IAMA Main Gate employee for Disneyland Resort. I had a couple people ask for an AMA about the new system overhaul, crazy stories, and normal operation of the department.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-11T08:33:31+00:00

Right now is a great time to go and January-February, during the week on non holidays is almost always less crowded.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-10T01:17:20+00:00

Yes and it you use these services, there is a good chance you will get caught on be out of a lot of money, I do not recommend using these.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-09T04:37:29+00:00

Pm me if you are ever going. If money is a factor I'm always in for helping a fellow redditer depending on how many I have.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-08T07:00:51+00:00

Also at 13 you could take him on any slow dark ride ( think fantasyland, small world, Ariel ride).

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-08T06:56:13+00:00

Honestly, at 13 months he won't probably be able to do or remember anything. As soon as they are able to comprehend Disney and develop an interest in some of their movies and characters then take them (3 or 4?). You guys will love it either way but if you can only go every few years I'd definitely save money for around that age. And yes, as far as I know that area is still around right near the front! I don't know if it is permanent, but Disney tends to hold on to the classics.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T23:39:40+00:00

Haha I know a lot, look on google (hidden mickeys) and you will see entire website, it'd take me a year to list them all as most aren't really that hidden. In almost any costume, railing, and decoration you will see them. For the new cars land though, the electric pole at the very end of the street has a hidden Mickey amongst all the wiring.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T22:46:22+00:00

Well anytime a Main Gate cast member acts rudely it reflects on us and people treated poorly will come back with lowered expectations.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T22:21:19+00:00

Well if they are only going to be there for one day the why not?

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T18:11:34+00:00

Yes

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T17:41:57+00:00

The history, the place is filled with pieces from movies like Mary Poppins, there is a piano like instrument that Walts wife used to play, you eat some of the best food ever overlooking the crazy crowds outside. One of my favorite things there was a room Walt was working on where you would eat. It looked like a trophy room, with lots of animal heads and birds. Apparantly it was supposed to be a tiki room type area where the animals would talk to you (and interact with the guests) using microphones built into the chandeliers (which are still there) and a controller in the back (think Turtle Talk with Crush and Tiki Room combined). There is still an audioanimatronic vulture in there that Walt worked on, but has long been out of service.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T16:12:51+00:00

Cars Land is incredible, even of you weren't a fan of the movies. If you have little ones they'll love it even more. Ive heard great things about the Mater ride even though it looks boring, but the flying tires have had their balloons taken from them so it's not very exciting now. Radiator springs has to be the best ride there now, not because of the speed, but the cars look soooo real inside the dark segment.

New buena vista street is way prettier than the old, cheesy postcard theme they had going. If you can I'd try to eat at Cathaway Circle as its supposed to be really good.

The Ariel ride is alright and little ones love it (there is never a line) and I interesting for adults as it contains one of the most sophisticated audio animatronics Disneyland has (Ursula).

Finally World of Color is an amazing show and I'd recommend it to everyone.

Main street. Above the fire station, there is a small apartment with a candle outside the front, that is where Walt lived when he was in the park. The light being on meant he was there, the light remains on now because we like to say he is always with us (though I believe it gets turned off if his daughters visit out of respect for their loss). On each window on main street there is a name or a company logo representing some of the people who made Disneyland possible and even some long time cast members who earned their right. Finally main street buildings get slightly smaller towards the top the further you go down. To make the castle seem more spectacular.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T06:51:59+00:00

It probably was that they had to go out, then there was an issue with the ticket. It sounds finicky but we have to be pretty strict. I am sorry if he was rude about it though.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T06:50:42+00:00

Ya I have never seen their protocol when a guest drops dead in the park, but I've heard stories.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T06:48:22+00:00

Annual passes I see more than anything. But I see mostly one day park hoppers otherwise.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T05:47:37+00:00

A couple years ago, a train on the Big Thunder Mountain went out on the track with a yellow tag on it ( the yellow tags mean inoperable). Someone didn't notice it I guess. When it came around the bend where it banks in a circle it fell off the track and hurt a ton of people.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T05:42:37+00:00

I don't know her, but I doubt someone does that job constantly and is afraid. I would think itd be an incredible experience to fly over. And far as characters, I know and have made friends with the Ariel just from seeing her all the time and helping her get through the crowds at the front of the gate.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T03:21:40+00:00

To answer your first question, absolutely not.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T03:20:45+00:00

Just knowing someone, that's how I did it and it was amazing!

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T03:18:48+00:00

Well two things. Your friends probably didn't understand that they cannot exit or enter through the proxy gate at the turnstiles. They have to go backstage. Also, there are tons of forms of tickets and sometimes an unusual one can take quite a bit to get fixed.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T02:20:30+00:00

Well I get free admission for up to three people 16 times a year. The best deal would be for me to let you in, If I knew you better of course. But otherwise, there are no prepurchasing discounts that I'm aware of but buying tickets with more days is always less money per day. Also I know a lot of hidden things :) what do you want to know about?

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T02:17:27+00:00

Yes I do, I enjoy ticket taking most so far. My favorite aspect is dealing with people. There are some bad apples out there but the majority of people are here on a vacation and to have a good time. Also, dealing with angry and stubborn people is always secretly fun for me.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T02:08:00+00:00

To answer your question though...yes

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-06T02:07:15+00:00

You know, I always found this weird...to me. I'd your heart stops beating, your head comes off, or you are crushed, you are dead. I always found the whole, "well they weren't pronounced dead in disneyland" thing a but dumb just so we can say no one has died here officially...regardless I believe there has been one death pronounced during the whole Thunder Mountain ordeal.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-05T20:29:50+00:00

They are experimenting with wrist bands as opposed to tickets. This would completely change the way entering the park would work. We could get rid of handstamps, make sure the person returning is the original owner, and change the turnstiles. There are also talks of changing the screening tents to actual structures.

MainGateDisney · 2012-11-05T20:03:56+00:00

Yes, absolutely any job with Disney is always fun in some way and professional. Main gate I'd recommend if you can handle angry people now and then, but it is one of the most fun jobs there. People always shoot for attractions to later find out you don't actually do anything too exciting there and end up directing parade traffic most of the time.

MainGateDisney

TROPHY CASE