Non DLR Hotel Guests and the GCH DCA Entrance

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

When we stayed at the GCH in September, they were really, really strict about having us show our hotel key each time we wanted to use the direct entrance from GCH into DCA. I've read that in addition to showing a room key, a receipt from Whitewater Snacks, the gift shop, or one of the hotel restaurants will work for entry. Has anyone tried this recently? Was your receipt for a $3 water or something more substantial? I'm staying off-site for my conference and I'm curious about the protocol.

Thanks for the help!!!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Eight hours until I need to decided whether to try for the GCH entrance with a receipt or go around and through security to the plaza! Anyone with any information on the viability of using a reciept rather than a room key?

 

[jetskigrl]

I have used the entrance a couple of times within the last month and they did not ask for either a key or a receipt (we had our receipt from Whitewater, just in case).

The sign was still there saying that the entrance is only for guests of the hotels, but I don't think they worry about others using that entrance later in the day. They probably still do check in the morning because of the early access to the WOC FP's.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I have used the entrance a couple of times within the last month and they did not ask for either a key or a receipt (we had our receipt from Whitewater, just in case).

The sign was still there saying that the entrance is only for guests of the hotels, but I don't think they worry about others using that entrance later in the day. They probably still do check in the morning because of the early access to the WOC FP's.

Most excellent! Thanks so much for your reply! That will save me a good ten minutes and will help me decide whether I have time to go by my hotel before heading to DCA to get my WOC picnic (which has to be picked up an hour prior to the show).

 

[jescal75]

I have stayed at the GH 3 times and have never been asked to show a key to enter DCA

 

[PrincessMaleficent]

We were there over the weekend and they never asked to see anything.

 

[twopeasonepod]

When we were going in this morning, we had to show our room key (as we have the whole time we've been here -- since 10/30). A couple of times they even checked the dates. I saw them turn away two women today that didn't have a key -- but I don't think they tried to show a receipt. The words were "you have to have a room key to get in...".

 

[mitchwebb]

We were there a couple of months ago and they made us go back inside Storytellers to get our reciept

 

[PinkBudgie]

Last summer we ate lunch at Whitewater. We went through the exit but they never asked to see a receipt or room key. We thought maybe they just checked in the morning and maybe by afternoon when that exit was very uncrowded they didn't care.

 

[Funball]

We were there a couple of months ago and them made us go back inside Storytellers to get our reciept

Yep..maybe a couple months ago when World of Color was like showing 3 times a day they would of asked for a room key or recoiept of proof that you ate somewhere in the hotel.. but like jen said she was just here and she didn’t have to show anything, so maybe they took the strict rule off , who knows. But I do know that it was like that a while ago.. I did what I think most people have done, was eat a snack at WWS even if it was a cheese stick and chips, you still ate there and that receipt worked to get me back into DCA from GCH.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Last summer we ate lunch at Whitewater. We went through the exit but they never asked to see a receipt or room key. We thought maybe they just checked in the morning and maybe by afternoon when that exit was very uncrowded they didn't care.

We had the opposite experience in August where we were checked everytime we went thru the DCA entrance. They even had two CM's at the entrance checking leys, receipts, etc brfore you approched the turnstiles. Looks like everyones experiences are bit different.

Jack

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I believe the checking of room keys and receipts this summer was directly related to WoC.

I use this entrance all the time, and this summer was the first time I was ever asked to show anything. While chatting with the CM, he told us it was just because WoC was new and there was an increase of hotel guests using the entrance, especially in the morning. He also said we could just go buy a cookie or soda at Whitewater and then he could let us in. But like other posters have said, that was only once in the summer, and I've been back a number of times and haven't been asked to show anything.

That being said, I'm pretty sure they're still checking first thing in the morning because of the WoC fastpasses. But after the park has been open a while I'd imagine they'd stop checking.

 

[Flitterific]

I was there on the weekend on Oct 22-25 and used the entrance twice during those few days. Both times we were the only ones using the entrance and the CMs didn't bother to ask us for receipts or anything. Like PP mentioned, CMs are more likely to check for receipts/key cards when the entrance is busy. I believe they are also more strict during the mornings when people try to use the GCH entrance as a shortcut to get WoC FPs so you'll probably want to avoid it in the mornings just to be safe.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Thank you for all your responses! When I went through just before 7:00, I walked straight on in without needing a hotel key or a receipt. The sign saying that the entrance is for hotel guests only is still front and center, so maybe they enforce it more in the morning hours.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Thank you for all your responses! When I went through just before 7:00, I walked straight on in without needing a hotel key or a receipt. The sign saying that the entrance is for hotel guests only is still front and center, so maybe they enforce it more in the morning hours.

That sign has been there for years even before they enforced the rule.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

That sign has been there for years even before they enforced the rule.

Huh. Maybe it just never made much of an impact on me on my previous trips since they never enforced it or because we've always stayed onsite. . It's strange to be staying offsite this time, but I'm glad I'm so close to the convention center! I never seem to have a problem waking up for a morning in the parks, but as much as I'm looking forward to the conference this morning, its just not the same and I'm dragging! Can't wait for the special event at DCA tonight, though!

 

[PinkBudgie]

I had walked by it without really seeing it and then one time I stopped to look at it. But by that time we had gone in and out to WW snacks alot and never had any problem.

Hope you had fun!

 

[jennynoel]

I've used this entrance many times both when staying at GCH and not. They are sometimes strict about it in the morning, but I've never had them ask for room key or anything later in the day.

We like to go to Storyteller's for lunch or dinner and always head right back in with no problems.

HTH,
Jenny

 

[Funball]

well i think we all can agree that entrance/exit is convienant in many ways!

 

[taaren]

It seems to depend on the time of day/how busy they are. We stayed for a week at our villa last month and on the weekdays they only checked in the mornings, and not at all in the evenings, then on the weekend they checked morning and afternoon, but not in the evening. Apparently that was Columbus day weekend and they were booked solid, so they became more stringent. (Also kinda wonder if it doesn't depend on how vigilant the particular CMs you get are ...)