CGH entrance to DCA if staying offsite?

[M likes the mouse]

Good morning!

We're off to Disneyland on the 17th and we will be staying at the Best Western. We will have breakfast at Storyteller cafe early on the 20th. How does it works after we're done eating? Can we go through the DCA entrance early or do they check hotel keys? I tried to check with the search engine but I did not find any information concerning this.

Thanks! So looking forward to the Christmas holiday tour and our Ariel's Grotto WOC package!

 

[larina]

I believe they check keys, but I've heard that sometimes they just don't. From the Disney website:

Exclusive Entrance
An exclusive entrance into Disney California Adventure Park through Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa makes the walk even quicker for Guests of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort. Valid theme park admission required.

 

[MAH4546]

I have never, ever seen them check keys and I use this entrance all the time, as do many AP holders who find it an easier way to get between DCA and DD.

 

[blackjackdelta]

They checked keys every day we were there in August. They did lighten up later in the day. It has been reported that you can use the entrance with a receipt from a hotel eatery but have not had the expereince myself.

Jack

 

[dcfromva]

They typically check our keys first thing in the morning when they first open the gate.

 

[Pintail]

I stayed offsite, bought some candy at the GC giftshop, and used the GC entrance in the morning. They were checking keys, and allowed the receipt.

CA was just opening for the day, and the cast members also gave us World of Color tickets while we were waiting to get in.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Just wanted to add that in our experience, they check keys in the morning, but not in the afternoon. I believe you can use the entrance if you show them your receipt from Storytellers.

 

[DebbieB]

I've also experienced them checking keys in the morning but not later in the day.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

In February we ate breakfast at Storyteller's and then showed our receipt to enter DCA at the GCH entrance right when they started letting people in that morning. They were checking hotel keys, and the first CM we spoke with didn't know a receipt was admissible as well but quickly consulted with a lead who confirmed it was ok.

 

[M likes the mouse]

I guess we can be hopeful about this. Our reservation for Storyteller is at 8:00. I guess that by 9:30 we'll be done, so we might as well keep our receipt close by and try to go through that entrance.
At what time do they open that gate? I read 9H15 I think somewhere. Is that correct?

Thanks again!

 

[cmwade77]

They do indeed check keys, the first signs you se are a little unclear about the rules, here is how the official rules work (based upon signage and what I have been told by guest relations):
Up to 1 hour after the park opens, it is hotel guests only, they can be from any of the three onsite hotels though.
After that you have to have been in DCA at least once that day or show a receipt from dining at any restaurant in GCH or be a hotel guest.

Here's what really tends to happen:
They will enforce the rules prior to the park opening, no matter what.
They really only tend to enforce the return rule if the entrance gets really busy or the park is nearing capacity.

 

[Davids-Coco]

Just as an additional confirmation, at 9:30 two weeks ago, they were checking keys for all adults.

 

[M likes the mouse]

If we can not go through that entrance, what is the fastest way to get to the main entrance once we're done with breakfast? Is it the monorail?

Have a good day!

 

[Hummingbird15]

We stayed at the DLH in April. We used the CGH entrance each the morning and they checked keys every time.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

 

[skiingfast]

If we can not go through that entrance, what is the fastest way to get to the main entrance once we're done with breakfast? Is it the monorail?

For you other question, yes the GCH entrance gate currently opens at 9:15.

For the above question, don't use the monorail. It only goes from DTD to Tomorrowland. Plus you have to walk back a considerable distance to the DTD station. Then likely spend time waiting for a train.

If you can't go in the GCH entrance to DCA, and I don't see why you wouldn't be able to. You will need to walk back to the lobby of the GCH and take the exit into DTD.

 

[M likes the mouse]

For you other question, yes the GCH entrance gate currently opens at 9:15.

For the above question, don't use the monorail. It only goes from DTD to Tomorrowland. Plus you have to walk back a considerable distance to the DTD station. Then likely spend time waiting for a train.

If you can't go in the GCH entrance to DCA, and I don't see why you wouldn't be able to. You will need to walk back to the lobby of the GCH and take the exit into DTD.

Thanks for the information! I'm hopeful we'll be able to go early from that entrance. We have the the WOC package for the day before, so getting a fast pass for the show won't be necessary. We just don't want to trek back to DTD if it's not necessary. If we can't I guess it must be easy to find our way go from GCH to DTD.

I think we now have everything covered! I just have to work really, really hard to finish my internship and my report to get my master's degree and then... Off to Disneyland to get my reward for all that hard work!

 

[starry_solo]

The past few times I went there (prior to DCA opening), they were checking room keys and turning away guests who did not have them. After DCA opened, they didn't check.

 

[taaren]

The past few times I went there (prior to DCA opening), they were checking room keys and turning away guests who did not have them. After DCA opened, they didn't check.

This was my experience, too. To OP - my advice would be to have a leisurely breakfast, after all the characters and food are great you might as well enjoy it, and then at 9:55 or 10a take your receipt to the GCH entrance and they'll probably let you in that way. I think they're only weird about the pre-10a entrance since the riding the Little Mermaid and Soarin' privileges before openinf are supposed to be for hotel guests only.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

When I was there last we asked....they check keys until 11 and if you have a receipt they let you in!