Your 2026 Introduction to Disneyland Resort Security – Plus Some Tips

Disney’s theme parks had Bag Checks as far back as I can remember. But since late 2015, metal detectors have been added to the security lineup.

On 17 December 2015, literally overnight, America’s theme parks all began using some form of metal detectors. This includes Disneyland in California, Walt Disney World in Florida, Universal’s theme parks, and SeaWorld Parks’ theme parks.

In this post, we will go over just what to expect in regard to security checks at Disneyland so that you’ll be prepared. 

Upon re-opening after the 2020 shutdown, Walt Disney World Security had made quite a few improvements in the name of social distancing and no-touch, which actually improve the guest experience!

The biggest of these improvements was the new walk-through scanners. At Walt Disney World, you no longer need to remove anything from your pockets (for the most part) or have your bags checked manually; you just walk through the scanner at a normal pace right behind each other, no need to pause to be called to enter! If something sets the scanner off, you’ll be asked to step to the side for a physical bag check or a wand sweep of your body.

Disneyland, however, is a different story; their security equipment and procedures have not joined Disney World in the 21st century. Disneyland is rooted firmly in the 1970s!

Guests entering Disneyland property go through a security screening, which consists of 100% of guests going through an old-fashioned metal detector. Unlike the fast, modern walk-through detectors at Walt Disney World, you have to empty everything out of your pockets, not just metal, and walk through the metal detector. If you are wearing a belt, they will insist on you flipping the buckle over so they can see the back (that it’s not a knife). Every single bag and purse is searched by hand! The lines move VERY SLOWLY here!!! On my last visit, I queried a Security Host as to why they did not get the new modern detectors like Disney World, and he gave me the ridiculous reply, “We tried them, and they didn’t work.” Sounds like BS to me.

Also, because the procedures are so old and time-consuming, the Disney Security folks here are definitely not very friendly, nothing like the Security Staff at WDW! More like the rude third-party security at Universal Orlando Resort.

Prohibited Items

Keep in mind that you can’t just bring anything that you want into Disney’s parks. It is private property.

Disney is checking for the following items, which may not be brought into Disney’s Parks:

Disney reserves the right to prohibit the use or storage of any other item not listed above that they determine may be harmful or disruptive, in their sole and absolute discretion.

Security Check Locations

Both of the Disneyland Resort parks and Downtown Disney are within the same security area. This is the only security area at Disneyland; the three Resort Hotels are outside of the security area.

The security area runs from the west end of Downtown Disney across the property to the east end of the Esplanade between the parks and through each of the parks on the north (Disneyland) and the south (Disney California Adventure).

There are 8 different security entrances/exits in various places, and which one you’ll use depends on where you are coming from and your destination. Here is the list:

• On the east side of the Esplanade (central area between the parks) (right below)
• 3 on the west side of Downtown Disney between DTD and the Disneyland Hotel (left bottom corner)
• At the entrance to Downtown Disney from the Grand Californian Hotel (middle top)
• At the entrance to Disney California Adventure from the Grand Californian Hotel (middle, middle)
• At the entrance to Disney California Adventure from the Pixar Place Hotel (middle, bottom)
• At the parking structure before boarding the tram (top left)

The security entrance/exit info below is divided by your starting location, and for each, I discuss which security checkpoint you’ll use for each destination.

Pixar Place Hotel

The Pixar Place Hotel is the least desirable location of the three Disneyland Hotels and involves the most walking.

If you are going to:

• Disneyland – Exit the rear of the hotel and walk North from the hotel and enter Downtown Disney at the bottom circle (above). From there, you can walk the full length of Downtown Disney to the Esplanade and use the Disneyland main (front) entrance, or board the monorail in Downtown Disney to enter Disneyland in Tomorrowland
• Disney’s California Adventure –
  • If you want to enter at the main (front) entrance, exit the rear of the hotel, and walk North from the hotel, and enter Downtown Disney (bottom circle above). From there, you will walk the full length of Downtown Disney to the Esplanade and use the main (front) entrance
  • If you wanted to use Pixar Place’s private back entrance to California Adventure (bottom circle below), sadly, Disney closed it at the beginning of 2026. You can, however, still use the Grand Californian rear entrance to DCA.
  • Exit the front of Pixar Place and cross the city street using the crosswalk with crossing lights. Then walk towards the Grand Californian, using your room key or magic band to pass through the gate on the way to the lobby. From the lobby, Head to the rear of the hotel, where you will enter the Grizzly Peak area near Grizzly River Run (middle right circle below)
• Downtown Disney – Exit the rear of the hotel and walk North from the hotel and enter Downtown Disney at the Bottom circle (above)

Disneyland Hotel

The Disneyland Hotel is located at the West end of Downtown Disney. Access to all areas is through the security checkpoint just to the East of the hotel (center circle below). From Downtown Disney, you will walk to the Esplanade and enter either park or grab the monorail to Tomorrowland.

Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

The Grand Californian Hotel is the most desirable location of the three Disneyland Hotels and involves the least walking.

If you are going to:

• Disneyland – Use the hotel’s private entrance to Downtown Disney (top circle below), which enters in the middle of the downtown district, then head to the right to the Esplanade and use the Disneyland main (front) entrance, or head to the left and board the Monorail in Downtown Disney and go to Disneyland in Tomorrowland
• Disney’s California Adventure –
  • If you want to enter at the main (front) entrance – Use the hotel’s private entrance to Downtown Disney, then head to the Esplanade and use the main (front) entrance
  • If you want to use the Grand Californian’s private back entrance to California Adventure, Head to the rear of the hotel, where you will enter in the Grizzly Peak area near Grizzly River Run (middle right circle below)
• Downtown Disney – Use the hotel’s private entrance to Downtown Disney

Off-Property Guests Walking from the East Side of Disneyland

Everyone walking from Hotels on the east side of Disneyland will enter through security on the east end of the Esplanade (see below). The park’s main entrances are here, and Downtown Disney is just across the Esplanade.

Most off-property hotels are on this side of the resort, and as you’ll see below, there are others who will mix in here as well. This is the busiest entrance with the longest lines! Though they also have the most lines available…

Off-Property Guests walking from the West side of Disneyland

There are just a couple of hotels to the Northwest of Disneyland at the corner of South Walnut and West Ball Road. These folks can walk down Walnut, then across Magic Way, and then South through the parking lots to enter Downtown Disney on the West side at either of the 2 top circles below.

Pro Tip: The checkpoint at the top circle is the least trafficked and will have the shortest line. Note there is a fence in the tree line just to the left of this entrance that runs between the parking lots halfway back to Disney Way so you have to pick your route back there at the end of the fence.

Those parking in Disney Surface Parking Lots, arriving in Hotel Shuttles, Buses, or Uber/Lyft

Disney has several ground-level parking lots in the vicinity of their main property. If you park in one of these, Disney buses will take you from the lot and drop you on the East end of the Esplanade to process security. Hotel shuttles and local bus routes drop here as well.

Just to the South of this entrance is a drop-off/pick-up area for Uber, Lyft, taxis, and other vehicles.

Everyone arriving here will enter through security on the east end of the Esplanade (see below). The park’s main entrances are here, and Downtown Disney is just across the Esplanade.

This is the busiest entrance with the longest lines! Though they also have the most lines available…

Those parking in Disney’s Mickey & Friends Parking Structure and walking from the North

If you drive your vehicle to Disneyland or you are staying at one of the couple of hotels to the north of the parking structure on West Ball Road, you will clear security at the parking structures.

Security is located on the ground level between the structures. All the escalators lead from the parking levels down to this area.

If walking, it’s nearby with pedestrian right-of-ways through the parking lots.

After processing through security, you will board a Tram for the ride to Downtown Disney. You will be dropped off near the end of Downtown Disney, nearest to the Esplanade and the parks.

Note: Some people will walk instead. There is an elevated crosswalk over Magic Way and a sidewalk that ends by the least used security checkpoint on the West of Downtown Disney (top circle below)

Those Driving to Downtown Disney

For those driving their own vehicle to Downtown Disney, there is a separate parking lot set aside for DTD guests (you are not allowed to park here if going to the parks!). This parking lot is just south of Pixar Place.

To get to the security entrance for Downtown Disney, follow the directions for Pixar Place Hotel guests above.

If you plan to eat at a Downtown Disney full-service restaurant or purchase merchandise($20 or more) in DTD, be sure to take your parking slip with you to get it validated. This will save you some on your parking fee.

Security Procedures

As mentioned above, Disneyland still uses the old-style metal detectors, which require a physical bag check, totally emptying your pockets, and a slow one-at-a-time processing through the vintage scanner, then typically a wave down with a hand-held scanner after. This is a very slow process!!!

Disney’s security screening consists of 100% of guests going through the old-fashioned metal detector. For these Disneyland antiques, you have to empty everything out of your pockets, not just metal, and walk through the metal detector. They only have 1 or 2 containers for you to place your pocket contents in, which is not enough to keep the line moving; you often have to wait for an empty one.

Every single bag and purse is searched by hand!

Disneyland is fixated on belt buckles. If you are wearing one, it will set off the metal detector. They will then want to see it. If it’s a normal buckle, they may say OK, or they may ask you to flip it over to see the back. If it’s some kind of odd or large buckle, they will ask to see the back to make sure it doesn’t have a built-in knife.

Pro Tips:

• As you approach the scanner, make sure to have all of your bags out of your stroller and all the zippers opened to speed the eyeball check of the bag contents
• Get everything, or as much as you can, out of your pockets and ready to put in the container  
• If you are wearing a belt and have your shirt covering it, tuck the shirt up behind the belt to expose it

On my last visit, I queried a Security Host as to why they did not get the new modern detectors like Disney World, and he replied, “We tried them, and they didn’t work.” Sounds like BS to me.

Disneyland sometimes has lines for those with bags and those without (though I did not see this on either of my 2024 trips!). Only the people in the party with bags should get in the bags line! All others should go through the fast guests without bags line and wait on the other side of the checkpoint out of the way. This makes the with-bags line faster! Strollers go through the bags line.

Security Personnel

While going through Disney’s security screening process at the Disneyland Resort, you will see not only Disney Security Cast Members but also local police members. K-9 units are in use by both Disney and local law enforcement.

Because the procedures here at Disneyland are so old and time-consuming, the Disney Security folks here are definitely not very friendly, nothing like the Security Staff at WDW! More like the rude third-party security at Universal Orlando.

A Word About Firearms

Firearms are not allowed on Disney property, even if you are legal to concealed carry. This not only includes the theme parks but all areas on property like Disney Springs and the Resort Hotels.

Over To You

Do you have any Security questions or tips? Let us know in the Comments Section below! 

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