll be back a bit in the line, but there is no rush. You will still be close to the front at the turnstiles (within 15-25 people, probably) and you will get through very quickly at opening. You can stroll to FL and walk onto just about everything. Do Peter Pan first. (always first!)

If it's not going to be high season, don't worry about it too much. I think I would still try to get to the turnstiles 20-30 minutes before opening, but again, unless you're doing Nemo, it will be pleasantly quiet with low or non-existant lines that first hour.

I was shocked when we first went, and we were a bit late for our non-MM day. We arrived about 7:45, and the lines were nearly back to the California letters! That was during spring break.

Another hint: if you get there later than you intended, line up at Gate 13. Reason being, there's a tree planter that blocks gate 14, and several people (including the Unofficial Guide) have reported that the turnstile at 14 feeds from line 13, so 13 moves faster. Weird, huh?

Thank you again avalon451! You really clarified that for me. I was confused by what hydro guy said, but now I'm not So our first MM day will be Sunday Nov 2, and MM will be at 8 so we will get there at 7:30. Fantastic! Now I know what to do and what to expect. Thanks again!!

 

[disney-inspired]

(I do NOT recommend this. We did it, and while the ride was cute and we got on the first sub, it was not worth all the fuss, and all the people racing past you and nearly knocking people over with strollers! I think Nemo is over rated)

Another hint: if you get there later than you intended, line up at Gate 13. Reason being, there's a tree planter that blocks gate 14, and several people (including the Unofficial Guide) have reported that the turnstile at 14 feeds from line 13, so 13 moves faster. Weird, huh?

I agree, Nemo wasn't worth the wait of 50 minutes. I felt really claustrophobic and slightly nauseous.

Interesting about Gate 13, I'll have to check that out on Wednesday.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

So, even if you have no bags to be checked by security, you still need to wait at the tables?

 

[avalon451]

Yup. Too bad they don't have a "no bags" line. You still gotta shuffle through with everybody else.

It doesn't take long, though; they literally just look in your bag and maybe poke one thing aside. Like, 2 seconds.