Theme Park Entry Question

[lisapennie]

I'm going to stick this question here in Chit Chat as I'm pretty sure it isn't something any normal person will care about for their itinerary planning. I'm doing a paper on entry into the parks for my Operations Management class (trying to figure out how to improve the process), and I have a few questions that you guys might be able to answer.

How many different security sections are there at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios? I know guests can either go to the tables on the left or the right at MK, and they enter from one set of tables if they come from one direction at Epcot and another set if they come from the other direction - but I cannot, for the life of me, remember what the configuration looks like at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

Also - about how long do you think the process normally takes? I'm guessing between all of you I should be able to get a rough estimate. I want to say it normally takes at least 5 minutes for security and another 5 for park entrance (I'm also dealing with ticketing, but I can estimate that on my own) if the parks are open, but I don't want to say that in the paper unless I have someone else agreeing with me.

[lisapennie]

One other question - about how many lines are there at the front of MK, AK, Epcot, and HS? I know someone on here has to have that info, and while I probably could find it elsewhere, I trust you people :RpS_biggrin:

[vicki_c]

There are 2 totally separate areas at Epcot FW -- DH always goes to the one on the left because there's hardly anyone there most of the time at rope drop. One is to the left of the little espresso/pastry stand when you are facing into the park and it's less crowded. The other one, on the right side of that is always really crowded. I think that's where the monorail people come out to (oops just see you mentioned that).

At DHS, DH says there are 2 stations next to each other (like at MK), DH is the "bag man"! LOL.

At AK, not sure - multiple tables - DH says 4 but all in the same place.

He says all the "stations" have 4 tables each, but he also says they are not always all manned -- sometimes only 2 or 3 are. Take it for what it's worth - LOL!

He estimates 1-2 minutes to get through the line with him and DD. But he is very proactive - he picks the shortest line, changes tables if needed, has his bag totally open, etc. At MK for example, if he and DD walk a little faster than me and DS (we go thru the no bag opening), they are usually coming out of the security area at the same time that we come through the no bag area.

[blyday]

There is an additional one over to the left of the entrance to DHS. It only has 2 tables and usually only one person manning it. I think it is for those walking over from the Epcot area resorts.

[vicki_c]

Isn't that the no bag area -- that's where I always walk through. It's on the farthest left of the entrance and usually has 2 guys standing there and I think it might have a table as well (or more) that they don't use.

[mousehelper]

At Disney Hollywood Studios (about 98.5% certain that's the right park) there is one lone guy wayyyyyy over to the left as you face the entrance. We're talking almost to the end of the first building (guest relations?) on the map. There is a path there that comes in from the parking lot on that side. No one who takes the buses would come in that way -- it is behind the walk to the bus loop and behind the trams loop. Coming from the parking lot-- it drops you right at the turnstiles-- not the ticket booths in front of the turnstiles where the rest of the entrances send you.
Maybe a better way to explain is when you leave DS, take a very hard right as soon as you exit the turnstiles, and walk straight to the side parking lot. If you look at your passporter map, you'll see the path.
We always enter and exit that way when we drive. Usually have a nice chat with the security guard there. He usually looks lonely. This entrance is even less known that RFC, I swear!

[vicki_c]

That is confusing - I am going to look at a map. We have walked from the parking lot quite a bit - where you walk by the outside bathrooms but I can't remember security stuff those times. I only remember from last week walking around the sidewalk from the tram drop off.

Is it just a table with a little roof - off all by itself? Now it's coming back to me I think.

[MichaelColey]

If you do AAA Diamond parking and you cross the tram line to the left, it bings you to that underutilized security table. I've NEVER had to wait there. If you walk the other way, you have to go all the way around the tram dropoff area, which is actually a longer walk (even though it looks shorter).

On our last day at DHS on our last trip, a tram was pulling up as we got out of the SUV. I told everyone to throw their bags on the stroller and that I would walk it while everyone rode. They took off for the tram. I took off for the checkpoint. I crossed the crosswalk before the tram pulled out. The tram passed me as I was walking and my group all waved. I got to the security, opened 4-5 bags, and was on my way pretty quickly. I made it to the lines before they did. :)

I've tried to find a good map of it, but haven't found one.

[blyday]

That is confusing - I am going to look at a map. We have walked from the parking lot quite a bit - where you walk by the outside bathrooms but I can't remember security stuff those times. I only remember from last week walking around the sidewalk from the tram drop off.

Is it just a table with a little roof - off all by itself? Now it's coming back to me I think.

Yep.....that is the one!!! I wasn't sure where it lead to. I discovered when I got confused one time coming out of DHS (on my one day, by myself, 4 parks day!!!) heading to the buses. I went like 10 steps past it when I realized I was in the wrong area and turned around. The Security person made me open my bag and do the check again even though I'd just barely walked past him......so it kind of sticks in my mind!!!