Entering Disneyland Will Soon Change for Thousands of Guests, Disney Confirms

If you’ve been navigating Disneyland Resort lately and found yourself detoured around construction walls instead of strolling straight into Downtown Disney from the Disneyland Hotel, you’re not alone — and you’re not crazy. That convenient west-side entrance to Downtown Disney has been completely blocked off, and guests have been rerouted to a less direct path through a brand-new southern security plaza.

But before you write off your easy shortcut for good, there’s a plot twist.

Disneyland has now confirmed to WDWNT that the closure is only temporary. Yes, the barricades, bulldozers, and black fencing are all part of a refurbishment project — not a permanent shutdown. The beloved west entrance will be returning… eventually.

So why the sudden closure? What’s changing? And how does this fit into the bigger picture of Downtown Disney’s ongoing transformation?

Let’s get into it.

Construction Drama: What We’re Seeing So Far

Let’s start with the obvious. If you walk toward the old west entrance today, you’ll see construction fencing, a large blue-and-white canopy, and a serious amount of machinery — including an excavator. This isn’t your basic “we’re fixing a crack in the pavement” situation. Disney clearly has something more involved going on behind the walls.

While Disneyland hasn’t spilled all the tea (yet), the construction looks like a complete overhaul of the security plaza— likely part of their ongoing efforts to modernize guest access and update infrastructure across the property.

So far, the exit gate adjacent to the plaza is still open, but anyone trying to enter Downtown Disney through the west side is being funneled to the new southern security entrance — a longer walk for many, especially hotel guests or those arriving via rideshare.

Downtown Disney Is Getting a Major Makeover

This isn’t the first big change to hit the west end of Downtown Disney, and it definitely won’t be the last.

The entrance project is just one slice of a massive redevelopment pie that’s been baking since at least 2022. Over the past year, Disney has been quietly (and not-so-quietly) reshaping the entire west side of Downtown Disney — and if you haven’t been keeping tabs, you’ve already missed a lot.

Here’s what’s gone down so far:

• The once-iconic ESPN Zone building has been gutted and is now being reimagined as a sleek new Lululemonstore. Big swing from sports bar to stretchy pants, but we’ll allow it.

• The district welcomed the hugely hyped Din Tai Fung, a high-end dumpling and noodle spot with a cult following. This was a major upgrade for foodies — and helped raise the profile of the entire area.

• A brand-new outdoor stage and lawn area debuted, offering fresh space for live music, entertainment, and those much-needed chill-out moments between snack breaks.

And more changes are coming. The west side is quickly becoming the “grown-up” section of Downtown Disney — think upscale eats, refined retail, and elevated atmosphere. So it makes sense that the entrance experience would be getting an upgrade to match.

Meanwhile: Park Entry Has Gone Full Sci-Fi

While guests have been tripping over construction barricades on the Downtown Disney side, something else has been quietly transforming the park entry experience — and it’s actually pretty slick.

In May, Disneyland fully launched its new high-tech entry gates at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. And let’s be real — it’s a major glow-up from the old-school turnstiles.

Here’s how the process works now:

1. Scan your ticket at a touchscreen-equipped gate.

2. Tap the camera icon to snap a quick ID photo (this links your face to your ticket — no PhotoPass necessary).

3. The gate swings open and in you go.

You’ll only need to take a photo once per ticket, and yes, the system adjusts for height automatically (no need to lift your kid or crouch awkwardly). MagicBand+? It works. App-based digital tickets? Also good.

The new system not only speeds things up but adds a bit of flair: animations of Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit now greet you on the screens as you enter and leave. It’s efficient, it’s slick, and it’s very 2025.

Also worth noting — the new gates are fully ADA compliant, with wide access for wheelchairs, ECVs, and strollers.

So… When Does the West Entrance Reopen?

That’s the million-dollar question.

While Disneyland has confirmed that the entrance will reopen, they’ve offered zero timeline. No “late 2025,” no “by the holidays,” not even a vague “soon.” Which means it could be days… or months.

Until then, guests entering Downtown Disney from the hotel or parking areas will need to plan on using the new southern security plaza. Yes, it’s farther — but it’s also shiny, new, and designed to handle higher foot traffic.

And once the west entrance does come back, we’re betting it’ll look very different from the utilitarian setup that used to be there. Whether that means more turnstiles, better lighting, covered security areas, or even themed enhancements — it’s clear Disney is trying to create a more consistent (and more photogenic) experience across all its entry points.

Construction Inconvenience Now, Convenience Later

For now, Disneyland Hotel guests and Downtown Disney regulars may have to detour a bit — but let’s be honest, we’ve all walked farther for popcorn.

With the west entrance temporarily out of commission and the whole district under construction, Downtown Disney is clearly in the middle of a major glow-up. Between new dining, trendy retail, green space, and now infrastructure upgrades, this isn’t just a shopping strip anymore — it’s turning into a destination.

So hang tight. The construction walls won’t be up forever. And when that west entrance reopens? It just might be the grand return this corner of the resort deserves.