For visitors to Disneyland Resort, recent times have proven to be some of the most chaotic and crowded, with long wait times and overflowing lines at security checkpoints. While Disney parks are no strangers to heavy crowds, the combination of major local events and limited security points have left many guests frustrated as they try to begin their magical day.
A major contributing factor to these epic crowds has been the cheerleading competitions taking place around the Anaheim area. As the cheerleading season ramps up, Disneyland, along with other local attractions, has seen a significant increase in guest traffic, and the pressure is being felt at the park’s security lines. A Reddit user recently shared a picture of a packed security checkpoint at Disneyland, showcasing a massive line of guests attempting to enter. The user described their experience, stating, “The security guard told me cheer competitions ended yesterday and today is their day off before going home. I got up early for rope drop, L……O…….L.”
It’s real ladies and gentlemen
byu/justlookingaround_ inDisneyland
Single Security Line: Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney All Share One Entrance
Unlike Walt Disney World, where each park has its own distinct security checkpoint, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim operates with a single, shared entrance for all of its key areas—Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. This setup creates a bottleneck effect where crowds from multiple areas all converge at the same point. This can lead to longer lines and slower processing times, especially when there are large events happening nearby, such as the ongoing cheerleading competitions.
While Disneyland Resort has several secondary security locations, guests arriving by street entrance or from parking lots are likely to experience the longest waits. With multiple events drawing in additional crowds, this already challenging security process becomes even more cumbersome. Long waits at the security tents have become the norm, particularly as families prepare for rope drop or the park’s opening hours.
Impact of Cheerleading Competitions on Disneyland’s Crowds and Wait Times
Cheerleading events are not uncommon in Anaheim, and they have become a regular part of the city’s events calendar. But their effect on Disneyland’s visitor traffic is becoming increasingly apparent. The Reddit post, which sparked hundreds of comments, outlined the timing of these competitions and how they affect the experience of visitors attempting to enter the parks. “Cheer competitions ended yesterday and today is their day off,” the original poster said. “There are more cheer competitions scheduled, including:”
- March 28-30
- May 23-27
- July 16-20
These competitions, held in venues across Anaheim and sometimes at Walt Disney World, cause substantial spikes in crowd sizes during peak seasons, particularly when families from out of town arrive to attend the events. Disneyland Resort is undoubtedly impacted by these larger-than-usual crowds, with guest traffic flowing into both the parks and Downtown Disney in waves. With the security checkpoints at capacity, visitors can expect longer waits and more congestion than usual during these periods.
Security Measures and Their Role in Wait Times
Disneyland’s security procedures, while crucial for ensuring the safety of its guests, also contribute to the delays in the entry process. The resort uses traditional metal detectors, and any guest carrying metal objects, including phones, wallets, or keys, must remove them before passing through. Additionally, all bags and strollers are manually searched, which further adds to the time it takes to get through security. This thorough inspection process is critical for maintaining a safe environment, but it does slow down entry during busy times.
Previously, guests had to slide their items into the scanners themselves, but now security personnel handle this task for guests, placing items such as phones and wallets into a dish for scanning. While this change has made the security process more efficient, it still takes time and contributes to the overall delays at the checkpoints.
Improvement on the Horizon: New Tech, Hotel Entrances, and Streamlined Processes
Despite the ongoing security bottleneck, there are some positive changes underway at Disneyland Resort that may alleviate some of the congestion in the future. For one, Disneyland has rolled out new ticket scanners, similar to those used at Disneyland Paris, which make the entry process faster once guests have passed through security. Previously, guests had to insert paper tickets into a machine, wait for a cast member to take their photo, and then proceed to the turnstiles. With the new scanners, guests can simply scan their tickets, and the turnstile will open automatically, speeding up the overall process and reducing the time spent at the gates.
In addition, Disneyland Hotel will soon offer a private entrance for hotel guests accessing Downtown Disney, allowing them to bypass the main security lines. This entrance will be reserved exclusively for hotel guests, offering them a more direct and convenient route to Downtown Disney without having to navigate the crowded security tents. This change is expected to help ease congestion and provide a smoother experience for those staying at the hotel.
Changes to Downtown Disney and Resort Access
As part of a major redevelopment project in Downtown Disney, Disneyland Resort is enhancing access for hotel guests. The Disneyland Hotel will soon have its own private security checkpoint for guests staying on the property, providing a more streamlined experience for those who want to enjoy the shopping, dining, and entertainment options in Downtown Disney without facing long waits at the general entrance. This new checkpoint will be located at the former AMC Theater spot, with an upgraded lawn area planned for the space.
For non-hotel guests, there will be a new entrance located at the former AMC Theater, with enhanced landscaping and the addition of a lawn space. While this is designed to improve access to Downtown Disney, the larger goal is to provide easier and faster entry for hotel guests, reducing the congestion at the general security lines.
What Lies Ahead for Disneyland’s Crowded Security Lines?
With the continuing influx of visitors to Disneyland Resort and events like cheerleading competitions causing spikes in traffic, it’s clear that the shared security entrance system can only handle so much. However, with the improvements underway—new ticket scanners, better hotel guest access, and potential changes to security lines—Disneyland Resort is clearly aware of the strain on its infrastructure and is working to address the issue.
For now, guests planning a trip to Disneyland should prepare for extended wait times at security, particularly during high-traffic periods. Arriving early and using less crowded entrances may help visitors avoid some of the bottleneck effects. While Disneyland Resort continues to make strides in improving the guest experience, the reality of long lines and crowded security checkpoints is likely to remain during peak seasons, especially when large events like cheerleading competitions are taking place nearby.
Related: Restriction Signage Added to Disney World, Paying Guests Prohibited From Entering All Areas
A More Streamlined Disneyland Experience?
As Disneyland Resort continues to grow and evolve, future changes to security, technology, and guest access will hopefully result in a more seamless experience for all. While the current crowds and delays can be frustrating, these improvements signal that Disneyland is working hard to make the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
In the meantime, visitors can look forward to more efficient ticket scanning and private hotel entrances as part of the resort’s ongoing efforts to enhance access and reduce wait times. And while cheerleading events may continue to drive large crowds to the area, Disneyland Resort’s investments in infrastructure improvements may help to alleviate some of the pressure on its security processes. Ultimately, it’s all about making the experience magical for visitors—no matter how long the lines might be.
