Newbie trip

[tyler D]

need some advice. We are planning the last week of April. Probably
Mid week Tues - Thurs. maybe Friday. We will get the EMH to DCA as were staying on property.

What do you all suggest?

Grand California Or PPH

And how far is PPH to walk to GCH park enterance if we stay there?

Those should be slower days correct?

Thanks

 

[l4dyj8]

Mid week is always better than the weekend. The price difference between the two hotels are significant. It's a personal choice.
PPH is directly right across the street from GCH. Easy walk. We always cross through GCH entrance/lobby to get to the park when we stay at PPH.

It's nice to stay at GCH. The service and location can't be beat. Rates are a whole different but significant issue.

 

[tyler D]

yea we can do both but was curious if it was that much better for a few nights

 

[figment_jii]

Mondays through Thursday are generally quieter than Friday through Sunday. The main reason to include a Friday would be to see fireworks and/or Fantasmic!. Those are only presented on weekend days during the non-peak periods of the year.

If you stay on-site, you get access to EMH in DCA and DL. DL's EMH/MM is generally on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. DCA's EMH is generally on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

I don't have the distances to the GCH's DCA entrance handy, but it's 0.27 miles from the GCH Lobby to the DLR Main Gate (Esplanade) and 0.48 miles from the PPH Lobby to the DLR Main Gate (via the GCH). Most folks generally recommend using the main entrance to DCA instead of the GCH entrance, but there are far fewer ticket gates at the GCH so that can actually be slower than the main gate.

 

[tyler D]

Our main concern it being able to hit RSR I hear the lines are insane. Is th still a huge wait if we stay offsite and go when the park actually opens?

Thanks

 

[cherice95403]

I highly recommend the Grand. I utilize the EMH every day and love being able to walk in and out of DCA from the hotel. However, if you are going to DCA on a non EMH day and are at rope drop 30ish minutes before they open you will definitely be able to get into RSR with a minimal wait. I would recommend going on Friday to get in Fantasmic!

 

[Travelingmom22]

I would go with GCH if you can swing it, and I would recommend checking out Orbitz, you can use their 15% off (TAKEABREAK) code to get a discount. You can save even more if you create an Orbitz Rewards account and use Ebates, which I did last week when I booked our stay at DLH for the last week of April. I will get around $95 in cash back between the two and I saved 15%.