(P294) Security Overhaul at USH

[Clive]

I was having trouble wrapping my head around how this was going to work. Now that a clearer picture is emerging, I’m not convinced it will.

 

[Wesker69]

This whole project is poorly planned. Just wait until Woody Woodpecker's lot goes behind walls for the new hotel

 

[chris.g]

Considering it's my profession, I have a huge question mark over my head on whether USH has a Planning Department as far as walkability/ infrastructure goes, lol. Citywalk is not GP friendly as is.

 

[Wesker69]

whether USH has a Planning Department

They have an ideas board & a blind fold. They throw darts at said board & go with whatever the dart lands.

 

[Rideguy70]

Yeah, as it is, I purposely park on the third or fourth levels next to the 2nd floor openings and walk straight out onto City Walk and I'm instantly at the food court looking down at the theater. Sometimes I'll grab a Baja Blast and head directly into the theater. On top of that, I go late at night when mostly everyone is gone. Forcing me to go down to a specific checkpoint so that I then have to go back up to the escalators to grab a Doritos Locos Taco is kinda insane.

^This. I'd usually park there for the same reason. Our other favorite spot is where the now-semi permanent Uber area is... that was a great spot to park as well for quick access to Citywalk.

If they are building an elevator, I'd also hope there's going to be some sort of escalators as well, much like Mickey & Friends/Pixar parking have at Disneyland. But even if so, all those people crossing into traffic lanes to get to them is going to be problematic, as there's no real pedestrian walkway in Jurassic to direct people that direction... so that's going to be fun

 

[Freak]

I wonder how the businesses at City Food will feel about this. I’m sure they’re not thrilled about this at all as this will divert a LOT of business from them.

The more I think about this the more I kind of hate this. I’m gonna have to go out of my way to get crammed through a small entrance.

 

[Rideguy70]

I mean, I'm not super thrilled about it on one side of things... but at the same time, it appears to be essentially the same number of entry points as Disney. One at iFly, one by Jurassic, and there would have to be one for people coming up Lankershim. And at least this security won't be hand searching bags (presumably), so theoretically it should be much faster.

Makes me wonder if they'd convert the security to the touchless scanners, which would speed things up even more. Although maybe I shouldn't get my hopes up too much, haha.

And it will be great (if not a bit odd after all these years) to be able to walk directly up to the park entrance. It'll definitely make it much easier to grab food at Citywalk from the park. Also may be asking to much, but I'd love it if I didn't have to walk all the way around the entrance plaza after exiting the park. Depends where they'd put the Lankershim security checkpoint... anyone have any idea on that? Haven't heard much there, but all the guests at the hotels on the hill need a way to walk into the park.

 

[Wesker69]

And as I said... the hotel being built right outside the park entrance. Because that's not going to make things even more frustrating (if construction ever starts)

 

[DTH]

But it is much different from Downtown Disney, as City Walk has a whole second floor that is connected to the parking lot literally made for easy access. All the parking lots to utilize Downtown Disney, there's a clear pathway from the parking lot to security in one direction. It'd be like a parking lot behind Jazz Kitchen and being forced to walk to one of the ends when your destination is five feet away.

 

[Clive]

But it is much different from Downtown Disney, as City Walk has a whole second floor that is connected to the parking lot literally made for easy access. All the parking lots to utilize Downtown Disney, there's a clear pathway from the parking lot to security in one direction. It'd be like a parking lot behind Jazz Kitchen and being forced to walk to one of the ends when your destination is five feet away.

Yeah, Downtown Disney, as it currently exists in Anaheim, was built for its security setup. They're shoehorning this closed bubble thing into a layout that wasn't designed for it.

 

[DTH]

Yeah, Downtown Disney, as it currently exists in Anaheim, was built for its security setup. They're shoehorning this closed bubble thing into a layout that wasn't designed for it.

If I remember correctly, security at DD is a relatively new thing and used to be for the parks only, but it got annoying for those going to DD then back to the parks over and over again, so they just kept expanding the security lines. Over time, they were able to construct paths and close open areas to make it work. It took a lot of trial and error as the security spots were always moving, but I think they finally got it down perfectly in a way that makes sense for everyone and isn't a total hindrance (unless the park gets slammed on crazy event days, which still happens and is just the nature of the beast). However, things will change again once the new park starts construction.

 

[Clive]

If I remember correctly, security at DD is a relatively new thing and used to be for the parks only, but it got annoying for those going to DD then back to the parks over and over again, so they just kept expanding the security lines. Over time, they were able to construct paths and close open areas to make it work. It took a lot of trial and error as the security spots were always moving, but I think they finally got it down perfectly in a way that makes sense for everyone and isn't a total hindrance (unless the park gets slammed on crazy event days, which still happens and is just the nature of the beast). However, things will change again once the new park starts construction.

You know what, I stand corrected - you are absolutely right. I do remember the security checkpoint used to be right at the esplanade, on either side.

I guess Universal will just have to go through similar growing pains.

 

[Wesker69]

I've only experienced the Disney security being at the tram pick-up from the parking garage or at the DTD entrance points... and thats been this way since at least 2014 (if my memory is remembering correctly)

Eitherway, CITYWALK doesn't exactly have any real pull or appeal it once did 20 years ago. Honestly, it's current overhaul isn’t inspiring either. This new security project just seems like a negative headache..

And another thing I wonder, where will the busses park once (if) the hotel project goes into full construction mode? Will they use the KONG lot & make people cross the bridge?

There's so many ???? this security project & the future hotel project cause.

 

[Viator]

And another thing I wonder, where will the busses park once (if) the hotel project goes into full construction mode? Will they use the KONG lot & make people cross the bridge?

I've actually been wondering about this myself. @Clive @Jonathan you guys would be more apt in knowing than me on the matter, but with the ET structure; how is the clearances for the ground and sub levels?

 

[Jonathan]

Busses and campers are able to park in the lower level of ET.

 

[Wesker69]

Also.... where exactly will the tram unload/load be relocated since the current location will become non-existent once hotel ground breaks with endless walls surrounding the woodpecker lot.

Unless.... the current construction next to Jurassic Parking will also be for the tram? Sort of a reverse DTD tram security situation.