Just got back-10 useful random tips

[MillauFr]

Every time we have taken Lyft to the Grand they looked up our room reservation or Napa Rose reservation. I'm guessing they wouldn't have let us through otherwise.

 

[lalasmama]

2. If you are staying off property, uber to Grand Californian Hotel and its entrance or DD using monorail.

Just want to clarify--they let you go through Grand Californian Hotel without reservations or a room?

 

[Tiggr88]

Is the general recommendation still to go to the front gates for early access anyway even if staying at the Grand Californian? We'll be there next week and most advice seems to say that it takes longer to get in from the hotel entrance so we should go to the front gate.

 

[mort1331]

Who do you ask to pilot the river boat

 

[smartlabelprint]

Is the general recommendation still to go to the front gates for early access anyway even if staying at the Grand Californian? We'll be there next week and most advice seems to say that it takes longer to get in from the hotel entrance so we should go to the front gate.

Yes. Main gate.

 

[BriannaRuth]

Who do you ask to pilot the river boat

There's a CM standing on the Mark Twain dock. Ask him or her. You may get the next boat or you may have to wait one boat.

By the way, be aware that if you do pilot the Mark Twain you must go up a fairly narrow and fairly steep set of stairs (there are handrails) and there is no place to sit once you're at the top. Just FYI if anyone is mobility impaired.

 

[Malcon10t]

There's a CM standing on the Mark Twain dock. Ask him or her. You may get the next boat or you may have to wait one boat.

By the way, be aware that if you do pilot the Mark Twain you must go up a fairly narrow and fairly steep set of stairs (there are handrails) and there is no place to sit once you're at the top. Just FYI if anyone is mobility impaired.

My son proposed to his wife in the wheelhouse.

And nieces loved going up and "steering".

 

[l4dyj8]

You can use the grand entrance to DCA in the AM ONLY if you are staying at the grand. One time we were at DCA and I went to white water to get a coffee or something, then tried to come back and and they refused. I was an AP holder staying at PPH.

Good to know! It used to say Resort guest for AM entrance. I also thought, with your receipt you would have been ok.

We don’t bother checking anymore and just use the main gate if we are staying at PPH or DH.

 

[Malcon10t]

Oh, and they only allow 4 people in the wheelhouse.

 

[Tiggr88]

I’m here now and a little confused. If I follow the signs on the lobby to DCA it takes me to the entrance from the hotel which I am trying to avoid. When I follow the signs to downtown Disney or Disneyland, it takes me to another exit from the hotel where I need to go through what looks like a small security line. Is there another way to exit the hotel and get to the main gate of either park?

 

[TinkerTay]

I’m here now and a little confused. If I follow the signs on the lobby to DCA it takes me to the entrance from the hotel which I am trying to avoid. When I follow the signs to downtown Disney or Disneyland, it takes me to another exit from the hotel where I need to go through what looks like a small security line. Is there another way to exit the hotel and get to the main gate of either park?

You’ll have to go through security either way, whether to DCA, or to DTD, which is the way you’ll walk through to get to the main park gates. From GCH, it’s either direct to DCA, or DTD, there isn’t really another direct way to DL.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I’m here now and a little confused. If I follow the signs on the lobby to DCA it takes me to the entrance from the hotel which I am trying to avoid. When I follow the signs to downtown Disney or Disneyland, it takes me to another exit from the hotel where I need to go through what looks like a small security line. Is there another way to exit the hotel and get to the main gate of either park?

You'll need to go through the Downtown exit to get to the esplanade between the two parks' main entrances. When you exit the Grand Californian, turn right, go past the entrance to World of Disney and La Brea restaurant and you'll see the ticket booths ahead of you.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Just want to clarify--they let you go through Grand Californian Hotel without reservations or a room?

No, you have to have restaurant reservations or hotel stay reservation for Uber to drop you off. To go to the parks it's better to have Uber drop you off at the Harbor guest drop-off location

 

[lalasmama]

No, you have to have restaurant reservations or hotel stay reservation for Uber to drop you off. To go to the parks it's better to have Uber drop you off at the Harbor guest drop-off location

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I understand completely The original poster said s/he just got back, and recommended it. Thags why I was trying to clarify.