New Disneyland Turnstiles Open for ‘Pre-Launch,’ Officially Opening in 2025
Disneyland began a limited trial run of its innovative new entrance turnstiles (tapstyles) on Tuesday. A full-scale launch with all features operational is scheduled for early 2025.
Related – Disney to Update Entry Gates for Disneyland and California Adventure
Disney began upgrading its entrance gates in December 2023 with the filing of necessary permits. Construction commenced at Disney California Adventure in early 2024, followed by Disneyland in the fall. While some gates at Disney California Adventure were completed earlier, only the new Disneyland Park gates are currently open to guests.
The term ‘tapstiles’ is a blend of ‘tap’ and ‘turnstiles,’ reflecting the shift from traditional turnstiles to the new tap-based technology. As reported by Scott Gustin, the gates are currently in a pre-launch phase, with full functionality expected early next year. During this period, Cast Members are stationed at the tapstiles to manually scan tickets and capture guest photos using tablets, mirroring the current process at the existing gates.
Disneyland Resort previously tested a facial recognition entry system at Disney California Adventure in March 2024. While this technology is not currently in use, the new gates appear to be designed for future implementation of facial recognition. The presence of screens with built-in cameras mounted on the tapstiles suggests this possibility.
When activated, the screens on the Disneyland Park gates showcase a vibrant icon of Sleeping Beauty Castle. When inactive, a playful image of Mickey Mouse with a surprised expression appears, accompanied by the message “Oh boy! This gate is not available.” The black lines observed in the provided images are a photographic effect and do not exist in reality.
The physical gates are transparent with a subtle frosted finish and delicate filigree bordering their edges. The design is understated, featuring stars and elegant swirls. A decal affixed to the sides of the tapstiles informs guests of potential chemical exposure within Disneyland. This type of warning has been a common sight throughout Disneyland Resort for several years in compliance with Proposition 65 regulations.
The Disney California Adventure screens showcase Mickey’s Fun Wheel, also known as Pixar Pal-A-Round. It’s likely that Disney chose to open the gates ahead of their full functionality to increase the number of available entrances during the busy holiday season.
We can’t wait to see the new tapstiles be open and fully operational!
