Paradise Pier and Grand California rules

[AuntieKels]

I've hear you can't walk from PP through GCH to the park gates. I'm wondering, we enjoy picking up White Water Snacks on our way back to the hotel for a rest, can we exit the front door as paying guests or do we need to go back into Downtown Disney and around?

We've never stayed at PP and would love any tips/tricks/suggestions!

 

[Malcon10t]

Yes, you can exit out without issue. We do it all the time. You can enter the Grand either thru the DCA gate or thru the entrance by Sephora.

I've hear you can't walk from PP through GCH to the park gates. I'm wondering, we enjoy picking up White Water Snacks on our way back to the hotel for a rest, can we exit the front door as paying guests or do we need to go back into Downtown Disney and around?

We've never stayed at PP and would love any tips/tricks/suggestions!

 

[Mommb]

Entrance through the Grand Californian to Disney's California Adventure in the morning may be restricted to hotel guests. Exit into the Grand Californian from DCA and exit from Grand Californian out the front entrance toward Paradise Pier are, as Malcon10t said, not a problem at any time.

 

[DLgal]

You just can't walk out the front door of PP and into the front door of GCH. Anyone can exit the GCH via the front door and anyone can enter via DCA or Downtown Disney. Only GCH guests may enter DCA from the Grand during morning EMH. Those are the only restrictions in place.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

You just can't walk out the front door of PP and into the front door of GCH. Anyone can exit the GCH via the front door and anyone can enter via DCA or Downtown Disney. Only GCH guests may enter DCA from the Grand during morning EMH. Those are the only restrictions in place.

I thought the entrance from GCH into DCA was for GCH guests only all the time. We were at DLH this past June and we didn't even try after checking out the GCH lobby one afternoon. I told my wife it was restricted to GCH guests only. So my question: Was it EVER restricted to GCH guests all day? My only other time to DLR was 10 years ago, and I remember being turned away mid-afternoon from the side entrance.

Thanks!

 

[ParkHopper1]

I thought the entrance from GCH into DCA was for GCH guests only all the time. We were at DLH this past June and we didn't even try after checking out the GCH lobby one afternoon. I told my wife it was restricted to GCH guests only. So my question: Was it EVER restricted to GCH guests all day?

Officially the DCA gate from the GCH is exclusive to resort guest only. In practice, that is only enforced until 11am each day then they do not restrict access....and that 11am enforcement is not even always in place depending on how busy it is. There will be a cast member checking room cards before you even hit the security tables...so if they are not there it is free sailing for all.

The whole point of the restricted entry into the front doors of GCH and entry into DCA gate is so that off site guests do not enter the GCH lobby as a shortcut then jam up the security lines for actual resort guests trying to enter DTD or DCA

 

[DLgal]

I thought the entrance from GCH into DCA was for GCH guests only all the time. We were at DLH this past June and we didn't even try after checking out the GCH lobby one afternoon. I told my wife it was restricted to GCH guests only. So my question: Was it EVER restricted to GCH guests all day? My only other time to DLR was 10 years ago, and I remember being turned away mid-afternoon from the side entrance.

Thanks!

We stayed at CGH for 3 nights over 4th of July week. At no point did we have to show a room key to enter DCA, even right at official opening time. We didn't do morning EMH, but my understanding is that is the one time you absolutely have to show your GCH room key to enter the park that way.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

You just can't walk out the front door of PP and into the front door of GCH. Anyone can exit the GCH via the front door and anyone can enter via DCA or Downtown Disney. Only GCH guests may enter DCA from the Grand during morning EMH. Those are the only restrictions in place.

So what happens if you are doing a split stay between Paradise Pier and the Grand Californian? I am reading in other threads that there is a gate across the pathway between the two resorts.

I'm making an assumption here that since I will have proof of a confirmed reservation at VGC, I'll be able to enter at the gate/entrance to the Grand Californian from PPH, even if it is in the morning.

 

[Malcon10t]

So what happens if you are doing a split stay between Paradise Pier and the Grand Californian? I am reading in other threads that there is a gate across the pathway between the two resorts.

I'm making an assumption here that since I will have proof of a confirmed reservation at VGC, I'll be able to enter at the gate/entrance to the Grand Californian from PPH, even if it is in the morning.

You will need your room key from the Grand. There is a slot you slide it to open the gate.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

You will need your room key from the Grand. There is a slot you slide it to open the gate.

I will not have a room key from the Grand until I am able to enter the Grand to check in.

This is oddly reminiscent of those companies that tell you to report internet outages using their website.

 

[limace]

When it’s your check in day I think you just tell them when you go to enter and they’ll look you up-at least that’s what we did for us last time, though that happened for us at parking with the kiosk guard.

 

[DLgal]

So what happens if you are doing a split stay between Paradise Pier and the Grand Californian? I am reading in other threads that there is a gate across the pathway between the two resorts.

I'm making an assumption here that since I will have proof of a confirmed reservation at VGC, I'll be able to enter at the gate/entrance to the Grand Californian from PPH, even if it is in the morning.

Be prepared to show your reservation confirmation and an ID.

 

[Malcon10t]

I will not have a room key from the Grand until I am able to enter the Grand to check in.

This is oddly reminiscent of those companies that tell you to report internet outages using their website.

There is an intercom. Follow the directions on how to use it (it is kind of weird.) Then you can tell the guard you are checking in, adn they will buzz the gate to let you in.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

When it’s your check in day I think you just tell them when you go to enter and they’ll look you up-at least that’s what we did for us last time, though that happened for us at parking with the kiosk guard.

Be prepared to show your reservation confirmation and an ID.

There is an intercom. Follow the directions on how to use it (it is kind of weird.) Then you can tell the guard you are checking in, adn they will buzz the gate to let you in.

Thank you everyone!

Now to just wait for my trip.... *twiddles thumbs*

 

[asumom]

Do you have to insert your room key when exiting the gate (walking from front of grand Californian to Paradise Pier)?

 

[crystal1313]

Do you have to insert your room key when exiting the gate (walking from front of grand Californian to Paradise Pier)?

No, we exited from the Grand at the gate in September 2019 and did not need a key to exit.

 

[asumom]

No, we exited from the Grand at the gate in September 2019 and did not need a key to exit.

Thanks