Non-guest enter through Grand California entrance?

[scrapbunny]

I'm sure this has been asked but I can't find a thread on it so thought I would ask I saw in a few posts people say that anyone can use the Grand Californian entrance to DCA when it is non Early Entry. Is this true? Like if I went to lunch in Downtown Disney I could come into DCA through the Grand Californian entrance with my Annual Pass? I thought non hotel guests could only exit through there.

 

[Mel522]

You can not use it when the park is opening. That time is restricted to just Disney hotel guests. After the park has been open for a while, then everyone else can use it. So yes, you can use it coming back from lunch.

 

[cmwade77]

Actually they have been a bit more strict on this. Of course you cannot use it for early entry if not staying at the hotels. Most people won't notice a change, but you are only allowed to use this entrance as a non guest if you have either been in DCA already that day or are eating at one of the hotels.

They may make exceptions to the rule, but that is up to the CM there at the time.

 

[Malcon10t]

You can not use it when the park is opening. That time is restricted to just Disney hotel guests. After the park has been open for a while, then everyone else can use it. So yes, you can use it coming back from lunch.

This has been our experience. Generally, before 10am you need to use the front gate, but after the park has been open an hour, they allow everyone to use the hotel gate.

 

[scrapbunny]

Thanks so much for the quick replies! This board is AWESOME! I think we will take the chance on one of the days and see. We will be there January 1-6 so I'm thinking they may be more by the book. Thanks again

 

[Briarrose1306]

I was given 11am as the open time for the GCH gates for non Disney Hotel staying guests from a CM in October. After 11am anyone can use it. Before 11am you must be a Disney Hotel guest or been having a meal there like breakfast at Storytellers.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Officially the GCH entrance to the park is only open to resort guests and GCH restaurant patrons...in reality, during non peak times...such as after 11a and non holidays, they really don't check and allow anyone through as they want folks to wander into the GCH lobby to check it out and get the urge to stay there. Unless you are headed through in the AM...you will be fine...if not, just pop into White Water Snacks, buy a drink and show the receipt to get through!

 

[mjlum]

Scrapbunny - what was your experience in using the Grand CA entrance in the morning? We are also looking to do the same thing. make quite a difference in distance between going to the Grand CA entrance vs the main entrance.

Thanks!!

 

[kerickson]

We did this during Christmas week. The lines in the early evening to get into DCA were horrendous so we walked through the Grand entrance with no wait at all. It's a bit of a hike to get back to the entrance, so it's probably only worth it if you are coming from DDD or the hotel itself. We are VGC owners so I think that justified us using the entrance in our mind

 

[Magalex]

Just so I understand as a first timer this is only for the GCH to DCA. We are staying at Stovall's Inn in July we can always go in GCH to DTD then to each park. Is that correct?

 

[ParkHopper1]

Just so I understand as a first timer this is only for the GCH to DCA. We are staying at Stovall's Inn in July we can always go in GCH to DTD then to each park. Is that correct?

That is correct. When you enter GCH hotel from the street, you can either head to the DTD entrance which will go to the esplanade and is open to anyone and everyone, or you can go directly to the CA Adventure entrance which is only open to resort guests and patrons of GCH restaurants, however that restriction is really only enforced in the AM and during peak times. Mid day, they will let anyone through.

Anyone, guest or not, can exit CA adventure and head into the GCH hotel.