What is actually going on at the Harbor Entrance, crowd-wise?

[SFMommy]

Not sure what everyone is talking about. We came through Harbor and the line moved quite quickly this morning.

What time did you arrive at the Harbor entrance and what time were you going through the turnstiles into the park? Thanks!

 

[sammybk]

When we arrived yesterday morning on the toy story bus ~8:45, there were no lines at harbor.

 

[DLRExpert]

What time did you arrive at the Harbor entrance and what time were you going through the turnstiles into the park? Thanks!

When we arrived yesterday morning on the toy story bus ~8:45, there were no lines at harbor.

After the security check, the Harbor line is moved to the M&F DTD Tram Load/Unload area.
At 8am that line is let into the esplanade area closest to the park entrances.

Pretty sure Mickey and Friends guests are let in after that.
DTD entrance guests are also let in by 8am, but have a longer walk which makes their arrival somewhere in between the Harbor and M&F guests.
Sounds like Toy Story is also on hold, other thread said 845am??? Not sure
Only Grand California Hotel guests DTD entrance area seem to be let in before anyone else at 745am.

I was staying at GCH over the weekend, I asked two different guests that stood behind me on two different days at the park entrance, what time did you get in line at Harbor? Both parties on both days said they took an Uber and got in line at 5am. OUCH!

In the past and before ROTR, a typical DLR park guest wouldn't show up until an hour or two after park opening.
Now with reservations and boarding groups, park guests want to make sure they are in the parks at opening to make the most of their day.
The problem is Disney Parking is sticking with their hours based on the way things were in the past.
I expect things to ease up a bit when a AP option is offered.

ME

 

[DLRExpert]

nothing to see here

 

[Matthew D.]

What time did you arrive at the Harbor entrance and what time were you going through the turnstiles into the park? Thanks!

Got there 7:30. Turnstiles were 8:15 or so. Rope drop was 8:45 am. Least busy rope drop I’ve done in last 4 years, having gone at least twice a year.

 

[Piglet99645]

I’m here. Left my hotel across the street at 8 am. There was a huge line at security but it opened right when we got in line and we were through by 8:11. Turnstiles opened at 8:20. Rope drop at 8:40. Front of line for Indy by 9 right as it broke down for 20 minutes. Overall a win.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

So this is all because they're not opening security right away right? So causing huge lines in both ends?

I wonder why they just won't go back to opening it as normal? Staffing? Seems like everything else is returning to normal.:.

Are ART busses still dropping off the in the morning too? And then from there you just join the giant line?

 

[smeg3030]

People were probably scared by the tiktok videos of June 15th, when the Harbor lines were down the street to almost Candy Cane inn from what I recall. That's also probably why they let everyone through the security and move them over to the tram area (to avoid congestion on the public streets). In general, it seems 7:30 or later is a good time to get there.

 

[Piglet99645]

2nd day going on harbor today. It looks bad but they opened security at 8:10 and it goes fast.

 

[Matthew D.]

2nd day going on harbor today. It looks bad but they opened security at 8:10 and it goes fast.

Am here today, rope drop was at 8:30am

 

[GeneralTso]

I've consistently read/heard that missing that super early, wait with the hoards of humanity for rope drop is the way to go.
Plus, the times they start letting people in has been changing almost daily. I've never been a fan of rope drop anyway, so this makes me feel better.

 

[DisneyPhanDoor]

2nd day going on harbor today. It looks bad but they opened security at 8:10 and it goes fast.

So.... I'm staying at SunCoast Park Hotel off Disney Way (just north of Gardenwalk) which is a 15minute walk to the esplanade...If I wanted to avoid the lines and just "walk in" to the esplanade, but still make it in by 9am (which I know might be AFTER they actually drop the rope), do you think leaving my hotel at 8:30 is a good time?

 

[Piglet99645]

So.... I'm staying at SunCoast Park Hotel off Disney Way (just north of Gardenwalk) which is a 15minute walk to the esplanade...If I wanted to avoid the lines and just "walk in" to the esplanade, but still make it in by 9am (which I know might be AFTER they actually drop the rope), do you think leaving my hotel at 8:30 is a good time?

I think if you leave at 8:15 you will miss the rush ...

 

[wiggy500]

Sunday we left our hotel across the street on Harbor at 8:35 and made it in time to be at DL in the back of rope drop which must have been about 8:45. There was a little wait for Indy, but not bad at all. Ten minutes, maybe fifteen? Then got at Pirates with a similar wait.

Monday left hotel at 8:05. Was in line at DCA right before they opened the park and called our BG 2 at 8:17. Went to an empty Avengers and breezed through both rides there with no wait.

The timing worked out perfect both days. Thanks all for posting helpful info!

 

[DisneyPhanDoor]

I think if you leave at 8:15 you will miss the rush ...

Thank you!

 

[wiggy500]

Sunday we left our hotel across the street on Harbor at 8:35 and made it in time to be at DL in the back of rope drop which must have been about 8:45. There was a little wait for Indy, but not bad at all. Ten minutes, maybe fifteen? Then got at Pirates with a similar wait.

Monday left hotel at 8:05. Was in line at DCA right before they opened the park and called our BG 2 at 8:17. Went to an empty Avengers and breezed through both rides there with no wait.

The timing worked out perfect both days. Thanks all for posting helpful info!

So all of that is to say if I had to do it again now I would target 8:05 - 8:10 to reach the Harbor Entrance on a DCA day. And I'd arrive by 8:15 - 8:20 on a DL day if they've moved rope drop up to 8:30 now. As a first time visitor I was really grateful to be inside Disneyland for rope drop, even being way back just past the park entrance. That was a special moment.

 

[ShoeCello]

Did DCA today - I arrived at 9:10 AM on Harbor and (as planned) walked right in without any wait for security or to enter DCA. BG 40 for WEB, and it seems AC was open all day without a line (at least from 10:30 AM onward; I didn't walk past it before then).