DCA Early entrance - which entrance?

[Seaera]

Just wondering which entrance is better to use for the DCA EE - main gate or GC hotel? We'll be staying onsite so can use either. I know earlier in the summer, it was felt that the main entrance was faster to use, but wonder if things have changed.

Thanks in advance!

 

[coopersmom]

When we were there last week, and staying at the Grand, we always used the main entrance. The Grand entrance would backup almost to the lobby. Not sure how long it took but the line alone was enough to send us to the main gates.

I will note though that we always seemed to get in the slowest California Adventure line. There were a lot of people turned away that didn't understand they couldn't enter without hotel room keys.

 

[Seaera]

Thanks! Main gates it is.

 

[kailuagirl]

Our experience two weeks ago was a little different. The first time we tried the main gates and it took so long to get into the park that by the time we got to CL, the RSR line was 90 min, according to a CM. We got to the gates about 40 min. before opening.

The next time we try the GCH entrance. DH rushed down to wait about 40-45 min. before opening, and for him the line stoped at the entrance to the Spa. I joined him a bit afterwards. The started bag check and letting people in a little early and they had a rope drop area by Grizzly. I'm guessing there were two rope drop areas as it wasn't that crowded and we were right up front. the CM dropped the rope and this family next to us said follow us, we know what to do, we did and was maybe 20th in line for RSR. We (everyone) ran to RSR. The line was moving so fast at RSR we couldn't figure out where to leave our stroller, but everyone around us was so nice and helped DH catch back up to DD and I. Unfortuntely, the ride broke down when we were 2nd to get on, it came back up but it took our whole EE time. But we got to ride it, we weren't getting out of that line

Good luck. It's really hard to say what to do, but the CM's at GCH to us were really set on getting us all in the parks as fast as possible. They were awesome. If we had to do it again (if we hopefully get to do it again), I would so choose the GCH entrance, but get there even alittle earlier. That would have made it perfect.

Have fun.

 

[DebbieB]

When I was there 3 weeks ago, one morning the hotel entrance was lined up all the way to the front desk. We went out and through the main gate with no wait.

 

[dadofnicholas]

Can't compare because we used the GCH entrance twice on our trip. We just returned home yesterday. We got there 30-40 minutes before EE opening (depending on the day) and it was fine. In fact, during the 30 minute time (with a later EE start) we were closer and we got onto RSR first!

However, the line in GCH grows faster with each passing minute. Literally within 5 minutes the line grew by several people and families so every minute counts - but this was based on our experience during the days we were there.

We also selected the cast member that was the fastest in getting people through. During our last DCA EE, we got by several people because our line into the Park was faster. It's a generalization but some of the elderly cast members are quite slow in getting people through - but I do like how Disney employs them. Also, I quickly scanned the lines for the most high-maintenance visitors (e.g., several kids, slow people [for whatever reason], etc.) and avoided that line. Of course, even with all of this, you can still get the slowest line. LUCK helps

If your goal is to get to RSR faster, getting to the front of the rope drop to the right helps too. But if you are close to the front, your wait is never that long.

Good luck!

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

We were told by the CM at the front desk of the DLH to use the main gates...just make sure you line up where it says Extra Magic Hours and make sure you have your room key and park ticket for everyone in your party. Our DCA EE day was Monday (Oct 15) and we arrived 30 minutes before the 7 am opening and we were in within 2 minutes and were on RSR within 15 minutes...it was fun to see how they stop everyone at the entry to CarsLand with Mater & Lightening McQueen and slowly walk everyone to RSR...since they using have Red out at the end of the street make sure you stay to the right hand side otherwise you will be blocked by Red. Also a CM for RSR starts the line for RSR and "walks" at a pace to keep people from running. We thought it was well done and very organized. While it is fun to ride RSR in the daylight...it is even better at night!!!!!

 

[cari12]

Can't compare because we used the GCH entrance twice on our trip. We just returned home yesterday. We got there 30-40 minutes before EE opening (depending on the day) and it was fine. In fact, during the 30 minute time (with a later EE start) we were closer and we got onto RSR first!

However, the line in GCH grows faster with each passing minute. Literally within 5 minutes the line grew by several people and families so every minute counts - but this was based on our experience during the days we were there.

We also selected the cast member that was the fastest in getting people through. During our last DCA EE, we got by several people because our line into the Park was faster. It's a generalization but some of the elderly cast members are quite slow in getting people through - but I do like how Disney employs them. Also, I quickly scanned the lines for the most high-maintenance visitors (e.g., several kids, slow people [for whatever reason], etc.) and avoided that line. Of course, even with all of this, you can still get the slowest line. LUCK helps

If your goal is to get to RSR faster, getting to the front of the rope drop to the right helps too. But if you are close to the front, your wait is never that long.

Good luck!

The luck of the line selection! We were the 4th family in line for EMH and thought this is great, then it turned out the one group of 2 was holding the line for about 8 other slowpokes in their group so our line practically doubled in size once they arrived. We still got on RSR within 15 minutes using the wide right though.