DCA entrance from GCA - used by anyone?

[retlaw_yensid]

We're considering starting our day at DCA by having breakfast at White Water Snacks first. Can the entrance to DCA from the hotel be used by anyone, or would we have to go back around to the main entrance because we're not hotel guests?

Thanks, in advance!

 

[jammyjam25]

You have to be a guest of one of the Disney hotels to utilize the Grand's DCA entrance. You would have to loop back around to the main entrance.

Sorry!

 

[Malcon10t]

We're considering starting our day at DCA by having breakfast at White Water Snacks first. Can the entrance to DCA from the hotel be used by anyone, or would we have to go back around to the main entrance because we're not hotel guests?

Thanks, in advance!

Until 11am, they limit the gate to only hotel guests. After 11, anyone can use it.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

They used to let you thru prior to 11 am if you had a receipt from that morning... Character breakfast or wws. Maybe someone knows if that is still true.

 

[Malcon10t]

We were there April 25th and they were sending someone around who had a WWS receipt, the people kept arguing that they read they could if they bought something there. Why I know was they were holding up the rest trying to get through.

 

[elaw]

We were there April 25th and they were sending someone around who had a WWS receipt, the people kept arguing that they read they could if they bought something there. Why I know was they were holding up the rest trying to get through.

they will let you through if you have breakfast at WWS ... I usually get the egg biscuit sandwich and an OJ and the GF gets a muffin and waffles or something .... We have never been turned back in 5 years of doing this. Once or twice they've had to call a lead to confirm. If you just get a coffee or muffin they will probably turn you back.

 

[HappiestHaunt]

We have eaten at WWS for breakfast and had no trouble using the entrance. We find its the best priced breakfast in the resort!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

where is the entrance at?

 

[SplashMo]

It is better to go to the main entrance in the morning because the GCH entrance is much slower.

 

[zanzibar138]

We were there September last year and had no trouble using that entrance with the receipt from our breakfast at Storyteller's.

 

[kangamama]

I had no idea you could use this entrance without being a guest of one of the hotels -- that's great news for our off-site visits!

 

[larryz]

It is better to go to the main entrance in the morning because the GCH entrance is much slower.

That's what the CM running the entrance told us, too, adding that it's quicker to RSR by the main entrance.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I had no idea you could use this entrance without being a guest of one of the hotels -- that's great news for our off-site visits!

Technically it is only available to resort guests but in reality they do not check for room keys after 11am and anyone can use it. I have only seen one time over the holidays where they were limiting it all day.

 

[MommyJKM]

There are so many conflicting reports. I personally saw a family last May enter after breakfast at Storytellers. I remembered them because their daughter and my DD had the same outfit on and we had chatted with them for a few minutes leaving Storytellers and they were staying at Fairfield Inn. This may have changed for 2015 so I would call and ask the GCH Concieirge to get at definative answer for you.

But as others have said, after 11am it's open to anyone.

Everyone says GCH entrance is so bad for EMH but we like going that way.

 

[ParkHopper1]

I should have clarified...it is open to resort guests and patrons of the Grand restaurants. If you eat at Storyteller or WW Snacks and keep your receipt, you can use the entrance before 11am. As other mentioned if you just buy a drink and muffin from WWS in an attempt to enter you may have issues.

 

[Jerryp49]

GCH Guests are paying $400/night for the privledge and I imagine someone would get POd if it was being used by offsite guests

 

[MommyJKM]

GCH Guests are paying $400/night for the privledge and I imagine someone would get POd if it was being used by offsite guests

Never for us! And I'm on average paying $600/night not $400 and sometimes have paid around $2200/night. If they allow people to eat at the Storyteller's then go in that way it doesn't bother me. For a family to get up and walk/cab over to GCH and go to a full breakfast and then go in that way seems like it can't be huge numbers to affect the entrance. It's a slow way of going in anyway and if you're prepared for it it's a lovely way to start your day.

 

[thmcdonald1]

Was very tempted to try this entrance on the 24 hour day to see if the bag check was any better

 

[AustinTink]

Never for us! And I'm on average paying $600/night not $400 and sometimes have paid around $2200/night. If they allow people to eat at the Storyteller's then go in that way it doesn't bother me. For a family to get up and walk/cab over to GCH and go to a full breakfast and then go in that way seems like it can't be huge numbers to affect the entrance. It's a slow way of going in anyway and if you're prepared for it it's a lovely way to start your day.

Maybe true for Storyteller's, but if everyone cutting through GCH for a muffin and coffee at Whitewater Snacks starts using this entrance it could become a problem.

This summer will be our second stay at the GCH, we had always stayed offsite before. The entrance to DCA specifically for guests was one of the main selling points for us. We used it so much last year.

 

[Jerryp49]

I read on another blog people bragging about buying a bottle of water from WWS to get in with a receipt.That should not be ok.