The idea is to keep you in the merchandise location as long as possible to increase the odds of you making a purchase. The flow which you don't particularly care for, is the proper flow.

Similar to how a nice Las Vegas casino is set up to some degree

Most casinos are set up so that you must walk the casino floor to get to the elevator banks that lead to your rooms. The exception was the Alladdin/PH, which had elevators one level below check in, where you could bypass the casino..and they went bankrupt before pH bought them! At DB, the chain is obviously set up as a deterrent to keep you going in a straight line through the gift shop. of course I, like many others on this board will unhook the chain when I'm power lapping..but I usually remember to rechain it!

Most casinos are set up so that you must walk the casino floor to get to the elevator banks that lead to your rooms. The exception was the Alladdin/PH, which had elevators one level below check in, where you could bypass the casino..and they went bankrupt before pH bought them! At DB, the chain is obviously set up as a deterrent to keep you going in a straight line through the gift shop. of course I, like many others on this board will unhook the chain when I'm power lapping..but I usually remember to rechain it!

Ok, I'm going to start using the chained-off exit walkway. And when someone says something to me about it, I'm blaming y'all

I usually just jump over it. Less chance to get yelled at.