Dizneydaz
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2005
- Messages
- 10,973
Went to DLR yesterday to see premiere of the Electrical Parade and was not happy when we exited the 5 freeway at Harbor, turned left on Ball, and then left on Disney Way only to see the entire parking structure closed off with signs directing us over the bridge (as if we were going to DTD). Oh no! They are going to park us at the new parking lot-Toy Story.
We exited the freeway about 3:30 p.m. FYI
I know that they will close the parking structure in the afternoon of nights they expect to be crowded so that guests arriving later in the afternoon (after work) can park in the structure but man, this really burns!
As we made our way slowly over the bridge I debated about parking at the DTD lot and then moving the car in 3 hours. This wasn't a novel idea. A lot of cars were turning towards DTD. I didn't really want to have to move the car by 6:30 as we were going to watch the 6:30 CELEBRATE. Onto the new parking lot.
So we followed the signs around (turn left on Katella, turn right on Harbor) and then finally turn left into the new parking lot (where the strawberry fields used to be) I would have been helpful if they had had the sign on Katella saying to turn right further back so all 3 lanes on Katella didn't have to merge all the way to the right at the last minute. Also, if you don't want to wait in line to turn left into the lot, just be one of those annoying people who are very important and feel they don't need to wait in the left lane to make the left, just speed on up to my right and cut in. No worries here.
So we went through one of the parking booths and were directed all the way to the right, almost all the way to the back. As we were driving we saw the loading area for the buses, there was a line of about 4 buses waiting and quite a few people.
We parked on the right side (Woody) and got in the growing line to get on the bus. They direct you to either get in line for the bus or if you need tickets to go the the staffed kiosk they have there. If you need tickets this is a good idea since there were very few guests doing this. Only took a few minutes to get their tickets.
We waited in line and were directed to the second waiting area were we watched the guests who were in line after us get loaded on the first bus while we were merged with another line coming from the south (Buzz). We watched 2 buses of guest who were after us leave before we were loaded on the bus. Cool thing-after the bus stops to load guest the whole bus lowers down so that the step up into the bus is reduced. Not sure how many guests can ride the bus seated but I did hear a CM mention counting off 45. So we finally got loaded and were on our way. We got the very last seats, all the way in the back.
It wasn't too long of a ride to the drop off area at DLR. We exited and then made our way to security check. Oh no, the line here was really big and they only had one checkpoint open with 3 lanes. They were so many people converging on the area, from all sides, that it seemed to take forever to get into single lanes. They really needed to open up another check point. Guests were streaming in!
All in all, by the time we reached the entrance to DCA from the time we exited the freeway at Ball Rd., it took about 70 min. Way too long to get to the parks.
I know this was the first day and they are working on the kinks so I hope in the future things go better. Also, it would have been nice if there had been a sign on the freeway directed us to turn left on Harbor for parking. I think we would have cut out about 20 mins. or more and reduced my stress level by not having to deal with all the cars who kept taking cuts.
As we exited the buses a CM let us know that when we came back to board the buses we would want to go on the other side to load.
When it came time to go home we decided to not leave right after DCA closed. I figured the wait would be long (it was-my 2 Dsis's left at that time and it took awhile to get back to their car) So we made our way to the bus area just before 11 p.m. and there were only a few guest waiting and about 8 buses in line. Unfortunately, they did not count the guests as we loaded and we were last one. There were only 2 seats left and 3 of us. I had to stand, holding on to 2 straps, the whole ride back. Just glad my Dsis wasn't with us with her stroller. I don't think she could have stood up and held on. It was like an "E" ride with all the hard turns we made.
As we finally got back to the parking lot I heard the driver say something about Woody and Jessie but no one really heard her.
There was a nicely dresses couple sitting next to my DD (who had dined at Club 33) who had already been back to their car (to change clothes) and told us we want to wait until the second stop for our section. Everyone except our two groups exited at the first stop-Jessie. The bus made the loop and we were let off on the right side-Woody (and Buzz). Got in our car and was we made out of the parking lot (towards Harbor) we saw about 10-15 guests making their way the bus loop to get to the side of the lot where there cars were parked. The drivers need to be louder and explain to guests that if they get off at the wrong stop the will have to take a huge loop around to get to the other side. They can't cross through where the buses drive.
All in all it wasn't a great start to the day. I expected to be in the parks by 4 p.m. and instead it was almost 4:45. I did stop at Guest Services to make a complaint about the wait and the security check point and they listened to my complaint (I've never complained at DLR guest services before ) and then made me very happy. 
I do love Disney, just not having to park at Toy Story. Maybe if they could figure out a way to have some of the guests park at Mickey and Friends and some at Toy Story, it would be better. The congestion on Disney Way, Katella, and Harbor was horrible
Here are some pictures.
A sign you don't want to see (on S. Disneyland Dr.)
Parking booths
Here's your sign!
Shuttle stop sign
Parking area sign
One of the many buses
Bus loop
Close up of bus
Here comes our bus!
Board!
Ticket kiosks
The masses waiting to board.
This is one of the areas you can sit to wait for the bus when there isn't a line. Is covered for sun and/or rain.
Inside of bus after everyone else got off.
Drop off area. You deboard on the left and reboard on the right.
We exited the freeway about 3:30 p.m. FYII know that they will close the parking structure in the afternoon of nights they expect to be crowded so that guests arriving later in the afternoon (after work) can park in the structure but man, this really burns!
As we made our way slowly over the bridge I debated about parking at the DTD lot and then moving the car in 3 hours. This wasn't a novel idea. A lot of cars were turning towards DTD. I didn't really want to have to move the car by 6:30 as we were going to watch the 6:30 CELEBRATE. Onto the new parking lot.
So we followed the signs around (turn left on Katella, turn right on Harbor) and then finally turn left into the new parking lot (where the strawberry fields used to be) I would have been helpful if they had had the sign on Katella saying to turn right further back so all 3 lanes on Katella didn't have to merge all the way to the right at the last minute. Also, if you don't want to wait in line to turn left into the lot, just be one of those annoying people who are very important and feel they don't need to wait in the left lane to make the left, just speed on up to my right and cut in. No worries here.
So we went through one of the parking booths and were directed all the way to the right, almost all the way to the back. As we were driving we saw the loading area for the buses, there was a line of about 4 buses waiting and quite a few people.
We parked on the right side (Woody) and got in the growing line to get on the bus. They direct you to either get in line for the bus or if you need tickets to go the the staffed kiosk they have there. If you need tickets this is a good idea since there were very few guests doing this. Only took a few minutes to get their tickets.
We waited in line and were directed to the second waiting area were we watched the guests who were in line after us get loaded on the first bus while we were merged with another line coming from the south (Buzz). We watched 2 buses of guest who were after us leave before we were loaded on the bus. Cool thing-after the bus stops to load guest the whole bus lowers down so that the step up into the bus is reduced. Not sure how many guests can ride the bus seated but I did hear a CM mention counting off 45. So we finally got loaded and were on our way. We got the very last seats, all the way in the back.
It wasn't too long of a ride to the drop off area at DLR. We exited and then made our way to security check. Oh no, the line here was really big and they only had one checkpoint open with 3 lanes. They were so many people converging on the area, from all sides, that it seemed to take forever to get into single lanes. They really needed to open up another check point. Guests were streaming in!
All in all, by the time we reached the entrance to DCA from the time we exited the freeway at Ball Rd., it took about 70 min.
Way too long to get to the parks. I know this was the first day and they are working on the kinks so I hope in the future things go better. Also, it would have been nice if there had been a sign on the freeway directed us to turn left on Harbor for parking. I think we would have cut out about 20 mins. or more and reduced my stress level by not having to deal with all the cars who kept taking cuts.
As we exited the buses a CM let us know that when we came back to board the buses we would want to go on the other side to load.
When it came time to go home we decided to not leave right after DCA closed. I figured the wait would be long (it was-my 2 Dsis's left at that time and it took awhile to get back to their car) So we made our way to the bus area just before 11 p.m. and there were only a few guest waiting and about 8 buses in line. Unfortunately, they did not count the guests as we loaded and we were last one. There were only 2 seats left and 3 of us. I had to stand, holding on to 2 straps, the whole ride back. Just glad my Dsis wasn't with us with her stroller. I don't think she could have stood up and held on. It was like an "E" ride with all the hard turns we made.
As we finally got back to the parking lot I heard the driver say something about Woody and Jessie but no one really heard her.
There was a nicely dresses couple sitting next to my DD (who had dined at Club 33) who had already been back to their car (to change clothes) and told us we want to wait until the second stop for our section. Everyone except our two groups exited at the first stop-Jessie. The bus made the loop and we were let off on the right side-Woody (and Buzz). Got in our car and was we made out of the parking lot (towards Harbor) we saw about 10-15 guests making their way the bus loop to get to the side of the lot where there cars were parked. The drivers need to be louder and explain to guests that if they get off at the wrong stop the will have to take a huge loop around to get to the other side. They can't cross through where the buses drive.All in all it wasn't a great start to the day. I expected to be in the parks by 4 p.m. and instead it was almost 4:45.
I did stop at Guest Services to make a complaint about the wait and the security check point and they listened to my complaint (I've never complained at DLR guest services before ) and then made me very happy. I do love Disney, just not having to park at Toy Story. Maybe if they could figure out a way to have some of the guests park at Mickey and Friends and some at Toy Story, it would be better. The congestion on Disney Way, Katella, and Harbor was horribleHere are some pictures.
A sign you don't want to see (on S. Disneyland Dr.)
Parking booths
Here's your sign!
Shuttle stop sign
Parking area sign
One of the many buses
Bus loop
Close up of bus
Here comes our bus!
Board!
Ticket kiosks
The masses waiting to board.
This is one of the areas you can sit to wait for the bus when there isn't a line. Is covered for sun and/or rain.
Inside of bus after everyone else got off.
Drop off area. You deboard on the left and reboard on the right.
