Gc entrance for pp guests

[gabbyrodman]

i read that there's a way into the grand Californian that paradise pier guests can use to cut through to get to the parks. Do we need a key card to access it or can anyone use it? Will there be signs that will direct us to downtown Disney and the parks? Tia

 

[Malcon10t]

You can cut thru the hotel (signs are there to follow) and you will need to show a room key in the mornings to use the DCA entrance. Or you can go thru DTD and no key needed.

 

[Darkbeer1]

There is a pathway some use from the PPH to Downtown Disney through the GCH, but it is a bit confusing, and not well marked.

Here is a map.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6938766

Open to the public, no room key needed.

As compared to the DCA entrance at the GCH, which requires a Disney room key to use. But that gate sometimes opens later than Disneyland does, so why folks go to the Main Entrance area (Esplanade).

 

[wilkeliza]

You need you key card as that entrance is only for people staying on Disney property. During the first few hours of the day they are very strict on that.

 

[PatMcDuck]

On early entry days, it is sometimes wiser to use the regular entrance. I have seen the GC back up into the GC lobby! The regular entrance would be a better choice if the line is super long at GC, even though it is more of a walk. (also better if you are dashing to either ride RSR or get a FP).

 

[bumbershoot]

i read that there's a way into the grand Californian that paradise pier guests can use to cut through to get to the parks.

Leave Paradise Pier and go out the front doors, turn left on the sidewalk, use the crosswalk to go to the Grand. Go in the front.

If you want to get into DCA and have a need to enter at Grizzly and move further into the park from there, go through the lobby towards the DCA entrance. It's a bit of a hike (more than you expect) so give yourself time. And if you're there for early entry, give yourself a TON of time.

If you want to get into DCA at the front of the park or DL, you'll turn left just beyond the entrance you walked through, and follow the "path" down to DTD. Turn right and go through DTD to bag check.

On early entry days, it is sometimes wiser to use the regular entrance. I have seen the GC back up into the GC lobby! The regular entrance would be a better choice if the line is super long at GC, even though it is more of a walk. (also better if you are dashing to either ride RSR or get a FP).

YES.

 

[gabbyrodman]

Thanks everyone. I will not use the entrance to dca for ee. I will use as a shortcut going back and forth.

 

[goodeats]

The new security measures make the DCA entrance very crowded at times. One evening they only had one bag checker and were not letting people through who had no bags for some reason. They also have 100% of the guests go through the metal detectors.

 

[amylovesdamon]

When showing your DLR room key for Early Morning Hours, will I need to show everyone's keys individually for our entire family (6 of us)- or will we only scan our individual park passes and then just need to bring one room key to show?

same process for GC side entrance into DCA?

 

[wilkeliza]

When showing your DLR room key, will I need to show everyone's keys individually for our entire family (6 of us)- or will we only scan our individual park passes and then just need to bring one room key to show?

Everyone's in my experience.