Disneyland security is moving, and getting in is about to change

Disneyland is moving an Esplanade security checkpoint into the old ticket booth area as Eastern Gateway construction ramps up. Here’s what’s changing at the entrance and why.

If you’re heading to Disneyland soon, your walk from security to the gates might look a little different.

Disneyland is moving one of its Esplanade security checkpoints, according to a note on the resort’s website first reported by Laughing Place. It’s part of a much bigger project that’s rebuilding how guests arrive at the parks.

Where is Disneyland security moving?

Into the old ticket booths.

The security checkpoint on the east side of the Esplanade is moving into the area where the ticket booths used to be, according to that note. The Esplanade is the open plaza between the Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure gates.

Disney says the checkpoint will be “relocating into the area where the booths had previously been” once those booths are torn down.

Is the Disneyland security change permanent?

No. Disney calls it temporary.

It hasn’t given an end date, though. The move is tied to construction, so it’ll likely last as long as the work around it does.

Laughing Place also reports that construction walls may cause “walkway adjustments” for guests coming in through the Esplanade. So if the path looks different from your last visit, that’s why.

Why is Disneyland changing its entrance?

It’s all part of the Eastern Gateway project.

That’s the plan to build a new parking structure and transportation hub on the east side of the resort, on the old Manchester cast member lot. It will hold about 6,000 cars, according to Disney Tourist Blog. A pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard will connect it to a redesigned Esplanade.

Disney broke ground in August, and Estorino said then that the project “will transform how guests arrive.” There’s no opening date yet.

What did Disneyland’s president say about security?

Disneyland Resort President Jill Estorino talked about the new entrance plans again this month, Mickey Visit reported.

She said the arrival experience will be “best in class” when it’s done, and that “your first touch point is the most important touch point.” According to Mickey Visit, the plan covers parking, security and ticketing all the way to the Esplanade.

There will also be new security screening spots at the new parking structure.

Will Disneyland get the same security scanners as Disney World?

Probably not, at least not the same way.

Disneyland currently uses bag checks and metal detectors. Walt Disney World uses newer Evolv scanners at its parks. Mickey Visit reported that Disney leaders said Disneyland’s setup will be different from Disney World’s because of how tight the space is in Anaheim.

Did Disneyland move its rideshare drop-off too?

Yes, sort of. There’s a new option.

On Sept. 15, Disneyland opened a new rideshare drop-off on the west side of the resort, near Downtown Disney, in the former Stitch parking lot, according to Mickey Visit. In rideshare apps, it may show up as “Downtown Disney.”

The Harbor Boulevard drop-off is still open. But it could close for short stretches as construction moves along, so the west side drop-off is there as a backup.

What should Disneyland guests do right now?

A few easy tips:

• Give yourself extra time at the entrance, especially on busy days

• Follow the signs and cast members, since walkways may shift

• Pack light to get through bag check faster

• Check your rideshare app for the Downtown Disney drop-off if Harbor is backed up

Construction at Disneyland is never fun. But if the finished garage and entrance work the way Disney says, getting in should be a lot smoother in a few years.

Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• Laughing Place (Sept. 21, 2026), Disneyland’s website note on the checkpoint move and walkway changes

• Disney Tourist Blog (Aug. 24, 2026), the Eastern Gateway groundbreaking, garage size and Estorino’s August comments

• Mickey Visit (Sept. 19, 2026), Jill Estorino’s September comments and screening plans

• Mickey Visit (Sept. 15, 2026), the new rideshare drop-off

AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.