First time at DL-getting to Disney hotels from parks?

[Simba's Mom]

What's the best/easiest way to get to the GC and also DLH from either park? I'm taking my first trip to DL this summer, and I thought spending some time in the hotels (maybe having lunch there) would be a fun way to get out of the heat/crowds mid-day. Can I take the monorail in Tomorrowland directly to DLH? And to see GC, can I enter from inside DCA?

 

[lark]

From the DL front gate to the DLH is about a 10-15 minute walk, depending on how fast you walk. You can take the monorail from within DL to the monorail station in downtown disney, which is about a 3-5 minute walk to the DLH.

The passageway to and from the GC to CA is supposed to be only for GC guests, but I'm not sure how this is enforced.

 

[Itinkso]

You can leave DCA and go to GC but the CMs will only let you return to DCA from GC if you have a hotel room key (DLH, GC or PPH). The GC lobby is a nice, cool place to take a break midday.