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Disneyland To Change Security Screening for Thousands of Guests Each Day

A new security checkpoint on the eastern side of the Esplanade at Disneyland Resort is taking shape, and recent photos suggest it may be ready sooner than many Southern California Disney Park guests expect.

Why the Esplanade Is Under Construction

Guests in the esplanade between the entrance to Disneyland Park and the entrance to Disney California Adventure Park
Credit: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr

Earlier this year, Disneyland Resort demolished several ticket booths on the eastern side of the Esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. That cleared the way for a pedestrian bridge and a new security gateway, both tied to a parking garage that broke ground this summer. The garage will offer roughly 6,000 parking spaces, more than 300 electric-vehicle charging stations, a security office, and a hub for rideshares and shuttles.

The bridge, checkpoint, and garage are all part of DisneylandForward, the expansion meant to handle added crowds as new attractions arrive. Avatar (2009), Coco (2017), and Avengers Campus projects are in development for Disney California Adventure Park, and Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park is being reimagined. Many of those experiences are still a few years away, but the supporting infrastructure is advancing faster.

The Latest Security Checkpoint Progress at Disneyland

Construction walls along the eastern Disneyland Resort Esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim.
Credit: Jeremy Thompson, Flickr

On October 26, X (formerly known as Twitter) user @laughingplace shared photos of a new blue roof canopy rising above the construction walls at the checkpoint site, writing:

A blue canopy has been added to the new eastern gateway security plaza at #Disneyland

Fan sites such as Pirates and Princesses have speculated that, judging by the pace of construction, the checkpoint could open within the next month. Disneyland Resort has not given an exact date beyond “fall 2026” for the new screening area.

What Guests Should Do for Now

Guests in front of the Downtown Disney entrance. Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby reservations
Credit: Disney

Until the checkpoint opens, visitors should allow extra time for reroutes and alternate screening areas on the way into Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. To make room for construction, the drop-off point for third-party and Good Neighbor hotel shuttles recently moved to a new location near the Lululemon store in the Downtown Disney District.

Has the security construction impacted your visit to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, or the Downtown Disney District? Let Disney Dining know in the comments! 

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

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