GCH Shortcut Closure?

[dreeger]

I read on another thread that the GCH "shortcut" from PPH was closed. We are staying at PPH next month and I would like to learn what this means.

We were just at DL last month (candlelight weekend, ugh), stayed at GCH, and we were able to enter CA and DTD from GCH. Which of these is no longer available?

Thanks!

 

[ParkHopper1]

They redid the security so you now enter security checkpoints before heading into DTD and eliminated the bag check on the DTD side of the Esplanade. With that, they added a bag check point and metal detectors at the GCH to DTD walkway. To keep that from backing up for GCH guests, they now only allow only GCH guests to enter the front doors of the Grand from the street. PPH and off site guests now need to walk 800' more and enter DTD between Early of Sandwich and DLH, no more cutting through the Grand heading into the parks. The GCH to DCA gate which was open to all resort guests before 11am is now just GCH guest before 11am.

The DTD to GCH and DCA to GCH walkways remain unchanged...anyone can come and go as always through those two access points...and you can still exit the Grand to head back to the PPH, just no longer can you enter the GCH front lobby doors as a shortcut on your way in.

The plus to that is security is now a breeze and there is free flowing access from the parks to DTD...down side is a bit longer walk into the parks.

 

[Malcon10t]

There are new security areas to enter DTD. Because of the small area inside DCA, you cannot enter the GCH thru the front doors. The fastest way from the PPH is to exit the back door of the PPH, turn right and follow the path to Earl of Sandwich. Enter thru the tents there. If you want to use the DCA gate inside GCH, then enter the Grand at the entry by Sephora.

 

[dreeger]

They redid the security so you now enter security checkpoints before heading into DTD and eliminated the bag check on the DTD side of the Esplanade. With that, they added a bag check point and metal detectors at the GCH to DTD walkway. To keep that from backing up for GCH guests, they now only allow only GCH guests to enter the front doors of the Grand from the street. PPH and off site guests now need to walk 800' more and enter DTD between Early of Sandwich and DLH, no more cutting through the Grand heading into the parks. The GCH to DCA gate which was open to all resort guests before 11am is now just GCH guest before 11am.

The DTD to GCH and DCA to GCH walkways remain unchanged...anyone can come and go as always through those two access points...and you can still exit the Grand to head back to the PPH, just no longer can you enter the GCH front lobby doors as a shortcut on your way in.

The plus to that is security is now a breeze and there is free flowing access from the parks to DTD...down side is a bit longer walk into the parks.

Thank you. That makes sense. They were actually building the security area by Earl of Sandwich when we were there. So it sounds like resort guests can still use the GCH to DCA entrance, but not before 11a, so no access for EMH.

So, for EMH at DL, does it make more sense to take the monorail into tomorrowland, rather than walking down to the main gate and through main street? We have never stayed at PPH, usually stay offsite and have stayed at DLH and GCH, so I am trying to factor in the walking time from PPH.

 

[Niltiac]

So, for EMH at DL, does it make more sense to take the monorail into tomorrowland, rather than walking down to the main gate and through main street? We have never stayed at PPH, usually stay offsite and have stayed at DLH and GCH, so I am trying to factor in the walking time from PPH.

Geographically that kind of makes sense, since you'll be passing the monorail terminal on your way in anyway, but I don't think this would be generally advisable. I'm not 100% sure the monorail runs during EMH - hopefully someone else can fill in that detail. But even if it does I wouldn't rely on it in the morning because I've seen reports that it doesn't always get up a running right at opening, and sometimes it doesn't pass it's safety checks so they don't open it, but those waiting in line don't know this until at or after official opening time, and then they lose valuable morning time as they walk to the regular turnstiles after opening. If you're running late and you're headed in after opening time, and you can see that it's running, then it would make sense. But if you plan to get there pre-opening, it might be waste of time.

 

[calilou]

We stay at DLH regularly, but it has been several months and not since the security changes. However, I do know that the monorail has always run during EMH. The line can be long though so plan for that. We enjoy arriving into the park on the monorail so don't mind the wait.

 

[the donut]

Interesting! Has this made the line in the morning from GCH into DCA any shorter? We've always avoided it since the line was slow moving and could back up past the pool.

 

[Malcon10t]

Thank you. That makes sense. They were actually building the security area by Earl of Sandwich when we were there. So it sounds like resort guests can still use the GCH to DCA entrance, but not before 11a, so no access for EMH.

So, for EMH at DL, does it make more sense to take the monorail into tomorrowland, rather than walking down to the main gate and through main street? We have never stayed at PPH, usually stay offsite and have stayed at DLH and GCH, so I am trying to factor in the walking time from PPH.

I would not take the monorail if the goal is to get in early. The monorail has limited capacity and if might take a couple monorails to get everyone in.

Interesting! Has this made the line in the morning from GCH into DCA any shorter? We've always avoided it since the line was slow moving and could back up past the pool.

It has made it shorter, but we prefer using the main gate if attempting to get in early. Security still doesn't open until the park opens, whereas security to DTD opens at 5am.

 

[momto2]

They redid the security so you now enter security checkpoints before heading into DTD and eliminated the bag check on the DTD side of the Esplanade. With that, they added a bag check point and metal detectors at the GCH to DTD walkway. To keep that from backing up for GCH guests, they now only allow only GCH guests to enter the front doors of the Grand from the street. PPH and off site guests now need to walk 800' more and enter DTD between Early of Sandwich and DLH, no more cutting through the Grand heading into the parks. The GCH to DCA gate which was open to all resort guests before 11am is now just GCH guest before 11am.

The DTD to GCH and DCA to GCH walkways remain unchanged...anyone can come and go as always through those two access points...and you can still exit the Grand to head back to the PPH, just no longer can you enter the GCH front lobby doors as a shortcut on your way in.

I remember that once you got in the GCH there was a security check directly into DTD and one into DCA. is the only way to get to either of them through the front door?

 

[mom2rtk]

I remember that once you got in the GCH there was a security check directly into DTD and one into DCA. is the only way to get to either of them through the front door?

Previously there was a security check at the entrance to the esplanade, and a security check at the DCA entrance. The entrance to DTD was just an entrance with no security.

You can only enter the GCH through DTD, DCA or the front door. And you now cannot enter the front doors unless you are a registered guest or have an ADR (checked on a list).

 

[dreeger]

Post trip update about the walk from PPH:

Just back from a quick President's Day weekend trip, stayed at PPH. Was a little nervous without the "shortcut" through GCH, but really it was no big deal. The walk was maybe a couple hundred steps further than staying at DLH. And you can still cut through the grand if you want to from DCA or DTD on your way back to PPH. When we were in DCA, we did cut through the grand, and when we were in DL, we took the monorail and walked out security at ESPN to the back entrance of PPH.

One thing I did question is whether it would be worth a few more steps to walk around ESPN and use the security entrance in the DTD parking lot for EMH. One morning we made it to security 20 minutes prior to EMH and it took 15 minutes just to get through security at DLH/DTD because a lot of people were there at that time. When we walked past ESPN inside DTD we noticed that the parking lot security gate was nearly empty and people were able to walk through immediately. Might see if that's an option next time.

Will post a review in a bit, because despite the crowd craziness, we had a magical weekend and service at PPH was amazing!