Disneyland is working on massive new construction in their theme parks and as part of major changes to the arrival experience. At the end of this summer, Disneyland broke ground on a major new expansion building a new gateway to the resort. This new project helps Disneyland to prepare for massive new rides and additions based on Coco, Marvel, and Avatar, and the Tomorrowland overhaul. We have already reported on some operational changes and shifts to drop off areas related to the construction.
Now, we have another key change that is about to happen at Disneyland related to the construction. We have the details directly from Disney confirming the shift and what you need to know for upcoming trips. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including recent changes to the Indiana Jones Adventure ride and a review of a favorite hotel.
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Disneyland Moves Arrival Locations For Guests
Disneyland is already in a state of flux with the new additions. Work is already far along for two new Avengers Campus rides, Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab. Dirt is moving at the future site of a Coco boat ride on the other side of the park. At Disneyland Park, plans are in motion to reimagine Tomorrowland. Following the completion of that project, work will turn to the new Avatar land at Disney California Adventure.
Almost most importantly though, is a massive new Eastern Gateway project that will bring seven levels of thousands of parking spots (a new permit change shifted some of these details), new security experience, and drop-off area. The structure will be built behind the hotels on Harbor Boulevard and be connected via sky bridge into the Esplanade. In concept artwork and comments, Disney has revealed that this will lead to major changes on this side of the resort.
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The construction will replace the existing transportation hub and that space will eventually be used for expansion of Disney California Adventure.
The transportation hub that is located just off Harbor Boulevard currently serves as a pick-up and drop-off location for shuttle buses from neighboring hotels and the Toy Story parking lot buses. The rideshare drop off area is also just outside of this area. We expect to see lots of shifts and changes in this area in the coming weeks and months. This was the area where the ART Shuttle dropped off before that service was permanently shut down earlier this year. In the time since, other hotel shuttles have popped up from different groupings of hotels.
Right now, there is active construction happening just beyond this area in the Esplanade where ticket booths have been torn down and work is ongoing to shift the security checkpoint closer into the area to free up the current security location for construction. You can see the full progress on this and the other projects in our latest update.
Previously, we reported that Disneyland was adding in a rideshare drop off location on the other side of the resort just outside of Downtown Disney. At the time, Disney shared directly with Mickey Visit that there will continue to be a rideshare pick-up and drop-off location on the east and west sides of the resort for guests, meaning that the current Harbor Boulevard drop-off will remain.
There is a more material change coming, though. Disneyland has now confirmed to Mickey Visit that the Good Neighbor Hotel and third-party hotel shuttle drop-off locations will soon move to the new Downtown Disney District Shuttle Area near Lululemon. This is the same spot seen on the map above near the rideshare area. You can see it on the map above the Downtown Disney arch.
The location is on the west side of Downtown Drive, adjacent to the Disneyland Hotel valet loop. The three north bus loops in the transportation hub off of the Esplanade will close.
Disneyland officials shared with Mickey Visit that they appreciate the flexibility from guests as they continue to reimagine the arrival experience.
The Toy Story parking lot shuttle drop-off area will shift to a different part of the transportation arrival area to free up the current loop for construction. The Toy Story lot shuttles will drop off in the below shaded area on the map as shared by Scott Gustin and confirmed by Disney.
We anticipate that all of this work and the specific locations will be in flux as work continues and requires different placements to keep the project moving forward.
This change comes as the current Disneyland president, Jill Estorino, shared details on improvements she wants to achieve in the arrival experience at the resort. In an exclusive interview with Mickey Visit she shared “It’s good, not great right now. And it’s going to be great and best in class when we’re finished. And the reason I am excited about it is, I believe your first touch point is the most important touch point of the experience, and that is the first touch point. And it’s going to be amazing, even the parking garage experience is going to be amazing. Not only in efficiency, but in its beauty and a way that we greet the guest. ”
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To wrap up, I wanted to share a couple of photos from our friends at the Element by Marriott of the latest progress on the Eastern Gateway. Note that from now through the end of the year, our readers get free parking at this hotel when you book with our travel partner. You’ll also save when you combine your tickets and hotels in one booking. Exclusive Mickey Visit reader deals! Click here to book and save now.
And here’s another shot of the work. This was all previously paved parking lot. You can see that they’ve moved dirt and are already starting to build structure vertically.
Some of the construction equipment.
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