Best Entrance into DCA early entry?

[sammysmom]

We are staying at the Disneyland Hotel for our first trip to Disneyland. Which entrance is better to use for early entry?

 

[tlovesdis]

The front gates! We tried using the GCH entrance one morning and it was super slow and we wasted about 1/2 hour of early entry time, never again!

 

[Jerryp49]

There are only 2 turnstiles at the GCH entrance to DCA so it really backs up during EMH. Plus it is a longer walk.



It`s 600 yards from the GCH entrance to Route 66 and 500 yards from the Main Gate to Route 66

In the past , I would get to the GCH entrance an hour before EMH and be one of the first thru the turnstile. I would then turn right at GRR and head to the wharf , thru the food court and thru the Carsland Arch . It would put me at the top of Route 66 several minutes before everyone else. They would be escorting everyone up Route 66 and when they reached where I was standing ,the CMs would let me step in right in front. They have changed their policy and they now block off the Archway path before rope drop so that everyone must now start out at the bottom of Route 66

 

[ADisneyFamilyof5]

Front gates, especially if you are headed to RSR. We even stayed at GCH last visit and always used the front gates for EE.

 

[BostonJP]

Bumping an old thread as I had the exact same question, and I'm glad I read this!

From the Disneyland Hotel to the front gates how long is the walk? From the map it still looks like a heck of a hike. I will also be doing EMH in September and want to make sure I can take advantage of the full hour.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Front gates, and the walk from DL Hotel is not that bad, thru DD.

 

[bumbershoot]

Boston, from the "sorcerer's hat" just before DTD starts to the center of the esplanade, taking the route that seemed best at the time (DTD is a mall, with crowds and things to look at and NO straight lines through because they want you to stop and buy stuff) was .43 miles.

 

[chrisaman]

Last Christmas we used the grand entrance and they let us in early and held us in front of grizzly river run till emh opening. We were at toy story way before the front gate people. So I guess it comes down to what you want to do first. If cars is what u want to do first then use front entrance. But some rides it is better from the grand entrance.

 

[BostonJP]

Boston, from the "sorcerer's hat" just before DTD starts to the center of the esplanade, taking the route that seemed best at the time (DTD is a mall, with crowds and things to look at and NO straight lines through because they want you to stop and buy stuff) was .43 miles.

As long as my kids aren't distracted that sounds like about a ten minute walk. Thanks!!