Some procedure Questions

[xipotec]

A few things I would like to know about DL

1. Do you line up in the Esplanade before opening?? Is that where security is?

2. If in a standby for ROTR, and it breaks down, do they give you a return pass?

3. Do they give you a printed ticket that works with your Genie + or do you have to use your phone?

4. How can you get to DownDisney from the Parks? Do you have to leave through the main entrance?

5. Does the monorail have a line?

 

[BadPinkTink]

1. Do you line up in the Esplanade before opening?? Is that where security is?

Example - official park opening time = 8am
Entry from Harbor Boulevard Pedestrian entrance

1. Harbor Boulevard Pedestrian entrance is on the East side of the Esplanade.
2. There is a security bag check area where some people will start to wait in line before the security opens.
3. They will start letting people through security bag check area about 6.45am I think
4. Once through security bag check area, people will wait in line at the entrance turnstiles and the lines will back into the esplanade.
5. At about 7.15am they will open the entrance turnstiles and start scanning tickets.
6. People will be allowed into Main Street and up as far as The Hub.
7. There will be ropes across the entrances to each of the lands and the crowds will form around The Hub and up Main Street.
8. At 8am there will be an announcement and the CM's will drop the ropes and the park and rides will be open.

2. If in a standby for ROTR, and it breaks down, do they give you a return pass?

No, as far as I know, the return pass is only for people who have paid for an Individual Attraction Lightning Lane.

3. Do they give you a printed ticket that works with your Genie + or do you have to use your phone?

Yes, the first time you use your ticket, you will get your photo taken and the machine will print out a small credit card sized ticket. You can use this paper ticket to scan into the parks and to scan at Lightning Lane scanners.

4. How can you get to DownDisney from the Parks? Do you have to leave through the main entrance?

Yes, you have to exit either Disneyland Main Park or California Adventures park to go to Downtown Disney. It is all in the same security ring so you do not have to go through bag check. For example you can ride Pirates of The Caribbean, walk back through Adventureland, up Main Street and exit and then go to Downtown Disney, go to Starbucks, then reverse your journey and go back to Pirates of The Caribbean, all without leaving the security ring.

5. Does the monorail have a line?

It depends on the day, time of day etc. Its listed on the App , the same as other rides, so you can check the wait time. Depending on the time of year you are there, it may not be open during the afternoon, as in the summer when the temperatures get high, they close it for about 6 hours in the day time.

 

[CeCe0906]

Hopefully you won't mind if I ask a question here also.
About
"3. Do they give you a printed ticket that works with your Genie + or do you have to use your phone?
Yes, the first time you use your ticket, you will get your photo taken and the machine will print out a small credit card sized ticket. You can use this paper ticket to scan into the parks and to scan at Lightning Lane scanners."

If you have a 3 day park hopper ticket, do you get a new printed ticket each day?
Since I'm going to have tickets for 3 young kids plus myself, my plan is to have them each in a name badge protector sleeve on a retractable lanyard attached to my bag. That will be much easier for me to scan in on LL than fumbling around on my phone, and swiping through everyone.

 

[BadPinkTink]

If you have a 3 day park hopper ticket, do you get a new printed ticket each day?
Since I'm going to have tickets for 3 young kids plus myself, my plan is to have them each in a name badge protector sleeve on a retractable lanyard attached to my bag. That will be much easier for me to scan in on LL than fumbling around on my phone, and swiping through everyone.

No you will just get 1 ticket per person on the first day / first time you scan in.
Thats exactly what I do with my ticket. I put it into a lanyard plastic attached to a retractable key ring, which I attach to my bag.

 

[CyndiLouWho]

No you will just get 1 ticket per person on the first day / first time you scan in.
Thats exactly what I do with my ticket. I put it into a lanyard plastic attached to a retractable key ring, which I attach to my bag.

So you *have* to use a paper ticket for Genie+ you can't use your phone?

 

[duckboyone]

Yes, the first time you use your ticket, you will get your photo taken and the machine will print out a small credit card sized ticket. You can use this paper ticket to scan into the parks and to scan at Lightning Lane scanners.

So, for example, I've got all my kids' tickets attached to my Disneyland app. If I were to make different LL reservations for them in my app, they can then just go their separate ways (they are older) and scan in with the paper tickets. I didn't know that! I thought they would have had to log into my account with their phones to scan in. Extremely useful info, thanks!

 

[BadPinkTink]

So you *have* to use a paper ticket for Genie+ you can't use your phone?

No you don't have to use the paper ticket for Genie+ you can your the phone or the paper ticket. I used both in January, depending on the ride and what I was doing. Sometimes I was checking the App for return times and then used it to scan into a ride. Sometimes I just used the paper ticket, like when I did single rider on Millennium Falcon and knew my Lightning Lane return window had opened when I exited, so I just used the paper ticket to scan in for the Millennium Falcon Lightning Lane.

So, for example, I've got all my kids' tickets attached to my Disneyland app. If I were to make different LL reservations for them in my app, they can then just go their separate ways (they are older) and scan in with the paper tickets. I didn't know that! I thought they would have had to log into my account with their phones to scan in. Extremely useful info, thanks!

Technically yes, you can book the Lightning Lanes on your phone and they can scan in with the paper ticket. But I don't it works all the time. I can't remember where but I know I did have to click Redeem on the App instead of using the paper ticket.

 

[xipotec]

Example - official park opening time = 8am
Entry from Harbor Boulevard Pedestrian entrance

1. Harbor Boulevard Pedestrian entrance is on the East side of the Esplanade.
2. There is a security bag check area where some people will start to wait in line before the security opens.
3. They will start letting people through security bag check area about 6.45am I think
4. Once through security bag check area, people will wait in line at the entrance turnstiles and the lines will back into the esplanade.
5. At about 7.15am they will open the entrance turnstiles and start scanning tickets.
6. People will be allowed into Main Street and up as far as The Hub.
7. There will be ropes across the entrances to each of the lands and the crowds will form around The Hub and up Main Street.
8. At 8am there will be an announcement and the CM's will drop the ropes and the park and rides will be open.

No, as far as I know, the return pass is only for people who have paid for an Individual Attraction Lightning Lane.


Yes, the first time you use your ticket, you will get your photo taken and the machine will print out a small credit card sized ticket. You can use this paper ticket to scan into the parks and to scan at Lightning Lane scanners.


Yes, you have to exit either Disneyland Main Park or California Adventures park to go to Downtown Disney. It is all in the same security ring so you do not have to go through bag check. For example you can ride Pirates of The Caribbean, walk back through Adventureland, up Main Street and exit and then go to Downtown Disney, go to Starbucks, then reverse your journey and go back to Pirates of The Caribbean, all without leaving the security ring.

It depends on the day, time of day etc. Its listed on the App , the same as other rides, so you can check the wait time. Depending on the time of year you are there, it may not be open during the afternoon, as in the summer when the temperatures get high, they close it for about 6 hours in the day time.

Awesome post.

Just to clarity, the “esplande” is technically INSIDE the parks? I had always seen it as a waiting area before you go into the parks officially? Past security but still have to go through the turnstiles for each park?

The actual gate is near the roads then? I am staying right across on Harbor.

also 1 more clarification, I know I can get to DTD from the wsplanade, but can youbgwt there from inside DL or DCA without leaving through the turnstiles?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Awesome post.

Just to clarity, the “esplande” is technically INSIDE the parks? I had always seen it as a waiting area before you go into the parks officially? Past security but still have to go through the turnstiles for each park?

The actual gate is near the roads then? I am staying right across on Harbor.

also 1 more clarification, I know I can get to DTD from the wsplanade, but can youbgwt there from inside DL or DCA without leaving through the turnstiles?

You really should be checking Google Maps



1 = Harbor Boulevard Pedestrian Entrance
2 = Harbor Boulevard Security and bag check
3. = Disneyland Main Park entrance / turnstiles
4 = California Adventures entrance / turnstiles
5 = Downtown Disney Pedestrian Entrance and Security and bag check

 

[xipotec]

You really should be checking Google Maps

View attachment 665844

1 = Harbor Boulevard Pedestrian Entrance
2 = Harbor Boulevard Security and bag check
3. = Disneyland Main Park entrance / turnstiles
4 = California Adventures entrance / turnstiles
5 = Downtown Disney Pedestrian Entrance and Security and bag check

Yup , I did, but all that shows is structures and names. Some of that looks like you can actually move from DCA and DL to DTD without going through the esplande….and with all the construction going on in DTD I figured things might have changed from those old Google images.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

Awesome post.

Just to clarity, the “esplande” is technically INSIDE the parks? I had always seen it as a waiting area before you go into the parks officially? Past security but still have to go through the turnstiles for each park?

The actual gate is near the roads then? I am staying right across on Harbor.

also 1 more clarification, I know I can get to DTD from the wsplanade, but can youbgwt there from inside DL or DCA without leaving through the turnstiles?

The Esplande is inside security but in between both parks. It is not inside the parks. You can be in the Esplande without a park ticket.

The actual gates are close to Harbor Drive. From some of the hotels the walk to the front gates is actually shorter and quicker than from the DLH. What is missing is the Disney Bubble because you are walking on a city street instead of through DTD (GCH is still the closest hotel $$$$).

You cannot get to DTD without leaving the turnstiles. You either need to exit through the front turnstiles, the DCA exit into GCH, or the monorail exit into DTD. You will need to enter again through the turnstiles and show your ticket. What you won’t have to do is go through security again unless you go through the GCH or go back across one of the security check points.

 

[DLgal]

Awesome post.

Just to clarity, the “esplande” is technically INSIDE the parks? I had always seen it as a waiting area before you go into the parks officially? Past security but still have to go through the turnstiles for each park?

The actual gate is near the roads then? I am staying right across on Harbor.

also 1 more clarification, I know I can get to DTD from the wsplanade, but can youbgwt there from inside DL or DCA without leaving through the turnstiles?

Yes, there are two ways you can leave the parks and go into Downtown Disney without passing through the main gates.

From DL, take the monorail. It will take you to the Downtown Disney station, where you can disembark. The station is at the west end, near the Lego Store. This is the end where the construction is happening now. You can get back into DL by going back through the turnstile at the monorail station, or you can walk back through to the esplanade and main gate.

From DCA, exit into the Grand Californian hotel. The entrance is just beyond the prop plane near Soarin, on the way to Grizzly River Run. Anyone can go in there at any time. Walk through the hotel to the lobby, and follow signs to Downtown Disney. You will have to pass through security here to reenter DtD, but its always quick. This will dump you out about halfway down DtD, near the Disney Dress Shop, across from Salt and Straw.

The esplanade is simply an open plaza. There are turnstiles for each park. The lines for the turnstiles simply extend into the esplanade. Midday, it's usually empty. There is no construction happening there. Once you leave the main entrances, it's no hassle to walk to DtD, unless you are leaving right after fireworks on a weekend night.

 

[CodeGoddess]

At about 7.15am they will open the entrance turnstiles and start scanning tickets

Once you are scanned in you can start to make your first Genie+ selections correct?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Once you are scanned in you can start to make your first Genie+ selections correct?

Yes BUT only after park opening at 8am. You can buy Genie+ at 7.30am but the Lightning Lane booking option only activates at 8am.

 

[CodeGoddess]

Yes BUT only after park opening at 8am. You can buy Genie+ at 7.30am but the Lightning Lane booking option only activates at 8am.

Does that include ILL purchases at 7:30?

 

[BadPinkTink]

Does that include ILL purchases at 7:30?

Yes, until the park officially opens at 8am you can not book the Genie+ Lightning Lanes or buy the Individual Attraction Lightning Lanes.

 

[xipotec]

Great info guys, I think I visualize it now. I figured there mist be a way to get to DTD from the parks themselves.

I did want to see the GCH, so I will take a stroll through there.

I also want to ride the monorail so will try that way also.

We are staying at a Good Neighbor Hotel, its like 509 feet from the W Harbor entrance.

 

[ironband74]

Yes BUT only after park opening at 8am. You can buy Genie+ at 7.30am but the Lightning Lane booking option only activates at 8am.

Not sure if it changed since you were there, but last week we were able to book g+ LL once we scanned into the park, even before 8am.

There were no return times before 8am, but we could book an 8am return time at 7:30 while waiting for rope drop.

 

[katyringo]

Not sure if it changed since you were there, but last week we were able to book g+ LL once we scanned into the park, even before 8am.

There were no return times before 8am, but we could book an 8am return time at 7:30 while waiting for rope drop.

This is how I thought it was working too..

 

[StarSeven7]

Not sure if it changed since you were there, but last week we were able to book g+ LL once we scanned into the park, even before 8am.

There were no return times before 8am, but we could book an 8am return time at 7:30 while waiting for rope drop.

We did this in March as well.