Last week, Disney filed plans and announced that they would be building a brand new 7-story parking structure that will add 6,800 new spaces on the area where the Pumbaa lot currently is. Disney revealed with its grand plans for the “Eastern Gateway” that its current transportation hub for hotel shuttles will close and a new hub will be built adjacent to the structure, as well as a pedestrian bridge to transport guests over Harbor Boulevard. The pedestrian bridge will be on the current spot where Carousel Inn is, which Disney bought in Spring 2015 for $32 million.
Since that announcement, the OC Register has followed up with Disney and received new details that are very important, especially for those who like to stay off-site.
Most importantly, visitors staying in hotels or motels on Harbor Boulevard will NOT have to access the Eastern Gateway in order to get to Disneyland. Concerns were brought up with the plans, because a permanent security checkpoint was visible before the pedestrian bridge, leading many to speculate that off-site guests would only have access through the Eastern Gateway making those hotels less desirable. However, there will be another security point on Harbor, but plans are still being developed. Furthermore, the hotels and motels on Harbor won’t have backside access to the Eastern Gateway, but there will be a pedestrian pathway that leads to the Eastern Gateway at the Harbor and Disney Way intersection.
Other details revealed were about the bridge itself. Disney plans on making the bridge very well-disguised like the pedestrian bridge many cross over in Downtown Disney without ever noticing, because of planters, hedges, and vendors. The walk from Eastern Gateway security to the theme parks transportation hub will be approximately a half-mile with shuttles available for handicapped visitors.
When asked about a Monorail route change due to construction, Disney said it is unclear, because the design for the new main entryway is still in progress. Look for the new Eastern Gateway to open in late 2018.
