Disneyland is switching up the way that many fans will enter the park, again.
Visitors parking in the Mickey and Friends structure will find that Disney has moved its security check and tram loading inside the parking garage, taking over the former Chip 'n Dale parking area on the south end of the structure. The move is the first step of the construction process as Disneyland builds a second parking structure on the site of the now-closed Pinocchio parking lot, just south of Mickey and Friends.
Once you descend the escalators from your parking level at Mickey and Friends, you will make a quick U-turn back into the parking structure, at ground level. When I visited the resort yesterday for the opening of the Food & Wine Festival, Disney had a security dog checking people as they walked back into the structure.
From there, it's through the bag check and metal detectors, as before. Then you head to the trams. The upside of all these changes on a rainy day, as we are experiencing this weekend in LA, is that all the security and tram waiting are now under shelter.
The new tram set-up also means that the trams are now following British rules and driving on the left side of the road. (This might be the closest we ever get to Disneyland London.)
If you are interested in walking to and from the garage, you still can do that, though it's not as obvious how to do that as it was before. The pathway is in the same place as before, but to get to it, I advise skipping the escalators and just using the middle staircase on the south level of the garage — the one exits to the designated walking path. If you are parked up high, you could use the escalators to get down, but then go back up to the Daisy level (second floor) and walk back over to the stairwell. It seems much easier to get to the walking path that way than trying to work your way around the tram loading on the ground level.
Later this year, Disney will begin construction on its fourth on-site hotel, which will entail the closure of everything in Downtown Disney between the Disneyland Hotel and the monorail station, including the ESPN Zone, Rainforest Cafe, Earl of Sandwich, and the AMC Theaters. The fourth hotel eventually will occupy that space.
Meanwhile, inside Disneyland, the Main Street paving project continues. We now can see the new brickwork surrounding the trolley tracks, in Town Square and around the hub.
But construction walls now block the rest of Main Street, with a few crossover breaks in the middle.
Main Street construction will conclude within the next few weeks.
Tweet
Mickey, you AREN'T so fine...
Thanks for sharing the info.. it was helpful
Any word on the Mickey van relocating inside as well?
So isn't it easier or faster to use a staircase to get down to the loading area rather than the escalators and making that U turn?
Hope their security is better now then before and they hired more competent officers to run it as the last time I went, there was one lady in particular yelling at everyone to hurry up, being extremely rude, pushy and screaming at people if they accidentally went around the security line as it was really busy that day and windy outside and cold. People were confused of the new security check point set up and were just getting turned around and this female security officer was a real mean bitch just yelling and being nasty towards everyone, she even scared my 11 year old daughter. It was awful. Get new security Disney that appreciates their job and treats people with respect as if it wasn’t for us customers, you wouldn’t be making lots of money!
Mickey your updates are making goofey look like a goof??
So Disney is giving its “GUESTS” less entertainment and food options to open a new hotel. Just another way to get more money I guess !
Do they really need another hotel? We’ve been pass holders for years, and one day would love to be able to stay at any of the 3 current properties, but could never justify the cost (even w/ AP discount) it’s a shame they’re going to take away several retail shops, where I / we do spend money, only to put something in that many people may not be able to enjoy.
Walking on Main St is temporarily off limits? I hope the double wide stroller rule is strictly adhered to. This is easily done right at the gates. Can you imagine trying to walk in front of the stores with all of these? One woman actually had the chutzpah to feel disabled passengers should be understanding and allow her to use the disability portion of the tram so she wouldn't have to remove her 2 and 6 year olds as she was alone and it was a bit cumbersome to fold up while trying to hang on to her kids - even though there's a special loading spot only for strollers.
With all this expansion, and billions of $ coming with the completion of Star Wars area, pay the employees higher wages so no one is homeless or on welfare!!
Then it will be the happiest place even for employees.
No wonder why I park in other lot. what a headache it sounds like.
Wow with all the negative comments I thought for a moment I was on the MiceChat forum. Anywoo it's just temporary inconveniences. Deal with it. As for rude security guards. I've never experienced this. Probably because I follow instructions and don't feel like an entitled local.
@166.216.157.28... Let's low ball it and say they average 70% occupancy at an ADR of $300...that's way more than the previous places were making. Good luck. My guess is based off the 700 room concept Disney originally announced. Tell me how eliminating two franchised restaurants and movie theater make more money? Tell me how your hard earned dollar impacts their decision here.
Is the handicapp parking area moved or non existent in the Mickey & Friends parking lot?
More than likely the new hotel will include retail and restaurants on the bottom floor. So there shouldn't be too much impact on that front anyway... but I'll miss the Earl.
The Mickey Van is still available at the far end of the relocated tram loading area. Parkside, the van will eventually load in a center island, but is currently loading in a pull-off area prior to tram loading zone 1.
So how about parents with strollers. We can’t take the stairs or the escalators. What’s the best way to go so we can walk. Thank you
Let's hope they finish as quickly as possible to anticipate the BIG Star Wars crowds, but the luxury hotel won't be finished for another 2 years. This gap means the final security and transportation design won't be realized for many years. Will people be forced to walk or have option to take the tram? What about other transport modes like a moving sidewalk?
If you want employees to be paid higher wages, a single day admission will go up to $300.
Pick one, you can't have both.
I'm curious. Where are they going to park RV's and oversize vehicles with the Pinocchio lot gone?
I do believe that Earls, Rainforest, & the movie theater will remain but will be inside of the new hotel. ESP Zone will not be reinstated.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
Still the best and happiest place on Earth!