Recently, Disneyland Resort has seen an unprecedented surge in visitors, leading to some seriously long lines and delays, especially when it comes to entering the park. A combination of factors, such as major cheerleading competitions in the Anaheim area, has resulted in insane crowds at the security checkpoints, making it a challenge for guests to start their magical day at the parks.
A Unified Security Process: Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney All Share the Same Entrance
Unlike Walt Disney World, which has separate security screenings for each of its parks, Disneyland Resort operates with a shared security checkpoint for all areas, including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. This unified security process means that no matter where you’re headed—whether it’s Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, or even just Downtown Disney—you’ll be funneled through the same security lines. While there are multiple security locations throughout the resort, guests arriving from the street or parking areas often find themselves waiting in long lines to get through the checkpoint.
This single security entrance system has created a bottleneck that can be overwhelming, especially when cheerleading events are taking place nearby. A recent post on Reddit perfectly illustrated this issue when a guest shared a photo showing hundreds—if not thousands—of people queued up at the security tents. The poster mentioned that the cheer competitions had ended the previous day, and the following day was a “day off” before participants went home. Their post read: “I got up early for rope drop, L……O…….L. Yes, those are the white tents where the security dogs are.”
It’s real ladies and gentlemen
byu/justlookingaround_ inDisneyland
Cheer Competitions Increasing the Crowds
While this issue is nothing new to Disneyland, the impact of events like cheerleading competitions in the Anaheim area has certainly been felt more in recent months. A Reddit user explained that there were more cheer events scheduled in the coming months, including:
- March 28-30
- May 23-27
- July 16-20
Cheer competitions are held not only at Disneyland but also at Walt Disney World, and they can often increase crowd sizes and lead to longer waits in lines. These events are popular among families and have a significant impact on the overall volume of guests visiting the parks, particularly during peak seasons. If you’re planning to visit Disneyland during one of these cheer weekends, you might want to plan for extra time at security and expect longer waits when entering the parks.
Security Measures: Essential, but Time-Consuming
It’s important to remember that the security measures at Disneyland Resort are in place to ensure the safety of all guests, but they do slow down the entry process. The resort still uses the traditional metal detectors and bag searches, which means that guests must remove their metal items (like phones, wallets, or keys) before passing through the scanner. If you have a stroller or a bag, it will be manually searched by security personnel. These procedures are crucial for maintaining safety, but they can significantly increase the amount of time it takes to get into the park—especially during busy periods when large crowds are trying to enter at once.
Additionally, there are changes to the way guests are now processed through security. Previously, guests would have to place their belongings on a tray and slide it through the scanner themselves. Now, security personnel handle this task for you, placing your items—such as phones and wallets—into a scooped dish for scanning. This updated process has improved efficiency, but it’s still a step that adds to the overall wait time.
New Technology on the Horizon: Improving the Entry Process
Despite the current congestion at security, Disneyland Resort is working to improve the entry process. The resort has recently introduced new ticket scanners that are faster and more efficient. In the past, guests had to feed paper tickets into a machine and wait for a cast member to take their photo. With the new system, the scanners automatically open once a ticket is scanned, allowing for quicker access to the parks. This change mirrors the technology already in place at Disneyland Paris, which has helped streamline the entry process there.
Disneyland Hotel Guests Will Soon Enjoy a New Entrance
In addition to the new scanning systems, Disneyland Resort is making other changes to ease congestion. The Disneyland Hotel, for example, will soon have its own private entrance into Downtown Disney. The new entrance will include a dedicated security checkpoint for hotel guests, making it easier for them to access Downtown Disney without waiting in the main entrance security lines. This change will allow hotel guests to bypass some of the crowds, improving the overall guest experience for those staying on property.
The new security checkpoint will be located near the former AMC Theater location, which will also feature a new lawn area. Non-hotel guests will use the new entrance to access Downtown Disney, while hotel guests will enjoy a more direct route. This move is part of a broader effort to improve the guest experience and reduce congestion at Disneyland Resort.
Related: Restriction Signage Added to Disney World, Paying Guests Prohibited From Entering All Areas
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Disneyland Resort’s Security Procedures
As Disneyland Resort continues to grow and attract more visitors, the shared security process will likely remain a source of frustration for some guests. However, with improvements to ticket scanning and the introduction of new entrances for hotel guests, the park is clearly working toward streamlining the process. While large crowds and long wait times at security may still be an issue during peak seasons, these updates should help alleviate some of the congestion in the future.
For now, visitors planning a trip to Disneyland Resort should be prepared for longer wait times at security, especially during busy times like cheerleading competitions. Arriving early in the morning and taking advantage of less crowded entrances can help ease the stress of entering the parks. As always, patience is key when navigating Disneyland’s busy gates—but with these upcoming changes, the experience should improve over time.
Navigating Disneyland’s Busy Days
While the crowds may be overwhelming during peak times, Disneyland Resort is taking steps to improve the overall experience for guests. By adding new technology, streamlining entry for hotel guests, and continuing to evolve their security procedures, the resort is working hard to ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. If you’re visiting Disneyland soon, make sure to plan ahead, give yourself extra time for security, and keep in mind that the crowds will eventually die down. With the ongoing changes and improvements, Disneyland will continue to be the happiest place on Earth for everyone.
