Can you no longer walk through the Grand to get to the park/dtd? Want to stay at Stovalls.

[ParkHopper1]

Not sure about just adding 3 minutes.

Numerous people have mapped it out here on various programs. The DTD route from PPH adds about 800' actual distance to the trek and at about 3mph average human walking speed..that is about three minutes.

Now, if you are ticked off that you can no longer go through the GCH and have to walk around those may feel lie the LONGEST TRHEE MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE...but emotion aside, those the actual hard numbers.

 

[Nonsuch]

...do you know the best path to take if unable to go through the Grand.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Yup...only GCH registered guest can enter the lobby from the street now. There is a security guard and Cast Member standing down on the corner before you enter the GCH drive up gate...

Just to clarify, as a pp said, registered guests of the GCH and guests with a confirmed reservation at a TS restaurant in the hotel (Storyteller's or NR) can enter through the main entrance. The CMs at the sidewalk checkpoint will check room keys or reservation confirmation numbers (have your email confirmation handy on your phone in case the CM asks to see it).

 

[kirstie101]

When the switch was made I wrote off Stovalls. Stovalls was already at the max of what I was willing to walk to get to the parks. But now hearing that the security checkpoint is a much shorter wait than the Harbor checkpoint, I think I'm going to put it back on my options list. Thanks everyone!

 

[jessrose18]

so exactly how are is the walk from stovalls to the main entrance now walking through dd? also in the middle of comparing this resort to PPI (save 250 by staying at stovalls for our 4 nights) never been to disneyland..

 

[yupikgal]

Well this thread has enlightened me, I had no idea that there was no access through the front doors of the GCH, not that we are staying in that area anyway, but just generally. I didn't know they moved the security checkpoint, so if I understand you correctly, it's situated in the "tunnel" leading to DTD from the GCH walkway? I'm sad about that too, because I loved going through there, it always felt so private and fun. I remember last year, there was a group of singers singing away, I caught it on video.

Also, I didn't think of Stovall's Inn as an option, so I called to see if they had dates for us, but of course not, since we are going during a busy time. I literally have like 6 hotels booked other than this, I'm still debating which one would be the best option for us. Is the security checkpoint from Harbor area MORE busy then it was before, is that what I'm understanding from this conversation, or is it just busier than the other checkpoint in DTD that you referred to by Earl of Sandwich? Thanks everyone, Disboards is always so helpful!

 

[Niltiac]

Well this thread has enlightened me, I had no idea that there was no access through the front doors of the GCH, not that we are staying in that area anyway, but just generally. I didn't know they moved the security checkpoint, so if I understand you correctly, it's situated in the "tunnel" leading to DTD from the GCH walkway? I'm sad about that too, because I loved going through there, it always felt so private and fun. I remember last year, there was a group of singers singing away, I caught it on video.

Also, I didn't think of Stovall's Inn as an option, so I called to see if they had dates for us, but of course not, since we are going during a busy time. I literally have like 6 hotels booked other than this, I'm still debating which one would be the best option for us. Is the security checkpoint from Harbor area MORE busy then it was before, is that what I'm understanding from this conversation, or is it just busier than the other checkpoint in DTD that you referred to by Earl of Sandwich? Thanks everyone, Disboards is always so helpful!

Yes, there's a checkpoint in the entrance to DTD from GCH. But you can still go into GCH, you just can't enter from the front door by PPH. If you want to go in to take a break, get a drink, etc. you can still enter/exit from DTD.

They didn't change the security checkpoints on Harbor, so they're just busier in the sense that crowds have increased in general over time. I think what most people are referring to is that they're now busy compared to the checkpoints in DTD and the garage, since those ones have been expanded.

 

[dec2009mama]

since the security enhancements we always have stayed on Katella, either Eden Roc or Stovall
i ran tink this year and apparently the security line on harbor was horrible (delayed the start of the half marathon), on other trips when we have ridden the monorail it seems the security line off of harbor are always packed
when they stopped letting us cut thru the Grand, I was worried about the DTD security option getting crazy busy as well but happy to say for all of our trips we haven't had to wait more than 10min and it not b/c the line is long but b/c people are being dumb (if ya know what I mean )
we are going in dec and staying at stovall again

 

[longboard55]

Pretty sure they did it to not overload the security going for GCH to DTD. The check is at the sidewalk corner