Paradise Pier guest question about early entry into DCA

[Sandan77]

so excited as changed hotels , now staying at PPH.
Looking thru the boards I came across the new no entry via GCH front door , so does that mean no special entry anymore at GCH for Disney property guests ?

 

[whoever]

I can honestly say we haven't tried for an EMH entry in years. EMH would be over by the time you got through. It only had to get worse with the new screenings so maybe they discontinued it all together?

 

[mom2rtk]

Disney property guests still get early entry each day into one park or the other. PPH guests just can't enter through GCH. You have to backtrack to the DTD security check point near Earl of Sandwich and head through DTD toward the main gates.

 

[Malcon10t]

It has always been faster to enter thru the front gate. And no, no entry thru the GCH unless you are staying onsite. You can use the entry into the park, but you need to enter the hotel via the DTD entrance. Personally, if you are heading for EMH, go to the main entrance. You have numerous gates open, and don't need to wait on screening.

 

[whoever]

Disney property guests still get early entry each day into one park or the other. PPH guests just can't enter through GCH. You have to backtrack to the DTD security check point near Earl of Sandwich and head through DTD toward the main gates.

How do they know? Your hotel isn't printed on your room key. We were never even checked for our keys going through security, only when we were at turnstiles.

 

[ParkHopper1]

How do they know? Your hotel isn't printed on your room key. We were never even checked for our keys going through security, only when we were at turnstiles.

Room keys for the Grand are now different than PPH and DLH

 

[mom2rtk]

How do they know? Your hotel isn't printed on your room key. We were never even checked for our keys going through security, only when we were at turnstiles.

They have CM's stationed out front in the mornings on the sidewalk and won't let you in the front doors if you don't have a room or ADR there.

 

[Camshell]

We stay at the Grand Californian and we never use the DCA entrance for early entry. The line is always too long and crazy inefficient to get through. We have always gone through the park entrances. I haven't been since the security changes, but I don't think you are missing anything but not being able to use it for early entry.

 

[Sandan77]

Ok thanks , we always used it with no problem in the past , even when it was not an early morning day.

Did I see u can use it to exit tho? The grizzly peak gate I mean

 

[mom2rtk]

Ok thanks , we always used it with no problem in the past , even when it was not an early morning day.

Did I see u can use it to exit tho? The grizzly peak gate I mean

Yes.

 

[Malcon10t]

How do they know? Your hotel isn't printed on your room key. We were never even checked for our keys going through security, only when we were at turnstiles.

The keys are now different colors. To enter the hotel you need to provide the correct ID at the crosswalk. Once inside the hotel, you can use the turnstiles or exit the hotel without them asking.

 

[whoever]

Room keys for the Grand are now different than PPH and DLH

The keys are now different colors. To enter the hotel you need to provide the correct ID at the crosswalk. Once inside the hotel, you can use the turnstiles or exit the hotel without them asking.

Did not know that. I thought they had just changed them universally. Interesting. They did check the DATES on ours at the gates too which they've never done before. I guess Disney finally has done what I've been saying they should have done for years. I'll have to try the GCH entrance on my next trip now that the entire DLR onsite-guests aren't crowding the Grand's entrance.

 

[Malcon10t]

Did not know that. I thought they had just changed them universally. Interesting. They did check the DATES on ours at the gates too which they've never done before. I guess Disney finally has done what I've been saying they should have done for years. I'll have to try the GCH entrance on my next trip now that the entire DLR onsite-guests aren't crowding the Grand's entrance.

It is still extremely crowded. (We had an early morning massage at Mandara and the line was wrapping back to Whitewater.) Any hotel guest can use it, but PPH and DLH guests just have to enter from the DTD entrance. I have never been asked for a room key to use the entrance since the change. I have been asked for proof to be allowed to use EMH, but even my DLH key worked. (I was coming in about 15 mins prior to the end of EMH.)

 

[whoever]

I really feel like Disney is starting to take abuse seriously. All you had to do previously is have A DLR-looking-room card for EMH. Now they check the color, dates, etc. SOLVED. Previously, the Grand's entrance for EMH was unusable (I can't comment now, but it has to be WAYYY less. Previously, bag check was a theatrics show of feigned interest. Nowadays.. it's almost TOO much. And then there are metal detectors. They aren't TSA-level of security theater, but they are darn close at keeping unwanted contraband out of the park.

 

[Delilah1310]

So if I am staying at the Grand and don't want to use the DCA entrance, I will use the DTD exit.
But security is not up by the bakery anymore?
Where is security for the DTD entrance from the Grand?

thanks in advance!

 

[Meriweather]

So if I am staying at the Grand and don't want to use the DCA entrance, I will use the DTD exit.
But security is not up by the bakery anymore?
Where is security for the DTD entrance from the Grand?

thanks in advance!

As you exit the GC, right as you get to the DtD gate

 

[whoever]

So if I am staying at the Grand and don't want to use the DCA entrance, I will use the DTD exit.
But security is not up by the bakery anymore?
Where is security for the DTD entrance from the Grand?

thanks in advance!

Immediately around the corner here:

Two lines, two metal detectors, a zillion DLR security personnel. We were the only ones going through at the time for EMH. It was magical compared to the previous location.

 

[Delilah1310]

thanks all - that helps me better understand my morning.
(cute family @whoever!)

 

[arichau]

Hi all,

I just want to make sure I have this straight. I'm staying at the DLH. So I know I'll go thru security by Earl of Sandwich. Is it true if I wanted to enter DCA by GRR (I know to not do this during early entry) I would show my hotel key as I enter the Grand and then I would go through a second security point leaving the Grand into the DCA entrance by Grizzly? I don't think I would do that - but I'm just curious. I know some of the people in my group would love to at least see the lobby of the Grand. And they must let people in for restaurants, right?

Also, can anyone or at least someone with a DLH key exit DCA through the Grand still?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Disney_Alli]

Anyone can exit through the Grand at any time. And yes I believe you could go through security at DTD by EoS and then enter the Grand by Sephora then use the entrance from there into DCA but you'd have to go through security a second time. I'd just exit through the Grand to check out the lobby if it was me.