Grand Californian Entrance

[dr&momto2boys]

Do they let you in to be held back at a different rope than the front gate? Is it at least equally as good for getting to Radiator Springs Racers if that's where we're heading first?
What time do people start lining up for entering the park here?
Thanks!

 

[longboard55]

They have a rope next to Ariels. A lot less crowded. If you are going to Radiator springs cut through the food court

 

[dr&momto2boys]

They have a rope next to Ariels. A lot less crowded. If you are going to Radiator springs cut through the food court

Is the walk to Cars Land about the same distance as the main rope?
Do you know what time to get in line or the time they start letting people through the turnstiles at GCH?
Thanks!

 

[RunnerMom71]

It's much faster to line up near Carthay Circle from the GCH hotel entrance to get to RSR vs the rope drop at Ariel's.

Just turn left when you get inside DCA to line up!

 

[JavaDuck]

When we were there in December for an 8am opening we arrived at the GCH entrance at 7am and were the first in line, by 7:15 there was a line of about 30 people. They let us through the turnstiles at 7:30. Once you enter the park you can go right towards the Little Mermaid ride and wait there at a rope or you can go left and head to the front of the park to the rope at Carthay Circle. If you're plan is Radiator Racers I would line up at the Carthay Circle rope. If your plan is Pixar Pier, I would do the Little Mermaid rope. Have a great trip.

 

[senoragilbert]

I was reading advice not to use the GCH entrance in the morning. Is it really going to be a slower start vs. the main entrance? And if anyone knows when is a good time to get there to be even with the main entrance rope drop, I’d be so grateful!

 

[JavaDuck]

I was reading advice not to use the GCH entrance in the morning. Is it really going to be a slower start vs. the main entrance? And if anyone knows when is a good time to get there to be even with the main entrance rope drop, I’d be so grateful!

I would be at the GCH entrance an hour before park opening so you are one of the first ones through the turnstiles.

 

[senoragilbert]

I would be at the GCH entrance an hour before park opening so you are one of the first ones through the turnstiles.

Thanks!

 

[Dug720]

If I may piggyback... If I have a 7am ADR at Storytellers, may I use the GC entrance to DCA (yes, I have a park reservation for there that day) after eating? Or will I be made to go to the main entrance because I'm not staying at the GC?

 

[longboard55]

If I may piggyback... If I have a 7am ADR at Storytellers, may I use the GC entrance to DCA (yes, I have a park reservation for there that day) after eating? Or will I be made to go to the main entrance because I'm not staying at the GC?

My experience is they check room keys in the morning but you could try with your dining receipt. You would be a hotel guest

 

[Dug720]

My experience is they check room keys in the morning but you could try with your dining receipt. You would be a hotel guest

Thank you. I figure with a 7am breakfast I won't be making rope drop at 8, so hopefully it wouldn't be an issue. I'll report back after my trip.

 

[JWelch62]

They have a rope next to Ariels. A lot less crowded. If you are going to Radiator springs cut through the food court

We tried this last weekend. They will redirect you to the back of the line coming in from the main entrance. I would suggest that you enter from the main gate if RSR is your objective.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

When we were there in December for an 8am opening we arrived at the GCH entrance at 7am and were the first in line, by 7:15 there was a line of about 30 people. They let us through the turnstiles at 7:30. Once you enter the park you can go right towards the Little Mermaid ride and wait there at a rope or you can go left and head to the front of the park to the rope at Carthay Circle. If you're plan is Radiator Racers I would line up at the Carthay Circle rope. If your plan is Pixar Pier, I would do the Little Mermaid rope. Have a great trip.

Exactly the information that I was looking for. Thank you so much!

 

[shosh1530]

If I may piggyback... If I have a 7am ADR at Storytellers, may I use the GC entrance to DCA (yes, I have a park reservation for there that day) after eating? Or will I be made to go to the main entrance because I'm not staying at the GC?

On our two most stays at the Grand (last week and June), we were never asked for our room keys when entering DCA. but we usually entered either shortly before or after park opening.

 

[katherine52478]

Is it Grand Californian guests only or can Disneyland hotel guests use the GCA entrance at rope drop?

 

[BadPinkTink]

I was in California Adventures yesterday Monday 31 January. The main turnstiles were open and they scanned me through at 7.30am for 8am opening. They then held people at the rope at Carthy Circle and Hollywood Land. The walkway to Soarin, which leads to Grand California entrance was open. I went to Soarin and got in line and then at 8am we were led into Soarin. I saw people coming from Grand California entrance past Soarin and over to Carthy Circle area.

To me, there seems to be no advantage, other than convenience to using using the Grand California entrance. I was on the first Soarin, only about 20 people ahead of me. It is just a shorter walk into the park, then leaving Grand California at Downtown Disney, going to the main entrance and then doubling back to get to a rope drop area.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Thanks, everyone! Sounds like this info was useful for others too. Ironically, this will no longer be an option for us anyway. We got bumped out of the 2 bedroom villa we booked. They first said, that we'd have to move from a dedicated room to a lock-off room the second night...which would stink to move. Then they said no rooms were actually available and it was a mistake that we were allowed to book it. They eventually moved our reservation the the Disneyland Hotel 2 bedroom and gave us a $250 credit to make up for it. It's nice that Disney tries to "make things right", rather than just saying, "too bad, it's not available."

 

[whoever]

Unless you are heading to the Pier, it's always much faster to go through the Esplanade vs the GCH entrance for rope drop.

 

[pharmama]

Is it Grand Californian guests only or can Disneyland hotel guests use the GCA entrance at rope drop?

Officially its for GCH guests only at rope drop. And I agree that the main advantage for this entrance would be for those headed to Pixar Pier to start.

 

[Malcon10t]

Currently, all resort hotel guests can use the DCA entrance at rope drop.