DCA early entry for DLH guests?

[nutshell]

I know there is no official MM/EE for DCA. However, I've heard that GCH guests can usually get in 30 min. early through the GCH private entrance. Can DLH guests (or PPH guests for that matter) use the GCH private entrance and, if so, can they use it to get in 30 min early?

 

[bumbershoot]

Any Disneyland resort hotel guest can use that entrance.

But the front gates of DCA often open 30 minutes early, so I'm not sure that opening early is a hotel guest perk.

 

[DangerMouse]

The "30 minutes early" into DCA isn't just for GCH guests through the private entry. They also open the park gates from the esplanade during that time as well. So everyone gets this perk. The only ride operating during the time will be Soarin.

But to answer your other question, in the mornings, the GCH private entrance is just for guests of the DLR hotels or anyone who has had breakfast at Storytellers or WWS and can show a receipt.

 

[nutshell]

Isn't the private entrance beyond the esplanade?

 

[Hound 109]

The private entrance dumps you into DCA at approx. where Grizzily Rapids is located. (& close to Soarin"....maybe 100 yards.)

 

[DangerMouse]

Isn't the private entrance beyond the esplanade?

You access it by going through the GCH, heading out of their lobby toward Storyteller's and Napa Rose, then turning left down a long corridor. There will be signs pointing the way. . .

 

[nutshell]

But there's no real benefit because the esplanade opens 30 minutes early too, right?

Sorry - I feel like I'm not connecting the dots.

 

[pixiewings71]

Right, the whole park opens 30 min. early but they only have 1 ride operating at that time.

 

[DangerMouse]

But there's no real benefit because the esplanade opens 30 minutes early too, right?

Sorry - I feel like I'm not connecting the dots.

Yep, you're right. If you are staying off-site, there is no benefit for using the GCH entrance -- not to mention they won't let you b/c you aren't a guest.

So, just get to the DCA gates in the esplanade at about 9:00-9:15 and they will open the gates at 9:30 ish (it's not always exact). Then you can head straight to Soarin (or shop at Enginears to your heart's content).

Hope that connects those dots for ya.

 

[ty71803]

so there is a seperate entrance for people who stay at disney hotels? Can you exit that way and go to lunch at one of the hotels and then get back in the park?

 

[mareed]

The "30 minutes early" into DCA isn't just for GCH guests through the private entry. They also open the park gates from the esplanade during that time as well. So everyone gets this perk. The only ride operating during the time will be Soarin.

But to answer your other question, in the mornings, the GCH private entrance is just for guests of the DLR hotels or anyone who has had breakfast at Storytellers or WWS and can show a receipt.

We were turned away when we had eaten breakfast at and had a receipt from WWS. They said only Storytellers qualified. So, we had to go all the way around to the front and change our plans slightly because we missed park opening.

 

[DLR29]

so there is a seperate entrance for people who stay at disney hotels? Can you exit that way and go to lunch at one of the hotels and then get back in the park?

Yes, there is an entrance inside of the Grand Californian Hotel that allows DLR hotels guests to come and go as they please. Anybody can exit through it. It's a great place to duck into the hotel for a quick lunch at White Water Snacks.

 

[ty71803]

after lunch Can you get Back in the same entrance

 

[Hound 109]

We were turned away when we had eaten breakfast at and had a receipt from WWS. They said only Storytellers qualified. So, we had to go all the way around to the front and change our plans slightly because we missed park opening.

This would only take place prior to DCA opening (for those who are wondering).

Non GCH (or PP or DH) hotel guests are allowed to exit & enter thru the super secret entrance for a visit to the GCH (or a meal at Whitewater) during regular park hours for DCA.

(It does seem an odd rule though.... that if you ate breakfast at the GCH that they wouldn't let you thru this entrance with the other DLR hotel guests though.)

 

[biolabetty]

Not sure if they are still doing this or not, we last did it about a year ago. But at least back then, and I'd done it many times before that, if you stayed at the GCH, and they specified it was only that hotel, you could get in even before the half hour early opening. You had to show up at the GCH DCA entrance about an hour before opening and ask for the special tour of DCA. The gate attendants knew what you're talking about, but the front desk knew nothing about it, I'd asked there before. There was someone who showed up to do the tour, it was free, and only the people who showed up and asked specifically for the tour would go. I saw loads of other hotel guests show up to that entrance, and they would be directed to go to the front entrance, or to wait until park opening.

They would take you into DCA and give a mini-tour of the Grizzly River area, then walk into Condor Flats and explain that area, and then they would take you on Soarin' all by yourselves. One time our group consisted of my husband, myself, and our 2 friends. We were the only ones on the ride and got to sit wherever we wanted. When we got off the ride, the line was forming from the people who were came in the half hour early.

While waiting to enter into DCA through that entrance one time, there was a group that wanted to get into the park and said they were staying at the hotel. If they did not have absolute proof that they were staying there, with their hotel key or their charge slip, they wouldn't let them through, no matter how much this group protested. This was in the morning. I've entered through that entrance many times after lunch when I've not been a hotel guest. The gate attendants told me that after lunch they didn't care as much, it was in the morning hours that they cared.

 

[bumbershoot]

I bet the new starts-at-7:30 Segway tour of DCA has put an end to that GCH tour...