OK, let's look at some of the issues this will cause.
How to deal with DtD employees, do they have to go through some sort of security check?
How about deliveries to the stores and restaurants?
Do you place a new backstage security check in the back lot area north of DtD?
Grand Californian has a lot of rooms on the south side of DtD, what about Emergency egress in case of a fire? We currently have one well known one at the east end of GCH next to Starbucks. Presently many guests use it to leave the Hotel as a shortcut. Then we have the pathway next to Sephora that is the main GCH entrance to DtD.
What to do with the current Picnic Area, which includes lockers that can hold items that don't pass the security check (Coolers, glass bottles, etc.)?
The pathway/emergency egress from Disneyland Drive to the current DtD Tram area for Mickey & Friends has two main DtD entrances, one is next to the Tram area, the other is next to Wetzels Pretzels, marked exit only, but all it is a fence gate about 3 feet high and no lock. Since the restrooms are right there, you see CM's/DtD employees use it, as do guests. Another related issue is the fact that Disneyland Drive only has a sidewalk on the east side of the street, so the city has some say in that pathway, especially the Anaheim Fire Marshall. It is also how guests who don't want to wait for the tram (thinks families with strollers and not wanting to fold them up, or wait in long lines).
And that brings us the Mickey & Friends area, in another thread,there is nice marked photo that shows a potential plan, that places the security check between the escalator and an expanded tram loading area. But it is in the middle of the trams. How do you deal with those who don't want to ride the tram, or those who stay at the Condos on Walnut that opt to take the tram? And those sent to park in Pinocchio, which at least some of the lot has to remain, due to the design of the Structure and how they deal with over-sized (height) vehicles, they can only leave the toll booths and go into that lot.
Then we have the actual checkpoints, since Disney stopped offering Valet for DtD, it should be fairly easy to build a security check north of the ESPN Zone entrance, which will allow "secure" guests to eat there.
And then it looks like the plan is to have another checkpoint just west of Earl of Sandwich, which also allows "secure" guests to grab a sandwich. but will have to have the other side of the fence located west of the ESPN Zone patio seating area, to keep the area secure. (I presume they will use the area where the Christmas tree and ice skating rink has been in the past. This also will be the main entrance for the Hotels and the main parking for DtD (Simba Lot),
And you do have the issue of the emergency egress on the east side of the AMC Theaters, which is used a lot by DtD employees to enter the park. (Friends dropping them off at the GCH self parking lot). But it is also designed for guests in case of emergency.
Now, if you have ever noticed, the south side of Whitewater Snacks has a large double gate system designed for emergency egress between DCA and the Hotel, mainly designed for the Hotel guests to use in case of a fire or other emergency. But it does get triggered "by accident" more often than security wants. It is a very tall set of gates. So that might work in some cases.
But then, let's say they install it on the walkway on the north side of DtD that goes to Disneyland Drive. That solves one problem, but then what do you do with the guests that are currently sent that way to avoid the tram? Will the city allow Disney to not provide access to the park from there? Disney could work on a better sidewalk from Pinocchio to the ESPN Zone, which now is a confusing walk.
I think one major issue is the "Secret exit" from the GCH next to Starbucks (east end, next to World of Disney). How do you stop guests fro trying to use it. You have to keep the door ready to open in case of fire. So you can add a security alarm, but what does that do? At the airport, when one of those is triggered, they clear out the entire terminal, and re-screen everyone. This is not practical at the Disneyland Resort.
I truly hope they have addressed all these issues, and then what to do when they start work on the new 4th Hotel that is going to go next to the ESPN Zone?
A big can of worms, and what do the DtD tenants think of it, will the better access for park guests offset the potential loss in locals and those who just want to shop at DtD?
Should be interesting to see this happen in less than two months...... (Amazingly quick time frame).
