Construction for a new security screening building on the East Esplanade at the Anaheim Resort is progressing, with a blue roof now visible over its frame. This development is part of a larger overhaul of the resort's eastern entrance, which is expected to bring significant changes to how visitors access the area, including new parking and pedestrian routes. While work continues, transportation routes for many guests have also recently shifted.
Crews were observed working under the newly roofed structure with ladders and scissor lifts on October 31, with tarps covering recently poured concrete nearby, a local news report described. This new checkpoint is situated where the former esplanade ticket booths stood, which have since been demolished. A local news report anticipates the East Esplanade screening area could open in November, possibly before Thanksgiving, though this is an external estimate.
Until the new facility opens, visitors can expect temporary walls and some rerouted walkways in the area. The East Esplanade entrance is currently operating with phased closures, and Disability Access Service has been relocated to Ticket Booth 6, according to a local news report.
The security screening building is a visible component of a larger development known as the Eastern Gateway. This comprehensive plan includes a new parking garage with thousands of spaces, a covered pedestrian bridge, and an entirely new entry system from the resort’s east side. This project is identified by a local news report as the first initiated under the DisneylandForward plan. Anaheim's City Council gave final approval to the DisneylandForward initiative on May 7, 2024, following an earlier 7-0 vote in April.
Under the DisneylandForward plan, the resort committed to investing at least $1.9 billion in Anaheim over a decade. The plan specifically permits the development of more parking on the east side of the parks and the construction of new pedestrian bridges over Harbor Boulevard. While the overall framework for these developments has been approved, no specific cost for the Eastern Gateway project itself has been publicly reported.
A key feature of the Eastern Gateway is a new parking structure designed to accommodate approximately 6,000 vehicles. This garage is being built on a portion of the former Manchester Cast Member lot and will be accessible from Disney Way, as reported by local news outlets. It will also incorporate designated areas for shuttles and rideshare services, alongside its own dedicated security screening facilities. A city permit from December 2025 details plans for 302 electric vehicle charging spaces within the structure. The permit describes an eight-story building, though another local news report has indicated seven parking levels.
Complementing the new parking structure will be a covered pedestrian bridge. This bridge is designed to span Harbor Boulevard, providing a direct link to a new arrival area on the esplanade. In addition to serving guests coming from the new parking facility, it is also intended to offer a new entry point for individuals approaching the resort from Harbor Boulevard who are not parking in the new garage, local news reports described.
Disneyland initiated ground work for these developments on August 24, 2026, with Anaheim's mayor and city council members present at the groundbreaking event, a local news report stated. At that time, Disney indicated that construction would span "multiple years." While Disney has publicly stated "fall 2026" for a broader timeline, a local news report has offered an external estimate of 2028 for the project's completion. Disneyland Resort President Jill Estorino told a local news report at the groundbreaking that "The arrival experience is an important part of every guest visit."
Significant changes to transportation services for visitors took effect Monday, November 2. Good Neighbor hotel shuttles and other outside hotel shuttles have been relocated to a new drop-off point within the Downtown Disney District, situated near Lululemon and the Disneyland Hotel valet loop, according to local news outlets. Guests arriving via these shuttles will now walk through Downtown Disney to reach the park gates. The three north bus loops on the esplanade will close as a result of these changes. However, Disneyland Resort’s own buses will continue to operate from the East Esplanade. Additionally, shuttles serving the Toy Story parking lot have shifted slightly northward, moving closer to Harbor Boulevard, a local news report added. Harbor Boulevard rideshare drop-off locations remain unchanged for the present time.
Given the ongoing construction and the rerouting of transport services, visitors are advised to allow for extra time when arriving at the resort over the coming months, particularly if using shuttle services. The resort promises an improved arrival experience in the future, with thousands of new parking spaces on the east side. For now, guests should be prepared for a significant construction zone at the entrance.
