Are the flashing no stopping signs at the main entrance always been there?

[Scuttle]

On our last day trip my girlfriend and I noticed the flashing lights right before you pass under the main entrance signs. We both swear they are new. Are we both losing our minds or have they always been there? Reason I ask is because I have read nothing about it which actually leads me to believe they have always been there.

 

[WDW Monorail]

Main Entrance to where?

 

[Rob562]

They're talking about the signs at the WDW archways on World Drive, etc.

They're *relatively* new, but have been up for a while. The posts in the ground weren't doing anything, and the new signs probably haven't done much either. Stupid guests will still stop along a 6-lane highway, get out of their cars and take photos in front of the archway... :hammer:

-Rob

 

[Scuttle]

Main Entrance to where?

The main entrance signs. The WDW arches if you will. I've tried to do research, but I can't find anything about it. But there is like 4 yellow flashing lights on each side of the road and they say no stopping. I'm assuming they were having a problem with people stopping to take pictures?

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I want to say that they have been in place for at least a year now.

 

[MissM]

On our last trip, I counted SIX signs that say "NO STOPPING." I don't think it helps. I've seen people parked on the side of the road right next to the signs. :lol:

I think they started with just a couple but it seems (relatively) recently, the number has increased. I too want to say they've been around for maybe a year...ish? They certainly haven't been around forever.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

The main entrance signs. The WDW arches if you will. I've tried to do research, but I can't find anything about it. But there is like 4 yellow flashing lights on each side of the road and they say no stopping. I'm assuming they were having a problem with people stopping to take pictures?

Yep, there are quite a few people who stop to take pictures of the main entrance arches. The Emergency Stopping Only signs with the flashing amber lights are fairly new (last year or two); I have no idea if they work any better at keeping people from stopping. Personally, I don't understand why Disney doesn't put a bit of asphalt down and give people an area where they can stop off to the side away from the travel lanes to snap a picture. :shrug:

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I wonder if they might consider doing something like they did with the Las Vegas sign.

Regardless of how many signs and flashing lights you place there, idiots are still going to think it doesn't apply to them and take pictures anyway. Like it or not, people love the photo-op standing in front of that sign. I've always wanted a photo there myself, but didn't want to a) risk getting run over, b) disobey a clearly stated rule, and c) get a ticket from the Orange County Sheriff.

Building some kind of structure where people can safely stop might be the best solution.

 

[Scuttle]

I want to say that they have been in place for at least a year now.

Wow that's crazy. I guess we were both always too excited to notice.

 

[Communicore]

Yes it's been a year. I see people deliberately disobey it and stop and take pics.

 

[Rob562]

Yep, there are quite a few people who stop to take pictures of the main entrance arches. The Emergency Stopping Only signs with the flashing amber lights are fairly new (last year or two); I have no idea if they work any better at keeping people from stopping. Personally, I don't understand why Disney doesn't put a bit of asphalt down and give people an area where they can stop off to the side away from the travel lanes to snap a picture. :shrug:

The problem with building a pull-off area is that means that there will then be MORE people stopping, and you get the inevitable person in the left lane go "Hey look! A photo op! Let's stop!" and then swerve across 6 lanes of 55mph highway traffic and cause a 12-car pileup.


-Rob

 

[Walt 1901]

While walking in Disneyland one day Walt and an employee came a a path that had been made by guest walking through the landscape. The employee immediately told Walt that he would have a sign up tomorrow telling people to stay off the landscaped areas. Walt quickly turned to him and said " Sign! Heck lets get a path put in here. Our guest are telling us that we made a mistake and should have put one in to begin with." I agree the should put an area by the archways were guest would be able to take pictures.

 

[peachykeen]

I can't tell you the number of times I have almost been rear ended because the car (usually a clean, late model minivan or Chevy....) in front of me slams on their brakes in the fast lane to pull off the road right in front of those EMERGENCY STOPPING ONLY signs. I am all for taking photos, but not if it creates a dangerous situation. To me, using the left lane of a 3-lane, 50mph road as a slowdown lane is dangerous.

 

[MarkTwain]

While walking in Disneyland one day Walt and an employee came a a path that had been made by guest walking through the landscape. The employee immediately told Walt that he would have a sign up tomorrow telling people to stay off the landscaped areas. Walt quickly turned to him and said " Sign! Heck lets get a path put in here. Our guest are telling us that we made a mistake and should have put one in to begin with." I agree the should put an area by the archways were guest would be able to take pictures.

I love that story, and it's very indicative of how old-school Disney design worked - very intuitive, following the natural order of how people like to comfortably move through a place. Definitely a reason that Disney needs to install some sort of place for guests to stop.

 

[Polydweller]

I love that story, and it's very indicative of how old-school Disney design worked - very intuitive, following the natural order of how people like to comfortably move through a place. Definitely a reason that Disney needs to install some sort of place for guests to stop.

Absolutely not for the reasons stated by PP. The situation is already dangerous and only becomes more with more people slowing suddenly and stopping. Not to mention, then you gave that same number coming back on and not paying attention. Driving around Disney with distracted tourists who don't know where they are without creating another dangerous spot.

 

[Scuttle]

While walking in Disneyland one day Walt and an employee came a a path that had been made by guest walking through the landscape. The employee immediately told Walt that he would have a sign up tomorrow telling people to stay off the landscaped areas. Walt quickly turned to him and said " Sign! Heck lets get a path put in here. Our guest are telling us that we made a mistake and should have put one in to begin with." I agree the should put an area by the archways were guest would be able to take pictures.

Ya that really is a great story.

 

[unkadug]

I wonder if they might consider doing something like they did with the Las Vegas sign.

Regardless of how many signs and flashing lights you place there, idiots are still going to think it doesn't apply to them and take pictures anyway. Like it or not, people love the photo-op standing in front of that sign. I've always wanted a photo there myself, but didn't want to a) risk getting run over, b) disobey a clearly stated rule, and c) get a ticket from the Orange County Sheriff.

Building some kind of structure where people can safely stop might be the best solution.

Good idea...

People will find a way to take these pictures....might as well make it as safe as possible.

"Customer service" should not take a backseat to "easy to accomplish."

 

[BigTxEars]

1)Chip & Dale.

2)A sniper rifle and a spotting scope.

3)A nice cubby hole in the woods near the sign.

4)No more people stopping to take picture because the world revolves around them and possibly killing us folks with common sense and obedience to the law.

or for the less aggressive :ROFLOL:

Just post some nice LEOs there are rack up the traffic fines.

I am all for a stopping spot but I think people will still put themselves in danger to get the best angle or picture (i.e. kids stand in front of the sign) and then no doubt sue Disney. Maybe a walk way over the road where you could pose in front of the sign, of course that would make the sign ugly from the car level as you drove in.

I am voting armed furry varmints for the win

 

[Disaddict]

The problem with building a parking lot or something that people could use is A) people will still ignore the lot and stop right in the highway lane to take the picture and B) only half of the people will even bother to use the lot. They'll find it more convenient to just slam on the brakes and come to a stop so Johnny can have a souvenir pic. After all, it is all about them.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

The problem with building a pull-off area is that means that there will then be MORE people stopping, and you get the inevitable person in the left lane go "Hey look! A photo op! Let's stop!" and then swerve across 6 lanes of 55mph highway traffic and cause a 12-car pileup.


-Rob

Ideally, there would be an area on both sides of the road; all you need is about 12-15 feet of shoulder. Of course, this gets into the problem peachykeen describes of people slowing down in the left lane. Still, the fact is that people will stop to take pictures regardless of any sign. Unless Disney plans on blocking the shoulder with a concrete barrier they might as well make it a bit safer for people stopping to take a picture.

Undoubtedly there is no ideal situation here but if Disney thinks putting up a couple of signs is going to solve the problem they're sadly mistaken. The choice is either give people an area to take pictures or build a barrier 3 feet from the travel lanes so there is absolutely no space to pull over and stop.