GCH DCA entrance impacted by closures?

[01spirit750]

Just curious if the GCH entrance into DCA is impacted with the closure of the Redwood Creek / Soarin areas?

I am guessing that you are routed around torwards Ariels adventure?

Thanks

 

[Mcky36]

I'm wondering also. I hope we can still get in and out through that entrance, even though the condor flats area will be blocked off.

 

[pumba526]

We're here now at GCH and you can still access DCA with no issues. Everyone is just directed towards Paradise Pier.

 

[adykate]

So you are not even allowed to walk through the Condor Flats area to get to the front of the park? You have to go all the way around toward Ariel and hang a left to get back to the entrance??? Is it just me or does that really suck? We are staying at GC for the first time this week, and was looking forward to easy in/out of the hotel through that entrance in the afternoon/evening. Is it not that much of a big deal to walk back through downtown Disney to get back to the hotel? It seems like it is a bit farther, although it obviously depends where you are coming from. I am just grumpy with all the other closures, and was really looking forward to our first time staying at GC and having shorter walks than we are use to.

 

[emily94]

So you are not even allowed to walk through the Condor Flats area to get to the front of the park? You have to go all the way around toward Ariel and hang a left to get back to the entrance??? Is it just me or does that really suck? We are staying at GC for the first time this week, and was looking forward to easy in/out of the hotel through that entrance in the afternoon/evening. Is it not that much of a big deal to walk back through downtown Disney to get back to the hotel? It seems like it is a bit farther, although it obviously depends where you are coming from. I am just grumpy with all the other closures, and was really looking forward to our first time staying at GC and having shorter walks than we are use to.

The Condor Flats area is boarded up with a solid wall so it is not even possible to walk that way.

You can still get into the hotel no problem. I really don't understand the second part of your question? Yeah it sucks but I think you will find that it is not that inconvenient when you get there! The DTD entrance into GCH is by Sephora.

 

[adykate]

Thanks for the info. I have gone through the DTD/GC entry. I was just thinking if we wanted to make a "straight" shot from say the hotel to the Snowfest area in CA (or vice versa), it seems longer to walk through DTD, security and through the regular entrance which often has line to enter throughout the day, and hang a left down to the Hollywood area, vs. going through the hotel entrance, and cutting through Condor Flats to Hollywood. Or if we use the hotel entrance, we will have to go way up and around by Little Mermaid and down past Carsland to get to Hollywood. We use to stay off site and walk upwards of a mile each way to the parks, a couple times a day, so we are not opposed to walking. We just were looking forward to being as close as you can get by staying at GC this time, and taking advantage of the convenience. I am sure it isn't that much difference, I am just being petty because I am annoyed with all the other closures and increased crowds it will push into other attractions.

EDITED: Ok, I just saw that the Red Creek Trail is now CLOSED this week??? When did that happen? I swear I have been checking that up until a couple weeks ago. One of the only reasons we decided to stay our first couple nights at GC is because our kids LOVE that area, and we have always wanted to be able to pop in and use it now and then when relaxing at the hotel. I get that there is nothing we can do about it, and "It's still Disney" and all that, but come on. I am seriously done with the amount of closures that have happened our last couple trips, and changes made last minute. If we had not paid a lot of money to come run for the Star Wars weekend, I would seriously be canceling our reservations. I know, first world problems, but we save our money to be able to splurge on things like this. It just feels like Disney just throws it in our face with not having a clear, correct calendar of closures more than a day or two out. They don't offer longer weekday hours to compensate for bigger crowds due to large parts of the park being down, and how can anyone have guessed so much would be down at one time, even in the "off" (I say with a laugh because there is no such thing anymore) season? Honestly, I think I am more upset because the Disneyland I grew up with is gone. Double digit lists of closures at various times of the year, higher prices, less in return, higher crowds all year round. My favorite and happiest place on earth has slowly lost it's place in my heart because of that, and it just makes me sad.

 

[emily94]

Thanks for the info. I have gone through the DTD/GC entry. I was just thinking if we wanted to make a "straight" shot from say the hotel to the Snowfest area in CA (or vice versa), it seems longer to walk through DTD, security and through the regular entrance which often has line to enter throughout the day, and hang a left down to the Hollywood area, vs. going through the hotel entrance, and cutting through Condor Flats to Hollywood. Or if we use the hotel entrance, we will have to go way up and around by Little Mermaid and down past Carsland to get to Hollywood. We use to stay off site and walk upwards of a mile each way to the parks, a couple times a day, so we are not opposed to walking. We just were looking forward to being as close as you can get by staying at GC this time, and taking advantage of the convenience. I am sure it isn't that much difference, I am just being petty because I am annoyed with all the other closures and increased crowds it will push into other attractions.

I stayed at the DLH a couple days ago and took advantage of the early entry at DCA one today - if you're planning on doing this and going to Frozen, definitely go thru the front gate of DCA! There was not that many people and we were able to que up quickly for Cars Land (and people going to Frozen Fun could as well). Once we were almost in Cars Land, we saw a HUGE wall of people coming around the Pier from GCH!

 

[Malcon10t]

EDITED: Ok, I just saw that the Red Creek Trail is now CLOSED this week??? When did that happen? I swear I have been checking that up until a couple weeks ago.

I've seen it on the list since about the 20th of Dec.

how can anyone have guessed so much would be down at one time, even in the "off" (I say with a laugh because there is no such thing anymore) season? Honestly, I think I am more upset because the Disneyland I grew up with is gone. Double digit lists of closures at various times of the year, higher prices, less in return, higher crowds all year round. My favorite and happiest place on earth has slowly lost it's place in my heart because of that, and it just makes me sad.

This happens every year at this time, and every year people say the same thing. However, hotels are cheaper at this time of the year (even the DLR offer 25-30% discounts on rooms at this time of the year.) And this time of year is when you will find tickets discounted. (Some years you get an extra day, or pay kids' prices.) Character meals are discounted during this time. And the crowds are lighter, even though they may not be a light as they were before the 50th.

 

[adykate]

I guess I just missed it when looking at the schedule over Christmas time.

I understand the winter months often see heavy refurbs, and especially so with the 60th on the horizon. Last year we planned a trip the first week of May and were taken aback by how much was closed then. The anniversary was cited as the reason then too. There was heavy discussion online about how much there was, even for a "typical" winter refurb schedule, but this year is even worse. This year we decided to do the Star Wars races, which puts us there smack in the middle of winter and anniversary stuff. I guess I was ignorant to think they would hold off on some of the refurbs until after the Star Wars race weekend, since it is also a holiday weekend. I also had no idea they would close down large sections of the park, so not only are rides closed, but crowds are forced into fewer walk through areas.

Yes, it is our choice to go when we do, or not go at all. I am just frustrated, as others seem to be, that Disney does not give people much advance warning about closures. In my opinion, it seems Disney could do some kind of compensation for the large change in what people can see and do when they have that many things closed. Yes hotel prices are not obscene like in "high season", but something like offering to have the Pooh or UP characters at a set location somewhere else in the park since their areas are down would be great. Or having some extra, not always seen characters out and about to create some fun, unexpected magic. What bothers me is they just don't seem to care how much closures affect people. People have favorite characters, or restaurants, or rides, and when many of those are down or unavailable at once, it just gets very frustrating. I get it, it is a business, but it starts to lose some magic when it feels like they are only in it for the money. I love Disneyland because it does have more magic than any other theme park, for a variety of reasons. But over the past couple years it just seems saving money by increasing ticket prices but canceling shows, closing 'lands', leaving rides down for long lengths of time, and shortening hours, has become first and foremost for them. Just a sign of the times I guess, but very depressing.

 

[01spirit750]

Ady
I understand it can be frustrating.

But there is another thread about why is Indy even operating with all the issues the ride is having. I recall others claiming that certain rides should be closed or refurb'd.

I think DIsney does its best not to impact the busiest times (summer months) so thats why they do most of the refurbs during the winter.

I also understand you have your favorite times to go which might not sync up with others favorite times to go.

I think the best way to let managment know is to call and cancel your trip and clearly tell them that there is no value in you going due to all the closures.

 

[AZMermaid]

My understanding is the closures were the reason for Olafs snow thing and all the Frozen stuff that popped up before Christmas. It's not much, but at least they addressed it.

But, I get it. We are staying at GCV and between that and the castle bring covered (which they are waiting until after this weekend to do, so there's that at least) we are going to be doing a LOT of extra walking. That's kind of annoying, but we will earn an extra Mickey bar!

 

[adykate]

I just wanted to post and say that I ended up being able to cancel our GC reservation without penalty- thank you to very nice people at Orbitz and Disney! Due to nonrefundable airline tickets we are never able to cancel a trip without a huge $ loss, but it made me feel better that at least we would save some money on lodging, if we could not do all the things we had originally booked onsite to do.

Also, and more importantly, we had, quite possibly, our best few hours ever in the parks tonight! My girls love the characters, and we always have autograph papers or story books for them to sign. Within 10 minutes in the park we happened upon Peter Pan, who we have never seen, along with Alice and the Mad Hatter by the wishing well. They all were so interactive with my girls, despite a long line of people. Then we rode a couple rides with minimal lines and headed to Toon Town. Several characters were out, as we typically find, but the best part is we closed down Minnie's house. My girls got a ton of time to play in her house, with very few people in it, while waiting for our turn to see Minnie. They had an absolute ball! It was a wonderful evening, and reminded me that the Disney magic can sometimes find you, just when you need it most.

 

[AZMermaid]

That's great news! Was Peter Pan at the wishing well? That's closed when we go next month but we are hoping to find him. My son wants to wear his Peter Pan costume!